Arcane is unique in Arknights: Endfield for having two exclusive skill modes—int (DPS) and will (support). Her build pivots on which stat dominates, so you shape her role via gear and stat allocation. This guide covers how mode is determined, her combat rotations, builds and stat breakpoints, key potentials, team setups, and decision points around pulling her.
Quick answer
| What | Answer |
|---|---|
| Modes | int and will |
| Will breakpoint | 640 will |
| Int ultimate bonus | 24% arts amp |
| Will ultimate bonus | 12.8% nature and prowess us |
| QTE cooldown (Will) | 18 seconds |
| Corrosion duration | 25 seconds |
| Key weapons | Solemn Phalanx or Junction Point |
Understand Arcane’s two modes
Arcane’s skill mode is decided by whichever stat—intellect or will—is higher. You can flip her between DPS and support roles entirely by gear and stat allocation. If intellect (int) is higher, Arcane enters int mode for DPS; if will is higher, she switches to will mode for support. Each mode brings a distinct set of skills and team contribution: int mode offers burst damage with faster QTE rotation and higher arts amplification, while will mode maximizes her support output with powerful nature susceptibility buffs and enhanced arts infliction.
Use the right combat rotation for each mode
Arcane’s combat routine changes based on her active mode, both in skill order and effect.
- QTE primes imprisonment; battle skill consumes imprisonment for extra damage and restores 30 SP. 1:37
- Short cooldown increases rotation speed.1:30
- Focus on QTE to group enemies and spread arts infliction; battle skill can be skipped to conserve SP.3:31
- Use ult for team-wide arts stacking.3:54
- Slightly longer, but easier trigger; rely on team support.3:21
Build Arcane for int mode or will mode
Choose your gear and stat allocation based on your preferred mode—each has a distinct set and stat priority. The two main weapons, Solemn Phalanx and Junction Point, are viable in both modes, with the signature generally preferred for int DPS.
| Build Aspect | Int Mode | Will Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Gear Set | Hot Work Exo-Rig (updated) | Eternal Xiranite (updated) |
| Body/Gloves | Heat damage body & gloves | Old gain body & gloves |
| Kit Stat Priority | All skill damage on kit, int primary everywhere | Secondary attribute on kit, will primary everywhere |
| Stat Goal | Highest DPS: swap one kit for main attribute link slab | Aim for 640 will (616 achievable with one kit swap, full artificed gear and max trust) |
| Weapon | Solemn Phalanx: int, old gain, Detonation | Junction Point: int, old gain, efficacy |
| Note | Signature weapon is slightly stronger in int mode; battle pass weapon is still decent for will mode |
Raise the skills that matter first
Skill investment is mode-dependent but with some overlap. QTE and ultimate are top priorities in both modes—they’re always used and deliver core effects. If you run Arcane as int-mode DPS, then her battle skill is critical and should be invested heavily, as it’s her primary damage source. Basic attack only matters if you keep Arcane deployed as a main field unit. QTE carries her susceptibility (nature/prowess us) values, and the ultimate is the main nuke; focus your mastery resources on these.
Upgrade QTE and ultimate first; battle skill is only a main investment for DPS builds.
Choose potentials by the breakpoints that matter
Arcane’s potential upgrades offer major breakpoints, especially at P1 and P5. Early potentials provide significant improvements to QTE damage, SP retrieval, and susceptibility values; advanced ones boost arts amplification and ultimate nuke power. Potentials meaningfully impact both modes, but some—like corrosion duration and resistance reduction—primarily benefit int DPS.
| Potential | Main Effects | Mode Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | QTE damage ×1.3, restores +10 SP in int mode (40 total), will mode susceptibility values +6% (8% → 14% at 640 will) | Both modes, strongest early spike |
| P3 | Corrosion talent: duration +5s (25 → 30s), resistance reduction ×1.2 | Mostly int mode (will mode applies corrosion less) |
| P5 | Int mode: arts amp increased to 40% (+16%), finisher ultimate ×1.3 damage; will mode: susceptibility +7% (up to 19.8% at 640 will); 30% instant QTE cooldown reduction when finisher ult used and QTE is on cooldown | Both modes, largest overall boost |
P1 is the clearest investment threshold for Arcane’s kit to show its full value, while P5 gives the biggest overall increase. Others are niche and primarily benefit dedicated DPS builds.
Build teams around Arcane as support or DPS
Arcane can fill both support and DPS roles; each team shell has its own structure.
Support mode teams use Arcane alongside one arts DPS, one arts inflictor, and a flex slot for sustain or extra support. Example heat shell: Laevatain (DPS), Akekuri (inflictor), Arcane (support), Ardelia (flex). Cryo shell: Last Rite or Yvonne (DPS), Tangtang or Xaihi (inflictor), Arcane (support), Gilberta (flex). Electric shell: Fang Yi (DPS), Perlica (inflictor), Arcane (support), Arclight (flex). Common sustain/support slot candidates include Ardelia, Liino (future), Gilberta, or any other matching unit.
DPS Arcane teams feature Arcane as the DPS, an arts inflictor supporting her, and two flex slots. These can be filled with supports, sustainers, or secondary inflictors. For budget-friendly (F2P) setups, a basic team could be Arcane, Perlica, Xaihi, and Akekuri, where the teammates mainly trigger QTEs and ultimates for Arcane’s combos.
Arcane slots smoothly into core groups for heat, cryo, and electric teams—her flexible role means you can construct either support or DPS lineups with the same basic shell structure.
Follow the showcased combat demos
The guide includes two combat demonstrations: a low-cost DPS setup, and an advanced support rotation. You can mirror these for practical gameplay:
- Arcane, Perlica, Xaihi, Akekuri—effective basic DPS shell.
- Use Arcane’s battle skill, then QTE, then battle skill on cooldown (every 12 seconds).11:07
- Perlica supplies electrification; Akekuri offers link buff from their ultimate; Xaihi provides amplification via her ultimate.
- Arcane, Tangtang, Yvonne, Gilberta—premium cryo support shell.12:33
- Sequence: Arcane battle skill → Arcane QTE → Tangtang QTE → Yvonne skill → Gilberta QTE → Yvonne QTE. Wait for cooldowns, repeat. In nuke phase, add Arcane and Gilberta ultimates plus Tangtang ult and Yvonne time stop for boss kill.12:28
- The support shell uses four six-star limited units—expensive but extremely effective.
Decide whether Arcane is worth pulling
Arcane’s versatility makes her valuable for players lacking a Gilberta-style support—she covers both support and DPS roles effectively and can benefit nearly any element core (heat, cryo, electric). If your current roster is heavily invested and already has strong supports, she is more of a side-grade or small upgrade except for specific comps (notably the expensive Yvonne team, which improves dramatically with her addition). For F2P or less developed rosters, DPS Arcane is a strong pickup—she enables solid teams with minimal investment.
Arcane is most worthwhile if you need a second high-end support for coverage, or are building teams from scratch. She’s less impactful for highly invested rosters with established team comp options.
Also worth knowing
- The Lava, Arcane, Akekuri, Ardelia heat team is sought after. This four-unit setup isn’t just a throwaway example—players actively request it for its synergy and coverage.
- Flexibility in Yvonne support comps. Several players ask about substituting other units (like Xaihi) into the Yvonne, Arcane, Tangtang, Gilberta shell, indicating that adapting the core for missing supports is a common concern.
- Arcane fits well in early progression teams. One player notes that Arcane integrates smoothly into a Perlica/Arclight leveling lineup, meaning she can support teams while levelling.
- Planning for lightning and hyper carry teams. Arcane is seen as a candidate for both Liino lightning hyper teams (will mode) and int hyper carry teams, showing value for future team archetypes.
Frequently asked
What mode should Arcane use for DPS?
Int mode is the DPS option. It leans on stronger battle skill damage, a shorter QTE cooldown, and a 24% arts amp during ultimate. It also wants a QTE first, then battle skill, for the best damage loop.
What mode should Arcane use for support?
Will mode is the support setup. It has easier QTE access, stronger team-facing nature and prowess us buffs, and an ultimate that adds arts infliction stacks to enemies in the area. It is the more flexible choice when she is filling a utility slot.
How much will does Arcane need?
She wants 640 will to fully cap her will-mode scaling. The build plan also notes that fully artificed gear and max trust can still reach 616 will with one kit swapped out, which is close but below the cap.
Is Arcane worth pulling if I already have a built roster?
She is most valuable if you want a second Gilberta-style support for team coverage. If your current teams are already heavily invested, she may be only a small upgrade unless you specifically want the very strong Yvonne team setup.
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