How to Use This Tier List
The right build can make Slayers 2 progression dramatically smoother, whether you are clearing mobs, facing a boss, or fighting other players. This Slayer 2 tier list focuses on dependable results: damage that connects, control that creates openings, and tools that remain useful outside one perfect combo.
Recent balance adjustments have moved several options upward, so rankings can differ between players and guides. Treat each tier as a starting point, then choose the style that suits the content you play most often.
When deciding between two similarly ranked choices, prioritize these factors:
- Pick area damage and crowd control for dungeon runs.
- Pick strict stuns, guardbreaks, and mobility for PvP.
- Pick consistent single-target damage for bosses.
- Match Clan bonuses to your Breathing Style or Demon Art when possible.
- Do not reroll a solid A-tier option just because it is not S-tier.
Demon Arts Ranked
Demon Arts generally excel at ranged pressure, burst windows, area control, and forcing opponents into uncomfortable positions. Ice and Shockwave remain the safest top-end choices because they offer strong control alongside real damage.
| Tier | Demon Arts |
|---|---|
| S | Ice Manipulation, Shockwave Manipulation, Obi Manipulation |
| A | Dream Manipulation, Pyrokinesis, Blood Manipulation, Reaper, Arrow Manipulation |
| B | Tamari |
| C | None |
Ice Manipulation is one of the most complete Demon Arts for both PvE and PvP. Freeze restricts enemy movement, while its wide attacks let you clear clustered NPCs without committing to close range. It is especially comfortable for dungeon players who want control and safety at the same time.
Shockwave Manipulation is a premier PvP option. Its stun potential, pressure tools, and armor-breaking utility can turn one clean hit into a damaging sequence. It is still usable in PvE, but players looking only for fast mob clears may find Ice or Dream more convenient.
Obi Manipulation rose sharply after buffs to its damage, armor, guardbreaking potential, and trap pressure. It rewards deliberate ability use rather than random casting. If you like forcing exchanges and controlling lanes in PvP, Obi is now a serious top-tier candidate.
| Demon Art | Main Strength | Best Content | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Manipulation | Freeze and large area coverage | Dungeons, PvP, mob farming | Less ideal for melee-heavy strings |
| Shockwave Manipulation | Stuns, pressure, combo routes | PvP and duels | PvE kit is less streamlined |
| Obi Manipulation | Armor, traps, guardbreak pressure | PvP and mixed content | Requires thoughtful timing |
| Dream Manipulation | Sleep, barrages, transformation attacks | Solo farming and dungeons | Can disrupt uncoordinated groups |
| Pyrokinesis | Tracking and area pressure | Flexible PvE and PvP | Less control than Ice |
| Blood Manipulation | Combo pressure and burst | PvP and bosses | Recent nerfs reduced its ceiling |
| Reaper | Fast attacks and barrages | Duels and single targets | Limited crowd control |
| Arrow Manipulation | Focused ranged pressure | Specific PvP matchups | Less reliable area control |
| Tamari | Projectile damage and rain attack | Mobile dungeon play | Aim and platform dependence |
Dream Manipulation is excellent for solo PvE. Its sleep effects, barrages, and Flesh Monster transformation provide strong damage against groups and bosses. In a team, coordinate your effects so targets stay easy for teammates to track.
Pyrokinesis is a reliable all-rounder thanks to improved tracking and steering. It does not dominate control space like Ice, but it has enough area damage to remain useful in PvE.
Blood Manipulation and Reaper suit players who enjoy aggressive pressure. Blood still has strong routes, though it is less overwhelming after balance reductions. Reaper’s quick attacks and barrages make it dangerous in PvP, but lower crowd-control value hurts it in large dungeon encounters.
Breathing Styles Ranked
Breathing Styles emphasize weapon combat, movement, reliable strings, and direct pressure. Water and Serpent are the most consistently recommended choices, while recent changes have improved the outlook for Wind and Sound.
| Tier | Breathing Styles |
|---|---|
| S | Water, Serpent |
| A | Thunder, Insect, Flame |
| B | Wind, Sound |
| C | Stone |
Water Breathing is the most dependable general-purpose style. It combines damage, stun utility, and combo continuation, making it effective against NPCs and players. It is a safe recommendation if you want one style that performs well everywhere without unusual setup.
Serpent Breathing is powerful for players who want pressure and enemy control. Its animations may feel less natural at first than Water’s, but experienced players can use its movement and restraint tools to create strong openings.
Thunder Breathing remains a fast, aggressive choice. Its quick startup and gap-closing potential make it dangerous in PvP, especially when paired with Agatsuma. It rewards decisive play and clean timing rather than slow exchanges.
| Style | Why It Performs Well | Ideal Partner Clan | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Stuns, damage, reliable combo flow | Tomioka or Urokodaki | All-purpose PvE and PvP |
| Serpent | Pressure, movement, control tools | Iguro | Aggressive PvP |
| Thunder | Speed and gap closing | Agatsuma | Fast duels and combo play |
| Insect | High single-target output | Kocho | Bosses and 1v1 fights |
| Flame | Straightforward damage and pressure | Rengoku | Direct combat |
| Wind | Stronger after recent buffs | Shinazugawa | Offensive PvP and farming |
| Sound | Better utility after balance changes | Uzui | Mobile combat |
| Stone | Durable but less flexible | Himejima | Toughness-focused players |
Insect Breathing is excellent against bosses because much of its power is concentrated on one target. Its weaker multi-target coverage means it is less efficient for clearing crowded rooms, but it shines when a dungeon ends in a hard boss fight.
Wind and Sound deserve more attention than older placements suggest. Wind received improvements to damage and speed, while Sound regained useful guardbreak value. Both can be rewarding if you prefer their playstyle, even if Water remains the easier universal choice.
Best Build Paths for Each Goal
A top-tier style is only part of a build. Clan bonuses, preferred range, platform, and your usual content matter just as much. A coordinated team can get more value from supportive Clan skills than a solo player can.
| Goal | Recommended Core Build | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Fast dungeon farming | Ice Manipulation + Douma or Ubuyashiki | Area damage, control, progression utility |
| Boss hunting | Insect Breathing + Kocho | Strong close-range single-target damage |
| PvP | Shockwave + combat-focused Clan | Stuns, pressure, follow-up potential |
| Flexible play | Water Breathing + Tomioka | Reliable damage, control, and support |
| Mobile aggression | Thunder + Agatsuma | Speed, gap closing, Thunder bonuses |
| Team boss runs | Shabana, Tomioka, or Uzui builds | Party benefits, survival, cooldown value |
For PvE, choose consistency over highlight-reel damage. Ice, Dream, Water, and Insect all provide practical value depending on whether you prioritize groups or bosses. Ubuyashiki can be attractive while farming because its progression and drop-related benefits help over long sessions.
For PvP, prioritize how often you can begin and finish an exchange. Shockwave, Obi, Water, Serpent, Thunder, and Reaper all offer meaningful pressure tools. Learn one or two reliable sequences before chasing a new reroll; matchup knowledge often matters more than a single tier difference.
Platform matters too. Tamari can feel stronger with aim assistance and lock-on support, while mouse-and-keyboard players may prefer faster or more precise kits. If a lower-ranked option feels natural and lands consistently for you, it can outperform a theoretical top-tier pick you cannot use well.
FAQ
What is the best choice in the Slayer 2 tier list?
Ice Manipulation and Shockwave Manipulation lead the Demon Arts for different reasons: Ice excels at control and PvE, while Shockwave is especially threatening in PvP. For Breathing Styles, Water is the safest all-purpose choice, with Serpent close behind for pressure-focused players.
Is Water Breathing good for beginners?
Yes. Water Breathing has dependable damage, useful stun tools, and reliable combos for both PvE and PvP. It also works well with Tomioka and Urokodaki Clan bonuses.
Which Demon Art is best for dungeon farming?
Ice Manipulation is usually the strongest dungeon pick because it combines wide attacks with Freeze. Dream Manipulation is another excellent farming option, especially for solo players using its area attacks and transformation tools.
Are lower-tier styles unusable?
No. Every style can work with practice, a compatible Clan, and the right content. Lower tiers mainly indicate more limitations, such as weaker area damage, harder execution, or fewer answers in common PvP situations.
How often does the Slayer 2 tier list change?
Rankings can change whenever balance updates adjust damage, cooldowns, guardbreaks, tracking, or utility. Check recent patch notes before spending valuable rerolls on a build solely because of an older ranking.