Which operators break the general pattern for DP cost progression?

In the hero-collector tower defense game Arknights, each Operator (unit) has a DP Cost, which can change as the unit is enhanced/developed by the player. Most Operators follow the same pattern:

  • As new units, they start with some specific DP cost (let's say 16, for example)
  • Promoting the unit to Elite One rank increases their DP cost by 2 (to 18, in our example)
  • Increasing the unit to their maximum Potential grants two separate DP cost reductions of 1, for a total of -2 (back down to 16)

Units of at least four-star rarity can be promoted a second time to Elite Two rank, but this generally does not affect their DP Cost. Therefore, a fully maxed-out unit usually ends up with the same DP Cost as when that unit was brand new.

However, there are exceptions to the pattern. Some examples:

  • Saria incurs an additional +2 to her DP Cost upon promotion to Elite Two rank, leading to a final DP Cost higher than her initial cost
  • Grani benefits from three (rather than two) -1 DP Cost reductions when maximizing her Potential, leading to a final DP Cost lower than her initial cost
  • Fang gains a Talent upon promotion to Elite One that reduces her DP Cost by 1, also leading to a final DP Cost lower than her initial cost

Which other Operators break from the pattern described above, and in what ways?


Here's is a list of operators that break the general pattern for DP cost progression

The operators are grouped by their type and sorted by rarity (indicated by [#] before their name) in a descending manner:

Vanguards

  1. [5*] Zima: her E1 Talent reduces her DP cost by one (1)
  2. [5*] Grani: her Potential reduces her cost by three (3)
  3. [3*] Fang: her E1 Talent reduces her DP cost by one (1)

Defenders

Note: All Defenders gains two (2) more DP cost when promoting to E2

  1. [5*] Bison: his Potential reduces his cost by three (3)

Specialists

  1. [5*] Snowsant (CN only): her Potential reduces her cost by three (3)
  2. [4*] Gravel: her E1 Talent reduces her DP cost by one (1)

Medics

  1. [5*] Ceylon: her Potential reduces her cost by three (3)

Snipers

The following operators gains two (2) more DP cost when promoted to E2:

  1. [6*] W (CN only)
  2. [5*] Meteorite
  3. [5*] Provence
  4. [5*] Sesa (CN only)
  5. [4*] Shirayuki

Only one Sniper operator benefits from DP reduction from her E1 talent:

  1. [3*] Catapult

Guards

The following operators gains two (2) more DP cost when promoted to E2:

  1. [6*] Blaze
  2. [6*] Ch'en
  3. [6*] Hellagur
  4. [5*] Bibeak (CN only)
  5. [5*] Broca (CN only)
  6. [5*] Savage: she also has no DP reduction from her Potential
  7. [5*] Specter
  8. [4*] Cutter (CN only)
  9. [4*] Estelle
  10. [4*] Utage

The following operators benefit from having three (3) DP cost reduction from their Potential:

  1. [5*] Flamebringer
  2. [5*] Sideroca (CN only)

One operator does not have any DP cost reduction from their Potential:

  1. [4*] Conviction (CN only)

All of these data is accurate as of 1st of June, 2020

Source: Aceship's Operator Details