How to Build the Best Arknights Team: Complete Beginner Guide

## What You'll Learn in This Guide Starting **Arknights** can feel overwhelming with its massive roster of **Operators** and deep **tactical strategy**. This guide will break down the core principles of **team building** in this popular **gacha game**, giving you a clear, actionable plan to assemble a powerful squad and tackle the game's challenging stages. You'll learn how to understand **Operator roles**, prioritize your early resources, and develop a flexible **beginner strategy** that sets you up for long-term success.  ## Before You Start: Understanding the Basics **Arknights** is a tower defense **tactical RPG** where your success hinges entirely on your **team composition**. Unlike many **gacha games** where raw power wins, here you need the right mix of roles. Before diving into building your **best team**, you need to grasp two fundamentals: the **Deployment Cost (DP)** system and the **class grid**. - **DP is Your Lifeblood**: You deploy Operators using DP, which generates slowly over time. Low-cost units are crucial early in a stage. - **The Class Grid**: Every Operator belongs to one of eight core classes, each with a specific battlefield role. Your **strategy** starts with filling these roles. ## Step-by-Step: Building Your Core Team A balanced **team in Arknights** typically consists of 12 Operators. As a **beginner**, your goal is to build a versatile core of 8-10 that can handle most early and mid-game content. Follow these steps. ### Step 1: Secure Your Essential Defenders and Medics Your frontline is non-negotiable. You will fail without solid defense and healing. 1. **Get Two Defenders**: You need at least one "tank" Defender (high HP/Defense) and one "healing" Defender (can heal themselves or others). For **beginners**, the free Operator **Cuora** (from pinboard missions) is an exceptional tank. For a healing Defender, **Gummy** (a 4-star) is highly accessible and effective. 2. **Get Two Single-Target Medics**: These are your primary healers. **Hibiscus** is your free starter. Try to get **Perfumer** (4-star) or **Myrrh** (4-star) from early recruitment or banners. They are more than sufficient for a long time. **Common Problem**: "My Defender keeps dying!" **Fix**: Ensure you are using a Medic's skill at the right time and that your Defender is properly leveled. Don't place them where they will be hit by multiple enemies at once before your DP allows for support.  ### Step 2: Establish Your Damage Core (Vanguards & Snipers) Damage comes in two key forms: ground and aerial. Your early **team building** must cover both. 1. **Deploy Two Vanguards**: These are your first units. They generate DP and hold the line early. **Fang** (2-star) and **Vanilla** (3-star) are your free starters. Immediately aim to get a "Skill-DP-generation" Vanguard like **Courier** (4-star) or, if you're lucky, **Texas** (5-star). They are the engine of your **strategy**. 2. **Deploy Two Snipers**: These are essential for killing drones and dealing physical damage from a safe distance. **Kroos** (3-star) is famously powerful and free. **Jessica** (4-star) is also a reliable early-game option you'll likely get. ### Step 3: Add Flexible Power (Casters & Guards) Now, add the units that will handle high-threat targets and provide flexible damage. 1. **Include at Least One Caster**: Casters deal Arts (magic) damage, crucial for enemies with high physical defense. **Lava** (3-star) is your free AoE Caster. **Amiya** (your free 5-star) is a fantastic single-target Caster and story protagonist—**level her up**. 2. **Include at Least Two Guards**: Guards are your versatile duelists and damage dealers. **Melantha** (3-star) is a superstar **beginner** Operator with incredibly high single-target damage. Place her to assassinate dangerous enemies. **Matoimaru** (4-star) or **Frostleaf** (4-star) provide good alternatives or supplementary power. ### Step 4: Fill Utility Slots (Specialists & Supporters) Your final 1-2 slots are for utility. Don't ignore these roles. - **A Slower**: This is the most important utility for a **beginning team**. Operators that slow enemies (like **Orchid**, the free 4-star Supporter, or **Shaw**, a 4-star Specialist) give you crucial extra time to deal damage. They are often the key to clearing difficult stages. - **A Pusher/Puller**: **Shaw** (Push) or **Rope** (Pull, 4-star) can solve specific puzzles or throw enemies into holes for instant kills. | Core Role | Operator Examples (Low Rarity) | Why They're Essential | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Vanguard** | Fang, Courier, Vanilla | Generate DP, early blockers | | **Sniper** | Kroos, Jessica | Kill drones, physical damage | | **Defender** | Cuora, Gummy, Beagle | Hold the frontline, protect others | | **Medic** | Hibiscus, Perfumer, Myrrh | Heal your defenders and guards | | **Caster** | Amiya, Lava, Steward | Deal Arts damage to armored foes | | **Guard** | Melantha, Matoimaru | High single-target damage | | **Utility** | Orchid, Shaw | Slow or push enemies for control | ## If Something Goes Wrong: Common Team Building Issues Even with a balanced **team**, you might hit a wall. Here’s how to troubleshoot your **Arknights strategy**. **Problem**: "I can't kill the enemy fast enough before they overwhelm me." - **Diagnosis**: Likely a lack of focused damage or poor deployment order. - **Fix**: Review your damage types. Do you have both Snipers (physical) and Casters (Arts)? Are you using your high-damage Guard (like Melantha) to target the strongest enemy? Make sure your Vanguards are deployed first to build DP quickly for your damage dealers. **Problem**: "My Medics can't keep up with the healing." - **Diagnosis**: Your Defenders are under-leveled, or you're facing enemies that deal Arts damage which bypasses high Defense. - **Fix**: Level up your core Defenders and Medics first. If it's Arts damage, consider using a Defender with higher HP or using a healing skill more proactively. Sometimes, the **strategy** is to use a second Medic.  **Problem**: "I pulled a 6-star Operator! Should I rebuild my team around them?" - **Congratulations!** But don't dismantle your **beginner team**. Most 6-stars are powerful but expensive. Integrate them slowly. - **Fix**: If it's a 6-star Sniper or Guard, they can likely replace a lower-rarity unit directly. If it's a complex Specialist or Supporter, keep them on the bench until you understand the core **gameplay** better. Focus your new resources on leveling your new star while maintaining your balanced core. ## You're All Set! Next Steps for Your Arknights Journey Your **best team in Arknights** isn't about having all the highest rarity units; it's about understanding **Operator roles** and building a squad with synergy. With your core **team of 12** established, focus on these next steps: - **Promote Your Core to Elite 1**: The first promotion (Elite 1) for your 3-star and 4-star Operators is a huge power spike and unlocks their full skills. Prioritize your Defenders, Medics, and main damage dealers. - **Master Skill Upgrades**: Leveling up an Operator's skill is often more impactful than a few extra character levels. - **Don't Neglect Low Rarity Ops**: 3-star and 4-star Operators are cheap to upgrade and remain useful in specific situations forever. They are the backbone of a smart **beginner strategy**. - **Experiment and Adapt**: Every stage in this **tactical RPG** is a puzzle. Be ready to swap out one type of Operator for another based on the map's challenges. The **team** you built here is your toolbox—learn which tool to use for each job. Now that you understand the fundamentals of **team building**, you're ready to tackle more complex stages and develop your own unique **strategy**. Enjoy the deep, rewarding **gameplay** that makes **Arknights** one of the best **tactical gacha games** on mobile.