As the inaugural "Alter" Operator in Arknights, Lava the Purgatory isn't just a beefed-up version of her original self—she's a formidable 5-star Splash Caster that brings substantial team utility and versatile gameplay. Whether you're harnessing her for sweeping AoE damage or leveraging her abilities to enhance the performance of your fellow Casters, she's a dependable asset in a variety of team compositions.
Unlike many damage-centric Operators in this tactical game, Lava the Purgatory supports her teammates while dishing out potent area Arts attacks. Boasting two robust skills and a remarkable talent that accelerates SP generation for your entire Caster team, she's a valuable addition even beyond specialized content. Let's delve deeper into her capabilities and optimal build strategies.
Operator Overview
Lava the Purgatory, a 5-star Splash Caster, unleashes AoE Arts damage across a broad area. Her attacks, like those of all Splash Casters, affect multiple tiles simultaneously and are particularly effective against foes with low to moderate RES. Yet, it's her talent's focus on synergy and the unique versatility of her second skill that truly set her apart.
Introduced during the Who is Real event as a welfare Operator, she can be permanently acquired through Record Restoration. Compared to the original Lava, this iteration boasts enhanced stats, access to Elite 2, and a more intricate gameplay style. Although she shares Trust with her previous form, her upgrades, potentials, and skills are entirely distinct.
Talents: Spell Formation and SP Support
In Arknights' combat scenarios, Lava the Purgatory's primary utility stems from her Spell Formation talent. This talent grants her an immediate SP boost upon deployment and shares SP with other Casters on the field or when they are deployed. The SP values scale 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.
Her synergy extends to frontline defenders and medics, as well. Ring of Hellfire safeguards defenders by inflicting burn damage on nearby enemies, positioning her as a powerful ally in strategies focused on lane control or stalling tactics.
She synergizes well with:
- Eyjafjalla or Ceobe: Amplifying SP and combining for potent AoE damage
- Saria or Nearl: Healers capable of withstanding damage while Lava burns surrounding threats
- Other Splash Casters: Goldenglow and Skyfire, who benefit from accelerated skill cycles
Lava the Purgatory emerges as a meticulously crafted Alter Operator, seamlessly integrating AoE damage, utility, and team support. Her straightforward splash damage makes her accessible for early game challenges, while her SP-boosting talent and ring-based control skill add strategic depth. Whether you're building a team heavy on Casters or simply need an AoE burn field around your defenders, she's a versatile Operator who adds significant value.
To fully leverage her ranged prowess and visual clarity, consider playing Arknights on a PC with BlueStacks. This setup offers an expansive view of the battlefield, enhanced control responsiveness, and smoother gameplay—perfect for strategically placing skills like Ring of Hellfire exactly where you need them.
