The Blue Archive team is celebrating its 3.5th anniversary with an exclusive release of four limited-edition characters! Here's an in-depth analysis of the power and skills of each: Battle-Ready Hoshino, Kuroko, Swimsuit Saori, and Swimsuit Hiyori. Get ready to dive into their unique abilities and see how they can enhance your gameplay experience.

Hi, I’m Yuki.

For the 3.5th anniversary update, besides the much-anticipated Arius Squad swimsuits featured in the anniversary PV, the biggest surprise was the addition of two characters to the Fes pool – Hoshino at the ready and Kuroko.

Hoshino also features the latest stance switching system, allowing for easy switching between Tank and DPS stances in battle formations – like getting two characters in one! Truly worth it!

However, when counting the Fes characters, it seems like only Millennium hasn’t had any Fes characters, despite the abundance from Abydos...

So, during this 6% period, let me give you a look at the abilities of the four limited editions and my draw recommendations! I’ll also analyze whether the free swimsuit Atsuko from this event is worth leveling up~

==========================================================

Hoshino (Tank) / (Attack)

EX: Moves to a designated location and raises a shield (works as an obstacle effect, HP increases based on Hoshino's own HP ratio, and has heavy armor attributes) while increasing attack power for a certain period.

NS: Periodically armors up with bulletproof plates that reduce damage, which are removed after taking a set number of attacks.

PS: Increases attack power and HP

SS: When attacking, there's a chance to decrease the enemy's defense

A versatile tank, handy for breaking defenses, with self-defense boosts and attack power increases on EX, making it useful for both stage clearing and boss battles, though it lacks specialized functions. Future stages might exploit the obstacle function of EX for unique advantages (?).

Hoshino (Attack)

EX: Attacks a specific enemy and deals AOE damage.

NS: Instantly attacks an enemy when running out of ammo during the first reload.

PS: Extends basic attack range and increases critical rate

SS: All attacks ignore a fixed value of defense and increase attack power. The first basic attack following an EX skill use, NS activation, or reload will unleash a fan-shaped AOE damage.

An incredibly powerful enigmatic main character with a cost of 6, offering remarkable prowess with SS offering up to 85% defense ignore at max level! Future stands against high-defense bosses will greatly benefit from Hoshino’s output.

Feature: Dual stance switch, versatile tank, high defense ignore output

Draw recommendation: Must bring home from Fes

Suitable scenarios: Usable in various mysterious situations.

==========================================================

Kuroko*Inversion (Kuroko)

EX: Summons a drone for a set duration. While active, Kuroko's basic attacks also include drone attacks, increasing crit value and rate for a short time while dealing self-damage as a percentage of her HP.

NS: Periodically inflicts damage on an enemy. When the EX drone is active, changes to crossfire with greater power.

PS: Increases attack power

SS: Adds a mysterious effect. When Kuroko’s HP is below a certain threshold, she gains the “Retreat Hesitation” (Guts) status, which will immediately retreat if the HP isn’t fully restored in this state.

A high-output basic attack character, yielding massive damage when the drone is deployed, even with a -20% HP drawback. The NS allows Kuroko to last an additional 15 seconds on the field, and the SS's cooldown of 90 seconds means this 15-second resilience can activate multiple times, envisioning many scenarios where Kuroko unleashes extreme attacks.

Feature: Mysteriously high-output basic attack, 15-second resilience

Draw recommendation: Must bring home from Fes

Suitable scenarios: Usable in various mysterious situations.

==========================================================

Swimsuit Saori

Swimsuit Saori

EX: Targets a specific enemy and inflicts fan-shaped AOE, applying chill status to the designated target.

NS: Periodically increases attack power for a certain time

PS: Increases attack power

SS: Normal attacks have a chance to inflict chill status

A high 7-cost mysterious AOE. Note that Swimsuit Saori’s fan-shaped AOE targets a locked enemy as the center, unlike Hanako and Momoko, meaning if the enemy is on the fan’s edge, it won’t fully land.

The cost gets you an impressive 1083% base value, an extra 577% chill damage on the locked enemy, and 159% additional damage for others in the AOE, labeling her as the nemesis for the new generation. However, like Bunny Girl Karin, the high cost makes it hard to use regularly, but it’s a great pick against specific targets and possible usage with green-faced Mekine in outdoor environments.

Feature: Mysterious 7-cost high-damage targeted fan-shaped AOE

Draw recommendation: Lower priority than Hiyori, if 100 draws + pot don’t yield Hiyori, pick Saori instead

Suitable scenarios: Elite battles, outdoor environment main character

==========================================================

Swimsuit Hiyori

EX: Fires five bullets in a line attack. Causes damage to the first hit enemy, with bonus damage if all five bullets hit an enemy. If EX gauge is above one, the EX use zone will immediately swap back to this EX (similar to Swimsuit Hanako's one-time use).

NS: After a set number of basic attacks, increases crit damage rate for a while

PS: Increase crit damage rate

SS: Increases EX charge gauge over time, adds crit value for a while once the EX charge gauge reaches a certain level (maximum number of EX charge is 1)

A breakthrough era god with single-target penetration. With all 5 hits, it deals an overwhelming 5883% damage, requiring only 4 cost, plus reusability. The godly trio of Mika, Kazusa, and Yukata Kiyora now welcomes the fourth god with Swimsuit Hiyori.

Feature: High, repeatable single-target piercing damage

Draw recommendation: If the free 100 draws don’t get it, consider adding up to 200, and if not present, get the exchange.

Suitable scenarios: Various single-target boss battles

==========================================================

Swimsuit Atsuko

EX: Designates an ally to recover HP

NS: Periodically increases the recovery received by the ally with the lowest HP for a set time

PS: Increases healing amount

SS: Increases attack speed of allies.

With a 2-cost single-target 290% heal, it’s exceptionally practical – akin to a free version of a little nurse. With instant activation upon targeting an ally, differing from the main target that requires proximity to collect direct healing, Able to heal decoys, make sure to level Atsuko to at least 3 stars to fully unlock her skills.

Feature: 2-cost single-target healer

Suitable scenarios: Any situations requiring healing