Sniper
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The Sniper (Japanese: スナイパー Sniper) is an advanced bow-wielding class which debuted in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light and is present in all games in the Fire Emblem series. It is the promoted version of the Archer in most games, and of the Bow Fighter in Genealogy of the Holy War and Thracia 776; in Gaiden and Radiant Dawn, Snipers can in turn promote again to Bow Knights in the former, and Marksmen in the latter.
Snipers are primarily characterized by their exceptional skill and accuracy, augmented by the class's recurring tendency to receive skills enhancing it even further in certain games. In Fates, Snipers gain additional hit rate and critical rate, both by 10% each. Their strength and speed are also high, and they tend to possess competent defenses. However, they are crippled by their unsuitability for the enemy phase: as they are almost perpetually locked to 2 or 3 range, Snipers are vulnerable to enemies attacking them at close range, in which case they are entirely incapable of counter-attacking and are easily ganged-up upon and trapped. Ideally, rather than operating as the front line of an army, Snipers are best positioned behind close-range-capable allies in order to fight by picking off enemies beyond their range.
Stats
Base stats
| Game | HP | Strength | Magic | Skill | Speed | Luck | Defense | Resistance | Movement | Constitution | Weapon level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light | 24 | 7 | -- | 10 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | -- | Bow: 10 |
| Gaiden | 30 | 12 | -- | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 5 | -- | Bow |
| Mystery of the Emblem | 24 | 7 | -- | 8 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | -- | Bow: 10 |
| Genealogy of the Holy War | 40 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | -- |  A
|
| Thracia 776 | 22/20 | 5/4 | 1 | 6 | 7/8 | 0 | 3 | -- | 7 | 7/5 | D
|
| The Binding Blade | 21/19 | 7/6 | -- | 6 | 5/7 | 0 | 5 | 2/3 | 6 | 8/7 |  C
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| Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade | 21/19 | 7/6 | -- | 6 | 5/7 | 0 | 5 | 2/3 | 6 | 8/7 | C
|
| The Sacred Stones | 21/19 | 7/6 | -- | 6 | 5/7 | 0 | 5 | 2/3 | 6 | 8/7 | C
|
| Path of Radiance | 21 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 10 |  C
|
| Radiant Dawn | 33 | 18 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 11 |  C
|
| Shadow Dragon | 24 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | -- |  C
|
| New Mystery of the Emblem | 24 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | -- | C
|
Max stats
| Game | HP | Strength | Magic | Skill | Speed | Luck | Defense | Resistance | Movement | Constitution | Weapon level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light | 52 | 20 | -- | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | -- | Bow: 20 |
| Gaiden | 52 | 40 | -- | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | -- | -- | Bow |
| Mystery of the Emblem | 52 | 20 | -- | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | -- | Bow: 20 |
| Genealogy of the Holy War | 80 | 27 | 15 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 22 | 18 | 6 | -- | A
|
| Thracia 776 | 80 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | -- | 20 | 20 | A
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| The Binding Blade | 60 | 24/23 | -- | 30 | 29 | 30 | 22/21 | 23/25 | 15 | 20 | S
|
| Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade | 60 | 25/24 | -- | 30 | 28/29 | 30 | 25/24 | 23/24 | 15 | 20 | S
|
| The Sacred Stones | 60 | 25/24 | -- | 30 | 28/29 | 30 | 25/24 | 23/24 | 15 | 20 | S
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| Path of Radiance | 60 | 25 | 20 | 30 | 28 | 40 | 25 | 23 | ? | ? | S
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| Radiant Dawn | 45 | 27 | 10 | 30 | 26 | 30 | 24 | 16 | ? | ? | S
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| Shadow Dragon | 60 | 24 | 20 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 23 | 20 | 32 | -- | A
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| New Mystery of the Emblem | 60 | 24 | 20 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 23 | 20 | 9 | -- | A
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Class growth rates
| Game | HP | Strength | Magic | Skill | Speed | Luck | Defense | Resistance | Charm | Constitution* | Movement* | Weapon level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light | ? | ? | -- | ? | ? | 0% | ? | 0% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Gaiden | 150% | 50% | -- | 50% | 50% | 0% | 50% | 0% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Mystery of the Emblem | 80% | 20% | -- | 30% | 30% | 0% | 20% | 0% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Genealogy of the Holy War | 100% | 30% | 10% | 30% | 30% | 0% | 30% | 10% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Thracia 776 | 50/90% | 20/30% | 3% | 15/30% | 10/30% | 10/20% | 15/20% | 15/40%* | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| The Binding Blade | 65% | 30% | -- | 30% | 20% | 30% | 15% | 15% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade | 65% | 30% | -- | 30% | 20% | 30% | 15% | 20/25% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| The Sacred Stones | 65% | 30% | -- | 30% | 20% | 30% | 15% | 20/25% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Path of Radiance | 60% | 45% | 10% | 55% | 45% | 30% | 35% | 35% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Radiant Dawn | 60/100% | 35/75% | 20/35% | 45/90% | 25/65% | 50/75% | 45/70% | 25/60% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Shadow Dragon | 40/80% | 10/20% | -10/0% | 20/30% | 30/30% | 0/0% | 10/20% | -10/20% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| New Mystery of the Emblem | 40/80% | 10/20% | -10/0% | 20/30% | 30/30% | 0/0% | 10/20% | -10/20% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Class skills
| Game | Skill | Learning conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Genealogy of the Holy War | File:Is snes02 pursuit.png Pursuit | Innate. |
| The Sacred Stones | Sure Strike | Innate. |
| Path of Radiance | Critical +15 | Innate; hidden and unnamed. |
| Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn |
 Shove
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Innate; hidden in Path of Radiance. |
| Path of Radiance |  Deadeye
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Occult skill. |
| Radiant Dawn |  Critical +10
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Innate. |
| Awakening | File:Is 3ds hit rate +20.png Hit Rate +20 | Learned at level 5. |
| Fates | File:Is 3ds raven strike.png Raven Strike | Starting from level 5. |
Class change
Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
 Archer |
Using an Orion's Bolt after reaching Level 10. |  Sniper |
Gaiden
| Trainee-like class | Method | Base class | Method | Advanced class | Method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Villager |
After reaching Level 3, at any Mila Shrine. |  Archer |
After reaching Level 7, at any Mila Shrine. |  Sniper |
After reaching Level 10, at any Mila Shrine. |  Bow Knight |
Mystery of the Emblem
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
 Archer |
Using an Orion's Bolt after reaching Level 10. |  Sniper |
Genealogy of the Holy War
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
 Bow Fighter |
Choosing the "Promote" option at a home castle after reaching level 20. |  Sniper |
Thracia 776
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
 Bow Fighter |
Using a Knight Proof after reaching Level 10. |  Sniper |
The Binding Blade
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
 Archer |
Using an Orion's Bolt after reaching Level 10. |  Sniper |
Fire Emblem
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
 Archer |
Using an Orion's Bolt or Earth Seal after reaching Level 10. |  Sniper |
The Sacred Stones
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
 Archer |
Using an Orion's Bolt or Master Seal after reaching Level 10. |  Sniper or  Ranger |
| Promotion choice criteria: The player can freely choose. | ||
Path of Radiance
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
Archer |
Using a Master Seal after reaching Level 10, or reaching Level 21. | Sniper |
Radiant Dawn
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class | Promotion method | Master class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Archer |
Using a Master Seal after reaching Level 10, or reaching Level 21. | Sniper |
Using a Master Crown after reaching Level 10, or reaching Level 21. | Marksman |
Shadow Dragon
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
| File:Bs fe12 gordin archer bow.png Archer |
Using a Master Seal after reaching Level 10. | File:Bs fe12 gordin sniper bow.png Sniper |
New Mystery of the Emblem
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
| File:Bs fe12 gordin archer bow.png Archer |
Using a Master Seal after reaching Level 10. | File:Bs fe12 gordin sniper bow.png Sniper |
Awakening
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
| File:Ma 3ds archer playable.gif Archer |
Using a Master Seal after reaching Level 10. | File:Ma 3ds sniper playable.gif Sniper or File:Ma 3ds bow knight playable.gif Bow Knight |
| Promotion choice criteria: The player can freely choose. | ||
Fates
| Base class | Promotion method | Advanced class |
|---|---|---|
| File:Ma 3ds archer playable.gif Archer |
Using a Master Seal after reaching Level 10. | File:Ma 3ds sniper playable.gif Sniper or Kinshi Knight |
| Promotion choice criteria: The player can freely choose. | ||
Playable Snipers
| Playable Characters | |
|---|---|
| Name | Game |
| Jeorge | Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, Mystery of the Emblem, Shadow Dragon, New Mystery of the Emblem |
| Briggid | Genealogy of the Holy War |
| Klein | The Binding Blade |
| Igrene | The Binding Blade |
| Louise | Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade |
| Innes | The Sacred Stones, Awakening |
| Shinon | Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn |
| Rolf | Radiant Dawn |
| Tomas | New Mystery of the Emblem |
| Kleine | New Mystery of the Emblem ("Assassins" only) |
| Playable Sniper units in the Fire Emblem series. | |
Notable enemy Snipers
| Enemy Units | |
|---|---|
| Name | Game |
| Wolf | Gaiden |
| Draco | Genealogy of the Holy War, Thracia 776, Awakening |
| Denning | Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade |
| Norris | Path of Radiance |
| Silvano | Radiant Dawn |
| Kleine | New Mystery of the Emblem |
| Enemy Sniper units in the Fire Emblem series. | |
Trivia
- Sniper is the only class to have appeared in all games, and consistently used had same weapon types(Bows alone) in each.
Gallery
Artwork of the Sniper from the TCG.
The generic Sniper portrait in Mystery of the Emblem.
The generic Sniper portrait in Genealogy of the Holy War.
- Generic portrait sniper fe06.gif
The generic Sniper portrait in the Game Boy Advance games.
The generic Sniper portrait in Shadow Dragon.
The generic Sniper portrait in New Mystery of the Emblem.
The generic Sniper portrait in Awakening.
An enemy Sniper in Path of Radiance.
An enemy Sniper in Radiant Dawn.
Etymology and other languages
| Names, etymology, and in other regions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Definition, etymology, and notes |
| English |
Sniper |
A marksman wielding a bow or gun, specializing in observing and striking the enemy at long range under cover. In reality, actual snipers almost never operate in the thick of combat as they do in Fire Emblem. |
| Spanish |
Tirador |
Sniper |
| French |
Archer d'élite |
Elite archer |
| German |
Scharfschütze |
Sniper |
| Italian |
Tiratore scelto |
Sharpshooter |
References
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This article is part of Project Classes, a project focused in writing articles for every class present in the Fire Emblem series. |
