- What to know
- Arknights Endfield Control Nexus Levels explained
- What actually is Control Nexus
- Materials required to upgrade to Control Nexus Level 3
- How to get Algorithm Expansion Chips
- How to farm Aerospace Materials efficiently
- How to earn T-Credits faster
- How to upgrade the Control Nexus to Level 3
- What you unlock at Control Nexus Level 3
- Common mistakes that delay Level 3 upgrades
- How to prioritize after reaching Level 3
What to know
- Control Nexus Level 3 is unlocked through upgrades, not story chapter numbers
- Algorithm Expansion Chips are mandatory for every upgrade
- Aerospace Materials mainly come from Recycling Stations
- Upgrading the Nexus increases multiple cabin and system level caps at once
Arknights Endfield ties most of its long-term progression to OMV Dijiang, your mobile operations vessel. The Control Nexus acts as the ship’s core management system, determining how many cabins you can build, how far they can be upgraded, and how many assignments you can run at the same time.
Reaching Level 3 is the first upgrade that meaningfully opens up ship management and production efficiency, making it a priority rather than an optional improvement.
Arknights Endfield Control Nexus Levels explained
| Control Nexus Level | What Unlocks | What This Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Default) | Basic ship access, Bridge functions, early facility slots | You can use the ship, but most advanced systems (farming, manufacturing, growth) are limited or locked |
| Level 2 | Eco-Farm access, more facility slots, early Manufacturing Cabin upgrades | You can start planting crops, using Seed-Picking Units, and light crafting chains |
| Level 3 | Fine Cultivation plots, Growth Chamber upgrades, more operator assignment slots | This is where farming becomes reliable and scalable (Tartpepper, specialty plants). Operator training and production improve noticeably |
| Level 4 | Advanced Manufacturing Cabin tiers, faster processing, more depot capacity | Enables true AIC production chains and reduces crafting bottlenecks |
| Level 5 | High-tier facility efficiency, maximum plot quality, late-game crafting access | Required for end-game factory optimization and best yields from eco-farm plots |
| Level 6 (Beta cap) | Full facility access, peak efficiency across ship systems | Removes nearly all ship-side limitations; built for large-scale production and operator progression |
This upgrade affects several systems simultaneously, which is why it is locked behind specific materials rather than simple XP or story progression.
What actually is Control Nexus
The Control Nexus is the central command system aboard the OMV Dijiang in Arknights: Endfield. Think of it as your ship’s “base level” that governs how advanced your onboard facilities can become.
Upgrading the Control Nexus unlocks new systems, improves existing ones, and raises the cap on what you can build, farm, craft, and assign operators to do. Many features—like Eco-Farm plots, Growth Chambers, and higher Manufacturing Cabin tiers—are locked behind specific Nexus levels. If something on the ship feels limited or unavailable, it’s usually because your Control Nexus hasn’t been upgraded yet.
Materials required to upgrade to Control Nexus Level 3
While exact quantities can vary slightly depending on balance updates, upgrading to Level 3 consistently requires the following item categories.
| Material | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Algorithm Expansion Chip | Core upgrade item for Control Nexus |
| Aerospace Material I | Primary construction material |
| Aerospace Material II | Advanced construction material |
| T-Credits | Standard upgrade currency |
How to get Algorithm Expansion Chips
- Algorithm Expansion Chips are progression-gated items. You cannot farm them freely like standard materials.
- Advance through main story missions. These chips are most commonly rewarded during key story beats rather than optional side content.
- Complete major objective missions tied to OMV Dijiang expansion. These often coincide with new ship systems becoming available.
Avoid spending chips early on unnecessary upgrades. Saving them specifically for Control Nexus upgrades helps prevent progression bottlenecks later.
Because every Control Nexus upgrade consumes a chip, these items are the single most important limiter for reaching Level 3.
How to farm Aerospace Materials efficiently
Aerospace Materials are obtained primarily through Recycling Stations scattered across the map.
- Locate Recycling Stations while exploring regions. These appear as owl-like markers on the world map.
- Interact with the station to convert collected scrap and materials into Aerospace Materials.
- Upgrade the region’s Recycling Station status when possible. Higher-tier stations unlock Aerospace Material II, which is required for Level 3 upgrades.
Exploration directly feeds ship progression here, so skipping Recycling Stations slows down Control Nexus upgrades significantly.
How to earn T-Credits faster
T-Credits are not rare, but the upgrade cost can catch you off guard if you spend freely. Clear side missions and contracts while progressing the story. These provide consistent credit payouts. Loot optional chests and enemy camps during exploration instead of rushing objectives. Participate in Credit-focused activities and combat zones when available to top up your reserves quickly. Having enough credits early prevents delays once all other materials are ready.
How to upgrade the Control Nexus to Level 3
Fast travel to OMV Dijiang using the world map. Head to the Bridge area, where the Control Nexus console is located. Interact with the Control Nexus and select the Upgrade option. Confirm the upgrade once all requirements are met. The system will automatically consume required materials.
After the upgrade completes, new assignment limits and level caps take effect immediately.
What you unlock at Control Nexus Level 3
Reaching Level 3 has a cascading effect on multiple ship systems rather than unlocking a single feature.
You gain access to additional multi-purpose sections, allowing more flexible cabin layouts. Assignment limits increase, letting you run more tasks simultaneously without micromanagement. Most importantly, level caps for systems like the Growth Chamber and Manufacturing Cabin are raised, removing early-game bottlenecks on resource production.
This is the point where OMV Dijiang transitions from basic support ship to a true progression engine.
Common mistakes that delay Level 3 upgrades
Many players assume Control Nexus upgrades are story-locked and stop checking the console regularly. Others spend Algorithm Expansion Chips on secondary systems before upgrading the Nexus itself, creating a long delay later.
Another frequent issue is ignoring Recycling Stations early, which leads to shortages of Aerospace Material II right when you are ready to upgrade.
How to prioritize after reaching Level 3
Control Nexus Level 3 is not just another upgrade; it is a structural expansion of OMV Dijiang that unlocks smoother progression across the entire game. By advancing the story, farming Recycling Stations, and saving Algorithm Expansion Chips, you can unlock it without unnecessary delays.
Once Level 3 is unlocked, immediately review all cabins that had their level caps raised. Upgrading Growth Chambers and Manufacturing Cabins first provides the biggest long-term return, especially for operator materials and construction components.
Avoid rushing straight to the next Control Nexus upgrade unless you already have spare Algorithm Expansion Chips.
If you plan to scale production, assignments, and operator growth efficiently, upgrading the Control Nexus to Level 3 should be one of your top early priorities.
Thanks for taking the time to go through this how to upgrade Control Nexus guide for Arknights Endfield. If it helped you understand things better, do share your thoughts, impressions, or doubts in the comments section. We keep a close watch and try to respond promptly to ensure you always get the support you need.
