Arknights: Endfield Version 1.6, titled "Sanctuary of Ink," launched on October 15, 2026 alongside the game's Steam debut. Existing players keep their full progress through linked GRYPHLINE accounts, so there is no reason to start over on the new platform. The update packs a new story region, two six-star Operators, a permanent inn-management mode, expanded farming tools, and a batch of quality-of-life changes that have been on the community's wishlist for a while.
What's new in the Sanctuary of Ink update?
The headline additions break down into four categories: story content, new Operators, the Yuanyuan's Blazing Stoves inn mode, and systemic improvements. Each one is substantial enough to justify logging in even if you have been away for a patch or two.
Si's Artful Intent skill screen
Si's Painting: the new story region
The chapter picks up after the Endministrator is marked by Alleikhreos's Æther, which begins clashing with the Originium inside them. Si brings the Endministrator to Yuanyuan Manor, an inn that exists inside a landscape painting she created.
Exploration happens by bamboo raft, and Si's Miracle Brush is your main traversal and puzzle tool. Brush strokes can build bridges, change vegetation, and reshape other environmental elements on the fly. Two new enemy types show up here: Waregeists and Ink Spirits, both of which grow stronger as Ink Marks accumulate on the field, so clearing marks quickly matters.
Finishing the main mission and its final trial rewards another Endministrator's Token.
Who are Si and Argent Flow?
Both new Operators are six-star rarity and bring genuinely different kits to the roster.
Si (Cryo Supporter, Greatsword)
Si is a six-star Cryo Supporter whose Battle Skill applies Artful Intent. This records a portion of damage dealt to a target and converts it into area Fixed DMG that bypasses DEF, RES, and damage-reduction effects entirely. That last part is the reason she is drawing attention: Fixed DMG ignoring all mitigation is a meaningful edge against heavily armoured targets.
She can also extract an Inksoul from an enemy. Damage and status effects applied to the Inksoul transfer directly to its host, which means you can keep attacking a target that has moved out of your normal range. Her Ultimate deals Cryo damage and temporarily grants the whole party both Cryo Amp and Heat Amp.
Si's Rejuvenation recruitment banner runs from the Version 1.6 launch until November 5 at 11:59 server time.
Argent Flow (Electric Guard, Sword)
Argent Flow is a six-star Electric Guard who mixes Physical and Electric damage. His kit applies Vulnerability, Electrification, Sunderization, and Crush. The standout mechanic is his Electrification, which increases all damage a target takes rather than only Electric damage. That makes him a strong amplifier for mixed-element teams rather than a pure Electric carry.
Argent Flow's banner goes live November 5 at 12:00 server time and runs until the next version maintenance.
Tangtang's RE-Factor rerun banner runs from October 29 at 12:00 until November 19 at 11:59 server time for players who missed the original.
Argent Flow headhunting banner
How do the two new operators compare?
| Operator | Rarity | Role | Element | Weapon | Key Mechanic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Si | 6-star | Supporter | Cryo | Greatsword | Fixed DMG ignoring DEF/RES via Artful Intent |
| Argent Flow | 6-star | Guard | Electric | Sword | Electrification increases all damage taken |
For team composition planning, Si slots naturally into compositions that need DEF-bypass damage, while Argent Flow works best as an amplifier in multi-element lineups.
How does the Steam release and cross-progression work?
Arknights: Endfield hit Steam on October 15, 2026, reaching 300,000 wishlists before launch. That milestone unlocks a commemorative portrait frame for all players. The game was already available on Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, PC via the official website, and the Epic Games Store.
Cross-platform progression works through linked GRYPHLINE accounts. If you have been playing on any other platform, linking your account before logging in on Steam carries over your full progress. There is no separate Steam save.
What is Yuanyuan's Blazing Stoves?
This is the inn-management and farming mode introduced in Version 1.6. The loop works like this: clear farmland, grow crops, raise animals, gather ingredients, cook dishes, and serve guests for Spirit Money. Serving guests consecutively raises the inn's star rating, which unlocks new recipes, themes, additional farmland, and more animal pens.
The mode is planned to stay permanently available after its event period ends, so there is no urgency to rush through it.
Farming itself also received meaningful upgrades: a top-down management view, adjacent plot placement, automatic fertilizer application, and an Auto-Farmer that handles remote planting and harvesting. Auto-Farmer functionality will later unlock in Wuling through story progression.
What events run in Version 1.6?
Carly's Verdant Anthology, a photography event, begins October 22.
Arena of Games launches October 29. It uses two-round battles with Dataplates that determine enemy groups, difficulty, and scoring. Poker-style card combinations raise score multipliers while simultaneously making enemies stronger, so there is a risk-reward decision in how aggressively you build your combinations.
Contingency Readiness also begins October 29 and leads into the second Contingency Contract season.
Indigo Experimental Operation (Contingency Contract Season 2)
The second Contingency Contract season adds selectable advantages and restrictions. Two examples from the announced modifiers:
- Increases combo damage while periodically locking combo skills
- Improves SP recovery while requiring every Operator to use a Battle Skill before the next cycle begins
Some criteria also give enemies new attacks, so you cannot just copy your Season 1 team and expect the same results. The opening date for Indigo Experimental Operation was not formally announced at the time of the update.
What quality-of-life changes arrived in Version 1.6?
The update ships with several changes that address long-standing friction points:
- Equipment loadouts: up to 20 saved loadouts per Operator, up from the previous limit
- Batch artificing and Auto-Fill for gear management
- Configurable combo-skill priority: you can now set the order in which combo skills fire
- Improved PC lock-on and broader controller support
- Direct AIC construction using Depot facilities and materials
The AIC factory changes pair well with the AIC blueprint system, which lets you save and share efficient factory layouts. If you have not set up a blueprint yet, Version 1.6's direct construction option makes it faster to deploy saved designs.
How do I claim the free Version 1.6 login rewards?
Players who log into the New Version Guide and have completed character creation can claim the following package once per account, before Version 1.6 maintenance:
- 1,000 Oroberyls
- 10,000 T-Creds
- 8 Elementary Cognitive Carriers
- 4 Arms INSP Sets
The two sign-in events, Spirit's Restoration and The Stars Are With Me, offer up to 10 limited-time Headhunting Permits combined. Check the latest active codes for any additional redemption codes tied to the 1.6 livestream.
Common mistakes players make in Version 1.6
- Skipping the inn farming setup: Yuanyuan's Blazing Stoves is permanent, but the event-period rewards are not. Getting the star rating up early unlocks more recipes and content faster.
- Missing the banner transition: Si's banner ends exactly when Argent Flow's begins. If you are pulling on Si and planning to pull on Argent Flow as well, budget your Oroberyls accordingly before November 5.
- Ignoring Ink Marks in Si's Painting: Waregeists and Ink Spirits scale up with accumulated marks. Players who ignore mark management in the new region consistently report tougher fights than necessary.
- Creating a new Steam account: Covered above, but it bears repeating. Link your GRYPHLINE account before your first Steam login.
For everything else going on in the game right now, the full Arknights: Endfield strategy guides collection has you covered across factory builds, operator progression, and regional development.
