Medal Prestige
Mastery Over FOMO: The Complete Trimming Guide
Last updated: 2026-02-25
Complete guide to Medal Trimming in Arknights: Endfield. Covers Umbral Monument Agony Mode, Re-Crisis Deep Dive bosses, Ultimate Weaponry maxing, and hidden Wondrous Medals. Learn the difference between Gilding (quantitative) and Trimming (qualitative) prestige achievements.
* TL;DR - Key Points
- * Gilding = Quantitative (grind/time) - Open 95% of crates
- * Trimming = Qualitative (mastery) - Beat under time limit, no items
- * Umbral Monument - Clear Agony for iridescent finish
- * Re-Crisis - Deep Dive: 120s or 240s time limits
- * Ultimate Weaponry - Total Skill Level 25 (9+9+7)
- * No FOMO - Trimmed medals are permanent
Contents
The Anatomy of the Medal System
In Endfield aren't just participation trophies, medals. They are divided into functional categories that track everything from your factory output to your combat prowess.
Gilding (Quantitative)
Applies to exploration and grind-heavy tasks. If you open 95% of the crates in Valley IV, your medal gets a "Gilded" frame. Signifies dedication and time spent.
Trimming (Qualitative)
Reserved for performance peaks—beating a boss under a certain time limit or clearing a stage without using tactical items. The "Elite" status.
| Medal Category | Base Acquisition | Trimming/Gilding | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umbral Monument | Clear Normal | Clear Agony | Iridescent |
| Boss Re-Crisis | Defeat boss | Deep Dive <120s/240s | Chromatic |
| Ultimate Weaponry | Acquire 6-star | Skill Level 25 | Glowing |
| Exploration | Visit all TP Points | ~95% crates | Gilded |
| Wondrous Medals | Hidden tasks | Binary | Unique |
Gilding vs Trimming: What's the Difference?
Understanding the difference between these two prestige systems is crucial for planning your grinding strategy.
Gilding - The Grind
- -- Requires time investment and completion percentage
- -- Examples: Opening most crates in a region, collecting resources
- -- Visual: Gold/gilded frame around medal
- -- forgiving: Can be achieved through persistence alone
Trimming - The Mastery
- -- Requires skill and mechanical execution
- -- Examples: Time attacks, no-item clears, high-difficulty modes
- -- Visual: Iridescent/chromatic finish
- -- Challenging: Requires understanding of game mechanics
The Umbral Monument: Testing Your Limits
The Umbral Monument is the permanent endgame of Endfield. Unlike seasonal events that disappear, this is a fixed benchmark. To even start this journey, you need to reach Authority Level 30 and finish the "Paving the Way" process in Chapter I.
First Series: Those Forsaken by the Land
Released February 12, 2026. Three stages: Survive the Gas, Unorthodox Tactics, Ballista and Axe. Each series runs approximately 2 weeks with unique mechanics.
Normal Mode
- -- Tacticals allowed
- -- Standard difficulty
- -- Practice and learn
- -- Rewards: Engraved Medal
Agony Mode
- -- NO tactical items
- -- Permadeath
- -- 10-minute timer
- -- Rewards: Trimmed Medal
The "Agony Mode" Ruleset
To trim an Umbral Monument medal, you have to clear the entire series on Agony Difficulty. This isn't just "more HP/more DMG"; it fundamentally changes how you play:
1. No Tactical Items
Forget your healing sprays and gadgets. You rely entirely on your Operators' skills and your ability to parry.
2. Permadeath
If an Operator falls, they stay down. If your main DPS dies, the run is usually over because of the strict 10-minute timer.
3. Mechanical Punishments
Agony mode adds modifiers that target specific playstyles. Each stage has unique challenges.
Case Study: Inorganic Construct Stage 3
Against the Walking Chrysopolis, the modifier makes dodging cost 15% of your current HP. If you spam the dodge button, you'll kill yourself faster than the boss will. The "Trim" here requires mastering Parrying or using Operators with high Stability to tank hits without moving.
Boss Re-Crisis: The "TTK" Meta
"Time-to-Kill" (TTK) is the name of the game for Re-Crisis trimming. These medals require you to enter Deep Dive difficulty and obliterate bosses within very narrow windows.
Rhodagn: The 120-Second Shield Check
Rhodagn (The Bonekrushing Fist) has a massive energy shield. To get the trim, you need to break that shield and the boss in under two minutes.
The Meta:
Use the Endministrator and Gilberta. The Administrator's Ultimate creates a field that allows Gilberta's multi-hit attacks to shred the shield in seconds.
Triaggelos: The 240-Second Dance
Triaggelos loves to dash away. Trimming requires "Stunlocking"—using Operators like Alesh or Chen Qianyu to apply "Lift" or "Stun" so the boss can't escape your damage windows.
Marble Aggelomoirai: The Tank
This boss is tanky. Most players use Ginseng Meat Stew (+27% ATK buff) and a "Stagger Build" to keep the boss vulnerable for as long as possible.
The "Ultimate Weaponry" Trim (The Math)
This is arguably the hardest medal to trim because it's a resource sink. It requires a weapon to reach a Total Skill Level of 25. Since each of the three weapon skills caps at Level 9, you need near-perfection: 9 + 9 + 7 = 25.
Weapon Tuning (Level 90)
You must tune the weapon to Stage 4. This is the only way to unlock the cap for the first two skills to reach Level 9.
Weapon Potential (Duplicates)
The third skill is gated by "Potential." To get it high enough to reach the 25 total, you usually need several duplicates of the weapon.
Essence Etching
You need high-tier Essences that have been maxed out to provide the final "bump" to these stats.
Pro-Tip for F2P Players
You don't need a Potential 5 6-star weapon (which is very expensive). Many 5-star weapons share the same Essence type as their 6-star counterparts. You can max out a 5-star weapon (easier to get duplicates for), use a "Perfect" Essence, and still secure the trim.
Industrial Support: Logistics Matter
You cannot separate the combat from the factory. To achieve these trims, your Wuling and Valley IV bases must be optimized.
Elite 4 (E4) Materials
The materials needed to push an Operator or weapon to the level caps are concentrated in the Wuling region.
Consumables
A successful Deep Dive run often depends on high-tier food buffs. If your factory isn't pumping out Ginseng and meat, your DPS will likely fall short of the 120-second mark.
Hidden "Wondrous" Medals
Finally, there are the secret achievements. These don't show up in your log until you do them. While they don't have "trimmed" variants, they are often iridescent by default.
Shoulder to Shoulder Delivery
Stop using the Tele-Protocol and deliver goods in person multiple times.
Immense Trust
Max out the Trust levels of multiple Operators through recruitment and interaction.
* The Verdict: Mastery Over FOMO
Unlike many modern RPGs that use seasonal "Fear Of Missing Out" (FOMO) to drive players, Arknights: Endfield focuses on permanence. These trimmed medals are always there, waiting for you to get stronger, smarter, and more efficient.
Trimming a medal isn't just about having the best gear; it's about proving you understand the mechanics of Talos-II better than anyone else.
Quick Reference Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medal Trimming in Arknights: Endfield?
Medal Trimming is the highest tier of achievement for medals in Endfield. While base medals show completion, trimmed medals prove mastery—earned by completing challenges under strict conditions like time limits, no tactical items, or specific difficulty modes.
How do I unlock Agony Mode for Umbral Monument?
To unlock Agony Mode, you must first clear all stages in Normal mode. Additionally, you need to reach Authority Level 30 and complete the 'Paving the Way' mission in Chapter I of the main story.
What is the hardest medal to trim in Endfield?
The 'Ultimate Weaponry' medal is often considered the hardest to trim because it requires reaching Total Skill Level 25 (9+9+7), which needs significant resource investment in weapon tuning, duplicates for Potential, and maxed Essence etching.
Can F2P players get trimmed medals?
Yes! Many trimmed medals are achievable with F2P-friendly teams. For Ultimate Weaponry, 5-star weapons sharing the same Essence type as 6-star variants can be maxed more easily. Agony Mode can be cleared with Endministrator, Chen Qianyu, Akekuri, and Ardelia.
What operators are best for Re-Crisis Deep Dive?
For shield-breaking bosses like Rhodagn (120s), use Endministrator + Gilberta. For mobile bosses like Triaggelos, use Alesh or Chen Qianyu for Lift/Stun. For tanky bosses like Marble Aggelomoirai, use stagger builds with ATK buffs like Ginseng Meat Stew.
Do trimmed medals expire?
No. Unlike seasonal FOMO content, trimmed medals from Umbral Monument and other permanent modes are permanent. They remain on your profile as permanent proof of mastery.