Arknights Guide: Building and Using the Alter Caster

As the first "Alter" Operator in Arknights, Lava the Purgatory stands out as more than just an enhanced version of her original form. This 5-star Splash Caster brings a unique blend of team utility and flexibility to your squad. Whether you're using her to unleash powerful area-of-effect (AoE) damage or to enhance the performance of your fellow Casters, Lava the Purgatory proves to be a reliable asset in a variety of team compositions.

Unlike many damage-focused Operators in this strategic game, Lava the Purgatory not only delivers strong AoE Arts attacks but also supports her teammates. With two effective skills and a remarkable talent that accelerates SP generation for your entire Caster squad, she's a valuable addition even beyond niche scenarios. Let's delve deeper into her capabilities and explore how to optimize her performance.

Operator Overview

Lava the Purgatory is a 5-star Splash Caster who excels at dealing AoE Arts damage across a wide area. Similar to other Splash Casters, her attacks affect multiple tiles simultaneously and are particularly effective against enemies with low to moderate RES. What sets her apart, however, is her talent that fosters synergy and her second skill, which introduces a dynamic shift in her gameplay.

Introduced during the Who is Real event as a welfare Operator, she can be permanently unlocked through Record Restoration. Compared to the original Lava, this version boasts higher stats, the ability to reach Elite 2, and more intricate gameplay mechanics. Although she shares Trust with her original self, her upgrades, potentials, and skills are entirely distinct.

Talents: Spell Formation and SP Support

In the combat dynamics of Arknights, Lava the Purgatory's primary utility stems from her talent, Spell Formation. This talent grants her an immediate SP boost upon deployment and extends this benefit to other Casters on the field or when they are deployed. At Elite 2, she gains 30 SP upon deployment and provides a +4 SP increase to all Casters whenever she's deployed.

She also synergizes well with frontline defenders and medics. Her skill, Ring of Hellfire, aids defenders by inflicting burn damage on nearby enemies, making her a formidable choice for teams focused on lane control or stalling tactics.

Some excellent synergy options include:

• Eyjafjalla or Ceobe: Leveraging the SP boost for enhanced AoE damage combinations.
• Saria or Nearl: Healers who can withstand damage while Lava burns surrounding foes.
• Other Splash Casters: Operators like Goldenglow and Skyfire benefit from accelerated skill cycles.

Lava the Purgatory is a highly refined Alter Operator who seamlessly integrates AoE damage, utility, and team support. She's an easy pick for early game content due to her consistent splash damage, yet she offers deep tactical advantages with her SP-boosting talent and area control skill. Whether you're assembling a caster-heavy lineup or simply require an AoE burn field to protect your defenders, Lava the Purgatory delivers substantial value.

To maximize her ranged capabilities and visual clarity, consider playing Arknights on a PC with BlueStacks. This setup offers a broader view of the battlefield, faster controls, and smoother performance, making it ideal for precisely deploying skills like Ring of Hellfire where they're needed most.