Start with the main story, unlock and upgrade the base as soon as you can, and keep your early resources focused on a small core squad instead of spreading them across too many operators. For summons, save for limited banners and only spend heavily on the banner types and operators this guide calls out as worth the cost.
What To Do First In Arknights
steps
- Push the main story until you unlock the base. This gives you early resources and fast account progression.
- Focus your materials on base upgrades whenever possible.
- Alternate between story progress and base upgrades — each time a new base upgrade opens, pause the story to complete it, then return to story until the next upgrade.
- Use side content and events to farm materials and avoid supply stage downtime. If the story grind slows or materials run short, pivot to permanent events or annihilation for extra rewards.
- Prioritize event content if an event is running. Pause both story and base upgrades to clear as much of the event as you can for bonus materials and operator pickups.
Operator Building
An operator detail screen displays skill information with large text defining S3 and M3. — SUPAH
Operators To Build Or Skip Early
A recommendation graphic lists "THE GOOD ONES" with operator names across the bottom and a featured character in the center. — SUPAH
| Operator type | Examples (build) | Why build | Examples (skip) | Reason to skip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Value Five-Stars | Ptilopsis, Specter, Warfarin, Elysium, Cantabile, Surfer, Tequila, Kroos Alter, Silence, Rose Salt, Grace Bearer, Shamare, Honey Berry, Mulberry | Immediate value or strong utility | All others except specific event or mode picks | High material cost, low returns |
| Four-Stars (Core choices) | Myrtle, Gummy, Cuora, Ethan, Sussurro, Perfumer, Courier, May, Click, Jaye | Cheap, great for early progression | Frostleaf, Beehunter, Jackie, Chestnut, Doberman, Conviction, Vermeil, Spot (pre-module), Zima Gurkha | Inefficient, weak, or low impact |
| Six-Stars (Selector and banner choices) | Closure, Kal'tsit Alter, Tradia, Angelina Alter, Fiammetta, SilverAsh (at E2), Saileach, Mountain, Lappland, Specter (from selectors) | Strong, versatile, often endgame viable | - | - |
Use selectors on units that fill core roles or have unique utility, especially Silence (healing drone), Ptilopsis (skill charge buff), Lappland (event utility), and SilverAsh (after E2).
Most five-stars are inefficient unless they are on the list above or needed for events.
Focus on building a small core of high-value units, using cheap four-stars while hunting stronger six-stars.
Banner Saving And Rolling
An explanation slide shows "SPARK ON LIMITED BANNERS" with text about the limited banner spark system. — SUPAH
Which banner types to prioritize
- Save for limited banners: Spend your main premium currency and tickets only on anniversary, summer, and Chinese New Year limited banners featuring top units like Closure, Kal'tsit Alter, Angelina Alter, Fiammetta, and Tradia.
- Avoid standard and headhunting banners: These are almost never worth rolling as their rate-ups rarely feature top units, and pulling does not guarantee specific picks.
- Treat event banners case by case: Roll only if the featured unit is a game-changer and you are missing them; otherwise, skip for limited banner sparks.
- Collab banners are very rare; roll carefully only if the unit offers unique utility as they can seldom be obtained again.
Base Setup
A decorated base layout is displayed with characters inside different facility areas and an overview button in the corner. — SUPAH
steps
- Aim for the 2-5-2 model: Two trading posts, five factories, and two power plants. This gives optimal LMD and EXP income for the least grind.
- Assign operators with strong base skills to boost facility output; use community spreadsheets and the base combo site for operator assignments.
- Prioritize upgrades for your factories, trading posts, power plants, and dorms in that order for passive resource gain.
- Keep other facilities in mind: Upgrade reception for friend clues, workshop for crafting materials, office for more recruitment slots, and training room for skill masteries.
- Spend drones on speeding up factories, trading posts, and upgrades that sustain account income and crafting; increase drone cap by clearing base rooms as soon as possible.
Recruitment, Certificates, And The Shop
The recruitment screen displays selectable tags, time remaining, and hire controls for multiple slots. — SUPAH
FAQ
What should I do first in Arknights as a new player?
Push the main story until you unlock the base, then alternate upgrades with story progress, pausing for events if they run.
Which operators should I build or avoid early on?
Build high-value four-stars and the small list of proven five-stars, skipping most five-stars and spreading resources across too many units.
Which banner types should I save for and skip?
Save for limited banners (anniversary, Chinese New Year, summer); skip standard, headhunting, and most event banners unless the unit is critical.
What is the best base setup in Arknights?
Use the 2-5-2 model (two trading posts, five factories, two power plants) and assign operators with strong base skills for maximum passive income.
How do recruitment, certificates, and the shop work?
Set recruitment timers to 9 hours, use calculators for tag outcomes, and collect green/yellow certificates to buy shop items—spend yellow certificates carefully when a six-star is in shop.
Which helpful websites does the guide recommend for planning and farming?
Use myrtle.moe for base combos and operator info, oldwell.info for stage farming and event guides, Timo's story reader for clean narrative, and the module ranking resource for module decisions.
Sources
Screenshots on this page are frames from the videos below, used to illustrate the steps they describe. All rights remain with their creators.
- PC VERSION IS HERE. The ULTIMATE Guide To Arknights (2026) — SUPAH, August 13, 2026
