Are you an Arknights enthusiast eager to learn more about the fiery defender, Asbestos? Then you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide dives deep into the details surrounding Asbestos, including her release date, abilities, talents, and strategic usage within your Arknights squad. Let's get started!

    Who is Asbestos in Arknights?

    Before diving into the specifics of her release, let's properly introduce Asbestos. Asbestos is a 5-star Defender Operator in Arknights, specializing in dealing Arts damage to enemies. What makes her unique is her ability to inflict the 'Burning' status effect, dealing consistent damage over time to enemies within her range. She is part of Rhine Lab and makes several appearances within the story of Arknights, often around Ifrit.

    Key Characteristics of Asbestos

    • Rarity: 5-Star
    • Class: Defender
    • Archetype: Arts Defender (Deals Arts damage with attacks)
    • Unique Trait: Attacks deal Arts damage and have a chance to inflict Burning.

    Asbestos stands out due to her hybrid nature as both a Defender and an Arts damage dealer. Her kit is tailored towards crowd control and sustained damage output, making her particularly effective against enemies with high physical defense.

    When Was Asbestos Released?

    Okay, let's tackle the big question: When was Asbestos released in Arknights? The answer depends on which server you're playing on:

    Global Release Date

    Asbestos was released on the Global Arknights server on September 29, 2020, as part of the ”Under Tides” event. This event introduced several new Operators, including Specter the Unchained, and brought a ton of story content related to Abyssal Hunters. If you started playing Arknights after this date, you would have had opportunities to obtain Asbestos through various banners and recruitment methods.

    CN (Chinese) Release Date

    For the CN (Chinese) server, Asbestos was released earlier, on April 29, 2020, also as part of the ”Under Tides” event when it initially launched. It's common for the CN server to be ahead of the Global server in terms of content releases. So, Chinese players had access to Asbestos several months before the global audience.

    Asbestos's Talents and Skills

    Understanding Asbestos's talents and skills is crucial for utilizing her effectively in combat. Let's break them down:

    Talents

    • Talent 1: Ignition: When Asbestos is deployed, increases the Arts Resistance of all [Rhine Lab] Operators by 8.

      This talent provides a valuable buff to other Rhine Lab Operators on the field, increasing their survivability against Arts damage. This can be extremely helpful in stages with multiple caster enemies or enemies that deal Arts-based attacks.

    Skills

    • Skill 1: Reinforced Defence: (SP Cost: 6, Initial SP: 3, Duration: 20s) Increase DEF by 50% and RES by 20.

      This skill is a simple but effective defensive boost, increasing Asbestos's DEF and RES, making her more resilient against both physical and Arts damage. It's a reliable option for general survivability.

    • Skill 2: Molten Touch: (SP Cost: 30, Initial SP: 15, Duration: 20s) Increase ATK by 40%, attack range extends, and attacks deal Arts damage equal to 80% of ATK and have a greatly increased chance to inflict Burning.

      This skill transforms Asbestos into a potent damage dealer. It increases her ATK, extends her range, and guarantees Arts damage with a significantly higher chance to inflict Burning. This is her primary damage skill and is ideal for dealing with high-defense enemies.

    How to Obtain Asbestos

    So, you're determined to add Asbestos to your Arknights roster? Here are the primary methods to obtain her:

    • Headhunting Banners: Asbestos is often featured on various Headhunting banners. Keep an eye out for banners that highlight Defender Operators or those with the [Rhine Lab] tag. These banners will increase your chances of pulling her.
    • Recruitment: Asbestos can appear in the Recruitment system. Use Defender and Arts tags in combination to narrow down the pool of potential Operators and increase your chances of finding her. Keep in mind that Recruitment can be unpredictable, so patience is key.
    • Certificates: It is rare, but Asbestos can sometimes appear in the shop for purchase with certificates.
    • Event Rewards: While less common, Asbestos may be offered as a reward during specific events. Pay attention to event details and participate actively to seize these opportunities.

    Strategic Use of Asbestos

    Now that you have Asbestos, how do you best utilize her in your squad? Here are some strategic considerations:

    • Positioning: Place Asbestos in a lane where she can engage multiple enemies simultaneously. Her extended range with Skill 2 allows her to cover a wider area and apply the Burning status effect to more targets.
    • Team Synergy: Pair Asbestos with other Rhine Lab Operators to benefit from her talent. Operators like Ifrit, Ptilopsis, and Saria can form a strong core, providing additional damage, healing, and support.
    • Enemy Composition: Asbestos excels against enemies with high physical defense. Her Arts damage bypasses this defense, making her an ideal counter. She is also effective against enemies vulnerable to the Burning status effect.
    • Skill Timing: Use Skill 2 strategically to maximize damage output. Activate it when a wave of enemies approaches to quickly eliminate threats and control the battlefield.
    • Consider her DP Cost: Asbestos is a Defender unit, so she has a moderate DP (Deployment Points) cost. Ensure you have enough DP generation in your team to deploy her early in the battle.

    Team Building Tips

    • Ifrit: Provides significant Arts damage amplification, enhancing Asbestos's damage output.
    • Saria: Offers healing and SP regeneration, supporting Asbestos's survivability and skill uptime.
    • Ptilopsis: Provides passive SP regeneration to the entire team, accelerating skill usage.
    • Other Defenders: Deploy other Defenders to block additional lanes and provide a frontline defense.

    Pros and Cons of Using Asbestos

    Like every Operator, Asbestos has her strengths and weaknesses. Let's examine them:

    Pros

    • Arts Damage: Deals Arts damage, bypassing physical defense.
    • Burning Effect: Inflicts Burning, dealing consistent damage over time.
    • Rhine Lab Synergy: Provides a buff to other Rhine Lab Operators.
    • Skill 2 Range: Extended range with Skill 2 allows her to cover a wider area.

    Cons

    • DP Cost: Her DP cost can be a limiting factor in early deployment.
    • Reliance on Skill 2: Her damage output is heavily reliant on Skill 2 being active.
    • Vulnerability to Arts Resistance: Enemies with high Arts Resistance can mitigate her damage.

    Asbestos: Is She Worth It?

    So, is Asbestos a worthwhile addition to your Arknights team? The answer depends on your playstyle, team composition, and the challenges you face. If you lack reliable Arts damage dealers and need a Defender who can also contribute offensively, Asbestos is an excellent choice. Her ability to inflict Burning and synergize with Rhine Lab Operators makes her a valuable asset in certain situations. Also, she is a heavily story-based character, and some people might want her simply because they like her.

    However, if you already have a well-developed roster of Arts damage dealers and Defenders, Asbestos may not be a top priority. Ultimately, the decision to invest in Asbestos depends on your specific needs and preferences.

    Final Thoughts

    Asbestos is a unique and versatile Defender Operator in Arknights. Her ability to deal Arts damage and inflict Burning makes her a valuable asset against high-defense enemies. By understanding her talents, skills, and strategic usage, you can effectively integrate her into your team and conquer challenging stages. Whether you're a seasoned Arknights player or just starting, Asbestos is definitely worth considering for your roster. Good luck, Doctor!

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