Airi might not be the most dazzling unit in Blue Archive, but her unique support capabilities can truly excel in the right situations. In this RPG, she stands out with her ability to manipulate attack speeds, offering both debuffs and buffs that can be pivotal in controlling the tempo of battles, rather than focusing solely on raw damage. While she may not be a staple in everyday gameplay, Airi shines in specific late-game raids such as ShiroKuro (Insane), where her skills play a crucial role in managing boss mechanics.
However, Airi isn’t a priority for new players or general progression. Her EX Skill comes with a high cost and is situational, often underperforming in scenarios where enemies utilize cover or remain stationary. Yet, for seasoned players aiming to fine-tune their endgame raid strategies, Airi can be a valuable asset when utilized effectively.
What Makes Airi Special
Airi’s abilities revolve around controlling speed. Her Sub Skill passively increases the Attack Speed of all allies, while her Basic Skill intermittently decreases the Attack Speed of a single enemy. These abilities work in tandem to subtly shift the momentum of battles, particularly in content where disrupting or delaying enemy attacks is key.
When building Airi, focus on stats that maintain her health and keep her active on the field, rather than boosting her damage output.
Using Airi in Battle
In combat, Airi primarily functions passively. Her Sub and Basic Skills trigger automatically, requiring minimal player intervention. This makes her an easy-to-use support option for specific scenarios.
If you're considering deploying her EX Skill, do so when enemies are navigating chokepoints or are clustered together. The resulting slow effect can hinder their movement and engagement speed. In ShiroKuro raids, especially, her skills can manipulate boss attack patterns, enhancing your team's damage output during phase 2.
However, outside of these niche scenarios, Airi’s EX Skill may not justify its 5 SP cost, as it only offers mild crowd control.
Airi isn’t a character you'll use regularly, unlike the top-tier units in the game. Yet, in late-game content like ShiroKuro (Insane), her unique abilities can significantly impact the outcome when timed correctly. For most content, though, she remains a specialized support unit, best utilized in situations that leverage her strengths.
If you decide to incorporate Airi into your team, prioritize her Sub Skill and integrate her into lineups that benefit from speed manipulation. For the optimal experience in managing her skill activations and executing raid strategies, consider playing Blue Archive on a PC using BlueStacks for enhanced control and performance.
