Swordmaster

Swordmaster
Generic class portrait of a Swordmaster from Fates.
First Seen	Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
Promotes From	Myrmidon
Promotes To	Trueblade (FE10 only) High Prince(FEW)
Usable Weapon Types	Sword
Class Skills	Astra Shove, Critical +10 (FE9-10) Swordfaire (FE13-14)
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The Swordmaster (ソードマスター Sōdomasutā) is a combat physical class that recurrently appears across the Fire Emblem Series, beginning from Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War. The promoted form of the Myrmidon class, Swordmasters, like their name suggests, are unparalleled masters of the Sword.

History in the Series

In its original inception in Genealogy of the Holy War, the Swordmaster acts as one of two classes that the then newly-introduced Sword Fighter class can promote into, the other being the Hero class. Arming Swords as its sole weapon of choice, the Swordmaster class can only be accessed by Ayra, her daughter Larcei, and Shanan in these titles. Unlike later appearances, this incarnation of the Swordmaster has very high strength, despite possessing high skill, Swordmasters are not able to perform critical hits without the critical skill or other unique factors.

In Thracia 776, the Swordmaster returns again as a promotion of Swordfighter class. While no longer possessing high strength, Swordmasters are now able to critical due to the game returning to the engine in prior games. Swordmasters possess the continue skill.

Swordmasters appear again in TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga. Like before, it promotes from the sword fighter class. The class's bases and stat cap focus on speed and skill at the expense of defense and power.

Beginning from The Binding Blade, the Swordmaster class is cleanly separated from the Hero class, instituted as the staple promoted form of the Sword Fighter/Myrmidon class.

The Blade Lord Lyndis from The Blazing Blade and the Great Lord Eirika from The Sacred Stones are widely considered to be variations of the Swordmaster class, given the fact that they share similar stat caps.

In Radiant Dawn, the Swordmaster (剣豪ソードマスター Sōdomasutā lit. read as Kengō) class is further able to promote into the Trueblade class when the necessary requirements are fulfilled.

In Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE, the Swordmaster class is one of the promotion classes for Navarre.

In Fire Emblem Warriors, Swordmaster is the promoted class of Owain and the base class of Ryoma, which makes it unique among the classes of that game.

Overview

Combat

While the Defense of Swordmasters has risen since their promotion from Myrmidon, it is still considered to be comparatively lower than a number of other classes. While this remains a glaring weakness that the class carries over from its previous form, so too do its strengths. More prominent amongst these are its high Skill and Speed and generally average Strength, making for the delivery of attacks that are strong, swift and accurate. The high Speed of Swordmasters also renders them experts of evasion, allowing them to engage in very effective combat when facing against tougher bosses.

The two skills Swordmasters can learn in Awakening and Fates are Astra and Swordfaire. When Astra is activated (the trigger percentage equals Skill divided by 2), the user unleashes five consecutive strikes at half damage, dealing a maximum of 2.5 times the normal damage. However, units with Astra should be especially careful around Counter units if they are engaging in melee combat, because the individual half-damage strikes from the skill's activation are less likely to secure kills on their own, and thus, are more likely to incur damaging - and possibly, even fatal - backlash. Swordfaire boosts the user's Strength by 5 if they are wielding a sword (Magic is upped by 5 if the user has a Levin Sword). Swordmasters tend to have average or below average Strength and poor Magic growths, so this skill is good for rectifying that problem.

Attacking these units outside their range with other high-accuracy classes with Magic or Bows is recommended, but only if the ranged unit in question is also blocked by a stronger class to prevent the Swordmaster's advance. Exploiting their flaws is therefore effectively easier when attacking behind walls, as their Resistance is generally quite low. However, the new Weapon Triangle in Fates puts bows at a disadvantage against swords, so attempting to hit them with arrows can now prove unwise, even for Snipers. Additionally, if Swordmasters carry Wakizashi, they can counterattack bow units (and rather accurately at that).

Swordmasters gain a critical boost upon promotion that varies depending on the game played (e.g. 30% in The Binding Blade and 15% in The Blazing Blade, Sacred Stones, the US version of Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn, where Trueblades, promoted Swordmasters, have a 20% boost, and Fates where Swordmasters gain a 10% critical boost along with a 10% avoid boost). In Awakening, Swordmasters do not receive a critical boost, but with the Swordfaire skill, the damage increase will usually make up for it.

During the Swordmaster class's debut in Genealogy of the Holy War, it holds the position of possessing the highest Strength (tied with the traditional high strength classes such as Wyvern Lords), Skill and Speed caps, alongside a fairly decent Defense cap. The Swordmasters in this title also boast excellent growths in these areas as well, further enhancing their formidability as compared to other classes. With the onset of Thracia 776 and beyond, the strength of the Swordmaster class is considerably lowered for strength-balancing purposes.

In WiFi battles, Swordmasters are often used for their simplicity. Their high Speed and lack of obvious weaknesses make them decent units to deploy in the frontlines. Their main flaws take the form of their low Movement, lack of ranged weapons and Weapon Triangle rigidity. Swordmasters are among the easiest units to obtain, although some care needs to be taken with their generally low Defense.

In-Game

★ - FE10 SP Class.

Base Stats

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	40	12	0	15	15	0	7	3	6	-	-	A
FE5	24/20	5/4	1	8	9/10	0	4	-	7	6/5	-	C
TS	22	6	0	10	10	0	3	-	6	-	-	5
FE6	21/19	6	-	11	10/12	0	5/4	2/3	6	9/6	-	C
FE8	21/19	6	-	11	10/12	0	5/4	2/3	6	9/7	-	C
FE9	21/19	5/4	2	7	7/8	0	5	2/3	7	11/8	11/8	C
FE10	30/34	15/14	6/4	20	21/22	0	13/8	10/8	7	11/8	11/8	C
FE10 ★	35	17	8	22	23	0	15	12	7	11	11	A
FE11	22	5	1	11	13	0	6	3	8	-	-	C
FE12	22	5	1	11	13	0	6	3	8	-	-	C
FE13	20	7	2	11	13	0	6	4	6	-	-	E
FE14	18	6	2	7	11	4	5	5	6	-	-	E

Maximum Stats

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	80	27	15	30	30	30	22	18	6	-	-	A
FE5	80	20	20	20	20	20	20	-	20	20	-	A
TS	60	21	15	25	25	30	18	-	12	-	-	20
FE6	60	24/22	-	29	30	30	22	23/25	15	20	-	S
FE7	60	24/22	-	29	30	30	22	23/25	15	25	-	S
FE8	60	24/22	-	29	30	30	22	23/25	15	25	-	S
FE9	60	24/22	20	29	30	40	24/22	22/25	7	11/8	11/8	S
FE10	40	24/23	15	30	30	30	23/22	15/17	7	11/8	11/8	SS/S
FE10 ★	53	30	18	38	38	30	24	22	7	11	11	S
FE11	60	24	20	29	30	30	22	23	7	-	-	A
FE12	60	24	20	29	30	30	22	23	7	-	-	A
FE13	80	38	34	44	46	45	33	38	6	-	-	A
FE14	55	30	28	32	35	33	27	31	6	-	-	S
FEW (Owain)	966	130	130	152	148	99	89	81	5	-	-	S

Growth Rates

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	100%	30%	10%	30%	30%	0%	30%	0%	-	-	-	-
FE5	90%	30%	3%	30%	30%	20%	20%	-	0%	40%	-	-
FE6	65%	20/25%	-	30%	30%	25%	15%	12%	-	-	-	-
FE7	65%	25%	-	30%	30%	25%	15%	22%	-	-	-	-
FE8	65%	25%	-	30%	30%	25%	15%	22%	-	-	-	-
FE9	65%	45%	10%	65%	65%	30%	25/20%	25/30%	-	-	-	-
FE10	50/0%	35/0%	35/0%	40/0%	35/0%	50/0%	40/0%	15/0%	-	-	-	-
FE10 ★	95%	70%	55%	85%	80%	75%	50%	55%	-	-	-	-
FE11	50%	10%	-10%	20%	25%	0%	5%	-5%	-	-	-	-
FE12	50%	10%	-10%	20%	25%	0%	5%	-5%	-	-	-	-
FE13	40%	20%	0%	25%	25%	0%	5%	10%	-	-	-	-
FE14	10%	10%	5%	15%	20%	15%	0%	10%	-	-	-	-

Class Skills

	Skill	Requirements
FE4	Continue	Class skill of the Swordmaster, Ranger, Falcon Knight, Mage Fighter, Thief Fighter and Sage classes.
FE5	Continue	Class skill of the Swordmaster and Sage classes.
FE6	Critical +30	Class skill of the Swordmaster class. Not Listed
FE7	Critical +15	Class skill of the Swordmaster class. Not listed.
FE8	Critical +15	Class skill of the Swordmaster class. Not listed.
FE9	Astra	Occult skill of the Swordmaster class; assign with an Occult Scroll.
FE10	Shove Critical +10	Base skill of all foot units. Class skill of the Swordmaster, Sniper and Sentinel classes.
FE11	Hit Rate +10	Innate.
FE12	Hit Rate +10	Innate.
FE13	Astra Swordfaire	Learnt at Level 5. Learnt at Level 15.
FE14	Astra Swordfaire Avoid +10 Critical +10	Learnt at Level 5 and above. Learnt at Level 15 and above. Innate. Innate.

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 and Larcei)
FE5	Sword Fighter	Use a Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Sword Fighter.	Swordmaster (Shiva, Mareeta and Troude)
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
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
FE10	Swordmaster	Use a Master Crown on a Level 10+ Swordmaster or train a Swordmaster to Level 21.	Trueblade
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
FE14	Samurai	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Samurai.	Swordmaster
FEW	Myrmidon	Use a Master Seal on Owain.	Swordmaster
FEW	Swordmaster	Use a Master Seal on Ryoma.	High Prince

Notable Swordmasters

Genealogy of the Holy War

• Shannan - The crown prince of Isaach, the son of Mariccle and the nephew of Ayra. He is also the cousin of Ulster and Larcei.
• Lamia - A cruel swordwoman hired by Duke Daccar.
• Boyce - A mercenary hired to defend Edda by the Grannevale empire.
• Simia - One of the Twelve Deadlords.
• Promotion for: Ayra and Larcei.

Thracia 776

• Eyvel - The leader of the Fiana Freeblades who is actually an amnesiac Brigid.
• Shannam - A mercenary from Silesse who impersonates Shannan.
• Promotion for: Mareeta, Shiva and Troude.

TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga

• Yoda - The Dark Swordmaster of Zoa and one of the Twelve Heroes.
• Temzin - The king of Arial and father of Katrina.
• Katrina - The daughter of Temzin and wife of Samson.
• Promotion for: Julia, Vega, Shigen, and Krisheena.

The Binding Blade

• Gel - Brunnya's lieutenant, he defends the Sacaen city of Bulgar under her orders.
• Karel - The former "Sword Demon", he is known as the "Sword Saint" in this title. Brother-in-law of Bartre and the uncle of Fir.
• Promotion for: Rutger and Fir.

The Blazing Blade

• Karel - A man known as the "Sword Demon", Karla's older brother.
• Karla - Karel's younger sister.
• Lloyd Reed - The "White Wolf" of the Black Fang, one of the Four Fangs, and the older son of Brendan Reed.
• Promotion for: Guy.

The Sacred Stones

• Ismaire (Creature Campaign only) - The queen of Jehanna and Joshua's mother.
• Carlyle - the former leader of Jehanna's army who betrays Jehanna and sides with Grado.
• Promotion for: Joshua and Marisa.

Path of Radiance

• Stefan - A Branded who resides in the Grann Desert.
• Lucia - Older sister of Geoffrey and Elincia's milk sibling.
• Homasa - A Swordmaster who is one of Petrine's subordinates.
• Promotion for: Mia and Zihark.

Radiant Dawn

• Zihark - A citizen of Daein who fights against the Begnion Occupational Army,
• Lucia - Older sister of Geoffrey and Queen Elincia's advisor.
• Mia - Member of the Greil Mercenaries,
• Tashoria - A mercenary employed by Ludveck to lure the Crimean Liberation Army away from Melior.
• Promotion for: Edward.

Shadow Dragon

• Promotion for: Navarre, Radd and Athena.

New Mystery of the Emblem

• Promotion for: Navarre, Radd, Athena, Malice and Samuel.

Awakening

• Say'ri - Former princess of Chon'sin and Yen'fay's younger sister.
• Yen'fay - Former king of Chon'sin and Say'ri's older brother.
• Seliph (DLC)
• Lyn (DLC)
• Deen (SpotPass)
• Simia- One of the twelve Deadlords.
• Promotion for: Lon'qu and Owain.

Fates

• Sumeragi - The former king of Hoshido and the father of Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi and Sakura.
• Ryoma - The military leader and oldest royal child of Hoshido.
• Promotion for Hana, Hinata and Hisame.

Trivia

• In Fates, if a Swordmaster is given a weapon such as the Axe Splitter or Venge Katana, they will be observed to wield two, instead of one, katanas in battle. This makes them the only class capable of dual-wielding weapons. It will also give them a different death animation, similar to giving a Merchant a Naginata.
  • The full list of dual wieldable katanas include:
    • Venge Katana
    • Axe Splitter
    • Spirit Katana
    • Hagakure Blade
    • Daikon Radish
    • Sunrise Katana
    • Hana's Katana
    • Hinata's Katana

Gallery

Concept artwork of the Swordmaster class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Concept artwork of the Swordmaster class from Path of Radiance.

Concept artwork of the Swordmaster class from Radiant Dawn.

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

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

A Level 1 generic Swordmaster, as he appears in the second series of the TCG.

Generic class portrait of the Swordmaster class from the DS titles.

Generic class portrait of a male Swordmaster from Awakening.

Generic class portrait of a female Swordmaster from Awakening.

Battle model of Eyvel, a Swordmaster from Thracia 776.

Battle model of Shigen, a male Swordmaster from TearRing Saga.

Battle model of Julia, a female Swordmaster from TearRing Saga.

Critical animation of Karel, a male Swordmaster from The Blazing Blade.

Attack animation of Fir, a female Swordmaster from The Binding Blade.

Battle model of Stefan, a male Swordmaster from Path of Radiance.

Battle model of Lucia, a female Swordmaster from Path of Radiance.

Battle model of Zihark, a male Swordmaster from Radiant Dawn.

Battle model of Mia, a female Swordmaster from Radiant Dawn.

Battle model of the Swordmaster class from Shadow Dragon.

Battle model of Say'ri, a female Swordmaster from Awakening.

Say'ri garbed in a yukata (as a Swordmaster) in the Hot-Spring Scramble DLC.

Battle model of Yen'fay, a male Swordmaster from Awakening.

Yen'fay garbed in a yukata (as a Swordmaster) in the Hot-Spring Scramble DLC.

Ryoma's unique Swordmaster model from Fates.

Takumi's unique Swordmaster model from Fates.

Map sprite of the male Swordmaster class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of the female Swordmaster class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of the male Swordmaster class from Thracia 776.

Map sprite of the female Swordmaster class from Thracia 776.

Map sprite of the male Swordmaster class from TearRing Saga.

Map sprite of the female Swordmaster class from TearRing Saga.

Map sprite of the male Swordmaster class from the GBA titles.

Map sprite of the female Swordmaster class from the GBA titles.

Map model of the male Swordmaster class from Path of Radiance.

Map model of the female Swordmaster class from Path of Radiance.

Map model of the male Swordmaster class from Radiant Dawn.

Map model of the female Swordmaster class from Radiant Dawn.

Map sprite of the male Swordmaster class from Shadow Dragon.

Map sprite of the female Swordmaster class from Shadow Dragon.

Map sprite of the male Swordmaster class from Shin Monsho no Nazo.

Map sprite of the Swordmaster class from Awakening.

Map sprite of the Swordmaster class from Fates.