AUTHORITY LEVELS GUIDE
Every Unlock, Level Requirement & Progression Gate
Last updated: 2026-02-02
* TL;DR - Key Points
- * Authority Level is your account-wide rank, raised by earning Operational EXP from story, Protocol Spaces, and daily tasks
- * Max level is 60 -- Sanity cap scales from 125 to 360 as you progress
- * Level 15 is the first major gate: Stock Redistribution, AIC Steward, Depot Bus, Endministrator form switch
- * Level 34 opens Power Plateau for Sandleaf farming and Ferrium blue gear at 36
- * Level 43 triggers the Wuling story quest, unlocking an entirely new region with endgame resources
- * Level 50 unlocks Protocol Procession and Tier 2 endgame gear requirements
- * Milestone rewards at Levels 8, 15, 20, 25, and 45 include HH Permits and 1,000 Oroberyl bonuses
Contents
What Are Authority Levels?
Authority Level is the single most important progression metric in Arknights: Endfield. Story progression, region access, operator level caps, gear templates, and nearly every major game system is gated behind it. Your Authority Level can only be increased by earning Operational EXP.
Max Level
Level 60 is the current cap. Requires 207,610 total Operational EXP.
Sanity Scaling
Sanity cap grows from 125 to 360 as you level up, increasing your daily farming capacity.
Level Rewards
Each level grants Oroberyl, gear templates, and milestone bonuses at key thresholds.
Where to Check Your Level
Your Authority Level displays in the top-left HUD under your player name. Open the Progression menu to see current EXP, next level requirement, and any unclaimed rewards. Check this every few levels -- Oroberyl and HH Permits accumulate without notification.
How to Gain Operational EXP
Operational EXP is the only currency that raises your Authority Level. It comes from five sources, each with different effort-to-reward profiles.
Protocol Spaces (Fastest Per-Sanity)
Arknights: Endfield's version of dungeons. Spending Sanity on Protocol Spaces is the most efficient repeatable source of Operational EXP. Every Sanity point spent here contributes to leveling while simultaneously farming materials.
Main Missions (Largest Single Rewards)
Main story quests give the biggest individual EXP payouts in the game. Pushing story should always be your first priority when you have the combat power to clear the next stage.
Operation Manual Tasks
Guided progression objectives that reward Operational EXP alongside Arsenal Tickets and other materials. These tasks are designed to point you toward important systems and content you might otherwise miss.
Daily Tasks
Consistent daily EXP bursts from completing daily and weekly objectives. Smaller amounts per task, but the consistency compounds over time.
World Exploration
Opening chests, unlocking teleport points, constructing mining rigs, and completing side quests all provide small amounts of Operational EXP. Individually minor, but the sum total from thorough exploration is substantial.
EXP Source Comparison
| Source | Effort | EXP per Session | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol Spaces | Medium | High | Daily (Sanity-gated) |
| Main Missions | Low | Very High | One-time per quest |
| Operation Manual | Low | Medium | As tasks complete |
| Daily Tasks | Low | Medium | Daily |
| World Exploration | Medium | Low (cumulative) | One-time per node |
Complete Unlock Table
The master reference for every major unlock, organized by Authority Level. Bookmark this section -- every other guide on this site references these thresholds.
Levels 1-14: Foundations
| Level | Unlock | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Game start, tutorial systems | Core |
| 5 | Miner Overalls gear template, first gear recipes | Gear |
| 8 | 10 Basic HH Permits (milestone reward) | Reward |
| 10 | Basic Gear Pack level requirement, early gear assembly | Gear |
Levels 15-20: Core Systems Unlock
| Level | Unlock | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Stock Redistribution (after "Restart Area Stock Redistribution I" quest) | Trading |
| 15 | AIC Steward quest -- unlocks Depot Bus, factory expansion | Factory |
| 15 | Endministrator form switch via Stasis Core on Dijiang | Combat |
| 15 | OMV Dijiang access (Maintenance Progress prerequisite) | Region |
| 15 | 10 Basic HH Permits + 1,000 Oroberyl (milestone reward) | Reward |
| 18 | Maintenance Progress mission -- mid-game story transition | Story |
| 20 | Miner alpha Gear Pack level requirement | Gear |
| 20 | 10 Basic HH Permits + 1,000 Oroberyl (milestone reward) | Reward |
Levels 21-34: Region Expansion
| Level | Unlock | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Mid-game Gear Assembly expansion (Amethyst Components) | Gear |
| 25 | Essence dungeon farming becomes viable | Combat |
| 25 | 10 Basic HH Permits + 1,000 Oroberyl (milestone reward) | Reward |
| 28 | Miner beta/gamma gear level requirement | Gear |
| 34 | Power Plateau access -- Sandleaf nodes, endgame factory materials | Region |
Levels 35-45: Advanced Content
| Level | Unlock | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Ferrium Component blue-tier gear | Gear |
| 43 | Wuling main story quest ("Arrival at Wuling") -- new region access | Region |
| 43+ | Wuling region: Xiranite, Yazhen, Jincao, Wuling Stock Bills | Factory |
| 43+ | Wuling Stock Redistribution terminals | Trading |
| 45 | Curated Weapon Supply + 1,000 Oroberyl (milestone reward) | Reward |
Levels 46-60: Endgame
| Level | Unlock | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Major progression checkpoint (~160-170 total pulls accumulated) | Milestone |
| 50 | Protocol Procession unlocks | Combat |
| 50 | Tier 2 endgame gear level requirement | Gear |
| 60 | Max level -- Sanity cap reaches 360, all systems accessible | Core |
How to Level Up Fast
There is no secret shortcut -- leveling is driven by how efficiently you spend your play time and Sanity. But the order of priority matters significantly.
Priority Order
- 1. Push main story -- Largest EXP payouts in the game, and unlocks new systems that generate even more EXP
- 2. Spend all Sanity on Protocol Spaces -- Most efficient repeatable source; never let Sanity cap out
- 3. Complete Operation Manual tasks -- Guided objectives that reward EXP plus bonus materials
- 4. Finish daily and weekly objectives -- Consistent EXP income that compounds over time
- 5. Explore thoroughly -- Chests, teleports, mining rigs, and side quests all add up
Pro Tip: Story First, Always
Main story quests give the largest EXP chunks in the game. Pushing story should always be your first priority when you have the combat power to clear the next stage. Protocol Spaces are a supplement, not a replacement for story progression.
Pro Tip: Never Waste Sanity
Every point of Sanity spent in Protocol Spaces yields Operational EXP. Never let your Sanity cap out -- even if you have no immediate farming need, running any Protocol Space is better than sitting at full Sanity with zero EXP generation.
Combat Progression Gates
Combat content in Endfield is gated by Authority Level, Exploration Level, and operator power. Here are the major thresholds tied specifically to Authority Level.
| Gate | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol Spaces (basic) | Early game | Available after tutorial |
| Endministrator form switch | Level 15 | Via Stasis Core on Dijiang (24-hour cooldown) |
| Essence dungeon farming | ~Level 25+ | Drop quality improves significantly at 40+ |
| Protocol Procession | Level 50 | Endgame combat content |
| Deep Dive materials | High-level operators | Weekly reset locations |
Factory & Economy Progression Gates
The AIC factory and trading economy expand as you gain Authority Levels. These systems build on each other, so unlocking them on time prevents bottlenecks later.
| Gate | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic AIC factory | Tutorial | Available from game start |
| AIC Steward quest / Depot Bus | Level 15 | Unlocks factory expansion, requires 5,000 Stock Bills |
| Stock Redistribution | Level 15 | Plus "Restart Area Stock Redistribution I" quest |
| Outpost Orders | Mid-game | Primary Stock Bill income source |
| Sandleaf Powder loop | Level 34 | Requires Power Plateau access |
| Wuling Xiranite factory | Level 43+ | New materials, advanced production chains |
Factory Timing Matters
The AIC Steward quest and Stock Redistribution both unlock at Level 15 and both feed into each other. Complete them together -- the Depot Bus improves factory logistics, and Stock Redistribution provides Stock Bills for further upgrades. Delaying either creates a compounding disadvantage.
Region Access Progression Gates
New regions unlock through Authority Level thresholds combined with main story progression. Each region introduces unique resources, enemies, and factory materials.
| Region | Requirement | Key Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Valley IV | Game start | Originium Ore, Amethyst, Buckflower, Echotin |
| OMV Dijiang | Level 15+ (story quest) | Manufacturing Cabin, Stasis Core, operator materials |
| Power Plateau | Level 34 (story quest) | Sandleaf (17 nodes), Ferrium Ore, endgame factory inputs |
| Wuling | Level 43 (story quest) | Xiranite, Yazhen, Jincao, Wuling Stock Bills |
Pro Tip: Don't Skip Power Plateau
Power Plateau at Level 34 is easy to overlook because it is not a full region with its own hub. But the 17 Sandleaf nodes there are critical for endgame factory chains. Access it as soon as the story allows and start your Sandleaf Powder loop immediately.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
1. Rushing Past Main Story Content
Story quests are the single largest EXP source. Skipping dialogue is fine, but skipping story quests to farm dungeons costs you massive Operational EXP. Story always comes first.
2. Letting Sanity Cap Out
Every Sanity point wasted is Operational EXP lost. Never sit at max Sanity -- even running an inefficient Protocol Space beats zero EXP generation. Set a daily reminder if needed.
3. Ignoring Stock Redistribution at Level 15
The trading system compounds over time. Every day you delay is a day of missed trading opportunity and Stock Bill income that cannot be recovered.
4. Farming Essences Before Level 40
Essence drop rates are poor before this threshold. Focus EXP and resources elsewhere until drops improve. Running essence dungeons at Level 25 wastes Sanity that could be generating better returns from other Protocol Spaces.
5. Skipping Power Plateau at Level 34
Sandleaf is critical for endgame factory chains. Access Power Plateau as soon as the story allows and begin collecting from the 17 Sandleaf nodes immediately.
6. Over-Investing in Low-Tier Gear
Gear you craft at Level 20 gets replaced by Level 36 blue gear. Spend enough to clear content, but don't pour enhancement materials into equipment you will discard within a few Authority Levels.
7. Not Claiming Authority Level Rewards
The progression menu accumulates unclaimed Oroberyl, HH Permits, and gear templates. These do not auto-collect. Check the menu every few levels -- free Oroberyl is free Oroberyl.
8. Treating Leveling as Passive
Authority Level responds to active play. Deliberate Sanity spending, Operation Manual completion, and story pushing all accelerate progression. Players who approach it passively hit walls at Level 15, 34, and 43 that active players sail through.
Quick Reference Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Authority Levels in Arknights: Endfield?
Authority Level is your account-wide progression rank in Arknights: Endfield. You gain Operational EXP from main story quests, Protocol Spaces, daily tasks, and exploration. Higher levels unlock new regions, systems, gear tiers, and trading features. The maximum is Level 60.
What level unlocks Stock Redistribution in Arknights: Endfield?
Stock Redistribution unlocks at Authority Level 15. You must also complete the 'Restart Area Stock Redistribution I' exploration mission and speak to the Lucky Carrot NPC near The Hub. Level 15 also unlocks the AIC Steward quest, Depot Bus, and Endministrator form switch.
How do you level up fast in Arknights: Endfield?
The fastest way to gain Operational EXP is spending Sanity on Protocol Spaces and pushing main story quests, which give the largest EXP chunks. Supplement with Operation Manual tasks, daily tasks, and world exploration activities like opening chests and unlocking teleport points.
What level unlocks the Wuling region in Arknights: Endfield?
The Wuling region becomes accessible at Authority Level 43 via the 'Arrival at Wuling' main story quest. This unlocks new factory mechanics (Xiranite), crops (Yazhen, Jincao), Wuling Stock Bills, and endgame content.