Arknights: Endfield 1.4 Homecoming: Everything New in the Half-Year Update, Story, Arcane, Liino, AIC Expansion, Rewards, and New Maps

Arknights: Endfield 1.4 Homecoming is one of the biggest updates the game has received since its global launch. Released as the title's half-year celebration, Version 1.4 delivers a major story expansion, two new playable Operators, a significant overhaul to the Automated Industry Complex (AIC), generous anniversary rewards, and the largest explorable map expansion to date.

More importantly, Homecoming concludes the emotional Wuling storyline while opening new mysteries surrounding the Endministrator, the Ætherside, and the mysterious Foundation. Whether you're a veteran Pioneer or someone considering jumping into the game for the first time, Version 1.4 offers an excellent opportunity to experience everything that makes Arknights: Endfield unique.

Here's a complete breakdown of Arknights: Endfield 1.4 Homecoming.

Homecoming Continues the Wuling Story

The central focus of Version 1.4 is the conclusion of the Wuling chapter.

Ten years before the current events, the Very Large Rift devastated the Wuling Science Station, forcing thousands of residents to abandon their homeland. Thanks to improvements made to the Xiranite Nexus, the Endministrator and their allies finally have an opportunity to contain the Rift and begin reclaiming the region.

Throughout the campaign, players journey alongside Arcane and the people of Wuling as they confront painful memories while attempting to restore the land they once called home. Themes of loss, sacrifice, hope, and returning home define the entire narrative, making Homecoming one of the game's most emotional story chapters so far.

Two Massive New Story Maps

Version 1.4 introduces the largest map expansion since the game's release.

Players can now explore:

• Yinglung Pass

• North Wuling Exclusion Zone

Yinglung Pass serves as the gateway toward the sealed region, where players encounter the mysterious Feranmut Proxy named Si, who assists in strengthening the Xiranite Nexus.

Meanwhile, the North Wuling Exclusion Zone represents the ruined homeland consumed by Blight Miasma. Here, players suppress dangerous enemies while gradually reopening the area for returning survivors.

The expanded environments include new exploration opportunities, combat encounters, resource collection, and additional lore that deepens the history of Wuling.

Arcane Becomes the Star of Version 1.4

Without question, Arcane is the centerpiece of Homecoming.

Already an important figure within the Wuling storyline, she now joins the playable roster as a powerful 6★ Nature Caster.

Unlike any previous Operator, Arcane introduces the new Array Arcana mechanic, allowing her combat style to change depending on how players build her attributes.

She can function as either:

• A powerful area damage dealer

• A flexible elemental support

This makes Arcane one of the most versatile Operators currently available.

Understanding Arcane's Array Arcana

Arcane's defining feature is her dual combat stance.

INT Mode

When Intellect is higher than Will, Arcane enters Array Arcana: INT.

This version focuses on:

• Frequent skill usage

• Strong area damage

• Corrosion effects

Players seeking maximum offensive potential will generally favor this setup.

WILL Mode

When Will exceeds Intellect, Arcane switches into Array Arcana: WILL.

This stance emphasizes:

• Enemy grouping

• Stronger debuffs

• Arts Infliction

• Team support

Rather than simply increasing damage, this mode helps the entire party perform more efficiently by weakening enemies and controlling battlefield positioning.

The flexibility to fulfill multiple roles makes Arcane valuable across a wide variety of team compositions.

Liino Arrives in Phase Two

Homecoming also introduces another new Operator: Liino.

Known as the Morning Star of La Fantoma, Liino is an Electric Support Operator whose abilities revolve around two performance stances.

These include:

• Vocalist Stance, increasing team attack power.

• Cosmovoice Stance, providing sustained healing.

Her combination of offensive support and survivability makes her an attractive option for players looking to strengthen long-duration battles and elemental teams.

AIC Receives Its Biggest Upgrade Yet

Outside the story, the largest gameplay change arrives through the Automated Industry Complex (AIC).

Version 1.4 introduces an entirely new industrial material state:

• Gas

Previously, players managed only solids and liquids.

Now they can also collect gaseous materials such as:

• Inergen

• Xiragen

The update also introduces:

• State conversion between gas, liquid, and solid

• New production lines

• Additional machinery

• More crafting recipes

• Streamlined factory management

For players who enjoy Endfield's automation systems, this represents one of the most important updates since launch.

Half-Year Celebration Rewards

As part of the game's six-month anniversary, GRYPHLINE is distributing generous rewards.

Players can obtain:

• 3,000 Oroberyls

• Additional 2,000 Oroberyls through in-game mail

• Basic HH Permits

• Limited HH Permits

• Fortune Connect-and-Win rewards

• Development materials

• Free six-star weapon Farsight

These login campaigns and anniversary bonuses provide excellent value for both newcomers and returning players.

Arcane's Emotional Character Development

One of Homecoming's greatest strengths lies in its storytelling.

Arcane initially appears as a disciplined task leader willing to sacrifice herself for every mission.

However, throughout Version 1.4, she confronts memories of her childhood, survivor's guilt, and the sacrifices made by her family.

Her journey reaches its emotional peak when she accepts that she survived because others believed she represented hope rather than merely another expendable soldier.

The chapter successfully transforms Arcane from a duty-driven commander into one of the franchise's most emotionally compelling characters.

More Mysteries Than Answers

Although Homecoming concludes the Wuling storyline, it also raises numerous questions.

Players encounter revelations involving:

• The Foundation

• The Ætherside

• The mysterious "Maker"

• Alleikhreos

• Ardashir

• The Endministrator's forgotten past

Rather than resolving every mystery, the chapter deliberately expands the larger narrative surrounding Talos-II and the origins of the Endministrator.

These unanswered questions clearly establish the direction of future updates.

New Enemies and Boss Battles

Version 1.4 also introduces fresh combat challenges.

Among the notable additions are:

• Blightshades

• Pale Blightshades

• Alleikhreos, Chiliarch

Alleikhreos serves as the update's climactic boss battle, requiring players to interrupt dangerous attacks while adapting to unique battlefield mechanics.

Combined with the atmospheric soundtrack, the encounter becomes one of the game's most memorable fights.

Why Homecoming Is a Great Time to Start Playing

For newcomers, Homecoming serves as an ideal entry point.

The update offers:

• Free anniversary rewards

• Large story expansion

• Powerful new Operators

• Improved factory systems

• Expanded exploration

• Numerous quality-of-life improvements

Returning players benefit from both catch-up resources and meaningful gameplay additions, while new players receive enough rewards to build competitive teams much more quickly.

Final Thoughts

Arknights: Endfield 1.4 Homecoming successfully combines meaningful storytelling, exciting new gameplay systems, and generous anniversary rewards into one of the game's strongest updates so far. The conclusion of the Wuling arc delivers emotional character moments centered around Arcane while introducing deeper mysteries that promise to shape the future of Talos-II.

Combined with two new maps, the versatile Operators Arcane and Liino, the expanded AIC Gas system, challenging new enemies, and substantial login rewards, Homecoming provides both veterans and newcomers with compelling reasons to return. As Arknights: Endfield continues to evolve, Version 1.4 stands out as a milestone update that strengthens nearly every aspect of the game's experience.