The Archer is a physical combat class that appears across the Fire Emblem Series. Archers are foot soldiers carrying Bows to launch assaults on their foes at range. This is, however, offset by the fact that Archers are unable to attack from one space away under normal circumstances, and are often unable to counterattack when attacked by an enemy in an adjacent space. While typically lacking in HP and defense, Archers that are properly guarded by melee units can prove a reliable asset in battle.
History in the Series[]
In their original inception in Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, the Archer class promotes into the more powerful Sniper class, enhancing their strengths and often rounding out their weak points, such as low HP and defense.
In Gaiden and its remake, Archers act as one of the male exclusive promoted forms of the Villager class. Archers are capable of promoting into Sniper class, and ultimately the Bow Knight class.
The Archer class does not appear in Genealogy of the Holy War, where it is replaced with the Bow Fighter class. In Thracia 776, the Archer reappears, but as an enemy-only class.
A playable Archer class returns to the series in The Binding Blade, where it yet again promotes into the Sniper class.
In The Sacred Stones, Archers are further given the option to promote into Rangers alongside Snipers, a mounted class that possesses balanced stats and can engage in close-range melee combat with Swords.
In Radiant Dawn, the Archer promotes into Sniper and thereafter into Marksman when the necessary requirements are met.
Similarly, in Awakening, Archers are further given the option to promote into Bow Knights alongside Snipers.
In Fates, the Archer class is known as the Bow User in the Japanese version, where it is treated as a Hoshidan class. Considered the counterpart to the Nohrian Outlaw class, Archers are able to promote into Snipers alongside Kinshi Knights, the first flying Bow-wielding class to appear in the series.
In the spin-off Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE, the Archer Virion from Awakening appears as the Mirage partner of Eleonora Yumizuru. Virion can promote into either a Sniper or an Assassin. Archers appear as enemy Mirages in Illusory Shibuya as Dark Archer, and a stronger variant, the Red Archer, appears in Illusory Daiba Studio.
In Warriors, a version of Archer similar to Fates's Archer serves as Takumi's base class.
In Three Houses, the Archer class is an optional promoted class of the Commoner or Noble class if the unit passes the Certification Exam at Lv. 10 with a Bow Skill Level of C or higher and an Intermediate Seal.
In Engage, Alcryst's unique Lord class functions as a variant of the Archer class, alongside the standard Archer class.
Other Games[]
TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga features the Archer class as an enemy-exclusive class. Similar to Genealogy of the Holy War and Thracia 776, Bow Fighters are the playable equivalent.
In TearRing Saga: Berwick Saga, the Archer class is once again an enemy-exclusive class. Interestingly, there are two variations of this class: with one used by units affiliated with an army and one used by units affiliated with criminals. The version used by the former is virtually identical to a dismounted Sherlock in function. The criminal variant has worse stats across the board but possesses the same movement type as Thieves and a completely different set of sprites. Both of them can only equip bows.
In Three Hopes, the Archer class is part of the Fighter class tree. Units can promote from Fighter to Archer by first mastering Fighter then spend a Intermediate Seal. When Claude unlocks Archer, it also unlocks his first personal class, Wyvern Master.
In Vestaria Saga I, the Archer is known as the Hunter. It can promote into the Deadshot.
Overview[]
Combat[]
While Archers are capable of attacking most melee weapon users without being counterattacked, any enemy in range can easily move in and fearlessly launch attacks on them; not being able to counterattack at melee range is an inherent downside of the class. This thus necessitates proper cover and support to be ceded to them. In this regard, any type of ground unit, preferably one with at least moderate Defense, will fill the role rather well.
Archers are also strong against flying units such as Pegasus Knights, and drawing these enemies into their firing range will, therefore, save the player plenty of trouble in the later stages of any given battle that they are engaging. In Gaiden and its remake, Archers are able to attack enemies from three spaces away, as well as being able to counterattack melee fighters, as opposed to the usual two. In Three Hopes, Archers are part of a weapon triangle that allows them to score bonus damage against Brawlers, Grapplers, and War Masters, but take bonus damage in turn from Mages.
In-Game[]
Base Stats[]
HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov | Con | Wt | Wlv | Cha | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FE1 | 16 | 4 | - | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | - | - | Bow 9 | - |
FE2 | 24 | 9 | - | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | - | - | Bow - | - |
FE3 | 16 | 5 | - | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | - | - | Bow ? | - |
FE5 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | E | - |
TS | 20 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | - | 4 | - | - | 2 | - |
FE6 | 18/17 | 4/3 | - | 3 | 3/4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 6/5 | - | D | - |
FE7 | 18/17 | 4/3 | - | 3 | 3/4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 7/5 | - | D | - |
FE8 | 18/17 | 4/3 | - | 3 | 3/4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 7/5 | - | D | - |
FE9 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 9 | D | - |
FE10 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 10 | D | - |
FE11 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | - | - | E | - |
FE12 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | - | - | E | - |
FE13 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | - | - | E | - |
FE14 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | - | - | E | - |
FE15 | 24 | 9 | - | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | - | - | - | - |
FE16 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 5 | - | - | C | 0 |
FE17 | 19 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | - | ? | - |
Maximum Stats[]
HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov | Con | Wt | Wlv | Cha | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FE1 | 52 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 5 | - | - | Bow 20 | - |
FE2 | 52 | 40 | - | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 4 | - | - | Bow - | - |
FE3 | 52 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 5 | - | - | Bow 20 | - |
FE5 | 80 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | - | A | - |
TS | 60 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 30 | 17 | - | 12 | - | - | 17 | - |
FE6 | 60 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | - | A | - |
FE7 | 60 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | - | A | - |
FE8 | 60 | 20 | - | 20 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | - | A | - |
FE9 | 40 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 20 | 20 | 6 | 9 | 9 | A | - |
FE10 | 40 | 20 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 10 | A | - |
FE11 | 60 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 5 | - | - | A | - |
FE12 | 60 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 5 | - | - | A | - |
FE13 | 60 | 26 | 20 | 29 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 21 | 5 | - | - | A | - |
FE14 | 40 | 21 | 15 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 5 | - | - | B | - |
FE17 | 68 | 38 | 20 | 45 | 32 | 28 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 14 | - | B | - |
Growth Rates[]
HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov | Con | Wt | Wlv | Cha | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FE2 | 150% | 50% | - | 50% | 50% | - | 50% | 0% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE3 | 80% | 20% | - | 30% | 30% | 0% | 20% | 0% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE6 | 70% | 35% | - | 40% | 32% | 35% | 15% | 10% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE7 | 70% | 35% | - | 40% | 32% | 35% | 15% | 10% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE8 | 70% | 35% | - | 40% | 32% | 35% | 15% | 10% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE9 | 60% | 40% | 10% | 60% | 55% | 30% | 40% | 40% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE10 | 65% | 55% | 10% | 45% | 50% | 30% | 45% | 35% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE11 | 40/80% | 10/20% | -10/0% | 20/30% | 30% | 0% | 10/20% | -10/10% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE12 | 40/80% | 10/20% | -10/0% | 20/30% | 30% | 0% | 10/20% | -10/10% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE13 | 45% | 15% | 0% | 30% | 15% | 0% | 10% | 5% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE14 | 10% | 15% | 0% | 15% | 15% | 5% | 10% | 0% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE15 | 120% | 50% | - | 50% | 50% | 0% | 50% | 0% | - | - | - | - | - |
FE16 | 5/10% | 0/15% | 0% | 10% | 0% | 5/10% | 0% | 0% | - | - | - | +1 +2 | 5% |
FE17 | 10% | 15% | 0% | 25% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 0% | - | 0% | - | - | - |
FEW3H | 10% | 0% | 0% | 20% | 0% | 15% | 0% | 0% | - | - | - | - | 5% |
Class Modifiers[]
HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov | Con | Wt | Wlv | Cha | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FE16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | 0 |
FEW3H | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 1 |
Class Skills[]
Skill | Requirements | |
---|---|---|
FE10 | Shove | Base skill of all foot units. |
FE13 | Skill +2 Prescience | Learnt at Level 1. Learnt at Level 10. |
FE14 | Skill +2 Quick Draw | Learnt at Level 1 and above. Learnt at Level 10 and above. |
FE15 | Bowrange +1 | Class skill of the Archer class. |
FE16 | Bowrange +1 Hit +20 | Base Ability of Archer. Mastery Ability of Archer. |
FEW3H | Gauntlet Buster Lv 2 Archer's Ploy Archer's Wisdom Spiral Shot Tracking Shot Bow Prowess Break Shot Drill Arrow Armsthrift One Heart One Mind Point-Blank Volley | Class ability. 1-star Class Mastery for certain units. 1-star Class Mastery for certain units. 1-star Class Mastery for certain units. 1-star Class Mastery for certain units. 2-star Class Mastery for most units. 2-star Class Mastery for certain units. 2-star Class Mastery for certain units. 3-star Class Mastery for certain units. 3-star Class Mastery for certain units. 3-star Class Mastery for all units. |
Promotions[]
Base Class | Promotion Method | Promoted Class | |
---|---|---|---|
FE1 | Archer | Use Orion's Bolt on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper |
FE2 | Villager | Visit Shrine after reaching Level 3. | Archer |
FE2 | Archer | Visit Shrine after reaching Level 7. | Sniper |
FE3 | Archer | Use Orion's Bolt on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper |
FE6 | Archer | Use Orion's Bolt on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper |
FE7 | Archer | Use Orion's Bolt on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper |
FE8 | Archer | Use Orion's Bolt on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper Ranger |
FE9 | Archer | Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper |
FE10 | Archer | Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Archer or train an Archer to Level 21. | Sniper |
FE11 | Archer | Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper |
FE12 | Archer | Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper |
FE13 | Archer | Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper Bow Knight |
FE14 | Archer | Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Archer. | Sniper Kinshi Knight |
FE15 | Villager | Visit Shrine after reaching Level 3. | Archer |
FE15 | Archer | Visit Shrine after reaching Level 7. | Sniper |
FE16 | Any class | Use an Intermediate Seal on a Level 10+ unit and pass the Archer Certification Exam. | Archer |
FE17 | Archer | Use Master Seal on Level 10+ Archer. Use Master Seal on Level 10+ Archer with Sword, Lance, or Axe Proficiency. | Sniper Bow Knight |
FEW | Archer | Use a Master Seal on Takumi. | Sniper |
FEW3H | Fighter | Use an Intermediate Seal on a unit that has mastered the Fighter Class. | Archer |
FEW3H | Archer | Use an Advanced Seal on a unit that has mastered the Archer Class. | Sniper |
Notable Archers[]
Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light/Shadow Dragon[]
- Gordin - A masterful Altean archer who looks younger than he actually is.
- Tomas - Member of the Archanea Knights, who was captured and imprisoned in the palace.
- Norne - An archer and volunteer soldier who took up arms in the struggle that consumed her homeland and aided Marth's escape.
Gaiden/Echoes: Shadows of Valentia[]
- Python - An archer with the Deliverance whose nonchalant exterior belies a serious character that cares deeply for his allies.
- Leon - A handsome but narcissistic Zofian archer who adores his friend Valbar.
Mystery of the Emblem[]
The Binding Blade[]
- Wolt - An archer serving Pherae. Roy's milk-brother.
- Dorothy - A girl from Etruria serving the Elimine church.
The Blazing Blade[]
- Wil - A youth from Pherae, in the Lycian League. Very social.
- Rebecca - A kind and sociable girl who lives in a remote Pheraen village and spends her time hunting.
The Sacred Stones[]
- Neimi - A childhood friend of Colm who hails from Renais. She cries a lot.
Path of Radiance[]
- Rolf - Member of the Greil Mercenaries and the youngest brother of Oscar and Boyd. He is a gentle and bright boy.
Radiant Dawn[]
- Leonardo - An archer of noble birth, whose family was destroyed by war. His personality rarely shows, since he is quiet and rarely talks. A serious and thoughtful person. He regularly nags his daydreaming partner, Edward.
Awakening[]
- Virion - The rightful ruler of Rosanne in Valm who has a tendency for wit and puffery.
- Noire - Tharja's daughter from the future. A timid girl with violent mood swings as a result of being her mother's guinea pig for her curses during her childhood.
Fates[]
- Takumi - The sometimes prickly prince of Hoshido who wields the divine bow Fujin Yumi.
- Kiragi - Takumi's son and a prince of Hoshido. A skilled archer with a passion and knack for hunting.
- Setsuna - A Hoshidan archer and one of Hinoka's retainers who is either fearless or daydreaming.
Engage[]
- Etie - A Palace Knight of Firene. A noble lady devoted to body building, and retainer to Prince Alfred.
Vestaria Saga I[]
- Dune - A well-liked hunter from Lucca Village. He was abandoned there as a child.
- Sheela - Granddaughter of the Yapa elder. She is determined to see the world for herself.
Trivia[]
- The Archer class is unused in Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War. It can be seen if cheats or hacking are used. The class has a C rank in Bows so it can be assumed that it was going to be a lesser version of the Bow Fighter class. If the class is brought into battle, the game will freeze.