Gunter (Great Knight)
Gunter, a loyal retainer and the Prince's tutor, serves as an early-game powerhouse in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest. His base class is Great Knight, a formidable mounted unit that boasts high Strength and Defense, allowing him to effectively engage both physical and magical threats. Gunter's personal skill, "Guardian," grants him a +4 bonus to all stats when adjacent to a male ally, making him an excellent bodyguard and front-line combatant. He starts with the skills "Rally Defense" and "Shove," which can be invaluable for supporting nearby allies. His innate ability to wield both swords and axes, combined with the Great Knight's Lance proficiency, provides him with excellent weapon triangle coverage. Early in Conquest, Gunter is instrumental in clearing maps like Chapter 3, where his high HP and defensive stats can absorb significant damage from enemy archers and knights. When promoting, Gunter can choose to remain a Great Knight or reclass into a Paladin, offering a slightly different stat distribution and skill set. His high base stats mean he can often perform well even with suboptimal stat growths. It is crucial to keep Gunter alive, especially in the early chapters, as losing him can significantly hinder your progress due to his reliable combat performance and supportive capabilities. His presence on the battlefield can often dictate the flow of combat, allowing other, more fragile units to advance safely.
Gunter's utility extends beyond direct combat. His "Shove" command can reposition allies out of danger or push enemies into disadvantageous positions, such as off cliffs or into the range of other allied units. This tactical application of his movement can be crucial for setting up powerful combos or preventing critical losses. Furthermore, his potential to gain access to the Paladin class upon promotion offers a different strategic avenue, with the Paladin's higher movement and access to the "Renewal" skill providing sustained healing. When considering Gunter's role, think of him as a mobile fortress. His ability to take hits and dish out consistent damage makes him a cornerstone of any early-game strategy in Conquest. His personal skill, "Guardian," is particularly potent when paired with other male units like Xander or Silas, creating a formidable defensive core. aim to keep him engaged in combat where his defensive capabilities can be maximized, while also utilizing his supportive skills to bolster the effectiveness of the entire army.