How to Expand the Core AIC Area Size in Arknights: Endfield Efficiently

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Valencia

Guide Curator at GladiatorBoost

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Arknights: Endfield places heavy emphasis on factory planning, logistics, and smart base expansion. At the heart of all production is the Core AIC Area—the central zone where most factory stations, power distribution, and logistics systems are built. While this area starts small, expanding it is essential if you want to scale your operations without running into space and efficiency problems.

This guide explains how to expand the Core AIC Area, how the AIC Steward system works, what resources you’ll need, and why Depot Buses become critical as your base grows.

What Is the Core AIC Area and Why It Matters

The Core AIC Area acts as the central hub of your Endfield base. It’s where Endmins typically place:

• Refining and fitting units

• Packaging stations

• Power distribution infrastructure

• Logistics connections

Because electricity and material flow radiate outward from this zone, a cramped Core AIC Area quickly becomes a bottleneck. Without expansion, players are forced into inefficient layouts, excessive conveyor routing, or constant rebuilding.

Expanding this area isn’t just cosmetic—it directly improves factory throughput, power management, and long-term scalability.

How to Unlock Core AIC Area Expansion

You cannot expand the Core AIC Area immediately. The system is locked behind a specific progression quest tied to the main story.

Complete the AIC Steward Quest

As you advance through the campaign and develop your factory, you’ll eventually receive a mission called AIC Steward.

How to Trigger the Quest

1. Open your Baker messages

2. Navigate to the Tasks tab

3. Locate the message from Fiona, the Comms Officer

4. Read the message discussing the newly developed AIC Steward

Once completed, the quest activates and directs you to meet the AIC Steward NPC.

Meeting the AIC Steward

After the quest is active, an AIC Steward will appear on the southeastern side of your Core AIC Area. Interacting with this NPC unlocks a new area upgrade interface, which contains two major upgrade paths:

• Core AIC Area Expansion

• Depot Bus Construction

These two systems are closely linked, and progression in one often requires investment in the other.

Core AIC Area Expansion Levels Explained

The Core AIC Area can be expanded in multiple stages, each increasing the usable building space. These upgrades are purchased using Valley Stock Bills, a currency earned through gameplay progression and factory output.

Expansion Costs Overview

• Area Expansion I – Lower cost, early-game upgrade

• Area Expansion II – Significantly more expensive, late-game focused

Each expansion physically increases the buildable grid, allowing for better layouts and reduced congestion.

Tip: Don’t delay the first expansion. Even modest space increases drastically improve early factory efficiency.

Understanding the Depot Bus System

While expanding the Core AIC Area gives you more space, Depot Buses change how materials move through your base.

Once you meet the AIC Steward, you’ll unlock the Depot Bus node in the Power section of the AIC Factory Plan, granting access to:

• Depot Loader

• Depot Unloader

How Depot Buses Work

• Depot Loaders send selected items into the depot network

• Depot Unloaders pull assigned items out of the depot

Both must be connected directly to a Depot Bus to function.

This system acts as an alternative logistics route, allowing you to store and transfer items without routing everything through the central Core tower.

Depot Bus Upgrade Costs

Depot Buses have multiple upgrade levels, each increasing capacity and flexibility. Costs escalate quickly, making long-term planning important.

Depot Bus Upgrade Tiers

• Depot Bus I – Low cost, basic logistics

• Depot Bus II–IV – Mid-tier upgrades

• Depot Bus V–VI – High-end, large-scale factory support

You cannot fully utilize Depot Buses without expanding the Core AIC Area, which is why these upgrades go hand in hand.

Why Expanding the Core AIC Area Is So Important

1. Better Factory Layouts

More space means fewer compromises. You can group related machines, shorten routes, and improve production ratios.

2. Improved Power Distribution

As electricity spreads outward from the Core AIC Area, expansion helps prevent inefficient power routing and overloaded systems.

3. Logistics Freedom With Depot Buses

With Depot Buses in place, not every production line needs to face the central tower. This opens up modular factory design and reduces clutter.

4. Future-Proofing Your Base

Late-game factories require far more space than the starting area provides. Expanding early saves you from expensive rebuilds later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Depot Buses: Expanding space without upgrading logistics leads to chaos

• Overbuilding Before Expansion: You’ll likely need to tear everything down

• Spending Valley Stock Bills Too Early Elsewhere: Core AIC upgrades provide some of the best long-term value in the game

Speeding Things Up

For players who want faster access to Core AIC upgrades, Arknights Endfield Boosting at GladiatorBoost can be a valuable option. Boosting services help streamline progression by accelerating quest completion, currency farming, and factory development—making it easier to afford expensive upgrades like Area Expansion II and high-tier Depot Buses.

Many players use boosting to bypass early-game bottlenecks and focus directly on advanced base layouts, logistics optimization, and late-game production strategies without excessive grinding.

Final Thoughts

Expanding the Core AIC Area in Arknights: Endfield is a foundational upgrade that supports nearly every other system in the game. By completing the AIC Steward quest, investing wisely in area expansions, and integrating Depot Buses into your logistics network, you’ll unlock a factory layout that’s cleaner, faster, and far more scalable.

If your base feels cramped or inefficient, chances are it’s time to upgrade the Core AIC Area and rethink how your factory is structured.