As the inaugural "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 using her for widespread AoE damage or to enhance the performance of fellow Casters, she plays a dependable role in most team compositions.
What sets Lava the Purgatory apart from many other damage dealers in this tactical game is her ability to support her allies while still dishing out potent area Arts attacks. Equipped with two effective skills and a unique talent that accelerates SP generation for your entire Caster team, she's a valuable asset even beyond specialized content. Let's delve deeper into her capabilities and the best strategies for optimizing her performance.
Operator Overview
Lava the Purgatory is a 5-star Splash Caster who delivers AoE Arts damage across a broad area. Like all Splash Casters, her attacks affect multiple tiles simultaneously and are highly effective against enemies with low to medium RES. However, her distinguishing features are her talent that encourages synergy and a second skill that significantly alters her playstyle.
Introduced as a welfare Operator during the Who is Real event, she can be permanently unlocked through Record Restoration. Unlike her initial version, Lava the Purgatory boasts higher stats, the ability to reach Elite 2, and more intricate gameplay. Although she shares Trust with her original form, her upgrades, potentials, and skills are entirely separate.
Talents: Spell Formation and SP Support
In the context of Arknights' combat, Lava the Purgatory's primary utility stems from her talent, Spell Formation. This talent grants her instant SP upon deployment and shares SP with other Casters on the field or when they are deployed. The amount of SP scales with her promotion level; at Elite 2, she receives 30 SP on deployment and provides an additional 4 SP to all Casters each time she is deployed.
Her compatibility extends to frontline defenders and medics as well. Ring of Hellfire aids defenders by inflicting burn damage on nearby enemies, making her a solid choice for teams focused on lane control or stalling tactics.
Some excellent synergy options include:
- Eyjafjalla or Ceobe: For an SP boost and combined AoE damage.
- Saria or Nearl: Healers capable of withstanding attacks while Lava burns surrounding foes.
- Other Splash Casters: Goldenglow and Skyfire benefit from accelerated skill cycles.
Lava the Purgatory is a highly refined alter Operator who seamlessly integrates AoE damage, utility, and team support. She's straightforward to use in early content due to her consistent splash damage but also offers significant tactical depth with her SP-enhancing talent and ring-based control skill. Whether you're assembling a caster-heavy team or simply need an AoE burn field around your defenders, she contributes substantially.
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 where you need them most.
