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Game News & Trends

Arknights Base Layout 2026: Optimal Setup for LMD & EXP

by QuinnHarry 13 Jan 2026 0 comments

Optimal SetupYou can make your Arknights base work better by using the optimal setup. You should use either the 2-5-2 or 2-4-3 layout. The 2-5-2 layout helps you get more LMD, while the 2-4-3 layout provides both EXP and LMD. The operators you choose are crucial. Experiment with different operators and reposition them. This will enhance your base's performance. At Bahomu, we help Doctors like you maximize efficiency both in-game and in your collection.

Tip: Try out operator skills and buildings to see which ones align with your preferred playstyle.

Optimal Setup Comparison

2-5-2 Layout Overview

The 2-5-2 layout uses two Trading Posts, five Factories, and two Power Plants. You focus on LMD production with this setup. You assign more operators to Factories, which increases your resource output. This layout works well when you need a lot of LMD for upgrades and promotions. Many players choose this layout when they want to build their team quickly.

Pros:

  • High LMD production

  • Simple to manage

  • Good for early and mid-game progress

Cons:

  • Lower EXP production

  • Less balanced resource gain

Note: If you often run out of LMD, the 2-5-2 layout gives you the best results for fast growth.

2-4-3 Layout Overview

The 2-4-3 layout uses two Trading Posts, four Factories, and three Power Plants. You get a balance between LMD and EXP with this setup. Many players prefer this layout when their team is mostly set up and they want a steady flow of both resources. You can use this layout as your Optimal Setup if you want to keep both LMD and EXP at healthy levels.

Pros:

  • Balanced LMD and EXP production

  • Steady resource flow for long-term growth

  • Flexible for different team needs

Cons:

  • Not the highest LMD output

  • Not the highest EXP output

Layout

LMD Focus

EXP Focus

Balance

Best For

2-5-2

⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐

Fast LMD, early growth

2-4-3

⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Balanced, steady gains

Tip: If you want to avoid running out of either LMD or EXP, the 2-4-3 layout serves as a reliable Optimal Setup.

Upgrade Your Base with Arknights Merch

Other Layouts (3/3/3, etc.)

Some players use the 3-3-3 layout, which splits the base evenly with three Trading Posts, three Factories, and three Power Plants. This layout gives you a steady drip of resources but does not maximize either LMD or EXP. You might choose this if you want simple management and do not need to rush upgrades.

Pros:

  • Easy to manage

  • Consistent resource gain

  • Good for casual play

Cons:

  • Lower overall efficiency

  • Not ideal for fast team development

Player preferences influence your choice of layout:

  • You may want a balance between LMD and EXP if your team is almost complete.

  • You might prefer a steady resource drip instead of maximizing LMD.

  • You may focus on LMD if you need it for upgrades and promotions.

When you look for the Optimal Setup, think about your current needs. If you need fast LMD, use 2-5-2. If you want balance, use 2-4-3. For simple play, 3-3-3 works, but it is less efficient.

Facility Roles

Factories for EXP

Factories are very important in your base. You use them to make Battle Records. Battle Records give your operators EXP. In the Optimal Setup, you put operators with good bonuses in factories. Frostleaf and Castle-3 each make XP-cards 30% faster. Perfumer and Steward help too, giving a 25% bonus. If you have five factories, use three for Battle Records. Use the other two for Pure Gold. This way, you get both EXP and trading resources.

Component

Quantity

Role in EXP Production

Factories

5

2 produce Pure Gold, 3 produce Battle Records

Tip: Put your best operators in Battle Record factories. This helps you get EXP faster.

Trading Posts for LMD

Trading Posts change Pure Gold and Precious Metal into LMD. LMD is needed to upgrade your operators and buildings. Most bases have two Trading Posts. These buildings also let you trade for Orundum. Orundum is used for headhunting. The table below shows what Trading Posts do:

Function

Description

Trade for LMD

Exchange gold and precious metals for LMD, a key resource

Trade for Orundum

Trade Originium Materials for Orundum, used for headhunting

Keep your Trading Posts working all the time. This gives you a steady LMD supply. LMD helps your team grow stronger. Check out the Arknights Wiki Base Guide for detailed numbers.

Power Plants and Dorms

Power Plants give energy to your factories and Trading Posts. If you do not have enough power, your base slows down. In the 2-4-3 layout, you use three Power Plants. This supports more factories and Trading Posts. Dorms help your operators rest. When they rest, they get their energy back. They work better when you send them back to work.

  • Power Plants: Give your base the energy it needs.

  • Dorms: Help operators rest so they work better.

Note: Always check your power and let operators rest in dorms. This keeps your base working well and helps your Optimal Setup.

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Base Setup Steps

Facility Distribution

You need to set up your base with the right number of each facility. This helps you get the most LMD and EXP. The table below shows the best ways to arrange your buildings:

Setup Type

Trading Posts

Factories

Power Plants

Description

2-4-3

2

4

3

Balanced production with lower output.

2-5-2

2

5

2

High production but limits energy and friends.

3-3-3

3

3

3

Balanced LMD production but no Battle Records.

Pick the layout that matches your needs. If you want a balanced approach, use 2-4-3. If you need more LMD, try 2-5-2. Place your Trading Posts and Factories close to each other for easy management.

Tip: Always check your power supply. If you run out of power, your base will slow down.

Operator Assignment

Assigning the right operators to each facility boosts your resource gain. Operators with factory skills should work in Factories. Operators with trading skills should work in Trading Posts. The table below shows how different builds affect efficiency:

Build Type

Description

Efficiency

1-5-3

Needs farming LMD in cargo escort, but is the most efficient.

High

2-4-3

Balances factories and trading posts, good for early resources.

Good

3-3-3

Needs manual farming of EXP cards.

Moderate

2-5-2

A starting build that can change to more efficient setups.

Low

Rotate your operators often. This keeps their morale high and your base running smoothly. Use the Optimal Setup to match your current goals.

Drone Usage

Drones help you speed up production. Use them on Factories when you need more EXP or LMD fast. You can also use drones to finish building upgrades quickly. Save some drones for events or when you want to boost a specific resource.

  • Use drones on Factories for quick Battle Records or Pure Gold.

  • Spend drones on Trading Posts if you need LMD right away.

  • Save a few drones for emergencies or special events.

Note: New players should focus on using drones for Factories. Experienced players can plan drone use for events and upgrades.

Efficiency Tips

Operator Rotation

You should rotate your operators often to keep your base running at its best. When you move tired operators out and fresh ones in, you keep production high. Operators lose morale as they work. If you leave them in one spot too long, they slow down. Make a habit of checking your base every few hours. Swap out operators who look tired. Put them in the dorms to rest. Use a simple schedule or set reminders on your phone. This way, you always have someone ready to work.

Tip: Operators with high base skills can boost your output. Rotate them in and out to get the most from their abilities.

Morale Management

Morale is key to keeping your base efficient. When an operator’s morale drops too low, they stop working. You should watch morale bars and act before they get too low. Send tired operators to the dorms. Dorms help them recover faster. Try to keep at least one dorm open for resting. If you manage morale well, you avoid slowdowns and keep your resource flow steady.

Action

Effect on Morale

Working in facilities

Morale goes down

Resting in dorms

Morale goes up

Idle

Morale stays stable

Note: Operators recover faster in upgraded dorms. Upgrade your dorms when you can.

Balancing LMD and EXP

You need both LMD and EXP to grow your team. The 2-4-3 setup gives you a good balance. This setup uses two Trading Posts, four Factories, and three Power Plants. You get steady LMD and enough EXP cards for leveling up. If you want more EXP, try one Trading Post and five Factories. Use four Factories for EXP cards and one for gold. This gives you lots of EXP but less LMD. The 3-3-3 setup works for Orundum, but you may not need it early on.

  • Use 2-4-3 for balanced growth.

  • Use 1-5-3 if you need more EXP cards.

  • Switch setups based on your current needs.

Remember: Check your resource levels often. Adjust your layout if you run low on LMD or EXP.

Layout Adjustments

When to Switch Layouts

You should change your base layout when your needs shift. If you start running low on LMD, switch to the 2-5-2 layout. This setup gives you more LMD quickly. When you need both LMD and EXP, use the 2-4-3 layout. You can also try the 3-3-3 layout if you want simple management. Watch your resource levels every day. If you see one resource dropping, adjust your layout. You do not need to stick with one setup forever. Try different layouts to see which one fits your playstyle and goals.

Tip: Set a reminder to check your base twice a day. This helps you spot when you need to switch layouts.

Adapting to New Operators

New operators can change how your base works. Some operators give special bonuses in Trading Posts or Factories. For example, Proviso boosts LMD income when you place her with two other operators who speed up order acquisition. Myrtle helps your operators work longer by slowing down stamina drain. Jaye increases production rates in Trading Posts. Bibeak and Tequila work together to boost income from large trades. You should look at your new operators’ skills and try different combinations.

Operator

Role

Effect on LMD Production

Proviso

Supporter

Increases LMD income in Trading Posts with two order-speed units. Best at E2.

Myrtle

Helper

Slows stamina drain, improving efficiency.

Jaye

Booster

Boosts Trading Post production rates.

Bibeak

Enhancer

Improves odds of larger trades.

Tequila

Stacker

Works with Bibeak to boost income from 2000LMD deals.

Try new operator teams in your base. You might find a combo that gives you more LMD or EXP than before.

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Event-Based Changes

Events in Arknights often change what you need from your base. Some events give rewards for making more LMD or EXP. During these times, switch your layout to match the event’s focus. If an event needs lots of EXP cards, use more Factories for Battle Records. If you need LMD, focus on Trading Posts and Pure Gold production. After the event, switch back to your regular layout. Always read event details so you can plan your base for the best rewards.

  • Check event missions for resource goals.

  • Adjust your layout before the event starts.

  • Return to your normal setup after the event ends.

Stay flexible. Changing your base for events helps you get the most out of every opportunity.

Common Mistakes

When you set up your Arknights base, you might make some common mistakes that slow your progress. Learning about these mistakes helps you avoid them and keep your base running smoothly.

Poor Operator Placement

You need to place your operators in the right facilities. If you put operators with factory skills in Trading Posts, you lose out on bonuses. Operators with trading skills should work in Trading Posts. When you ignore these skills, your LMD and EXP production drops. Many players also forget to rotate operators. Tired operators work slower and produce less. You should check your base often and move operators to the dorms when they get tired.

Tip: Always match operator skills to the facility. This boosts your resource gain and keeps your base efficient.

Ignoring Morale

Morale plays a big role in your base’s output. If you let operator morale drop too low, they stop working. Some players forget to watch morale bars. When this happens, production slows down or stops. You should send tired operators to the dorms before their morale runs out. Upgraded dorms help operators recover faster. Keeping morale high means your base never stops producing LMD and EXP.

  • Watch morale bars every time you check your base.

  • Rest operators in dorms before morale hits zero.

  • Upgrade dorms to speed up recovery.

Inefficient Drone Use

Drones help you speed up production, but using them the wrong way wastes their power. Some players use drones on random facilities or spend them all at once. Others save drones for too long and miss out on extra resources. You should use drones on Factories when you need more EXP or LMD. Save some drones for events or urgent upgrades. Try not to overcomplicate your drone strategy. Simple plans work best and keep your base easy to manage.

Note: Many players make mistakes by not balancing their facilities or by making their base too complex. Stick to a balanced setup like 2 Trading Posts, 4 Factories, and 3 Power Plants for steady growth.

Advanced Strategies

Operator Synergy

You can make your base work better by using operator synergy. Some operators do a better job when they work together in the same place. For example, putting operators with the same skills in Factories or Trading Posts gives you more resources. Look for operators who give each other bonuses when paired up. Try to match skills like "Order Acquisition" or "Production Efficiency" in Trading Posts. Use Texas and Courier together to get more LMD. In Factories, use Steward and Perfumer together to make EXP cards faster.

Tip: Always check each operator’s base skill before you assign them. Pairing the right skills can really help your base.

Operator Combo

Facility

Bonus Effect

Texas + Courier

Trading Post

Faster LMD production

Steward + Perfumer

Factory

More EXP cards

Proviso + Jaye

Trading Post

Higher LMD output

Maximizing Output

You can get the most from your base by following a few easy steps. First, always keep your buildings working. Idle buildings mean you lose resources. Second, switch out operators before their morale gets too low. Third, upgrade your dorms and other buildings as soon as you can. Upgrades make things faster and help operators rest better. Fourth, use drones smartly. Spend drones on Factories when you need more EXP or LMD fast.

  • Keep all buildings working.

  • Switch operators often.

  • Upgrade dorms and buildings.

  • Use drones for quick boosts.

Note: Small changes in your daily routine can help you get a lot more over time.

Automation Tips

You can save time by using automation features in Arknights. Turn on auto-assign so the game picks the best operators for each building. Use auto-rotate to swap tired operators with rested ones. Set reminders to check your base twice a day. Automation helps you avoid mistakes and keeps your base running well.

1. Turn on auto-assign for operator placement.
2. Use auto-rotate to manage morale.
3. Set reminders to check your base every day.

Automation tools let you focus on planning instead of doing everything yourself. Try them to make your base work better.


You can boost your Arknights base by choosing the right layout. The 2-5-2 setup gives you the most LMD and EXP, but you must watch operator morale. The 2-4-3 layout offers balance and works well for most players. Check the table below for a quick comparison:

Layout Code

Trading Posts

Factories

Power Plants

Description

2-5-2

2

5

2

Maximizes output, needs careful morale checks.

2-4-3

2

4

3

Balanced and stable for steady growth.

1-5-3

1

5

3

High output, less flexible.

Grouped bar chart comparing Trading Posts, Factories, and Power Plants across three Arknights base layouts

Keep rotating your operators and adjust your base as your needs change. Try new setups and stay alert for updates. This helps you get the most from your base every day. At Bahomu, we are committed to providing the best guides and gear for your journey.

FAQ

What is the best base layout for beginners?

You should start with the 2-4-3 layout. This setup gives you balanced LMD and EXP. You can manage your operators easily. You will not run out of resources quickly.

How often should I rotate my operators?

You should check your base every few hours. Swap tired operators for rested ones. This keeps your production high and morale healthy.

Which operators boost LMD production the most?

Operators like Texas, Courier, and Proviso give strong LMD bonuses in Trading Posts. You should place them together for the best results.

Tip: Always read operator skills before assigning them.

Can I change my base layout during events?

Yes, you can switch layouts anytime. You should adjust your base for event goals. Use more Factories for EXP or more Trading Posts for LMD, depending on the event.

What should I use drones for?

You should use drones to speed up Factories when you need more EXP or LMD. Save some drones for special events or urgent upgrades.

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