Progression Materials — Arknights Guide

Strengthen your Arknights Operators efficiently by understanding progression materials, acquisition methods, and strategic farming tips.

Efficiently gathering and using progression materials is paramount to strengthening your Operators and tackling increasingly difficult challenges in Arknights. This section will guide you through the essential materials, their primary acquisition methods, and strategic farming tips.

Operator EXP and Leveling

Operator experience (EXP) is crucial for increasing an Operator's base stats. The primary items for this are:

• Battle Records: These come in various tiers (e.g., Tactical Battle Record, Strategic Battle Record) and provide different amounts of EXP.

Acquisition Strategy:

• Tactical Drills (EXP Stages): The most reliable source. Prioritize farming the highest-level EXP stage you can consistently clear (e.g., LS-5 for high-tier Battle Records). These stages offer the best EXP per Sanity spent.
• Daily/Weekly Missions: Often reward Battle Records as completion bonuses.
• Event Shops: Limited-time events frequently offer large quantities of Battle Records for event currency. Always check these shops!
• Base Operations: The Training Room in your Base can passively generate Battle Records over time. Ensure it's upgraded and staffed.

Skill Materials

Upgrading an Operator's skills significantly enhances their combat effectiveness. Skill materials are categorized by their rarity and specific type.

Key Skill Material Types:

• Skill Summaries: Generic materials used across many Operators.
• Specific Skill Books: Operator-specific or archetype-specific materials.
• Chip Catalysts: Required for higher skill levels, often dropped from specific stages.

Acquisition Strategy:

• Tactical Drills (Skill Stages): Stages like CA-5 are dedicated to dropping various Skill Summaries and specific Skill Books. Identify which materials your target Operator needs and farm the corresponding stage.
• Annihilation: While primarily for Orundum, Annihilation stages can also drop skill materials as bonus rewards.
• Event Shops: A fantastic source for rare skill materials and Chip Catalysts. Always prioritize these during events.
• Green Certs Store: You can exchange Green Certificates for various skill materials. This is a good supplementary source when you need a few more items.

Elite Promotion Materials

Elite promotions are major power spikes for Operators, unlocking new skills, talents, and increasing their maximum level. These require a diverse set of materials.

Key Elite Materials:

• Chips: Operator-specific or class-specific chips (e.g., Caster Chips, Vanguard Chips). These are obtained from specific Chip Stages.
• Gels, Devices, Orirock Clusters, etc.: Common materials found in various main story and resource stages.
• Protoprism: A rare material used in high-tier Elite promotions.

Acquisition Strategy:

• Chip Stages (Tactical Drills): Dedicated stages (e.g., CE-5 for Caster Chips) are the sole source for Chips. These rotate daily, so plan your farming accordingly. Always aim for the highest difficulty you can clear for better drop rates.
• Main Story Stages: Many common materials like Orirock Clusters, Devices, and Gels drop from specific story stages. Consult an in-game material drop rate table or an external wiki to find the most efficient stages for your needs. For example, 1-7 is famous for its Orirock Cluster drops.
• Resource Stages: Similar to main story stages, but often offer slightly better drop rates for specific common materials.
• Event Shops: Often provide rare Elite materials like Protoprism or specific T4 materials, saving you significant Sanity.
• Factory (Base): Certain materials can be synthesized in the Factory, allowing you to convert lower-tier materials into higher-tier ones. This is crucial for obtaining T3 and T4 materials.

LMD (Lungmen Dollars)

LMD is the universal currency for almost all progression activities: leveling, skill upgrades, promotions, and base construction.

Acquisition Strategy:

• Tactical Drills (LMD Stages): Stages like CE-5 are dedicated LMD farming stages. Prioritize these when you are low on LMD.
• Base Operations: The Trading Post and Workshop in your Base are primary passive LMD generators. Ensure they are optimized with appropriate Operators.
• Daily/Weekly Missions: Provide a steady stream of LMD.
• Annihilation: While primarily for Orundum, Annihilation stages also provide a significant amount of LMD upon completion.
• Event Shops: Often sell LMD for event currency, which can be a good deal.

General Farming Tips:

• Sanity Management: Sanity is your most valuable resource. Always spend it efficiently. Avoid letting it cap.
• Prioritize Needs: Focus on farming materials for Operators you are actively using or planning to promote soon. Avoid hoarding materials for Operators you won't use for a long time.
• Event Efficiency: Events are often the most Sanity-efficient way to acquire rare materials. Always participate and clear event shops.
• Base Optimization: A well-managed Base can significantly reduce your Sanity expenditure on LMD and Battle Records.
• Check Drop Rates: use in-game information or community-made drop rate tables to identify the most efficient stages for specific materials.