Myrmidon

Myrmidon
Generic class portrait of a Samurai from Fates.
First Seen	Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
Promotes From	--
Promotes To	Swordmaster Hero (Jugdral Series only) Assassin (FE8/13) Master of Arms (FE14 only)
Usable Weapon Types	Sword
Class Skills	Pursuit (FE4 only) Shove, Critical +5 (FE10 only) Avoid +10 (FE13 only) Vantage (FE13-14) Duelist's Blow (FE14 only)
[view]

“A swift specialist in the blade who makes for a tricky target.”
—In-game description from Awakening.

The Myrmidon (剣士 ソードファイター Sōdo faitā, Sword Fighter in the Japanese versions) is a classic combat physical class that recurrently appears across the Fire Emblem Series. Wielding Swords as its sole weapon of choice, the Myrmidon class is, despite being distinguished from the Mercenary class, closely linked to it in earlier titles in terms of their promotion paths.

Nabarl is credited for creating the archetype of Myrmidons, with the class's basic appearance and statistic traits derived from him. Originally a Mercenary in the original game and Mystery of the Emblem, his elegant brand of sword combat, strikingly dissimilar to the coarser type employed by Mercenaries, later sees the Myrmidon class being introduced to the series with the advent of Genealogy of the Holy War. Nabarl is eventually befittingly made a Myrmidon in the remakes of the original two titles. Ayra from Genealogy of the Holy War is also credited with defining much of the class and its look, particularly the promoted version, the Swordmaster.

History in the Series

The Myrmidon class, originally known as the Sword Fighter class, is introduced to the series in Genealogy of the Holy War, where it replaces the Mercenary as the primary Sword wielding foot unit. The class is able to promote into two different classes depending on the character; Ayra and Larcei promote into Swordmaster, while Holyn, Ulster, Radney and Roddlevan promote into Forrest, the equivalent to the Mercenary's traditional Hero promotion.

In Thracia 776, the Sword Fighter class functions in much the same way as its predecessor, where some characters promote into Swordmaster and others promote into Mercenary, another Hero equivalent.

Serendipitously, in both TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga and Fire Emblem: Binding Blade, the class is formally separated from the Mercenary class and the Swordmaster class is instituted as the sole promoted form of the Myrmidon class.

In The Sacred Stones, Myrmidons are given the further option to promote into the Assassin class alongside the Swordmaster class.

The Myrmidon class is simply known as Blade (剣士 ブレイド Bureido) in the Japanese version of Radiant Dawn. Like its predecessors, the class promotes directly into the Swordmaster class, which in turn promotes into the Trueblade class when the necessary requirements are fulfilled.

In Shadow Dragon and Shin Monshō no Nazo, remakes of the Akaneia Series, some characters who were originally Mercenaries are reinstated as Myrmidons, including the likes of Nabarl and Radd.

In Awakening, the class is again given the further option to promote into the Assassin class alongside the Swordmaster class.

The class has been renamed Samurai (侍) in Fates and is treated as a Hoshidan class. The Samurai has the option to promote into the Master of Arms alongside the traditional Swordmaster. The Samurai class is regarded as the counterpart to the Nohrian Mercenary.

Overview

Combat

Joshua, a myrmidon, attacking with a critical hit

The Myrmidon's superior Speed and Skill over other similar classes make them very formidable foot soldiers, but their comparatively lower HP, Strength and Defense make them difficult to protect against quick and accurate opponents.

While Myrmidons can easily deal with magic users and thieves with a single round of combat on the player phase, the same prowess may not necessarily be replicated on the enemy phase; when overwhelmed by too many of such enemies, they could potentially lose their superior edge and be felled. When facing heavier enemies, especially fighter-type units, the high Speed boasted by Myrmidons makes them proficient at evading clumsy blows. This is, however, offset by their typically mediocre Strength, especially when they are commanded to do battle with heavily armored units (exacerbated further if said armored units are immune to their damage).

Should a Myrmidon be attacked by slower units, especially a Fighter or Brigand, they are often able to kill or heavily damage their enemy in a single counterattack due to the consistency that they display in inflicting critical attacks.

Uniform

Most female Myrmidons are depicted donning a tunic with an over-top that barely covers their waist and long, high boots with no leggings. Males, conversely, are depicted in a tunic and leggings with a belt and sheath (sometimes on their back) for their sword.

In terms of armor, IF they are wearing any armor, Myrmidons and Sword Fighters are usually restricted to extremely light breastplates or gorgets, a cloth headband (with a small steel plate covering their forehead in Awakening and Fates) and sometimes small pauldrons depending on the game to show their lack of Defence.

In Fates, Samurai come better equipped, as they are shown with a much sturdier chestplate and a gorget that resembles a standing steel collar with various cultural clothing items worn underneath. Although, the units from Fates appear under-equipped compared to traditional Samurai, but this is omitted once said unit promotes to Swordmaster, where they get a whole suit of Samurai armor.

In-Game

Base Stats

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	30	7	0	10	10	0	5	0	6	-	-	A
FE5	20/18	3/2	0	5	6/7	0	2	6	6/5	-	-	E
TS	20	3	0	7	8	0	2	-	5	-	-	4
FE6	16/15	4/3	-	9	9/10	0	2/1	0/1	5	8/5	-	D
FE7	16/15	4/3	-	9	9/10	0	2/1	0/1	5	8/5	-	D
FE8	16/15	4/3	-	9	9/10	0	2/1	0/1	5	8/5	-	D
FE9	17/15	4/3	0	5	5/6	0	3	0/1	6	10/7	10/7	D
FE10	18	6	0	10	11	0	4	0	6	10	10	D
FE11	16	3	0	9	11	0	4	0	7	-	-	E
FE12	16	3	0	9	11	0	4	0	7	-	-	E
FE13	16	4	1	9	10	0	4	1	5	-	-	E
FE14	17	4	0	5	8	3	3	3	5	-	-	E

Maximum Stats

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	80	22	15	25	25	30	20	15	6	-	-	A
FE5	80	20	20	20	20	30	20	-	20	20	-	A
TS	60	19	15	20	20	30	18	-	12	-	-	18
FE6	60	20	-	20	20	30	20	20	15	20	-	A
FE7	60	20	-	20	20	30	20	20	15	20	-	A
FE8	60	20	-	20	20	30	20	20	15	20	-	A
FE9	40	20	15	20	20	40	20	20	6	-	-	A
FE10	30	20	10	20	20	30	20	10	6	-	-	A
FE11	60	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	7	-	-	A
FE12	60	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	7	-	-	A
FE13	60	24	22	27	28	30	22	24	5	-	-	A
FE14	40	20	16	23	25	24	18	20	5	-	-	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%	-	0%	15%	-	-
FE6	70%	35%	-	40%	40%	30%	15%	17%	-	-	-	-
FE7	70%	35%	-	40%	40%	30%	15%	20%	-	-	-	-
FE8	70%	35%	-	40%	40%	30%	15%	20%	-	-	-	-
FE9	65/60%	50/45%	10%	60%	65%	30%	30/25%	25/30%	-	-	-	-
FE10	65%	40%	20%	45%	50%	30%	40%	40%	-	-	-	-
FE11	50%	10%	-10%	20%	25%	0%	5%	-5%	-	-	-	-
FE12	40%	10%	-10%	20%	30%	0%	5%	-5%	-	-	-	-
FE13	40%	20%	0%	25%	25%	0%	5%	5%	-	-	-	-
FE14	10%	10%	0%	15%	20%	15%	0%	0%	-	-	-	-

Class Skills

	Skill	Requirements
FE4	Pursuit	Class skill of Sword Fighters.
FE10	Shove Critical +5	Base skill of all foot units. Class skill of the Myrmidon, Halberdier and Reaver classes.
FE13	Avoid +10 Vantage	Learned at Level 1. Learned at Level 10.
FE14	Vantage Duelist's Blow	Learned at Level 1 and above. Learned at Level 10 and above.

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, Larcei) Forrest (Holyn, Ulster, Radney and Roddlevan)
FE5	Sword Fighter	Use a Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Sword Fighter.	Swordmaster (Shiva, Mareeta and Trewd) Mercenary (Machyua)
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 Assassin
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
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 Assassin
FE14	Samurai	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Samurai.	Swordmaster Master of Arms

Notable Myrmidons

Genealogy of the Holy War

• Ayra - The princess of the Kingdom of Isaach, daughter of King Mananan and younger half-sister of Prince Mariccle. Aunt of Shanan and mother of Larcei and Ulster.
• Holyn - The son of the Lord of Sophara Castle in Isaach and a distant relative of Ayra.
• Larcei - The daughter of Ayra and the twin sister of Ulster.
• Ulster - The son of Ayra and the twin brother of Larcei.

Thracia 776

• Machyua - A member of the Magi Squad.
• Shiva - A mercenary hired by the Lifis Pirates.
• Mareeta - The daughter of Prince Galzus of Rivough and the adopted daughter of Eyvel.
• Trewd - A member of the Dandelion Gang.

TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga

• Julia - The daughter of Yoda and the foster sister of Shigen.
• Vega - A mysterious man who is known as Dhullam's Angel of Death.
• Shigen - The son of Karla and the nephew of Sieg who was adopted by Yoda.
• Krisheenu - A thief and a sword fighter who is searching for legendary orb in order to bring back her lover, Algo.

Binding Blade

• Rutger - A half Sacaen from Bulgar who seeks revenge against Bern.
• Fir - The daughter of Bartre and Karla and the niece of Karel.

Rekka no Ken

• Guy - A swordsman from Sacae's Kutolah tribe.

The Sacred Stones

• Joshua - The prince of Jehanna and the son of Queen Ismaire who has a fervor for gambling.
• Marisa - A member of Gerik's Mercenaries who is known as the "Crimson Flash".

Path of Radiance

• Mia - A member of the Greil Mercenaries.
• Zihark - A Daein mercenary who does not harbour hatred for the Laguz.

Radiant Dawn

• Edward - A member of the Dawn Brigade.
• Isaiya - A swordsman hired by the Begnion Occupational Army to capture the Dawn Brigade.

Shadow Dragon

• Nabarl - A stoic mercenary who is also known by the alias "Crimson Fencer".
• Radd - A citizen of Port Warren who joins the Akaneian League with Caesar.
• Athena - A swordswoman of mysterious origins.

Shin Monshō no Nazo

• Samto - Impersonator of Nabarl.
• Malice - Daughter of Dice and is constantly in pursuit of gaining riches.

Awakening

• Lon'qu - A swordsman from Chon'sin who suffers from gynophobia.
• Owain - Lissa's son from the future.
• Morgan (Only if the Avatar married to Lon'qu, Say'ri, Owain or Yen'fay).
• Eirika (SpotPass)

Fates

• Hana - Princess Sakura's childhood friend and loyal subordinate.
• Hinata - A swordsman who serves Prince Takumi.
• Hisame - The son of Hinata.

Etymology

The Myrmidons were a tribe that followed Achilles, descended from Myrmidon, one of Zeus's countless sons. In modern times, a Myrmidon is someone who follows a cause without question. Many members of the class (Such as Guy, Lon'qu and Mia) could be called Myrmidons in this respect in relation to their devotion to swordplay.

Trivia

• In some games, the manner by which Myrmidons handle the blade can be seen as a style of swordplay from a specific region on the continent.
  • In Jugdral, Myrmidons hail from Isaach.
  • In Elibe, Myrmidons hail from Sacae.
  • In Magvel, Myrmidons hail from Jehanna.
  • In Awakening, with the exception of Owain, all the Myrmidons/Swordmasters that join the Shepherds are from Chon'sin.
  • In Fates, Samurai hail from Hoshido.

Gallery

Concept artwork of the Sword Fighter class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Unit lConceptArt.jpg

Concept artwork featuring both the Myrmidon and the Wyvern Lord classes from Path of Radiance, with the former class positioned on the left.

Concept artwork of the male variant of the Myrmidon class from Awakening.

Concept artwork of the female variant of the Myrmidon class from Awakening.

A Level 1 generic Sword Fighter, as he appears in the first series of the TCG.

Generic CG portrait of the Sword Fighter class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Generic CG portrait of the Myrmidon class from the GBA titles.

Generic CG portrait of the Myrmidon class from the DS titles.

Generic portrait of a Myrmidon from Awakening.

Battle model of Shiva, a male Sword Fighter from Thracia 776.

Battle model of Machyua, a female Sword Fighter from Thracia 776.

Battle model of Vega, a male Sword Fighter from TearRing Saga.

Battle model of Julia, a female Sword Fighter from TearRing Saga.

Animation of Rutger, a Myrmidon from Binding Blade, showcasing both a normal and a critical attack.

Battle model of Mia, a female Myrmidon from Path of Radiance.

Battle model of Zihark, a male Myrmidon from Path of Radiance.

Battle model of Edward, a Myrmidon from Radiant Dawn.

Battle model of Lon'qu, a male Myrmidon from Awakening.

Battle model of Hinata, a male Samurai from Fates.

Map sprite of a male Sword Fighter from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of a female Sword Fighter from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of a male Sword Fighter from TearRing Saga.

Map sprite of a female the Sword Fighter from TearRing Saga.

Map sprite of a male Myrmidon from the GBA titles.

Map sprite of a female Myrmidon from the GBA titles.

Map sprite of a male Myrmidon from the DS titles.

Map sprite of a female Myrmidon from the DS titles.

Enemy Male Myrmidon FE12 Map Icon.png

Map sprite of an enemy male Myrmidon from the DS titles.

Enemy Female Myrmidon FE12 Map Icon.png

Map sprite of an enemy female Myrmidon from the DS titles.

Map sprite of Lon'qu as a Myrmidon in Awakening.

Map sprite of Hinata as a Samurai in Fates.

Map sprite of Hana as a Samurai in Fates.