Slayers 2 Breathing Tier List: Best Styles for PvP and PvE

In Slayers 2, your Breathing Style defines almost your entire approach to combat. Some styles are better for chasing opponents in the arena, others kill bosses faster, and some only reach their full potential after you roll the right clan. Copying old tier lists can be risky, however. The developers have repeatedly adjusted attack speed, damage, crowd control, and defensive mechanics, so yesterday's underdog can easily become one of today's strongest options. We have ranked all eight current Breathing Styles, explained their strengths, and broken down who should choose each one.

Slayers 2 Breathing Style tier list

S tier contains the strongest and most versatile styles in the current balance. A tier includes excellent options with more specific strengths that can match the leaders in the right situations. B tier contains viable specializations that demand more execution or are less consistent than their competitors. Among the eight starting Breathing Styles, we currently do not consider any option weak enough to recommend avoiding it entirely.

• S tier: Wind Breathing, Flame Breathing. The best all-around options. Wind is especially dangerous in skilled hands and PvP, while Flame is easier to learn and more convenient for PvE.
• A tier: Stone Breathing, Thunder Breathing, Insect Breathing, Water Breathing, Sound Breathing. Strong builds for specific purposes, including survivability, mobility, poison, control, and group clearing.
• B tier: Serpent Breathing, also called Snake Breathing. A dangerous style for experienced duelists, but its attacks require more precise timing.

S tier: Best Breathing Styles in Slayers 2

Wind Breathing: Best for PvP and advanced combos

Wind ranks much higher after a series of buffs, and the improvement is not only about raw damage. Its attacks chain together well, make it difficult for opponents to sit safely behind block, and let you maintain pressure from different ranges. That matters especially in PvP. Winning the first exchange is not enough if the target can simply escape your next attack. Wind is better than many other styles at keeping the initiative once you gain it.In update V0.2, the opening move Mountain Wind received a 30% damage increase, while the held version of Whirlwind Cutter gained hyper armor. That makes the attack harder to interrupt with an ordinary hit, but it does not make the player invulnerable. Wind had also previously received improvements to block damage and the speed of several attacks, including its ranged whirlwind. Together, those changes are what pushed the style into S tier for us.The main weakness is its high execution requirement. You need to understand spacing, know when to use tap and held versions of moves, and avoid throwing every strong attack into empty space. The best clan pairing is Shinazugawa, which reinforces Wind's aggressive playstyle. If you are still learning the combat system, Flame may produce better results more quickly even though Wind has more potential in difficult duels.

Flame Breathing: Best all-around style for farming

We recommend Flame to players who want one strong style for regular enemies, bosses, and occasional fights with other players. It has a fast approach tool, a ranged attack, a counter, and powerful finishing moves. Unlike Wind, Flame does not constantly demand long combo routes built around extremely precise stun windows. Its main combat patterns are noticeably easier to learn.After the updates, its opening dash became faster, while the held version of Flame Tiger became more reliable for finishing a sequence of attacks. In V0.2, the counter Flame Undulation also gained the ability to break block. Opponents can no longer simply turtle after a failed attack. The counter still should not be used mindlessly because it can be baited and punished if it misses.The Flame Breathing + Rengoku clan pairing is especially strong. The clan helps reinforce Fire damage and pressure during longer fights, although V0.25 reduced part of its passive burn damage. That does not remove Flame's main advantage: a straightforward, powerful, and relatively reliable moveset. For a beginner who manages to obtain this style, Flame is our first choice.

A tier: Strong styles for bosses and PvP

Stone Breathing: Defense, hyper armor, and bosses

Stone suits players who like meeting an opponent head-on and answering with heavy attacks. Its strengths are resistance to interruption, defense, and the ability to break block. Hyper armor does not absorb incoming damage, however, so standing inside every boss attack and hoping it carries you through will not work. Good timing when entering melee range and understanding enemy animations are still important.In V0.2, Stone's first three offensive abilities on Z, X, and C began dealing 30% more damage to regular enemies and bosses. The opening attack also gained hyper armor, making the style more convincing not only in duels but also in PvE. Its main weakness remains the same: fast opponents can keep their distance and force you to spend resources closing the gap. Stone pairs especially well with the Himejima clan.

Thunder Breathing: Speed and chasing enemies

Thunder was long considered an almost mandatory choice for duels, but after several nerfs it no longer dominates the ranking uncontested. Its old strength came from fast lunges, stuns, and the ability to close distance almost instantly. Those strengths are still there. Against a player who does not track movement well, Thunder remains extremely dangerous. Experienced opponents, however, now have more opportunities to survive the opening pressure and punish a reckless dash.In V0.2, movement speed during Godspeed increased from 50 to 65, while the Z and X attacks gained 25% bonus damage against NPCs and bosses. At the same time, ranked PvP made Godspeed worse at breaking block and introduced a target-lock restriction at the very start of the movement. Farming performance therefore should not be treated as a direct indicator of ranked-arena strength. The best specialized clan pairing is Agatsuma.

Insect Breathing: Fast attacks and poison

Insect is built around mobile attacks, close-range pressure, and poisoning enemies. It used to rank fairly low because of predictable lunges and high stamina demands. The developers have since improved most of the weaknesses that made its combos difficult to use effectively, so older tier lists no longer reflect its current state. The style still punishes poor timing when starting an attack.Patch V0.2 increased the first ability's damage scaling from 42% to 57%, while two moves gained 30% block damage. The jumping lunge became faster and traveled farther, the held attack began consuming less stamina, and the ultimate received a 25% damage increase. Combined with the Kocho clan, this creates a dangerous setup for players who enjoy fast attack strings and poison. V0.25 did reduce the clan's passive poison damage, so the build should not rely on that effect alone.

Water Breathing: Control and a safe way to learn combat

Water remains one of the most flexible Breathing Styles. It has tools for closing distance, controlling targets, and protecting yourself in dangerous moments. That makes it a good choice for players who do not want to commit entirely to aggressive PvP or boss farming. Strong moves such as Water Wheel and Dead Calm let you change the pace of a fight instead of simply trading damage. Versatility does not mean the style has no limitations, however.Previous changes made some Water combos less reliable, especially in ranked PvP, where certain stun windows were shortened. V0.25 then changed how Dead Calm works in group fights. While an opponent is locked into its animation, only the player using the move can damage that target. This protects the sequence from third-party interference but also prevents allies from adding damage while the move is active. The Tomioka clan is particularly useful for Water, and the style remains a confident A-tier option.

Sound Breathing: Group fights and block breaking

Sound is interesting for players who prefer controlling space and linking abilities into longer sequences. Its explosive attacks can keep opponents at a comfortable distance, while in PvE they help against multiple targets at once. The style is particularly effective in a group where teammates can capitalize on the pressure it creates. In a solo duel, however, mistakes with spacing and knockback can sometimes break your own combo.In an earlier patch, Roar regained its block break, which noticeably increased the style's value against defensive opponents. Other moves still carry the effects of older nerfs, so the full kit should not be treated as an endless chain of free stuns. The main clan synergy is Uzui, which provides bonuses for team play and the style's musical mechanics. If you often farm with friends or enjoy controlling space, Sound can feel more useful than some styles that rank higher on paper.

B tier: Is Serpent Breathing worth using?

Serpent Breathing: Difficult duels and single-target pressure

Serpent is far from useless. It has rapid movement, strong single-target attacks, and tools for continuing pressure after a successful approach. In experienced hands, the kit can punish an opponent's mistake very quickly. The problem is that several moves require you to gain the advantage first. Otherwise, the opponent has enough time to block, retreat, or interrupt the opening of your combo. For that reason, we rank it below more reliable alternatives overall.After balance changes, some attacks lost range while one of the main lunges gained a longer startup. That matters especially in PvP. A stylish move still has to connect with an opponent who has no intention of standing still. One important grab mechanic temporarily protects the captured target from attacks by other players, which means teammates cannot always add damage when they want to. The best pairing is the Iguro clan, but the clan does not remove the need to learn the range and timing of each attack.

Best Breathing Styles for PvP and PvE

If you want the most useful style for your character, start by asking which mode you spend more time in. PvP rewards fast startups, initiative, block breaking, and the ability to stop an opponent from escaping a combo. In PvE, consistent boss damage, multi-target attacks, and safety during longer fights matter more. The same ability can therefore look excellent against monsters and much weaker in the arena.

• Best PvP choice: Wind Breathing. It combines block pressure, strict stuns, ranged options, and a hyper-armor move. Thunder is a strong alternative for chasing, while Water offers control.
• Best all-around PvE choice: Flame Breathing. Straightforward attacks, useful range, and Rengoku synergy make it a strong farming option. Stone becomes especially interesting for bosses after its NPC damage buffs.
• Best for group clearing: Sound Breathing. It helps control enemies and creates openings that allies can use.
• Best for fast duels and chasing: Thunder Breathing. Speed remains its most important advantage even after the nerfs.
• Best for poison-focused players: Insect Breathing. V0.2 improved it substantially, especially when paired with Kocho.
• Best for cautious control-focused play: Water Breathing. It is versatile and has strong defensive tools, especially in experienced hands.

When choosing a style for boss farming, do not assume that a stun bonus against players guarantees the same control over NPCs. Bosses have their own reactions to attacks, while actual kill speed depends on your gear and skill sequence. Stone, Flame, and Insect can therefore trade places depending on the encounter. The developers have not published an official universal ranking based on measured clear times.

Which Breathing Style should a beginner choose?

If you have only just started Slayers 2, choose Flame when you have the opportunity to learn it. Its moveset is easy to understand, its range is solid, and its strongest attacks are useful before you master perfect PvP combos. Water is also beginner-friendly thanks to control and defense, while Thunder appeals to players who enjoy fast movement. You do not need to chase Wind immediately just because it is in S tier. Without practice, you may get less value from it than from a simpler style.Do not forget your clan either. Shinazugawa pairs with Wind, Rengoku with Flame, Agatsuma with Thunder, Tomioka with Water, Himejima with Stone, Kocho with Insect, Iguro with Serpent, and Uzui with Sound. Some bonuses are tied directly to a specific Breathing Style, so a rare clan by itself does not guarantee a strong build. Before switching styles, consider what your character already has and whether you actually enjoy the style's combat mechanics.

How to get and change a Breathing Style in Slayers 2

To learn a Breathing Style, progress along the Demon Slayer path and reach Level 25. Then find the trainer for the style you want, check the material requirements, and complete the training tasks. Simply speaking to the NPC is not enough. New moves unlock during training and can then be developed with skill points. Different trainers may require Wen, Demon Horns, other materials, or additional access conditions.You can change your Breathing Style, but it is not a free switch between two completed ability sets. As of V0.25, the reset in the shop costs 7 Ore or 100 Robux, and the skill points invested into your previous Breathing tree are refunded. You still need to meet the new trainer's requirements for the style you want to learn. Check the price in-game before spending anything because a future update may change it.

Will the tier list change after future updates?

Slayers 2 receives balance adjustments fairly often. The most notable recent changes came with V0.2, including buffs to Wind, Stone, and Insect, adjustments to Thunder, and reworks to several defensive moves. V0.25 focused more on Dead Calm, bonuses from certain clans, and equipment. The current ranking should therefore not be treated as permanent for the entire life of the game.If you only want one short recommendation, Wind is our pick for experienced PvP players, Flame for beginners and regular PvE, and Stone for players who enjoy heavy boss fights. The other styles still have clear strengths. Thunder is excellent at chasing targets, Sound helps a group, Water provides control, Insect works well with a poison setup, and Serpent rewards precise dueling. The important part is choosing a style for the content you actually play rather than only looking at the letter next to its name.