Blue Archive’s Swim Banner: Should You Pull? 11/18 Patch at
Blue Archive’s 11/18 update introduces the summer Swimsuit banner, new event story, and major reward refresh. Learn key dates, units, and strategy.
Tyler Smith Blue Archive’s Major 11/18 Summer Banner: What Matters Most for Gacha Players
Blue Archive’s update, scheduled for 2024-11-18 (Tue) 02:00–05:00 UTC, headlines with a limited Swimsuit banner featuring Kikyou (Swimsuit), Yukari (Swimsuit), and Renge (Swimsuit). For many fans, this patch marks the awaited debut for these seasonal variants, blending high-impact banner value with a meaty new event, significant QoL changes, and a fresh cycle of crafting and shop content. Gacha-focused players should consider this one of the year’s most impactful phases for both collection and resource management.
Let’s break down this update with a practical focus: what to pull for, how to maximize your rewards, and what new mechanics and events you simply can’t ignore.
At a Glance: Update Essentials
- Patch Maintenance: 2024-11-18 (Tue) 02:00–05:00 UTC (no login during this window)
- Swimsuit Banner: Kikyou (3★), Renge (2★), Yukari (3★), all limited
- Banner window: 2024-11-18 post-maintenance to 2024-12-02 01:59 UTC
- Main Event: “A Flower Blooms Among the Hundred: Fair and Square Aquatic Showdown”
- Free Rewards: Pyroxene ×360 (claimable until 2024-11-25 14:59 UTC)
- PvE Focus: New Final Restriction (The Fury of Set), Total Assault: Goz rerun (with balance tweaks)
Banner Schedule: Limited Swimsuit Recruitments
| Phase | Start (UTC) | End (UTC) | Featured Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swimsuit Banner | 2024-11-18 after maint | 2024-12-02 01:59 | Kikyou (3★), Renge (2★), Yukari (3★) | Recruitment points reset |
Banner rates and pitty: Refer to in-game “Recruit → Rate Info.” All featured swimsuit units are limited-period and will not enter the general pool immediately following the event.
- Pity info: As per Blue Archive’s standard, selective acquisition via Recruitment Points is available during the Pick-Up. Afterward, unused points convert to Keystone Pieces at a 1:1 ratio.
Should You Pull Swimsuit Units? Strategy for F2P, Low-Spend, and Optimizers
Key Highlights:
- Kikyou (Swimsuit) and Yukari (Swimsuit) are both 3★ limited units, historically offering unique damage profiles and sought-after event bonuses.
- Renge (Swimsuit) is a 2★ and joins Archive Recruitment after the banner, making her easier to acquire later.
For F2P and limited-budget players:
– Prioritize Kikyou (Swimsuit) or Yukari (Swimsuit) depending on your account’s needs and affinity for exclusive or meta-defining picks.
– With both limited 3★ debuting in one round, consider how close you are to pity and whether you can afford to miss upcoming banners (none announced, but always prepare).
– Renge (2★) will not be hard-limited, so skip pulling solely for her.
Optimal resource use:
– Time your pulls within the event window; assess if event-reward Specialized Student bonuses justify early investment.
– Don’t overlook anniversary or collab rumors (not stated in official materials). Nothing suggests another major banner immediately after, but always plan with caution.
Event Overview: Summer Story Event and Major PvE Additions
A Flower Blooms Among the Hundred: Fair and Square Aquatic Showdown
- Event dates: 2024-11-18 post-maintenance to 2024-12-02 01:59 UTC (with shop/reward claim until 2024-12-09 01:59 UTC)
- Eligibility: Clear Main Story 2-3 (Normal mode)
- Event content:
- Story & character-driven episodes, replay unlocked via Story menu
- Quests and Challenges (Challenge mode available from 2024-11-18 19:00 UTC)
- Specialized Student bonus: extra repeat/reward drops for event currency
- Mini-game (Treasure Hunt): Use special items for prizes
- Event shop: Exchange currencies for upgrade materials, exclusive furniture
- Currency conversion: Unused event currencies convert 1:1 to Credit Points post-event
Unique Items & Furniture
- Unique Items: Added for Renge, Midori, Wakamo (Swimsuit), Hasumi — equippable for stat increases and extra story episodes
- New Furniture: Acquire Inflatable Splash Pool, Summer Water Fun Rack, and Sunshine Flower Pool as part of event milestones
- New Interactions: Each swimsuit student unlocks custom furniture animation
PvE Challenges
- Final Restriction Release (The Fury of Set): 2024-11-19 02:00 – 2024-12-15 18:59 UTC; clear highest stage to claim all lower-tier rewards at once. Both Field and Light Armor, shifting from Normal to Explosive attack requirements (consult stage table in official notice or in-game for details).
- Total Assault: Goz (Indoor Warfare): 2024-11-25 02:00 – 2024-12-01 18:59 UTC, with reward claim extending to 2024-12-23 01:59 UTC. Boss skills, stat tweaks, camera changes, and EX skill mechanics adjusted (see official announcement).
Preparation and Early Patch To-Do List
- Claim maintenance Pyroxene reward within 7 days from patch.
- Stock up on event-boosting students (especially event-limited Swimsuit units) before entering major event stages.
- Clear/challenge all event story and quest stages to maximize both unique and repeat rewards.
- Plan shop purchases: Prioritize Unique Item upgrades, exclusive furniture, and skip lower-priority currency exchanges.
- Check Archive Recruitment post-event for Renge (Swimsuit) availability if not pulled during banner.
Banner Recap Table
| Start Date (UTC) | End Date (UTC) | Banner / Event | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-18 02:00 | 2024-11-18 05:00 | Maintenance | No login, Pyroxene ×360 in mailbox |
| 2024-11-18 ~ | 2024-12-02 01:59 | Swimsuit Recruitment | Kikyou, Renge, Yukari (all Swimsuit); limited units |
| 2024-11-18 ~ | 2024-12-02 01:59 | Main Event | Story, quests, minigame, event shop, special rewards |
| 2024-11-19 02:00 | 2024-12-15 18:59 | Final Restriction | The Fury of Set (light armor), PvE challenge |
| 2024-11-25 02:00 | 2024-12-01 18:59 | Total Assault (Goz) | Boss tweaks, special mechanics, competitive ranking |
All times UTC. Refer to in-game notifications for region-specific adjustments.
Double Reward Campaigns: Resource Windfall
Distinct double reward periods for Bounties, Lessons, Missions (Hard), and Account EXP are spread from 2024-11-17 to 2024-12-01, making this a rare window for stockpiling resources. Plan stamina and daily clears accordingly:
- Bounty Double: 2024-11-17 19:00–2024-11-24 18:59 UTC
- Lesson & Hard/Account EXP Double: 2024-11-24 19:00–2024-12-01 18:59 UTC (Account EXP is shorter: 2024-11-28 19:00–2024-11-30 18:59 UTC)
Official notice also highlights Content Shop resets on 2024-11-30; spend/shop before limits refresh.
Quality-of-Life and Other System Changes
- Crafting: Additional Elephs, more furniture options in Material Synthesis and all Furniture Box tiers.
- Guaranteed Recruitment: Banner and cutscene UX changes (details in-game).
- Miscellany: Stat tuning for select PvE bosses; several new tasks, titles, and Achievement routes open post-patch.
Day-1 Priorities for 11/18 Patch
- Claim Pyroxene ×360 maintenance reward from mailbox.
- Review in-game event page for specialized student bonuses; plan team comp.
- Start the event story and farm early quests for shop currencies.
- Evaluate which Swimsuit units (if any) match your account needs before committing pulls.
Conclusion: The Takeaway for Dedicated Blue Archive Pilots
Blue Archive’s 11/18 patch launches one of the most competitive banner cycles in months, with high-value summer variants and substantial free and farmable rewards for all engagement levels. Event content leans heavily into synergy—pulling featured units confers concrete advantages during the event’s lucrative grind phases. Plan daily clears to align with double reward windows, and save outlays for the uniquely limited banners. For more advanced breakdowns, tier lists, and meta team comps, check out linked guides on EarlyGG’s Blue Archive section as the patch rolls on.
(Alt text: Screenshots depict Kikyou, Renge, and Yukari in new Swimsuit outfits; animated GIFs demonstrate event furniture interactions in the student cafe. PvE tables show attack/defense breakdowns for main bosses.)