Airi may not be the most eye-catching character in Blue Archive, but her unique support abilities can be a game-changer in specific situations. In this RPG, she's renowned for her attack speed debuffs and buffs, making her a valuable asset when controlling the pace of battle is more crucial than dealing raw damage. While she may not be a go-to choice for everyday gameplay, Airi shines in particular late-game raids, such as ShiroKuro (Insane), where her skills can effectively manipulate boss mechanics.
However, Airi isn't a priority for new players or those focusing on general progression. Her EX Skill is costly and situational, and her overall effectiveness diminishes in scenarios where enemies remain in cover or don't move. Yet, for seasoned players aiming to fine-tune their endgame raid strategies, Airi can be an invaluable tool when utilized correctly.
What Makes Airi Special
Airi's abilities revolve around speed control. Her Sub Skill passively enhances the Attack Speed of all allies, while her Basic Skill periodically reduces the Attack Speed of a single enemy. These combined effects can subtly tilt battles in your favor, especially in situations where interrupting or delaying enemy attacks is key.
When building Airi, focus on stats that keep her durable and consistently active on the battlefield, rather than prioritizing damage.
Using Airi in Battle
In combat, Airi operates mostly passively. Her Sub and Basic Skills trigger automatically, requiring minimal player intervention, which makes her an easy-to-use support option.
When considering her EX Skill, deploy it strategically during moments when enemies are funneling through chokepoints or clustered together. The resulting slow effect can hinder enemy movements and engagements. Specifically in ShiroKuro, her skills can be used to manipulate boss attack patterns, optimizing team damage output during phase 2.
However, outside of this narrow application, her EX Skill's high SP cost of 5 and its soft crowd control may not justify its use.
While Airi may not be among the most frequently used characters, she excels in targeted scenarios. In late-game challenges like ShiroKuro (Insane), her unique toolkit can significantly impact outcomes when timed correctly. Otherwise, she remains a specialized support unit best reserved for content that aligns with her strengths.
If you choose to incorporate her into your strategy, prioritize her Sub Skill and integrate her into teams that benefit from speed-based support. For the best experience in managing her skill activations and raid strategies, consider playing Blue Archive on a PC with BlueStacks to enjoy smoother controls and enhanced performance.