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Thunder (magic)

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
Ilyana casting a thunder tome in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Thunder magic (Japanese: thunder) is a weapon category and class of magic in the Fire Emblem series, first appearing in Genealogy of the Holy War as one of its five magic types. It is one of the three nature-based magics which comprise the school of anima magic.

The main distinction of thunder magic is how the stats of the average thunder tome are primarily oriented toward being heavier and less accurate, while possessing higher power and higher crit than other schools of magic. In this respect, it can be viewed as a magical counterpart to axes, which tend to be oriented similarly; dark magic also gets this treatment in many games. In Path of Radiance, thunder magic also deals bonus damage against dragon tribe laguz such as Red Dragons, while in Radiant Dawn, the bonus damage is extended to all dragon units such as Wyvern Riders. In accordance with the Trinity of Magic, thunder magic has an advantage over fire and light magic, but is at a disadvantage against wind and dark magic.

Thunder tomes can be found in some form in every Fire Emblem game, but thunder magic as a distinct, separate weapon category only appears in four games: Genealogy of the Holy War, Thracia 776, Path of Radiance, and Radiant Dawn. In all other games, thunder magic is rolled into broader magic categories: black magic in Gaiden, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, and Three Houses, anima magic in the Game Boy Advance games, and generic tomes in the Archanea games, Awakening, Fates, and Engage.

Thunder magic in the Fire Emblem series

Weapon Available in: Notes
FE01 FE02 FE03 FE04 FE05 FE06 FE07 FE08 FE09 FE10 FE11 FE12 FE13 FE14 FE15 FE16 FE17
Thunder Classified as a tome, black magic, or anima in other games.
Elthunder Classified as a tome in other games.
Thoron Classified as a tome or black magic in other games.
Bolting Extended range, cannot be countered. Classified as anima or black magic in other games.
Mjölnir +20 skill and +10 speed when equipped in Genealogy of the Holy War.
+5 skill when equipped in Awakening.
Unused in Thracia 776.
Classified as a tome in other games.
Dire Thunder Olwen only, brave weapon.
Rexbolt +3 skill when equipped.
Arcthunder Classified as a tome in other games.
Thunder Tail Cannot inflict critical hits. Spirits only.
A means that the weapon is available in that game, while a indicates the contrary.

Classes capable of using thunder magic

There are 25 different classes which have been able to wield thunder magic as a distinct weapon type at any point in the series.

Class Wields thunder magic in: Notes
FE01 FE02 FE03 FE04 FE05 FE06 FE07 FE08 FE09 FE10 FE11 FE12 FE13 FE14 FE15 FE16 FE17
Master Knight --
Baron --
Emperor --
Thunder Mage --
Mage Fighter --
Mage --
Mage Knight --
Bard --
Sage --
High Priest --
Bishop --
Queen --
Dark Bishop --
Dark Prince --
Cleric --
Loptr Mage --
Dark Mage --
Fire Sage --
Thunder Sage --
Wind Sage --
Archsage --
Dark Sage --
Empress --
Thunder Spirit --
Order Incarnate --
A means that the class wields thunder magic in that game, while a indicates the contrary.

Trivia

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language Name Definition, etymology, and notes
English

Thunder

--

Japanese

Thunder; different games (and their manuals) prescribe different readings for the kanji, with some preferring ikazuchi (such as Genealogy of the Holy War and The Blazing Blade) and others preferring kaminari (such as The Binding Blade and The Sacred Stones).

Spanish

Trueno

Thunder

French

Foudre

Thunder

German

Donner

Thunder

Italian

Tuono

Thunder

Gallery

See also

References

Weapon types
Physical weapons ArtAxeBow (Ballista)CannonballGauntletsDaggerLanceSword
Magical weapons Anima (FireThunderWind)Black magicDarkLightStaffTome (Blue tomeColorless tomeGreen tomeRed tome)White magic
Other weapons BreathCrest StoneSpecialStoneStrike, beast, and monster weapons
Anima magic
Fire magic Thunder magic Wind magic Unclassified tomes
Basic tomes ArcfireBolganoneElfireFire ArcthunderElthunderThoronThunder ArcwindElwindTornadoWind ElfireFimbulvetrFireThunder
Long-range tomes Meteor Bolting Blizzard Bolting
Regalia and personal tomes CymbelineRexflameValflame Dire ThunderMjölnirRexbolt ForsetiGrafcaliburRexcalibur ExcaliburForblazeGiga Excalibur
Tomes with secondary effects -- -- -- Aircalibur
Others Fire Tail Thunder Tail VortexWind Tail --