Arknights Endfield First Banner Priority – Which Launch Banners to Pull On

For Arknights Endfield launch, priority should go to finishing the New Horizons beginner banner, then deciding how hard to go on Laevatain’s “Scars of the Forge” based on whether you already have a carry, with future banners like Gilberta/Yvonne kept in mind if you are low-spend or F2P. Treat weapon (Arsenal Issue) banners as luxury pulls after you have at least one strong 6★ operator core.

Banner Overview at Launch

• New Horizons Headhunting (Beginner banner):
  • Time-limited “starter” banner with only standard 6★s: Ember, Lifeng, Ardelia, Last Rite, Pogranichnik.
  • Guarantees at least one 6★ within the four ten-pulls you can earn, then disappears once cleared.
• Scars of the Forge (Laevatain):
  • First rate-up banner, runs Jan 22–Feb 7, 2026.
  • Features Laevatain (6★ Heat striker) with a 50% chance to be your first 6★ on pity; standard pool 6★s (Ember, Lifeng, Ardelia, Last Rite, Pogranichnik) are also in the pool.
• Upcoming character banners (early 1.0):
  • The Floaty Messenger (Gilberta) – Feb 7–24, 2026.
  • Hues of Passion (Yvonne) – expected Feb 24–Mar 13, 2026.
• Permanent banners:
  • Basic Headhunting – permanent standard banner with Ember, Ardelia, Last Rite, Pogranichnik, etc.
  • New Horizons counts as a special beginner standard banner, not a true limited.

1. Always Clear New Horizons First

New Horizons is the highest priority banner for every new account.

• Why it is mandatory:
  • You get up to 4 × 10-pulls via early story and missions, and within those the banner guarantees one 6★ from the standard pool.
  • The pool is extremely high value: Ember (tank), Ardelia (healer/support), Last Rite (cryo DPS), Pogranichnik (frontliner), Lifeng (guard).
• How to use it:
  • Most guides recommend accepting your first 6★ and moving on, instead of rerolling endlessly for a perfect combo.​
  • New Horizons also gives a New Horizons Weapon Supply item at completion, letting you pick one 6★ weapon, making it even more important to finish.​

Priority: Dump your early pulls into New Horizons until you hit its guaranteed 6★ and weapon pick.

2. Laevatain’s Banner – When to Pull Hard

Once New Horizons is cleared, the main decision is how much to pull on Scars of the Forge (Laevatain).

• Laevatain value:
  • Launch guides and tier lists rate Laevatain as a top-tier Heat DPS and one of the best overall carries in 1.0.
  • She is future-proof, works in many team shells, and is the headliner of the first banner window.
• Banner mechanics:
  • 80 pulls guarantee a 6★; there is a 50% chance that 6★ is Laevatain, otherwise it will be one of the standard pool 6★s.​
• Recommended priority:
  • If your New Horizons 6★ is not a strong DPS (e.g., you pulled Ember or Ardelia):
    • High priority – Pull on Laevatain until you either get her or secure your first 6★ from this banner, then reassess.
  • If your New Horizons 6★ is already a strong carry (Last Rite, etc.):
    • Medium priority – You can still pull for Laevatain, but consider saving some currency for Gilberta/Yvonne if you are F2P.

For a standard player, “finish New Horizons → do at least some pulls on Laevatain” is the usual early route.

3. Save for Gilberta and Yvonne (Support Banners)

After Laevatain’s run, two powerful supports arrive quickly.

• Gilberta (The Floaty Messenger):
  • Six-star Nature supporter, widely recommended as one of the best long-term supports.
  • Banner runs Feb 7–24, directly after Laevatain’s ends.
• Yvonne (Hues of Passion):
  • Cryo-focused 6★ damage dealer/support; exact dates around Feb 24–Mar 13.
• Priority logic:
  • If you already secured a strong DPS from New Horizons/Laevatain:
    • Saving for Gilberta is very high value, since she supercharges many teams.
  • If you whiff on DPS entirely:
    • Your priority stays Laevatain/other DPS until you have at least one solid main carry; support banners are more “second wave.”

F2P and low-spend players are generally advised to anchor on one powerful DPS + one top support, then worry about niche picks later.

4. Weapon (Arsenal Issue) Banners – Low Priority Early

Launch also has weapon banners like Smelting Forge Issue, Express Delivery Issue, and Graffiti Issue, tied to three waves of character banners.

• These banners run longer (often across three Chartered Headhunting banners), so you have more time to target a weapon.
• Guides strongly recommend not pulling weapons before you own a 6★ operator you plan to main, especially if you are F2P.​

Priority: focus on characters first, New Horizons 6★, Laevatain or other carry, then supports, before considering any Arsenal Issue pulls.

Simple Priority Order

For a typical new or F2P player at launch:

1. Finish New Horizons beginner banner (and grab its 6★ weapon ticket).
2. Pull on Scars of the Forge until you get:
   • Laevatain, or
   • At least one strong extra 6★ if your New Horizons hit was weak on DPS.
3. Save for Gilberta and/or Yvonne depending on what your roster lacks (support vs additional DPS).
4. Only after you have a solid 6★ core, consider weapon banners for your favorite main carry.

Following this keeps your early pulls focused on building a 1–2 carry + 1–2 premium support core, which is the most efficient way to spend limited headhunting currency in Endfield’s launch cycle.