So I have few questions:
1. I keep hearing about some free unit. Was it something only given at launch or it was only available for short period after creating account and I missed it?
2. So I'm hearing Nian (outside of welfares) is the first limited operator in AK. Does she start a trend or limited operators are actually rare? Cos I really hate limited stuff and was wondering how bad AK is with it.
3. So I'm reading that Savage is given as a preregistration reward for EN players. Can I still get her?
4. Is there anything else I should be aware of?
5. Does clue 1 actually exist?

1. There were a bunch of welfare units that were given out during events: Grani, Flamebringer, Ceylon, and Bison. AFAIK, they are limited in the sense that they are tied to the events and have not yet been released outside of said events. There was also a choose a 5 star (iirc between Liskarm, Silence, Projekt Red, and Pramanix) but that was also only available for a limited time.

2. Nian is indeed the first limited operator. As of now, there will be a second one, W but we are expecting more to come. Limited banners make money after all. This is not necessarily part of your question, but with limited banners, there exists a spark system. After 300 rolls, one is given currency to just buy one of the rate up units in the limited banner. That's a lot of rolls but at least that guarantee exists.

3. Savage is the other free op and yes, you will probably get her in the future, because in CN, Savage was given away again during the anniversary.

4. Recruitment. Be wary of recruitment tags as certain combinations guarantee an operator and no to mention the mythical Top Operator tag that guarantees a 6 star. Also the certificates shop. Good source of mats if you have gotten a lot of dupes.

5. Yes, but clue 4 is a myth.

I know Neeko's friend means well but that message gave her physical pain. Same for Imoko's casual and rather blunt lines.

Yeah. Really glad for the orirock concentration from last week. Got my Shaw's skill 1 to mastery 3.

It got picked up. Hopefully it gets here too.

Pretty sure I found out about Dynasty as an online reader for the Yuru Yuri doujin Secret Flowers. I believe I saw a link in Yuri-ism. More recently tho, when I really started to use the site as my main source for manga was when I found out about Kimi Dake no Ponytail two years ago. This would lead me to Fukakai na Boku and from there I just started browsing the site for yuri.

Nian x Lava is not a ship I was expecting. Now I feel even more compelled to get Nian. I'll even level Lava.

Well At least I got the kiss. Very scenic and beautiful too though personal preference would have been a zoom in on the kiss. Anyway obviously rushed but I do appreciate the confession and Tsugu realizing her feelings then another confession. Very cute and wholesome. I miss it already.

PV for Ancient Forge. Confirmed we'll get a 10 roll ticket and 10 single roll tickets from daily login.

I always welcome wholesome depictions of prostitution. Also on page 34, I know she just spat her drink, but just the panel, it looks like she's salivating at getting another appointment.

Hence why I was talking about the new currency. The already extant counter is a different thing entirely and honestly something that can simply be ignored in practice - RNGesus giveth what He feels like whenever He feels like, anyway.

Ah you were referring to the spark system. I know it as such from GBF. Should have noticed you said "currency". I do appreciate the pity counter. Triggering it is how I got Blaze.

Another thing about Arknights' spark system is that after the limited banner, any surplus currency can be traded for mats. I appreciate any help in the grind.

Well at least the pity currency carries over. I know only too many games where analogous systems are limited to individual banners...

While you are mostly correct, the pity counter does not carry over to limited banners like Nian and W. They have their own pity counters separate from the other banners.

It is not confirmed yet, but supposedly limited banners should have a "spark" system aka after a set number of rolls, you'll be able to just buy a specific unit in the limited banner. In arknights, this was first implemented in the W/Weedy banner. Each roll gives 1 currency. 300 rolls give 300 and it costs exactly that to buy a rate up unit from the banner. Supposedly this will be retroactive so Nian/Aak banner should get this too.

Just hoping Hoshi shows up in the cert shop.... again. I kinda regret missing her that time. Didn't have enough yellow certs either. Based on CN, she does show up in the shop a couple more times. Also hoping for Broca spook preferably while rolling and failing to get Nian and Aak.

Sadly no Exusia for me. My Siege is now 1 DP less to deploy. Also no Broca sadly but I got 2 Reeds and finally Schwarz. Now, the birb can be with her cat. Overall satisfied with these rolls.

Gramps does not approve.

A prince(ss) and her horse.

I've never seen or read Watamote, but I've read tons of dojins and my only impression of it is Tomoko is creepy and everyone is thirsty for her, and I'll live with it

That's surprisingly accurate.

Half-year anniv on Wed. It will have a guaranteed 6 star 10 pull ticket but costs money

Don't have Hoshi and Exusia. I want the latter more but I'd rather have dupe Eyja/Ch'en than dupe Siege/Skadi.

LET'S FUCKING GO! Confession next chapter please

Having caught up to the available scanlated chapters elsewhere. Very nice. Very wholesome. At least the ending is giving me happy fluff. Hoping for a kiss.

This is why we can't have nice things. It was such a good fluff. Sad

The only reason I do Anni 3 is so I can watch SilverAsh wipe out the 350 wave.

There is a scanlation of this being uploaded in mangadex btw.

Weird question: do you guys farm skill books CA-3 or CA-5? I usually need more green books so I swapped to CA-3, but now that I'm doing mastery lvls I am running a bit low on both.

Generally, or when I am going for mastery, CA-5 until I have enough of the blue books I need. That way, when I do need green books, CA-5 will already give me some. If I still do not have enough, then CA-3.

Btw, heads up, Angelina and Meteorite in the shop on Friday. Personally going for Meteorite. Can finally combo her with Liskarm and Ch'en.

What do you all think of Waai Fu and FEater?

Waai Fu is obviously the best waifu. I have her at E2 lvl 70 mastery 3 skill 2 for countering explosive bugs. FEater is nice but I like Shaw more. For practicality, FEater is the better choice.