Ryoma: Master of the Blade
Ryoma, the Crown Prince of Hoshido and wielder of the legendary Raijinto, is a premier offensive unit in Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright. His base class is Samurai, which promotes to the potent Swordmaster class. A build focused on maximizing Ryoma's already high strength and critical hit rate is the most effective path to unlocking his full potential. As a Samurai, he learns skills like "Trueblade," which significantly increases his critical hit chance, making him a constant threat to even the most heavily armored foes. Upon promotion to Swordmaster, he gains access to even more critical-focused skills and a higher critical multiplier. To further enhance his offensive capabilities, Ryoma can benefit from skills acquired through reclassing. For instance, if he is reclassed into a Fighter, he can learn "Rally Strength," providing a temporary boost to his attack power for himself and nearby allies. Alternatively, reclassing into a Berserker could grant him access to "Rally Skill," further boosting his accuracy and critical hit rate. The Raijinto itself is a powerful sword that deals effective damage against most enemy types and possesses a high critical hit rate, synergizing perfectly with Ryoma's build. His high speed also allows him to often double-attack, ensuring he can capitalize on his critical hits.
Ryoma's effectiveness is further amplified by the support units he is paired with. A defensive unit like Silas, who can absorb hits and protect Ryoma, allows him to be more aggressive on the front lines. Conversely, pairing him with another offensive unit like Hana can create a devastating offensive duo capable of swiftly eliminating enemy threats. Skills that boost his offensive stats, such as "Death Blow" (learned from the Fighter class), can make his already potent attacks even more devastating. While Ryoma's defensive stats are not his strongest suit, his high speed and evasion, combined with the Raijinto's power, often allow him to avoid taking hits altogether. If necessary, skills like "Armored Blow" (learned from the Knight class) could be considered for a more defensive approach, though this often sacrifices some of his offensive prowess. Ultimately, the goal when building Ryoma is to turn him into an unstoppable force on the battlefield, capable of single-handedly turning the tide of battle through sheer offensive power and critical hits. His role as a frontline attacker and a symbol of Hoshidan strength makes him an indispensable unit throughout the Birthright campaign, complementing other key units like Corrin and Takumi.