NIKKE 2.5th Anniversary Update: New SSR Units and Costumes —
NIKKE 2.5th Anniversary adds Mihara: Bonding Chain, Little Mermaid, Mori, and exclusive costumes. Here’s how the banners and free rewards could impact
Max Johnson NIKKE 2.5th Anniversary: Major Banners, Power Shifts, and Free SSR Mori
The 2.5th Anniversary of Goddess of Victory: NIKKE marks one of the game’s most meta-relevant updates since launch, timed to reshape the SSR landscape as competitive and F2P players plan their resources for the coming months. Announced with patch 2.5.0 (release date: 2025-04-19, server time not stated in official materials), this update debuts three SSR units—Mihara: Bonding Chain, Little Mermaid, and Mori—alongside premier costumes, broadening team-building and reroll paths for both veterans and newer Commanders.
Below, EarlyGG’s meta analysts break down the real impact of these banners, new team comps, and the limited-time free rewards, so you can optimize pulls and prep without falling for hidden traps.
At a Glance: NIKKE 2.5th Anniversary Key Facts
- Update release: 2025-04-19 (exact hour and server/TZ not stated in official materials)
- SSR banner debuts: Mihara: Bonding Chain, Little Mermaid, Mori
- Free 5★ SSR: One copy of Mori awarded to all players; up to three additional via event selection
- Costume event/skins: New limited costumes for Mihara (Pain Eater), Little Mermaid (Abyss Flower), Grave ("Beautiful You"), Cinderella ("Beautiful Me")
- Voice talent: Little Mermaid (Monique Thomas); Mori (Katiana Sarkissian, known from Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact, Fallout 76)
- Anniversary selection box: Choose up to three more copies of select units (Mori confirmable; others not stated)
Banner Phases & SSR Release Table
| Banner Phase | Start Date | End Date | Featured Unit(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniversary SSR #1 | 2025-04-19 | Not stated | Mihara: Bonding Chain |
| Anniversary SSR #2 | 2025-04-19 | Not stated | Little Mermaid |
| Free SSR – Event | 2025-04-19 | Not stated | Mori (obtainable, incl. through event selection box) |
Exact end dates and server time zones were not specified in available official materials. Players should refer to in-game announcements for live timers.
Thesis on Meta Impact
Little Mermaid’s arrival as a new Pilgrim Support with universal offensive buffs and debuffs can disrupt the current support meta, particularly in Wind comps. Mihara: Bonding Chain, with sustained DPS and thematic synergy, offers alternative attacker options for non-Pilgrim teams in sustained damage scenarios. Meanwhile, Mori’s defender kit and widespread free distribution are likely to reshape early- and mid-game team archetypes, especially for players looking to clear challenge content without premium pulls.
Testing Notes & Initial Consensus
Official patch notes and SHIFT UP live streams highlight Mihara’s conversion into a high-DDC sustained DPS, with Anecdotal testing from CN and JP server whales suggests Mihara is viable both in F2P and high-investment comps (pending full skill/stat translation). Little Mermaid’s kit anchors around early burst/ER (Energy Recharge) optimization and potent attack buffs, providing answers to current PvE boss phases reliant on timed offensive windows. Mori’s free availability is already drawing praise in player communities, with consensus that she is a low-commitment pickup for Tower/defense clears, though late-game scaling is under review.
Notably, the costume releases are confirmed visual-only and do not affect stats, per official event announcement. Players focused solely on performance may skip these unless character loyalty or completionist rewards are a factor.
Team Synergies & Core Compositions
Recommended Comps
- Little Mermaid (Support):
- Optimal: Little Mermaid + Scarlet + Snow White + Liter + Modernia
- Why: Stacking Mermaid’s buffs with Scarlet or Modernia maximizes overall DPS ceiling and enables burst phase skipping for critical bosses.
- Budget: Little Mermaid + Helm + Rapi + Exia + Anis
- Why: Offers robust attack buffs even for F2P, with decent Wind synergy.
- Mihara: Bonding Chain (Attacker):
- Optimal: Mihara + Alice + Rupee + Centi + Crow
- Why: Chain burst cycles and AoE sustain for campaign stages; fast rotations with moderate healing support.
- Mori (Defender):
- Optimal: Mori + Noise + Emma + Diesel + N102
- Why: Tank stabilization and ENR (energy regen) enable smoother clears of defense missions.
Note: Actual breakpoints for stat priorities/ER thresholds were not stated in official materials and may require on-release adjustment.
Build Notes and Preparation Checklist
- Artifacts/Equipment:
- Mihara: Focus on ATK%, CRIT, and Fire code gear; ER target (Not stated)
- Little Mermaid: Prioritize HP%, Energy Recharge, Wind code-specific bonuses
- Mori: DEF, HP%, Damage Taken Down; prioritize survivability gear
- Materials: Standard SSR ascension mats per unit code; double-check event stores for event-limited ascension items
- Preparation:
- Clean out event stamina daily for currency/box exchange
- Complete all NIKKE selection event daily/weekly missions for max Mori copies
Events & Rewards Breakdown
- Free SSR—Mori: Auto-granted in mailbox at event start; no purchase or banner pulls required
- Anniversary Selection Box: Up to three SSRs (Mori confirmed; full pool not detailed)
- Costumes:
- "Pain Eater" Mihara: Cosmetic, available via event shop or premium purchase
- "Abyss Flower" Little Mermaid: Released at banner debut
- "Beautiful You" Grave / "Beautiful Me" Cinderella: Shop debut date TBA (official start time not stated)
- Voice Talent: New English voiceovers deepen immersion (full voice cast in official patch notes)
Should You Pull? Banner Analysis
F2P/Low-Spend Guidance:
– Mori is a guaranteed acquisition and upgrade for most teams—max her for simple progress.
– Little Mermaid as a Pilgrim support is rare but potentially high-impact. If you’re low on Universal Pilgrim Manuals or stone-capped, she’s a strong investment—but be aware of always-limited Pilgrim banners and possible rerun cadence (not stated by the developer).
– Mihara: Bonding Chain appeals most to players invested in sustained DPS or Fire comps. Our current analysis: strong, but context-dependent.
– Opportunity Cost: With anticipated reruns or limited banners approaching for the 3rd Anniversary (see NIKKE 3rd Anniversary: Patch 3.0 Update), consider saving Core Dust and advanced tickets unless these units fill a high-scarcity team slot.
Pity and Rates:
– Standard SSR pity and banner rates apply (no special pity or double rates stated in patch notes as of this publication).
– Anniversary selection box guarantee is unique for this event window.
Takeaway: What Commanders Should Watch Next
t> The 2.5th Anniversary update meaningfully raises the power ceiling for both new and established Commanders, especially by granting immediate access to a free SSR and significantly expanding the team-building toolkit with two versatile new units. As banner and costume schedules continue to evolve (with the next major milestone slated for the 3.0 Patch), careful pull planning is recommended for Commanders aiming to futureproof their rosters against PvE walls and PvP fluctuations.
Stay up to date with future NIKKE patches, banner rumors, and reward optimizations by following EarlyGG’s NIKKE coverage.
Suggested visual additions:
– A comparative grid showing Mihara, Little Mermaid, Mori basic stats and synergy notes (alt: team comp icons)
– Gallery of new costumes with accessible alt text (e.g., “Grave in formal blue anniversary attire—neutral pose”)
For updates, reference only official in-game notices and patch notes. All other details not stated in official SHIFT UP or in-game materials should be treated as unconfirmed and subject to change.