[Blue Archive] The Birth of the Ultimate Idol Healer Mari! Is Sakurako Effective in Supporting the Back Line?

Hi everyone, I'm Xuedi. Today, let's dive into analyzing the two latest limited characters in the Blue Archive Japanese server — Idol Mari and Idol Sakurako — to determine if they're worth pulling, and how to use them if you do.

Coincidentally, this week we're up against the Gregory Total Assault, the perfect battle to showcase Sakurako. It's also a valuable chance to practically evaluate the abilities of support characters in the backline.

The gacha pool ends tomorrow (2024/11/6), and it'll likely be a year before it returns. After reading, consider carefully whether to scout for them!

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Mari (Idol)

EX: Heals one ally and herself, any excess healing converts to additional HP. Gains one "Fan Service."

NS: Periodically heals HP of the teammate with the lowest HP (excluding self).

PS: Increases healing power

SS: Increases HP, gains 3 "Fan Service" to reduce team Cost by 1, resetting "Fan Service" to 0.

An immensely powerful frontline healer, much like Hina, excelling in providing substantial single-target healing and accelerating the team's operation (Hina benefits from hit count, Idol Mari from using her EX skill three times).

In high-pressure environments, Hina is almost always chosen. Mari performs splendidly whether stabilizing a single strategy or working in a multiple teams setting. With higher HP and additional HP breakeven setting compared to Hina, I'd recommend any serious player to bring Idol Mari home.

Highlights: Frontline single-target healer, healing overflow into HP, team Cost -1 with 3 EX uses

Scout Recommendation: Definitely worth going for, versatile healer.

Usage Scenario: Usable wherever a healer is needed

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Sakurako (Idol)

EX: Increases crit and crit damage rates for self and backline students.

NS: Temporarily increases attack power and speed

PS: Increases attack power

SS: Increases crit damage rate for self and backline students.

She's marked as a backline support and burst character, further indicating potential teamwork with members like Nagisa and Minori (Supervisor). Gregory’s boss mechanics only currently require backline damage, where she contends with Swimsuit Saki.

In Gregory fights, is Idol Sakurako with massive backline buffs superior, or is Swimsuit Saki, with debuffs, better?

Unfortunately, the answer is neither. The best resolution with Gregory relies on using Formal Attire Yuna and Hina paired with Rei Da and high damage skills, so you might not need to force yourself to scout for Sakurako...

Personally, I took the plunge, trusted my instincts, and scouted her, only to find she's best reserved for future use.

Highlights: Backline burst support

Scout Recommendation: Not advised for forced scouting

Usage Scenario: Burst environment in Gregory battle.

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Mimi (Idol)

EX: Moves to a designated location, increasing attack speed for a period. Gains 5 "Cheer Sticks" (max 30). Summons a "Stage Device," moving three allies to it, which increases their attack speed on arrival.

NS: Every so often consumes "Cheer Sticks" in units of 10, reducing enemy attack power (effect varies with 10, 20, 30 Cheer Sticks).

PS: Increases HP

SS: Gains "Cheer Sticks" based on other allies' Cost shares and increases defense for a period upon obtaining 10 sticks.

This free character provides movement and attack speed buffs. The main focus is full-team relocation, resembling a lower-tier substitute for Sports Uniform Yuka. However, it's a shame the speed buff doesn't apply to all five members (unrestricted decisive battle).

Highlights: Relocation, attack speed

Usage Scenario: Substitute for Sports Uniform Yuka