Ninja & Master Ninja/Mechanist
The Ninja and its promoted class, the Master Ninja, are swift and deadly units in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest. These classes excel at dealing high damage with their sature Shuriken weapons, which boast a unique advantage against mounted and armored units. Their high Speed stat allows them to double-attack frequently, and their innate ability, Poison Strike, inflicts 3 damage over time on enemies hit by a Shuriken, making them excellent for weakening tougher foes or finishing off low-HP targets. The Mechanist class, while not a direct promotion from Ninja, shares some similarities in its offensive capabilities and access to Shurikens, but also gains access to Bows, offering a more versatile ranged option.
When building a Ninja or Master Ninja, prioritize increasing their Speed and Skill stats. A high Skill stat ensures their attacks hit reliably and increases the critical hit rate, which is further amplified by the Ninja's inherent crit bonus. Their personal skill, Ninja's Fang, grants a +15 critical hit bonus when initiating combat. While their Defense is typically low, their high Avoid stat, boosted by their Speed and the terrain, can help them evade many attacks. Consider pairing a Ninja with a unit that can provide defensive support or a Rally skill, such as a Knight or a Tactician. Units like Kaze, who joins early with the Ninja class, are prime candidates for this role. His personal skill, Mirage Strike, allows him to deal 1.5x damage when initiating combat, synergizing perfectly with the Ninja's offensive prowess. Equipping them with potent Shurikens like the Fujin Yumi (if obtained) or high-rank Shurikens will maximize their damage output. Pay close attention to enemy formations; units with high Resistance, such as mages, can be problematic for Ninjas due to their reliance on physical damage. However, their ability to bypass enemy defenses with Shurikens makes them invaluable against heavily armored foes like Knights and Generals.
The transition to Master Ninja offers improved stats and access to the powerful Shadow Yumi, a unique Shuriken with a 100 hit rate and 20 might. This promotion solidifies their role as elite damage dealers. If a unit has the potential to reclass into a Mechanist, they gain access to the Armorer class line, allowing them to learn skills like Rally Defense, which can indirectly benefit the Ninja's survivability. The Mechanist's access to bows also provides an alternative offensive option, especially against flying units that might otherwise pose a threat to a ground-bound Ninja.