Ah, Byleth. The Ashen Demon and professor. A silent protagonist of sorts. If you’ve ventured into Fire Emblem: Three Houses or Three Hopes, you might have questions about this figure. Don’t worry, gamer. We will explore everything about Byleth. From their ideal class to their complex love life. Get ready for a deep dive.
Byleth’s Optimal Class: Unleashing the Ashen Demon
Let’s get to it. You want Byleth to be powerful, right? For male Byleth, make them a damage-dealing machine with the War Master class. Yes, the certification requirements are steep, but trust me, it’ll be worth it.
Why choose War Master? Imagine combining the might of Fistfaire and Axefaire. Now, add a +20 crit bonus. What do you have? Byleth becomes a critical hit factory. Enemies will break before them like week-old cookies. It’s about hitting critically hard and consistently. For male Byleth, War Master is the peak in terms of raw damage output. Other classes offer versatile options, but for explosive damage, War Master Byleth is ideal.
Master Class Mayhem: Beyond War Master
But wait, War Master isn’t the only exciting option in the master class lineup. Fire Emblem: Three Houses offers a variety of advanced classes. Each has its unique flavor and strengths. Here are some top contenders:
- Gremory: Magic users rejoice! Gremory is queen of master classes. Exclusive to female units, it turns magic users into powerful combatants. Doubling spell uses and granting access to strong black and white magic. Want to obliterate foes with magic? Gremory is your throne.
- Wyvern Lord: The Wyvern Lord is iconic. A unit soaring through the skies on a majestic wyvern? Yes, please! Wyvern Lord is a powerhouse for physical units. Incredible mobility and strength with access to axes and lances. It consistently ranks among the strongest classes in the game.
- Mortal Savant: Want versatility? Mortal Savant blends swordplay with magic. It creates a fighter who handles both physical and magical threats. While it might not excel in either area, its versatility is key. Plus, who doesn’t love magical swordplay?
- Great Knight: If you like tanking hits, then Great Knight is your class. Heavy armored and defensive, Great Knights are your front-line walls. They may lack speed but can absorb damage and retaliate with lances or axes. They function as moving fortresses.
- Bow Knight: Range is king; Bow Knights are ranged royalty. They combine bows with riding for mobility and long-range attacks. If you prefer to strike from a distance, choose Bow Knight. They look cool galloping while raining arrows.
- War Master: Returning to War Master again. It’s so strong it deserves multiple mentions in a broader context. It’s ideal for any physical brawler, focusing on sheer power and critical hits.
- Dark Knight & Holy Knight: These mounted magic classes offer mobility and spellcasting. Dark Knight focuses on dark magic with lances, while Holy Knight utilizes white magic with lances. Strong options but often overshadowed by Gremory or the Wyvern Lord’s mobility.
This isn’t a complete list but provides an overview of top-tier classes in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. The “best” class depends on your playstyle and unit needs. However, these classes are consistently strong.
Byleth’s Entanglements: Pairings, Relationships, and Ships
Now let’s explore Byleth’s romantic life. Fans have created many theories about their relationships. Despite being quieter than a library mouse, Byleth attracts much attention.
Optimal Pairings: Synergy on the Battlefield
From a strategic standpoint, who pairs best with Byleth? Some fans suggest Alear as a top pairing. Wait, Alear? The protagonist from Fire Emblem Engage? Yes. This pairing isn’t in Three Houses but one based on gameplay synergy across titles, especially if you consider Emblem Rings in Engage.
The logic makes sense. Alear leads the frontline, benefiting from support abilities. Many of Byleth’s skills buff allies effectively. Pairing them creates a potent relationship. Byleth strengthens Alear’s offense, and Alear maximizes Byleth’s support utility. They form a powerful couple across the games.
Love Interests and Romance: Byleth’s Suitors
Byleth has many romance options in Three Houses, regardless of gender. For male Byleth, here are some partners:
- Edelgard (Black Eagles, Female Byleth only): A powerful character, romancing Edelgard is only for female Byleth in the Black Eagles route. Route-locked but intriguing.
- Jeritza (Black Eagles, Male Byleth only): The brooding Jeritza is romance-only for male Byleth in the Black Eagles route. A choice for those who enjoy darkness and mystery.
- Linhardt (Black Eagles, Male Byleth): The sleepy but intelligent Linhardt offers male/male romance in the Black Eagles. Perfect for those who appreciate intellect and naps.
- Bernadetta (Black Eagles, Female Byleth): The shy Bernadetta is open to both male and female Byleth. A sweet romance brings someone out of their shell.
This is just a glimpse; both male and female Byleth have romantic options across different houses. One joy of Three Houses is finding your perfect match amid battlefield chaos.
Romantic Feelings and Fan Ships: The Courtship of Professor Byleth
It’s not just about whom Byleth can romance; it’s also about who feels love for Byleth. Plus who fans enthusiastically pair them with. Edelgard has clear romantic feelings for Byleth, especially outside support conversations. She’s among a few characters showing overt romantic interest in the story.
Then there’s Dimitri. His feelings are more subtly portrayed but undeniable. Their ending states they “loved each other for the rest of their days.” This fuels speculation about Byleth granting Dimitri immortality. Romantic or platonic love? It’s open to interpretation but clearly profound.
The Fire Emblem fandom has launched many ships for Byleth. Popular pairings include:
- Dimitri, Edelgard, and Claude: Naturally, these are classic “lord” pairings based on their roles in the story and connection with Byleth.
- Seteth: The stern but secretly soft Seteth is popular too, especially in “Silver Snow,” where he takes on a leadership role.
- Sylvain: The flirtatious Sylvain creates a fun pairing for many players, hinting at opposites attracting.
- Flayn: The cheerful Flayn contrasts Byleth’s stoicism for a sweet pairing.
Rhea and Bernadetta: Specific Romantic Inquiries
Let’s discuss a couple of…
specific questions that often arise.
Can female Byleth marry Rhea? Yes. Both male and female Byleth can romance Rhea. This romance is difficult. Rhea’s path is locked to the “Silver Snow” route, with few chances to raise support points. It’s a tough romance, but for Rhea fans, it’s possible.
Can Byleth marry Bernadetta? Absolutely. Bernadetta is bisexual. Both male and female Byleth can romance her. She is popular among many characters, both male and female. Despite her reclusive nature, she’s a great catch.
Byleth’s Arsenal: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Combat Prowess
Now, let’s discuss Byleth’s strengths as a unit on the battlefield.
Skills to Sharpen: Byleth’s Stat Priorities
What stats should you prioritize when building Byleth? Focus on Strength, Magic, Defense, and Charm. Strength and Magic are vital for offense. They allow Byleth to deal physical and magical damage. Defense keeps them alive in battle, while Charm assists with Battalion abilities and social interactions.
Byleth may lag behind other students in some stats initially. However, don’t worry. Their ability, Divine Pulse, lets you rewind time during battles. With the Enlightened One class, Byleth becomes a powerful unit. Some investment is needed, but it pays off.
Achilles’ Heel: Byleth’s Vulnerabilities
Byleth has weaknesses. Key flaws include poor mobility and attack startup/endlag, especially in Super Smash Bros. In Three Houses, you can improve mobility through class choices like Wyvern Lord. However, in Smash, their attacks may be slow, making them vulnerable to faster characters. Knowing limits is important.
Byleth Across Universes: Three Houses, Three Hopes, and Beyond
Byleth’s story spans multiple games. They occupy different roles in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. Each game offers another view of the same conflict.
Byleth, the Antagonist: A Twist in Three Hopes
In Three Hopes, Byleth becomes the antagonist. This shift provides a new narrative angle. Developers aimed to explore clashing beliefs from different viewpoints. Players confront the character they know from a previous game, adding depth to the story.
Recruitment and Story Impact: Byleth’s Choice in Three Hopes
Can you recruit Byleth in Three Hopes? Yes, it significantly impacts the story, especially in the Azure Gleam route. Recruiting Byleth often results in the “good” ending. Failing to recruit them in Chapter 14 completely alters the narrative.
The game warns you in Chapter 12: “Your actions in this battle will greatly impact the outcome of the story.” This is your sign. Recruit Byleth to aim for the “best” outcome. What constitutes “best” is subjective in Fire Emblem, though.
Byleth’s Availability: When Do You Get Them in Three Hopes?
You can recruit Byleth in Chapter 12 of the Azure Gleam path in Three Hopes. Pay attention to that warning message before the mission. It is your moment to decide Byleth’s role and consequently your final ending.
Byleth as a Unit and Character: Rings, Weapons, and Quirks
Let’s examine specific aspects of Byleth as a unit across various Fire Emblem titles.
Byleth’s Ring and Hortensia: A Match Made in Heaven (Engage)
In Fire Emblem Engage, Emblem Rings grant special abilities. Who wields Byleth’s ring best? Many suggest Hortensia. Why her? She is a flying support unit with great mobility. Byleth’s ring enhances her support skills perfectly. Plus, Byleth’s Engage Skill, Instruct, boosts Hortensia’s Resistance slightly. A perfect tactical pairing.
Sublime Creator Sword: Byleth’s Signature Weapon
What weapon does Byleth use? The Sublime Creator Sword. This iconic weapon from Three Houses is Byleth’s signature blade. Once its power is unleashed, it features great stats, making it exceptional in battle. It’s not just a sword; it symbolizes Byleth’s strength and connection to Sothis.
Byleth, the Healer? Surprisingly Capable
Can Byleth heal? Surprisingly, yes. While not a dedicated healer, Byleth has a hidden talent in Faith. This enables them to cast healing spells when necessary. It boosts their versatility beyond just dealing damage.
Aymr: Byleth’s Down B in Smash (and More)
For Super Smash Bros. players, Byleth’s Down B move uses Aymr. What is Aymr? It’s a large axe. In Smash, Aymr features in Byleth’s down smash, down aerial, and down special attacks. Though slow, it delivers high damage and knockback. Use it as a “get off me” tool or to punish overzealous foes.
Delving Deeper: Other Facets of Byleth
Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions about Byleth’s character and lore.
Canon Gender: Leaning Towards Female?
Is there a canon gender for Byleth? Officially, Byleth is customizable to represent the player. However, there is a subtle bias toward female Byleth being more “canonical.” She appears frequently in promotional materials and spin-offs. It’s a nuanced point but could be seen as close to a “default” form.
Voice Actor Shift: The Case of Male Byleth
Why did male Byleth change voice actors? Chris Niosi was replaced due to several factors. He reportedly broke an NDA by discussing his role pre-release. Additionally, allegations arose against him on social media. Consequently, Nintendo recast the role, leading to a voice change for male Byleth in later updates.
Byleth’s Age: Chronologically Challenged
How old is Byleth in Three Houses? At the start, Byleth is about 21 years old. After the time skip, they are around 26. Male Byleth stands approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall and shares a birthday with the player unless you select otherwise.
The Silent Protagonist: Why So Quiet?
Why is Byleth silent? This silence is intentional. It allows players to immerse themselves in the story by projecting onto the character. Additionally, it enables other characters, especially students, to take center stage in the narrative.
Archbishop Byleth: Divine Leadership
Does Byleth become Archbishop? Yes, in “Verdant Wind” and “Silver Snow,” Byleth becomes the Archbishop/Immortal God-Emperor of Fódlan. In “Verdant Wind,” leadership passes to them from Claude. In “Silver Snow,” situations lead Byleth to take charge as the last authority.
Birthday Perks: Gifts and Minor Impacts
Does your birthday impact Fire Emblem: Three Houses? Yes, in a small way. When your birthday occurs in-game, you earn an item that gives a slight stat boost. While this does not significantly affect gameplay, it is a nice perk and enhances personalization.
Byleth, the DLC Fighter: Crossing Universes Again
Is Byleth DLC? Yes, in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Byleth is a downloadable fighter, introducing the Ashen Demon to a broader audience. They battle alongside (or against) gaming icons from various franchises.
various franchises. It’s a testament to Byleth’s popularity and impact within Fire Emblem.
General Fire Emblem Wisdom: Houses, Classes, and Power Rankings
Before the end, let’s discuss questions about Fire Emblem: Three Houses gameplay. We are immersed in the Fódlan universe.
Choosing Your House: Black Eagles, Blue Lions, or Golden Deer?
What is the best house in Fire Emblem: Three Houses? This is subjective. The Black Eagles get recommended for starters. They offer a route that feels easier in battles. The Golden Deer is tougher. The Blue Lions provide a all-around challenging experience.
House Preference in Three Hopes: Lions, Eagles, or Deer Again?
In Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes? Again, it’s subjective. A common recommendation is Blue Lions -> Black Eagles -> Golden Deer. The Blue Lions have a well-balanced force. Bring in mages to help Annette. You can’t go wrong with any house; they each have unique traits.
Strongest Class in Three Houses: Wyvern Lord Reigns Supreme
What’s the most powerful class in Three Houses? The Wyvern Lord tops the lists. Its A-grade Flying and A-grade Axemanship are potent and hard to counter. Wyvern Lords are mobile and dominant on battlefields. They are a true force in the skies.
Power Rankings: Byleth and Beyond
Who’s the mightiest character in Fire Emblem: Three Houses? It is arguably Byleth. As the protagonist, Byleth has immense potential. They are often among the strongest characters on your team. Byleth is the legendary Ashen Demon.
How about Fire Emblem Engage? Who is strongest there? Power rankings vary. Some top contenders are Alear, Hortensia, Pandreo, Chloé, and Kagetsu. Engage has a diverse unit cast. Experiment and find your own strong characters.
Leveling Up: Reaching the Peak in Three Houses
Maximum level in Fire Emblem: Three Houses is level 99. This applies to all characters, regardless of class. Completionists can grind their army to level 99. Though this might be overkill for most.
Endings Galore: How Many Paths to Take?
How many endings in Fire Emblem: Three Houses? There are four distinct endings. One for each route: Crimson Flower (Edelgard), Azure Moon (Dimitri), Verdant Wind (Claude), and Silver Snow (Church route). Each provides a unique view on Fódlan’s conflict.
And in Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes? Three Hopes has two endings per route. A “true” ending and a “normal” ending. The true ending requires specific choices in key battles, like Chapter 10. Pay attention to objectives and hints.
There you have it. A guide to Byleth and their world. From best classes to romances, strengths and weaknesses, to their roles in several games, we have examined the Ashen Demon from all sides. Now go forth, professor, and conquer Fódlan (or Smash Bros., or any Fire Emblem world). Just avoid being silent too much, alright?
