Blue Archive 12/30 Update: Summer Swimsuits Return, Say-Bing
Blue Archive’s 12/30 update brings swimsuit banners, the Say-Bing event rerun, new equipment, and more—here’s what you can’t afford to miss.
Tyler Smith Blue Archive 12/30 Update: Swimsuit Banners, Event Reruns, and Major Content Additions
Blue Archive fans are closing out the year with the highly anticipated 12/30 update (server time: UTC), and it's packed with returning swimsuit banners, an event rerun, and substantive system improvements. With a compressed event calendar, time-limited recruitment opportunities, and double/triple reward campaigns crowding the first weeks of the new year, players—especially free-to-play participants—face tough priority decisions on where to spend their Pyroxenes and grind energy.
What stands out most: the simultaneous rerun of four separate swimsuit Pick-Up banners, a Say-Bing! event rerun, and the roll-out of new missions, equipment, and high-value reward events—all before mid-January. Here’s how to approach this unique patch.
At a Glance: Key Additions and Timings
- Patch maintenance: 2024-12-30, 02:00–05:00 UTC (inaccessible during maintenance)
- Swimsuit banners (12/30–1/6): Kanna (Swimsuit), Fubuki (Swimsuit), Shiroko (Swimsuit), Nonomi (Swimsuit)
- Say-Bing! event rerun (12/30–1/6): Free 1★ unit, special shop, and prize exchange
- New Pick-Up (1/6–1/13): Toki (Unique Pick-Up), Nagisa (Unique Pick-Up), Kanna, Chiaki
- Joint Firing Drill/Grand Assault: Breakthrough Drill (12/30–01/05); Binah (Urban Warfare, 1/6–1/12)
- New missions/Episodes: Area 29, "Sweetness and Nostalgia" (from 1/6)
- Currency & shop resets: Multiple triple reward and shop refresh events—read details closely
Banner Schedule: Dates, Rate-ups, and Rotations
| Banner Phase | Dates (UTC) | Featured Unit(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Swimsuit Pick-Up Recruitment | 2024-12-30 post-maint.–2026-01-06 01:59 | Kanna (Swimsuit), Fubuki (Swimsuit), Shiroko (Swimsuit), Nonomi (Swimsuit) |
| Unique Pick-Up | 2026-01-06 02:00–2026-01-13 01:59 | Toki, Nagisa |
| Pick-Up Recruitment | 2026-01-06 02:00–2026-01-13 01:59 | Kanna, Chiaki |
Recruitment point resets occur at the start of each banner cycle. Excess points convert to Keystone Pieces at a 1:1 ratio post-banner. Refer to in-game Rate Info for official drop rates—no rate changes are listed in this update.
Should You Pull? Banner Guidance for F2P & Optimizers
Swimsuit banners remain some of the most anticipated limited units in Blue Archive due to seasonality, unique art, and meta-defining skills. However, the concurrency means spending decisions are more punishing: Pyroxene resources and pity carryovers do not persist across overlapping banners. Each Pick-Up banner’s recruitment points are independent and reset when its period ends. As these are reruns (not new characters), veteran accounts may wish to skip or target missing favorites. EarlyGG recommends:
- F2P/Low-Spend: Prioritize a single banner based on meta needs and unowned units. Check for upcoming New Year/Fes banners before committing.
- Completionists: If missing any swimsuit units, stagger pulls strategically according to which banner ends first (verify dates above).
- High Spenders: Consider spreading pulls, but note point resets; focus on Pick-Up banners with highest personal value.
For more details on each character’s meta value, visit the Blue Archive Tier List (internal, EarlyGG).
Teams and Event Synergies: Say-Bing! Event Guidance
The returning Say-Bing! event launches with the patch, granting a free Kirino (Swimsuit) by clearing Story 01. If already owned, you’ll receive materials instead. The event currency shop offers strong refunds and select items, while prize exchange rounds (1–9+) function like a lottery box system. Repeat quest clears with Specialized Students yield extra event currency; maximize efficiency by fielding units flagged in the event panel. Sweeps can optimize farming for well-prepared rosters.
Event Tasks grant unique titles and credit points. Challenge stages unlock shortly after the patch and offer one-time first clear rewards; the Extra (Ex) Stage is especially valuable for Secret Tech Sheets.
QoL & System Updates: Missions, Shop, Equipment
Area 29 (Normal/Hard) expansion opens new farming and challenge content, with corresponding tasks. Three new T10 equipment types are available via Tier Upgrade, with beefed up stat scaling.
For competitive players, note the detailed Joint Firing Drill (12/30–1/5) and Grand Assault: Binah (Urban Warfare, 1/6–1/12). Participation is key for rank rewards, assault coins, and special one-time 10-Recruitment tickets. Event details, including defense/attack types and optimal team setups, are available via in-game guides and EarlyGG breakdowns.
Shop updates: On 2024-12-31 (19:00 UTC), all major shops (Expert Permit, Eligma, Bounty, Grand Assault, etc.) reset with new items and refreshed purchase limits, allowing for restocking core growth materials.
Events, Rewards, and Deadlines: The Triple Campaign Blitz
A rare calendar alignment means Bounty, Scrimmage, Commission, and Mission (both Normal and Hard) triple reward campaigns run from late December through mid-January, alongside Account EXP Double events. These periods are optimal for stamina spending and resource hoarding:
| Event | Dates (UTC) | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Bounty Triple | 2024-12-29 19:00 – 2026-01-05 18:59 | Bounty drops x3 |
| Scrimmage Triple | 2024-12-29 19:00 – 2026-01-05 18:59 | Scrimmage x3 |
| Commissions Triple | 2026-01-05 19:00 – 2026-01-12 18:59 | Commissions x3 |
| Mission (Normal) Triple | 2026-01-05 19:00 – 2026-01-09 18:59 | Mission x3 |
| Mission (Hard) Triple | 2026-01-09 19:00 – 2026-01-12 18:59 | Mission x3 |
| Account EXP Double | 2026-01-02 19:00–01-04 18:59; 01-09–01-11 18:59 | Account EXP x2 |
Maximize these by pre-filling stamina sources—earlyGG recommends prioritizing event stages and core progression tasks during multipliers.
Preparation Checklist: Optimize for the Patch
- Conclude all outstanding event shops (those expiring on/after 2024-12-30)
- Pre-load stamina for immediate event grinding
- Stock up on equipment parts and upgrade resources before shop resets
- Review your Pyroxene stash and banner plan; don’t over-commit across multiple swimsuit banners
Day-1 Priorities After Maintenance
- Claim the Pyroxene x360 maintenance reward before 2026-01-06 14:59 UTC (via mailbox; 7-day window)
- Begin the Say-Bing! event for immediate access to milestone and currency rewards
- Scout the swimsuit banner(s) for rates and personal targets, then decide daily pulls strategy
- Check for new missions, Area 29, and start progress toward new equipment
Unconfirmed or Speculative Content
Not stated in official materials. No credible rumors or leaks are referenced in this patch cycle. All dates, events, and banners confirmed via official Blue Archive maintenance notes (as of the current announcement).
Conclusion: Looking Forward in Blue Archive
The final patch of the year for Blue Archive marries nostalgia (swimsuit reruns and Say-Bing!) with robust system refreshes and new endgame content. With so many concurrent reward campaigns and limited banners, efficient planning is crucial—be strategic in your pulls and farm cycles to maximize gains before the next content wave.
For ongoing updates and event guides—including team recommendations and resource breakdowns—follow EarlyGG’s Blue Archive event hub (internal). This cycle rewards those who plan ahead: don’t miss banner end dates or high-yield event periods highlighted here.
Alt text suggestions:
– Swimsuit banners key art: Four featured students in summer-themed outfits, highlighting limited-time reruns (use for banner discussions or guides).
– Say-Bing! event screenshot: In-game event UI with missions and shop interface, for visual step-by-step walkthroughs.
– Prize Exchange menu: Event gacha box showcasing prize layout and key items.
– Binah Grand Assault: Boss event display, relevant for meta and team-building features.