Best Closed Back Headphones for Competitive MMO Players Under 200: Blow up the Crowd

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Finding the right gear to dominate the urban landscape is the top priority for any serious Hethereau hunter looking to maximize their damage output.

# Blow up the Crowd: Best Closed Back Headphones for Competitive MMO Players Under 200

Blow up the Crowd is the premier S-Rank Solid Arc in Neverness to Everness, functioning as Haniel's signature "headphones." It provides a 10% off-field ATK buff and up to 12% Psyche DMG, making it the best F2P-friendly choice for competitive builds. This [S-Rank Solid Arc](https://www.bluestacks.com/blog/game-guides/neverness-to-everness/nte-weapons-guide-en.html) is widely considered the best "headphone" themed gear for players who want to maintain a competitive edge in the game's high-intensity MMO-style combat without spending a fortune on premium gacha pulls.

## Stats

As an S-Rank weapon, [Blow up the Crowd](https://neverness.gg/db/arcs/blow-up-the-crowd/) offers some of the highest offensive growth in the game. It is designed to scale effectively into the late game, providing a massive boost to raw power that is essential for clearing high-level anomalies in the city.

### Base Attributes and Rarity

The weapon belongs to the Solid Arc category, which generally focuses on physical and psyche-based damage dealers. Its rarity is designated as S-Rank (Orange), placing it in the highest tier of equipment currently available in the [Neverness to Everness weapon roster](https://www.bluestacks.com/blog/game-guides/neverness-to-everness/nte-weapons-guide-en.html). 

At Level 1, the weapon starts with a competitive base attack that quickly outpaces A-Rank alternatives. By the time it reaches its maximum level, it provides the following stats:

| Level | Base ATK | Substat (ATK%) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1 | 48 | 6.0% |
| 20 | 124 | 10.2% |
| 40 | 256 | 15.8% |
| 60 | 388 | 21.4% |
| 80 | 512 | 27.5% |

### Substat Scaling and Priority

The primary substat for Blow up the Crowd is ATK%. This makes it a universal choice for damage dealers, as almost every offensive skill in the game scales directly with this value. While some specialized Arcs might offer Critical Rate or Critical Damage, the high [27.5% ATK bonus](https://neverness.gg/db/arcs/blow-up-the-crowd/) at Level 80 ensures that your character has a high damage floor, which is often more reliable during the chaotic rotations of competitive MMO-style raids.

### Ascension Requirements

To reach the maximum level of 80, players must undergo several stages of ascension. Each stage requires a set of currency and specific upgrade materials that are categorized by the Arc's type. For a Solid Arc like Blow up the Crowd, players will need to gather resources typically found in the urban districts through exploration and combat.

The ascension process is divided into six tiers. While the specific names of the rarest components are often tied to high-level anomaly drops, players can expect to spend a significant amount of Fons (the primary in-game currency) at each step. The materials required generally include varying rarities of Solid-type enhancement items and essence dropped by anomalies found throughout the city streets. As the weapon reaches higher tiers, the rarity of these required materials increases, necessitating more frequent trips into dangerous zones like [Illusion Town](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ).

## Effect

The true power of Blow up the Crowd lies in its unique passive, which allows it to function as both a personal damage booster and a team-wide utility tool.

### The 'Beat King' Passive Explained

The signature effect of these "headphones" is known as [Beat King](https://neverness.gg/db/arcs/blow-up-the-crowd/). This passive is split into two distinct parts:

1.  **Off-field Utility:** When the character wearing Blow up the Crowd is swapped out, the active character on the field receives a flat 10% ATK buff. This makes the weapon incredible for sub-DPS characters or supports who only stay on the field for a short time to cast their abilities.
2.  **On-field Buff:** While the wearer is on the field, they receive an immediate 12% increase to their Psyche DMG. Furthermore, every Basic Attack landed by the wearer grants an additional 2% damage stack. These stacks can be triggered every 2 seconds and can stack up to 10 times, leading to a massive total damage increase during prolonged fights.

### Mixing Levels and Refinement Bonuses

Mixing (the game's version of weapon refinement) allows players to fuse duplicate copies of the Arc to enhance the Beat King passive. For competitive players, reaching Mixing Level 5 is the goal, as it significantly boosts the percentages provided by the weapon.

| Mixing Level | Off-field ATK Buff | Base Psyche DMG Bonus | Stack Damage Bonus |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1 | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| 2 | 12.5% | 15% | 2.5% |
| 3 | 15% | 18% | 3% |
| 4 | 17.5% | 21% | 3.5% |
| 5 | 20% | 24% | 4% |

At max refinement, the [20% off-field ATK buff](https://neverness.gg/db/arcs/blow-up-the-crowd/) makes this weapon one of the most efficient stat-sticks in the game, rivaling even the rarest limited-time Arcs.

### Off-Field vs. On-Field Performance

In a competitive environment, rotation efficiency is key. Blow up the Crowd is unique because it rewards both styles of play. For a main DPS who stays on the field, the stacking mechanism ensures that their damage ramps up as the fight continues. For a quick-swap character, the off-field buff ensures that the main damage dealer is always hitting as hard as possible. This versatility is why many players consider it the best "under 200" (referring to the relatively low cost of obtaining it compared to high-pity premium weapons) gear for any Solid-type user.

## Best On (Characters)

While Blow up the Crowd is a versatile Arc, certain characters can unlock its full potential more effectively than others.

### Haniel: The Ultimate Synergy

Haniel is the intended user for this Arc, and her kit reflects that perfectly. As a Psyche-element character who often functions in a sub-DPS or support role, she benefits from every single aspect of the [Beat King passive](https://www.icy-veins.com/neverness-to-everness/characters/haniel-build-guide). Her abilities allow her to trigger Basic Attack stacks quickly before swapping out to a main DPS, who then inherits the 10% ATK buff. The synergy here is so strong that using any other weapon on Haniel often feels like a significant downgrade in overall team performance.

### Alternative Solid-Type Users

If you don't have Haniel, or if you have multiple copies of this Arc, several other characters can make great use of it:

*   **Hotori:** Hotori thrives on Solid-type scaling. While she doesn't deal Psyche DMG, the raw ATK% substat and the off-field buff make her a potent support when equipped with these headphones.
*   **Jiuyuan:** For players focusing on raw damage output, Jiuyuan can utilize the high base ATK of an S-Rank Arc to overwhelm enemies. The basic attack stacking mechanism fits her aggressive playstyle perfectly.
*   **Zero (Cosmos):** While Zero often prefers her own signature gear, Blow up the Crowd serves as a top-tier alternative for players who haven't pulled for her specific Arc. The Psyche DMG bonus is particularly useful for certain builds of Zero that focus on elemental interactions.

### Competitive MMO-Style Team Roles

In the context of the game's competitive MMO elements, such as multi-player raids and time-trial challenges, Blow up the Crowd defines the "Buffer-DPS" role. A player using Haniel with this weapon can contribute meaningful damage while simultaneously providing a constant stat boost to their teammates. This dual-purpose functionality is essential for optimizing clear times in endgame content.

## How to Get

One of the reasons Blow up the Crowd is so highly recommended is that it is surprisingly accessible for a top-tier S-Rank weapon.

### Unlocking the Rhythm Master Commission

The most reliable way to get your first copy of this weapon for free is through the [Rhythm Master Commission](https://www.bluestacks.com/blog/game-guides/neverness-to-everness/nte-weapons-guide-en.html). This is a special questline located in **Illusion Town**. To unlock it, players must reach a specific Urban Level and complete the prerequisite story chapters associated with the district's anomalies. Once unlocked, the commission tasks the player with a series of rhythm-based challenges and combat encounters that culminate in a final confrontation.

### Beat King Boss Strategy Guide

The final step of the Rhythm Master Commission involves defeating the [Beat King boss](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ) in Illusion Town. This anomaly uses sound-based attacks that can disorient the player if they aren't careful. 

*   **Phase 1:** The boss sends out circular shockwaves. You must jump or dash through these to avoid taking heavy damage.
*   **Phase 2:** The boss creates "Sound Zones" on the ground. Staying inside these will drain your energy, so constant movement is required.
*   **Weakness:** The Beat King is particularly vulnerable to Psyche-type damage. Using Haniel or other Psyche characters will allow you to break the boss's posture bar much faster, leading to a massive damage window.

Defeating this boss for the first time guarantees a drop of the Blow up the Crowd Arc, making it a "must-do" for any competitive player.

### Gacha and Pity Mechanics

Beyond the free copy, additional copies for Mixing can be obtained through the [Miracle Box Gacha](https://www.bluestacks.com/blog/game-guides/neverness-to-everness/nte-weapons-guide-en.html). It is part of the standard pool, meaning it can appear on both the standard and limited Arc banners. 

For those who want to guarantee their refinements, the **Arc Research Program** allows players to target specific S-Rank weapons. Under this system, you are guaranteed an S-Rank Arc within 60 pulls, and you can set your "Path" to prioritize Blow up the Crowd, ensuring you don't waste pulls on gear you don't need.

## Comparison

To understand why Blow up the Crowd is the best "under 200" option, it helps to see how it stacks up against other popular choices in the current meta.

### Blow up the Crowd vs. Real Music

Real Music is the A-Rank (Purple) version of headphone-style Arcs. While it is much easier to obtain and refine, it simply cannot compete with the raw stats of an S-Rank. [Real Music](https://neverness.gg/db/arcs/real-music/) provides a smaller ATK buff and lacks the Psyche DMG scaling that makes Blow up the Crowd so potent. If you are just starting out, Real Music is a fine placeholder, but you should aim to replace it with Blow up the Crowd as soon as you unlock the Illusion Town commissions.

### Blow up the Crowd vs. Day Off

Day Off is another S-Rank Solid Arc that many players consider. However, [Day Off](https://neverness.gg/db/arcs/day-off/) focuses heavily on Energy Recharge and Ultimate uptime. While this is great for characters who rely solely on their bursts, it offers very little in terms of raw damage and team-wide buffs. In a competitive setting where every bit of ATK matters, Blow up the Crowd is generally the superior choice for maximizing DPS.

### Why It's the Best 'Under 200' (Budget/F2P) Option

In the world of *Neverness to Everness*, "under 200" often refers to the number of pulls or the investment required to fully deck out a character. Because you can get one copy entirely for free and target the rest through a relatively low-pity gacha system, Blow up the Crowd represents the best value for your time and resources. It provides premium-level performance without the need for the heavy financial investment often seen in other high-end competitive gear.

Whether you are pushing for the top of the leaderboards or just want a reliable set of "headphones" to carry you through the story, Blow up the Crowd is the definitive choice for any Solid-type user in the current version of the game.

## Sources

- bluestacks.com — https://www.bluestacks.com/blog/game-guides/neverness-to-everness/nte-weapons-guide-en.html
- icy-veins.com — https://www.icy-veins.com/neverness-to-everness/characters/haniel-build-guide
- neverness.gg — https://neverness.gg/db/arcs/blow-up-the-crowd/
- youtube.com — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

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