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“Hey! I'm not small! I'm a dangerous mercenary!”
—Rolf talking to Marcia in a support conversation

Rolf is a playable character in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. He is the youngest member of the Greil Mercenaries and the younger half brother of Oscar and Boyd.

Profile[]

The youngest of three brothers after Oscar and Boyd, Rolf's birth mother left when he was a infant, abandoning her sons and their bedridden father for another man, leaving Oscar to take care of the family. Though he traveled with the mercenaries, Rolf's tasks were mostly chores such as helping Mist with cooking and cleaning. Because of this, he had no combat experience prior to when Greil died.

Rolf was first taught how to use a bow by Shinon, so that, like Mist, he could be of some use to the group rather than staying behind every time the company went to work. Shinon told Rolf during his training never to tell anyone who taught him, and he remained faithful to that promise; his eldest brother, Oscar, figured out the truth, but never told anyone either, respecting Rolf's oath.

When the group encounters his birth mother by chance in Radiant Dawn, Rolf is given the opportunity to live with her, and she begs for him to return. He chooses to stay with his brothers, however, saying that she is a stranger to him, considering the fact that she abandoned him, his brothers and his sickly father when he was a baby to be with another man, and that he would prefer staying with what he considers his true family: Oscar, Boyd, and the rest of the Greil Mercenaries.

Rolf can perform a Triangle Attack with his brothers under certain conditions, being that Oscar and Boyd are upgraded classes with the ability to use bows. This is a default setting in Radiant Dawn (keep in mind that Oscar must be a Silver Knight, and Boyd must be equipped with a crossbow of some kind), but optional in Path of Radiance.

In-Game[]

Path of Radiance[]

Recruitment[]

  • Chapter 9: Automatically from the start.

Base Stats[]

Starting ClassAffinity
FE9 Rolf Archer Sprite ArcherFE9Wind Wind
LevelHPStrMagSklSpdLckDefResConWtMov
1185086462446
SkillsWeaponStarting Items
-FE9 Bow Bow - EFE9rolfsbow Rolf's Bow
FE9Vulnerary Vulnerary

Growth Rates[]

HP Str Mag Skl Spd Lck Def Res
60% 40% 20% 45% 50% 40% 30% 25%

Support Conversations[]

See also: Rolf/Supports

Bond Support[]

Promotion Gains[]

Item Required Promoted Class
(FE9masterseal Master Seal) FE9 Rolf Sniper Sprite Sniper
1 +3 +3 +2 +2 +2 +2 +3 +1 +1

Overall[]

Secret Book (Artwork)
Subjective: The following part of this article is based upon the editor's personal experiences and opinions, and therefore may not be applicable for all readers.

Rolf joins underleveled, in chapter 9, with base stats that would barely be acceptable several chapters earlier. Being bow-locked with these stats would be a struggle on its own, but it's compounded on by the fact that Rolf joins with E bows. His growth rates are decent, but they aren't anything spectacular and certainly aren't enough to salvage his poor bases. Even with favoritism, he'll take several chapters to catch up to the rest of your team. On top of all of this, he joins at around the same time as Marcia and Kieran, two of the best units in the game, meaning he'll need to steal valuable experience from them to get anywhere. Even if you want to recruit Shinon, Rolf doesn't need any experience to be kept safe in chapter 18. The only potential threats are the siege tomes used on that map, but proper positioning and use of the barrier staff can make them a non-issue.

The other available choice for Sniper is Shinon. While neither are particularly worth using, Shinon is still arguably better due to joining with B rank in bows, allowing him to wield the Brave Bow at base. His niche of being the earliest joining bow user is relevant only once, in chapter 12, but even then he's held back by the fact that effective weaponry only multiplies Mt by 2 in Path of Radiance, rather than the series' usual x3 multiplier. He will also be easily doubled if the player has not been investing in him up to this point. Once Astrid joins in the next chapter, any niche advantage that bows might have given him is gone. If for some reason 2 bow users are desired for the same map, Rolf might see some use until Boyd promotes.

Overall, Rolf makes a strong argument for being the hardest unit to effectively use in the game, due to his low level, low bases and a lack of strong Enemy Phase combat due to being bowlocked. However, he can still potentially be worthwhile to those that specifically wish to train him, due to possessing solid growths and Support bonuses with his far more worthwhile brothers. While nothing in the game precludes using him effectively or getting him out of his rut, the resources needed to make him into an effective killing machine could likewise be put into your whole army for far greater gain for far less of a cost. It is thus only really recommended to train him if the player either likes his character, enjoys training weak units or likes the Archer class.

Radiant Dawn[]

Availability[]

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Endgame
P 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 E P 1 2 3 E P 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 E P 1 2 3 4 5 E A1 A2 A3 A4 A5

◎=Forced ○=Available □=Available for selected

Base Stats[]

Starting ClassAffinity
FE10 Rolf Sniper Sprite SniperFE10Wind Wind
LevelHPStrMagSklSpdLckDefResConWtMov
132173201913139677
SkillsWeaponStarting Items
Critical 10 Critical +10
Shove Shove
FE10 Bow Bow - BRolfsbow Rolf's Bow
FE10steelbow Steel Bow
FE10vulnerary Vulnerary

Growth Rates[]

HP Str Mag Skl Spd Lck Def Res
85% 75% 10% 45% 45% 35% 35% 20%

Biorhythm[]

RD Biorhythm H

Bond Support[]

Promotion Gains[]

Item Required Promoted Class
(FE10mastercrown Master Crown) FE10 Rolf Marksman Sprite Marksman
1 +4 +2 +4 +2 +2 +2 +4 +0 +0
Skills Weapon Levels
Critical 15 Critical +15
Deadeye Deadeye
FE10 Bow A*

Overall[]

Secret Book (Artwork)
Subjective: The following part of this article is based upon the editor's personal experiences and opinions, and therefore may not be applicable for all readers.

Shinon joins at the same time as Rolf and at a higher level, but they compete in different stats. Rolf has higher HP, luck, and higher strength, but lower Defenses, Speed, and much less Skill. Compared to Leonardo, Rolf has higher HP, Strength, and Speed, but much less Resistance, Luck, and Skill. It is advised to take at least one Marksman with you to the final chapter so you can use the powerful Double Bow, so who you end up using as your Marksman is completely preferential. Of the three, Rolf has by far the highest HP and Strength, by far the lowest Skill, and the middle ground for Luck and Speed.

During Part 3, Rolf's biggest flaw is that with BEXP abuse, Shinon will cap Strength with relative ease, as well as Defense, HP, Skill, and Speed. Rolf will almost certainly fail to cap Defense, but he can cap Skill and Speed as a Sniper. Rolf takes many levels to get up to speed, as to cap HP and Strength. His Skill and Speed will develop decently well, and he will one-round most enemies if he gets enough in these stats. He's practically guaranteed to cap Strength as both a Sniper and a Marksman, just watch out for his defenses, but his HP and decent avoid can help him sponge some attacks.

Fire Emblem Heroes[]

Tricky Archer
A member of the Greil Mercenaries and the younger brother of Oscar and Boyd. Joining in on the harvest festivities in a ghostly getup. Appears in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.

Base Stats[]

Rarity:
✯✯✯✯
Heroes Rolf Tricky Archer spriteTitle
Tricky Archer
Group
Heroes Cavalry Cavalry
LevelHPAtkSpdDefRes
1
40
16/17/18
34/37/40
5/6/7
25/28/31
9/10/11
31/34/37
4/5/6
22/25/28
2/3/4
18/21/24
SkillsWeapon
FEH skill offense Candlewax Bow
FEH skill support Shove
FEH Bow Bow
✯✯✯✯✯
Heroes Rolf Tricky Archer spriteTitle
Tricky Archer
Group
Heroes Cavalry Cavalry
LevelHPAtkSpdDefRes
1
40
17/18/19
36/40/43
5/6/7
27/30/33
9/10/11
33/36/39
5/6/7
24/28/31
3/4/5
20/23/27
SkillsWeapon
FEH skill offense Candlewax Bow+
FEH skill support Shove
FEH Bow Bow

Skills[]

TypeNamePrerequisiteDefaultUnlocked
FEH skill offenseIron Bow---
Steel Bow---
Candlewax Bow---
Candlewax Bow+-FEH Star Rarity 5-
FEH skill supportShove-FEH Star Rarity 4FEH Star Rarity 3
BFEH Desperation 1 Desperation 1--
FEH Desperation 2 Desperation 2FEH Desperation 1 Desperation 1FEH Star Rarity 3
FEH Desperation 3 Desperation 3FEH Desperation 2 Desperation 2FEH Star Rarity 4
CFEH Odd Spd Wave 1 Odd Spd Wave 1--
FEH Odd Spd Wave 2 Odd Spd Wave 2FEH Odd Spd Wave 1 Odd Spd Wave 1-
FEH Odd Spd Wave 3 Odd Spd Wave 3FEH Odd Spd Wave 2 Odd Spd Wave 2FEH Star Rarity 5

Overall[]

Secret Book (Artwork)
Subjective: The following part of this article is based upon the editor's personal experiences and opinions, and therefore may not be applicable for all readers.
Base Set[]
Counters[]
Skill Inheritance[]

Meet Some of the Heroes[]

Tricky Archer Rolf
Rolf tricky archer pop01 Hmm? Who's that hiding under a sheet, pretending to be a ghost? Let's see who you really are, sheet-ghost! …Ah-ha, I knew it! It's Rolf!
Rolf tricky archer pop02 So during the harvest festival, there's a tradition where kids ask the grown-ups for candy by telling them “trick or treat!” Rolf may be a Hero, but he's still young enough to want a share of the action!
Rolf tricky archer pop03 Rolf's wearing a cute ghost outfit for the festival, and after this, he'll be going to “treat” his brothers to a few of his tricks. Do you think he'll manage to scare them?
Rolf tricky archer pop04 Well, I'd rather be spooked by a cute ghost than a scary one! I hope Rolf gets a great haul this harvest festival!
Closely Associated Characters
Oscar A straightforward but accommodating member of the Greil Mercenaries. Has good instincts. He's Rolf's brother.
Boyd A member of the Greil Mercenaries. Brash and big-hearted, he doesn't care much for details. Oscar is his older brother, while Rolf is his younger brother.

Quotes[]

Path of Radiance[]

“I... wonder what will happen to me... I'm so scared... Boyd... Broth--”
—Rolf's death quote

Radiant Dawn[]

“So this is what fate...had in store for me... I'm so cold... I still had...a lot...to learn. Oscar... B-Boyd... Shinon...”
—Rolf's death quote

Heroes[]

Rolf/Heroes Quotes

Ending[]

Faithful Student (若葉の射手, Young Archer)
Rolf remained with the mercenaries. He was always in demand as a tutor of unrivaled marksmanship.

Non-Canon Appearances[]

Fire Emblem 0 (Cipher)[]

Rolf is illustrated in the trading card game Fire Emblem Cipher with the following cards:

Choose Your Legends Placement History[]

Round Placement Character Version Votes

CYL1 359 CYL Rolf POR Portrait
Path of Radiance
482
377 CYL Rolf RD Portrait
Radiant Dawn
434
CYL2 468
↓109
CYL Rolf POR Portrait
Path of Radiance
279
↓203
521
↓144
CYL Rolf RD Portrait
Radiant Dawn
218
↓216
CYL3 369
↑99
(From highest)
CYL Rolf POR Portrait
Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn
427
↓70
(From combined)
CYL4 421
↓52
CYL Rolf POR Portrait
Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn
195
↓232
CYL5 366
↑55
CYL Rolf POR Portrait
Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn
148
↓47
CYL6 393
↓37
CYL Rolf POR Portrait
Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn
130
↓28

CYL7 358
↑35
CYL Rolf RD Portrait
Radiant Dawn/Path of Radiance
75
↓55

Etymology[]

Rolf is a real name and has its own meaning, but it is an alteration of "Rudolf", which means "fame" and "wolf" in its Germanic roots.

Trivia[]

  • In the English version of Path of Radiance, Rolf erroneously tells Tauroneo in their C support that his mother died and his father left his family. In Radiant Dawn, it is shown that Rolf's mother is alive and was the one who left the family while his father was dying. This error was not present in the Japanese version.
  • In Radiant Dawn, in the base conversation "The Three Brothers", the North American version erroneously implies that Rolf and Boyd are step-brothers and not blood-related. The official Path of Radiance Japanese site states that Oscar, Boyd, and Rolf share the same father. This error was not present in the Japanese version and was fixed in the European version.
  • In Radiant Dawn, Rolf says in a base conversation with Boyd that he believes skill is more important than strength, even though his growth rate for strength (75%) is higher than the one for his skill (45%).
  • Rolf is tied with Aran for highest Strength growth rate in Radiant Dawn, at 75%. Rolf is also tied with Edward for highest HP growth of all beorc units, at 85%.

Gallery[]

See main article: Rolf/Gallery.
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