Begin your journey as The Doctor, waking up with no memories but a crucial role in the world of Terra. Your first task is to familiarize yourself with Rhodes Island, the organization fighting the spread of the deadly Originium infection. As you step into this dystopian universe, you’ll start by recruiting your initial Operators, learning the basics of deployment, and understanding the strategic importance of each unit’s unique abilities. Early missions introduce you to tactical defense setups and the importance of terrain in battle.
Arknights gameplay revolves around the tactical placement of Operators on a grid-based map to stop waves of enemies. Each Operator class—be it Guard, Sniper, Caster, or Medic—plays a specific role. Early levels teach you how to manage deployment points, which limit how many Operators you can place simultaneously. You’ll learn to balance offense and defense, using each Operator’s special skills at the right moment to turn the tide of battle. Understanding enemy types and their resistances is key to success.
Beyond combat, you’ll manage Rhodes Island’s base facilities to support your Operators and resources. At the start, focus on upgrading essential departments like the Dormitories to boost Operator morale and the Factory for resource production. Assign Operators to workstations, increasing resource gains, which are vital for recruitment, upgrading skills, and advancing the story. Efficient base management creates a steady flow of resources needed to tackle tougher challenges.
As you complete missions, you earn valuable rewards such as LMD (in-game currency), recruitment permits, and skill materials. These enable you to promote Operators, enhance their abilities, and recruit new powerful units. The recruitment system offers both standard and limited-time banners, encouraging players to build a diverse and versatile squad. Early game progression emphasizes experimenting with different team compositions, understanding synergy, and developing your strategy for increasingly difficult battles.