Arknights: Endfield Resource Management Guide (2026): Factory, Power & Material Optimization from Early to Endgame
Arknights: Endfield blends real‑time action combat, open‑world exploration, and one of the deepest factory automation systems ever seen in a gacha‑style RPG. What starts as a survival journey on Talos‑II rapidly evolves into an industrial simulation where how you manage time, power, materials, and progression systems matters more than raw combat skill.
Many players hit progression walls not because their Operators are weak, but because their factories are inefficient, their power grids are unstable, or their Regional Development is lagging behind story requirements. This updated guide takes community‑tested strategies and verified mechanics and breaks them down into a clear, phased approach — from your first hours to late‑game optimization.
If you want smoother progression, fewer resource bottlenecks, and a factory that works for you instead of against you, this guide is your blueprint.
Understanding Endfield’s Core Resource Systems
Before optimization comes understanding. Endfield’s systems are deeply interconnected, and ignoring even one will eventually stall progress.
Authority Level: Your Account‑Wide Progression Gate
Your Authority Level controls:
Story chapter access
Region unlocks
AIC (factory) features
Character and weapon level caps
You gain Operational EXP from many activities, but efficiency matters.
Highest‑Value EXP Sources
Stamina usage in Protocol Space (best EXP per stamina)
Energy Alluvium clears (large one‑time EXP chunks)
Main and side missions
Exploration rewards (rare chests, dataloggers)
Optimization rule: Never let stamina cap. Even low‑tier Protocol Space runs are better than wasted regeneration.
Automated Industry Complex (AIC): The Real Endgame System
The AIC is not optional content — it is the backbone of long‑term progression.
Through the AIC, you:
Automate material production (gear, batteries, components)
Generate power for mining and factories
Support Regional Development requirements
Reduce manual farming dramatically
The AIC connects multiple subsystems:
Production Facilities – Convert raw ore into usable materials
Power Grid – Thermal Banks, batteries, and relays
Depots – Storage limits and routing efficiency
Outposts & Regions – Trade, development, and story gating
Early mistakes here compound heavily later — which is why smart setup matters.
Early‑Game Resource Management (0–30 Hours): Build Foundations, Not Perfection
The early game is about unlocking systems, not min‑maxing them.
Priority #1: Push the Main Story
Main story progression unlocks:
Transport belts and routing tools
Additional AIC facilities
Depot upgrades and higher stack limits
Region access and development mechanics
Rule of thumb: If you’re deciding between exploring freely or pushing the story, push the story. Exploration scales better once systems are unlocked.
Priority #2: Smart Early Team Investment
Resources are tight early. Avoid spreading them thin.
Recommended approach
Invest in 4 Operators and 4 weapons only
Use the Newcomer Banner (guaranteed 6★ within 50 pulls)
Build a balanced squad (DPS, stagger pressure, support)
Starter‑Friendly Core Team
Endministrator
Snowshine
Perlica
Wulfgard
These cover survivability, stagger generation, and early DPS without heavy material demand.
Combat Efficiency Tip
Build stagger with normal attacks
Spike it with heavy attacks
Dump skills during stagger windows for faster clears and lower stamina usage
Priority #3: Initial AIC Setup (Keep It Simple)
Once the AIC unlocks (early story chapters), resist over‑engineering.
Early production goals
Originium Ore → Origocrust
Amethyst Ore → Amethyst Parts
Basic battery production (used for power and trade)
Key early rules
Use pre‑made blueprints instead of custom layouts
Place Geothermal/Thermal Banks only in safe zones — corrosion zones reduce durability and can destroy generators
Don’t chase efficiency percentages yet — uptime matters more
Early‑Game Resource Priority Table
| Resource | Priority | Why It Matters | Early Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operational EXP | High | Unlocks systems | Protocol Space, Alluvium |
| Character Materials | Medium | Story progression | Farm only when blocked |
| Factory Materials | Medium | Economic base | Simple pipelines |
| Exploration Rewards | Low | Scales later | Collect passively |
| Regional Currency | Low–Medium | Future gates | Start stockpiling |
Mid‑Game Resource Management (30–80 Hours): Integration & Efficiency
Mid‑game is where most players hit walls. The cause is almost always power mismanagement or underdeveloped regions.
Power & Electricity Network Optimization
Factories, miners, and belts all consume power. Poor planning leads to stalled production.
Power system fundamentals
You start with a small base power supply
Thermal Banks provide early‑mid game generation
Excess power is stored temporarily but wasted if overproduced
Community‑tested guidelines
Connect every mining node using relay towers
Limit Thermal Banks to ~4 early‑mid game
If you still lack power after that, you’re approaching the next tech tier (battery upgrades)
Long cable runs are normal — don’t fight them
SEO tip: Many players search “why does my factory stop working?” — power shortages are the answer.
Regional Development: The Silent Progression Gate
Regional Development Levels (RDL) hard‑gate story progression, factory upgrades, and Valley Stock Bills.
High‑value regional upgrades
Depot Nodes (Boxes): Upgrade to Lv.2 ASAP for massive delivery returns
Recycling Stations (Owls): Cheap upgrades, steady income
Trading Posts (Rabbits): Upgrade only to meet story requirements early
Ignoring RDL is the #1 reason players get stuck in mid‑game chapters.
Smart Exploration & Mobility
Ziplines are limited (≈20 per map).
Best practice
Explore maps naturally first
Identify repeated routes and vertical pain points
Place ziplines only where they save long‑term travel time
Exploration priorities
Protocol Dataloggers – Unlock AIC research
Aurylenes – Increase stamina cap
Rare mining nodes for future automation
Late‑Game Resource Management (80+ Hours): Optimization & Specialization
Late‑game Endfield shifts from survival to system mastery.
Advanced AIC Optimization
Your factory should now be specialized.
Best practices
Dedicate entire AIC zones to one function (gear, batteries, components)
Unlock and use the Depot Bus system for cleaner routing
Increase stack limits via upgraded Depot Nodes (Originium Science Park is critical)
Use production statistics (Protocol Management → menu) to find bottlenecks
Protocol Dataloggers & AIC Index Explained
Protocol Dataloggers unlock AIC Index points, which fuel research in the AIC Plan.
These unlock:
Advanced facilities
Better generators
New production chains
Skipping dataloggers slows factory evolution dramatically — always grab them during exploration.
Character Progression Without Resource Burn
Late‑game upgrades are expensive.
Efficient approach
Focus on 6–8 Operators max
Pre‑farm promotion materials
Run high‑cost crafting only while actively playing to avoid wasted power
Use the Operational Manual to target exact materials
Late‑Game Resource Allocation Matrix
| Resource Stream | Priority | Strategy | Time |
| Daily Stamina | Critical | EXP + targeted mats | 30–45 min |
| AIC Production | High | Specialized automation | Passive |
| Regional Tasks | High | Maintain RDL | 20–30 min |
| Character Farming | Medium | Promotion prep | As needed |
| Exploration Cleanup | Medium | Remaining rewards | Weekly |
| Event Content | Variable | Limited rewards | Event‑based |
Common Resource Mistakes (Community‑Verified)
Mistake: Ignoring Regional Development
Fix: Daily Depot & delivery upgrades
Mistake: Overbuilding power too early
Fix: Cap Thermal Banks, unlock better tech instead
Mistake: Leveling too many Operators
Fix: Commit to a core roster
Mistake: Letting stamina cap
Fix: Even quick Protocol runs are worth it
Mistake: Messy factory layouts
Fix: Use shared blueprints and rotate structures
Daily Routine for Sustainable Progress
Spend all stamina
Process regional deliveries
Check AIC power and bottlenecks
Complete Operational Manual dailies
Do friend delivery jobs for bonus currency
Consistency beats marathon grinding.
Smart Gacha Resource Management (Quick Notes)
Finish the Newcomer Banner first
Understand pity (soft ≈80, hard ≈120)
Mid‑tier Battle Pass offers strong material value if spending
Conclusion: Think in Systems, Not Grinds
Mastering resource management in Arknights: Endfield isn’t about farming harder — it’s about building sustainable systems.
Early game: unlock everything
Mid‑game: connect and stabilize
Late game: specialize and automate
When your factory runs smoothly, everything else follows — stronger Operators, faster story clears, and fewer progression walls.
Talos‑II rewards planners. Build smart, optimize often, and turn the frontier into an industrial powerhouse.
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