The Cavalier is a horse-mounted combat physical class that is usually capable of arming either Lances or Swords as its weapons of choice.
While Cavaliers do not possess high HP, Strength and Defense, they can move very long distances across the battlefield, riding quickly from one area to another.
In later titles, the introduction of the Weapon Triangle makes these characters much more versatile in fighting different types of foes. Utilizing their ability to use both the Sword and the Lance gives them barely any weaknesses when facing any type of melee fighter in battle.
Quick Answers
What weapons can the Cavalier class use in combat?
How does the Cavalier's mobility affect their role on the battlefield?
How does the introduction of the Weapon Triangle enhance the versatility of the Cavalier?
What are the typical strengths and weaknesses of a Cavalier knight?
What makes the Cavalier class unique in terms of combat style?
History in the Series[]
In its original inception in Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, the Social Knight class, as it was originally known in Japanese, is established as the pioneer class of Lance-wielding knights riding into battle on horseback. Cavaliers promote into Paladins in this title.
In Gaiden, the Cavalier class is simply known as the Knight. It acts as one of the promoted forms of the Villager class, and is able to further promote into the Paladin class. Knight only uses Lances as no class can wield multiple melee weapons in Gaiden. However some artwork for Knight class characters depicts them with Swords.
Mystery of the Emblem introduced the Dismount command, allowing mounted units such as Cavaliers to fight on foot and avoid attack effectiveness that would otherwise target horse-mounted units. Cavaliers are also forced to fight dismounted on maps that take place in interior spaces. While mounted, Cavaliers use lances. Dismounted, Cavaliers use swords and their movement range is reduced by three 3, but they are capable of traversing the same terrain as standard infantry-type units.
In Genealogy of the Holy War, the Cavalier class returns, and is joined by three similar horse-mounted versions each exclusive to one weapon: the Lance, Sword, and Axe Knights. The cavalier can use both swords and lances in exchange for having a lower weapon rank then the other mounted classes.
In Thracia 776, Cavalier is once again alongside the mounted weapon knight classes. Cavaliers can dismount similar to Mystery of the Emblem.
In The Sacred Stones, the Cavalier class is further given the option to promote into the Great Knight class.
In Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn, the Cavalier class is entirely split up and replaced with four similar horse-mounted versions each exclusive to one weapon: the Lance, Sword, Axe, and Bow Knights. All four are capable of promoting into Paladin, and on promotion, the player is given the choice of a second weapon type to grant access to the unit.
In Shadow Dragon and New Mystery of the Emblem, remakes of the Archanea Series titles, the function and ability of the Cavalier class reflects their capabilities from the original versions.
In Awakening and Fates, the Cavalier class, much like its The Sacred Stones iteration, is able to choose between the Paladin and Great Knight classes to promote into. Further, In Fates, the Cavalier class is treated as a Nohrian class and it considered the counterpart to the Ninja class of Hoshido.
In the spinoff Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE, Cavaliers are one of the classes in the game. While retaining their use of Lances, Cavaliers ride gigantic motorcycles instead of horses to fit the modern theme of the game. The playable Cavalier, the Mirage Cain, has the option to promote into either a Paladin or Dark Knight. Enemy Cavaliers also appear as lesser Mirages, and resemble knight chess pieces on unicycles with the hind legs of horses connected to the wheel and the fore legs holding a shield and a lance. These particular ones, Ironclad Cavaliers, appear in Illusory 106 and Illusory Shibuya.
In the remake of Gaiden, Shadows of Valentia, Cavaliers are functionally the same as they were in the former title.
In the Koei Tecmo spinoff, Warriors, Cavaliers are featured as a class used by enemy officers. Due to being a clone of the Paladin class, which are themselves a clone of Xander, the Cavaliers in the game exclusively use swords for the first time in the series. Despite Cavaliers being a sword class in the game, their map sprites, taken from Awakening, depict them with Lances. This iteration also has a Hoshidan version, which are called the Expert Rider.
In Three Houses, the Cavalier class is an optional promoted class of the Commoner or Noble class if the unit passes the Certification Exam at Lv. 10 with a Lance Skill Level of C or higher, a Riding Skill Level of D or Higher and an Intermediate Seal. Due to a lack of infantry Lance classes, Cavaliers are considered one of the promoted forms of the Soldier class, alongside Pegasus Knights. They have a primary skill experience class bonus in lances and Riding (+2) and a secondary in swords (+1).
In Warriors: Three Hopes, the Cavalier class is an optional class available to any unit that has mastered the Soldier class. Unlike the previous Warriors game, where they are a class locked to swords, Cavaliers here are lance units.
In Engage, the Cavalier class is once more divided into several subclasses that specialize in one weapon, though unlike the Tellius Series, this game does not boast a Bow Cavalier variant. The Cavalier class is able to promote into either the Paladin or the Wolf Knight.
Other Games[]
In TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga, the Cavalier class is known as Rook Knight. The class promotes into a variety of different classes, based on the character in question; Kreiss and Arkis promote into Commando Knights, Narron into a Gold Knight, Estelle and Rina into Paladins and Sun into a Black Knight.
In TearRing Saga: Berwick Saga, Elbert is the sole playable unit in the class, known as Sergeant Knight and promotes to Paladin as per usual. Two variants of the class are also seen throughout the game, the Imperial Knight and the Royal Army Knight, associated with cavaliers aligned with the Raze Empire and Verian Kingdom respectively. Both of them are unplayable.
In Vestaria Saga I, the Cavalier is known as the Knight. They follow the Heavy Cavalry paradigm. Knights are split into two distinct variants; male and female. Male Knights have higher HP, Strength and Defence while Female Knights have higher Speed, Skill and have Magic and Resistance stats. Female Knights also get access to Maidenswords. Both variants can promote into the Paladin. Upon promotion they get access to Throwing Spears.
Overview[]
Combat[]
An attack animation of a Cavalier
As with all mounted units, the Cavalier class is able to traverse battlefields with ease due to its high Movement. Using this ability is often helpful to assist other characters at a far-off distance, meet certain objectives or quickly block enemy advances.
Cavaliers also make excellent rescuers once the Rescue command is introduced to the series; able to move far distances, they can thus pick up injured allies and move them to safety near a healer or somewhere safe with ease. The Rescue command also allows one to move slower units into battle at a much quicker pace. Due to their average combat abilities, it is thence not recommended for Cavaliers to battle foes of similar or greater strength. The ability to close in on units from a distance, however, makes them outstanding units to use against Archers and Snipers.
Overall, Cavaliers make strong support characters for other classes. With their ability to wield both Swords and Lances, which allows them to use several weapons imbued with weapon effectiveness, and their strong movement abilities, they can be extremely useful units.
Typically, most Cavaliers lean more towards the use of Lances. Gaiden is the only main game where they use only one weapon type (Lances), as no class in this game use more than two melee weapon types.
Weaknesses[]
Cavaliers have three weaknesses:
- One is their often low Resistance, which is usually never much of a problem due to their high HP.
- While Cavaliers have great Movement capabilities, they also have a lot of terrain restrictions, which can pose a huge problem in stretches of terrain that make it harder for them to move or terrain that they cannot tread.
- A smaller problem is that the class is weak against the Ridersbane/Horseslayer, Longsword and Poleaxe weapons, ones that are usually wielded by other fast-moving units. This is, however, mainly a problem only in Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light and Shadow Dragon.
In-Game[]
Base Stats[]
| HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov | Con | Wt | Wlv | Cha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FE1 | 16 | 5 | - | 2 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 9 | - | - | Sword/Lance 8 | - |
| FE2 | 24 | 9 | - | 3 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 7 | - | - | Lance | - |
| FE3 | 18 | 5 | - | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | - | - | Lance 8 | - |
| FE4 | 30 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | - | - |  B  C | - |
| FE5 | 20 | 3/2 | 0 | 3/2 | 4/2 | 0 | 3/2 | - | 8/5 | 6 | - |  E  E | - |
| TS (mounted) | 20 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | - | 7 | - | - |   1 | - |
| TS (foot) | 20 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | - | 4 | - | - | 1 | - |
| FE6 | 20/18 | 5 | - | 2/3 | 5/3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 9 | - |  E/D  D/E | - |
| FE7 | 20/18 | 5 | - | 2/3 | 5/3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 9 | - | E/D D/E | - |
| FE8 | 20/18 | 5 | - | 2/3 | 5/3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 9 | - | E/D D/E | - |
| FE11 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 9 | - | - |  E  E | - |
| FE12 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 9 | - | - | E E | - |
| FE13 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | - | - |  E  E | - |
| FE14 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 7 | - | - |  E  E | - |
| FE15 | 24 | 9 | - | 3 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 7 | - | - |  | - |
| FE16 | 25 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 7 | - | - |  C  D | 0 |
Maximum Stats[]
| HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov | Con | Wt | Wlv | Cha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FE1 | 52 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 9 | - | - | Sword/Lance 20 | - |
| FE2 | 52 | 40 | - | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 7 | - | - | Lance | - |
| FE3 | 52 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 9 | - | - | Lance 20 | - |
| FE4 | 80 | 22 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 30 | 21 | 15 | 8 | - | - | B C | - |
| FE5 | 80 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | - | A A | - |
| TS (mount) | 60 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 30 | 18 | - | 12 | - | - | 16 | - |
| TS (foot) | 60 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 30 | 17 | - | 12 | - | - | 16 | - |
| FE6 | 60 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | - | A A | - |
| FE7 | 60 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | - | A A | - |
| FE8 | 60 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | - | A A | - |
| FE11 | 60 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 9 | - | - | A A | - |
| FE12 | 60 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 9 | - | - | A A | - |
| FE13 | 60 | 26 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 26 | 26 | 7 | - | - | A A | - |
| FE14 | 40 | 22 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 7 | - | - | B B | - |
Growth Rates[]
| HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov | Con | Wt | Wlv | Cha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FE4 | 100% | 30% | 10% | 30% | 30% | 0% | 30% | 10% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE5 | 50% | 20% | 3% | 15% | 10% | 10% | 15% | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE6 | 75% | 35% | - | 40% | 28% | 30% | 15% | 12% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE7 | 75% | 35% | - | 40% | 28% | 30% | 15% | 12% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE8 | 75% | 35% | - | 40% | 28% | 30% | 15% | 12% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE11 | 40% | 15% | -10% | 25% | 15% | 0% | 15% | -5% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE12 | 40% | 15% | -10% | 25% | 15% | 0% | 15% | -5% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE13 | 45/80% | 20/35% | 0% | 20/30% | 20/30% | 0/35% | 10/30% | 5/15% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE14 | 10% | 15% | 0% | 10% | 10% | 15% | 10% | 5% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE15 | 120% | 50% | - | 50% | 50% | 0% | 50% | 0% | - | - | - | - | - |
| FE16 | 20% | 5%/20% | 0% | 5%/0% | -10%/0% | 0% | 5%/15% | 0% | - | - | - |  +1 +2 +2 | 5% |
| FEW3H | 15% | 10% | 0% | 5% | 0% | 0% | 10% | 0% | - | - | - | - | 5% |
Class Modifiers[]
| HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov | Con | Wt | Wlv | Cha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FE16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1/1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/0 | - | - | - | 0 |
| FEW3H | 200 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1/1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7/0 | - | - | - | 0 |
Class Skills[]
| Skill | Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| FE4 |  Re-Move | Hidden innate skill of all flying and mounted units. |
| FE10 |  Canto | Base skill of all flying and mounted units. |
| FE13 |  Discipline Outdoor Fighter | Learnt at Level 1. Learnt at Level 10. |
| FE14 |  Elbow Room Shelter | Learnt at Level 1. Learnt at Level 10. |
| FE16 |  Canto
Desperation | Base Ability of Cavalier. Mastery Ability of Cavalier. |
| FEW3H |  Sword Buster Lv 2 Battalion Desperation Desperation Lance Prowess Glowing Ember Frozen Lance Thunder Rush Knight's Ploy Knight's Wisdom | Class skill. 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. 2-star Class Mastery for certain units. 3-star Class Mastery for certain units. 3-star Class Mastery for certain units. |
Promotions[]
| Base Class | Promotion Method | Promoted Class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FE1 |  Social Knight | Use a Knight Crest on a Level 10+ Social Knight. |  Paladin |
| FE2 |  Villager | Visit a shrine after reaching the appropriate level. |  Knight |
| FE2 | Knight | Visit a shrine after reaching the appropriate level. |  Paladin |
| FE3 |  Social Knight | Use a  Knight Crest on a Level 10+ Social Knight. |  Paladin |
| FE4 |  Social Knight | Choose the "Class Change" option in the Home Castle when the relevant unit reaches Level 20. |  Paladin |
| FE5 |  Social Knight | Use a  Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Social Knight. |  Paladin |
| TS |  Rook Knight | Use a  Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Rook Knight. |  Commando Knight (Kreiss and Arkis) Gold Knight (Narron) Paladin (Estelle and Rina) Black Knight (Sun) |
| FE6 |  Cavalier | Use a  Knight Crest on a Level 10+ Cavalier. |  Paladin |
| FE7 | Cavalier | Use a Knight Crest on a Level 10+ Cavalier. | Paladin |
| FE8 |  Recruit | Automatically at the start of next map after reaching Level 10. | Cavalier |
| FE8 | Cavalier | Use a Knight Crest on a Level 10+ Cavalier. | Paladin Great Knight |
| FE11 |  Cavalier | Use a  Master Seal on a Level 10+ Cavalier. |  Paladin |
| FE12 |  Cavalier | Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Cavalier. |  Paladin |
| FE13 |  Cavalier | Use a  Master Seal on a Level 10+ Cavalier. |  Paladin Great Knight |
| FE14 |  Cavalier | Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Cavalier. |  Paladin Great Knight |
| FE15 |  Villager | Visit a Mila shrine at level 7+. |  Cavalier |
| FE15 | Cavalier | Visit a Mila shrine at level 10+. |  Paladin |
| FE16 | Any class | Use an  Intermediate Seal on a Level 10+ unit and pass the Cavalier Certification Exam. |  Cavalier |
| FEW3H |  Soldier | Use an Intermediate Seal on a unit that has mastered the Soldier class. | Cavalier |
| FEW3H | Cavalier | Use an Advanced Seal on a unit that has mastered the Cavalier class. |  Paladin |
Notable Cavaliers[]
Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light/Shadow Dragon[]
- Cain - A reckless Altean Cavalier, known as the Great Bull.
- Abel - A sensible Altean Cavalier, known as the Black Panther.
- Vyland - Knight of Aurelis loyal to Hardin.
- Hardin - Prince of Aurelis, known as "Coyote".
- Roshea - Knight of Aurelis loyal to Hardin.
- Matthis - Knight of Macedon and older brother of Lena.
- Frey - Knight of Altea under Jagen's command.
- Bentheon - Macedonian knight leading the enemy forces during the Battle in the Lea chapter.
Gaiden/Echoes: Shadows of Valentia[]
- Clive - An idealistic noble cavalier and former leader of the Deliverance who's focused on the good of the kingdom.
- Fernand - A former member of the Deliverance who sided with Berkut and Rigel
- Possible promotion for: Gray, Tobin, Kliff, Atlas, and Faye
Mystery of the Emblem/New Mystery of the Emblem[]
- Cecil - Knight of Altea and the first female Cavalier to appear in the series.
- Luke - An aspiring Altean Knight of flirtatious demeanor and Roderick's longtime friend and rival.
- Roderick - An aspiring Altean Knight of calm demeanor and Luke's longtime friend and rival.
- Cain - A reckless Altean Cavalier, known as the Great Bull.
- Abel - A sensible Altean Cavalier, known as the Black Panther.
- Matthis - Knight of Macedon and older brother of Lena.
- Belf - Former member of Grust's Sable Order of Knights.
- Reiden - Former member of Grust's Sable Order of Knights.
Genealogy of the Holy War[]
- Naoise - Knight of Chalphy who is fiercely loyal to Sigurd and the companion of Alec.
- Ares - Eldigan's son and heir to Mystletainn who joined up with a mercenary captain after his parents passed away.
- Alec - Knight of Chalphy who is Naoise's rash, vulgar companion.
Thracia 776[]
- Carrion - An orphaned knight of Leonster.
TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga[]
- Arkis - A knight from Razelia.
- Kreiss - A knight from Razelia.
- Estelle - Count Merlon's daughter.
- Narron - A knight in-training from Wellt.
- Sun - A knight in-training from Canaan.
- Rina - Kreiss' sister and Arkis' fiancée.
The Binding Blade[]
- Lance - Intellectual and calm knight of Pherae and the companion of Alen.
- Alen - Reckless knight of Pherae and the companion of Lance.
- Noah - Charismatic member of the Ilian mercenaries.
- Trec - Slow-witted member of the Ilian mercenaries.
- Erik - Son of Darin and Marquess of Laus.
The Blazing Blade[]
- Sain - Philandering, carefree knight of Caelin and companion of Kent.
- Kent - Stoic, serious knight of Caelin and companion of Sain.
- Lowen - Insecure knight of Pherae who pledges allegiance to Eliwood.
- Erik - Son of Marquess Darin of Laus.
The Sacred Stones[]
- Franz - Earnest knight of Renais and Forde's younger brother.
- Forde - Lazy, yet talented knight of Renais, Franz's older brother and companion of Kyle.
- Kyle - Loyal and intelligent knight of Renais and companion of Forde.
- Murray - Lieutenant of Tirado.
- Possible promotion for: Amelia
TearRing Saga: Berwick Saga[]
- Elbert - A knight of Chinon who serves as second-in-command to Ward. He's seen as an elder brother by the younger knights due to his warm and laid-back personality.
Awakening[]
- Stahl - A kind but slightly scatterbrained knight who served with the Shepherds.
- Sully - A member of the Shepherds who is serious about becoming a great knight.
Fates[]
- Silas - A newly appointed Nohrian knight and the Avatar's childhood friend who is often asked for advice.
- Peri - A cavalier of Nohr and one of Xander's retainers who massacres foes with childlike glee.
- Sophie - Silas' daughter. A fledgling cavalier who has difficulty reigning in her stubborn horse, Avel.
- Siegbert - Xander's serious and kind son who received the finest education as a king-to-be.
Vestaria Saga I[]
- Troy - A cavalier from the duchy of Redessa. Famed as "The Winds of Troy."
- Merida - A Lestian knight-in-training who is wandering Vestaria for personal reasons.
Vestaria Saga: The Holy Sword of Silvanister[]
- Hestion - A knight of Cordea and Alexander's best friend. He is the more dutiful of the duo.
Etymology[]
The word "cavalier" is derived from the French word chevalier. It was first used to describe the loyalists of King Charles I and his son, Charles II of England during the English Civil War.
Gallery[]
.png "Cross Knight Card (Cavalier).png (994 bytes)"){kind=small}
.png "FE13 Cavalier (Stahl).png (131 KB)")
.png "FE13 Cavalier (Sully).png (125 KB)")
.jpg "FE14 Cavalier (Silas).jpg (69 KB)")
.jpg "FE14 Cavalier (Peri).jpg (50 KB)")
.jpg "FE15 Cavalier (Generic).jpg (43 KB)")
.png "Fe16 Cavalier (Lorenz).png (3.68 MB)")
