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
- [5*] Zima: her E1 Talent reduces her DP cost by one (1)
- [5*] Grani: her Potential reduces her cost by three (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
- [5*] Bison: his Potential reduces his cost by three (3)
Specialists
- [5*] Snowsant (CN only): her Potential reduces her cost by three (3)
- [4*] Gravel: her E1 Talent reduces her DP cost by one (1)
Medics
- [5*] Ceylon: her Potential reduces her cost by three (3)
Snipers
The following operators gains two (2) more DP cost when promoted to E2:
- [6*] W (CN only)
- [5*] Meteorite
- [5*] Provence
- [5*] Sesa (CN only)
- [4*] Shirayuki
Only one Sniper operator benefits from DP reduction from her E1 talent:
- [3*] Catapult
Guards
The following operators gains two (2) more DP cost when promoted to E2:
- [6*] Blaze
- [6*] Ch'en
- [6*] Hellagur
- [5*] Bibeak (CN only)
- [5*] Broca (CN only)
- [5*] Savage: she also has no DP reduction from her Potential
- [5*] Specter
- [4*] Cutter (CN only)
- [4*] Estelle
- [4*] Utage
The following operators benefit from having three (3) DP cost reduction from their Potential:
- [5*] Flamebringer
- [5*] Sideroca (CN only)
One operator does not have any DP cost reduction from their Potential:
- [4*] Conviction (CN only)
All of these data is accurate as of 1st of June, 2020
Source: Aceship's Operator Details