News & Updates

VERSION 1.2 PREVIEW: SPRING AWAKENING & WULING CLIMAX | ENDFIELD

T
Talos Hub Team
#Arknights Endfield#Version 1.2#Zhuang Fangyi#Livestream#April 2026
Version 1.2 Preview: Spring Awakening & Wuling Climax | Endfield

The wait is nearly over. After weeks of speculation, datamines, and silhouette teasers, Hypergryph has officially announced the Version 1.2 “At the Wake of Spring” Preview Special Program for April 11, 2026, at 19:30 UTC+8. This livestream will unveil the full scope of what promises to be Endfield’s most ambitious update yet.

With Version 1.1 entering its final phase and the Rossi banner winding down, the Talos-II frontier stands on the brink of transformation. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming spring offensive.


TL;DR - Key Points

  • Livestream confirmed — April 11, 2026 at 19:30 UTC+8 reveals full Version 1.2 content
  • Zhuang Fangyi leaks — 6-star Electric Caster, Wuling’s “Celestial Master” authority, hypercarry kit
  • Li Zhiyan expected — 6-star Nature-element operator debuting in Version 1.2 Phase 2
  • Xiranite Dam siege — Narrative climax pits Wuling defenders against Ardashir’s forces
  • Rossi banner ending — Current Chartered Headhunting concludes April 17, 2026
  • Cloud gaming live — GeForce NOW support enables high-fidelity streaming since April 2
  • Active redeem codes — ENDFIELDGIFT (150 Oroberyl) and ENDFIELD4PC (13K T-Creds) available
  • Meta shift incoming — Tangtang Cryo teams dominate current Umbral Monument clears

Version 1.2: “At the Wake of Spring”

The title itself carries weight. “At the Wake of Spring” suggests both renewal and vigil—the moment when winter’s threats recede but defenders remain watchful. For Wuling, this isn’t poetic flourish; it’s survival doctrine.

Release Timeline

Based on the livestream schedule and historical patterns from Version 1.1, we expect:

EventDate
Preview LivestreamApril 11, 2026 (19:30 UTC+8)
Version 1.2 LaunchApril 17, 2026 (estimated)
Rossi Banner EndApril 17, 2026
Phase 1 BannersApril 17 - May 8, 2026
Phase 2 BannersMay 8 - May 29, 2026

The tight turnaround between livestream and launch (approximately 6 days) mirrors the Version 1.1 rollout, giving players minimal time to stockpile Oroberyl—but maximum time to plan.


Leaked Operators: The Celestial Master Arrives

Datamines from recent dev builds have painted a clear picture of Version 1.2’s headliners. Two 6-star operators dominate the leaks, each representing a pillar of Wuling’s ideological and military structure.

Zhuang Fangyi: The Electric Sovereign

Zhuang Fangyi (potentially operating under the title “Tianshi Zhuang” or “Celestial Master”) is the most anticipated arrival since Laevatain’s debut. The leaks describe her as an Electric Caster with hypercarry potential—the kind of unit that reshapes team-building around her existence.

Expected Kit Features:

  • Element: Electric (chain lightning, paralysis applications)
  • Role: On-field burst DPS with off-field pressure options
  • Signature Mechanic: Dual-form stance switching (Lightning Field / Transformation)
  • Synergy Targets: Existing Electric supports like Akekuri, potential Nature-Electric reaction teams

Why She Matters: The current meta revolves around Heat (Laevatain) and Cryo (Tangtang) archetypes. Electric has remained underrepresented in the 6-star pool. Zhuang Fangyi’s arrival could unlock dormant synergies and challenge the “Thermo-Cryo” dominance of Umbral Monument leaderboards.

Li Zhiyan: The Nature Wildcard

Less is known about Li Zhiyan, the rumored Phase 2 6-star. What we do know:

  • Element: Nature (confirmed via silhouette datamine)
  • Potential Role: Striker or Support with Corrosion-forward playstyle
  • Narrative Position: Likely tied to Qingbo Stockade’s autonomous factions

If Li Zhiyan mirrors Tangtang’s “bandit chief” archetype, we could see a Nature DPS designed to capitalize on Corrosion stacks—creating a bridge between the current Cryo meta and future Nature compositions.


The Siege of Xiranite Dam: Narrative Climax

Version 1.2 isn’t just about new operators—it’s about converging storylines. The Wuling arc, building since Version 1.0’s initial expansion, reaches its crescendo with the Siege of Xiranite Dam.

The Stakes

The Xiranite Dam is Wuling’s linchpin infrastructure. It neutralizes liquid Blight using synthesized Feranmut energy, preventing the “Blight Tides” from overwhelming the region. If Ardashir’s forces breach the dam:

  1. Ecological Collapse: Untreated Blight floods downstream settlements
  2. Industrial Paralysis: Hydro-mining operations cease without Feranmut refinement
  3. Strategic Loss: Wuling Viceroyalty loses its primary defensive position

Ardashir: The Reluctant Antagonist

Unlike the chaotic Nefarith, Ardashir operates with calculated precision. Evidence suggests he is a Sarkaz Lich—one of the original “40 Heroes” who traveled with the Endministrator a century ago. His assault isn’t random terrorism; it’s a philosophical statement about preservation through destruction.

Character Motivation: Ardashir believes the current containment doctrine (the “Tianshi Doctrine”) merely delays inevitable collapse. By destroying the dam, he forces civilization to adapt or perish—a cruel mercy rooted in his Terran experiences.

The Defense

Players will likely participate in the dam’s defense through:

  • Limited-time event stages with siege mechanics
  • New enemy types (Ardashir’s elite Sarkaz units)
  • Environmental hazards (Blight tide mechanics, Feranmut instability)

Expect a multi-phase event similar to Version 1.0’s “Zeroth Directive,” with escalating difficulty and Oroberyl rewards scaling with performance.


Version 1.1: Current State of the Frontier

As we await 1.2, Version 1.1 enters its twilight phase. Understanding the current meta provides context for what’s coming.

Active Banner: Rossi’s Final Days

The Chartered Headhunting banner featuring Rossi (6-star Heat Guard) concludes on April 17, 2026. Rossi has proven to be a formidable addition to Physical/Heat hybrid teams:

Rossi’s Niche:

  • Converts “Arts Inflictions” into “Vulnerability” stacks
  • Excels against high-resistance targets
  • Synergizes with Laevatain’s Heat application

Pull Recommendation: If you lack a dedicated Physical-Heat bridge unit, Rossi’s banner offers unique value. However, saving for Zhuang Fangyi may take priority for Electric team builders.

Qingbo Stockade: Regional Development Level 9

The Wuling region has expanded to include the Qingbo Stockade, with Regional Development Level cap raised to 9. The bottleneck? The Environment Monitoring Terminal.

Terminal Requirements:

  • Level 3 Terminal required for RD Level 9
  • Often overlooked in favor of production facilities
  • Requires specific blueprints from Wuling exploration

Players rushing to max RD before 1.2 should prioritize Terminal upgrades now. Historical patterns suggest Version 1.2 may raise the cap further, requiring additional facility investments.

Meta Report: Cryo-Heat Dominance

The current Umbral Monument meta is defined by two archetypes:

ArchetypeCore OperatorSupport PackagePerformance
Heat TeamsLaevatainGilberta + Ardelia + flexS-Tier (established)
Cryo TeamsTangtangPerlica + Xaihi + flexS-Tier (emerging)
Physical TeamsRossiWulfgard + PogranichnikA-Tier (niche)
Electric TeamsAkekuriChen Qianyu + flexB-Tier (pre-1.2)

Tangtang’s Rise: Tangtang’s ability to trigger full-screen time-stop via her Ultimate has made her indispensable for high-tier clears. Her Cryo application enables “shatter” compositions that delete staggered bosses within damage windows.

Laevatain’s Endurance: Despite being “solved,” Laevatain remains competitive due to her AoE Heat generation and self-sustain. The arrival of Rossi has extended her viability into single-target scenarios where she previously struggled.


Technical Updates: Cloud Gaming & April Fools

Beyond combat and narrative, Version 1.1’s lifecycle has seen notable technical developments.

GeForce NOW Integration

As of April 2, 2026, Arknights: Endfield is officially available on GeForce NOW. This partnership enables:

  • High-fidelity streaming on low-end devices
  • Ray tracing support via cloud GPUs
  • Cross-platform progression with local installations

Performance Notes: Early reports indicate stable 60 FPS at 1440p with ray tracing enabled—surpassing what many local installations can achieve. Players with bandwidth caps should monitor data usage, as streaming consumes approximately 10-15 GB per hour at maximum settings.

April Fools: “Journey of the Long-Ear”

The “Journey of the Long-Ear” event (colloquially “Bunny Mode”) concluded on April 8, 2026. This limited-time affair transformed the Endministrator into a “bunny idol” and introduced:

  • Cosmetic ear/tail accessories
  • Limited dialogue trees with operators
  • Special Oroberyl rewards (approximately 50-100 total)

While mechanically light, the event’s conclusion signals the all-clear for serious preparation before 1.2.


Active Redeem Codes: Stockpile for 1.2

Before the April 11 livestream, ensure you’ve claimed all available freebies. These codes remain active as of April 8, 2026:

ENDFIELDGIFT

Rewards:

  • 150 Oroberyl
  • 10,000 T-Creds
  • Various upgrade materials (Medium EXP chips, Advanced Skill Manuals)

Redemption: Available on all platforms. One redemption per account.

ENDFIELD4PC

Rewards:

  • 13,000 T-Creds
  • Combat Records (Medium/High tier)

Redemption: PC-exclusive. Requires login through official launcher or Steam.

Expected Value: Combined, these codes provide approximately 1,200-1,500 Oroberyl worth of resources when accounting for T-Cred conversion rates. For F2P players, this represents a meaningful contribution toward 1.2 banner pulls.


Preparation Strategy: What to Do Before April 17

With roughly 9 days until the expected launch, prioritize these actions:

Resource Stockpiling

ResourceTarget AmountPriority
Oroberyl1,600+ (for pity)Critical
Headhunting Permits10+High
T-Creds50,000+Medium
EXP Chips100+ (High tier)Medium
Skill Manuals50+ (Advanced)Low

Facility Planning

If Zhuang Fangyi’s leaks prove accurate (Electric Caster, hypercarry), prepare for:

  • Electric Essence farming in Valley dungeons
  • Caster weapon blueprints stockpiling
  • AIC power grid expansion for potential Electric-focused facilities

Team Building

Current meta suggests these investments remain safe:

  • Tangtang investment pays dividends in both Cryo and potential Nature-Cryo hybrid teams
  • Laevatain + Rossi pairing remains viable for Heat-Physical compositions
  • Electric supports (Akekuri, Chen Qianyu) may see renewed value post-1.2

The Livestream: What to Watch For

The April 11 Special Program will run approximately 60-90 minutes. Key segments to monitor:

  1. Operator Reveals (Minutes 10-30): Full kit demonstrations for Zhuang Fangyi and Li Zhiyan
  2. Event Overview (Minutes 30-50): Siege of Xiranite Dam mechanics, rewards, duration
  3. Banner Schedule (Minutes 50-60): Exact dates, rate-up details, pity carryover confirmation
  4. QoL Announcements (Minutes 60-75): Potential quality-of-life improvements based on 1.1 feedback
  5. Redeem Codes (During Stream): Typically 2-3 codes released during broadcasts, expiring within 24 hours

Time Zone Conversions:

  • UTC+8: April 11, 19:30 (primary)
  • UTC: April 11, 11:30
  • EST: April 11, 07:30
  • PST: April 11, 04:30

Set your reminders. Hypergryph occasionally releases “early reveal” codes during the first 10 minutes, creating a scramble for viewers who join late.


Conclusion: Spring Offensive Awaits

Version 1.2 represents more than content expansion—it’s a statement. The Siege of Xiranite Dam elevates Endfield’s narrative from frontier survival to geopolitical warfare. Zhuang Fangyi’s arrival challenges the meta’s thermal orthodoxy. The GeForce NOW partnership democratizes access for players without high-end hardware.

Whether you’re saving Oroberyl for the Celestial Master, optimizing your Cryo teams for Tangtang’s time-stops, or simply ensuring your Environment Monitoring Terminal reaches Level 3, the next nine days matter.

The dam will hold. The spring will wake. And Talos-II will never be the same.


Updated April 8, 2026 with active codes and livestream confirmation. Will update post-livestream with final operator kits and banner schedules.