Gerik

"If your desire to win is stronger than your opponent's, you've already won. Your mind is your most important weapon."

- Gerik in a support conversation with Ross

Gerik (ジスト Jisuto, known as Xyst in Japan) is the leader of a small group of mercenaries, known to be kinder and more concerned about his men than most mercenary leaders, which is why girls like the dancer, Tethys, and the myrmidon, Marisa, harbor feelings for him. He hails from Jehanna and is a very experienced and skilled swordsman. He is better known as the Desert Tiger.

Personality
From his childhood and throughout his career as a mercenary, Gerik had always detested violence, although he had a strong conviction to protect those he loved dearly. His need to protect his friends started his career as a mercenary and spurred him on when his friend was killed, the need shifting to his new friends made from his career. It is revealed in his A support with Saleh that he is responsible for the death of Gerik's friend, but Gerik forgives him.

Gerik is also observant and is guileful, shown when he sees through Joshua's cheating when he duels him and when he stays with Innes after tricking the sniper when he tried to dismiss Gerik, accidentally firing the mercenary and making it unable to order Gerik and Tethys to leave his service. Despite his resentment to fighting, he also shows the fighter Garcia admiration for his prowess in combat.

Gerik's scar, according to his and Tethys's supports, was acquired during a duel. When younger, Gerik was starting to become haughty and arrogant in combat, and so he challenged a much more experienced swordsman. He lost soundly, but his rival spared him - not before leaving him the scar on his face. He learned from said experience, becoming the wise leader he is now.

In-Game
Gerik appears in either Chapter 10 of Eirika's route or Chapter 13 of Ephraim's route, also at lv 10 or 12, depending on the route, allowing him to be promoted immediately. Gerik has more levels to grow in Eirika's route, but the vast amount of enemies in Ephraim's route can offset this.

Gerik is considered to carry the Ogma archetype. As such he is a very useful character. His constitution is high enough that he can effectively use a steel blade without greatly affecting his speed. His growth rates allow him to be a very powerful, fast and skillful fighter.

Base Stats
|Mercenary |Thunder |10 |32 |14 |13 |13 |8 |10 |4 |13 |5 |Sword - C |Steel Blade Hero Crest Vulnerary

Growth Rates
|90% |45% |40% |30% |30% |35% |25%

Promotion Gain
Mercenary to Hero


 * HP +4
 * Str +1
 * Skl +2
 * Spd +2
 * Def +2
 * Res +2
 * Con +2
 * Axe Mastery D

Mercenary to Ranger


 * HP +3
 * Str +2
 * Skl +1
 * Spd +1
 * Def +3
 * Res +3
 * Bow Mastery D
 * Ability to cross water

Overall
Gerik is a very useful unit and a potential Hero. His great strength and good skill growth will make him max strength and close to max his skill.

A hero is generally considered the most popular choice for Gerik, considering he has little to no problems wielding most axes with his boost to Con as a Hero. Gerik especially with 20/20 levels is an extremely powerful infantry unit. With axes to supplement his access to swords and his great skill stat, Gerik can very reliably use axes with greater accuracy than most units to take advantage of their greater power compared to most weapons and has more control over the weapon triangle than he would otherwise.

Gerik as a ranger is also a completely viable class. However, while with the hero promotion Gerik can almost always return a hit as most enemies attack at close range, as a ranger, if a bow is equipped at the end of your turn you are more likely to be in the situation of not being able to return attacks during the Enemy Phase depending on the type of enemies in question (as Gerik still has access to swords, however, the player has complete control over this and it is a situational disadvantage at worst). The ranger class also has greater mobility than the hero class, turning Gerik into a mounted unit rather than an infantry unit.

Quotes
"If you live on the battlefield, you know this day will come..."

- Death Quote

Endings
Gerik continued as a mercenary. Over the year, his reputation grew so great that he had more job offers than he could handle. One day, without warning, he left, never to return.
 * Gerik, the Desert Tiger (砂漠の虎 Sabaku no tora)

Gerik and Tethys remained bound to no nation and beholden to no authority. They bought themselves a leisurely retirement. Gerik taught fencing to city youths, and Tethys found many stages on which to dance.
 * (A Support with Tethys)

After the war, Joshua challenged Gerik to a duel in hopes of pressing him to move to Jehanna. The match ended in a tie, but Gerik was impressed by Joshua's swagger. From that day forward, Gerik never left Joshua's side.
 * (A Support with Joshua)

Gerik remained a mercenary, and Marisa became his company's fencing instructor. Gerik returned the affection she gave him, although he was troubled to learn she was clumsy at everything but fighting.
 * (A Support with Marisa)

Other Supports

 * Innes
 * Ross
 * Saleh

Etymology
'Gerik' probably comes from the Germanic name elements 'gar' (spear) and 'ric' (kingdom).

His Japanese name, 'Xyst' may come from the latin word 'xyst, xystum,' which refers to a tree-lined walk or road. 'Xysticus' is a genus of crab-spiders.