Airi may not be the most dazzling character in Blue Archive, but she brings a distinctive support toolkit to the table that can truly stand out in the right context. In this RPG, she's celebrated for her ability to manipulate attack speeds through debuffs and buffs, making her a strategic choice when controlling the pace of battle is more crucial than dealing high damage. While she might not be a common pick for everyday gameplay, Airi shines in specialized late-game raids such as ShiroKuro (Insane), where her skills play a key role in manipulating boss mechanics.
However, Airi is not a must-have for new players or for general progression. Her EX Skill, although powerful, comes with a high cost and is best used in specific situations. She tends to underperform in scenarios where enemies remain in cover or don't move much. Yet, for seasoned players aiming to fine-tune their endgame raid strategies, Airi can be an invaluable asset when utilized effectively.
What Makes Airi Special
Airi’s toolkit is all about controlling speed. Her Sub Skill passively increases the Attack Speed of all her allies, while her Basic Skill periodically decreases the Attack Speed of a single enemy. This combination can tilt battles in your favor, particularly in situations where interrupting or delaying enemy attacks is key.
When building Airi, you don't need to focus on damage stats. Instead, prioritize her survivability and ability to remain active on the battlefield consistently.
Using Airi in Battle
In combat, Airi functions mostly passively. Both her Sub and Basic Skills trigger automatically, requiring minimal input from the player. This makes her an effortless addition to your support lineup when her abilities are needed.
If you decide to use her EX Skill, timing is everything. Deploy it when enemies are navigating through chokepoints or are grouped together to maximize the slow effect, which can hinder their ability to reposition or attack swiftly. In the ShiroKuro raid, her skills can be strategically used to alter boss attack patterns, enhancing your team's damage output in phase 2.
However, outside of this specific scenario, her EX Skill may not justify the expenditure of SP—especially given its cost of 5 and its focus on soft crowd control.
Airi isn't a character you'll use every day, unlike the game's top-tier units, but she has her niche. For late-game challenges like ShiroKuro (Insane), her unique abilities can make a significant impact when timed correctly. Otherwise, she remains a specialized support unit, best reserved for content that plays to her strengths.
If you choose to include Airi in your team, focus on leveraging her Sub Skill and integrate her into teams that thrive on speed-based support. For an optimal experience in managing her skills and navigating raid strategies, consider playing Blue Archive on PC with BlueStacks for enhanced control and performance.
