Airi may not be the most eye-catching character in Blue Archive, but her unique support abilities can be a game-changer in the right situations. In this RPG, she's renowned for her attack speed debuffs and buffs, making her an invaluable asset when controlling the tempo of battle is more crucial than dealing raw damage. While she might not be a common choice for everyday gameplay, Airi shines in specific late-game raids like ShiroKuro (Insane), where her skills can cleverly manipulate boss mechanics.
However, Airi isn't a priority for new players or general progression. Her EX Skill is costly and situational, and her overall impact can be limited 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 a valuable asset when deployed strategically.
What Makes Airi Special
Airi's toolkit revolves around speed control. Her Sub Skill passively enhances the Attack Speed of all allies, while her Basic Skill consistently reduces the Attack Speed of a single enemy. These abilities work in tandem to tilt battles in your favor, particularly in situations where disrupting or delaying enemy attacks is key.
When building Airi, focus on stats that keep her durable and active on the battlefield rather than boosting her damage output.
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 addition as a support unit when needed.
If you decide to use her EX Skill, timing is everything. Deploy it when enemies are navigating chokepoints or clustered together to slow their movements and disrupt their positioning. In ShiroKuro, particularly, her skills can be used to manipulate boss attack patterns, enhancing your team's damage output during phase 2.
However, outside of this niche scenario, Airi's EX Skill may not justify the 5 SP cost, especially since it only offers soft crowd control.
While Airi isn't a character you'll use daily, she has her moments of glory. In late-game content 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 aligns with her strengths.
If you choose to include her in your team, prioritize her Sub Skill and integrate her into lineups that benefit from speed-based support. For the best experience in managing her skills and raid strategies, consider playing Blue Archive on PC with BlueStacks for smoother controls and enhanced performance.