As the first "Alter" Operator in Arknights, Lava the Purgatory isn't just an upgraded version of her original self; she's a formidable 5-star Splash Caster who offers both team utility and remarkable versatility. Whether you're deploying her for sweeping AoE damage or to enhance the performance of your fellow Casters, she's a dependable asset in a wide array of team compositions.
Unlike many damage-focused characters in this tactical game, Lava the Purgatory enhances the capabilities of her teammates while still unleashing potent area Arts attacks. Equipped with two effective skills and a standout talent that accelerates SP generation for your entire Caster team, she's an excellent choice for a variety of scenarios. Let's delve deeper into her capabilities and how to optimize her build.
Operator Overview
Lava the Purgatory is a 5-star Splash Caster specializing in AoE Arts damage that affects multiple tiles simultaneously. This makes her especially effective against foes with low to medium RES. What sets her apart is her talent, which fosters synergy with her teammates, and her second skill, which completely shifts her tactical approach.
Introduced as a welfare Operator during the Who is Real event, she can be permanently unlocked via Record Restoration. While she shares Trust with the original Lava, her stats are significantly higher, she can reach Elite 2, and her gameplay is more intricate. Her upgrades, potentials, and skills are entirely distinct from her original counterpart.
Talents: Spell Formation and SP Support
In the world of Arknights' combat, Lava the Purgatory's primary utility stems from her talent, Spell Formation. This ability instantly grants her SP upon deployment and also shares SP with other Casters either on the field or as they are deployed. The SP boost scales with her promotion level; at Elite 2, she gains 30 SP upon deployment and provides a +4 SP boost to all Casters each time she's deployed.
She synergizes well with frontline defenders and medics. Her Ring of Hellfire skill protects defenders by inflicting burn damage on nearby enemies, making her an excellent choice for teams focused on lane control or stall tactics.
Some effective synergy options include:
- Eyjafjalla or Ceobe: For an SP boost and combined AoE damage
- Saria or Nearl: Healers who can withstand damage while Lava burns surrounding enemies
- Other Splash Casters: Goldenglow and Skyfire benefit from faster skill cycles
Lava the Purgatory is a highly refined Alter Operator who seamlessly integrates AoE damage, utility, and team support. She's user-friendly for early game content due to her consistent splash damage, yet offers deep strategic value with her SP-boosting talent and ring-based control skill. Whether you're running a caster-heavy lineup or simply need an AoE burn field around your defenders, she's a versatile addition to any team.
To fully leverage her ranged capabilities and enhance visual clarity, consider playing Arknights on 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.
