What is the AIC System and Why Build It?

The AIC system is a portable factory network created by Endfield Industries. It runs on Protocol Originium power and operates from the OMV Dijiang. At the center of everything sits the Protocol Anchor Core, also known as the PAC. This core acts as the main hub for building facilities and generating power. Factories can be placed across different regions here such as Jinlong or Valley IV. Once set up, these facilities automatically collect resources, process materials, and store finished items without constant input.

Why Building the AIC Is Worth It

• Offline Production: One of the biggest advantages of the AIC system is offline production. Even while logged out, factories continue working and materials pile up safely inside Depots. This makes progress steady without needing to grind nonstop.
• Progression Tie-In: AIC production is also tied directly to progression. Items created through the system are used to complete outpost orders, which reward things like gacha pulls and trust items. Over time, this becomes a reliable source of important resources.
• Exploration Boost: Exploration becomes smoother with AIC support. Powering ancient devices, setting up ziplines, and deploying combat towers all rely on this system. Many areas feel incomplete without it.
• Scalability: Growth is rarely restricted. Each region has a Protocol Capacity limit, but reaching the maximum is uncommon. Expansion mostly depends on how far the tech tree has progressed, which gives plenty of room to experiment and expand.

The AIC Plan opens by pressing the T key. All construction begins at the PAC using facility templates that have already been unlocked. As new regions open, more advanced systems become available. Jinlong, for example, introduces fluid handling, which allows access to higher level production recipes.

Unlocking and Progressing the AIC Plan

The AIC Plan works as a tech tree and controls how the entire system grows. It starts with three main phases for the basic AIC, while certain regions such as Jinlong or Wuling add their own expansion paths. Progression happens through Duty Log milestones and the use of Expansion Cores. Advancing these phases unlocks new facilities, better efficiency, and stronger support tools.

Factory Index points come from world VR Simulators. These act as tutorial style challenges found on different maps and are designed to teach core AIC mechanics while rewarding progress.

Points can be spent freely across multiple categories depending on current needs. Options include Resourcing for material collection, Logistics for transport and storage, Processing for crafting efficiency, Power for energy support, Combat for defense tools, and Exploration for map utility features.

Arknights: Endfield AIC System Plan Priorities

Progressing through the AIC Plan works best when upgrades are taken in a clear order. Early choices shape how smooth automation feels later, so focusing on the right areas first saves time and resources.

Core automation should always come first when you are upgrading. Resourcing, Logistics, Processing, and Power in Tier I and Tier II form the backbone of the entire system. These upgrades handle mining, transport, crafting, and energy flow, making everything else possible.

Combat and Exploration upgrades become useful when moving into harder zones. These help deal with stronger enemies and make map traversal easier, but they are not urgent at the start. Some nodes offer very specific benefits. These niche upgrades can safely be skipped until a clear need appears, keeping progress efficient and focused.

Key upgrade paths by their categories can be listed as follows:

Category	Phase I Nodes	Phase II Nodes	Phase III Nodes
Resourcing	Mining I (Portable Originium Rigs)	Mining II (Electric Mining Rigs – Amethyst)	Mining III (Mk II Rigs – Ferrium)
Logistics	Belts, Item Control Ports	Belt Splitting	Belt Bridging/Converging
Processing	Refine I (Refining Units – Origocrusts)	Gearing Tech (Gearing Units), Shredding I, Parts Fitting	Solid Filling, Planting/Grinding, Packaging Tech
Power	Power Relay (Relay Towers)	Electricity I (Pylons)	Power I (Thermal Banks), Expansions
Combat	Defense I (Gun Towers), Wilderness Aid (Medical)	Area Denial I (Grenade), Hostile Control I (LN – Slow)	Custom Defense II (Sentry), Point Defense II (Surge)
Exploration	Field Stash	Field Mobility I (Ziplines)	Field Mobility II

Remember, certain regions unlock their own AIC expansion paths. Jinlong and Wuling focus on fluid based systems, introducing pumps, pipes, and reactors. These allow water based mining such as Cuprium extraction and support advanced hydroponic production setups.

Essential AIC Facilities: Full List & Functions

Facility	Category	Unlock Node	Function	Example Recipes/Outputs
Portable Originium Rig	Resourcing	Mining I	No-power ore mining	Originium Ore → Depot
Electric Mining Rig (Mk I/II)	Resourcing	Mining II/III	Powered auto-mining	Amethyst/Ferrium Ore → Depot
Refining Unit	Processing	Refine I	Basic refining	Originium Ore → Origocrusts
Gearing Unit	Processing	Gearing Tech	Assembly	Materials → Amethyst Components
Filling/Packaging Unit	Processing	Solid Filling/Packaging	Consumables	→ Buck Capsules, Explosives, Batteries
Planting/Seed-Picking Unit	Processing	Planting	Auto-crops (hydro mode later)	Seeds → Mature Plants
Relay Tower	Power	Power Relay	80m power transmission (LOS)	Links PAC to Pylons
Electric Pylon	Power	Electricity I	Wireless power to nearby facilities	Auto-connects in base
Thermal Bank	Power	Power I	Extra power gen	Consumes Ore/Batteries
Gun/Medical/Grenade Tower	Combat	Defense/Wilderness/Area Denial	Attack/heal in battles	Powered auto-fire/heal
Zipline Pylon/Tower	Exploration	Field Mobility	Fast travel	Connect for routes
Protocol Stash	Storage	Field Stash	Remote storage → Depot	Powered transfer

Power Management: Keep Factories Running

AIC factories rely on a clear and stable power flow. Once this is understood, downtime becomes rare and production stays smooth.

Power starts at the PAC and any connected Sub PACs. These provide the base energy needed to run nearby systems. From there, Relay Towers extend power outward. Each tower needs a clear line of sight within range, and terrain can affect placement. When expanding into dark areas, building relay towers backward from the unpowered zone makes the setup easier.

Pylons receive power from relay towers and distribute it wirelessly to nearby facilities. Their range is limited, but anything built close to the PAC is powered automatically without needing one.

Extra power can be added using Thermal Banks. These consume ore and help support larger factory networks. A good habit to follow is powering mining rigs and outposts first. Map devices such as ancient mechanisms do not need pylons, so resources can be saved there.

Production Chains & Logistics

Items move through factories using belts, which unlock under Logistics Phase I. Output ports connect directly to input ports, forming a clean production path. As systems grow, splitters, bridges, and convergers help manage more complex item flow. Control Ports are also important since they filter items and prevent belt congestion.

Basic Loop Example

Originium flows out from the PAC into a refining unit, turning into Origocrusts. These move into gearing units to become components. Finished items are then sent back to the PAC or stored in a depot.

A basic automation setup often looks like this. Mining rig feeds a belt, the belt leads to a refinery, refined items move into a packer, and the final product supplies outpost requests such as explosives

Depots: Depots act as regional storage points. Materials can be moved between regions, for example sending items from Valley IV to Jinlong. Outpost orders pull from depot stock automatically, granting levels and rewards without manual input.

Best Layouts & Optimization Tips

• Early Game (Phase I): During Phase I, a compact loop works best. The PAC connects to one or two Mining I rigs, which then feed into a basic refining unit. This setup covers early needs without overloading the power grid. Space matters at this stage. Short belt paths and tight loops help keep everything organized. Routing outputs directly back into inputs reduces clutter and makes future expansion easier.
• Mid Game: As systems unlock, production chains become more complex. Splitters help divide materials, while planting facilities and pylons support Amethyst based recipes. Power management becomes more important here, especially when layouts spread out. Using online calculators such as the AKEF AIC Calculator helps determine the right number of facilities and power sources. Planning ahead prevents wasted resources and uneven production.
• Endgame: Late game layouts focus on scale and efficiency. Fluid reactors come into play, outposts reach their maximum levels, and combat towers support long expeditions. At this point, layouts are designed for sustained output rather than short term gains.

Pro Tips

• Balance Loads: Balanced production keeps factories running without jams. Recipes with equal input and output work best on a single belt, while slowdowns are usually fixed by adding more mining rigs instead of stacking extra belts.
• Terrain Hack: Relay towers perform better when placed on higher ground. Elevation improves line of sight and reduces placement issues across uneven terrain.
• Offline Max: Before logging out, letting factories run until storage is full ensures maximum offline gains. Stockpiling makes a noticeable difference over time.

For rare materials needed in high tier AIC upgrades, such as Ferrium used for Thermal Banks, you can top up Originium packs through Enjoygm. Unlocking stronger farming operators can speed up material collection, but this step is optional.

Using AIC in Exploration, Combat, and Outposts

Exploration benefits greatly from AIC tools. Ziplines and bounce systems help reach hidden areas, while field stashes provide access to loot in remote locations.

Combat support comes from automated towers placed within AIC zones. These engage enemies on their own, with units like sentry towers prioritizing nearby threats.

Outposts rely on Sub PACs and automatic order completion. Certificates earned from these orders can be exchanged for materials and pulls. Cuprium mining rigs offer some of the best outpost rewards when set up correctly.

Overall efficiency improves as operators grow stronger. Well-built teams clear content faster, which feeds directly back into AIC expansion and long term progress.

Conclusion

With that, we have ended this guide by covering everything you need to know about the Arknights: Endfield AIC System. Hope this helps on your base building, and make your progression more smooth and more effective within the gameplay.