Niles, an Outlaw, is a key recruitable character in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest, joining Corrin's forces in Chapter 10, "The King's Choice." He is known for his sharp tongue, cynical wit, and exceptional archery skills. Niles's personal skill, "Goad," allows him to grant adjacent allies +4 Speed when activated, enabling them to double-attack more effectively or avoid being doubled themselves. His starting stats are heavily skewed towards Speed and Skill, with decent Dexterity, but he has very low HP and Defense, making him extremely vulnerable to direct attacks.
When developing Niles, maximizing his Speed and Skill is paramount to ensure he can consistently hit his targets and avoid being doubled. His high Dexterity also contributes to his accuracy with bows. Due to his fragility, focus on keeping him safe behind front-line units or utilizing terrain to his advantage. His initial weapon is a Steel Bow, a standard but effective choice for his class. Niles's low HP means that even a single strong hit can be devastating, so careful positioning is crucial.
Niles's support conversations often reveal a darker past and a complex relationship with loyalty, but he ultimately proves to be a reliable ally to Corrin. His recruitment in Chapter 10 provides an immediate ranged offensive threat and a valuable speed-boosting support unit. Players aiming to optimize Niles's effectiveness should consider pairing him with units that can benefit significantly from his Goad skill, such as slower but powerful attackers or units that have a decent Speed growth but need that extra boost to double. For example, pairing him with a character like Arthur, who has good Strength but can sometimes struggle to double, can make Arthur a much more potent offensive threat.
Niles's promotion options as an Outlaw are into either a Sniper or a Bow Knight. The Sniper class boasts exceptionally high Skill and Dexterity, along with increased critical hit rates, making them deadly archers. The Bow Knight class offers increased movement and the ability to use both bows and swords, providing greater flexibility and mobility on the battlefield. Niles's Goad skill is particularly effective when he is positioned to support multiple allies, especially those who are on the offensive. By strategically placing him near units that are about to engage in combat, he can provide them with the Speed boost needed to secure critical hits or avoid incoming damage, thereby increasing the overall efficiency and survivability of Corrin's army.