Arknights Kernel Locating October 20: Best Operators to Pick

Arknights Kernel Locating opens on October 20, 2026, letting Doctors choose which Kernel Operators get the rate-up instead of leaving it to a fixed banner. You lock in two 6★ Operators and three 5★ Operators from a pool of 36, and your choices also change what you can redeem with Distinctions and Universal Certificates. At gamemarket.gg, we broke down how Kernel Locating works, the full Operator pool and which Operators are worth picking based on what your team needs.

Kernel Locating at a Glance

• Banner: Kernel Locating
• Duration: October 20, 04:00 to November 3, 03:59 (UTC-7)
• Rate-up picks: two 6★ and three 5★ Operators of your choice
• Rates: 6★ 2%, 5★ 8%
• Exchange shift: one 6★ and one 5★ from your picks become redeemable in Distinctions and the Universal Certificates Exchange Area
• Pity: accumulated rolls in Kernel Headhunting carry over to Kernel Locating

How Kernel Locating Works

Before you pull, you pick and lock in two 6★ and three 5★ Operators from the Kernel pool. Those become the rate-up Operators for your personal banner.

Your picks also decide what the exchange shops offer. During Kernel Locating, the redeemable Operators in Distinctions and the Universal Certificates Exchange Area shift to a 6★ and a 5★ of your choice from your rate-up picks. That means at least one of your 6★ choices should be an Operator you would be happy to buy outright if your pulls fall short.

Your pity is safe too. Any rolls you have built up in Kernel Headhunting carry over, so a long dry streak before October 20 still counts toward your next 6★.

The Full Operator Pool

6★ Operators (choose two)

• Goldenglow
• Dorothy
• Kal'tsit
• Archetto
• Blemishine
• Gnosis
• Surtr
• Weedy
• Eyjafjalla
• Rosa
• SilverAsh
• Passenger

5★ Operators (choose three)

Blacknight, Quercus, Zima, Kirara, La Pluma, Mulberry, April, Corroserum, Aurora, Andreana, Blue Poison, Beeswax, Silence, Shamare, Astesia, Executor, GreyThroat, Iris, Leizi, Nightmare, Tsukinogi, Skyfire, Croissant and Firewatch.

Best 6★ Operators to Pick

There is no single correct pair, since the best choice depends on what your roster is missing. These picks are based on each Operator's role and long-standing reputation in the community.

Surtr if you need boss damage. Her third skill turns her into one of the strongest single-target Arts damage dealers in the game, and she can carry tough stages on her own for a short window.

SilverAsh if you want a flexible Guard. His third skill hits a wide area at long range, making him useful almost everywhere, from story stages to harder challenge content.

Eyjafjalla if your team lacks Arts AoE. She is a reliable Caster for clearing groups of enemies, especially those with high Defense.

Gnosis if you already have strong damage dealers and want support. He slows and freezes enemies and makes them more vulnerable, which raises the value of the rest of your team.

Situational picks

• Kal'tsit: a Medic whose summon, Mon3tr, can hold a lane and deal heavy damage
• Goldenglow: a long-range Caster that attacks through drones
• Passenger: a chain Caster that bounces damage between enemies
• Dorothy: a trap-based Specialist for players who enjoy setup-heavy strategies

Our suggested pairs

1. Surtr + SilverAsh for raw damage across most content.
2. Surtr + Eyjafjalla if you want Arts damage for both bosses and crowds.
3. SilverAsh + Gnosis for damage plus support if your Arts damage is already covered.

Best 5★ Operators to Pick

Your three 5★ picks matter less, but they are still worth planning. Good picks depend on your roster, especially for newer accounts:

• La Pluma: a self-sustaining Guard that handles groups of enemies well
• Kirara: a trap-based Specialist for controlling enemy paths
• Shamare: a Supporter that weakens enemies for your damage dealers
• Silence: a Medic who adds extra healing through her drones
• Aurora or Zima: reliable picks if you need a Defender or Vanguard

If you already own most of the strong 5★ Operators, choose ones that unlock potentials on your favourites or fill a missing class.

Kernel Locating Strategy Tips

1. Pick at least one 6★ you would buy outright with Distinctions or Certificates as a backup.
2. Check your roster first so you do not lock in an Operator you already own at high potential.
3. Do not drain your Orundum if you still want the limited anniversary banner, which ends on October 28.
4. Remember your carried-over pity from Kernel Headhunting before deciding how many rolls to spend.

The anniversary events are running at the same time, so it is worth reading through Critical Phase Transition and the limited banner before spending anything. Players who skipped earlier banners can also compare these Kernel options with the picks from the April Joint Operation meta, and SilverAsh fans weighing both versions of the character should look at whether SilverAsh the Reignfrost is worth it.

Your Kernel Locating Checklist

1. Mark October 20 for Kernel Locating.
2. Choose two 6★ and three 5★ Operators based on your roster's gaps.
3. Make one 6★ pick an exchange backup.
4. Balance your Orundum with the anniversary banner ending October 28.
5. Finish your pulls before November 3.

Kernel Locating gives you rare control over the Kernel pool, so treat your picks as a plan rather than a gamble. Choose Operators that fill real gaps in your team, keep a backup in the exchange shop and pull before November 3.

If you want an account with more Operators already unlocked, you can explore trusted Arknights Accounts, keep your daily farming and event progress on track with reliable Arknights Hourly Services, or clear tough stages faster through dependable Arknights Boosting.

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