Challenge Mode
Challenge Mode (CM), colloquially referred to as Raid Mode, is a variant of many operations in Arknights.
Only available once 2-9 is cleared and after the corresponding operation is cleared with 3 stars, the Challenge Mode version is identical to the original, but with a handicap that either buffs enemies, debuffs friendlies, or imposes various limitations, making the operation more difficult. Furthermore, enemies in operations' Challenge Mode version usually, but not always, have their stats increased (which stacks with the Challenge Mode handicap) — though this is not stated in-game, and the Life Point is reduced to only 1; therefore, the player must not let any enemies enter the Protection Objectives at all costs.
Practicing the Challenge Mode version of an operation costs 3 Drill Plan instead of the normal version's one. Since Episode 14: Absolved Will Be the Seekers (CN)/the Babel event (Global), quitting or failing a Challenge Mode will return 95% (rounded down) of the
Sanity spent; previously, it would only return half.
Clearing the Challenge Mode version of an operation increases the corresponding operation's rating to 4 stars and awards one additional Originite Prime as well as plaques for certain Main Theme and event operations if done for the first time. Unlike the normal version, though, the Challenge Mode version do not award any of the operation's regular, special, and extra drops, thus there is no need to play the Challenge Mode multiple times.
Challenge Mode is available in Main Theme operations other than Extreme Mode and S ones, Intermezzi and Side Stories' EX and S operations, and Story Collection operations except S ones.
In the Main Theme since Episode 10, Challenge Mode has been superseded by the Adverse Environment version of operations which, as with Challenge Mode, feature handicaps but no longer reduces the Life Point to 1, consumes only one Drill Plan for a practice run, and awards the operation's regular, special, and extra drops.