Fire Emblem Heroes
Fire Emblem Heroes

Axes

Master your Axe units in Fire Emblem Heroes. Learn their weapon triangle, unit roles, and optimize them with powerful Skill Inheritance tactics.

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Axes

Axes are a powerful weapon type in Fire Emblem Heroes, primarily wielded by physically strong units. They hold a weapon triangle advantage over Lances and a disadvantage against Swords. This section will guide you through optimizing your Axe-wielding heroes through strategic Skill Inheritance.

Understanding Axe Unit Roles

Axe units often fall into a few key archetypes:

  • Offensive Powerhouses: These units boast high Attack and often Speed, aiming to eliminate enemies in one or two hits. Examples include heroes like Brave Ike or Legendary Hector.
  • Defensive Walls: Units with high Defense and HP, designed to tank hits and retaliate. Think of heroes such as Surtr or Fallen Edelgard.
  • Mixed Tanks/Support: Some Axe units offer a balance of stats or provide valuable support to their team. Spring Idunn or Summer Ylgr can fit this role.

Recommended A-Slot Skills for Axes

The A-slot is crucial for enhancing an Axe unit's primary role. Consider these options:

  • Offensive Units:
    • Swift Sparrow 3 (Inherit from: Spring Palla, Summer Mia): Grants +6 Atk/Spd during combat if initiating. Ideal for player phase nukes.
    • Atk/Spd Push 4 (Inherit from: Fallen Celica, Brave Lysithea): Grants +7 Atk/Spd and deals 5 damage to unit after combat if unit's HP ≥ 25%. Excellent for aggressive units who can secure KOs.
    • Death Blow 4 (Inherit from: Brave Celica, Legendary Leif): Grants +8 Attack when initiating combat. A classic choice for maximizing damage output.
  • Defensive Units:
    • Distant Counter (Inherit from: Hector, Legendary Ike): Allows unit to counterattack regardless of foe's range. Essential for mixed-phase or ranged-baiting tanks.
    • Close Def 4 (Inherit from: Fallen Lyon, Gatekeeper): Grants +8 Def/Res during combat if foe initiates combat and uses a melee weapon. Also inflicts -1 Special cooldown on foe. Perfect for dedicated melee tanks.
    • Sturdy Impact (Inherit from: Tibarn, Fallen Lyon): Grants +6 Atk, +10 Def during combat if initiating, and prevents foe's follow-up attack. Useful for units who need to initiate and survive the counter.

Recommended B-Slot Skills for Axes

B-slot skills provide utility, follow-up control, or damage mitigation.

  • Offensive Units:
    • Null Follow-Up 3 (Inherit from: Adrift Corrin (M), Legendary Alm): Neutralizes effects that guarantee or prevent follow-up attacks. Crucial for fast units to ensure their own follow-ups or prevent enemy ones.
    • Desperation 3 (Inherit from: Shanna, Mae): If unit's HP ≤ 75% and unit initiates combat, unit's follow-up attack occurs immediately after unit's first attack. Synergizes well with high-speed units.
    • Lull Atk/Def 3 (Inherit from: Ferdinand, Petra): Inflicts Atk/Def -3 on foe and neutralizes foe's bonuses to Atk/Def during combat. Great for increasing damage and survivability.
  • Defensive Units:
    • Special Fighter 3 (Inherit from: Winter Fae, Winter Sothis): If unit's HP ≥ 25% and foe initiates combat, grants Special cooldown charge +1 to unit per attack and inflicts Special cooldown charge -1 on foe per attack. Excellent for armored tanks to accelerate their own Specials and slow down enemies.
    • Bold Fighter 3 (Inherit from: Winter Chrom, Effie): If unit initiates combat, grants Special cooldown charge +1 to unit per attack and unit makes a guaranteed follow-up attack. For offensive armored units.
    • Vengeful Fighter 3 (Inherit from: Winter Tharja, Robin (F)): If foe initiates combat, grants Special cooldown charge +1 to unit per attack and unit makes a guaranteed follow-up attack. For defensive armored units.
    • Quick Riposte 3 (Inherit from: Subaki, Klein): If unit's HP ≥ 70% and foe initiates combat, unit makes a guaranteed follow-up attack. A more accessible option for slower tanks.

Recommended C-Slot Skills for Axes

C-slot skills offer team support or further enhance the unit's combat prowess.

  • General Utility/Support:
    • Joint Drive Atk (Inherit from: Legendary Dimitri, Plumeria): Grants Atk +4 to unit and allies within 2 spaces during combat. Excellent for boosting overall team damage.
    • Threaten Atk/Def 3 (Inherit from: Fallen Tiki, Winter Sothis): At start of turn, if unit is within 2 spaces of a foe, inflicts Atk/Def -5 on foes within 2 spaces of unit through their next actions. Great for debuffing nearby enemies.
    • Pulse Smoke 3 (Inherit from: Fallen Julia, Say'ri): After combat, if unit attacked, inflicts Special cooldown count +1 on target and foes within 2 spaces of target. Disrupts enemy Special activations.
  • Movement Type Specific:
    • Armored Stride 3 (Inherit from: Fallen Edelgard, Winter Altina): If unit's HP ≥ 25% at start of turn, unit can move 1 extra space. (Armored units only) Vital for improving armored unit mobility.
    • Atk/Def Menace (Inherit from: Legendary Corrin (F), Ninja Corrin (F)): At start of turn, if unit is within 4 spaces of a foe, inflicts Atk/Def -6 on nearest foe and foes within 2 spaces of that foe through their next actions, and grants Atk/Def +6 to unit for 1 turn. Powerful self-buff and enemy debuff.

Strategic Considerations for Axe Inheritance

  • Weapon Refines: Always check if your Axe unit has a unique weapon refine available. Many refines provide powerful effects that can dictate skill choices. For example, Urvan (Brave Ike's weapon) benefits greatly from skills that allow him to tank multiple hits.
  • Team Composition: Consider what your Axe unit brings to the team. Are they the primary damage dealer, a dedicated tank, or a support unit? Tailor their skills to complement the rest of your squad.
  • Arena/Aether Raids: Different game modes may prioritize different skills. In Arena, higher scoring skills (like Tier 4 A-slots) are often preferred. In Aether Raids, survivability and specific counters can be more important.
  • Merge Projects: If you're investing heavily in a specific Axe unit through merges, it's worth investing in premium inherited skills to maximize their potential.

By carefully selecting and inheriting the right skills, you can transform your Axe units into formidable forces on the battlefield, capable of dominating their foes and securing victory.