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Arknights CN: Integrated Strategies 2 Preview - Phantom & Crimson Solitaire

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Period: 2022-01-05 ~

Integrated Strategies 2 Preview - Phantom & Crimson Solitaire

There have been several announcements with information on the new Integrated strategies 2 (IS2) that will be coming in January.  This page will have all the information that has been released, and I'll keep it updated as new information becomes available.  The first section will list and explain the things that are NEW from the first Integrated Strategies (IS) event (Fungimist), and the subsequent sections will have the actual announcement images and any relevant translations.

If you didn't play the first IS event, you can learn about how the event works in the article here:

New For IS2!

Here is a summary of things that are new or different for IS2 from the original event:

  • The mode will now be permanent.
  • At the beginning of each run, instead of having 3 random Class Recruit tickets, there will be 4 "sets" of tickets the player can choose from:
    • Vanguard, Sniper, Specialist
    • Defender, Caster, Sniper
    • Guard, Supporter, Medic
    • 3 random, with one guaranteed to be an Advanced Recruitment.  An Advanced Recruitment will contain a random e1 maxed level operator 4* or above that is free (costs no hope) to recruit.  This Operator can be any Operator in the game, and need not be owned by the player.
  • For the first recruitment, Friend Support Operator can be selected.
  • Recruitment Costs of 5 Star Operators has been reduced from 4 to 3.
  • Shalem is a new Operator that will start as IS mode-only but will eventually be obtainable as an event reward.
  • Some Operators will have abilities specific to IS mode.
  • Repertoire: a temporary buff whose effect is unknown until it is acquired. It will only be active during the current Area. Only 1 can be active at a time: if a new one is acquired, the player can choose to replace the current one. If obtained on the last node of an area, it will be applied for the next area.
    • Example: Light of Heria - In the next Emergency Battle, a random elite operator will be temporarily added to your Squad.
  • Tactical Prop: Tactical items that can be used during combat.  The player can only have 1 at at time, and can choose to replace their current when a new one is acquired.  
    • Example: a smoke machine that can slow enemies in 8 surrounding tiles.
  • Illusions: When you enter a new area, there is a possibility of activating an Illusion that will effect the player in some way. The further the payer progresses, the higher the chance an Illusion will occur.
    •  Example; Blindness - Player is unable to see future nodes.
  • Ownerless Wealth: new mechanic (treasure chests).  They disappear when an enemy touches it, but if it remains on the field when the stage ends players will receive extra rewards.
  • "Temporary Life Points" will be shown at the start of each battle.
  • Boss type enemies: Smirking Spectator, Scarlet Singer, Theatre Assembly Unit, Wandering Puppet, "Snow Roller", "Frost Man". (more details in enemy section below)
  • Shop Ingot ​​​​​Investment System: a system added to shop nodes that allows players to deposit ingots for  withdrawal in future runs (more details in Investment section below)
  • There will be an independent game mode [Monthly Squad] where players use a pre-set team and can earn mode exclusive rewards and lore. (more details in Monthly Squad section below)
  • Random Helicopter:  A recruitment ticket that will randomly select a few Operators to be recruited.
  • The overall theme will be updated in 2022

Permanent Reward System Highlights

  • Rewards are gained at specific "Castle Notes" levels, which are increased by earning Candles (event currency) from playing the mode (finishing runs) and completing missions.
  • Each month the maximum level will be increased and new rewards will be added for achieving higher levels.
  • Reward Schedule:
    • January: New Operator Twilight
    • February: Crimson Troupe Icon.  Phantom Icon.
    • March: Old castle style furniture set 1
    • April: Phantom L2D skin
    • May: 4 Royal Specialist Tokens, Old castle style furniture set 2
    • June: Themed Furniture: Warning of the End
    • July: Themed background

EN players that want to try the mode early can try creating a CN account.  Here is some help on how to do it!

Crimson Solitaire PV

Tranalstion: Lauli

Crimson Troupe.

I once thought I would never hear this name again.

He’s different from us.

They’re always watching him.

He never truly escaped.

Humans let their desires to consume everything around them.

One day they will be consumed themselves.

Be careful.

Don’t let those beautiful things steal your wits.

Doctor, Are you sure you know what you’re searching for?

Crimson Solitaire Walkthrough Video

Credits: u/Chuijk-Rubed 

All the time - left bottom corner: *the footage is for demonstration only and may not represent actual in-game contents

0:11 - IS - Phantom & Crimson Solitaire - Gameplay Introduction

0:17 - Castle Notes

0:19 - left - medals / Backstage Preparation

top left - Theater Billboard

top right - Next Monthly Quest in %d days

bottom - Monthly Team / Standard Team

0:22 - bottom right - New rewards after next monthly quest

0:25 - Operator Shalem - Command xp lv 25

Shalem has been in self-imprisonment for so long, just to flee from ghosts of the past. Yet, he's now ready to save Phantom with you.

He stands up to the past and the future. He's no longer on his own.

0:30 - Avatar #1 - "Scarlet Troupe"

You have seen this badge many times. You will meet it again. Yet...... Will you let it be a symbol of its own?

0:32 - Avatar #2 - "Phantom"

Phantom's past and present entangles here. Familiar and unfamiliar at once.

Since he trusts you, you should shoulder the responsibility. To show a way for his future.

0:34 - Themed Furniture Set #1 - Castle Impression Furniture Set #1

*Some descriptions*

0:36 - Phantom's Special Skin (L2D)

Clothes are needed for disguise. Costumes are needed to perform.

This land is your stage, and people are the audience. UTAE, Phantom.

0:38 - Themed Furniture Set #2 - Castle Impression Furniture Set #2

*Some descriptons*0:41 - 6* Specialist Token * 4

0:43 - Themed Furniture - "Announcement of the End"

The antique from Gaul is still ticking. Time winds it, history callibrates it.

Listen closely, the play is about to commence.

0:45 - Themed Background

0:49 - A-type quest - "Stunt Man" - Recruits Specialist or Supporter Operators 12 times

B-type quest - "Shot First" - Acquires Tactical Items 4 times

C-type quest #1 - "Assemble for Training" - Recruits any Operator 45 times

C-type quest #2 - "Great Buyer" - Buys 10 items from Rogue Trader

bottom - During one IS, completing monthly quests with standard mode rewards you with candles! Quests refresh at the start of every month, previous unfinished quests get cancelled

0:52 - Every refresh clears previous advance and pulls one quest from its same kind, 4 refreshes each month

0:55 - A-type quest - "Booty Guardian" - Protects 12 Ownerless Chests

1:00 - toast - Monthly Team unlocks after finishing Standard Mode 1 time

1:05 - toast - hard unlocks after finishing normal 1 time

1:10 - Squads

Leader Squad - temporarily gain 4 Objective HP at the beginning of each battle.

Gathering Squad - unlocks after clearing the third stage

Support Squad - unlocks after acquiring a total of 200 Originium Ingots (across multiple runs)

Spearhead Squad - unlocks after finishing a run with more than 10 LP remaining

Tactical Assault Operative - unlocks after completing a run with more than a total of 5 Vanguard or Guard Operators recruited

Tactical Fortification Operative - unlocks after completing a run with more than a total of 5 Defender or Supporter Operators recruited

Tactical Ranged Operative - unlocks after completing a run with more than a total of 5 Medic or Sniper Operators recruited

Tactical Destruction Operative - unlocks after completing a run with more than a total of 5 Specialist or Caster Operators recruited

*New*Research Squad - unlocks after gaining 1000 Command xp across multiple runs

*New*High-level Squad - unlocks after completing a run with more than a total of 20 Operators recruited

1:16 - Recruitment Tickets

"Speed Reigns" - Vanguard, Sniper, Specialist ticket *1 each

"Solid Foundation" - Defender, Caster, Sniper ticket *1 each

"Complement for Flaws" - Guard, Supporter, Medic ticket *1 each

"Follow Your Heart" - unclocks after starts a run using one of other choices

need to mention that now 5* costs only 3 Hope, and tickets allow recruiting support units!

1:52 - Area I - "Foggy Crossroads"

**17:03 - Fog spreads, the unit has lost its way, are we heading forward, or dissolving into the fog?

1:56 - toast - Leader Squad - extra 4 LP in every battle (represents by shield 4 in map)

2:04 - toast - Leveling to lv 2 - Max Hope +4, Can bring 0 more operator each battle

2:13 - Combat - "Mishap" - Actors and Actresses are training how to avoid traps during parachuting, yet your arrival has made it harder.

2:25 - Talent #1 - Land of Memories - In the event [Phantom & Crimson Solitaire], ATK+5%, ATK SPD+20

2:27 - Trait - Same archetype as Asbestos and Dur-nar

2:28 - Skill #1 - "Fast Combat" - Per Second, Manual - Faster ATK SPD, Max HP+30%, Attacks every enemy blocked at once

Skill #2 - "Life-burning Carnival" - SP-on-hit, Auto - Loses 5% HP per second, Expand ATK Range, Fires 6 times with 65% ATK when attacking and attacks random targets within Attack Range

2:34 - hint - You can use Insights to permanently boost your ability in the castle.

2:39 - toast - Ownerless Chest - dissappears on enemies walking pass, if the chest remains when clearing the stage, rewards with extra stuff

3:40 - Originium Ingot *3 - grab, Originium Ingot *1(Ownerless Chest) - grab, Unknown play - reveal, Fog machine - 1 broken stage fog machine each combat - accept, Vanguard ticket - recruit, "fk this sht im out"

3:45 - Ode au Triomphe - Badge of Gaul

5 temporal LP on next combat of this area

Let us chant the ode, celebrate the triumph! Vive le empereur! Vive la Gaul!

4:04 - Encounter

New friends, old foes......Encounters won't age, scars will.

4:08 - Leading Role Duck Lord?

When the stage unveils before your eyes, you are the only audiences here, the play on show tonight is a famous Gaulish tragicomedy, the talented leading lady once danced to answer a curtain call while the audiences hurrayed, all the way to when dancing shoes got tainted red......And why there's this duck throwing money walking around?

4:09 - Choice #1 - Let the leading lady out! - Damn ducks!

Choice #2 - Maybe ducks are OK...... - Right?

4:13 - Leading Role Duck Lord?

You dashed onto the stage, swear to keep the duck off stage.

4:18 - Combat - Duck Lord's play

The famous Columbian merchant Duck Lord is running around the stage, throwing Originium Ingots all over. Remove him from stage right now!

*Active Originium Tile warnings*

4:34 - hint - Scarlet Troupe, a time-tested community of mysterious artists and a roaming troupe, brings excellent plays to where it goes. However, when a tragedy is put on show, the tragedy in real world will come.

5:07 - Encounter - New friends, old foes......Encounters won't age, scars will.

5:11 - Evil Coffin

You have found a dim-lit room deep inside the castle, with no windows and no lights. A large jewelled coffin sits right in the middle of the room. When you tries to investigate it, a voice emerges from inside the coffin, which sounds like a calling for rescue of opening the coffin.

5:12 - Choice #1 - No way I'm gonna leave him inside - Acquire the collectible [Certificate of Friendship] with the cost of 3 LP

Choice #2 - This is suspicious on first glance - Gain 4 Originium Ingots

5:18 - Evil Coffin

There's kind people getting hurt in all kinds of stories, and you are cautious to not listen to the call. You collect the jewels on the coffin and remember to close the door on your departure.

5:22 - Rogue Trader - Neither friend nor foe, someone likes to stay neutral.

5:23 - Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - Rhodes Island is a corporation, and I'm a businessman, we're colleagues in a way.

Prospect Investment System, Supportive Gas CansCaster ticketHand of SpikesRusted Blade - TrainingBroken Wand - Training

5:25 - Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - Gaul has long ceased to be, yet the remnants are still attracting people to take risks.

[Hand of Spikes] collectible - Normal Defenders(Hoshiguma), Arts Protector(Asbestos & Dur-nar), Duelist Defenders(Eunectes) deals Arts DMG 100% of their DEF per second to each enemy blocked.

Let the enemies do their jobs.

5:30 - Area II - "Sunset Courtyard"

**19:24 - Rays of the setting sun casted on the courtyard, but that's not the color of hope. Please come in, please come in, lost guests, the castle welcomes you all.

Solitary - Orderless notes ringing everwhere in your mind, you feel like having an illusion.

5:34 - toast - Illusion - Solitary - Recruiting Operators in this area costs more Hopepromotingcosts less.

You are afraid of losing, you take all stakes to keep everything.

5:40 - Emergency - "Hopeless Knight" - A bunch of expelled Kazimierz knights became mercenaries that roams the wilderness, the badge on their armor tells their past.

Extra conditions - Enemies' ATK, DEF, HP increase, some enemy gains Invisibility

5:43 - hint - Troupe master, the leader of the Scarlet Troupe, rarely reveals himself to the public, one that hides in shadows. Reports says that his name and all the variations existed thousands of years ago.

6:15 - toast - Supportive Fog Machine - Tactical Item - 1 extra Supportive Fog Machine each combat, slows enemies within its surrounding 8 tiles' range.

Emergent fog machine for operators to use, kind of broken.

6:52 - Originium Ingots *4 - grab, "Arts Killer" collectible - Grants Operators 15% Arts Dodge - grab, Unknown play - reveal, Defender ticket - recruit, "fk this sht im out"

7:00 - Wonderland in Dream - Ranger, Noir Corne, Amiya, Doctah - probably referencing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Gets 1 random Recruitment Ticket after next Safe House in this Area.

Even though we couldn't reach the distant castle, at least you have campanions, at least I have you.

7:17 - Safe Corner - Wonderland in Dream is pre-ordered here

Tranquil, cozy, leave the gnawing incidents in the castle aside, it's time to rest.

7:22 - Safe Corner

There's danger here and there in the castle, bizzare environment, enemies in the shadow and strange incidents are beyond count, making your squad restless. Luckily, you can still find some corner for rest from time to time. Check the resources, ease your nerves, plan the routes, new challenges will arrive soon.

7:23 - Choice #1 - Boost morale - Gains 3 Hope

Choice #2 - Reschedule squad - Allow bringing 1 more operator in combat

Choice #3 - Rest for a while - Gains 5 LP

7:34 - Safe Corner

You have seen lots of strange and marvelous stuff along the journey, but when you talks about heroic epics of the past, everyone still sits in circle to listen.

7:39 - Castle's Treasure

Treasure's everywhere, pick by your own, keep in mind not to pick wrong.

7:45 - History's Treasure

An ancient city fell in a tragedy, people's tragic stoies got adapted into plays that remains today, the treasure of the city stayed here. You find some booty beside the protagonist-in-play's rotten corpse, yet the most precious manuscript, written by the protagonist himself, has faded into dust.

7:46 - Choice #1 - Retrieve manuscript - acquire a random collectible

7:50 - "Apparition Pendant" - Ranged units' ATK +15% - a pendant of a bullet

Faith lies 10 centimeters above your heart, language flows into your blood, bullets slides into your magazine.

History's Treasure

Did the play come first or did the real history come first, nobody can tell. You pick one item from the mountainous pile of treasure as a souvenir.

7:54 - Area III - "Lost Lands, Worn People"

**20:36 - When fog pours into the castle, vines crawl up the columns, the night seems to have retreated away. However, while enjoying the temporal tranquility, please keep in mind that the darkness is always by your side.

7:56 - Interlude Recreations - Spend all the resources, contribute to art.

7:58 - A Reckless Waste

You find a bunch of Durins in a wine cellar, Wines kept for thousands of years are being drunk recklessly, yet the Durins say that the castle's owner has given them the permission. On sight of you, they roll a full barrel out and invite you to join.

7:59 - Choice #1 - Drink one third - Gains 6 Originium Ingots at the cost of 2 LP

Choice #2 - Drink one half - Acquire a random Recruitment Ticket at the cost of 3 LP

Choice #3 - Drink the whole - Acquire a random Collectible at the cost of 6 LP

Choice #4 - Forget about that - Your health is very precious

8:09 - A Reckless Waste

Look at you, you are talented in drinking just like a real Durin. The Durins are happy and give you some stuff.

8:14 - A Reckless Waste

You've pretty good at drinking a lot, the Durins cheer and throw some coins to you.

8:18 - A Reckless Waste

Before the cellar gets emptied, the Durins won't stop, but it's time for you to leave, you have your own job.

8:24 - Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - This isn't called trash-hunting, I'm just fetching the unwanted stuffs.

Prospect Investment System, Medic ticketCaster ticketHand of StranglingGargoyle SculptureAncient Music Score Remnants

8:27 - "Ancient Music Score Remnants" collectible - Hope +4

A sheet of ancient music score's remnant, the notes are unrecognizable, the story behind remains unknown.

Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - The Scarlet Troupe? They're a bunch of mad artists and also a bunch of cruel villains.

8:33 - Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - Everyone has their own business, I know.

8:45 - Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - Vision is nacessary, spending to buy infinite possibilities, these are all good deeds my friend.

Balance 0 - Balance persists across runs

Investment Entrance - Use this run's Originium Ingots for investment / Nevermind

8:48 - Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - Don't feel bad about the money, if not used today, then use it afterwards.

Investment Entrance - Maybe useful in the future, who knows?

Spend 1 Originium Ingot for investment? - Nevermind - Confirm

8:50 - toast - Thank you for you investment. *kachink*

8:52 - Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - Ah, Looks like our reward system has a little problem......

Investment Constricted - The investment system broke down, under maintenance, please come back next time.

Investment Entrances won't be available for this run.

8:58 - Strange Trader Cannot Goodenough - Good morning, good afternoon and good evening to you.

9:11 - Castle's Treasure

Treasure's everywhere, pick by your own, keep in mind not to pick wrong.

9:14 - Destiny's Treasure

You can't tell if this is real or dream, a pedestal stands right in front of you, on the top places a valuable yet old chest. Maybe it's put here by someone, maybe it's just waiting you, no matter what, this is a gift.

9:15 - Choice #1 - Accept the gift - Acquire a random collectible, may be something special

Choice #2 - Pick the item around the pedestal - Acquire a random collectible

9:18 - ""Child's Puppet"" collectible - When enemies are stunnedfrozen or rooted, deal 1000 Arts DMG per second - a doll of Pocket Sea Crawler

Iberian children made this plain doll resembling some strange creatures on seashore. It's said if one hugs this during sleep, their dream would become lively.

Destiny's Treasure

Should your life be a play, would it be comedy, or would it be tragedy?

9:25 - Dreadful Foe - "Dead by Euphonics"

The song-doll plays instruments non-stop, fills the hall with euphonic music. However, when you listen closely, you will notice the creaking noises hiding behind the melody are trying to possess others' minds.

When he's not blockedall friendly units receives Arts DMG persistently.

9:31 - hint - Different collectibles combined can create astounding effects

9:33 - toast - Drifting Song-doll

The music doll under Scarlet Troupe's prop master's management, when not blocked, it would play the instrument dealing Arts DMG to friendly units.

9:51 - Area V - "Bloodmoon Corridor"

**00:00 - In many documents, bloodmoon is seen as a start of unfortune. Now this unfortune, is shining through the windows, onto us.

9:55 - Dreadful Foe - "No Other Needs"

The evil forced kind souls into vicious behaviors. You have seen its tears, you shall fulfill its wish.

10:00 - hint - When recruiting operators at the start of the run, one could recruit support units.

10:07 - *avatar* - The time is nigh, red moon has arrived. Stringed puppets are dancing. For the paramount art. Go, my creation, go, to perform a play to the audience. I, Troupe's loyal mouthpiece, hereby announce--- let the show commence!

10:17 - toast - "Sad Big Lock" - One of the creations of the Troupe's announcer, is highly durableand has strong curing powers, when the shield it creates persistsextra enemies would appear non-stop.

Full Mechanics Review Announcement

Translation Credit: 25Night and unknown others

Integrated Strategy: Phantom and Crimson Solitaire

  1. When a run is over, successful or not, you will gain "Candles(previously Cake)" and "Inspiration(Mushroom)" depending on operators, collectible and coins you gained during the run.

  2. Same as IS1, 3 difficulties, "A Tour at the Castle" , "Formal Investigation", "Facing the Catastrophy"

3. Operators Recruitment:

a) At the start of the run, you have to pick a team (basically same thing as IS1's starting buff)

b) After choosing the team, you will be given 4 choices which comprise of different operator tickets.

Choice A: Vanguard x1, Sniper x1, Specialist x1

Choice B: Defender x1, Caster x1, Sniper x1

Choice C: Guard x1, Supporter x1, Medic x1

Choice D: 3 Random tickets but one of it will guarantee 4* temporary recruit

c) When recruiting at the beginning of the run, you can use support units from your friend

4. Operators' Level

a. Same as before, E1 Max level first recruit, E2 unlocked when recruit again

b. IS limited operators return (Sharp,Stormeye,Pith and Touch)

c. New operator "Twilight" will be available as temporary recruit sometime, before becoming your official operator(will be available later)

Recruitment Costs of 5 Star Operators has been reduced from 4 to 3.

5. Nodes

a) Battle : Random battle, random reward

b) Emergency Operation: Harder battle, better reward

c) Boss battle: Boss will appear in the stage, some special bosses will only appear when certain condition is met

d) Random event: Random event

e) Entertainment: Random entertainment event, exchange resources or spend resource for random reward

f) Gift from the Castle: Random free reward, has a chance to be changed into "Fated Gift" node which give rarer items

g) Safehouse

h) Shop

"Temporary Life Points" will be shown at the start of each battle.

6. Collectible and Originium Ingot

a) Collectible

b) Repertoire: A temporary buff effect that will only be active for current floor, if a repertoire is gained at the last node of the floor, it will be activated at the next floor instead

c) Strategic Items: Item you can bring and use inside of the stage, max 1 item. If you gain another item, you can choose whether to replace the current item

7. Changing themes

a) IS2 is now a permanent system

b) During IS2, there will be update for "Additional Notebook page" , "Monthly Team" and "Requests of the Month" every month

c) Aside from that, during IS2, there will also have 2 Content Expansion, one of it will unlock "Deep Investigation" mode, the other one will include a whole new theme

d) When all the content of IS2 are released, it will stay as permanent IS that you can play anytime

e) Next Theme of IS will be released within 2022

Full Permanent Rewards System Announcement

Translation: Harezora and 25Night

1. By collecting candles from IS2, you can level up your Castle Notes and gain various rewards. (Operator "Twilight" at lv25)

2. During the months where IS2 is being updated, at the start of every month, the max level of Castle Notes will be increased, and more rewards will also be added.  After max level, can't collect more candles.

3. Once the updates for IS2 end, max level of Castle Notes will no longer increase, your current level will also be saved, if you still didn't reach max level you can still continue to gain candles to level it. At the same time, Castle Notes' rewards will also be permanent, you can still level it up to unlock rewards.

4. 2 modes to collect candles Rewards schedule:

 By playing the standard mode:

  • At the end of each exploration, scores you earned will be converted to candles at a certain ratio.

  • Unlock unknown collectible

  • Clearing time-limited request in "Requests of the Month" (Only when IS2 is still being updated)

By playing the "Monthly Team"

  • Clearing monthly request to gain one time rewards

-----------------------------

1. 1.2002 Duskfall/Twilight (new operator) He had isolated himself for very long, only to escape the ghosts of the past. And then, he rescues Phantom together with you now. He musters the courage to face the past and the future. He no longer travels alone.

2. 2.2022: Crimson Troupe icon

3. 2.2022: Phantom icon Phantom's past and present intertwine as such. Familiar yet unfamiliar. Since he trusts you, then you should carry this responsibility. Decide his future.

4. 3.2022: Old castle style furniture set 1

5. 4.2022: Phantom Live2D costume Phantom Live2D costume: Disguising one's identity requires an outfit. When the actor makes an entrance, a costume is a must. The land is your stage, and everyone is the audience. Sing, Phantom.

6. 5.2022: Old castle style furniture set 2

7. 5.2022: Royal Specialist Chips X4

8. 6.2022: Themed furniture: Warning of the End

9. 7.2022: Theme

Full Mechanics Review 2

Translation: Harezora and 25Night

1. Collectible

a) A lot of itmes with various effects,  the main items that you gain during explorations.

b) Some have prerequisite unlock requirement (e.g. Recruit 30 different operators across multiple runs)

c) Easy mode does not count for unlocking collectibles

d) There is a menu (Longevity Box) to check all the collectibles

Example collectible shown

i) Hand of Spike - Effect: Normal Defenders, Arts Guards and Duelist Defenders deal Arts damage equals to 100% of own DEF to blocked enemies.

Letting the enemy take action will let one bleed profusely.

ii) Mmasquerade Mask - Effect: Everytime you enter a non-combat node, gain 3 originium ingot

'Esteemed guest, welcome to Crimson Troupe. The next performance will definitely leave a deep impression on you.'

iii) Dancer's Bracelet - Effect: All allied operators gain 10% Physical and Arts Dodge

Trained dancers leap to avoid traps on stage. The audience clap and cheer, completely not knowing someone just brushed shoulders with death.

iv) Pact of Palace- Effect: Allied operators no longer take damage from [Sarkaz] enemies

The ancient Sarkaz King sacrificed himself and gained power. Starting with this thing, the royal palace stopped fighting each other and became united.

v) White Flower - Effect: When combat starts, shuffle all the allied operators' deployment cost

An item left over from a member of 'Crimson Troupe'. This belongs to a famous Leithanian musical actress. It is said that the actress called 'White Flower of Leithania's stage' maintained strange private relationships with nobility, and even tried to start conflict within them.

vi) Night Surprise - Effect: Everytime enemy enters defense point (our blue box), stuns all enemies for 5 seconds

There will always be a dark day that even light cannot bring salvation. And the leader of the troupe already prepared fine wine, preparing to savour the despairing moments of others.

v) Mark of the wine god - Effect: All enemy units' ATK, DEF, HP +30% and all deployed units have -2 block.

A mark that can be seen everywhere at Crimson Troupe. The troupe leader and his desire towards the arts are deeply printed into the minds of every person. 

e) Some collectibles can change the story of the exploration

2.Repertoires

a) Has unknown positive effect before being obtained, after being obtained will only be in effect for the current floor and disappear after taking effect

b) Can only have 1, if you gain another you can choose to replace current one or not

Example

a) Light of Heria - Effect: In the next Emergency Battle, a random elite operator will be temporarily added to your squad.

At the most dangerous moment, heroes will descend from the sky. It goes through the peaks of Heria, to the side of Minos.

3. Tactical Prop

a) Tactical items that can be used during a stage

b) You can only have 1 at a time, and can choose to replace or not when you gain another.

Example :

1.Smoke Machine - Effect: Bring one to every battle and causes enemies within surrounding 8 tiles to have reduced movement speed

4. Starting Buff/Division

a) Starting buffs like in IS1. Command Division will be the initially unlocked division (Every battle gain 4 temporary Life Points)

5. Illusion

a) Whenever you enter a new area, there is a chance to activate an Illusion.

b) will only be active for the current area. As you go deeper, the chance for it to occur increases.

Example Illusion:

a) Blindness - you are unable to see the nodes beyond your next node.

New Mechanic and Enemies

ISTreasureGIF1

Translation: Harezora

New mechanics and enemies for Crimson Solitaire

A few weeks ago, Rhodes Island lost contact with Operator Phantom.

According to the last location at the last safe house, it can be determined that he was at Victoria's Celaiblasson area.

This is Phantom's home, the place where some tragedies happened, as well as a old Gaul territory with few people.

A rescue team lead by Doctor quickly reached the planned location to start the rescue operation. But they did not know that they will become actors in this huge musical

Ownerless Wealth: Will disappear when enemies touch it. If 'Ownerless Wealth' still remains on the field when the battle ends, extra rewards will be gained.

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Smirking Spectator:  Crimson Troupe's loyal audience which enjoys musicals day and night. They have become as unbelievable as the troupe. Attacks will do nervous damage.

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Scarlet Singer Crimson: Troupe's actor who sings loudly with multiple provocations. Attacks without regarding inciting pursuers. Attacks cause extra nervous damage. After receiving a certain number of damage, immediately causes all enemies to gain lots of attack speed for a while.

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Theatre Assembly Unit : A giant assembly unit that is maintained by Crimson Troupe's prop maker. Usually it is used to move prop boxes. Gigantic in size, hard to block. Can only be blocked by units with at least 4 block. Attacks will do splash damage to all surrounding allies.

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Wandering Puppet: A music puppet maintained by Crimson Troupe's prop maker. Everyone who heard the melody it plays will walk towards the troupe and never to go home again.

"Snow Roller": An actor acting as Sami snow worship guard "Snow Roller". With a long act, he has become one with his character. He seeks death someday in the enemy which as twisted as "Cold".

"Frost Man": An actor acting as Sami snow worship guard "Frost Man". With a long act, he has become one with his character. He seeks death someday in the enemy which as twisted as the "Devil".

Monthly Missions, Bonuses, and Investment System

Translation Credit: Harezora and 25night

Monthly Request Board

  • There will be monthly quests every month of different grades.(A/B/C Tier etc.)
  • There will be new quests at the start of every month. After changing, the old ones will no longer remain.
  • 4 quest refreshes will be available each month that can be used on uncompleted quests. After refreshing you will be given different quests of same grade.

Buffs/Bonuses

  • Like in IS1, there are bonuses/buffs that can be gained/leveled after a run using currency.
  • One example is extra efficiency of converting points into candles(honey cake equivalent), for example in the image above it shows an increase of 16%
  • Blurred picture shows various other bonuses such as
    • i) Starting originium ingots
    • ii) Allied units ATK
    • iii) Allied units DEF
    • iv) Allied units HP
    • v) Starting stage HP
    • vi) EXP gained from combats
    • vii) Max squad size
    • viii) Max deployable units

Leveling Buffs/Bonuses

  • Some require pre-requisite nodes to be unlocked
  • Cannot be leveled during a run.

Inspiration of Darkness

  • Leveling Buffs/Bonuses requires Inspiration of Darkness.
  • For every 10 candles collected, 1 Inspiration is gained.
  • When all Buffs/Bonuses are leveled, Inspirations will no longer be gained.

Ingot Investment System

  • When a shop node is entered, the Investment system has a chance to appear. Once it appears for the first time on a run, it will be available in any shop for the rest of that run.
  • You can deposit ingots in the system. When your total deposit reaches a certain amount, you will be granted respective rewards. Your investment will carry over to future runs.
  • Breakdown: there is a chance that the investment system will crash, making it unusable for the rest of the run.
  • Withdrawal : After depositing 200 ingots, they can be withdrawn. There will be a service charge added to each withdrawal  
  • Investment balance can be checked at the main menu when outside of a run.

Monthly Squad Mode

Translation: Harezora

Monthly Squad is an independent mode from the normal mode. With the monthly set team, you explore and unlock squad communication. You don't need to own the operators, and their levels, Masteries, Trust, etc are predetermined and unaffected by the Operators you own.

With this mode, you cannot unlock new collectibles or complete monthly missions. But you can gain already unlocked collectibles.

You can unlock Squad story logs during runs.

January Squad: Kazdel Friendship Association

There are complicated cultural and racial relationships in the Sarkaz. But to Mudrock, Warfarin and Vigna, what brings them together is just friendship and the passion for life.

Warfarin: So, us vampires will place a mark on people hat we have close relationships with. When the mark is in the hands of others, even if one is killed, it is a transaction of life with the other, understand?

Vigna: Let me understand for a bit.

Mudrock: I understand.

Vigna: Eh?

You can check and rewatch all the unlocked Squad story logs.  It is updated when a run ends.

Completing a run with the Squad will give a one-off prize. Note that it is different from standard mode. It is not counted and candles will not be gained.

There will be a new Monthly Squad at the beginning of every month.

After the theme ends, all Monthly Squads will be playable. 

Event Art

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About the Author(s)

Arknights: Alyeska#2654

Discord: Alyeska#7717

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