Arknights: Endfield’s ‘The Floaty Messenger’ Banner—Should F
Arknights: Endfield’s ‘The Floaty Messenger’ event brings Gilberta rate-up, limited permits, and exclusive rewards. Should you pull or save? Full Endfi
Caelus Chen Banner Breakdown: 'The Floaty Messenger' Launches Worldwide
As Arknights: Endfield enters a new phase, [The Floaty Messenger] Chartered Headhunting steps into the global spotlight. This event marks the debut rate-up for 6★ Operator Gilberta, a long-awaited moment for meta-focused players and lore aficionados alike. With exclusive limited-time rewards, fresh sign-in bonuses, and Gilberta’s impactful kit, this patch cycle is poised to shape the game’s early meta.
With several banners and sign-in events competing for your hard-earned resources, understanding what [The Floaty Messenger] offers—and whether to invest—is essential for both F2P and optimal spenders.
At a Glance
- Banner: [The Floaty Messenger] Chartered Headhunting
- Availability: 2026-02-07 12:00 – 2026-02-24 11:59 (server time, UTC-5 for Americas/Europe; UTC+8 for Asia)
- Rate-Up Unit: 6★ Gilberta (with other 6★s in pool: Yvonne, Laevatain, Ember, Lifeng, Ardelia, Last Rite, Pogranichnik)
- Core Events: Messenger Express Sign-In, Combat Drills (Gilberta trial)
- Key Rewards: Messenger Express HH Permits, Arsenal Tickets, Headhunting Dossier, exclusive Operator Token
Banner Schedule & Operator Pool
| Phase | Dates (Server Time) | Featured 6★ | Other 6★s |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Floaty Messenger | 2026-02-07 12:00 – 2026-02-24 11:59 | Gilberta (rate-up) | Yvonne, Laevatain, Ember, Lifeng, Ardelia, Last Rite, Pogranichnik |
Note: To access this banner, clear main mission [Chapter I Process I: Break the Siege].
Under current rules, Gilberta leaves the Chartered Headhunting pool after three such banners and will not enter the Basic Headhunting pool—making this a limited opportunity.
Gacha Mechanics & Pulling Currency
You can use:
– Messenger Express HH Permit
– Messenger Express 10×Permit
– Chartered HH Permit
– Oroberyls
to pull on this banner. Permits are obtainable through sign-in, events, or direct purchase, with discounted rates available in the AIC Quota Exchange during the event window.
Pity & Rates Primer (What Matters)
- Every 30 pulls: Earn 10 Urgent Recruitment attempts (free 10×, guaranteeing a 5★+ but does not count for pity or reward thresholds on other banners).
- Every 60 pulls: Get a Headhunting Dossier, auto-converted to a 10×Permit if unused by the next Chartered Headhunting event (expires when that new banner ends).
- Every 240 pulls: Receive a Token for the featured Rate-Up 6★ (Gilberta). This is the only in-banner route for guaranteed acquisition.
- Arsenal Tickets: Awarded with every pull (and scaled by rarity), exchangeable at Acquisition Center (details not specified in-source).
Should You Pull? F2P, Low-Spend, and Optimizers’ Dilemma
Gilberta’s rate-up is a significant draw, especially as her role and synergy haven’t appeared in prior banners. If you seek completion or want to invest for futureproof compositions, consider her limited window—she’s not entering the regular pool.
Optimizers: Assess competing banners and unit needs. Saving for reruns or unannounced limiteds could outweigh Gilberta if your core teams are stable. However, high spender or meta chasers aiming for Gilberta’s token (at 240 pulls) will want to plan accordingly.
F2P / Low-Spend: Prioritize free permits and discounted purchases from the AIC Quota Exchange. Engage in Messenger Express sign-in and Combat Drills for maximal free value. F2P players should resist spending non-refundable currency (Oroberyls) unless highly committed, as further banners may debut with greater powercreep or meta-defining units.
Teams & Synergies: Theorycrafting Gilberta’s Potential
While Gilberta’s full kit isn’t described here (not stated in official materials), her inclusion alongside veterans like Yvonne and Laevatain suggests a significant impact. Advanced players should:
– Test Gilberta in [Combat Drills] trial event to gauge team fit.
– Assess synergy with current top-tier buffers, healers, and crowd controllers.
– Prepare for shifts in late-game and challenge content: new Break patterns, enhanced Weakness exploitation, or energy cycling may be central to her design.
Event Rewards & Tasks—Maximize Your Gains
Messenger Express Sign-In
- Log in: 7 days during event to claim at least 5 Messenger Express HH Permits.
- Additional Permits: Discounted via AIC Quota Exchange.
- Eligibility: All players.
Combat Drills: Operator Trial
- Objective: Complete preset stages featuring Gilberta to sample her playstyle and earn extra items.
- Tip: Use this window to test theorycrafted teams and rotations before investing in pulls.
Headhunting Milestone Rewards
- Milestones:
- 30 pulls: 10 Urgent Recruitment attempts (free 10×, not counted toward guarantee)
- 60 pulls: Headhunting Dossier (future 10×Permit)
- 240 pulls: Token for featured 6★
- Accessibility: All pulls during banner count, regardless of currency.
Preparation Checklist
- Clear [Chapter I Process I: Break the Siege] if not done.
- Daily sign-ins: Don’t miss Messenger Express rewards.
- Complete Combat Drills: Free trial and event rewards.
- Plan AIC Quota spends: Permits or other essentials.
- Track total pulls: For milestone bonuses and to evaluate progress toward Gilberta token (if targeting guaranteed).
Conclusion: Endfield Meta Moves Forward
[The Floaty Messenger] banner is a pivotal moment for Arknights: Endfield, particularly for those seeking to future-proof their operator rosters or maintain full event completion. Gilberta’s limited status and supporting cast make this an attractive but high-stakes event, especially for low-spenders weighing resource investments.
For those unconvinced, maximize all free-to-play opportunities—permits from daily sign-in, discounted purchases, and event trials—while keeping a close watch on upcoming banners and meta shake-ups. As always, check official in-game resources for last-minute updates, and follow EarlyGG for real-time analysis and banner breakdowns.
Image suggestion: Features Gilberta and the Chartered Headhunting banner, with clear visuals of event dates, rate-up notification, and reward milestones for accessibility. (Alt text: Official event artwork featuring Gilberta and other operators, with event period banner and core rewards displayed clearly.)