Xander Build Guide
Xander, the Crown Prince of Nohr and wielder of the Siegfried, is a formidable physical powerhouse in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest. His innate high Strength and Defense make him an exceptional front-line unit, capable of both dishing out and absorbing significant damage. His personal skill, Paragon, grants him 20% increased experience gain, making him level up faster and reach his full potential more quickly. This makes him an excellent candidate for early investment and training. When building Xander, the primary focus should be on maximizing his Strength and Defense, further enhancing his already impressive combat stats. His base stats are already excellent, so further investment in these areas will create an almost unkillable tank who can also cleave through enemy ranks.
For optimal performance, consider promoting Xander to a Paladin or a Great Knight. The Paladin class offers increased movement and access to Swords and Lances, while the Great Knight provides access to Axes and the powerful Defender skill, which grants +2 Defense and Resistance to adjacent allies. Both promotions complement his tanking capabilities. If you have access to the Armored Blow skill from a Knight or General, it can further bolster his survivability when initiating combat. Pairing Xander with units that can provide Rally skills, such as a Tactician or a Strategist, can further amplify his combat effectiveness. For example, a Rally Strength from a nearby ally can push his already high Strength even higher, allowing him to one-shot many enemies. His sature weapon, Siegfried, is a powerful unique Sword with 18 Might and 100 Hit, making it a reliable choice throughout the game. However, consider equipping him with other high-Strength Lances or Swords as well, especially if Siegfried is being used by another unit or if you need a weapon with different properties. Xander's inherent weakness lies in his Resistance, making him vulnerable to powerful mages. Therefore, pairing him with units that can draw enemy mage fire or provide Resistance buffs is a wise strategy. Units like Elise, who can heal and provide support, or Arthur, who has decent Resistance for a physical unit, can help mitigate this weakness. Ensure Xander is positioned to draw enemy aggression away from more fragile units, acting as a shield for the rest of your army.
His high HP pool, combined with his excellent Defense, means he can often survive multiple hits from even the strongest physical attackers. This makes him ideal for holding choke points or for baiting out enemy attacks. When facing particularly tough enemies, such as the powerful Knights of Nohr or the formidable Wyvern Lords, Xander's high stats and Siegfried can often be the key to victory. His ability to gain experience quickly also means he can reach his promoted class and learn its valuable skills sooner, further accelerating his impact on the battlefield.