Arknights Guide: Constructing and Operating the Alter Caster

As the first "Alter" Operator in Arknights, Lava the Purgatory is not just a stronger iteration of her original form; she's a formidable 5-star Splash Caster who enhances team utility and offers remarkable flexibility. Whether you're utilizing her for extensive AoE damage or to amplify the effectiveness of your fellow Casters, Lava the Purgatory is a dependable asset in various team compositions.

Unlike many damage-focused characters in this strategy game, Lava the Purgatory supports her allies while unleashing potent area Arts attacks. Equipped with two robust skills and a standout talent that accelerates SP generation for your entire Caster squad, she's an excellent choice beyond niche scenarios. Let's delve into her capabilities and explore effective build strategies.

Operator Overview

Lava the Purgatory is a 5-star Splash Caster renowned for her ability to deliver AoE Arts damage across a broad area. Similar to other Splash Casters, her attacks affect multiple tiles simultaneously, making her highly effective against enemies with low to moderate RES. What sets her apart is her talent focused on synergy and the unique versatility offered by her second skill, which significantly alters her playstyle.

Introduced as a welfare Operator during the Who is Real event, she can be permanently unlocked through Record Restoration. This version boasts higher stats, access to Elite 2, and more intricate gameplay compared to the original Lava. While she shares Trust with her original self, her upgrades, potentials, and skills are entirely separate.

Talents: Spell Formation and SP Support

In Arknights' combat, Lava the Purgatory's primary utility stems from her talent, Spell Formation. This ability grants her immediate SP upon deployment and shares SP with other Casters currently on the field or when they are deployed. The SP values increase with her promotion level; at Elite 2, she gains 30 SP upon deployment and provides an additional +4 SP to all Casters each time she's deployed.

She also synergizes effectively with frontline defenders and medics. Ring of Hellfire, her skill, safeguards defenders by inflicting burn damage on nearby enemies, positioning her as a valuable asset in teams focused on lane control or stall strategies.

Good synergy options include:

• Eyjafjalla or Ceobe: For SP boosts and combined AoE damage
• Saria or Nearl: Healers who can endure while Lava inflicts burn damage on surrounding enemies
• Other Splash Casters: Goldenglow and Skyfire benefit from accelerated skill cycles

Lava the Purgatory is an exceptionally well-rounded alter Operator, merging AoE damage, utility, and team support into a cohesive package. She's user-friendly for early content thanks to her reliable splash damage, yet possesses deep tactical value with her SP-boosting talent and ring-based control skill. Whether you're employing a caster-heavy lineup or simply require an AoE burn field around your defenders, she's highly versatile.

To maximize her ranged capabilities and visual clarity, consider playing Arknights on a PC with BlueStacks. This setup provides a broader view of the battlefield, faster controls, and smoother performance—perfect for precisely positioning skills like Ring of Hellfire.