Oni Savage & Oni Chieftain/Blacksmith
The Oni Savage and its promoted class, the Oni Chieftain, are powerful offensive units in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest, specializing in the use of Tomes and their unique personal skill, Savage Blow. This skill allows them to deal 20% of the enemy's max HP as damage to adjacent enemies when the Oni Savage initiates combat. This makes them excellent for clearing out groups of weaker enemies or softening up tougher targets before engaging them directly. Their primary weapon type is Tomes, giving them an advantage against units that are weak to magic, such as Knights and Armored units. Their stats lean towards Strength and Magic, allowing them to hit hard with both physical and magical attacks, though their primary offensive power comes from their Tome usage.
When building an Oni Savage or Oni Chieftain, focus on maximizing their Strength and Magic stats, as well as their HP. Their personal skill, Savage Blow, is particularly effective in the early to mid-game, allowing them to contribute significant chip damage to surrounding enemies. This makes them ideal for front-line positions where they can be surrounded by foes. Consider pairing them with units that can provide defensive buffs or healing, as their Defense stat can be somewhat lacking. Units like Effie, who has high Defense, can act as a shield, allowing the Oni Savage to safely unleash their attacks. Silas, a Cavalier, can also provide excellent support with his mobility and defensive capabilities. The Blacksmith class, while not a direct promotion, shares some thematic similarities with the Oni line, focusing on powerful physical attacks and access to Axes. If a unit can reclass into a Blacksmith, they gain access to the Fighter class line, allowing them to learn skills like Shove, which can be useful for repositioning allies or enemies. The Oni Chieftain's promotion grants them access to the powerful Rally Strength skill, further boosting their offensive potential and that of nearby allies. Equipping them with potent Tomes like the Bolting or the potent Fire Tome will maximize their damage output. Be mindful of enemies with high Resistance, as they can significantly mitigate the Oni's magical damage. However, their ability to deal damage to adjacent enemies with Savage Blow can still be effective even against high-Resistance targets.
The Oni Chieftain's promotion also grants them access to the Rally Skill, which can further enhance their offensive capabilities. If a unit has the potential to reclass into a Blacksmith, they gain access to the Armorer class line, allowing them to learn skills like Shove, which can be useful for repositioning allies or enemies. The Blacksmith's access to Axes also provides an alternative offensive option, especially against flying units that might otherwise pose a threat to a ground-bound Oni.