As you explore the vast landscapes of Arknights: Endfield, one of the first resources you’ll encounter is Citrome. At first glance, it may seem like just another basic plant, but Citrome quickly proves itself to be an essential material woven into multiple progression systems. From early story quests to long-term base management, Citrome plays a quiet but critical role in keeping your operators effective and your infrastructure running smoothly.
Many players struggle not because Citrome is rare, but because they don’t understand where it grows, how it respawns, or how to transition from manual gathering to sustainable production. This guide breaks everything down step by step, helping you secure a reliable Citrome supply whether you’re just starting out or building a full-scale resource network.
What Is Citrome in Arknights: Endfield?
Citrome is a naturally occurring, gatherable plant resource found on the surface of Talos-II. It belongs to the game’s broader category of botanical materials and is introduced early to teach players the fundamentals of exploration, harvesting, and crafting.
Unlike ores or manufactured components, Citrome:
- Requires no special tools to collect
- Can be harvested directly from the environment
- Is immediately usable in crafting and processing
Because of this accessibility, Citrome is often the first wild resource players learn to recognise and farm efficiently.
Why Citrome Matters More Than You Think
Although Citrome appears early in the game, it remains relevant well into mid-game progression. Its value comes from versatility rather than rarity.
Key Uses of Citrome
1. Crafting and Processing
Raw Citrome can be shredded or processed into secondary ingredients used in:
- Food production
- Consumables
- Intermediate crafting materials
These processed forms often serve as inputs for more advanced recipes later on.
2. Consumables and Buff Items
Citrome-based items such as powders and preserved foods can:
- Restore HP
- Provide temporary buffs
- Sustain your squad during long expeditions
This makes Citrome especially useful when tackling extended missions away from base facilities.
3. Quest Progression
Several early and mid-game quests require Citrome collection. These missions are designed to encourage exploration and teach players how to recognise resource nodes.
Because Citrome is widely required but not always conveniently available, building a steady supply early can save a significant amount of time later.
How Citrome Spawns in the World
Citrome appears as a wild plant node in specific outdoor regions. While it’s not limited to a single biome, it follows predictable placement rules.
Common Characteristics of Citrome Spawn Areas
- Open terrain rather than enclosed spaces
- Areas with other gatherable plants
- Early-game zones designed for exploration
- Regions with moderate enemy presence
Once you understand these patterns, spotting Citrome becomes much easier.
Best Locations to Find Citrome Early
In the opening hours of Arknights: Endfield, Citrome can be reliably found near beginner-friendly zones.
Recommended Early Areas
- Valley IV, especially around The Hub’s Old Water Plant
- Open fields near early mission routes
- Areas where Buckflowers and similar plants grow
Citrome often spawns close to other botanical resources, so if you find one type of plant, it’s worth scanning the surrounding area carefully.
How to Spot Citrome Quickly
New players often walk past Citrome without realising it. Improving your visual scanning habits helps dramatically.
Tips for Efficient Foraging
- Slow down while exploring: Rushing makes it easy to miss resource nodes
- Check terrain edges: Citrome often grows near rocks or slight elevation changes
- Look for visual highlights: Plant nodes stand out slightly from the environment
- Adjust camera angles: Rotating the camera helps reveal hidden nodes
Once you’ve identified Citrome a few times, its appearance becomes instantly recognisable.
Creating a Simple Citrome Farming Route
Instead of wandering randomly, efficient players create short farming loops.
How to Build a Loop
- Identify 3–5 Citrome spawn points in one area
- Create a circular route that hits all nodes
- Harvest everything along the way
- Leave the area and return later to allow respawns
This method maximises resource gain while minimising travel time.
Completing Early Citrome Quests Faster
Early missions often include objectives like:
“Gather some Citromes and put them in the backpack.”
These quests are designed to be completed entirely through wild gathering. You don’t need advanced facilities or crafting stations.
To complete them efficiently:
- Stick to known Citrome zones
- Avoid combat-heavy routes
- Gather more than the minimum required
Excess Citrome can always be stored or processed later.
Transitioning From Foraging to Farming
While wild gathering is effective early on, it becomes inefficient as your demand for Citrome grows. This is where your AIC (Artificial Intelligence Core) and base facilities come into play.
Cultivation allows you to:
- Produce Citrome on demand
- Reduce reliance on overworld respawns
- Scale production alongside your base
This transition marks a key step from survival to optimisation.
Growing Citrome in Your AIC Eco-Farm
Once your Eco-Farm is operational, Citrome can be cultivated just like other crops.
Step-by-Step Citrome Farming Setup
1. Acquire Citrome Seeds
Seeds are obtained through:
- Wild Citrome harvesting
- Crafting recipes unlocked through progression
2. Assign Seeds to Farm Plots
In the Eco-Farm interface:
- Select available plots
- Assign Citrome Seeds
- Confirm planting
3. Monitor Growth Cycles
Citrome grows over time. While it doesn’t require constant attention, checking in periodically ensures you don’t waste potential harvest cycles.
4. Harvest and Replant
Once mature:
- Harvest the crop
- Replant immediately to maintain continuous output
This loop creates a stable, predictable supply.
Why Cultivated Citrome Is Better Than Wild Gathering
Cultivation offers several advantages:
- Consistency: No reliance on spawn timers
- Scalability: Expand production as demand increases
- Efficiency: Less time spent exploring low-yield areas
- Integration: Feeds directly into crafting pipelines
For players focused on optimisation, Eco-Farm Citrome quickly becomes essential.
Processing Citrome for Advanced Use
Raw Citrome is rarely the final product. Processing it unlocks its full potential.
Common Processing Methods
- Shredding into crafting ingredients
- Converting into powders for consumables
- Preserving for long-term storage
These processed materials feed into:
- Food stations
- Medical consumables
- Support items
As your base grows, Citrome often becomes one link in a much larger production chain.
Managing Citrome Supply Long-Term
As your operations expand, demand for Citrome can increase rapidly. Avoid shortages by following these strategies:
Best Practices
- Always keep at least one Eco-Farm plot active
- Stockpile seeds instead of consuming all output
- Balance wild gathering with cultivation
- Track how much Citrome your recipes consume
Proactive planning prevents production bottlenecks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players unintentionally slow their progress due to simple mistakes.
Frequent Errors
- Ignoring Citrome early because it seems “basic”
- Relying entirely on wild spawns
- Forgetting to replant after harvesting
- Using Citrome faster than it’s produced
Avoiding these pitfalls keeps your supply chain healthy.
Citrome’s Role in Mid-Game Progression
While introduced early, Citrome doesn’t become obsolete. Instead, it quietly supports:
- Sustained exploration
- Efficient healing and buffs
- Stable base production
- Smooth quest completion
Players who underestimate early resources often struggle later when demand spikes.
Final Thoughts
Citrome may be one of the first resources you encounter in Arknights: Endfield, but mastering how to gather, farm, and process it sets the tone for your entire playthrough. What starts as a simple plant quickly becomes a cornerstone of crafting, consumables, and base management.
By learning where Citrome grows, creating efficient gathering routes, and transitioning into Eco-Farm cultivation, you turn a basic resource into a dependable asset. Whether you’re rushing early quests or planning long-term production chains, a steady Citrome supply ensures you’re always prepared for what Talos-II throws at you next.
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