Arknights: Endfield, the highly anticipated 3D action RPG spin-off from Hypergryph, has stirred significant debate in the gacha community since its latest beta tests. The game blends open-world exploration, base-building factories, and combo-heavy combat with the deep lore and character roster of the Arknights IP. However, its finalized gacha system has become a lightning rod for controversy. Players praise the lower pity thresholds and F2P-friendly weapon acquisition, yet many criticize the lack of safeguards on the 50/50 mechanic and non-carrying guarantees.
In this article, we break down Endfield's system in detail, highlight its strengths and weaknesses, and compare it against established rivals: HoYoverse's Genshin Impact (GI), Honkai: Star Rail (HSR), Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), Kuro Games' Wuthering Waves (WuWa), and the upcoming Neverness to Everness (NTE) from Hotta Studio (makers of Tower of Fantasy).
Endfield's Gacha Breakdown: The Good, the Bad, and the Brutal
Endfield uses Oroberyl as premium currency for character "Headhunting" banners (10-pulls cost 5,000). Arsenal Tickets, earned passively from character pulls (1,500 per 6★, 500 per 5★, 50 per 4★), fund the separate weapon "Arsenal Issue" banners.
Character Banners
- Rates: 0.8% for 6★ Operators, 8% for 5★, 91.2% for 4★.
- Pity:
- Soft pity starts at 65 pulls (+5% chance per subsequent pull).
- Hard pity for any 6★: 80 pulls.
- Hard pity for rate-up 6★: 120 pulls (triggers once per banner and does not carry over).
- 50/50 Mechanic: Every 6★ pull is a coinflip (50% rate-up, 50% off-banner pool). There is no protection. If you lose, you must reach 120 pulls again for the guarantee. Multiple losses are possible before pity hits.
- Unique Features:
- Limited-Time Operators stay rate-up for three banners in a row (their debut plus the next two), which greatly reduces FOMO.
- The massive pool of characters and multiple rarities from the Arknights IP allow 4★ and 5★ units to meaningfully fill gaps left by 6★ units.
- Beginner "New Journey" banner offers a 20% discount and guarantees a 6★ within 50 pulls.
Pros: The 120-pull rate-up pity is lower than most 3D gachas. Weapons come essentially for free. Extended rate-up windows make saving easier.
Cons: No 50/50 safety net and no carryover can lead to extreme bad luck (multiple off-banner 6★ pulls before hitting 120). Premium currency generation feels very slow unless players funnel all resources into pulls.
Weapon Banners
- Rates: 4% 6★, 15% 5★, 81% 4★.
- Pity: Any 6★ at 40 pulls, rate-up at 80 pulls.
- Direct purchases are possible, and beta testing showed roughly 20 weapon pulls per week from roguelike content alone.
Overall F2P Viability: Beta estimates suggest around 80 pulls per patch (comparable to rivals), but factory farming after launch may push this number higher. Dupes are useful but rarely meta-defining.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Endfield excels in raw pity numbers and weapon accessibility, but it lacks RNG protection compared to its competitors.
| Game | Base Rate (Highest Rarity) | Any Highest Pity | Featured Guarantee (Worst Case) | 50/50 Protection? | Weapon System | Banner Duration for Rate-Up | Est. F2P Pulls/Patch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endfield | 0.8% (6★) | 80 | 120 (no carryover) | No | Free tickets from character pulls; 40/80 pity | 3 consecutive banners | ~80 | |
| Genshin Impact | 0.6% (5★) | 90 | 180 | Yes (guaranteed next) | Separate banner; 80 pity, 75/25 | 1 banner | ~70 | |
| Honkai: Star Rail | 0.6% (5★) | 90 | 180 | Yes (guaranteed next) | Light Cones: 80 pity, 75/25 | 1 banner | ~90 | |
| Wuthering Waves | 0.8% (5★) | 80 | 160 | Yes (guaranteed next) | Guaranteed rate-up at 80 (no 50/50 on limited) | 1 banner | ~90 | |
| Zenless Zone Zero | 0.6% (S-Rank) | 90 | 180 | Yes (guaranteed next) | W-Engines: 80 pity, ~75/25 | 1 banner | ~90 | |
| Neverness to Everness (Upcoming) | ~1.88% (S-Rank incl. soft pity) | 90 | 90 (always rate-up) | N/A (no 50/50) | Likely non-predatory or separate | TBD | TBD |
Against the HoYoverse Trio (GI, HSR, ZZZ)
Endfield wins decisively on pity ceiling (120 vs 180 worst-case) and completely free weapons. However, HoYoverse games provide full 50/50 insurance and pity carryover, which makes them far safer for both whales and disciplined F2P savers. Endfield demands full commitment to a single banner or risks massive waste.
Against Wuthering Waves
WuWa edges out with a stronger any-5★ pity and 50/50 protection, but Endfield's weapon acquisition is vastly superior. Both games feel stingy early on, though WuWa currently offers slightly more pulls per patch.
Against Neverness to Everness
NTE looks set to dominate fairness: no 50/50 at all, every limited S-rank is effectively guaranteed at 90 pulls, and a much higher base rate. If the weapon system avoids heavy monetization, NTE could raise the bar for the entire genre.
Final Verdict: A Bold Gamble
Endfield's gacha system is aggressively optimized for players who pick one character and go all-in. The low pity, free complete kits, and three-banner rate-ups reward selectivity and patience. At the same time, it brutally punishes anyone who spreads resources or gets unlucky on the unprotected 50/50. Compared to its rivals, Endfield offers more raw power per pull but far less safety.
Whether this design becomes legendary or infamous will depend entirely on post-launch currency income. If factory automation and events prove generous, Endfield could become the most F2P-friendly 3D gacha on the market. If not, the lack of safeguards will drive many players away.
Arknights fans: start stockpiling now. Everyone else: prepare for either incredible value or legendary salt when Endfield launches in 2026.