Arknights Endfield Element & Reaction Guide (March 2026) Complete Walkthrough

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
January 22, 2026
Gaming

Welcome to the most comprehensive guide to the combat system of Hypergryph’s latest tactical RPG, Arknights: Endfield. If you are coming from the original Arknights, you are likely used to the relatively straightforward rock-paper-scissors damage types. However, Endfield changes the game entirely by introducing a complex Element and Reaction system.

I’ve spent countless hours digging through the beta tests, analyzing developer logs, and scouring community discussions to bring you this definitive breakdown. Whether you are struggling to break enemy shields or just want to optimize your DPS, understanding how elements interact is the key to climbing the ranks in 2026.

In this guide, I will explain every element, every reaction, and exactly how to build a team that exploits the game’s mechanics to the fullest. Let’s dive in!

Quick Overview: Elements & Reactions

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, here is a quick reference table to help you visualize the elemental landscape in Arknights: Endfield.

Element	Primary Status Effect	Best Used Against	Synergies With
Pyro (Fire)	Burning (DoT)	Organic/Plant enemies	Cryo (Melt)
Cryo (Ice)	Freeze (Immobilize)	Fast-moving melee mobs	Pyro (Melt), Electric (Superconduct)
Electric	Paralysis (Stun/Chain)	Mechanical/Water enemies	Cryo (Superconduct), Pyro (Overload)
Plasma	Corrosion (Defense down)	Shielded/Armored targets	Most elements for spread
Physical	Impact (Knockback/Stagger)	Unarmored/Crowds	N/A (Base damage)
Entropy	Decay (Percent HP Damage)	High HP Bosses	N/A (Advanced)

Understanding the Elemental System

In Arknights: Endfield, combat is no longer just about dumping your skills on an enemy’s head. It is about preparation and execution. Every operator in the game is assigned a specific element (with a few exceptions), and every enemy in Endfield has specific resistances and weaknesses.

When you attack an enemy, you deal two types of damage:

Direct Damage: The raw number popping up.
Elemental Application: A hidden bar that fills up to apply a status effect.

This is crucial. You can have the strongest attacker in the game, but if you are hitting a Fire-resolved enemy with Fire attacks, you are effectively fighting with one hand tied behind your back.

The Importance of Elements in Exploration

It’s not just about combat, either. Endfield is an open-world game. You will encounter environmental puzzles that require specific elements to solve. Need to freeze a waterfall to climb it? Use a Cryo caster. Need to burn down a thorny barrier? Pyro is your friend. I always keep a balanced team in my preset slots just for exploration purposes.

Detailed Breakdown of Elements

Let’s break down each element, how it works, and who you should be looking for to round out your roster.

1. Pyro (The Fire Element)

Pyro is all about raw damage over time (DoT). When you apply Pyro to an enemy, they enter a “Burning” state. This isn’t just a little tick of damage; in Endfield, Burning can actually interrupt certain enemy actions that require concentration.

Strategic Use: Pyro is exceptional against enemies with regeneration or high health pools. The DoT ignores physical defense flat-out, making it a armor-breaker’s best friend.
Best Operators: Look for casters with high attack speed. The faster you hit, the more you stack the burn.

2. Cryo (The Ice Element)

If you like controlling the battlefield, Cryo is your go-to element. Applying Cryo builds up the “Freeze” meter. Once full, the enemy is frozen solid.

Strategic Use: Freeze is the ultimate crowd control tool. A frozen enemy cannot move, attack, or use skills. This is vital when facing overwhelming odds. I use Cryo operators to isolate elite enemies, taking them out one by one while the crowd is stuck in ice blocks.
Environmental Use: As mentioned, freezing water creates pathways. It’s essential for map traversal in later chapters.

3. Electric (The Shock Element)

Electricity in Endfield is chaotic and satisfying. It specializes in Area of Effect (AoE) damage through chaining.

Strategic Use: When you apply the Paralysis status, the enemy takes damage and is briefly stunned. More importantly, Electric attacks arc to nearby enemies. If you group mobs up tight and hit them with an Electric ultimate, you can clear an entire wave in seconds.
Weakness: Mechanical enemies often take extra damage from Electric, making them indispensable in factory or ruin-themed dungeons.

4. Plasma (The Unique Endfield Element)

Plasma is a bit more complex. It acts somewhat like a radiation or acid effect. It applies “Corrosion,” which lowers the enemy’s defense.

Strategic Use: Plasma is a support element disguised as a damage element. You might not see the biggest numbers immediately, but pairing a Plasma operator with your heavy hitter (like a Physical DPS) will result in a massive net damage increase.
Reaction: Plasma reacts violently with itself. Stacking Plasma can cause an “Implosion,” dealing massive burst damage.

5. Physical & Impact

While not an “element” in the magical sense, Physical damage is the bread and butter of your Guards and Defenders. However, Endfield introduces the “Impact” mechanic.

Strategic Use: Heavy physical hits build up “Stagger.” When an enemy is Staggered, they are knocked down or left open to critical hits. Timing your Physical bursts with elemental status effects is the mark of a pro player.

The Complete Guide to Elemental Reactions

This is where the real depth of Arknights Endfield lies. Simply applying one element is good, but triggering reactions is what separates the rookies from the veterans. Based on the latest data mined from the beta and official patches, here is how the reaction system works.

How Reactions Trigger?

To trigger a reaction, you must apply a primary element to an enemy, and then hit them with a secondary element (or a specific trigger) while the first status is still active.

1. Melt (Pyro + Cryo)

Effect: Massive immediate damage multiplier.
Mechanic: If an enemy is Frozen (Cryo) and you hit them with a Pyro attack, the ice shatters. Alternatively, if a target is Burning and you hit it with Cryo, the fire is smothered for a burst of damage.
Pro Strategy: This is the premier boss-killing reaction. Freeze the boss to stop them from ulting, then shatter the ice with a massive Pyro nuke. It can delete 40% of a boss’s HP bar in one rotation if built correctly.

2. Superconduct (Cryo + Electric)

Effect: Lowers Physical Resistance and deals Electric AoE damage.
Mechanic: Applying Electric to a Frozen target (or vice versa) causes a Superconduct reaction.
Pro Strategy: This is the best reaction for Physical DPS teams. If your main damage dealer is a Physical Guard (who usually struggles against armor), use a Cryo and Electric support to apply Superconduct. The defense shred is significant, allowing your physical attacks to hit like trucks.

3. Overload (Pyro + Electric)

Effect: Explosion and Knockback.
Mechanic: Fire and Lightning meet to create an explosion.
Pro Strategy: Overload is all about positioning. The explosion knocks enemies back slightly. While this sounds bad (pushing enemies out of AoE), you can use it defensively. Knock enemies off ledges or push them away from a capture point. It’s also great for destroying environmental objects like barrels or rocks.

4. Entropy Decay (Plasma + Any)

Effect: Percent-based HP damage and Healing reduction.
Mechanic: Plasma acts as a catalyst. When an enemy affected by Corrosion is hit by any other element, it triggers a mini-decay reaction.
Pro Strategy: Save this for high-HP regeneration enemies (Regenerators). The healing reduction is a lifesaver in “Endless Mode” dungeons where enemies get stronger over time.

5. Electro-Charge (Electric + Water/Environment)

Effect: Sustained damage and stunning.
Mechanic: Hitting wet enemies or standing in water with Electric attacks.
Pro Strategy: Use environmental hazard enemies that shoot water against them. Lure them into a puddle and unleash your Electric operators for a permanent stun-lock until the puddle evaporates.

Advanced Combat Strategies: Building Around Elements

Knowing the elements is one thing; building a team is another. Here is my personal framework for team composition in 2026.

The “Melt” Nuke Team

Focus: Burst Damage for Bosses and Elites.

Core Units: 1 Pyro DPS (High single target), 1 Cryo CC (Apply freeze frequently), 1 Support (Battery).
Playstyle: Use Cryo to freeze the boss. Wait for the Pyro DPS skill to be ready. Unleash the Pyro skill to trigger Melt.
Why it works: It controls the fight while outputting the highest possible damage numbers.

The “Superconduct” Physical Team

Focus: Sustained DPS for Trash Mobs and Armored Enemies.

Core Units: 1 Physical Guard (Main DPS), 1 Cryo Vanguard, 1 Electric Caster.
Playstyle: The Vanguard and Caster apply the elements rapidly to keep the Superconduct debuff active (Defense down). The Physical Guard cleans up.
Why it works: Physical operators are often more durable and rely on auto-attacks. This makes them mana-efficient and great for long, drawn-out battles.

The “Overload” AOE Team

Focus: Wave Clear and Exploration.

Core Units: 2 Pyro, 2 Electric.
Playstyle: Don’t worry about specific orders. Just throw everything at the enemy group. The explosions will chain-reaction.
Why it works: It’s chaotic and requires less micro-management. Perfect for casual grinding or resource gathering in the overworld.

Common Mistakes to Avoid In 2026

I see a lot of new players making the same errors. Here is how to fix your gameplay:

Ignoring Elemental Shields: Some enemies have colored shields (Red, Blue, Yellow). You must use the corresponding element (Pyro, Cryo, Electric) to break the shield efficiently. Using the wrong element deals drastically reduced damage. If your attacks are doing “1” damage, check the shield color!
Overwriting Useful Status Effects: Be careful not to apply a Pyro effect to a target you just Frozen for CC unless you are ready to Shatter (Melt) it immediately. If you just melt the ice without a big hit, you lose your crowd control for a tiny damage tick.
Forgetting the Environment: I’ve seen players try to brute force enemies standing in water. Don’t! Use an Electric operator. The water will conduct the damage, often killing enemies instantly or stunning them.

Endfield Elemental System: Future Update

The meta for Arknights: Endfield is evolving. As of March 2026, the developers have hinted at new elements arriving in future patches, specifically a “Wind” or “Vacuum” element that focuses on grouping enemies.

I will keep this guide updated as soon as those patches drop. Make sure to bookmark this page!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best element in Arknights Endfield?

There is no single “best” element. Pyro is generally considered the safest bet for damage, while Cryo is essential for crowd control. In the current meta, Plasma is rising in popularity due to its utility against high-armor bosses.

How do I break elemental shields?

Look at the color of the enemy’s shield.

Red Shield: Use Pyro attacks.
White/Blue Shield: Use Cryo attacks.
Yellow/Purple Shield: Use Electric attacks.
Hitting the shield with the correct element will deplete it rapidly.

Do reactions scale with stats?

Yes. Reaction damage usually scales with the level of the character triggering the reaction and their Attack stat. However, some effects (like Freeze duration) are fixed or scale with specific “Elemental Mastery” stats found on gear.

Can I play without worrying about elements?

You can in the very early stages of the game, but by Chapter 3 and beyond, enemies will have such high resistances that ignoring elements will make the game nearly impossible. Team synergy is mandatory.

Where can I find operators with specific elements?

You can check the element icon next to the operator’s star rating in the recruitment menu. Generally, Guards are Physical, Casters are Pyro/Electric, Specialists are Cryo/Plasma, but there are exceptions.

Conclusion

Mastering the Element and Reaction system in Arknights: Endfield is the journey from a novice player to a tactical genius. It turns the game from a simple numbers game into a chess match of status effects, timings, and elemental counters.

Don’t get discouraged if it feels overwhelming at first. Take it one element at a time. Try building a Superconduct Physical team first—it’s the most beginner-friendly—and then experiment with Melt for bosses once you are comfortable.

I’ll be updating this guide as the game evolves, so check back often for new strategies and operator insights. Good luck, Doctor, and see you on the battlefield