- Project Slayers PvE tier list: Sound Breathing is the top overall PvE pick after the latest balance patch
- Best BDA for PvE: Gyutaro (Blood Demon Art) pairs with the Sickle, the strongest weapon in the game
- Dungeon meta: Sound and Blood dominate dungeon runs and boss farming
- Recent nerf: Thunder Breathing was nerfed, dropping it out of the top three breathings
- Budget option: Insect Breathing remains a strong free alternative for both PvE and PvP
Project Slayers PvE Tier List Overview
This Project Slayers PvE tier list reflects the meta immediately after the most recent balance patch, which nerfed Thunder Breathing and buffed several other styles. The patch genuinely shuffled the rankings, so if you have not updated your build since the changes, some of your assumptions may be outdated.
Video Highlights:
- Sound Breathing ranked the best overall breathing for PvE and dungeons
- Gyutaro BDA confirmed as the top Blood Demon Art with the Sickle
- Shockwave, Dream, and Arrow boosted into A-tier after buffs
- Reaper demoted to B-tier due to weak dungeon performance
This is a mixed PvE-focused ranking. Styles are judged primarily on dungeon clears, boss fights, and farming efficiency, with PvP performance as a tiebreaker. Some placements are interchangeable depending on your weapon and clan.
Breathing Style Rankings
The breathing meta changed significantly after Thunder's nerf. Sound takes the crown for PvE thanks to its raw dungeon output, while Insect remains the best hybrid pick for players who also care about PvP.
| Rank | Breathing | PvE Rating | PvP Rating | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Sound | 5/5 | 4/5 | Best for dungeons and PvE overall, top three in PvP |
| S | Insect | 5/5 | 5/5 | Two i-frames, guard breaks, best PvP breathing |
| S | Serpent | 4/5 | 4/5 | Most versatile, full barrages, zero nerfs |
| A | Water | 4/5 | 4/5 | Three combo extenders, two guard breaks, one i-frame move |
| A | Thunder | 4/5 | 3/5 | Nerfed, no longer top three but still strong |
| B | Flame (Rengoku clan) | 3/5 | 4/5 | Broken with Rengoku clan, possibly A-tier |
| B | Stone | 3/5 | 3/5 | Solid but unremarkable |
Thunder Breathing was directly nerfed in the latest patch. If Thunder was your main dungeon build, consider switching to Sound or Water, both of which now outperform it in PvE content.
Sound - Best for Dungeons
- Best dungeon clearing speed
- Strong PvE damage output
- Still top three in PvP
- Lacks i-frame moves
Insect - Best Hybrid
- Two i-frame moves
- Guard breaks built in
- Excellent in both PvE and PvP
- Top pick for mixed content
Serpent - Most Versatile
- No nerfs so far
- Full move barrages
- Strong overall, slightly weaker in dungeons
Blood Demon Art Rankings
For demon builds, Gyutaro remains the king because it is the only BDA whose moves work with the Sickle, currently the best weapon in the game. Doma is the only other S-tier BDA, pairing with War Fans for both PvE and PvP strength.
| Rank | BDA | PvE Rating | PvP Rating | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Gyutaro (Blood) | 5/5 | 4/5 | Best dungeon BDA, works with Sickle weapon |
| S | Doma | 5/5 | 5/5 | Works with War Fans, no real downsides |
| A | Shockwave | 4/5 | 5/5 | Heavy buffs, possibly best PvP BDA |
| A | Dream | 4/5 | 4/5 | Great everywhere, stamina consumption is the only flaw |
| A | Arrow | 4/5 | 4/5 | Recently buffed, now better than Reaper |
| B | Tamari | 4/5 | 2/5 | Insane in dungeons, untested after recent buffs |
| B | Reaper | 2/5 | 4/5 | Garbage in dungeons, strong in PvP only |
Gyutaro is the only BDA that lets you use BDA moves with the Sickle, and Doma is essentially the only BDA compatible with War Fans while keeping BDA moves active. Weapon pairing is a major reason both sit in S-tier.
Reaper performs terribly in dungeon content. Even experienced players struggle to get leaderboard runs with it and often have to fall back on Sickle basics. Use it for PvP only.
How to Choose Your PvE Build
Follow these steps to pick the right build for your playstyle and current progression stage.
Define Your Content Focus
Decide whether you primarily run dungeons, farm bosses, or play PvP. Sound and Gyutaro excel at dungeons, while Insect and Shockwave favor PvP without sacrificing much PvE power.
Check Your Weapon Access
If you own the Sickle, Gyutaro BDA is the clear best pick. If you have War Fans, Doma unlocks full moveset synergy. Without these weapons, prioritize a breathing build instead.
Factor in Your Clan
The Rengoku clan dramatically upgrades Flame Breathing, potentially pushing it from B-tier to A-tier. Always evaluate breathing strength relative to your clan bonuses.
Test After Each Balance Patch
The meta shifted substantially in one patch, with Thunder falling and Water rising. Re-verify your main build after every balance update before investing mastery points.
| Build Goal | Recommended Pick | Backup Option |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest dungeon clears | Sound Breathing | Gyutaro BDA + Sickle |
| PvE and PvP hybrid | Insect Breathing | Doma BDA |
| Demon PvE farming | Gyutaro BDA | Tamari BDA |
| PvP specialist | Insect Breathing | Shockwave BDA |
PvE Progression Checklist
Track your PvE setup with this checklist before your next dungeon run.
PvE Build Essentials:
- Unlock a top-three PvE breathing (Sound, Insect, or Serpent)
- Acquire the Sickle for Gyutaro BDA synergy
- Test your full moveset combo on a training boss
- Verify your build after the latest balance patch
- Complete a leaderboard-tier dungeon run
This ranking is current as of September 2026. Because the balance patch just released, some placements (especially Water, Thunder, and Tamari) may shift as players test the buffs more thoroughly.
FAQ
Q: What is the best PvE build in Project Slayers right now?
Sound Breathing is widely considered the best overall PvE pick after the latest patch. It is the strongest breathing for dungeons and remains top three in PvP. For demons, Gyutaro BDA with the Sickle is the best PvE setup.
Q: Is Thunder Breathing still good after the nerf?
Thunder is still a solid A-tier breathing, but it is no longer top three. Water Breathing is currently rated slightly above it thanks to three combo extenders, two guard breaks, and an i-frame move.
Q: Which BDA is best for dungeons in this Project Slayers PvE tier list?
Gyutaro (Blood) is the best dungeon BDA because it works with the Sickle, the strongest weapon in the game. Doma and Tamari are also excellent dungeon performers.
Q: Do I need the Rengoku clan for Flame Breathing?
Flame Breathing is significantly stronger with the Rengoku clan, potentially reaching A-tier. Without the clan, Flame sits around B-tier and is rarely seen in high-level play.