Understanding how the gacha system works in Arknights: Endfield is essential if you want to plan your pulls efficiently, especially as a free-to-play or low-spending player. While the game inherits familiar mechanics from the Arknights IP, Endfield introduces its own pacing and banner structure that can easily confuse new players.
This guide breaks down drop rates, pity mechanics, banner types, and smart pulling strategies, using clear explanations rather than raw numbers alone.
Contents
Character Rarity and Base Drop Rates
In Arknights: Endfield, playable characters are divided into three main rarities:
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4★ characters |
the majority of pulls and serve as early-game or niche utility units. |
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5★ characters |
strong mid-tier options and are often guaranteed in multi-pulls. |
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6★ characters (0.8% per single pull.) |
the highest rarity and define most late-game team compositions. |
The most important number to understand is the base 6★ drop rate. Every 10 pulls guarantees at least one 5★ or higher, but this guarantee does not stack or convert into higher 6★ odds.
Beginner Banner (New Player Gacha)
For new players, the Beginner Banner is the most valuable banner in the game. This one is designed to ensure that new accounts obtain a 6★ unit quickly, without heavy investment.
Key mechanics include:
- A hard limit of 40 pulls
- A guaranteed 6★ on or before the 40th pull
- A 5★ guarantee every 10 pulls
- Also a 6 start weapon selector at 40th pull (Standard 6 Star Weapons)
- Once a 6★ is obtained, the banner ends immediately
The guaranteed 6★ comes from the standard 6★ pool, not limited or event-exclusive characters. However, the cost-to-value ratio is extremely high compared to other banners.
Standard Banner
The Standard Banner follows the core gacha rules of Arknights: Endfield and is where long-term pity management becomes important.
At its core, the system works as follows:
- Each pull has a 0.8% chance to produce a 6★
- If no 6★ is obtained after 50 pulls, a soft pity begins
- From pull 51 onward, the 6★ probability gradually increases
- At 80 pulls, a 6★ is fully guaranteed (hard pity)
- At 300 Standard Pulls - Obtain a 6 Star Selector (Standard, 1 Time Reward)
Once a 6★ is pulled, the pity counter resets to zero, and the banner continues normally.
Unlike some other gacha systems, there is no universal guarantee that your 6★ will be a featured unit unless explicitly stated on the banner. This makes banner selection and timing especially important.
Limited and Event Banners
Limited and event banners operate like the Standard Banner but are usually tied to major story updates, seasonal events, or anniversary campaigns.
While the pity threshold (80 pulls) remains the same, there are several Important characteristics players should be aware of.
- Featured characters have higher appearance rates
- Pulling an off-banner 6★ is still possible
- Pity only carries over within the same banner category
This means pity from a limited banner will not transfer to Beginner Banner, Certain special or collaboration banners.
Because limited units may not return for a long time, these banners demand resource planning rather than impulse pulls.
OTB Character Banner Pity System
In Arknights: Endfield, OTB character banners use a structured pity system to balance luck and strategy, especially for chasing limited 6★ units.
Basic Pity Rules:
Guaranteed 6★ at 80 pulls (applies to limited and standard units).
Soft pity starts at pull 65, increasing 6★ rate by 5% per pull.
Each 6★ pull has a 50-50 chance of being limited or standard; no guarantee if the 50-50 is lost.
Every 10 pulls guarantees at least one 5★ unit.
Extended Guarantees:
120 pulls: Guarantees limited rate-up 6★ if not obtained yet (does not carry over).
Every 240 pulls: Grants a rate-up operator token for duplicates (does not carry over).
Limited Banner Bonuses:
60 pulls grant a Headhunting Dossier: 10 free pulls for the next banner only.
Limited units remain available for 2 banners after the original ends, at 50-50 rate.
Typical Pull Scenarios:
Before 60 pulls: wins 50-50 and removes the 120-pull guarantee.
Pulls 65–80: soft pity triggers.
Pull 80: hard pity triggers, wins 50-50; 120-pull guarantee inactive.
Pull 120: ultra hard pity guarantees limited unit if 50-50 was lost.
Key Takeaway: Save pulls around 60–80–120 to maximize efficiency.
Pity Carryover Rules (What Transfers and What Does Not)
One of the most misunderstood aspects of the gacha system is pity carryover.
In general:
Pity does carry over between banners of the same type
Pity does not carry over between different banner categories
For example:
- Standard Banner → Standard Banner: pity carries over
- Limited Banner A → Limited Banner B: may not carry over
- Beginner Banner → any other banner: does not carry over
Always verify the banner category before committing large numbers of pulls.
Weapon Banner Pity System
In the Weapon Banner, players use Arsenal Tickets to perform 10x pulls or directly purchase weapons. Daily and weekly refreshes allow acquiring 4–5★ and 5–6★ weapons. Each 10x pull costs 1980 Arsenal Tickets, while weapons obtained from character gacha also convert into tickets:
6★ = 2000 Tickets; 5★ = 200 Tickets; 4★ = 20 Tickets
This makes the banner relatively friendly for free-to-play or low-spending players.
The pity system ensures that luck doesn’t fully dominate your pulls:
40 pulls: guaranteed 6★ weapon (soft pity starts gradually increasing rates before this).
Each 6★ pull: 25–75% chance of exclusive (rate-up) vs standard weapon; no guarantee if the “wrong” weapon appears.
First 80 pulls: guarantees the exclusive 6★ weapon if it hasn’t been obtained yet (one-time only, does not carry over).
Every 10 pulls: guarantees at least one 5★ weapon.
Milestone bonuses:
100th pull: 6★ weapon selector for standard weapons.
180th pull: exclusive weapon.
This cycle repeats every 80 pulls (260th = 6★ selector, 340th = exclusive weapon, etc.).
For optimal efficiency, it is recommended to save pulls around 40, 80, and 100, which roughly equals 7920–19800 Arsenal Tickets. Managing pulls around these breakpoints maximizes the chance of obtaining exclusive weapons while minimizing wasted resources.
Practical Pulling Strategy for Most Players
From an efficiency perspective, the practical pulling strategies for most players is straightforward.
- Complete the Beginner Banner
- Save resources for high-impact limited or event banners
- Avoid chasing specific 6★ units without sufficient pity saved
- Track your pull count manually to avoid wasting pulls past soft pity thresholds
It is also important to remember that luck evens out over time, but pity management does not. Pulling without a plan is the fastest way to waste premium currency.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the gacha in Arknights: Endfield isn’t about blind luck—it’s about planning, patience, and knowing when to strike. Beginner banners give you a solid head start, standard banners reward careful pity management, and limited/event banners separate the strategic players from the impulsive ones.
Remember: luck will fluctuate, but a well-tracked pity counter is your best friend. So, chart your pulls, save your resources, and let the RNG gods know you mean business. After all, in Endfield, a single well-timed pull can make your roster and your enemies—shake in their boots.
