Archer

Learn how to make the most of the Archer class in Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright! Discover their strengths, weaknesses, and promotion options to dominate the battlefield.

Alright, let's talk about the Archer class in Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright. These guys are Hoshidan soldiers who specialize in using the yumi, which is basically a Japanese bow. They're known for having really high Skill, which is super important for hitting your shots and activating those awesome class skills.

Here's a look at their stat growth rates:

When it comes to weapons, Archers are all about the Yumi/Bows.

Archers come with a couple of neat skills:

When your Archer is ready to level up their skills, they can promote into either a Sniper or a Kinshi Knight. Both are pretty solid choices, but they offer different playstyles.

Now, here's the cool part: unlike some older Fire Emblem games, the Archer in Fates is actually really strong. That 'Quick Draw' skill is a game-changer, especially when you stack it with other skills like Bowfaire. It adds a flat amount of damage to your attacks, which can add up super fast. Plus, if you promote them to Sniper, they get a really high critical hit rate. Combine that with their naturally high Skill, and you've got a unit that can dish out tons of damage and activate skills like crazy. They become powerful pretty quickly!

The main thing you need to watch out for with Archers is their range. They can only attack from a distance, and if an enemy gets right up in their face (unless they have special bows that let them attack up close), they're in trouble. So, your job is to protect them. Keep them safe from melee attackers, and they'll be able to snipe down flying enemies and other threats from afar like nobody's business. Seriously, guard your Archer well, and they'll be one of your most valuable units.

Oh, and a little fun fact: the difference between Japanese bows (yumi) and Western bows actually has historical roots. The designs are pretty different, so it makes sense that Hoshido's yumi and Nohr's bows feel distinct in the game. Pretty neat, huh? ...No? Just me? Okay, moving on!