The 3.5th-anniversary update for Goddess of Victory: NIKKE has arrived. While it's a common sentiment with every anniversary and half-anniversary update, this one is being hailed as the optimal time for new and returning players to jump in. In particular, this update offers the chance to build a higher-quality deck than ever before.

New players should definitely take note of the free SSR fully limit-broken NIKKE giveaway. This time, 'Avis' is being distributed. While Avis' performance itself isn't groundbreaking, the key is that you can obtain four copies. NIKKE uses a system called 'Synchro Device' for leveling, and you need four fully limit-broken SSR units to advance your NIKKEs beyond level 160.

While there are more ways to obtain SSR NIKKEs now than in the past, making the barrier to entry lower, this remains a valuable benefit. Participating in this event will significantly shorten the time needed for progression.

What new and returning players need most are free gacha tickets. For the 3.5th anniversary, you can perform between 130 and 166 free pulls.

Getting these free pulls isn't difficult. You can pull for 'Anis: Sparkling Summer' upon login, and the upcoming 'Neon: Blue Ocean' will also be available for one free pull per day. Most other rewards are obtained through basic login bonuses and attendance checks, with additional items available via simple daily quests.

Growth materials are also provided in abundance. You can secure various resources through the event, and this patch has also increased the rewards for Interception.

The biggest advantage of returning for the 3.5th anniversary is the performance of the NIKKEs you can acquire. Right now, you can compose your entire 1-2-3 Burst lineup with Tier zero units.

The pickup for 'Anis: Sparkling Summer' (Anis) is currently underway. Anis is considered the strongest Burst 1 NIKKE in the current meta. She possesses a base Burst cooldown reduction effect, powerful attack-related buffs, and high base stats. It's safe to say there is no better Burst 1 unit than Anis right now. Furthermore, her versatility is excellent, as she can also function as a re-user and healer if you add another Burst 1 NIKKE to the team.

You can also obtain Crown, the undisputed top-tier Burst II character. Crown is available through the 3.5th-anniversary event, 'STAR TRAIL.' In this event, you earn special points based on your spending to unlock various rewards. Upon reaching 950 points, you can claim the 'End of the Trail' reward, which allows you to choose one of the following: Dorothy, Crown, or Mihara: Bonding Chain. Since Crown is considered one of the best-performing Nikkes overall—not just among Burst II characters—you won't regret choosing her.

For the Burst 3 slot, 'Neon: Blue Ocean' (Neon) is waiting. Neon's pickup begins on Thursday, April 30. Neon is a Burst 3 firepower-type dealer, and while only her skills have been revealed so far, the tooltips suggest high performance, and she is expected to be a great help in stage progression.

The 3.5th-anniversary event includes a dedicated mini-game, 'TRACING THE STAR.' While it's not rare for large events to include mini-games, the quality of 'TRACING THE STAR' is on a level that makes it hard to compare to previous ones. This mini-game is a rhythm game that synergizes perfectly with NIKKE's signature OST. With difficulties ranging from easy to challenging, some users are even starting NIKKE just to play this rhythm game.

Players who enjoy the story also have plenty to look forward to. The Side Story added in the pre-anniversary update and the new Main Story are being praised for raising the bar for NIKKE's narrative once again. With the ongoing story event focusing on the protagonists' arcs, this update is sure to satisfy story fans as well.