Arknights Endfield Tier List & Best Teams

This article answers the question directly: as of the latest beta, there is no single official operator tier list for Arknights: Endfield, but community consensus places healers and defenders like Perlica and Arclight at the top, while the best team compositions revolve around a balanced 2-2-2 split of Vanguards, Guards, and Specialists. You enter your own roster into the calculator below to get a personalized team score based on class synergy and role coverage, then use the detailed breakdown to understand why certain operators rank higher in different game modes.

Formula

The calculator above estimates a team synergy score based on the number of operators you have in each class. The formula is:

Score = min(100, 15×Vanguards + 15×Guards + 15×Specialists + 10×Supports + 10×Snipers + 10×Defenders)

Each variable is the count of operators you plan to field in that class. The maximum realistic team size in Endfield is 6, so the score is capped at 100. The balance output subtracts penalty points for deviating from the recommended 2-2-2 composition (2 Vanguards, 2 Guards, 2 Specialists), which is the most common endgame setup according to beta testing.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator (2 Vanguards, 2 Guards, 2 Specialists, 0 of the rest):

1. Vanguards: 2 × 15 = 30
2. Guards: 2 × 15 = 30
3. Specialists: 2 × 15 = 30
4. Supports, Snipers, Defenders: 0 × 10 = 0
5. Total = 30 + 30 + 30 + 0 = 90
6. Score = min(100, 90) = 90

The balance check: |2-2|×10 = 0 for each of the three main classes, and |0-0|×5 = 0 for the others, so balance = 100%. The team is both highly synergistic and perfectly balanced.

Background: How Endfield Differs from the Original Arknights

Arknights: Endfield is a 3D real-time strategy RPG, a departure from the original 2D tower defense. Instead of placing operators on tiles and watching auto-battles, you control a squad of up to six characters in real time, with active skill usage and positioning. This changes tier lists dramatically: operators with crowd control or mobility matter more, while pure DPS with long cooldowns may fall behind. The class system is also different: Vanguards, Guards, and Specialists are the core trio, while Supports, Snipers, and Defenders fill niche roles. Most early-game content can be cleared with a 2-2-2 split, but late-game raids and boss fights often require swapping in a Defender or Sniper.

How the Tier List Works (Community Consensus)

Because the game is still in beta, no official tier list exists. Community tier lists are based on three factors:

• Survivability – how long an operator can stay alive in a fight without healer support.
• Skill uptime – how often their active skill is available versus its cooldown.
• Versatility – whether they work in multiple game modes (story, raids, challenge stages).

Current S-tier operators include Perlica (Vanguard) for her exceptional healing and buffs, Arclight (Guard) for high sustained damage, and Fang (Specialist) for her AoE control. A-tier includes Ember (Guard) and Snowshine (Vanguard). B-tier operators like Witch (Specialist) are situational but useful in specific boss fights.

How to Choose Your Team Composition

Your team should always include at least one Vanguard (for healing and utility), one Guard (for damage), and one Specialist (for control). The other three slots depend on the content:

• Story stages: Add a second Vanguard and a second Guard for balanced DPS.
• Boss raids: Swap in a Defender to tank heavy hits, and a Sniper for ranged DPS.
• Challenge stages with enemy swarms: Use two Specialists for AoE control.

For your calculator, enter the number of each class you plan to use. A score above 80 is generally viable for endgame; below 60 means you may struggle with survivability or damage output.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common mistake is assuming the original Arknights tier list transfers directly. It does not: operators like Exusiai (a top Sniper in the original) are mediocre in Endfield because snipers have limited mobility and low survivability. Another misconception is that you must use exactly 6 operators. Some stages allow smaller squads, and using fewer operators can actually increase your score in the calculator because the balance penalty is based on deviation from the ideal, not the total count. Finally, players often overvalue DPS and undervalue utility. A team of four Guards and two Vanguards might deal high damage but will fail against enemies that require control or tanking.

Comparisons: Endfield vs. Other Gacha Team Builders

Compared to games like Genshin Impact or Honkai Star Rail, Endfield places more emphasis on real-time positioning and cooldown management. In Genshin, elemental reactions are the core; in Endfield, class synergy and skill timing matter more. Unlike Star Rail, which is turn-based, Endfield requires active dodging and kiting. This makes tier lists more fluid: an operator who is S-tier in a stationary fight may drop to B-tier in a mobile boss fight. The calculator above accounts for this by weighting all three core classes equally, encouraging a balanced team rather than a hyper-specialized one.

Costs and Investment: What to Upgrade First

Upgrading operators costs in-game currency and materials. Early on, focus on your two Vanguards and two Guards, as they form the backbone of most teams. Specialists are cheaper to upgrade but have lower base stats, so only invest in them after your core is at level 40-50. Avoid upgrading Snipers and Defenders unless you have a specific stage that demands them, as their materials are scarce in the early game. The calculator’s balance score can help you decide: if your balance is below 70, consider shifting resources to the classes that are underrepresented.

Safety and Accuracy Notes

This guide is based on beta testing and community discussion, which may change by full release. Always check the latest patch notes for balance changes. The calculator is a general tool, not an official rating; use it as a starting point, not a definitive answer. For the most accurate tier list, consult multiple community sources and test operators yourself in the training room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an official tier list from the developers?

No, Hypergryph has not released an official tier list. They have stated that they want players to experiment with different team compositions. Community tier lists are the best resource, but they vary by source and patch version.

What is the best team for early game?

For the first few chapters, a 2-2-2 team of Perlica (Vanguard), Arclight (Guard), Fang (Specialist), plus any other Vanguard, Guard, and Specialist you have, will clear most content. Focus on leveling these six evenly.

How often does the meta change?

In beta, the meta shifted with every major patch. Expect similar changes at launch, especially when new operators are released. Re-check community tier lists after each update.

Can I use the same team for all content?

No. Some stages have specific mechanics, like enemies that only take damage from ranged attacks or bosses that require tanking. Keep a bench of at least 10 operators to swap in as needed.

Does the calculator work for the full game?

It is calibrated for the latest beta. At full release, class weights may change. The formula is simple enough to adjust manually if you notice a class becoming more or less important.

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in vg | Vanguards | count | 2 | 0 | 6
in gd | Guards | count | 2 | 0 | 6
in sp | Specialists | count | 2 | 0 | 6
in sup | Supports | count | 0 | 0 | 6
in sn | Snipers | count | 0 | 0 | 6
in def | Defenders | count | 0 | 0 | 6
out score | Team Synergy Score | /100 | min(100, (vg*15 + gd*15 + sp*15 + sup*10 + sn*10 + def*10) + 0*sqrt(min(6,6-vg-gd-sp-sup-sn-def))) | 0
out total | Total Operators | count | vg + gd + sp + sup + sn + def | 0
out balance | Role Balance | % | 100 - abs(vg-2)*10 - abs(gd-2)*10 - abs(sp-2)*10 - abs(sup-0)*5 - abs(sn-0)*5 - abs(def-0)*5 | 0