Merchant

Learn about the Merchant class in Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation! Discover its growth rates, weapon proficiencies, and unique skills like Profiteer and Spendthrift.

Hey there! So you're looking into the Merchant class in Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation, huh? It's a bit of a unique one, not exactly a powerhouse on its own, but it's got some neat tricks up its sleeve, especially if you're looking to beef up your other units. Think of it as a stepping stone to get some really cool skills.

The Merchant is a Hoshidan class, and its whole vibe is about being a trader who can still hold their own in a fight with bows and lances. It's not the tankiest or fastest class out there, but its skills can really make a difference.

Stat Growth Rates:

Stat	Growth Rate
Health	20%
Strength	20%
Magic	0%
Skill	10%
Speed	5%
Luck	15%
Defense	10%
Resistance	5%

As you can see, the Merchant isn't exactly built for raw power or defense. Its growths are pretty low across the board, with Strength being the only offensive stat that gets a decent bump. Magic is non-existent, and Speed is painfully slow. This means you'll want to be careful about where you position your Merchant on the battlefield.

Weapon Proficiencies:

Weapons
Yumi/Bows, Naginata/Lances

The Merchant can use both bows and lances, which gives it a little flexibility. Bows are great for keeping distance, while lances can be useful if you get into closer combat. Just remember, with those low defensive stats, getting into close combat might not always be the best idea unless you've got a plan!

Unique Skills:

Skill	Effect
Profiteer	Luck % chance of obtaining a Gold Bar at the end of the player’s turn
Spendthrift	In battle, spend one Gold Bar to increase damage output by +10 points and mitigate damage by -10 points

Now, here's where the Merchant gets interesting. Profiteer is all about luck – the higher your unit's Luck stat, the better chance they have of randomly getting a Gold Bar at the end of your turn. These Gold Bars are key to the Merchant's other skill, Spendthrift. When you activate Spendthrift, you use up one Gold Bar to get a nice +10 damage boost and reduce incoming damage by -10. It's a great way to boost your offense and defense in a pinch, but it relies on having those Gold Bars!

Strategy and Tips:

• The Merchant class is best used as a stepping stone to acquire its skills. Its stat growths aren't the best for making a dedicated combat unit.
• To maximize Gold Bar generation for Profiteer, try to level up your Merchant's Luck stat as much as possible.
• You can also get more Gold Bars by feeding Lilith in your MyCastle. Don't forget to do that if you want to keep your Gold Bar supply up!
• Spendthrift can be combined with the Master of Arms skill Life or Death for even more potent damage output, though this will also increase damage taken.
• Consider pairing your Merchant with units that have high Luck or skills that can further boost Gold Bar generation.
• While the Merchant class itself might not be a keeper, the skills it offers, especially Profiteer and Spendthrift, can significantly enhance the offensive capabilities of other classes.

So, while you might not want to keep a unit as a Merchant long-term, it's definitely worth promoting into this class to snag those skills. They can really make a difference for your stronger offensive units down the line!