Vanguard

Learn how to unlock and master the Vanguard class in Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation. Discover its strengths, weaknesses, and unique skills like Aether and Strengthtaker.

Alright, so you're looking to beef up your units with some serious power, huh? The Vanguard class is pretty awesome, kind of like the beefier, more offense-focused cousin to the Lodestar. You'll get this class by picking up the DLC map called Vanguard Dawn. Think of it as joining the legacy of Ike himself!

This class is all about being strong and tough, but yeah, they're not exactly the fastest units on the battlefield. Their main weapon types are Katanas/Swords and Clubs/Axes, so you've got some solid physical options there. They also come with some killer skills that really define them.

Class Stats & Growth Rates:

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

As you can see, they're built to take a hit and hit back hard, with decent HP and Strength growth. Don't expect them to be dodging a lot of magic or dishing out any themselves, though.

Weapons Proficiency:

• Katana/Swords
• Clubs/Axes

Unique Skills:

• Heavy Blade: This gives you a nice boost of Strength+3, but it'll cost you a little Speed (-1). It really leans into the Vanguard's role as a heavy hitter.
• Veteran Intuition: This skill grants Critical Evade+15. It's a nice little safety net against enemy critical hits, but remember, you can't rely on it 100% of the time. Always try to position your units smartly!
• Aether: This is a really cool skill that this class shares with the Great Lord class. It has a chance (Skill x 0.5%) to activate two powerful skills in succession: first Sol (which heals you) and then Luna (which ignores enemy Defense). It's like getting two attacks for the price of one, with a chance for some serious damage and recovery!
• Strengthtaker: This one's straightforward – after you defeat an enemy, your Strength gets a permanent boost of +2 for the rest of the battle, stacking up to +10. This makes your Vanguard even more terrifying as the fight goes on.

Important Note on Strengthtaker: Just a heads-up, Strengthtaker won't stack with other similar skills like Speedtaker or any other “-taker” skills. So, you'll have to choose which stat boost you want to focus on!

So yeah, the Vanguard is a fantastic choice if you want a unit that can take a beating and dish out massive physical damage. Just be mindful of their lower Speed and make sure to pair them with units that can cover their weaknesses!