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Arknights: Endfield AIC Factory System Guide – Early & Mid Game Progression

2026-01-30

Arknights: Endfield isn’t just about combat and exploration, it’s also about building a smart and efficient industry. The game features a unique AIC System that lets you mine resources, automate production, and craft powerful gear, even while you’re offline. Struggling with the AIC system as you progress? Follow this Arknights Endfield Industries guide to improve your early-game progress and gain more advantages in your gameplay.

Arknights: Endfield AIC Factory System Guide

 

Can’t stay at your PC all the time? No worries! You can play the PC version of Arknights: Endfield on your mobile using OSLink. With features like keybinding and customizable controls, managing your factory and progressing through the story becomes easy and comfortable. Never miss any important moments, and enjoy the game anytime from your mobile, even when you’re away from your computer.

Introduction to the Arknights: Endfield Factory System

This Endfield Industries guide covers one of the most important systems in Arknights: Endfield: the AIC system (Automated Industry Complex). The AIC system is the game’s core factory building and base construction feature, allowing players to mine resources, automate production, and craft essential gear. Because the factory runs 24/7, even while offline, proper planning of your AIC factory plan, power distribution, and logistics is critical from the early stages of the game.

Introduction to the Arknights: Endfield Factory System

 

As a foundation for both an Endfield Industries early game guide and mid-game progression, understanding this system early will help you avoid inefficient layouts and stalled production later.

Uses of the Arknights Endfield AIC system:

  • Generates credits to purchase in-game items

  • The only method for producing operator gear

  • Crafts consumables such as healing capsules and explosives

  • Improves Regional Development levels

  • Supports overall story progression

Arknights Endfield AIC Factory Plan and Blueprints

The AIC system progresses through the Basic AIC factory plan, where key structures are unlocked step by step. This AIC factory plan is displayed as a node-based tree, with branches for Logistics, Processing, Power, Combat, and Exploration. Each node unlocks essential facilities and mechanics needed for efficient base building and factory construction.

Arknights Endfield AIC Factory Plan and Blueprints

 

To unlock these nodes, players must collect the AIC Index, which is obtained by exploring the map, locating Protocol Dataloggers, and activating them. As you progress through this Endfield Industries guide, unlocking the right nodes early helps avoid inefficient layouts later.

Once unlocked, devices are added as Arknights: Endfield blueprints in the Facility List, allowing you to build and expand your base. Continue gathering AIC Index, unlocking blueprints gradually, and refining your AIC system to support long-term progression.

Understand the Key Facility Units First

The Arknights: Endfield AIC system includes multiple facility types that work together to support efficient base building and factory construction. Understanding these core facility units early is essential for managing production flow, power distribution, and resource movement as your base expands. This section of our Endfield Industries guide explains the main facility categories you will use throughout early and mid-game progression.

Understand the Key Facility Units First

 

The table below outlines each facility type, its purpose within the AIC system, and common examples to help you plan your AIC factory layout more effectively.

Facility Type

Purpose

Examples

Logistics

Helps move items between buildings for input and output

Transport Belts, Splitters, Bridges, Convergers

Resourcing

Used to gather resources from the environment

Mining Rigs, Fluid Pumps, Seed-Picking Units

Depot Access

Sends produced items directly to the Depot and reduces long production lines

Protocol Stash, Depot Loader, Fluid Tank, Depot Bus Port

Production

Used to process and create materials

Refining Unit, Shredding Unit, Planting Unit

Power

Distributes power from the main base to other areas

Electric Pylon, Relay Tower, Thermal Bank

Combat

Increases the defensive strength of your base

Gun Towers, Medical Towers, Grenade Towers

Power Supply of the Arknights: Endfield Factory

Every structure in the Endfield Industries requires a stable power supply to function. Power is provided by the PAC (Protocol Anchor Core), which acts as the foundation of your AIC factory plan and overall base construction. Without proper power distribution, production lines will slow down or stop entirely.

Power Supply of the Arknights: Endfield Factory

 

There are two types of PAC units:

  • Main PAC: The central controller of your base, located at the core, supplying power to all connected factory buildings.

  • Sub PACs: Used in outposts to extend power coverage across distant areas and support expanded base building.

Power is distributed through the following system:

  • Relay Towers: Transmit power outward from the Automation Core. Each Relay Tower must be placed within an 80-meter range to continue the power chain.

  • Electric Pylons: Wireless power units that supply electricity to nearby machines. These must be activated through a connected Relay Tower.

Power Supply Path: PAC (Main Base) → Relay Towers → Electric Pylons

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Mining Basic Resources Effectively

One of the main advantages of the Arknights: Endfield factory system is the ability to craft gear, consumables, and core materials through automated production. To support the factory building, you must secure a steady supply of raw resources, especially ores,  obtained through mining. This section of our Endfield Industries guide explains how mining works and where to find key ore types used in early and mid-game base construction.

Mining Basic Resources Effectively

 

To begin mining, locate mineral nodes, which appear as large craters surrounded by smaller resource deposits. After finding an ore site, place a Mining Rig to start automatic extraction, then supply power by placing an Electric Pylon nearby. 

Once powered, the Mining Rig will continue mining without manual input. Prioritize placing Mining Rigs on key ore sites as early as possible through exploration to ensure your AIC system can support future production chains.

Ore

Function

Mining Rigs

Known Locations (Region)

Originium Ore

Basic resource needed for early construction.

Portable Originium Rig / Electric Mining Rig

• South of Bridge Approach (Valley IV – The Hub) 

• Southeast of Core AIC Area (Valley IV – The Hub) 

• Cliffside north of Construction Site (Valley IV – The Hub) 

Mountain Top main path – story unlocked (Valley IV – The Hub) 

Abandoned Trail center (Valley IV – Valley Pass)

Amethyst Ore

Used for crafting early gear and base expansions.

Electric Mining Rig

Refuse Stockpile (underground) (Valley IV – Aburrey Quarry) 

Stockpile Area, west of TP Point (Valley IV – Aburrey Quarry) 

• West of Core AIC Area, near Bridge Approach (Valley IV – The Hub) 

• Yellow grass patch between Valley Transfer & Abandoned Trail (Valley IV – Valley Pass)

Ferrium Ore

Used for building higher-level outposts.

Electric Mining Rig Mk II

• Cliff at Rockhill Passage – story unlocked (Valley IV – The Hub)

Cuprium Ore

Late-game resource for top-tier gear.

Electric Mining Rig Mk II

Location not yet confirmed / late-game areas

Tips: to find most mineral ores locations open the map and look for the locations which notify with the crystal symbol.

Build Perfect Production Chains 

To maximize output, efficient base construction and smart layout planning are critical when building production chains. This part of our Arknights: Endfield factory building guide focuses on practical methods to keep your AIC factory running smoothly as it scales.

Build Perfect Production Chains 

 

  • Use the Database Details: Open the Database tab to review the full production chain of any material before building. Understanding inputs and outputs in advance helps prevent bottlenecks and wasted space.

  • Use Top View Mode: Always switch to Top View (Stash Mode) when placing buildings and transport belts. This view makes it easier to align facilities and maintain clean, efficient layouts.

  • Blueprints for Better Layouts: Use blueprints shared by other players to set up proven production chains quickly. You can also save your own optimized layouts as blueprints for future expansion.

  • Optimize Production Chain Paths: Long transport routes often reduce efficiency. When production units are far from the main base, use a Protocol Stash to send outputs directly to the Depot instead of extending belts.

Early Game Progression (Lv. 1–17)

During the early stages of the Arknights: Endfield AIC system, focus on unlocking core technologies and establishing reliable production chains. This Endfield Industries early game guide section helps you build a strong foundation for base building and long-term factory efficiency.

Early Game Progression (Lv. 1–17)

 

Initial Tech Unlocks: Prioritize the following technologies in order:

  • Material Molding → required to unlock Solid Filling

  • Solid Filling → unlocks the Planting Unit

  • Planting Unit → enables Seed Picking and planting machines

  • Parts Fitting → required before unlocking Packaging Tech

  • Packaging Tech → used to craft batteries, capsules, and explosives

  • Power → allows power expansion and additional machines

Learn Production Chains from the Database: Use the Database tab to review production paths before building. This helps you plan efficient layouts and avoid unnecessary rebuilds in your AIC factory.

Resource Mining and Refining Loop: Secure early mining sites such as Originium Ore and Amethyst Ore. Place Electric Mining Rigs, supply power, and maintain a steady flow of raw materials for early crafting.

Build a Self-Feeding Planting System: Set up a planting chain to produce Buckflower and Echotin seeds, which are essential for crafting capsules, explosives, and other consumables.

LC Valley Battery Production Chain: Batteries power Thermal Banks, allowing your factory to operate while offline. Use the following chain:

  • Originium → Shredding Unit → Originium Powder

  • Amethyst → Refining Unit → Amethyst Fiber → Amethyst Component

  • Originium Powder + Amethyst Component → Packaging Unit → LC Valley Batteries

Explosive Production Chain: Explosives help clear obstacles and support story progression:

  • Amethyst → Refining Unit → Amethyst Fiber → Fitting Unit → Amethyst Component

  • Echotin Seeds → Shredding Unit → Echotin Powder

  • Amethyst Component + Echotin Powder → Packaging Unit → Industrial Explosive

Produce Basic Gear: Begin crafting low-rarity (green) gear using Originium and Amethyst to gain an early combat advantage while you level up in Arknights: Endfield.

Mid Game Progression ( Lv. 18-34) 

The mid game shifts your focus toward higher-rarity gear production and stronger power generation to support a growing AIC factory. At this stage, efficient scaling becomes more important than simply adding machines. This part of our Endfield Industries guide outlines the key priorities for managing your factory and base construction during mid-game progression.

Mid Game Progression ( Lv. 18-34) 

 

Key Tech Tree Unlocks: Prioritize unlocking the following technologies:

  • Electric Mining Rig Mk II – Enables advanced mining of Ferrium Ore and Cuprium Ore, which are required for high-tier materials and gear.

  • Protocol Stash – Keeps factory layouts compact by reducing long transport paths, allowing smoother expansion.

  • Depot Bus – Creates flexible output connections, making large-scale base building and production scaling much easier.

SC Valley Battery Production Chain: Build upon your existing LC Valley Battery setup by replacing Amethyst with Ferrium. SC Valley Batteries provide higher power output, allowing you to activate additional Thermal Banks and improve overall factory productivity.

Craft Higher-Rarity Gear: Use Ferrium and Cuprium to establish production lines for blue and purple gear. Stronger gear significantly improves combat performance and helps you progress through tougher encounters.

Conclusion

And that’s it for our Arknights: Endfield Industries guide! Now you understand how the AIC system works and how to manage your base from the early stages of the game. Follow these simple strategies to grow your base faster and make a strong impact from the start. Also keep enjoying the PC version of Arknights: Endfield on your mobile through OSLink, keeping the base building fun every time.