Arknights Endfield

Arknights Endfield Long-Term Meta Forecast Based on Beta and Pre-Release Data

Arknights Endfield Artwork 5

Arknights: Endfield’s long-term meta is expected to revolve around elemental reaction teams (Heat, Electric, Cryo, Nature), universal supports like Ardelia, and a small core of S-tier carries such as Laevatain and Pogranichnik. Beta and pre-release data also suggest the game will stay relatively roster-diverse, with multiple viable team archetypes rather than a single dominant comp.

Combat Systems That Shape the Meta

Closed Beta II heavily reworked stagger and reactions, pushing the meta toward coordinated combos instead of pure stat checks.

  • Physical Status now uses Vulnerable stacks (up to 4), with Lift/Knock Down adding stacks and Crush/Breach consuming them for powerful payoffs, so units that reliably build and cash out Vulnerable gain long-term value.​
  • Arts Reactions and elemental afflictions (Heat, Cryo, Electric, Nature) were redesigned to feel more impactful, rewarding teams that plan around specific anomaly builds.

These mechanics strongly favor operators who:

  • Generate stagger and Vulnerable quickly.
  • Apply and detonate elemental afflictions consistently.
  • Support AI teammates with buffs/debuffs that multiply those effects.​

Likely Meta-Defining Operators

Early tier lists based on CBT2 and pre-release 1.0 data already identify a T0/S-tier core that is likely to remain strong long term.

  • Ardelia (Nature Arts support/DPS) – rated T0/S in multiple lists thanks to universal Corrosion, Physical/Arts susceptibility, Dollie summons, and healing, making her fit into almost any comp.
  • Laevatain (Heat Striker) – consistently at the top of DPS rankings; her Ultimate converts basics into devastating Heat chains and synergizes with both Heat and Nature supports.​
  • Pogranichnik (Vanguard) – standout SP battery and Physical/Breach vulnerability enabler, used in many “top meta” comps across Physical and hybrid teams.​
  • Last Rite and other high-stagger Strikers – beta tier lists and pre-release breakdowns place Cryo Strikers that combine burst, immunity, and stagger among the safest long-term DPS investments.​

Because these operators directly exploit Vulnerable stacks and elemental systems, they are expected to remain meta anchors even as more units are added.

Team Archetypes With Long-Term Potential

Pre-release meta discussions and CBT2 tier lists highlight several team styles that look future-proof rather than purely patch-specific.

  • Heat + Nature reaction teams – Laevatain or other Heat DPS with Ardelia and Heat/Nature enablers; takes advantage of frequent anomaly triggers and mixed Physical/Arts damage.​
  • Physical + Breach/Vulnerable stacks – Physical Strikers/Guards plus Pogranichnik-style SP batteries and debuffers; benefits from the revamped Vulnerable stack system in high-end content.​
  • Electric control and SP cycling – Electric teams that lean on repeated reactions, crowd control, and SP generation are flagged as particularly F2P-friendly and scalable.​

Mobalytics and Endfield.gg both caution that their tier lists are “preliminary” and based on CBT performance, but they still treat these archetypes as the strongest foundations for long-term accounts.​

Monetization, Pity, and Roster Depth

Hypergryph’s 120-pull guarantee system and weapon pity design influence how sticky the meta is likely to be.​

  • A guaranteed featured 6★ at 120 pulls reduces long-term FOMO and makes it realistic for F2P and low-spend players to secure at least some meta units over time.
  • Reviews and monetization breakdowns note that Endfield avoids hard paywalls and expects smart saving instead, which naturally encourages broader roster building rather than relying on one broken unit.​

This structure points toward a meta where:

  • New limited units will periodically shake up top teams, but old T0 supports (like Ardelia or core SP batteries) remain relevant.
  • Players with good planning can keep up by targeting key banners rather than owning every release.​

Forecast Summary

Based on CBT2 data, launch tier lists, and system design, the long-term meta is likely to emphasize:

  • Reaction-centric teams that maximize Vulnerable stacks and elemental anomalies.
  • Universal supports (Ardelia-tier units, strong SP batteries) that fit into multiple elements.
  • A small but stable core of S-tier carries that stay valuable across patches, with new releases adding options more than replacing them.

As more regions, bosses, and operators arrive, exact rankings will shift, but the underlying mechanics, stagger nodes, Vulnerable, and reactions, mean synergy and role coverage will matter more than chasing every single new DPS.

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Jake Skudder

Jake is an SEO-minded Football, Combat Sports, Gaming and Pro Wrestling writer and successful Editor in Chief. Most importantly, he is a Gacha players who specialises in Genshin Impact. On top of that, Jake has more than ten years of experience covering mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, football and gaming across a number of publications, starting at SEScoops in 2012 under the name Jake Jeremy. His work has also been featured on Sportskeeda, Pro Sports Extra, Wrestling Headlines, NoobFeed, Wrestlingnewsco and Keen Gamer, again under the name Jake Jeremy. Previously, he worked as the Editor in Chief of 24Wrestling, building the site profile with a view to selling the domain, which was accomplished in 2019. Jake was previously the Editor in Chief for Fight Fans, a combat sports and pro wrestling site that was launched in January 2021 and broke into millions of pageviews within the first two years. He previously worked for Snack Media and their GiveMeSport site, creating Evergreen and Trending content that would deliver pageviews via Google as the UFC and MMA SEO Lead. Jake managed to take an area of GiveMeSport that had zero traction on Organic and push it to audiences across the globe. Jake also has a record of long-term video and written interview content with the likes of the Professional Fighters League, ONE and Cage Warriors, working directly with the brands to promote bouts, fighters and special events. Jake also previously worked for the biggest independent wrestling company in the UK, PROGRESS Wrestling, as PR Head and Head of Media across the social channels of the company.

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