Buff

This article explains the mechanics of buffs (i.e. positive effects) in Arknights.

Attributes[]

There are two types of attribute buffs: ratio and multiplier.

Ratio[]

Ratio buffs increase the corresponding attribute by a set percentage of the original value which stacks additively with each other, which can be distinguished by the skill/talent description that states "{attribute} +{percentage}%."

Multiplier[]

Multipliers increase the value of the corresponding attribute (that is, after all ratio buff(s) are applied) by a set percentage which, as its name suggests, stacks multiplicatively with each other, calculated by the following formula:

${\displaystyle \begin{align} a = x_1 \times x_2 \times \dots ~ x_n \end{align}}$

Where:

a represents the final multiplier.
x represents the value of each multiplier.
n represents the multiplier's count (1st, 2nd, etc.).

Multipliers can be distinguished by the skill/talent description which states "Increase {attribute} to {amount}%" or "Increase {attribute} by {amount}% of {attribute}." Note that only effects without a duration are counted as multipliers (and changes the stats in the info panel.) Please notice that Inspiration is not multiplied by a Ratio buff, but by a Multiplier buff instead.

Some effects, usually the ones that decrease DEF, are a Multiplier instead of a Ratio buff, contrary to its "-" symbol. For instance, SilverAsh's Truesilver Slash reduces his DEF by 70%; the DEF reduction is a Multiplier, which basically means that any increments to his DEF will be accordingly reduced.

Since Multipliers do not change the basic stats, "Left-hand" Tytus Topola will ignore any Multiplier when choosing the target to decrease ATK.

Amplifications/reductions[]

Amplification and reduction buffs of damage/healing stack multiplicatively with each other, calculated by the following formula:

${\displaystyle \begin{align} a = (1 + x_1) \times (1 + x_2) \times \dots ~ (1 + x_n) \end{align}}$

Where:

a represents the final amplification/reduction.
x represents the value of each amplification/reduction.
n represents the amplification/reduction count (1st, 2nd, etc.).

Damage reduction[]

Damage reductions, as its name suggests, decreases the corresponding type of damage taken by a set percentage. Unless noted otherwise, the reduction applies to all three types of damage (Physical, Arts, and Pure).

Operator	Skill/talent	Applied to	Value
Bena	Bena's Protractor	Bena's Substitute	Physical/Arts E1: 20% E2: 40% PUM-Y Stage 2: 43% PUM-Y Stage 3: 45%
Dagda	Counter Technique	Self from the next Physical damage taken once charged	Physical L1-L3: 30% L4-L6: 40% L7-M2: 50% M3: 60%
Gladiia	Waves of Ægir	Abyssal Hunters Operators (including Gladiia herself)	Physical/Arts E1: 15% from Sea Monsters E2: 25% from Sea Monsters HOK-X Stage 2: 28% HOK-X Stage 3: 30%
Mudrock	Brotherhood	Self	30% from Sarkaz enemies
Stainless	Prototype of Feist's Metal Crab	The friendly unit behind the Prototype	20% Physical
Texas the Omertosa	Texas Swordsmanship	Self until defeating an enemy for the first time in each deployment	25% (+30% P5)

Sanctuary[]

Main article: Sanctuary

Healing amplification[]

Healing amplifications, as its name suggests, increases healing effects by a set percentage.

Operator	Skill/talent	Applied to	Value
Gavial the Invincible	Medical Background	Healing received by self, increased while having <50% HP	20%/40% (+5% P5)
Nearl	Healing Boost	Nearl's own healing	E1: 10% P5: +2%
Nearl	Pegasus' Halo	Healing received by friendly units while Nearl is deployed	E2: 10% GUA-X Stage 2: 13% GUA-X Stage 3: 15% P5: +2%
Sussurro	Minimally Invasive Surgery	Healing received by friendly units with a DP cost of at most 10	E1: 10% E2: 20% PHY-X Stage 2: 23% PHY-X Stage 3: 25% P5: +3%

Other buffs[]

Buff	Information
Barrier	(Friendlies only) Absorbs incoming damage.
Camouflage	(Friendlies only) Cannot be attacked/targeted by enemies when not blocking them, but can still be affected by certain splash damages.
Invisible	Cannot be attacked/targeted and unaffected by splash damage when not being blocked (enemies) or are blocking an enemy (friendlies).
Shield	(Friendlies only) Negates one instance of damage. A Physical-only variant, Physical Shield, also exists.
Status Resistance	Halves the duration of Negative Statuses.