Knight & General/Great Knight

The Knight class in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest embodies the concept of an unyielding defensive wall. These units are heavily armored infantry, excelling in Defense and HP, making them ideal for holding choke points and absorbing heavy physical damage. Their primary weapons are lances, which are effective against sword-wielding enemies and provide a solid defensive advantage against them. Knights are crucial for protecting more fragile units, such as mages or archers, by drawing enemy aggression. For example, a Knight can stand firm against an incoming group of Nohrian Soldiers, allowing your offensive units to pick them off from a safe distance.

Upon promotion, Knights can become either Generals or Great Knights. The General class further amplifies their defensive capabilities, boasting the highest Defense growth rates in the game. Generals are nearly impervious to physical attacks, capable of withstanding blows that would fell most other units. Their innate skill, Pavise, has a chance to activate and negate incoming physical damage, making them incredibly resilient. They remain lance-users, but their sheer survivability makes them invaluable for creating safe zones on the battlefield. The Great Knight, as mentioned previously, gains access to axes alongside swords and lances, offering increased offensive versatility while still maintaining a strong defensive presence. This dual role makes them adaptable to various combat scenarios.

When developing Knights, focus on maximizing their Defense and HP. While their Resistance is typically very low, making them susceptible to magic, their high HP can sometimes mitigate this weakness. Pairing a Knight with a unit that has high Resistance or access to healing skills, like a Cleric or a Priest, is highly recommended. Consider using a Second Seal to reclass a Knight into a Fighter to gain access to axes and a higher Strength growth, or even a Wyvern Rider for flight and improved mobility, before returning them to their advanced class to shore up any stat deficiencies. This allows for a more well-rounded unit capable of contributing more offensively.

Knight Base Stats (Example): HP 28, Str 10, Mag 0, Skl 6, Spd 4, Lck 3, Def 12, Res 1, Mov 5
General Promotion Bonus (Example): +3 HP, +2 Str, +1 Skl, +4 Def, +1 Res
Great Knight Promotion Bonus (Example): +2 HP, +3 Str, +1 Mag, +1 Skl, +1 Spd, +2 Def, +1 Res