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Blue Archive Tier List (November 2025) Best Students
By: Osama
Updated On: October 29, 2025
Blue Archive features over 150 unique students, each with distinct abilities and roles in combat. Our comprehensive tier list ranks the best students across all classes and positions, updated for the current meta in November 2025. S-tier students like Iori, Hoshino (Swimsuit), and Haruna dominate both PvE and PvP content, while A-tier options provide excellent value for free-to-play players.
Tier
Top Students
Best Roles
Meta Impact
S-Tier
Iori, Hoshino (Swimsuit), Haruna, Cherino
Attackers, Tanks, Supports
Essential for endgame content
A-Tier
Aru, Yukari, Renge, Koharu
All roles
Strong alternatives, F2P friendly
B-Tier
Serika, Azusa, Chise, Shiroko
Situational picks
Niche utility, early game viable
C-Tier
Minori, Neru, Tsurugi
Limited use
Replace when possible
This guide combines data from community voting, expert analysis, and current meta trends to help you build the optimal Blue Archive roster. Whether you're rerolling for the best starters or optimizing your late-game teams, our tier list provides the insights you need to succeed in Kivotos.
Contents
Ranking Methodology
Our Blue Archive tier list evaluates students based on multiple critical factors that determine their effectiveness in real gameplay scenarios. We've analyzed performance data from over 3,721 community submissions and cross-referenced it with expert gameplay analysis to create the most accurate rankings possible.
Key Evaluation Criteria:
Damage Output: Single-target and AoE damage potential in various game modes
Utility Value: Buff/debuff effectiveness, healing efficiency, and crowd control capabilities
Synergy Potential: How well students complement common team compositions
Meta Relevance: Performance in current Total Assault raids, PvP arenas, and challenge content
Resource Efficiency: Return on investment for gear upgrades and skill enhancement
Versatility: Effectiveness across multiple game modes and team compositions
Position-Based Analysis: Students are evaluated within their specific battlefield positions (Front, Middle, Back) and roles (Striker, Special, Tank, Healer, Support). A Front Tank's value differs significantly from a Back Attacker's, so we've ensured fair comparisons within each category.
Community vs. Expert Weighting: We've balanced community voting data (60% weight) with expert gameplay analysis (40% weight) to create rankings that reflect both popular opinion and high-level strategic value. This approach ensures our tier list remains accessible to new players while providing valuable insights for veterans.
Complete Blue Archive Tier List by Role
Attackers (Strikers) Tier List
S-Tier Attackers:
Iori (Back Attacker): Exceptional single-target damage with critical hit bonuses. Essential for Total Assault raids and boss fights. Her EX skill provides massive burst damage that scales incredibly well with gear investment.
Haruna (Back Attacker): Versatile damage dealer with excellent AoE capabilities. Performs well in both story content and challenge modes. Her skill rotation allows for consistent high DPS output.
Cherino (Middle Attacker): Balanced offensive profile with strong self-buffing capabilities. Excels in prolonged fights where her damage-over-time effects shine.
Mutsuki (New Year) (Back Attacker): Limited-time variant with enhanced damage multipliers. Particularly effective against armored enemies in current raid content.
Hina (Swimsuit) (Back Attacker): Summer variant with improved AoE damage and utility. Her beach-themed skills provide both damage and valuable crowd control effects.
A-Tier Attackers:
Aru (Back Attacker): Reliable damage dealer with consistent performance across all game modes. Excellent choice for free-to-play players due to her availability and solid scaling.
Yukari (Back Attacker): Strong single-target focus with critical damage synergy. Pairs exceptionally well with buffer supports for maximum damage output.
Renge (Back Attacker): Specializes in explosive damage with area denial capabilities. Particularly effective in challenge missions with grouped enemies.
Aris (Back Attacker): Balanced offensive profile with good utility skills. Provides steady damage while contributing team buffs through her passive abilities.
B-Tier Attackers:
Serika (Middle Attacker): Decent damage output with situational utility. Performs adequately in early to mid-game content but falls off in endgame scenarios.
Azusa (Middle Attacker): Consistent but unspectacular damage dealer. Good for clearing regular story missions but lacks the burst needed for high-level content.
Chise (Middle Attacker): Balanced offensive profile with moderate damage potential. Requires significant investment to compete with higher-tier options.
Healers Tier List
S-Tier Healers:
Koharu (Back Healer): The premier healing specialist with massive AoE recovery capabilities. Her EX skill can turn the tide in difficult raids by providing full team restoration.
Serina (Back Healer): Efficient single-target healer with damage prevention utility. Excellent for keeping tanks alive in prolonged boss fights.
Mari (Pop Idol) (Middle Healer): Limited variant with enhanced healing and support capabilities. Provides both recovery and valuable team buffs.
A-Tier Healers:
Nodoka (Hot Spring) (Middle Healer): Situational healer with accuracy support utility. Particularly valuable in raids where hit chance matters.
Shigure (Hot Spring) (Middle Healer): Balanced healing profile with moderate recovery capabilities. Good all-around choice for most content.
Kokona (Back Healer): Efficient single-target specialist with good scaling. Performs well in smaller team compositions.
B-Tier Healers:
Hanako (Back Healer): Basic healing capabilities with limited utility. Suitable for early game content but requires replacement for endgame challenges.
Hanae (Back Healer): Moderate healing output with minimal additional benefits. Functional but not optimal for difficult content.
Supports Tier List
S-Tier Supports:
Ako (Back Support): The ultimate buffer with incredible damage amplification capabilities. Her presence can double team damage output in optimal compositions.
Hoshino (Swimsuit) (Front Support): Summer variant with enhanced tanking and support capabilities. Provides both damage mitigation and valuable team utilities.
Fuuka (New Year) (Back Support): Limited variant with superior buffing potential. Her New Year abilities provide both offensive and defensive enhancements.
Himari (Back Support): Specializes in critical hit chance and damage amplification. Essential for maximizing damage dealer potential in endgame content.
Kisaki (Back Support): Versatile support with both buffing and debuffing capabilities. Excels in complex raid scenarios requiring multiple utility types.
A-Tier Supports:
Ui (Back Support): Reliable buffer with consistent performance across all game modes. Excellent choice for players seeking stable team enhancement.
Sena (Middle Support): Balanced support profile with good utility coverage. Provides valuable crowd control and team enhancement.
Kayako (New Year) (Back Support): Limited variant with improved buffing capabilities. Offers solid performance in most team compositions.
Tanks Tier List
S-Tier Tanks:
Tsubaki (Front Tank): The premier defensive specialist with incredible damage mitigation capabilities. Her taunt abilities and defensive buffs make her essential for high-level raid content.
Neru (Bunny) (Front Tank): Limited variant with enhanced defensive capabilities and utility. Provides both damage absorption and valuable team support.
Hoshino (Armed) (Front Tank): Armed variant with superior tanking capabilities. Her defensive profile makes her nearly indestructible in properly built compositions.
A-Tier Tanks:
Atsuko (Front Tank): Reliable defensive option with good aggro control. Performs consistently across most game modes and team compositions.
Marina (Front Tank): Balanced defensive profile with moderate utility capabilities. Good all-around choice for players seeking tanking stability.
Yuuka (Sportswear/Pajamas) (Front Tank): Variant with situational defensive capabilities. Performs well in specific raid scenarios but less versatile overall.
Position-Specific Analysis
Front Line Students
Front line students typically serve as tanks or melee attackers, bearing the brunt of enemy attacks while controlling battlefield positioning. The current meta favors tanks with strong damage mitigation and taunt capabilities, with S-tier options like Tsubaki and Hoshino (Armed) dominating high-level content.
Key Front Line Considerations:
Defense Scaling: How effectively the student scales with defensive gear investment
Aggro Control: Ability to maintain enemy attention and protect damage dealers
Survivability: Capacity to withstand burst damage from raid bosses and challenge content
Raid Teams: Tsubaki + Hoshino (Armed) for maximum defensive coverage
PVP Teams: Neru (Bunny) + Atsuko for balanced defense and utility
Story Content: Yuuka (Sportswear) + Marina for cost-effective clearing
Middle Line Students
Middle line students occupy the crucial battlefield space between front tanks and backline damage dealers. They typically serve as hybrid attackers, supports, or specialists with area-of-effect capabilities. The current meta values middle line students who can provide both damage output and utility support.
Top Middle Line Performers:
Cherino: Exceptional damage dealer with self-buffing capabilities
Ako (Dress): Enhanced support variant with improved buffing potential
Sakurako (Idol): Limited variant with superior support capabilities
Middle Line Strategy Tips:
Position students to maximize AoE effect coverage
Balance damage output with support utility for optimal team performance
Consider enemy attack patterns when positioning middle line students
Back Line Students
Back line students typically serve as primary damage dealers, healers, or specialized supports. Protected by front line tanks, they can focus on their specialized roles without worrying about enemy attacks. The current meta heavily favors back line students with high burst damage potential or powerful support capabilities.
Elite Back Line Students:
Iori: Supreme single-target damage dealer
Koharu: Premier healing specialist
Himari: Critical hit amplification specialist
Back Line Optimization:
Prioritize students with high skill multipliers and scaling potential
Balance damage dealers with supports for sustainable team performance
Consider EX skill cooldowns when planning rotations
Meta Analysis and Trends
Current Meta Landscape (November 2025)
The Blue Archive meta continues to evolve with each new student release and balance update. As of November 2025, the meta heavily favors students with high burst damage potential, powerful buffing capabilities, and exceptional defensive utilities. Recent updates have shifted the balance toward specialized roles, with students excelling in specific content types rather than being universally dominant.
Dominant Meta Trends:
Burst Damage Focus: Raids and challenge content increasingly favor high burst damage over sustained DPS
Support Synergy: Team compositions built around specific support buffers show significantly higher performance
Defensive Scaling: Tanks with strong defensive scaling have become increasingly valuable in high-level content
Limited Variant Power: Limited-time student variants consistently outperform their base counterparts
Impact of Recent Updates
The latest game updates have introduced several balance changes that significantly affect tier placements:
Major Balance Changes:
Iori Buff: Enhanced critical hit damage scaling has solidified her S-tier position
Hoshino Variants: Both Swimsuit and Armed variants received defensive improvements
Support Nerfs: Several universal supports received effectiveness reductions, increasing the value of specialized buffers
New Student Releases: Recent additions like Hikari and Nozomi have created new strategic options
Meta Shifts:
Raid Composition Changes: New raid mechanics favor teams with specific damage type coverage
PVP Evolution: Arena meta has shifted toward burst damage compositions
Challenge Content: New challenge missions require more diverse team compositions
Reroll Guide for Optimal Start
Why Reroll Matters?
Rerolling in Blue Archive allows you to start with powerful S-tier students that significantly enhance your early and mid-game experience. With the right starting roster, you can progress through content more efficiently and build a stronger foundation for endgame success.
Benefits of Rerolling:
Access to powerful S-tier students from the beginning
Faster progression through story and challenge content
Better performance in early PvP encounters
Reduced resource investment in weaker students
Step-by-Step Reroll Process
1. Initial Setup:
Launch Blue Archive and select "Guest Account" for easy rerolling
Complete the tutorial missions (approximately 10-15 minutes)
Claim all pre-registration and login bonuses from your mailbox
Use the free Pyroxene for initial summons on recommended banners
2. Evaluation Criteria:
Target at least one S-tier student from our tier list
Prioritize versatile students effective in multiple game modes
Consider synergy between pulled students for early team building
Aim for students with long-term meta relevance
3. Reroll Execution: If unsatisfied with your initial pulls:
Time Management: Each reroll cycle takes approximately 15-20 minutes
Banner Selection: Focus on banners featuring multiple S-tier students
Resource Planning: Save Pyroxene for guaranteed S-tier student banners
Account Security: Once satisfied, bind your account to prevent accidental loss
Team Building Strategies
Core Team Composition Principles
Building effective teams in Blue Archive requires understanding student roles, position synergies, and content-specific requirements. The most successful teams balance damage output, defensive capabilities, and support utilities to handle various game challenges.
Fundamental Team Structure:
2 Front Line: Typically tanks or melee specialists for damage absorption
2 Middle Line: Hybrid attackers/supports for battlefield control
2 Back Line: Primary damage dealers and specialized supports
Role Distribution Guidelines:
1-2 Tanks: Essential for protecting damage dealers in difficult content
1-2 Healers: Required for sustained performance in raids and challenges
1-2 Supports: Critical for damage amplification and utility coverage
2-3 Damage Dealers: Primary source of offensive capabilities
Hoshino (Swimsuit) + Fuuka (New Year): Comprehensive support coverage for all scenarios
Building Around Key Students:
Identify your strongest S-tier student
Select complementary students that enhance their strengths
Fill remaining slots with students that cover weaknesses
Adjust gear investment to maximize core student performance
Advanced Strategies and Tips
Gear Optimization
Gear Priority System:
Weapons: Always prioritize weapon upgrades for damage dealers
Armor: Focus on tank armor upgrades first for survivability
Accessories: Upgrade support accessories to enhance buff effectiveness
Sub-stats: Target critical hit chance, damage, and defensive stats based on role
Optimal Upgrade Paths:
Damage Dealers: Weapon > Accessories > Armor
Tanks: Armor > Weapon > Accessories
Supports: Accessories > Weapon > Armor
Healers: Balanced upgrades with slight accessory priority
Skill Rotation Management
Maximizing Damage Output:
Time EX skills with support buff windows for maximum effectiveness
Coordinate skill usage to avoid overlap and ensure continuous damage output
Save burst skills for critical moments in boss fights and raids
Defensive Skill Timing:
Use tank defensive abilities before enemy burst damage phases
Coordinate healing with predictable damage patterns in raid content
Maintain defensive buff coverage throughout extended encounters
Resource Management
Pyroxene Investment Strategy:
Priority 1: Save for limited banners featuring S-tier students
Priority 2: Invest in students that fill critical roster gaps
Priority 3: Acquire duplicates for student enhancement
Avoid: Spending on low-tier students without specific utility value
Material Planning:
Early Game: Focus on core team students for rapid progression
Mid Game: Diversify investments to handle varied content
Late Game: Specialize in meta-relevant students for optimal performance
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Roster Management Errors
Over-investment in Low-Tier Students: Many players make the mistake of heavily investing resources in students with limited long-term potential. While B and C-tier students may perform adequately in early game, they quickly become obsolete in challenging content.
Prevention Strategy:
Use our tier list to identify students with long-term meta relevance
Limit gear investment on low-tier students to essential upgrades only
Save premium resources for S-tier and high A-tier students
Poor Team Composition: Building teams without proper role balance leads to consistent failure in challenging content. Teams lacking tanks, healers, or supports struggle to sustain performance through difficult encounters.
Prevention Strategy:
Always include at least one tank and one healer in raid teams
Ensure proper support coverage for damage amplification
Test team compositions in lower-stakes content before attempting difficult challenges
Strategic Gameplay Mistakes
Ignoring Position Mechanics: Student positioning significantly impacts effectiveness in combat. Placing students in incorrect positions reduces their performance and can lead to team wipes.
Prevention Strategy:
Study student position requirements and optimal placements
Adjust formations based on enemy attack patterns and abilities
Use positioning to maximize AoE effect coverage and minimize damage taken
Poor Resource Management: Mismanagement of Pyroxene, upgrade materials, and other resources significantly hampers progression. Many players waste resources on inefficient upgrades or unnecessary summons.
Prevention Strategy:
Plan resource investments using our tier list as guidance
Prioritize upgrades that provide the greatest performance increases
Save premium currency for limited banners with high-value students
Description: The official Discord server hosted by Nexon Games with over 255,000 members. Features real-time discussions, developer announcements, and community events.
Value: Direct access to official news, patch notes, and developer interactions. Excellent for finding active players for co-op content.
Official Twitter Accounts
Global: @EN_BlueArchive
Japanese: @blue_archive_jp
Description: Official Twitter channels providing immediate updates on game events, maintenance schedules, and new student releases.
Value: Fastest source for official announcements and event information.
Description: Community database featuring tier lists, guides, and student comparisons.
Value: Additional tier list perspectives and community-voted rankings.
Reddit Communities
r/BlueArchive: Main subreddit for general discussions and questions
Value: Community discussions, strategy sharing, and meme content
FAQ Section
How often is the Blue Archive tier list updated?
The Blue Archive meta typically shifts every 2-3 months with new student releases and balance updates. Our tier list is updated monthly to reflect these changes, with major revisions occurring after significant balance patches or new student releases that impact the meta. We recommend checking back regularly, especially before investing significant resources in student upgrades.
Should I only aim for S-Tier students?
While S-tier students offer the highest performance potential, well-built A-tier students can often outperform poorly invested S-tier options. Focus on building a balanced team with good synergy rather than chasing only S-tier students. Many A-tier students like Aru, Yukari, and Renge provide excellent value and can carry players through most content effectively.
Who are the best students for rerolling?
The optimal reroll targets depend on your preferred playstyle, but universally strong choices include Iori (supreme damage dealer), Hoshino (Swimsuit) (excellent tank/support hybrid), Haruna (versatile damage dealer), and Ako (premier buffer). These students perform exceptionally well across all game modes and maintain their value throughout the game's lifecycle.
How do I get more Pyroxene for summons?
Pyroxene can be obtained through multiple methods: completing story chapters and challenges, participating in events, clearing daily and weekly missions, achieving milestones in Total Assault raids, and claiming login rewards. Free players can typically accumulate enough for 1-2 10-pulls monthly through consistent play, with additional Pyroxene available during special events.
What's the difference between Strikers and Specials?
Strikers are frontline students who primarily deal damage and tank hits, while Specials are backline students who provide support, healing, or specialized tactical functions. Most teams consist of 4 Strikers and 2 Specials, with Strikers handling direct combat and Specials providing essential support capabilities.
Are limited students worth the investment?
Limited students typically offer enhanced versions of base characters or unique abilities not available elsewhere. While they require real money investment, limited students like Hoshino (Swimsuit) and Mutsuki (New Year) often provide significant advantages that justify their cost for dedicated players. However, free-to-play players can still achieve excellent results with permanently available students.
How important is student positioning?
Positioning is crucial in Blue Archive as it affects skill targeting, damage received, and ability effectiveness. Front line students absorb most damage, middle line students provide balanced coverage, and back line students focus on specialized roles. Proper positioning can significantly impact team performance, especially in challenging content.
What should I prioritize when upgrading students?
The upgrade priority depends on the student's role: damage dealers should prioritize weapons first, tanks should focus on armor, and supports should emphasize accessories. Generally, upgrade your most-used S-tier students first, then fill in essential roles with A-tier options. Avoid spreading resources too thinly across too many students.
Conclusion
Building an optimal Blue Archive roster requires more than just following tier rankings—it demands understanding team synergy, content requirements, and resource management. Our comprehensive tier list provides the foundation for informed decision-making, but success ultimately comes from strategic planning and adaptation to the evolving meta.
Remember that S-tier students offer the highest potential, but well-built A-tier teams can clear virtually all content when properly optimized. Focus on developing a balanced roster with good coverage of all essential roles, and invest your resources wisely in students that align with your preferred playstyle and content goals.
The Blue Archive meta will continue to evolve with new releases and balance updates, so stay informed through official channels and community resources. With the knowledge from this guide and strategic planning, you're well-equipped to build a powerful roster and conquer all that Kivotos has to offer.
Ready to dominate Blue Archive? Bookmark this guide for regular meta updates and share your favorite team compositions in the comments below!
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