While Airi may not be the most eye-catching character in *Blue Archive*, her unique support toolkit can truly shine in the right context. In this RPG, she’s renowned for her ability to manipulate attack speeds through debuffs and buffs, making her an invaluable asset when controlling the tempo of a battle is more crucial than dealing raw damage. Although she isn’t commonly used in general gameplay, Airi finds her niche in specific late-game raids, such as ShiroKuro (Insane), where her skills can cleverly manipulate boss mechanics.
New players and those focusing on general progression might not find Airi a must-build. Her EX Skill comes with a high SP cost and is best used in situational contexts. Additionally, her effectiveness can wane in scenarios where enemies remain in cover or are stationary. However, for seasoned players aiming to fine-tune their endgame raid strategies, Airi emerges as a valuable asset when deployed strategically.
What Makes Airi Special
Airi’s toolkit is centered 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. This combination can subtly tilt battles in your favor, particularly in situations where interrupting or delaying enemy attacks is key.
When building Airi, prioritize stats that ensure her longevity and consistent presence on the battlefield rather than focusing on 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 addition as a support unit when needed.
If you decide to utilize her EX Skill, timing is crucial. Deploy it when enemies are navigating through chokepoints or are clustered together to maximize the slow effect, which can hinder their repositioning or engagement speed. In the ShiroKuro raid, particularly in phase 2, her skills can be strategically used to alter boss attack patterns and boost your team's damage output.
However, outside of these specific scenarios, the high SP cost of her EX Skill may not justify its use, especially since it only offers soft crowd control.
Airi isn’t a character that most players will frequently use, but 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 niche support unit, best reserved for content that aligns with her strengths.
If you choose to incorporate Airi into your team, focus on leveraging her Sub Skill and integrate her into teams that benefit from speed-based support. For the optimal experience in managing her skill activations and raid strategies, consider playing *Blue Archive* on PC with BlueStacks for enhanced control and performance.
