Airi might not be the most eye-catching character in Blue Archive, but her unique support capabilities can truly shine under the right circumstances. In this RPG, she's renowned for her ability to manipulate attack speeds through debuffs and buffs, positioning her as an invaluable asset when tempo control trumps sheer damage output. While she may not be a common choice in general gameplay, Airi proves her worth in specialized late-game raids like ShiroKuro (Insane), where her skills adeptly manage boss mechanics.
For newcomers or those focused on general progression, Airi isn't a priority for building. Her EX Skill, while powerful, is costly and situational, and her impact can be limited in scenarios where enemies remain in cover or are stationary. However, for seasoned players aiming to fine-tune their endgame raid strategies, Airi's toolkit becomes a valuable asset when strategically employed.
What Makes Airi Special
Airi's abilities are centered around controlling speed. Her Sub Skill passively enhances the Attack Speed of all allies, and her Basic Skill consistently lowers the Attack Speed of a single enemy. These skills work in tandem to subtly shift the dynamics of battle, particularly in situations where disrupting or delaying enemy attacks is crucial.
When gearing Airi, prioritize her survivability and uptime on the battlefield over raw damage stats.
Using Airi in Battle
In combat, Airi functions mostly passively. Her Sub and Basic Skills operate automatically, requiring minimal player intervention, which makes her an easy addition as a support unit.
If you choose to deploy her EX Skill, use it strategically when enemies are navigating through chokepoints or are grouped. The resulting slow can hinder enemy movements and engagements. In ShiroKuro, particularly, her skills can be timed to manipulate boss attack patterns, enhancing your team's damage output during phase 2.
However, outside this specific context, her EX Skill's high SP cost and its focus on soft crowd control might not justify its use.
Airi may not be among the most frequently used characters in Blue Archive, but she has her niche. For late-game content like ShiroKuro (Insane), her unique toolkit offers strategic advantages that can significantly impact outcomes when properly utilized. In other scenarios, she remains a specialized support unit, best reserved for content that aligns with her strengths.
If you decide to utilize Airi, focus on leveraging her Sub Skill and integrate her into teams that benefit from speed-based support. For the best gameplay experience, managing her skills and raid strategies, consider playing Blue Archive on PC with BlueStacks for enhanced control and performance.