Arknights CN: New Operator Announcement - Ayerscarpe: Talent, Skills, Art, GIFs.

Translation Credits: Jetroyz, Kawa, and Laulicon#6707 of the RIHQ Discord

"Disaster messenger escort, Ayerscarpe. I wish for us to collaborate well."

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Beep beep!

"Testing requirements: please move from the start of the finish line, and attack as many marked targets along the way as you can."

"Please get ready."

"3…2…1! Begin!"

… Beep beep!

"Testing complete! Please take a breather, and await for the results. Over."

"How's the new guy?"

"Look at the arena."

"Oh... Sargon dialect!?"

"All the targets were hit?!"

"All of them. And some of the ones used to test the range capabilities of close-ranged operators were hit too."

"The hidden ones are broken as well."

"Didn't leave a single one."

"And his score?"

"Hmm…about in the top 20%."

"Oh, pretty strong."

"Although due to the way he operates, the targets are more severely damaged. We need to replace all of them."

"…Was it as bad as Popukar?"

"No."

"All right…We'll pass him for this round. Write some good things in the comments."

"Understood."

Beep beep!

"Tested operator Ayerscarpe, passed. Please proceed to the next arena for testing. Over."

Ayerscarpe is a 5★ Ranged Guard with the ability to Slow enemies and deal Arts damage with Skills.

Trait: Can launch Ranged Attacks that deal 80% of normal ATK

Talent: Increase ASPD of self and nearby allies

Skill 1:The next attack will deal a certain amount of Arts damage to several enemies within attack range and slow them.

Skill 2: During skill activation, increase attack range and change damage type to Arts damage. Additionally, every attack will deal a certain amount of Arts damage to all enemies blocked by nearby allies (regarded as melee attack)

Note: These are first impressions and based on conjecture since we don’t know the exact details. 

Stepping into the Ranged Guard Archetype is a daunting task considering the powerful presence of Lappland and SilverAsh, but you can never have too many Ranged Guards, right?  The Archetype is widely considered to be one of the most versatile and potent in Arknights, with its extended range, typically good stats, and ability to to hit aerial enemies. 

Unfortunately for Frostleaf, Ayerscape's S1 will probably kill any meta usage she might have had, as he will provide a melee slow option at a higher rarity level.  His S2 provides an interesting combination of Arts damage, increased range, and AoE type effects.  How it compares in usefulness and power to Lapplands will likely depend on the details: whether it is Manual or Automatic, the ranges, any modifiers, etc.