Hardin

{{|image= |caption=Artwork of Hardin from {{|Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light}}. |gender=Male |race=Human |nationality=Aurelian |family=*Unnamed king of Aurelis (elder brother)

• Nyna (wife)

|titles=*Coyote

• Prince of Aurelis
• King of Archanea
• Emperor of Archanea
• Dark Emperor

|startingclass=*Cavalier (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, Mystery of the Emblem Book 1, Shadow Dragon)

• Emperor (Mystery of the Emblem Book 2, New Mystery of the Emblem)
• General (Awakening)

|voice=*Richard Epcar
(English, {{|Heroes}})

• Hideyuki Hori
  (Japanese, {{|Archanea Saga}})
• Kazuhiro Nakaya
  (Japanese, {{|Heroes}})

|appearances=*{{|Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light}}

• {{|Mystery of the Emblem}}
• {{|Archanea Saga}}
• {{|Shadow Dragon}}
• {{|New Mystery of the Emblem: Heroes of Light and Shadow}}
• {{|Awakening}}
• {{|Heroes}}

}}

{{|May our friendship be a long one.|Hardin, to Marth}}

Hardin (Japanese: {{|ハーディン|Hādin}} Hardin) was the prince of Aurelis and the younger brother of its ailing king, who made a name for himself in the War of Shadows as the leader of a successful guerrilla resistance against the forces of the Dolhr Empire. Fondly known by the people of Aurelis as the "Coyote" (Japanese: {{|草原の狼|Sougen no ōkami}} Wolf of the Plains), he and the small band of Aurelian knights under his command staved off the Macedon occupation of the country and protected the refugee Princess Nyna of Archanea. The two later joined with Marth of Altea to form the Archanean League, and Hardin fought as one of Marth's most trusted allies in their battle to free the land.

Following the war's end, Hardin was married to Nyna and became the King of Archanea jure uxoris. Under his guidance, the battered nation experienced a swift recovery, culminating in Hardin restyling the it the Empire of Archanea with himself as its first emperor. However, his own personal issues led to him being consumed by depression and he fell under the influence of Gharnef, who corrupted him into a vicious dictator whose repressive rule soon became known by the people as the "Dark Emperor". In this state he sought to destroy Marth, engaging Altea in an invasion which ultimately turned into a new war, the War of Heroes.

Biography

Guerrilla hero

Hardin's first encounter with Nyna.

When the War of Shadows began and Dolhr's eyes turned to conquering Aurelis, Hardin led the Aurelian defense on his brother's behalf. Despite his best efforts and his mild success in aggravating the enemy, Aurelis slowly lost most of its territory to Dolhr's ally Macedon, eventually driving Hardin and his brother to abandon the palace in favour of the Northern Fortress. During this time, he managed to free Aurelian citizens who once dwelt on the plains from slavery; among these were Wolf, Roshea, Vyland and Sedgar, all of whom joined him as knights and served at his side through his guerrilla campaign.

At some point during this campaign, Hardin encountered a band of rogue Macedonian soldiers who were pillaging Aurelian villages, and learned of their use of an abandoned fortress as a base. While fighting them, he encountered Minerva and, careful not to reveal his identity as a rebel leader and her enemy, suggested the two join forces to put an end to the deserters. On their successful defeat of the leader Ruben and capture of the fortress, Hardin retreated before Minerva could notice, and it was only afterward that she learned his identity. Hardin later remarked that he was thoroughly impressed by what he saw of Minerva's combat prowess.

Some time later, Hardin received word of a plan by Camus to stage an escape from captivity for the Archanean princess Nyna. He and his knights arrived in time to engage a Dolhr task force and take Nyna into his protection, even as Camus and his Sable Order subordinates were captured themselves for their actions. While Hardin continued to lead the resistance against the Macedonian occupiers, Nyna issued a call to arms across the continent for warriors to join the fight against Dolhr, but her call to arms would not be answered for several more months.

The Archanean League

Hardin and Nyna lead the Aurelian resistance.

Grim though their situation was, Hardin and his knights continued to wage battle against Macedon for several months, until he and Nyna received word of Marth and the Altean army's arrival in Aurelis. As soon as Marth reached the region near the Northern Fortress, Hardin set out with his knights to join forces with Marth's army and put an end to the Macedonian occupation once and for all. Instantly impressed with and taking to Marth as soon as they first met, Hardin insisted that Marth take the reins of the operation and wished for the two to have a long friendship.

After Aurelis's liberation, Hardin and Nyna formally joined their remaining army with Marth's to create a single, united front, dubbed the Archanean League. He continued to serve alongside Marth until the war's conclusion; years later, before their eventual conflict, Marth would fondly remark that Hardin's contributions to the war effort were invaluable.

Restoration and downfall

King Hardin greets his people.

Hardin and Nyna's relationship turns cold.

Following the war, Nyna's advisor Boah believed that Nyna needed to be married in order to give Archanea a king to restore its former glory, and Hardin was found to be the only suitable candidate, given Marth's engagement to Caeda. As a result, despite her own personal issues, Boah insisted that she had no choice but to marry Hardin, to which she relented. Hardin, who had already long harbored a romantic interest in Nyna, eagerly accepted her proposal; Boah later observed that the thought of being Nyna's husband interested him far more than taking the Archanean throne. As such, Hardin and Nyna were married, turning Hardin into the twenty-fourth King of Archanea.

The instant he had taken the throne, Hardin turned his attention to the state of his new kingdom and the rest of the world. Although Archanea had been wounded deeply, like almost every other of the Seven Realms, Hardin directed an aggressive restoration effort which succeeded in rebuilding the entire kingdom swiftly, and reconstituted a new army for the land. His era of progress and redevelopment culminated in Hardin restyling Archanea as the "Holy Empire of Archanea", with himself and Nyna as emperor and empress. For a time, the actions of Hardin and his empire appeared to have secured a stable, lasting peace for the world.

Hardin's personal life, however, soon proved to be a far cry from the stability his actions had brought to Archanea. Despite his immense joy at being wed to Nyna, he soon learned of the marriage's arranged nature and Nyna's lack of actual love for him. The revelation devastated him, spiralling him into a deep depression and driving him to alcoholism; he locked himself in his bedchamber and refused to see anybody. His condition was quickly preyed upon by Gharnef, as part of his new plan to revive Medeus. Gharnef appeared before Hardin and offered him the Darksphere, which instantly twisted his once-righteous heart and turned him into a malevolent conqueror, and he willingly handed Nyna over to Gharnef for use as the first of the sacrifies.

Dark Emperor

Hardin, under the Darksphere's thrall, threatens Marth.

Under the Darksphere's control, Hardin became bent on causing the destruction of the world through conquest. For a time, his descent into darkness was unknown to the world, even as atrocities began to occur under his empire's watch. Grust was the epicenter of one such disaster: on Hardin's command, his former ally Lorenz was deposed as regent and control of the territory was entrusted to Lang, a disgraced traitor. As part of a scheme to cause his downfall, Hardin tasked Marth with assisting Lang in putting an end to Lorenz and his "resistance" to Archanean control of Grust. With Marth and his best knights distracted fighting in Grust and Macedon, Hardin then ordered an invasion and conquest of the weakened Altea, one which was long-planned and extensively prepared for.

Next, shortly after Marth's defeat of Lang, Hardin personally oversaw a mission at Chiasmir to corner and destroy Marth. It was at Chiasmir that Hardin and Marth met for the first time since Hardin's possession, and Hardin revealed to Marth his intent to destroy him and the world. However, the mission failed as Marth and his army successfully escaped Chiasmir by sea. With Marth fleeing north to Khadein and beyond, and his forces failing to pursue the prince, Hardin's attention during Marth's absence instead turned inward, as public opinion in Archanea turned against him for his murderous actions, to the point of earning the moniker "Dark Emperor" among the people of the empire. Shortly before Marth's return, a rebellion against Hardin erupted, led by Midia and composed of both citizens and knights. Hardin's army soon put down the rebellion and captured its leaders.

When Marth and the Altean army came to defeat Hardin, he personally led the Archanean Empire's final stand, still bent on destroying Marth himself. Before their confrontation, Hardin declared that he had always loathed Marth, and swore to kill him and replace him as the true hero of Archanea. With the power of the Lightsphere on his side, Marth and his army pierced the Darksphere's protection and killed Hardin. As he died, Hardin reverted to his former self and with his last breath begged Marth to save Nyna from the dark fate his actions had set up for her.

{{}}

Role

Hardin was the leader of the resistance against Macedon alongside his four knights—Sedgar, Wolf, Roshea, and Vyland—and was forced into a mountain fortress after the castle was claimed by Macedonian forces. Once Marth arrived, Hardin informed Princess Nyna and fought with his knights to help Marth retake the castle. Hardin continued to serve Marth for the duration of the War of Shadows.

Starting stats and growth rates

{{|portrait= |sprite=cavalier |class=Cavalier |lv=6 |HP=20 |str=9 |skill=7 |spd=8 |luck=3 |def=8 |res=0 |wl=9 |move=9 |inventory=Steel Sword |sw=y |la=y |HP1=50 |str1=30 |skill1=50 |wl1=70 |spd1=60 |luck1=30 |def1=20 |res1=0 |recruit=Chapter 5, automatically from the start }}

Promotion stat gains

{{|class=Paladin |hp=x to 22 |str=0 |skill=0 |spd=x to 11 |def=x to 9 |res=0 |move=x to 10 |weaponlvl=+x to 10 }}

• In Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, promotion gains consist on giving the character as many points as necessary—the "x" value shown in the table—to reach the promoted class's base stats. If the character's stats are higher than their promoted class' base stats, they will not receive any bonus.

{{}}

Book 1

Role

Hardin still joins in the chapter Champions of Aurelis, which is now chapter 4 due to the omission of Battle in the Lea. As in Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, Roshea, Vyland, Sedgar, and Wolf fight under him. He helps Marth take back Castle Aurelis from the Macedonian occupation, and fights under him for the remainder of Book 1.

Starting stats and growth rates

{{|portrait= |sprite=cavalier |class=Cavalier |lv=6 |move=9 |HP=25 |str=9 |skill=7 |spd=8 |luck=3 |def=8 |res=0 |wl=9 |weapons={{|3|Iron Lance}}
{{|3|Steel Sword}} |sw=d |la=m |HP1=50 |str1=30 |skill1=50 |spd1=60 |luck1=30 |wl1=70 |def1=20 |res1=3 |recruit=Chapter 4, automatically from the start }}

Promotion stat gains

{{|Cavalier|Paladin}}

Book 2

Role

Hardin is the boss of Chapter 20, and is accordingly the final boss of the game in its bad ending. He holds the Darksphere, and as a result can only be damaged by units who have the Lightsphere in their inventory.

Prior to this, Hardin also appears as a boss in Chapter 8, but owing to the player having no way of possessing the Lightsphere at this point, he is entirely invincible; the goal of the chapter is not to fight him, but to reach the seize point before he and a group of Generals under his immediate command attack the player's army.

Stats

{{|Soulful Bridge|Dark Emperor}} {{|portrait= |sprite=emperor enemy |class=Emperor |lv=1 |exp=90 |move=5 |HP=50 |str=20 |skill=20 |spd=20 |luck=-- |def=20 |res=20 |wl=-- |weapons={{|3|Gradivus}} |items={{|3|Gradivus|type=drop}}
{{|3|Darksphere|type=drop}} |la=y }}

{{}}

Role

Hardin is a playable character in the second episode, Red Dragoon. He acts as one of two "lord" characters for that episode, along with Minerva; his death resets the playthrough of the episode. He also appears in the closing cutscene of the fourth episode, The Beginning.

Starting stats and growth rates

{{|portrait= |sprite=cavalier |class=Cavalier |lv=6 |move=9 |HP=25 |str=9 |skill=7 |spd=8 |luck=3 |def=8 |res=0 |wl=9 |weapons={{|3|Silver Lance}}
{{|3|Iron Lance}} |sw=d |la=m |HP1=50 |str1=30 |skill1=50 |spd1=60 |luck1=30 |wl1=70 |def1=20 |res1=3 |recruit=Episode II, automatically from the start }}

{{}}

Role

As in Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, Hardin joins in Chapter 5. Marth's arrival prompts Hardin to lead his forces out and take back castle Aurelis together. Asking Nyna to wait in the nearby fort, Hardin rides out into battle with Roshea, Vyland, Sedgar, and Wolf. In this remake of the chapter, Hardin has a conversation with Marth where he gives command of the army to the Altean prince.

Starting stats and growth rates

{{|portrait= |sprite=cavalier |class=Cavalier |lv=6 |HP=24 |str=9 |magic=0 |skill=7 |spd=8 |luck=3 |def=8 |res=1 |move=9 |inventory={{|ds|Steel Sword}} |sw=D |la=B |HP1=50 |str1=30 |magic1=0 |skill1=55 |spd1=55 |luck1=30 |def1=20 |res1=0 |recruit=Chapter 5, automatically from the start }}

Growth rates when reclassed

{{|tab1=Dracoknight |tab2=Archer/Sniper |tab3=Myrmidon/Swordmaster |tab4=Mage |tab5=Sage/Bishop |tab6=Curate |content1={{|Dracoknight (male)}} |content2={{|Archer|Sniper}} |content3={{|Myrmidon|Swordmaster}} |content4={{|Mage}} |content5={{|Sage|Bishop}} |content6={{|Curate}} }}

Promotion stat gains

{{|tab4=Curate |tab5=Archer |tab1=Cavalier |tab2=Mage |tab3=Myrmidon |content4={{|Curate|Bishop}} |content5={{|Archer|Sniper}} |content1={{|Cavalier|Paladin}} |content2={{|Mage|Sage}} |content3={{|Myrmidon|Swordmaster}} }}

Analysis

{{}} Hardin is a high-level Cavalier with an outstanding B rank in lances that allows him to use the Ridersbane and Silver Lance as soon as he joins. He has all-around solid base stats except for luck, and his high speed growth will enable him to double attack slower enemies. He is only 4 levels away from being able to promote, at which point he can either stay a Paladin or reclass to Dracoknight to improve his mobility while retaining his lance rank. He is one of the best users of the Gradivus thanks to his good stats and the ease with which he reaches A rank. Overall, Hardin is a unit with great strengths and no drawbacks that are significant enough to limit his performance.

{{}}

Role

Emperor Hardin is the boss of Chapter 20, and is accordingly the final boss of the game in its bad ending. He holds the Darksphere, and as a result can only be damaged by units who have the Lightsphere in their inventory. Prior to this, he also appears as a boss in Chapter 8, but owing to the player having no way of possessing the Lightsphere at this point, he is entirely invincible; the goal of the chapter is not to fight him, but to reach the seize point before he and a group of Generals under his immediate command attack the player's army.

Hardin's pre-emperor self is also a playable character exclusively in the second episode of the New Archanea Saga bonus chapters. He is one of two characters for that episode, along with Minerva, whose death causes Game Over.

Starting stats and growth rates

Enemy

{{|Soulful Bridge|Dark Emperor}} {{|tab1=Normal |tab2=Hard |tab3=Maniac |tab4=Lunatic |content1={{|portrait= |sprite=emperor enemy |class=Emperor |lv=30 |HP=50 |str=20 |magic=0 |skill=20 |spd=20 |luck=0 |def=20 |res=15 |move=6 |inventory={{|ds|Gradivus|type=drop}}
{{|ds|Darksphere|type=drop}}{{|*|Only drops if every other orb was obtained}} |la=A |12=y }} |content2={{|portrait= |sprite=emperor enemy |class=Emperor |lv=30 |HP=62 |str=24 |magic=0 |skill=24 |spd=24 |luck=0 |def=24 |res=19 |move=6 |inventory={{|ds|Gradivus|type=drop}}
{{|ds|Darksphere|type=drop}}{{|*|Only drops if every other orb was obtained}} |la=A |12=y }} |content3={{|portrait= |sprite=emperor enemy |class=Emperor |lv=30 |HP=74 |str=28 |magic=0 |skill=28 |spd=28 |luck=0 |def=28 |res=23 |move=6 |inventory={{|ds|Gradivus|type=drop}}
{{|ds|Darksphere|type=drop}}{{|*|Only drops if every other orb was obtained}} |la=A |12=y }} |content4={{|portrait= |sprite=emperor enemy |class=Emperor |lv=30 |HP=80 |str=30 |magic=0 |skill=30 |spd=30 |luck=0 |def=30 |res=25 |move=6 |inventory={{|ds|Gradivus|type=drop}}
{{|ds|Darksphere|type=drop}}{{|*|Only drops if every other orb was obtained}} |la=A |12=y }} }}

Hardin is immobile in Chapter 20.

Playable - Extra chapters

{{|portrait= |sprite=cavalier |class=Cavalier |lv=8 |HP=28 |str=10 |magic=0 |skill=9 |spd=11 |luck=5 |def=12 |res=0 |move=9 |inventory={{|ds|Silver Lance}}
{{|ds|Silver Sword}} |sw=B |la=B |HP1=90 |str1=75 |magic1=0 |skill1=65 |spd1=65 |luck1=30 |def1=45 |res1=0 |recruit=New Archanea Saga Episode II, automatically from the start |12=y }}

{{}}

Role

Hardin, as his corrupted emperor self, is playable as a bonus SpotPass character as part of the {{|Mystery of the Emblem}} character set. He also appears as an ally unit in the DLC chapters Lost Bloodlines 1 and Rogues & Redeemers 2, and as an enemy unit in the DLC chapters Lost Bloodlines 2, Lost Bloodlines 3, Rogues & Redeemers 1 and Rogues & Redeemers 3.

Starting stats and growth rates

{{|portrait= |sprite=general |class=General |lv=20 |HP=80 |str=45 |magic=10 |skill=38 |spd=30 |luck=5 |def=45{{|+2|Granted by Defense +2}} |res=18 |move=5 |inventory={{|13|Gradivus}}{{|*|Lost after being recruited}} |skills={{|13|Defense +2}}
{{|13|Indoor Fighter}}
{{|13|Rally Defense}}
{{|13|Pavise}}
{{|13|Vengeance|link=Vengeance (skill)}} |la=A |ax=B |HP1=90 |str1=75 |magic1=30 |skill1=55 |spd1=45 |luck1=45 |def1=50 |res1=30 |strm=+3 |magicm=-1 |skillm=+2 |spdm=0 |luckm=-3 |defm=+2 |resm=0 |recruit=SpotPass, hire him for 18,300 G or defeat him in a skirmish }}

Reclassing options

{{|spotpass=y |spgender=male |portrait= |character=Hardin |baseb=Knight |basepA=Great Knight |basepB=General }}

Growth rates when reclassed

{{|tab1=Tactician/Grandmaster |tab2=Cavalier |tab3=Paladin |tab4=Knight |tab5=Great Knight |tab6=Barbarian/Berserker |tab7=Fighter/Warrior |tab8=Mercenary/Hero |tab9=Bow Knight |tab10=Archer |tab11=Sniper |content1={{|Tactician|Grandmaster}} |content2={{|Cavalier}} |content3={{|Paladin}} |content4={{|Knight}} |content5={{|Great Knight}} |content6={{|Barbarian|Berserker}} |content7={{|Fighter|Warrior}} |content8={{|Mercenary|Hero}} |content9={{|Bow Knight}} |content10={{|Archer}} |content11={{|Sniper}} }} {{|tab1=Myrmidon |tab2=Swordmaster |tab3=Assassin |tab4=Thief |tab5=Trickster |tab6=Wyvern Rider/Wyvern Lord |tab7=Griffon Rider |tab8=Priest |tab9=War Monk |tab10=Mage/Sage |tab11=Dark Mage |tab12=Dark Knight |tab13=Sorcerer |tab14=Dread Fighter |content1={{|Myrmidon}} |content2={{|Swordmaster}} |content3={{|Assassin}} |content4={{|Thief}} |content5={{|Trickster}} |content6={{|Wyvern Rider|Wyvern Lord}} |content7={{|Griffon Rider}} |content8={{|Priest}} |content9={{|War Monk}} |content10={{|Mage|Sage}} |content11={{|Dark Mage}} |content12={{|Dark Knight}} |content13={{|Sorcerer}} |content14={{|Dread Fighter}} }}

Promotion stat gains

{{|tab1=Archer |content1={{|Archer|Sniper|Bow Knight}} |tab2=Barbarian |content2={{|Barbarian|Berserker|Warrior}} |tab3=Cavalier |content3={{|Cavalier|Paladin|Great Knight}} |tab4=Dark Mage |content4={{|Dark Mage|Sorcerer|Dark Knight}} |tab5=Wyvern Rider |content5={{|Wyvern Rider|Wyvern Lord|Griffon Rider}} |tab6=Fighter |content6={{|Fighter|Warrior|Hero}} |tab7=Knight |content7={{|Knight|General|Great Knight}} |tab8=Mage |content8={{|Mage|Sage|Dark Knight}} |tab9=Mercenary |content9={{|Mercenary|Hero|Bow Knight}} |tab10=Myrmidon |content10={{|Myrmidon|Swordmaster|Assassin}} |tab11=Priest |content11={{|Priest|War Monk|Sage}} |tab12=Tactician |content12={{|Tactician|Grandmaster}} |tab13=Thief |content13={{|Thief|Assassin|Trickster}} }}

Skill set

Like all male bonus units in Awakening, Hardin has access to all base class and advanced class skills available to standard male units.

{{}}

Role

There are two different variations of Hardin available to Heroes, both based on his storyline appearance in Mystery of the Emblem. The normal variation of Hardin is one of the characters added to the game in the Askr and Embla update, and became available for summoning by players on November 18, 2022. A fallen variation of Hardin was first made available to be summoned by players on February 22, 2018 as part of the summoning event surrounding the launch of the Blood and Snow update. Hardin is one of a small number of characters to date who had a special variation made available to players before their normal variation in which the normal variation has actually been added to the game, another example being Tanith.

Hardin: The Coyote

Starting stats

Hardin: The Coyote is only available at 5{{}} rarity.

{{|portrait= |rarity=5 |wpntype=Lance |unittype=Cavalry |HP=17 |atk=11 |spd=11 |def=6 |res=6 |HP_gr=55 |atk_gr=70 |spd_gr=75 |def_gr=60 |res_gr=35 |offense=Coyote's Lance |special=Dragon Gaze }}

Skill set

{{|name=Hardin: The Coyote |minrarity=5 |- |weapon1=Iron Lance |weapon1auto=1 |weapon1cost=50 |- |weapon2=Steel Lance |weapon2auto=2 |weapon2cost=100 |- |weapon3=Silver Lance |weapon3unlock=2 |weapon3auto=4 |weapon3cost=200 |- |weapon4=Coyote's Lance |weapon4auto=5 |weapon4cost=400 |- |special1=Dragon Gaze |special1unlock=3 |special1auto=4 |special1cost=100 |- |special2=Draconic Aura |special2unlock=4 |special2cost=200 |- |passa1=Darting Blow 1 |passa1unlock=2 |passa1cost=50 |- |passa2=Swift Sparrow 1 |passa2unlock=3 |passa2cost=120 |- |passa3=Swift Sparrow 2 |passa3unlock=4 |passa3cost=240 |- |passa4=Surge Sparrow |passa4unlock=5 |passa4cost=300 |- |passb1=A/S Near Trace 1 |passb1unlock=1 |passb1cost=60 |- |passb2=A/S Near Trace 2 |passb2unlock=2 |passb2cost=120 |- |passb3=A/S Near Trace 3 |passb3unlock=4 |passb3cost=240 }}

Hardin: Dark Emperor

Starting stats

Hardin: Dark Emperor is only available at 5{{}} rarity.

{{|portrait= |rarity=5 |wpntype=Lance |unittype=Armor |HP=23 |atk=8 |spd=6 |def=10 |res=8 |HP_gr=50 |atk_gr=60 |spd_gr=50 |def_gr=60 |res_gr=55 |offense=Gradivus |special=Retribution }}

Skill set

{{|name=Hardin: The Coyote |minrarity=5 |- |weapon1=Iron Lance |weapon1auto=1 |weapon1cost=50 |- |weapon2=Steel Lance |weapon2unlock=2 |weapon2auto=3 |weapon2cost=100 |- |weapon3=Silver Lance |weapon3unlock=3 |weapon3auto=4 |weapon3cost=200 |- |weapon4=Gradivus |weapon4auto=5 |weapon4cost=400 |- |special1=Retribution |special1article=Retribution (skill) |special1unlock=3 |special1auto=4 |special1cost=100 |- |special2=Vengeance |special2article=Vengeance (skill) |special2unlock=4 |special2cost=200 |- |passa1=Brazen Def/Res 1 |passa1unlock=3 |passa1cost=60 |- |passa2=Brazen Def/Res 2 |passa2unlock=4 |passa2cost=120 |- |passa3=Brazen Def/Res 3 |passa3unlock=5 |passa3cost=240 |- |passb1=Bold Fighter 1 |passb1unlock=1 |passb1cost=60 |- |passb2=Bold Fighter 2 |passb2unlock=2 |passb2cost=120 |- |passb3=Bold Fighter 3 |passb3unlock=4 |passb3cost=240 }}

Personality

Hardin's true personality was that of a courageous and virtuous man. Considering himself an excellent judge of character, he instantly took to and trusted Marth, not hesitating to put aside matters of glory and remembrance in history in favour of entrusting him with command for what he believed to be the best possible outcome in battle. He believed teamwork to be integral to victory in battle, respected honor and honest intentions even among his long-time enemies, such as with Minerva during the War of Shadows, and was shrewd enough to put aside such differences for the good of the common people of Aurelis. From the moment they met, he had harbored a deep romantic interest in Nyna, but before their eventual marriage he had no problem putting it aside to focus on the tasks before him, successfully concealing it from her.

After falling under the Darksphere's spell, Hardin became extremely aggressive and determined to destroy anybody who would dare oppose him. Any love he once held for his friends and allies was replaced by a deep hatred for what he viewed as their betrayal of him, even Nyna. In particular, he developed an intense hatred of Marth, claiming it to have always existed, and boasted that Marth, supposedly worthless without Hardin's aid, did not deserve the many accolades showered upon him. He claimed that he intended to take Marth's place as the world's true hero by killing Marth. He claimed humanity to be inherently traitorous and corrupt to a point beyond saving, and viewed the continued existence of the world as worthless as a result, taking it upon himself to conquer and destroy it.

Supports

Mystery of the Emblem

{{|portrait= |character=Hardin |class=Cavalier }}

Shadow Dragon

{{|supportsm=0 |supportso=1 |portrait= |character=Hardin |class=Cavalier |portraito1= |supporto1=Marth |classo1=Lord |co1=5 |bo1=10 |ao1=16 }}

Endings

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light

Hardin
Together with Nyna, he works to restore Archanea. He weds the princess and becomes its 24th king.

Mystery of the Emblem

Book 1

Aurelian Prince Hardin
He married Princess Nyna, and became the 24th King of Archanea.

Shadow Dragon

Coyote - Hardin
Nyna offered Hardin her hand in marriage, and so he was crowned the twenty-fourth king of House Archanea.

Quotes

Battle quotes

{{|Rebels... Did you come here to get yourselves killed? I'll show you to fear my Gradivus!! |Hardin, in {{|Mystery of the Emblem}} Book 2.}}

{{|Rebel soldiers... Come to die, have you? I'll show you the terror of Gradivus!|Hardin, as a boss of Chapter 8 of {{|New Mystery of the Emblem}}.}}

{{|Prince Marth! I'll bury you with these very hands!|Hardin, when fighting Marth in Chapter 8 of New Mystery of the Emblem.}}

{{|Hardin: Who are you? Your face is unknown to me.
Kris: Kris. I am Prince Marth's Royal Guard. Emperor Hardin of Archanea, I never knew you in the past. But I do know this: you are now the prince's enemy.
Hardin: You may come, Kris. But no one may even scratch me. You will soon know to fear... the power of the Darksphere...|Hardin, when fighting male Kris in Chapter 8 of New Mystery of the Emblem.}}

{{|Hardin: Who are you? Your face is unknown to me.
Kris: Kris. I am Prince Marth's Royal Guard. Emperor Hardin of Archanea, the prince told me that you were once a trusted friend. Why would you do something like this?
Hardin: Kris, is it...? What does it matter to you? You will die here regardless.|Hardin, when fighting female Kris in Chapter 8 of New Mystery of the Emblem.}} {{|The rebel army... Have you come to die?! Taste the might of Gradivus!!|Hardin, as the boss of Chapter 20 of New Mystery of the Emblem.}} {{|Hardin: So you've come, Marth!! I'll run you through, just as you wish!
Marth: Hardin, that's enough!|Hardin, when fighting Marth in Chapter 20 of New Mystery of the Emblem.}} {{|Hardin: I've no quarrel with you... Bring Marth to me!!
Kris: Dark Emperor Hardin... Look nowhere else, I am your opponent!|Hardin, when fighting male Kris in Chapter 20 of New Mystery of the Emblem.}} {{|Hardin: I've no quarrel with you... Bring Marth to me!!
Kris: Sir Hardin... To defeat you is my duty. Prepare yourself.|Hardin, when fighting female Kris in Chapter 20 of New Mystery of the Emblem.}} {{|Begone, you pismires.|Hardin's SpotPass parley quote in {{|Awakening}}.}} {{|Come to the slaughter, varlets!|Hardin's SpotPass battle quote in Awakening.}} {{|I'll tolerate this farce...for now.|Hardin's SpotPass recruitment quote in Awakening.}} {{|You were a fool to stand against me, and you will die before me thusly.|Hardin, as an enemy in Lost Bloodlines 2 in Awakening.}} {{|Walhart: You wear a look of confusion. A fool's look, if you ask me. There is no room for doubt in conquest!
Hardin: What do you know? I seek to win over a soul much stronger than you.|Hardin, when fighting Walhart in Lost Bloodlines 2 in Awakening.}} {{|You have come a long way just to meet your end.|Hardin, as an enemy in Lost Bloodlines 3 in Awakening.}} {{|Walhart: I know a man who has lost the path when I see one. You will not prevail!
Hardin: I know my path well. You had best prepare yourself for disappointment.|Hardin, when fighting Walhart in Lost Bloodlines 3 in Awakening.}}

Death quotes

{{|How regrettable...|Hardin, in {{|Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light}}.}}

{{|I'm sorry... Princess Nyna...|Hardin, as a playable character in {{|Mystery of the Emblem}} Book 1.}}

{{|Marth... Your highness... I have finally awakened... From my deep dream... Your highness... I am deeply sorry... I fought with my inner demon. However, I was too weak... I resisted with all my might... But I still lost... I hoped for your highness' hand to end my life... That way I could be saved... Your highness... Nyna... Please take care of Nyna... She... I hope you... can tell her... In the... end... I still... loved her... I hope... She can... forgive me... |Hardin, as the boss of Chapter 20 of Mystery of the Emblem Book 2.{{|*|Note he technically also has this quote for if he is killed in Chapter 8, but this cannot be seen in normal gameplay}}}}

{{|Forgive me...Nyna...|Hardin, in {{|Shadow Dragon}}.}}

{{|Prince... Marth... I feel as though... I've finally awoken... from a long, long nightmare... Marth... Forgive me... I tried to fight the demon inside me. ...But I wasn't strong enough. I fought so hard, but... I just couldn't beat it... I wanted to die by your hand... And now I'm finally saved... Marth... Please... Nyna... Save Nyna... Please... ...Tell her... Tell her for me... Till... till the very end... I ...loved her... always... Tell her... to please...forgive me...|Hardin, as the boss of Chapter 20 of {{|New Mystery of the Emblem}}.}}

{{|Guh... I've been... defeated...|Hardin, in New Archanea Saga Episode II of New Mystery of the Emblem.}}

{{|The Jugdrali fight well...but I will not lose to them again...|Hardin, as an NPC in Lost Bloodlines 1 in {{|Awakening}}.}}

{{|The Coyote...never loses...|Hardin, as an enemy in Lost Bloodlines 2 in Awakening.}}

{{|Rogue! I will make you pay...for defying me...|Hardin, as an enemy in Lost Bloodlines 3 in Awakening.}}

{{|St-stupid...|Hardin, in Episode II of {{}}.}}

Heroes quotes

{{|Hardin/Quotes (Heroes)|l1=Hardin/Quotes (Heroes)}}

Other appearances

{{}}

Hardin was featured on three TCG cards, starting from the fifth card series.

{{|image1= |class1=Cavalier |level1=10 |category1=Cavalry |atktype1=Direct Attack |energy1=6 |atk1=3 |count1=1 |weaponrank1={{}} B |equip1=Steel Lance |skill1={{|Rush|突進}}
{{|Emblem Skills|紋章能力}}: {{|[Strength] (Vigor 2)|[力]　(気力２)}} |no1=5-029 |rarity1=★★ |artist1=Katsuyoshi Koya |image2= |class2=Emperor |level2=20 |category2=Infantry |atktype2=Direct Attack |energy2=8 |atk2=4 |count2=2 |weaponrank2={{}} A |equip2=Silver Lance |skill2=Seize
{{|Emblem Skills|紋章能力}}: {{|[Strength] (Vigor 2)|[力]　(気力２)}} • {{|[Defense] (Hand of Cards 2)|[守]　(手札２）}} • {{|[Magic] (Hand of Cards 2)|[魔]　(手札２）}} |no2=6-015 |rarity2=★★ |artist2=Katsuyoshi Koya |image3= |class3=Paladin |level3=20 |category3=Cavalry |atktype3=Direct Attack |energy3=7 |atk3=4 |count3=2 |weaponrank3={{}} A |equip3=Steel Lance |skill3=Class change • {{|Rush|突進}}
{{|Emblem Skills|紋章能力}}: ?? |no3=6-074 |rarity3=★★ |artist3=Katsuyoshi Koya }}

{{}}

Hardin is featured on three cards in {{}}.

{{|name=Hardin |image1= |title1=Dark Emperor |name1=Hardin |affil1=Archanea |gender1=Male |weapon1=Lance |quote1=I will show no quarter to anyone who opposes me. That includes you, Prince... |attack1=70 |support1=0 |atkcost1=5 |range1=1 |class1=Emperor |tier1=Advanced |cccost1=4 |skill1=Darksphere: {{}} {{}} {{}} Until the end of the opponent's next turn, this unit gains the following effect:
{{}} When this unit is being attacked by opponent non-Main unit, this unit gains +30 attack.
Bloodstained Holy Lance: {{}} {{}} Destroy 1 Cost 2 or lower non-Main enemy unit. If you do, this unit gains +10 attack and 1-2 range until end of turn.
Sacrifice: {{}} If this unit uses Darksphere or Bloodstained Holy Lance, you can discard one ally instead of paying the cost. |no1=B04-044SR |artist1={{|Daisuke Izuka}} |- |image2= |title2=Coyote |name2=Hardin |affil2=Archanea |gender2=Male |weapon2=Lance |type2= |quote2=Now is the time to join forces! |attack2=70 |support2=10 |atkcost2=4 |range2=1 |class2=Paladin |tier2=Advanced |cccost2=3 |skill2=Fierce White Coyote: {{}} {{}} When this unit is moved into the vanguard, he gains +10 attack and 1-2 range.
Lord of the Lea: {{}} {{}} Choose any number of allied units and move them. |no2=B04-045R |artist2={{|Daisuke Izuka}} |- |image3= |title3=Prince of Aurelis |name3=Hardin |affil3=Archanea |gender3=Male |weapon3=Lance |type3= |quote3=Your vile deeds... cannot be overlooked. |attack3=40 |support3=10 |atkcost3=1 |range3=1 |class3=Cavalier |tier3=Base |skill3=Bond of Aurelis: {{}} During your turn, if Nyna, Wolf, Sedgar, Roshea, or Vyland are in play as allies, this unit gains +10 attack.
Attack Emblem: {{}} Until the end of the attack phase, your attacking unit gains +10 attack. |no3=B04-046HN |artist3={{|Daisuke Izuka}} }}

Notable merchandise

{{|imagelast= |desclast=Hardin appears in volume 8 of the Fire Emblem Heroes: Mini Acrylic Figure Collection. His volume 8 appearance is based on his Dark Emperor appearance in {{|Heroes}}. |pricelast=¥350 |releaselast=November 2018{{}} }}

Flavor text

{{}} {{|game={{|New Mystery of the Emblem}}
(Prince Hardin) |english=Brother of Aurelis's king, known as "Coyote".
He supported Princess Nyna in the last war.{{|*|Fan translation}} |japanese=オレルアン王弟。「草原の狼」の異名を持つ。
暗黒戦争では、マルスと共にニーナ姫を助けて戦った。 }} {{|game={{|New Mystery of the Emblem}}
(Emperor Hardin) |english=The 24th king of the Kingdom of Archanea. In
recent years he has become a ruthless ruler.{{|*|Fan translation}} |japanese=アカネイア王国第２４代国王。
近年、人が変わってしまったように圧政を強いている。 }} {{|game={{|Heroes}}
(Hardin: Dark Emperor) |english=Emperor of the Holy Empire of Archanea.
Known as the Dark Emperor due to his
bloody reign. Appears in Fire Emblem:
Mystery of the Emblem. |japanese=アカネイア神聖帝国の皇帝。
多くの人々を殺し、【暗黒皇帝】と恐れられた。
（登場：『ファイアーエムブレム 紋章の謎』） }} {{|game={{|Heroes}}
(Hardin: The Coyote) |english=Younger brother of the king of Aurelis,
nicknamed the Coyote. Rescued the
Archanean Princess, Nyna. Appears in
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem. |japanese=【草原の狼】の名を持つ、オレルアン王国の王弟。
アカネイア王女ニーナを救出した。
（登場：『ファイアーエムブレム　紋章の謎』） }} {{}}

Trivia

• In {{}} and {{|Shadow Dragon}}, the closing cutscene of Chapter 4 has an elder entrust Marth with a Silver Sword to give to Hardin. However, in Shadow Dragon, Hardin's initial sword weapon level is not high enough to be able to wield it himself. This is likely an oversight left over from adapting Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, where under the original weapon level mechanics Hardin was able to wield Silver Swords with his starting stats.

Etymology and other languages

{{|eng-name=Hardin |eng-mean=Uncertain etymology. |jpn-name={{|ハーディン|Hādin}} |jpn-mean=Officially romanized as Hardin; uncertain etymology. |span-name=Hardin |fren-name=Hardin |ger-name=Hardin |ital-name=Hardin |por-name=Hardin |ch-trad-name={{|哈汀|Hātīng}} |ch-trad-mean=Hardin }}

Gallery

Other appearances

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