Lifen is a 6-star Operator in Arknights: Endfield who specializes in dealing physical damage, inflicting physical vulnerability, and crowd control, including knockdowns. He is available at launch as part of the basic recruitment banner, which guarantees one 6-star Operator after 80 spins.
This guide covers the best weapons and essences for Lifen, as well as how to farm them. It also covers optimal loadouts and team compositions, including how to leverage combo potential with other operators.
The best weapons and essences for Lifen
Lifen uses polearms, which include several excellent options ranging from four to six stars. The best choice is considered to be the “Guardian of the Mountain,” a six-star weapon that perfectly complements Lifen’s physical damage and focus on physical status effects. However, it is quite expensive, as it is obtained through the Armory Exchange.
Lifen’s balanced combination of Dexterity and Strength means he has other viable alternatives that are often easier to obtain.
Guardian of the Mountain weapon
- 6 stars
- Dexterity
- Physical damage
- Efficiency
This is Lifen’s signature weapon. It enhances both Vulnerability and Physical Exposure, key elements of his skill set. The “Efficiency: Weight of the Mountain” perk grants an additional 20% damage to vulnerable enemies and increases stats when Vulnerability and Physical Exposure are applied.
Weapon “Valor”
- 6 stars
- Dexterity
- Physical damage
Grants bonuses to Dexterity and physical damage, as well as a permanent 10% attack boost thanks to the “Pugnacity: Fruits of Virtue” perk. After inflicting a physical status effect (such as vulnerability), the weapon deals an additional attack equal to 120% of the wielder’s base damage.
Weapon “Chimera of Justice”
- 5 stars
- Strength
- Super Skill Accumulation Speed
A good mid-range option. Increases Strength (Lifen’s secondary stat) and speeds up the cooldown of his super skill. The “Cruelty: Frozen Fury” perk increases critical strike chance by 3% and grants a 15% attack bonus for 15 seconds the first time a vulnerability is applied to a target without stacks.
Pathfinder’s Beacon weapon
- 4 stars
- Dexterity
- Attack
An excellent starting weapon for beginners. Increases Lifen’s primary stat, Dexterity, and increases attack speed by 3%. The “Muse: Saga Beginning” perk grants a 15% attack bonus if Lifen’s health is above 80%.
As you level up your Endfield account, you’ll unlock the daily quest “Energy Alluvium,” where you can earn weapon essences. Simply match the daily quest with the recommended weapon in the Operator’s Guide and farm the corresponding essences. For example, “Guardian of the Mountain” requires essences with the following stats: Dexterity, Physical Damage Bonus, and the “Efficiency” tag. These essences are obtained from the “Source of Origin” energy alluvium.
Farming doesn’t guarantee obtaining the desired stat lines. For targeted farming, use Valley Engraving Permits, which allow you to select specific Essence properties. These can be purchased in the Reserve Redistribution Store .
The Best Gear Sets for Lifen
Lifen has several interesting gear sets that synergize well with his abilities. A primary choice is Ethereal Technologies, as it synergizes perfectly with Vulnerability, Lifen’s key mechanic, especially when used as a controlled Operator.
Lifen’s unique feature is his passive ability, “Enlightenment,” which grants 0.10% attack damage for every point of Intelligence and Willpower. This expands his suitability for builds compared to other operators.
For maximum effectiveness in Endfield, it’s important to collect the three-piece gold set bonus, though this takes a long time. Below are some more accessible options.
Ethereal Technologies Kit
The set is designed specifically for Lifen. It increases Dexterity and Strength and provides bonuses for inflicting Vulnerability. Each time Lifen inflicts Vulnerability, he takes 8% physical damage for 15 seconds. At four stacks of Vulnerability, the effect doubles.
Eberrei’s Legacy Set
A simple and reliable set that grants Dexterity and Strength, as well as 24% skill damage. The set bonus activates when using a combat skill, combo skill, or super skill, increasing damage for 15 seconds.
MSGR kit
Provides +50 Dexterity and 20% bonus damage when health is above 80%. A great early option, allowing for a smooth transition from Ferrium Ore.
In Endfield, three set items are enough to activate the bonus, so the fourth slot can be filled with an item with better stats. With Ethereal Technologies, all four items are already included in the set, but if desired, you can replace the Analytical Bracelet or Stabilizer with the Redeemer’s Mark 1 for increased combo damage or the Yinglong Knife Type 50, which is more expensive but boosts both Dexterity and Will.
The best operatives to team with Lifen
The team in Arknights: Endfield consists of four Operators, and the key concept in the build is synergy through combo skills.
In both proposed variants, Lifen is used as a controllable operative. He can independently initiate a combo skill, using a combat skill on an enemy without vulnerability stacks and finishing the basic combo with a finishing strike.
Lifen’s best team:
- Lifen
- Border guard
- Ardelia
- Administrator
This build focuses on physical damage, with Ardelia serving as the primary support. She synergizes well with Lifen, as her combo activates when she applies vulnerability to a target without any previous stacks—this is where Lifen’s rotation begins. Border Guard and Administrator also apply vulnerability, making the rotation more flexible.
Alternate team with Laevatein:
- Lifen
- Laevatein
- Ardelia
- Antal
Laevatein is one of the strongest Operators at the start of the game, and this team allows her to be used effectively in conjunction with Lifen. The rotation remains similar, and Antal provides additional focus, strengthening the combination.
Lifen’s Skill Overview and Upgrade Priority
Lifen’s rotation is built around his combat skill, “Avatar of Obscuration,” which knocks down enemies. Any physical effect, including knockdowns, inflicts vulnerability. If the target has no stacks of vulnerability, Physical Exposure is additionally inflicted.
After this, a series of four basic attacks is performed, leading to a final strike that activates Lifen’s “Aspect of Wrath” combo skill, dealing damage and inflicting a Link. The Link enhances the next combat skill or super skill of any team member.
Lifen’s ultimate, “Heart of Steadfastness,” consumes the link, dealing increased damage. This simple yet effective mechanic allows for the following skill leveling priority: first the combat skill, then the super skill, and finally the combo skill.
