What to know
- Exploration Level is a progression gate that helps control when higher-tier content becomes available.
- Exploration Level 3 is commonly tied to Authority progression (often cited as Authority 25), gained through Operational EXP activities.
- Exploration Level 4 is tied to main-story completion: Cradle of Ages, then Beyond the World’s Expanse 1.
- Exploration missions can also be story-locked (example: some missions unlock after Cradle of Ages).
Exploration Level in Arknights: Endfield is best understood as a “world permission” tier that advances when the game decides an account is ready for the next stage. Instead of endlessly farming mobs in the overworld, the fastest route usually comes from clearing main missions and stacking Authority/Operational EXP from repeatable systems.
Exploration Level overview
Exact per-level feature lists can vary depending on version/build and what a given account has already cleared, but the structure below reflects how these tiers generally function and why each tier exists.
| Exploration Level | What it represents | Typical unlock theme | Practical takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starter phase | Base exploration loop, early map routing, first mission chains | Focus on learning traversal and finishing main objectives rather than farming. |
| 2 | Early progression checkpoint | More progression systems begin to matter (upgrades, broader farming options, higher requirements on builds) | Start building a consistent routine: dailies + main missions + quick exploration pickups. |
| 3 | First big account gate | Often linked to Authority progression (commonly cited as Authority 25) earned via Operational EXP | If progress stalls here, the fix is usually Authority gains, not searching for a hidden quest. |
| 4 | Next story-gated tier | Requires clearing specific story steps: Cradle of Ages, then Beyond the World’s Expanse 1 | Push story first, then reassess farming targets at the new tier. |
Exploration Level sits at the intersection of narrative progression and account progression. The story pushes access forward (new mission chains, new areas, new exploration mission availability), while Authority checks can pause progress until enough Operational EXP has been earned through regular play loops.
This connection matters because many players naturally waste time (and stamina/sanity) farming early tiers when the next Exploration Level is only one story chapter or one Authority breakpoint away. Treat exploration tiers as “efficiency checkpoints”: reach the next tier first, then farm.
How to get Exploration Level 4 (clear requirements path)
Step 1: Confirm current Exploration Level and active main mission
Open the mission menu and check the currently tracked main/story mission. If Exploration Level 4 is the target, the goal is to reach and clear “Cradle of Ages” first, because it’s part of the gate.
Step 2: Complete the Cradle of Ages story quest fully
This isn’t just “start the quest”—it means finishing every objective until the mission shows as completed (and the next story mission becomes available). If the quest has multiple objectives (travel, interact, defeat, return), all must be cleared for it to count.
Step 3: Make sure the next mission unlocks (Beyond the World’s Expanse 1)
After Cradle of Ages, return to the mission list and look for “Beyond the World’s Expanse 1.” Sometimes the “extra time” in videos is simply showing where it appears and setting it as the tracked mission.
Step 4: Finish Beyond the World’s Expanse 1
Complete the mission objectives until it’s marked complete. This is the second required clear in the chain.
Step 5: Verify Exploration Level 4 actually applied
Open the exploration/progression screen (or the relevant profile/progression UI) to confirm Exploration Level updated to 4. Many guides include this as proof, which adds runtime even though it’s not a separate requirement.
Getting unstuck before Level 4: leveling rhythm that usually works
When the main mission route is clear but progression still feels blocked, a stable rhythm helps:
- Run repeatable Operational EXP activities to raise Authority when a gate is hit.
- Clear Daily Tasks consistently; they add up faster than they look over several sessions.
- Sweep exploration actions while moving between missions (teleports, chests, small objectives) to avoid “pure grinding” sessions that feel unrewarding.
This is also why Exploration Level 3 is often described as an Authority checkpoint: once Authority reaches the required threshold, the exploration tier updates and the main line can continue.
Exploration missions and story locks (why Cradle of Ages matters beyond Level 4)
Story milestones don’t only raise exploration tier; they also tend to unlock exploration missions. A simple example is that certain exploration missions are unlocked only after clearing Cradle of Ages, reinforcing the idea that “exploration content” is still progression-controlled.
This design keeps the world from dumping too many mission markers too early, and it helps ensure that the account has enough tools and power to complete the content efficiently.
Rewards-style table (what the “real rewards” are)
Exploration Level upgrades are less about claiming a one-time reward chest and more about unlocking better efficiency and access. The most valuable “rewards” are what become possible afterward.
| Milestone | Real reward (progression gain) | What to do immediately after |
|---|---|---|
| Reaching Exploration Level 2 | Better overall progression pacing, more viable upgrade/farming routes | Tighten the routine: main missions first, then daily/repeatables. |
| Reaching Exploration Level 3 | Clears a common Authority wall and enables the next chunk of progression | If farming is needed, do it after the tier increase for better efficiency. |
| Clearing Cradle of Ages | Unlocks additional exploration mission availability and is required for Level 4 | Continue directly into Beyond the World’s Expanse 1. |
| Reaching Exploration Level 4 | Access to the next stage of content pacing and stronger farming options | Re-evaluate what to farm and avoid returning to outdated tiers. |
The fastest route to Exploration Level 4
Exploration Level 4 is obtained by progressing the story through Cradle of Ages and then completing Beyond the World’s Expanse 1. If the route feels blocked earlier, Authority growth through Operational EXP systems (often associated with the Exploration Level 3 gate) is usually the missing piece.
