Alternate Operators
| Operator | Alternates | Welfares | Limited |
First introduced in Who is Real, alternate Operators, colloquially referred to as alters⁎, are an alternative version of certain Operators, which could either have superior performance than the original Operator or completely different properties altogether.
All alter Operators are subject to the following mechanics:
- Both the original Operator and their alter share the same Trust but have their own Potential, skill level and Specialization level, talent, and base skills.
- Both the original Operator and their alter have their own outfits and dialogues. However, both are available separately as the player's Assistant.
Before Il Siracusano, both the original Operator and their alter could not be present in a squad or the RIIC at the same time:
- If either were present in a squad, the other could not be picked up as a Support Unit and assigning either to the same squad as the other would cause the former to replace the latter.
- If either were assigned to an RIIC while the other was also in one, the other version would be removed from its shift. This also affected the Dormitory, where either version could not rest while the other was working, or vice-versa.
It is not required to have the original Operator in the player's roster first before their alter can be added as well. Before restrictions on alternate Operators were removed with the release of Il Siracusano, having the original Operator alongside their alter would unlock Alternate Operator Missions which rewarded chips and materials for having both Operators upgraded.
List
As of December 5, 2024, there are 23 alter Operators:
| Operator | Introduced in | Limited? | Release status | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alternate | Original | CN | Global | TW | ||
 |
 |
Who is Real | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Under Tides | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Dossoles Holiday | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Near Light | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Invitation to Wine | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Stultifera Navis | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Lingering Echoes | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Ideal City | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Dorothy's Vision | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Il Siracusano | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
What the Firelight Casts | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
A Flurry to the Flame | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
A Flurry to the Flame | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Lone Trail | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
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Hortus de Escapismo | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
So Long, Adele | Yes | Released | Released | Released |
 |
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So Long, Adele | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
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Come Catastrophes or Wakes of Vultures | No | Released | Released | Released |
 |
 |
Episode 14: Absolved Will Be the Seekers | No | Released | Released | Upcoming |
 |
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Episode 14: Absolved Will Be the Seekers | Yes | Released | Released | Upcoming |
 |
 |
Ending a Grand Overture | No | Released | Upcoming | Upcoming |
 |
 |
I Portatori dei Velluti | Yes | Released | Upcoming | Upcoming |
 |
 |
Exodus from the Pale Sea | No | Released | Upcoming | Upcoming |
Trivia
- Except for Wiš'adel and Vina Victoria, all alternate Operators are named after their original but with a unique epithet to distinguish them. The Arknights Terra Wiki will use the epithet only when referring to the alter if the original is also specifically mentioned.
- Originally alternate Operators were intended to use a unique codename, but this was scrapped to prevent them from being confused with the original; in fact, Lava the Purgatory was originally named "Purgatory" prior to the release of Under Tides on the CN server (the Global server retroactively renamed her when Who is Real is released).