Arknights Material Calculator
Efficiently plan your Operator promotions and skill masteries.
The rarity of the operator determines material and LMD costs.
Calculates the cost from Skill Level 7 to the target Mastery.
Material Cost Breakdown
What is an Arknights Calculator?
An Arknights calculator is an essential tool for any Doctor looking to manage their resources effectively. The core gameplay of Arknights involves upgrading operators to increase their power, which requires a significant amount of in-game items like Lungmen Dollars (LMD), Battle Records (EXP), and a wide array of materials. This calculator is specifically designed to compute the exact costs for operator promotions (from Elite 0 to Elite 2) and Skill Mastery training (from Level 7 to Mastery 3).
Instead of manually tracking hundreds of different materials, you can use this tool to instantly see the total resources needed for your upgrade goals. This allows for better planning of your Sanity, helping you decide which stages to farm and when. Whether you are a new player planning your first Elite 2 promotion or a veteran calculating the costs for a new operator’s M3 skill, this Arknights calculator is your best companion for efficient resource management. Learn more about effective strategies by checking our Arknights Farming Guide.
Arknights Upgrade Formula and Explanation
Unlike a simple mathematical formula, the cost calculation in Arknights is based on a series of fixed data tables defined by the game developers. The total cost is determined by the operator’s rarity, their current level, their target level, and the specific skill being mastered. The calculator aggregates these costs for each step of the upgrade path.
The process sums the requirements for each level jump. For example, to calculate the cost from E0 to E2, the calculator adds the cost of the E1 promotion to the cost of the E2 promotion, plus the LMD and Battle Records needed to reach the required levels for each promotion.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range (6-Star E2 Promotion) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LMD | The primary in-game currency. | LMD | 180,000 |
| Dualchip | Class-specific chips for E2 promotion. | Items | 4 |
| Tier 5 Material | High-level crafted materials. | Items | 4 – 6 |
| Tier 4 Material | Mid-to-high-level materials. | Items | 7 – 10 |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Promoting a 6-Star Operator from E1 to E2
A Doctor wants to promote their new 6-star vanguard from Elite 1, Level 1 to Elite 2.
- Inputs: Rarity: 6-Star, Current: E1, Target: E2.
- Results: The calculator would show a requirement of approximately 180,000 LMD, 4 Dualchips, 4 specific T5 materials, and 7 specific T4 materials. It would also calculate the massive amount of Battle Records needed to go from E1 Lv1 to E1 Lv80.
Example 2: Skill Mastery for a 5-Star Operator
A player wants to get their 5-star caster’s third skill from Level 7 to Mastery 3.
- Inputs: Rarity: 5-Star, Current: E2, Skill Mastery: Mastery 3.
- Results: The calculator will sum the costs for M1, M2, and M3. This would total a large sum of LMD, plus dozens of Skill Summary items, and a mix of high-tier (T5, T4) and mid-tier (T3) materials. For guidance on which skills to prioritize, see our Mastery Priority Guide.
How to Use This Arknights Calculator
Using this tool is straightforward. Follow these steps to plan your next upgrade:
- Select Operator Rarity: Choose the star-rating of your operator (3 to 6 stars). This is the most critical factor for costs.
- Set Current & Target Promotion: Define your starting and ending promotion levels (e.g., from Elite 0 to Elite 1). The calculator sums all costs between these two points.
- Choose Skill Mastery: If your operator is already Elite 2, you can select a target Skill Mastery level. This calculates the cost from Level 7 to M1, M2, or M3.
- Review the Results: The calculator will instantly display the total LMD, EXP cards, and key material groups required. A chart also provides a visual breakdown. You can explore our Operator Tier List to decide who to upgrade next.
Key Factors That Affect Arknights Upgrade Costs
- Operator Rarity: This is the single biggest multiplier. A 6-star operator costs significantly more to upgrade than a 4-star.
- Promotion Level: The jump to Elite 2 is the most expensive single upgrade in the game, requiring rare Dualchips and T5 materials.
- Skill Mastery Level: Mastery 3 skills demand some of the rarest materials in Arknights and a large time investment in the Training Room.
- LMD & EXP Farming Efficiency: Your ability to efficiently farm Cargo Escort (LMD) and Tactical Drill (EXP) stages directly impacts how quickly you can meet level requirements. Our Sanity Efficiency Guide can help optimize this.
- Base Production: A well-optimized RIIC base can passively generate a substantial amount of LMD and Battle Records, reducing the need for active farming.
- Event Shops: Events are a prime source for materials. Clearing out event shops can drastically cut down on the Sanity required for an upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does this calculator include the EXP and LMD for leveling up?
Yes, the calculator estimates the LMD and Battle Record (EXP) costs required to reach the maximum level for each promotion step (e.g., E0 Lv50, E1 Lv80).
2. Are the material costs exact for every operator?
The calculator uses the standard material costs for each rarity and class. While most operators of the same class/rarity share promotion costs, there can be minor variations. It provides a highly accurate estimate for planning purposes. For precise numbers, always cross-reference with our Operator Database.
3. Why is the Elite 2 promotion so expensive?
The E2 promotion provides the largest power spike, unlocking an operator’s third skill (for 6-stars), a second talent, and raising their level cap significantly. The high cost reflects this major milestone.
4. How are Skill Mastery costs calculated?
The calculator sums the cumulative cost. If you select “Mastery 3”, it calculates the total resources needed for Mastery 1, Mastery 2, and Mastery 3 combined.
5. Does this tool account for materials I already have?
No, this calculator shows the total gross cost from a starting point to a target. It does not track your personal inventory.
6. What’s the difference between Chips and Dualchips?
Chips are used for the Elite 1 promotion. Dualchips, which are crafted from Chips in the Workshop, are required for the Elite 2 promotion.
7. Is it better to farm materials directly or craft them?
It depends on the material and current event stages. Generally, it’s more Sanity-efficient to farm lower-tier materials and craft them up. Our Crafting Efficiency Guide has more details.
8. Why can’t I select Skill Mastery for an E0 operator?
Skill Mastery training is only available after an operator has reached Elite 2 promotion.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Expand your Arknights knowledge and planning with our other specialized tools and guides:
- Recruitment Tag Calculator: Find the best tag combinations to get the operators you want.
- RIIC Base Optimizer: Maximize your base’s output of LMD, EXP, and other resources.
- Sanity Efficiency Guide: Learn the best stages to farm for every material in the game.
- Operator Tier List: See how operators stack up and decide on your next upgrade priority.