Swordmaster

The Swordmaster is a combat physical class that debuted in Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War.

History in the Series[]

The Swordmaster class frequently appears in the Fire Emblem series, most often as a promoted form of the Myrmidon class. Swordmasters, like their name suggests, are unparalleled masters of the Sword.

In its original inception in Genealogy of the Holy War, the Swordmaster acts as one of two classes that the then newly-introduced Sword Fighter class can promote into, the other being the Hero class. As the class name suggests, Swordmasters are only able to use swords, and in Genealogy, the class is exclusive to Ayra, her daughter Larcei, and Shanan. Unlike its appearance in later titles, this incarnation of the Swordmaster has very high strength, and despite possessing high skill, Swordmasters are not able to perform critical hits without the critical skill or other unique factors.

In Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, the Swordmaster returns again as a promotion of the Swordfighter class. While no longer possessing high strength, Swordmasters are now able to perform critical hits without need of a specific skill to do so. Swordmasters possess the continue skill.

Beginning from Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, the Swordmaster class is cleanly separated from the Hero class, instituted as the staple promoted form of the Sword Fighter/Myrmidon class.

The Blade Lord Lyndis from Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade and the Great Lord Eirika from Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones function similar to the Swordmaster class, given the fact that they share similar stat caps, growths, and can use the Wo Dao/Shamshir.

In Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, the Swordmaster class is further able to promote into the Trueblade class when the necessary requirements are fulfilled.

In Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE, the Swordmaster class is one of the promotion classes for Navarre. Enemy Mirages of this class are called Platinum Swordmasters, and they can be found in various locations. They are the final form of the Ironclad Myrmidon Mirages.

In Fire Emblem Fates, the Swordmaster class is treated as a Hoshidan class. The class is again one of the promoted forms of the Myrmidon/Samurai class.

In Fire Emblem Warriors, Swordmaster is the promoted class of Owain, with the Hoshidan variant of Swordmaster being the base class of Ryoma, which makes it unique among the classes of that game.

In Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the Swordmaster Class is an optional promoted class of the Commoner or Noble class if the unit passes the Certification Exam at Lv. 20 with a Sword Skill Level of A or higher and an Advanced Seal.

In Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, the Swordmaster appears as the game's sole promotion from the Mercenary class, due to the absence of the Hero class in a playable capacity. It also functions as an intermediate promotion between Shez and Byleth's unique classes.

Other Games[]

In TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga Swordmasters promote from the Sword Fighter class. The class's bases and stat cap focus on speed and skill at the expense of defense and power.

In Vestaria Saga I, the Swordmaster is the promotion of the Swordfighter class. It wields Swords and Greatswords.

Overview[]

Combat[]

While the Defense of Swordmasters has risen since their promotion from Myrmidon, it is still considered to be comparatively lower than a number of other classes. While this remains a glaring weakness that the class carries over from its previous form, so too do its strengths. More prominent amongst these are its high Skill and Speed and generally average Strength, making for the delivery of attacks that are strong, swift and accurate. The high Speed of Swordmasters also renders them experts of evasion, allowing them to engage in very effective combat when facing against tougher bosses.

The two skills Swordmasters can learn in Awakening and Fates are Astra and Swordfaire. When Astra is activated (the trigger percentage equals Skill divided by 2), the user unleashes five consecutive strikes at half damage, dealing a maximum of 2.5 times the normal damage. However, units with Astra should be especially careful around Counter units if they are engaging in melee combat, because the individual half-damage strikes from the skill's activation are less likely to secure kills on their own, and thus, are more likely to incur damaging - and possibly, even fatal - backlash. Swordfaire boosts the user's Strength by 5 if they are wielding a sword (Magic is upped by 5 if the user has a Levin Sword). Swordmasters tend to have average or below average Strength and poor Magic growths, so this skill is good for rectifying that problem.

Attacking these units outside their range with other high-accuracy classes with Magic or Bows is recommended, but only if the ranged unit in question is also blocked by a stronger class to prevent the Swordmaster's advance. Exploiting their flaws is therefore effectively easier when attacking behind walls, as their Resistance is generally quite low. However, the new Weapon Triangle in Fates puts bows at a disadvantage against swords, so attempting to hit them with arrows can now prove unwise, even for Snipers. Additionally, if Swordmasters carry Wakizashi, they can counterattack bow units (and rather accurately at that).

Swordmasters gain a critical boost upon promotion that varies depending on the game played (e.g. 30% in The Binding Blade and 15% in The Blazing Blade, Sacred Stones, the US version of Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn, where Trueblades, promoted Swordmasters, have a 20% boost, and Fates where Swordmasters gain a 10% critical boost along with a 10% avoid boost). In Awakening, Swordmasters do not receive a critical boost, but with the Swordfaire skill, the damage increase will usually make up for it.

In Genealogy of the Holy War, the Swordmaster class holds the highest Strength cap (tied with the traditional high strength classes such as Wyvern Lords), Skill cap, and Speed cap, alongside a fairly decent Defense cap. The Swordmasters in this title also boast excellent growths in these areas as well, further enhancing their formidability as compared to other classes. In Thracia 776 and beyond, the strength of the Swordmaster class is considerably lowered for balancing purposes.

In WiFi battles, Swordmasters are often used for their simplicity. Their high Speed and lack of obvious weaknesses make them decent units to deploy in the frontlines. Their main flaws take the form of their low Movement, lack of ranged weapons and Weapon Triangle rigidity. Swordmasters are among the easiest units to obtain, although some care needs to be taken with their generally low Defense.

In-Game[]

★ - FE10 SP Class.

Base Stats[]

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	40	12	0	15	15	0	7	3	6	-	-	A	-
FE5	24/20	5/4	1	8	9/10	0	4	-	7	6/5	-	C	-
TS	22	6	0	10	10	0	3	-	6	-	-	5	-
FE6	21/19	6	-	11	10/12	0	5/4	2/3	6	9/6	-	C	-
FE8	21/19	6	-	11	10/12	0	5/4	2/3	6	9/7	-	C	-
FE9	21/19	5/4	2	7	7/8	0	5	2/3	7	11/8	11/8	C	-
FE10	30/34	15/14	6/4	20	21/22	0	13/8	10/8	7	11/8	11/8	C	-
FE10 ★	35	17	8	22	23	0	15	12	7	11	11	A	-
FE11	22	5	1	11	13	0	6	3	8	-	-	C	-
FE12	22	5	1	11	13	0	6	3	8	-	-	C	-
FE13	20	7	2	11	13	0	6	4	6	-	-	E	-
FE14	18	6	2	7	11	4	5	5	6	-	-	E	-
FE16	30	17	8	12	14	10	12	8	5	-	-	A	0
FE17	21	6	1	9	11	4	4	3	5	6	-	S	-

Maximum Stats[]

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	80	27	15	30	30	30	22	18	6	-	-	A	-
FE5	80	20	20	20	20	20	20	-	20	20	-	A	-
TS	60	21	15	25	25	30	18	-	12	-	-	20	-
FE6	60	24/22	-	29	30	30	22	23/25	15	20	-	S	-
FE7	60	24/22	-	29	30	30	22	23/25	15	25	-	S	-
FE8	60	24/22	-	29	30	30	22	23/25	15	25	-	S	-
FE9	60	24/22	20	29	30	40	24/22	22/25	7	11/8	11/8	S	-
FE10	40	24/23	15	30	30	30	23/22	15/17	7	11/8	11/8	SS/S	-
FE10 ★	53	30	18	38	38	30	24	22	7	11	11	S	-
FE11	60	24	20	29	30	30	22	23	7	-	-	A	-
FE12	60	24	20	29	30	30	22	23	7	-	-	A	-
FE13	80	38	34	44	46	45	33	38	6	-	-	A	-
FE14	55	30	28	32	35	33	27	31	6	-	-	S	-
FE17	67	40	25	44	49	37	27	26	7	12	-	S	-
FEW (Owain)	966	130	130	152	148	99	89	81	5	-	-	S	-

Growth Rates[]

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	100%	30%	10%	30%	30%	0%	30%	0%	-	-	-	-	-
FE5	90%	30%	3%	30%	30%	20%	20%	-	0%	40%	-	-	-
FE6	65%	20/25%	-	30%	30%	25%	15%	12%	-	-	-	-	-
FE7	65%	25%	-	30%	30%	25%	15%	22%	-	-	-	-	-
FE8	65%	25%	-	30%	30%	25%	15%	22%	-	-	-	-	-
FE9	65%	45%	10%	65%	65%	30%	25/20%	25/30%	-	-	-	-
FE10	50/0%	35/0%	35/0%	40/0%	35/0%	50/0%	40/0%	15/0%	-	-	-	-	-
FE10 ★	95%	70%	55%	85%	80%	75%	50%	55%	-	-	-	-	-
FE11	50%	10%	-10%	20%	25%	0%	5%	-5%	-	-	-	-	-
FE12	50%	10%	-10%	20%	25%	0%	5%	-5%	-	-	-	-	-
FE13	40%/80%	20%/40%	0%/0%	25%/50%	25%/50%	0%/50%	5%/25%	10%/30%	-	-	-	-	-
FE14	10%	10%	5%	15%	20%	15%	0%	10%	-	-	-	-	-
FE16	25/40%	10/20%	0%	0/10%	20/30%	0%	0/25%	-5%	-	-	-	+3	5%
FE17	10%	10%	0%	15%	20%	15%	0%	15%	-	0%	-	-	-
FEW3H	20%	20%	0%	0%	30%	0%	0%	0%	-	-	-	-	5%

Class Modifiers[]

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE16	1	2	0	1	4	0	1	0	1	-	-	-	0
FEW3H	200	3	0	2	6	0	2	0	2	-	-	-	1

Class Skills[]

	Skill	Requirements
FE4	Continue	Class skill of the Swordmaster, Ranger, Falcon Knight, Mage Fighter, Thief Fighter and Sage classes.
FE5	Continue	Class skill of the Swordmaster and Sage classes.
FE6	Critical +30	Class skill of the Swordmaster class. Not Listed
FE7	Critical +15	Class skill of the Swordmaster class. Not listed.
FE8	Critical +15	Class skill of the Swordmaster class. Not listed.
FE9	Astra	Occult skill of the Swordmaster class; assign with an Occult Scroll.
FE10	Shove Critical +10	Base skill of all foot units. Class skill of the Swordmaster, Sniper and Sentinel classes.
FE11	Hit Rate +10	Innate.
FE13	Astra Swordfaire	Learnt at Level 5. Learnt at Level 15.
FE14	Astra Swordfaire Avoid +10 Critical +10	Learnt at Level 5 and above. Learnt at Level 15 and above. Innate. Innate.
FE16	Swordfaire Sword Critical +10 Astra	Class Ability of the Swordmaster class. Class Ability of the Swordmaster class. Mastery Ability of Swordmaster.
FE17	Run Through Death Blow	Class Skill of Swordmasters. Maddening mode skill.
FEW3H	Swordfaire Axe Buster Lv 3 Boost Critical Expert Guard Spd +5 Provoke Mortal Struggle Finesse Blade Apex Sword Astra	Class ability. Class ability. 1-star Class Mastery for certain units. 1-star Class Mastery for certain units. 1-star Class Mastery for certain units. 2-star Class Mastery for all units. 2-star Class Mastery for certain units. 2-star Class Mastery for certain units. 3-star Class Mastery for certain units. 3-star Class Mastery for all units.

Promotions[]

	Base Class	Promotion Method	Promoted Class
FE4	Sword Fighter	Choose the "Class Change" option in the Home Castle when the relevant unit reaches Level 20.	Swordmaster (Ayra and Larcei)
FE5	Sword Fighter	Use a Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Sword Fighter.	Swordmaster (Shiva, Mareeta and Troude)
TS	Sword Fighter	Use a Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Sword Fighter.	Swordmaster
FE6	Myrmidon	Use a Hero Crest on a Level 10+ Myrmidon.	Swordmaster
FE7	Myrmidon	Use a Hero Crest on a Level 10+ Myrmidon.	Swordmaster
FE8	Myrmidon	Use a Hero Crest on a Level 10+ Myrmidon.	Swordmaster
FE9	Myrmidon	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Myrmidon.	Swordmaster
FE10	Myrmidon	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Myrmidon or train a Myrmidon to Level 21.	Swordmaster
FE10	Swordmaster	Use a Master Crown on a Level 10+ Swordmaster or train a Swordmaster to Level 21.	Trueblade
FE11	Myrmidon	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Myrmidon.	Swordmaster
FE12	Myrmidon	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Myrmidon.	Swordmaster
FE13	Myrmidon	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Myrmidon.	Swordmaster
FE14	Samurai	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Samurai.	Swordmaster
FE16	Any class	Use an Advanced Seal on a Level 20+ unit and pass the Swordmaster Certification Exam.	Swordmaster
FE17	Sword Fighter	Use Master Seal on Level 10+ Sword Fighter.	Swordmaster
FEW	Myrmidon	Use a Master Seal on Owain.	Swordmaster
FEW	Swordmaster	Use a Master Seal on Ryoma.	High Prince
FEW3H	Mercenary Fluegel Silverheart	Use an Advanced Seal on a unit that has mastered either the Mercenary, Fluegel or Silverheart classes.	Swordmaster
FEW3H	Swordmaster	Use a Master Seal on a unit that has mastered the Swordmaster class.	Mortal Savant Saint (replaces Mortal Savant for Rhea) Dancer (requires unlocking the class) Asura (Shez only) Enlightened One (Byleth only)

Notable Swordmasters[]

Genealogy of the Holy War[]

• Shannan - The crown prince of Isaach, the son of Mallicur and the nephew of Ayra. He is also the cousin of Ulster and Larcei.
• Lamia - A cruel swordwoman hired by Duke Daccar.
• Boyce - A mercenary hired to defend Edda by the Grannevale empire.
• Simia - One of the Twelve Deadlords.
• Promotion for: Ayra and Larcei.

Thracia 776[]

• Eyvel - The leader of the Freeblades of Fiana who is actually an amnesiac Brigid.
• Shannam - A mercenary from Silesse who impersonates Shannan.
• Promotion for: Mareeta, Shiva and Troude.

TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga[]

• Yoda - The Dark Swordmaster of Zoa and one of the Twelve Heroes.
• Temzin - The king of Arial and father of Katrina.
• Katrina - The daughter of Temzin and wife of Samson.
• Promotion for: Julia, Vega, Shigen, and Krisheena.

The Binding Blade[]

• Gel - Brunnya's lieutenant, he defends the Sacaen city of Bulgar under her orders.
• Karel - The former "Sword Demon", he is known as the "Sword Saint" in this title. Brother-in-law of Bartre and the uncle of Fir.
• Promotion for: Rutger and Fir.

The Blazing Blade[]

• Karel - A man known as the "Sword Demon", Karla's older brother.
• Karla - Karel's younger sister.
• Lloyd Reed - The "White Wolf" of the Black Fang, one of the Four Fangs, and the older son of Brendan Reed.
• Promotion for: Guy.

The Sacred Stones[]

• Ismaire (Creature Campaign only) - The queen of Jehanna and Joshua's mother.
• Carlyle - the former leader of Jehanna's army who betrays Jehanna and sides with Grado.
• Promotion for: Joshua and Marisa.

Path of Radiance[]

• Stefan - A Branded who resides in the Grann Desert.
• Lucia - Older sister of Geoffrey and Elincia's milk sibling.
• Homasa - A Swordmaster who is one of Petrine's subordinates.
• Promotion for: Mia and Zihark.

Radiant Dawn[]

• Zihark - A citizen of Daein who fights against the Begnion Occupational Army,
• Lucia - Older sister of Geoffrey and Queen Elincia's advisor.
• Mia - Member of the Greil Mercenaries,
• Tashoria - A mercenary employed by Ludveck to lure the Crimean Liberation Army away from Melior.
• Promotion for: Edward.

Shadow Dragon[]

• Promotion for: Navarre, Radd and Athena.

New Mystery of the Emblem[]

• Promotion for: Navarre, Radd, Athena, Malice and Samuel.

Awakening[]

• Say'ri - Former princess of Chon'sin and Yen'fay's younger sister.
• Yen'fay - Former king of Chon'sin and Say'ri's older brother.
• Seliph (DLC)
• Lyn (DLC)
• Deen (SpotPass)
• Simia - One of the twelve Deadlords.
• Promotion for: Lon'qu and Owain.

Fates[]

• Sumeragi - The former king of Hoshido and the father of Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi and Sakura.
• Ryoma - The military leader and oldest royal child of Hoshido.
• Shiro (Heirs of Fate only) - The child of Ryoma, and cousin of Kiragi
• Promotion for Hana, Hinata and Hisame.

Three Houses[]

• Catherine - Teacher at the Officers Academy and skilled Knight of Seiros. She has a strong, albeit sometimes blind, loyalty towards Rhea.
• Byleth (Cindered Shadows DLC only) - Professor at the Officers Academy. Also the child of Jeralt and a former member of his band of mercenaries.
• Felix - A member of the Blue Lions and the heir of House Fraldarius.

Engage[]

• Kagetsu - One of Ivy's retainers.
• Possible promotion for: Lapis.

Vestaria Saga I[]

• Marlena - A notorious swordmaid travelling with her husband. Has a story to tell.
• Promotion for Haldyn and alternate class for Eddard.

Vestaria Saga: The Holy Sword of Silvanister[]

• Asuram - A swordsman from the Solvian Empire who suffers from an incurable disease.
• Haldyn - A warrior from the mainland who was in the employ of the Gallachians.
• Slone - A Swordmaster who serves as Haldyn's substitute if he dies before Chapter 10.
• Ravinia - Haldyn's sister who is under the control of Valerius.
• Marlena - A notorious swordmaid travelling with her husband. Has a story to tell.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes[]

• Felix - The second-in-command of the Blue Lions and head of House Fraldarius.
• Catherine - Formidable Knight of Seiros who wields the Thunderbrand.
• Holst - Renowned warrior of the Leicester Alliance, heir to House Goneril and older brother of Hilda.

Trivia[]

• In Fates, if Swordmaster are given a certain weapon, they will be observed to wield two katanas instead of one when battling. This makes them the only class capable of dual-wielding weapons. It will also give them a different death animation, similar to giving a Merchant a Naginata. This unique animation is added as Ryoma's Awakening Special in Fire Emblem Warriors.
  • The full list of dual-wieldable katanas include:
    • Venge Katana
    • Axe Splitter
    • Spirit Katana
    • Hagakure Blade
    • Daikon Radish
    • Sunrise Katana
    • Hana's Katana
    • Hinata's Katana

Gallery[]