Arknights Critical Phase Transition Guide: Episode 17 and Banner

Arknights Critical Phase Transition arrives on the global server from October 14 to October 28, 2026, as this year's Celebration event. It brings the Episode 17 main story, a limited banner headlined by Kal'tsit·Esperanta, a raised Sanity cap and a long list of free rewards. At gamemarket.gg, we gathered everything you need before it starts: how to unlock Episode 17, what the Sealed With Time banner offers, which free rewards to claim every day and how to plan your Orundum for the next two weeks.

Event Dates

• Event period: October 14 to October 28, 2026
• Event type: Main Theme release for Episode 17, part of the annual Celebration
• Unlicensed Clinic shop: open until November 4
• Packs and Outfit stores: until November 11

Exact start and end times are confirmed in the in-game notice, so check it on launch day.

Episode 17 and How to Access It

Critical Phase Transition is not a side story. It marks the release of Episode 17, continuing the main storyline.

• During the event, Episode 17 operations unlock once you clear stage 3-8, so even newer players can jump in.
• After the event, access returns to the usual path, requiring the previous episode to be completed first.

The event background also changes as you progress through key Episode 17 stages, a small touch that rewards finishing the story. If you need a refresher on where the story left off, our Episode 16 Abnormal Spectrum update guide covers the previous chapter.

Sanity Cap Raised to 210

One of the most useful changes arrives with this update: the Sanity cap rises to 210. A higher cap means fewer wasted refills if you cannot log in often, which makes farming Episode 17 and event stages more comfortable.

The Sealed With Time Banner

The event's limited banner is "Sealed With Time," a Limited Headhunting: Celebration banner. Its key features:

• Kal'tsit·Esperanta: a 6★ Medic from the Watchman branch and a limited alternate version of Kal'tsit. Her kit combines healing, battlefield control, team support and repositioning.
• Closure: a 6★ Vanguard from the Tactician branch and Rhodes Island's chief engineer. She influences battles through tactical deployment and summons, helping with early DP management and frontline support.
• Exusiai the New Covenant joins the Limited Headhunting: Celebration pool.
• One free pull per day on the banner. It does not carry over, so log in daily to use it.
• Guaranteed claim: after 300 pulls on this banner, you can claim Kal'tsit·Esperanta for free.

Should You Pull for Kal'tsit·Esperanta?

Kal'tsit·Esperanta is the headline of the banner, and her availability is the main reason to prioritise her. She is a limited operator, and she is only expected to join the wider Celebration pool at the next year's Celebration event. If you want her soon, this banner is the realistic chance.

A few points help the decision:

1. Pull if you want a flexible Medic who also offers control and repositioning. Limited operators are usually the hardest to obtain later.
2. Pull if you can reach 300 pulls, which guarantees her through the claim. Free daily pulls help you get there.
3. Consider Closure if your roster lacks a reliable Vanguard for early DP.
4. Save if your Orundum is low and you are waiting for a specific future banner. A partial attempt without reaching the guarantee is the riskiest option.

Our guide to whether SilverAsh the Reignfrost was worth it uses the same limited-banner logic if you want another point of comparison.

Free Rewards to Claim

Critical Phase Transition is generous even if you do not pull:

• Notice Board in Zelgrad: each day, pick two of ten Wishing Tickets for Orundum. Values range from 200 to 800, and the highest pick is awarded. Check in every day to collect it.
• Daily free pull on Sealed With Time.
• Unlicensed Clinic shop: exchange Factory scrip for rewards, including the outfits Sing a Song for Pinecone and Professional for Spot.
• Day 7 sign-in reward: the outfit Picnic Times for Aroma.
• Recruitment additions: GALLUS² and Pallas join the recruitment pool.
• Certificate Store refresh: new items added to the Distinctions Store and the Universal Certificates Exchange Area.

Cheaper Specter the Unchained

The Headhunting Data Contract cost for Specter the Unchained drops to 200. If she is on your wishlist, this event is a good time to spend Certificates on her.

New Outfits and Modules

New outfits arrive for Gracebearer, Haruka, Mon3tr, Exusiai the New Covenant and Nowell, along with 21 re-edition outfits and 10 additions to Fashion Review.

New modules are added for:

• Closure and Crackborne
• Viy and Degenbrecher
• Sankta Miksaparato and Texas the Omertosa
• Specter the Unchained and Typhon

If you already own any of these operators, check the new modules before spending module materials elsewhere.

Your Critical Phase Transition Checklist

1. Clear stage 3-8 to unlock Episode 17 during the event.
2. Log in daily for the free pull and the Zelgrad Notice Board Orundum.
3. Decide your banner plan: aim for 300 pulls if you want guaranteed Kal'tsit·Esperanta.
4. Farm Factory scrip for the Unlicensed Clinic before November 4.
5. Claim Aroma's outfit on sign-in Day 7.
6. Use the lower Specter the Unchained contract cost if she is on your list.
7. Finish everything by October 28, when the event ends.

Critical Phase Transition is one of the biggest Arknights events of the year, combining a new main story chapter with a limited Celebration banner and plenty of free rewards. Plan your Orundum, check in every day and you will come out of the next two weeks well ahead. For broader pull planning, our look at the best operators to pull in the current meta is a useful reference.

If you want a stronger roster for the Celebration, you can explore trusted Arknights Accounts, or keep your event stages and daily progress on track with reliable Arknights Hourly Services.

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