Ike

"My swordfighting skills were given to me by my father. If I stay true to them, I cannot lose."

- Ike before fighting The Black Knight.

Ike (アイク Aiku) is the main character of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. He is the first and only main character not of noble birth. He is the fearless leader of the Greil Mercenaries. His seiyuu is Hagi Michihiko (萩 道彦), and his voice actor is Jason Adkins.

Path of Radiance
Ike is the son of Greil, leader of the Greil Mercenaries, and takes leadership when his father is killed by the Black Knight. For the most part of the game, he is in the service of Princess Elincia. Ike is rather naive in the beginning of the game, but grows into a brave character later on. He has little memory of his life in Gallia as a young child, and prior to joining the Greil Mercenaries, shows that he does not know what Laguz are. At the same time, his lack of knowledge of the Laguz reveals Ike's true personality; not only does he show no prejudice against them, but he even defended Ranulf from being attacked by a group of Beorc when his disguise was uncovered.

He is a kind and brave character, and is very protective of his friends and family. His motivation is to avenge his father's death, but he seeks no reward in aiding Crimea's liberation and helping Elincia to claim the throne as queen, except for the usual payment as being a mercenary. Although he has no desire to become a noble, he accepts the title as Lord so he can lead the Crimea Liberation Army after his triumph over Duke Oliver.

Ike begins the game as the newest member of the Greil Mercenaries. The other members look down on him as a rookie, such as Boyd and Shinon. After learning about Daein's invasion, Greil makes Ike work harder to prepare him for the task of leadership. Following Greil's death, Ike takes over leadership of the Greil Mercenaries, to Gatrie and Shinon's disdain. After Shinon tells Titania that he would not serve Ike, Titania gets mad at Shinon due to her affection towards the now departed Greil. Gatrie leaves alongside Shinon because he feels his skills deserve a better challenge, but he rejoins Ike at Astrid's urging in Chapter 13 because of his love for the mercenary group. If Ike talks to him, he will admit that he felt bad that he quit so soon after Greil died, but Ike willingly accepts him back into the group.

After remaining in Gallia until Chapter nine, realizing that Caineghis is unable to help him, Ike leaves and is escorted to Port Toha by a squad of Laguz including Ranulf, Lethe and Mordecai. Ike then leaves and travels around the continent in order to help Elincia reclaim Crimea. Along the way, he meets and recruits many allies.

Eventually, near the end of the game, he acquires the Divine Blade Ragnell and duels the Black Knight with the assistance of his sister. Although it does not matter whether or not the player is truly able to defeat the Black Knight, the castle in which the duel takes place collapses after five turns pass, and the Black Knight is declared dead (cannonically, Ike slays the Black Knight). Ultimately, Ike defeats Ashnard, and reconquers Crimea with the help of his allies.

Radiant Dawn
Ike, the hero of the Mad King's War, returns in Radiant Dawn, as the main character of Part III. He starts as a Hero class, and wields the sword Ettard, but later reacquires the divine blade Ragnell, which he had previously used while dueling with the Black Knight in Path of Radiance, but subsequently turned it over to Begnion when Sanaki declared it a sacred treasure.

His appearance has also changed, his facial structure is more defined, he looks more mature, and his hair is shorter. In Part IV of Radiant Dawn, Ike becomes a Vanguard with the blessing of the goddess Yune and finally avenges his father's death, this time defeating the Black Knight in a truly one-on-one duel. Upon the Black Knight's defeat, Ike then takes possession of Alondite, the Black Knight's personal blade and Ragnell's counterpart, which, though it has no weapon level in Path of Radiance (and thereby is exclusive to the Black Knight), is now an SS sword and can be given to other units. It is revealed that he witnessed Greil killing Elena due to the medallion's chaos energy, but his memory is sealed by Sephiran to prevent the painful truth.

Once the goddess Ashera is defeated and all the countries are made stable, Ike travels to another land (possibly Hatari) and leaves the continent of Tellius behind forever.

He suffers from poor resistance and luck, but his strength, skill, speed, and HP are all high. His magic is also low, but this is no longer an issue for physical units due to the fact that magic swords no longer use magic to calculate damage. Once he is promoted into a Vanguard, Ike can wield axes (although this ability is generally overlooked, as he has Ragnell at this point), including his father Greil's axe, the SS-ranked Urvan, given to you by Caineghis in an Info Conversation in the Final Chapter. He defeats Ashera, and leaves Tellius. Depending on the support level, Soren or Ranulf could go with him if they have an 'A' Rank.

Recruitment

 * Prologue: Automatically From start.

Base stats
|Ranger |Earth |1 |19 |5 |1 |6 |7 |6 |5 |0 |9 |9 |6 |Sword - D |N/A |Iron Sword

Growth Rates
|75% |50% |20% |50% |55% |35% |40% |40%

Support Conversations

 * Soren
 * Lethe
 * Titania
 * Reyson
 * Oscar
 * Elincia
 * Ranulf

Bond support

 * Mist:10%

Defeat quote
Ike: Oof...I can...keep going... Mist: Ike! That's enough! Greil: Ike, if this training is still too much for you...you're not ready to take the field. Ike: ... Ike: Ohh... Not...here... Titania: Ike! Hang on! You're so young. Your life is just beginning! Please... Please open your eyes...Ike! Ike: Nngh... I... I... I must... protect Mist: Brother? No! No... Please, you can't die... Ike!!! Ike: Gwa, aah... ...I...I was not... strong...enough... Black Knight: Did you truly think to challenge me with this pathetic band? It appears you never learned to exercise discretion... No matter...you would not have survived regardless. Ike:Urghgg... I'm... ...not strong...enough...yet... Black Knight: Is that all you have? It seems you do not possess the talents to surpass your father after all. A pity. Ike: No... I must go on... Elincia: Ike? Ike! Not again... I never wanted to lose anyone again... Ike! Ike: Urggg...I... I'm... not...strong...enough... Black Knight: ...Good-bye. Ike: Blast! I'm sorry... Mist... Everyone... ...Fa-Father-- Soren: Ike? Ike! This can't... It can't... What am I... If you're not here, what am I to do? Ike: Damn... I... After all this... Forgive me, Elincia... Elincia: This can't happen...Ike! I won't accept this... No... I-I won't! Don't do this, Ike. Don't leave me...
 * In Prologue
 * In Chapter 1~7
 * In Chapter 8~17
 * In Chapter 11 (Killed by the Black Knight)
 * In Chapter 24 (Killed by the Black Knight)
 * In Chapter 26, 27
 * In Chapter 27-2 (Killed by the Black Knight)
 * In Chapter 18~25, 28
 * In Endgame

Recruitment
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |◎ |◎ |◎ |◎ |◎ |◎ | |◎ |◎ | |◎ |◎ | | |◎ | |◎ | | |◎ | |◎ |◎ |◎ |◎ |◎ |◎
 * Part 3: Prologue: Automatically from Base, available in Prologue, Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10. 11 and Endgame.
 * Part 4: Forced to join the team Ike, available in Chapter 1, 4 and Endgame.

◎=Forced

Base stats
|Hero |Earth |11 |44 |24 |2 |28 |23 |14 |21 |7 |12 |13 |7 |Sword - B |Shove |Ettard Iron Sword

Growth rates
|65% |55% |10% |60% |35% |30% |40% |15%

Bond support

 * Mist: 10%
 * Soren: 5%
 * Titania: 5%
 * Ranulf: 5%

Defeat quote
Ike: I'm sorry.
 * In Part 3, Prologue

Skrimir: What is this?! You! Stop! Don't fall down! Get up, flimsy beorc! Get up! Ike: Ugh...no...
 * In Part 3, Chapter 1

Mist: Ike? Ike, what's wrong?! No... Open your eyes, Ike! NOOO! Ike: I was careless... I couldn't surpass... my...father...
 * In Part 3, Chapter 2

Titania: Ike?! No! Please don't die! Not here! Ike! Ike: Carry out...the mission. See this through. I'm sorry...
 * In Part 3, Chapter 3

Soren: Ike, no! Please wait! I'll treat your wounds right now! Please... Don't die, Ike! Ike... Ike: Ranulf... Go! Keep going...
 * In Part 3, Chapter 4

Ranulf: Ike?! You're faking, right? No, you can't leave us! Ike! Ike: Can't...hold them off...
 * In Part 3, Chapter 5

Reyson: Ike! No... This is not happening! I do not wish to see you die! Ike:No! I--
 * In Part 3, Chapter 7

Micaiah: Ike, I'm sorry. Fighting was the only way to protect Daein. May the goddess have mercy on you... Ike: Ugh! No...I--
 * In Part 3, Chapter 7 (Killed by the Black Knight)

Black Knight: No! I misjudged, and now Gawain will never live again. I have failed. Ike: Sorry... I know you can get the troops back to Gallia on your own... I'm counting on you all...
 * In Part 3, Chapter 8

Tibarn: No! You can't die here, Ike! Rest easy, brave beorc. The enemy will pay for this in blood. Ike: Elincia... Retreat...now...
 * In Part 3, Chapter 10

Elincia: Sir Ike! No, please! Don't leave me! Ike: Go...without me... Keep...advancing...
 * In Part 3, Chapter 11

Sanaki: Ike! No... This cannot be! I've never seen you lose! This is a ruse, right, Ike? A clever tactic? Ike?! Ike: I guess...this is it...
 * In Part 3, Endgame

Leanne: (No, Ike! You can't die!) Ike: ... How careless of me... Ike: Go on... Must...go on... Father...
 * In Part 3, Endgame (after 20 counts)
 * In Part 4, Chapter 1

Ena: Ike! Don't leave us! We can't win this war without you! Ike: Hurghh... I'm sorry... Finish... the mission...
 * In Part 4, Chapter 4

Rafiel: No! We can't lose you, General! Who can lead us now? Ike... Ike: I... I...wasn't strong...enough...
 * In Part 4, Endgame Area 1

Micaiah: Ike! Yune is counting on you! Hold on, Ike! Ike: I...admit defeat.
 * In Part 4, Endgame Area 2

Zelgius: There is no pride in victory, nor shame in defeat. But I thank you, Ike. My dream was realized at last. Ike: Guess my luck...finally ran out...
 * In Part 4, Endgame Area 3

Kurthnaga: Sir Ike! You mustn't fall... Fight, Ike... Fight! Ike: No! I came all this way!
 * In Part 4, Endgame Area 4

Sephiran: Ike. I... I was hoping that you... No, never mind. It's too late now. Ike: This... This is it for me... Everyone... You must...
 * In Part 4, Endgame Area 5

Yune: Ike! Please! No! If you can't do it...who can? Ike!

Overall
In both of his appearances Ike dominates with his great growths and skills. Boasting the speed of a swordmaster combined with the strength of an armor knight, Ike is a unit that can be consistently relied on. Once he is given the Ragnell, he can solo chapters provided he has some vulneraries or elixers. In Path of Radiance, Ike is amazing, and has the potential to cap every stat except for magic and luck. Radiant Dawn sees Ike with lower growth rates (particularly in speed and resistance) but he starts with great base stats, keeping him strong throughout. Ike is a force to be reckoned with. You're forced to use him a majority of the time, so be sure to train him over the course of the game.

Epilogue
Once he saw stability returned, Ike left on a journey to lands still unknown. He was never seen again.
 * Hero of Blue Flames

Super Smash Bros.
The Nintendo Wii game Super Smash Bros. Brawl features Ike as a playable character. He appears in his Ranger class but he wields the divine sword, Ragnell, and can use Aether. He is a strong, heavy, and slow character with control over fire, unlike the fast brawler of average weight from Path of Radiance. His special moves are:


 * Aether: His master skill. A move in which he throws Ragnell into the air and launches himself upwards, seizes the sword, and plunges it into the ground, cleaving through the target as they land. However, Ike's sword does damage at every stage of the attack.


 * Eruption: A chargeable Earth-smashing move that sends flames bursting from the ground. If held too long, it will automatically release and cause an explosion, damaging Ike as well as any enemies in range.


 * Quick Draw: Another chargeable move in which Ike lunges forward and strikes his enemy (based on his critical hit animation in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance before he promotes to a Lord).


 * Counter: Takes any attacks that hit Ike during the move's animation and deals back damage of the original attack multiplied by 1.2. with a minimum of 10% damage. Marth can also use this move.


 * Final Smash: Great Aether, which is a more powerful version of Aether. Since Ike has never used Great Aether in any of the Fire Emblem games in which he's appeared in, some interpret that it may be a manifestation of Ike's final blow against Ashera, when Yune lends him her power in Radiant Dawn. When executed, Ike delivers several flaming blows in the middle of the air, before finishing with a devastating downward slice that sends the opponent flying, usually to their demise.

In Story Mode: Subspace Emissary, Ike helps Marth and Meta Knight through their journey. He appears using Aether on the Supspace Bomb that the Ancient Minister, a R.O.B. and commander of the Subspace Army, was carrying. In the U.S., Australian and European versions, he yells 'Great Aether' instead of 'Aether'.

Snake's conversation about Ike
A fellow Super Smash Bros. Brawl character, Snake, can call upon one of his trusted partners for information on any character he fights. This is what is discussed about Ike:


 * Snake:  This swordsman's gonna be tough to beat.


 * Colonel: Fighting Ike, eh, Snake? Ike is the leader of the Greil Mercenaries. He may looked too refined to be a fighter... But he has one heck of a sword arm.


 * Snake: Yeah, he's swinging that two-handed sword around with only one hand. I don't even want to get near him.


 * Colonel: That's the holy blade of Ragnell. It's an extremely powerful sword. But don't forget, Snake, you're armed to the teeth yourself. To your opponents, you might just be their worst nightmare. The distance between you and your enemy is a crucial element in battle. Using that distance can give you an advantage against some enemies.


 * Snake: Yeah, I've got the same feeling...

Trivia

 * It is stated by Titania in an Info conversation that Ike has a great appetite and compares it with Beast Tribe Laguz. She also says he enjoys ribs and steaks a lot. During a base conversation in Path of Radiance, while distracting Aimee, Soren notes that Ike is partial to spicy food.
 * Interestingly enough, although Ike considers himself Crimean, he has no blood or birth ties to the country, as both his parents were Daeins and he was born in Gallia.
 * His cheer in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, "We like Ike!", is the same cheer of former United States President Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower.
 * In Super Smash Bros Brawl Ike uses the Ragnell despite his appearance being that of his Ranger class.
 * In Super Smash Bros Brawl when Ike enters the level he warps into the level similar to how the Black Knight warps in Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn
 * In Ike's art and in game, his shoulder pad appears to be leather. Yet in cutscenes, it seems to be metal.
 * If Ranulf and Ike have a rank A support, they go on a journey to unexplored lands. However, on Ranulf's ending with the support, it merely says he goes on a journey, not mentioning Ike. However, if there is no support, it doesn't mention a journey at all.
 * Ike has seven different portraits: One as a ranger, one as a lord, one as a hero, one as a vanguard, two for the endings in both games, and one exclusive to his first fight with the Black Knight, right after his father was dealt his fatal blow.

Etymology
'Ike' is short for 'Isaac,' a Biblical patriarch whose name means 'he laughs.' His father, Abraham, prayed for a son and was finally given Isaac although he and his wife, Sarah, were too old to bear children. In this way, then, the name 'Ike' would reference an important son and heir. Ike's birth name suits him well as he is the son of a legendary mercenary Greil/Gawain and Ike eventually inherited the Greil Mercenaries succeeding his father in his place.

Ike's name in the original drafts of the game, Paris, is from the Iliad. Paris was the prince of Troy whom Aphrodite promised the most beautiful woman in the world for his wife--this woman, Helen, was already married, and when she and Paris ran off, Helen's husband Menelaus chased them to Troy and began the ten-year-long Trojan War. There, Achilles killed Paris' brother Hector and Paris killed Achilles by shooting an arrow at his famous weak heel. Then the Greek Philoctetes killed Paris by shooting him with a poisoned arrow; a dying Paris called for his former lover, the nymph Oenone, to save him, but she refused, Paris died, and Helen was taken back to Sparta. Perhaps the name 'Paris' alluded to a more developed romance with Elincia in earlier drafts of the game that was removed in later versions.

'Ike' can also refer to Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose nickname was Ike. Eisenhower was both a World War Two general and a U.S President, which might hint to Ike's high ranking. Eisenhower was also loved by his men and is commonly ranked among the best presidents. Regardless of if this was originally intentional, Ike's crowd cheer in Super Smash Bros. Brawl is "We like Ike", a phrase associated with Eisenhower.

Gallery
Ike