Breathing Style Tier List - Project Slayers 2 Wiki
Current ranking of every breathing style for PvE, bossing and PvP, with the reasoning behind each placement.
Overview
Tier lists shift fast in this game. Balance changes have already pushed Serpent, Insect and Thunder into new positions since launch, so this page blends the major published rankings with the reasoning behind each placement. Build around the current patch rather than a launch-week snapshot, and keep the breathing styles overview open for kit details.
Tier List Videos Worth Watching
Two creators dominate this space: a full release-window tier list and a faster worst-to-best ranking. Watching either reveals how much of a style's value comes from combo routes rather than raw damage, which is why the style breakdown is worth reading next to any ranking.
Tier List at a Glance
This blended table reconciles the biggest published rankings rather than repeating one outlet's opinion. Placement assumes you have the core kit unlocked and at least a reasonable skill point spread, because tier lists rank combat performance and not unlock cost. Route details are on the unlock locations page.
If a style you like sits low, that is not a death sentence. Player skill, matchup knowledge and clan buffs can outweigh a tier gap, and a demanding style can still earn a high placement once you learn its routes. The Water Breathing page shows how forgiving one lower-ranked pick can be.
| Tier | Styles | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Serpent | PvP duels | Post-nerf community lists rank Serpent first overall |
| S | Water, Flame, Wind | Progression and bossing | Launch lists keep all three at the top for PvE value |
| A | Insect | Debuffs and chip damage | Biggest riser after the balance cycle, strong against tanky targets |
| B | Thunder, Stone, Sound | Burst, trades, farming | Thunder dropped from early S tier; Stone and Sound hold steady |
| Watch | Wind, Water | Strict PvP only | Both slide in duel rankings but stay excellent in PvE |
Why These Placements
Placements are not arbitrary, and the reasoning is usually consistent across outlets even when the letters differ. Damage ceilings, combo consistency and how badly a style punishes mistakes all feed the final order. Cross-check the style breakdown when a placement surprises you.
Balance patches move the whole board, and Thunder is the clearest example. Its Godspeed movement skill was toned down, and community rankings reacted by dropping the style from an early S placement into B territory. Recheck the Thunder moveset before you write it off entirely.
Serpent at the top
Slippery combo routes and awkward recovery make Serpent the hardest style to punish in a straight duel.
Water still wins PvE
Water pairs flowing pressure with its cinematic finisher, which is why progression lists keep it in S tier.
Thunder's fall
The Godspeed movement nerf took Thunder from early S tier to B on post-nerf lists, though burst picks still connect.
Flame and Wind rising
Both picked up starters and extensions, letting Flame pressure up close while Wind plays the flexible mid-range duel.
Insect as the sleeper
Poison and debuff pressure make Insect a strong answer to high-health bosses without needing perfect combos.
How to Read This Tier List
A tier list is a decision aid, not a rulebook. Use it to shortlist two or three styles that suit your habits, then verify the trainer route and material cost before you spend anything. The locations guide keeps that step honest, and the Water Breathing walkthrough shows the full unlock loop.
Identify your mode
Decide whether you care most about duels, boss farming or general questing, because the same style can rank differently in each.
Shortlist by range
Melee pressure, mid-range slashes and crowd-control kits answer different problems, so pick the range you actually enjoy.
Check the unlock cost
Level 25, 5,000 Wen, 30 Demon Horns and 5 Beast Cores apply to every trainer, so cost never separates two styles.
Test before you reset
Watch showcase footage of both shortlisted styles and compare their finishers before you commit your materials.
What Changed After Launch
Launch-week rankings and post-patch rankings tell different stories. The earliest lists placed Thunder and Water at the very top, while later comparisons moved Serpent to first and demoted both Thunder and Water. That swing is normal for a game this young, so date every ranking you read against the style breakdown instead of trusting a headline.
Most outlets agree on the middle of the board even when they argue about the top. Stone, Sound and Insect hover around A and B across sources, offering heavy trades, crowd wipes and poison pressure respectively. Those identities matter more than a letter when you are matching a style to a farm route from the locations guide.
Clan buffs can rewrite a placement too. Rengoku adds damage and burn synergy, Kamado adds raw health and stamina, and the Sabito bloodline hands Water a flat mastery boost. A clan bonus does not move a style several tiers on its own, but it does change which pick feels strongest on your account.
Picking From the List
Treat the S tier as a shortlist, not a shopping list. A style only earns its placement in your hands after you have learned the routes, so give any pick a real session before deciding it underperforms. The Thunder Breathing page is a good example of a style that lives or dies on execution.
Rankings also ignore how a style feels, which matters over a long grind. If a lower-tier kit keeps you playing while a top pick bores you, the lower pick is the better account decision. Compare the full style list and follow what you enjoy.
- Shortlist two styles instead of one
- Weight your main mode over a general ranking
- Factor in your clan buffs before deciding
- Give a new style several sessions before judging it
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best breathing style in Project Slayers 2?
There is no permanent answer because balance patches keep moving the board. Post-nerf community lists favour Serpent for duels, while Water, Flame and Wind stay near the top for progression and bossing.
Why did Thunder Breathing drop in the tier list?
Thunder's Godspeed movement skill was nerfed, and community rankings reacted by dropping it from an early S placement into B tier. Its burst combos still connect quickly in duels.
Is Water Breathing good in Project Slayers 2?
Water remains one of the strongest progression picks. It combines flowing pressure with a cinematic finisher, which is why launch lists kept it in S tier even when PvP-focused lists ranked it lower.
Which breathing style is best for PvP?
Serpent currently tops most post-nerf duel rankings because its slippery combo routes are hard to punish. Thunder and Insect are the common alternatives depending on your preferred range.
Do tier lists consider unlock cost?
No. Every style shares the same level 25, 5,000 Wen, 30 Demon Horns and 5 Beast Cores gate, so rankings compare combat performance and ignore how difficult a trainer is to reach.
How often do these rankings change?
They change whenever the developers ship a balance patch, which has already happened more than once since the September launch. Check the date on any list before you trust its order.
Should I reroll my breathing style because of a tier list?
Only if you are unhappy with the kit itself. Player skill, clan buffs and matchup knowledge outweigh a single tier gap, and a reset costs you mastery progress on the old style.
Related Guides
All Breathing Styles
How every style plays, what range it covers and which one suits your habits.
Breathing Unlock Locations
The route, level gate and materials behind each of the eight trainers.
Thunder Breathing
The nerfed burst style explained, from Zentaro's unlock route to its move list.