Arknights Base Guide - Get Resources Fast, Play Less (2026)

  **Conclusion First (50 words):** Want to level operators fast without being a slave to your base? This guide helps you get "good enough" resources with minimal management. Perfect for any Doctor who wants out of the daily grind—whether to focus on events or… explore some [*"unofficial" Rhodes Island stories*](https://download.13636.com/news/). **Quick Answer: Use a 243 layout and swap operators only when you log in. This "good enough" approach saves hours of management per week.** --- Let's be real. You're probably here because you want to level your Surtr or Mlynar faster, so you can get back to what you *actually* enjoy. Maybe that's tackling a tough event stage, or maybe it's browsing for… let's say, *alternative* takes on your favorite operators. I get it. As someone who's managed this base for years, the biggest pro-tip isn't a spreadsheet formula—it's [**avoiding burnout**](https://www.reddit.com/r/arknights/comments/syj10h/what_do_you_do_to_keep_playing_efficiently_and/). Your time is more valuable than the extra 5% efficiency from micro-managing. This guide is about finding *your* comfort zone. ## Part 1: The "Efficiency" Trap – Your Sanity > Your Sanity Before we talk layouts, let's talk mindset. The community is full of players hitting a wall with the grind. * **SSS (Stationary Security Service)?** Many call it a ["chore" and a "bore"](https://download.13636.com/news/206.html). * **IS (Integrated Strategy)?** Loved by some, but others find the [long runs repetitive](https://download.13636.com/news/845.html). * **The Base?** It can feel like a second job. Reddit polls show a clear split: some min-max, but many more settle for ["good enough"](https://www.reddit.com/r/arknights/comments/1du8njz/how_much_do_you_manage_base/). One veteran player's philosophy hits home: ***"Put enjoyment before efficiency... What good is efficiency for efficiency's sake if it makes you not want to play the game?"*** The most efficient base is the one you don't quit because of. **The Numbers Don't Lie (But They're Small):** Let's look at the famed 252 vs. 243 debate. * **252 Layout:** Reported high-end yields of ~46k EXP and ~68k LMD per day. * **243 Layout:** Typical yields are around 27k-34k EXP and 42k-72k LMD per day. The difference? Maybe **20-30 Sanity worth of materials daily**. Is that worth setting alarms to swap operators exactly every 12 hours? For most, the answer is no. As one player who switched to 243 said, *"I like having and looking at a completely maxed base... Seeing my dorms and facilities maxed out positively impacts my mood."* **Efficiency isn't just about output; it's about enjoyment.** ## Part 2: Your Practical Playbook – From "Tryhard" to "Chill"  Here’s how to set up a base that works for you, not the other way around. ### Step 1: Choose Your Layout (The Comfort Scale) | Layout | Factories/Trading/Power | Management Level | Best For | |---|---|---|---| | 252 (Tryhard) | 5/2/2 | High (2x daily) | Mid-game crunch | | 243 (Sweet Spot) | 4/2/3 | Medium-Low | 90% of players | | "Deadman" (Chill) | Any | None | End-game stockpiles | **My Verdict: Go 243.** The comfort and full-upgrade satisfaction far outweigh the marginal resource loss for most players. ### Step 2: Your Rotation Philosophy – Two Simple Systems Forget complex 8-hour cycles. Pick one: 1. **The 12-Hour Clock (Structured):** Swap all operators when you wake up and before you sleep. Simple, predictable, and efficient enough. 2. **The "Whenever I Log In" Method (Chaos, Preferred):** Log in, tap the base. Swap out any operators with empty mood. Swap in any full-mood operators from the dorms. Done. This is not "optimal," but it keeps the base running with maybe 60 seconds of effort per day. This is what I do now. ### Step 3: Key "Set & Forget" Tips Only implement these if they sound easy. Otherwise, skip them. * **Proviso in Trading Post:** If you have her, place her in a Trading Post. For a tiny boost, you can swap her in just before an order starts and out after it finishes. Don't stress over this. * **Drone Priority:** Use your drones to speed up **Trading Post orders**, especially if you're low on LMD. It's the best bang for your buck. * **Right Side Rule:** Remember, Reception Room, Workshop, Office, and Training Room [**cannot be downgraded once upgraded**](https://www.reddit.com/r/arknights/comments/es8nq8/guidehow_to_arrange_your_base_what_does_243252153/). Plan accordingly! * **Deep Cuts for the Curious:** Strategies like the "Dead Lancet" or specific "Exodia" combos exist. If you want to dive down that rabbit hole, the community has amazing resources like the [**Base Combo Guide spreadsheet**](https://aceship.github.io/AN-EN-Tags/aklevel.html) and content creators like [**PeterYR**](https://download.13636.com/news/51.html). But you don't need them. ## Part 3: The Future is Lazy (And That's Good) Here's some insider info to make you feel better about taking it easy. On the Chinese server (which Global follows about 6 months behind), the base is getting major quality-of-life updates. The upcoming [**"Quick Clues Placing and Transfer"** feature](https://arknights.wiki.gg/wiki/Upcoming_feature_changes) will automatically place clues you get and send duplicates to friends. No more manual clue management! The community's reaction? *"I'm loving this base improvement spree"* and *"BASE is definitely not longer in beta."* **The takeaway?** The developers know base management can be a chore, and they're actively working to reduce the friction. So why should you over-optimize today for a system that's about to get more forgiving? Save your energy. ## Final Checklist & Download Info **The Goal:** A base that provides enough resources to level the operators you love, without becoming a source of dread. Your free time is for enjoying the game—or whatever else you find on the internet. **Before You Go – The Essentials:** * **APK Size:** ~1.8 GB for the initial download, with total storage use often exceeding 2 GB. Clear some space. * **Android Requirements:** Minimum 2G RAM and 2G free storage. * **Latest Version:** Check your app store for the current version. * **NSFW Note:** This is the official, all-ages tower defense game. It contains **no explicit adult content**. The rich character designs and story have, however, inspired a vast ecosystem of fan art and secondary content, which you can find discussed in other corners of the web. Set up your 243 base, use the "whenever I log in" rotation, and don't look back. Get those resources, build your team, and then go enjoy the fruits of your (minimal) labor. The time you save is your own. Play smart, Doctor. --- **About the Author: Mike Chen** is a mobile gaming veteran who believes your time is more valuable than perfect in-game efficiency. With years of experience managing the Arknights base, he writes guides focused on practical, sanity-saving strategies so players can spend less time grinding and more time enjoying the game—or whatever else they find interesting.