Arknights Matsukiri Build Guide 2026

Matsukiri stands out as a versatile 5-star Strategist Vanguard in Arknights, especially for players diving into the Ato event during the 6th anniversary celebration. This Higashi native Lupo operator excels at generating Deployment Points (DP) while providing targeted buffs to Defenders and Supporters. But the best comes with the best Arknights Matsukiri build. So, if you are looking for Matsukiri best skill, and debate whether Matsukiri is worth it, and Matsukiri teams, and more, here is your guide to learn them all.

 

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Arknights Matsukiri

Who is Matsuki and How to Get Him?

Arknights Matsukiri is a free welfare operator available exclusively through the Ato side story event, live now as part of the 6th anniversary. He is a free operator you can have just by logging into the Arknights Ato event. And to get him:

Who is Matsuki

• Primary Method: Complete the Mitsukue Guidebook mission by clearing AT-4 using Matsukiri's event token. This grants his full operator token instantly.

• Tokens for Potential: Extra tokens are shoppable in the Ato event store using currency from event stages (LS/ES). Prioritize these for dupes to hit P5 quickly and newer players get a huge boost here.

• Event Duration: Runs for three weeks with login rewards, furniture, and Orundum. Don't miss ES stages for materials to start building him right away.

Matsukiri Overview: Role & Playstyle

Matsukiri fits into the Vanguard role with a focus on planning ahead and supporting your frontline. He fights in melee, blocks two enemies, and provides support to allies placed in the waiting zone. His kit is built around setting up your team early while making it easier to deploy tanks and key supports.

Matsukiri Overview

This unit works best as an early deployment option. Placing him on the field first helps generate DP steadily while preparing your tank line for tougher waves. His attack buffs do not activate instantly, but once they kick in, Defenders and Supporters gain noticeable value. This makes him especially useful on stages with long enemy waves or boss encounters that require strong holding power.

His skills focus on burst DP gain and lowering deployment costs, letting you bring out expensive units faster than usual. When used correctly, the early investment pays off as the stage progresses.

Pros:

• Generates DP at a very fast rate, with Skill 1 keeping up with top-tier Pioneer Vanguards.

• Provides Max HP boosts and cost reductions for Defenders and Supporters, which can stack to create very durable tanks.

• Has built-in survivability thanks to HP regeneration on Skill 2.

• Free to obtain and easy to use on any account, even for new players.

Cons:

• Talent takes around 30 seconds to activate, reducing his impact right at the start.

• Buffs only apply to specific roles, mainly Defenders and Supporters.

• Less flexible in mixed team setups, as general-purpose Vanguards like Myrtle or Saileach often perform better overall

Matsukiri Stats & Growth (E0/E1/E2 Max Level)

Here's a full stat breakdown for an Arknights Matsukiri build at max promotion levels (Lv. 80/90). Trust adds ~+65 ATK / +65 HP at 100% and there is a standard Vanguard bonus. So make sure to grind OR-7/8 for efficiency.

Matsukiri Stats

Talents Breakdown

Slowpoke's Gambit becomes available for Matsukiri at Elite 0 and gets stronger at Elite 2 or Pot 4. Its effect revolves around giving your team a delayed boost rather than instant power.

Once Matsukiri has been on the field for 30 seconds, Defenders and Supporters, both those already deployed and waiting in the queue will receive an attack increase. This boost happens only once, so timing your deployment matters.

Buff Levels

Level 1: Grants +5% ATK to Defenders and Supporters after 30 seconds

Level 4 (Max / Pot 4): Boost rises to +12% ATK

This talent works well with his role as a DP generator. Place Matsukiri early in the stage to start building DP, then follow up by deploying your buffed tanks or supporters. It rewards careful planning rather than rushing units onto the field.

Skills: Descriptions, SP & Best Priority

Matsukiri has two skills: S1 (fast burst DP) and S2 (sustained buffs + DP). So the recommended priority here is S2 > S1. S2's tank buffs make him unique so mastering it can make the best for your advanced content.

Matsukiri skills

S1: Entry Plan (Auto-Recovery, Auto-Trigger)

Entry Plan is an automatic skill that triggers on its own, making it simple to use while still providing strong value early on. As soon as it activates, Matsukiri instantly generates 10 DP. At the same time, it reduces the deployment cost of the rightmost waiting Operator by 4 DP. This makes it especially convenient for getting your key Supports onto the field quickly without extra planning.

The skill is straightforward but effective, helping you set up your team faster and maintain momentum in the early stages.

Use: Pure speed DP for early rushes.

S2: Match of Myriad Tricks (Auto-Recovery, Manual, 15s Duration)

Match of Myriad Tricks lasts for 15 seconds and can be activated manually, while also recovering automatically over time. During its duration, Matsukiri steadily generates 15 DP, giving your team a reliable flow of resources. He also boosts his own attack by 25 to 70 percent and recovers 5 to 10 percent of his Max HP each second, improving his survivability in prolonged fights.

At the same time, all Defenders and Supporters waiting in the queue get two benefits. Their deployment cost drops by 1 DP, and their Max HP increases by 10 to 15 percent. The HP bonus can stack twice, making your tanks even sturdier when they hit the field. This skill is ideal for holding waves or preparing for tough enemies, letting your defensive units arrive stronger and more efficiently.

Use: Core skill for tank drops—30% HP stack + cheap deploys = immortal frontlines.

Mastery Priority (Lungmen Dragons Rating):

• S2M3: enhances HP regeneration, boosts the Max HP bonus, and improves DP efficiency. This makes it a core choice if you want your team to work well together.

• S1M3: is less essential but can help if you need ultra-fast DP generation for early deployment..

Matsukiri Potentials and Trust

All of Matsukiri’s potentials are useful, and you can pick them up from the Ato shop:

1. Reduce DP cost by 1

2. Shorten redeploy time by 10 seconds

3. Reduce DP cost by 1

4. Increase Slowpoke’s Gambit ATK boost by 2%

5. Reduce DP cost by 1

6. Gain +5 DP recovery (or the equivalent of 20 Orundum Shards)

Matsukiri Potentials

At 100% Trust, Matsukiri receives +65 ATK and +65 HP. You can build this up by consistently clearing stages and using him in your team.

Recommended Modules for Arknights Matsukiri Build

As a new operator, Matsukiri's modules are not yet fully documented so you can expect DP-REC (Vanguard α) type upon unlock (post-E2 Lv. 60). Prioritize stages boosting DP generation or cost reduction for waiting allies.

E2 Priority & Build Order for Matsukiri

Deciding whether to Elite 2 Matsukiri depends on your team setup. It’s generally medium to low priority. Consider E2 if your squad relies heavily on Defenders and Supporters, like teams built around Hoshiguma or Haruka. Elite 2 unlocks Skill 2 improvements and upgrades his talent, but you can skip it if Myrtle already covers your DP needs efficiently.

Recommended Build Path:

1. Start with Elite 1 at level 55 and upgrade Skill 1 to level 7 for early-game efficiency

2. Move to Elite 2 at level 80 and aim for S2 M3 to maximize HP buffs, DP gain, and survivability.

3. Complete Potentials to 4-5 and reach 100% Trust for full stat bonuses.

Materials: Farm Ato’s Elite Stages to get Tier 3 and 4 Vanguard materials like RMA and D32 Steel. Expect to spend around 120k LMD plus dualchips to fully E2 a 5-star Operator. To speed things up, consider event packs or LootBar top-ups on Arknights, which can save time and reduce grinding for sanity.

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Arknights Matsukiri Best Teams

Matsukiri works best when your team focuses on tanks and support units. Position him to maximize his buffs and DP generation for the units that need it most.

Arknights Matsukiri Best Teams

• Story/CC: Start by deploying Matsukiri and activating Skill 2. Once the buff is active, bring in strong Defenders like Hoshiguma the Breacher and support units such as Haruka. This setup lets you safely pull off banner units from Ato events. Using LootBar to top up Orundum during limited banners is a smart way to secure key units without risking your resources.

• Intermediate Stages (Twilight, Obsidian, etc.): Matsukiri shines in tank-heavy clears. He buffs frontline units like Mudrock and Thorns, making it easier to hold waves and survive tougher fights.

• Recommended Team: A solid setup includes Matsukiri, Hoshiguma Breacher, Saria, and Suzuran. This combination balances durability and support, letting you maintain control over the battlefield while your tanks soak damage efficiently.

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Conclusion

So, in the end, Arknights Matsukiri is a great pick if your team leans on Defenders and Supporters in the 2026 meta. He isn’t a must-have for every roster, but he adds fun and niche value for players who enjoy building tank-heavy comps. Being free and easy to obtain makes him an excellent choice for anyone farming Ato content, offering reliable benefits without extra investment and we hope that this Arknights Matsukiri build guide has brought you the help on deciding whether he is a must or not.

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