Duessel

Duessel Artwork of Duessel from The Sacred Stones. A courageous general in Grado's army. He's better known as Obsidian.

Gender Male Race Human Title(s) Obsidian Starting class Great Knight Voiced by Christopher Sabat (English, Heroes) Naomi Kusumi (English, Heroes) Appearance(s) The Sacred Stones Heroes

“	I have also lost everything. And we have both lost our ways. We are dead men who have stayed too long away from our graves. But remember, Knoll... You cannot see the future, but you can look back at your past. Look and learn. And remember. What gave your life meaning, and what has taken meaning from you now?	”	— Duessel to Knoll

Duessel (Japanese: デュッセル Dussel), is a Great Knight who appears in Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. He is one of Grado's six generals, known as Obsidian. He is very loyal to Grado, but their crimes lead him to follow his own beliefs and betray the nation. He joins Eirika's army in Chapter 15, or Ephraim's army in Chapter 10.

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Role

As a general of Grado, Duessel appears in many scenes before he joins Eirika or Ephraim's army. Before the war, he had been a teacher in the ways of the lance to Ephraim; however, since the war has started, Ephraim has not seen him. He is known as the Obsidian in the Grado forces.

Duessel first appears in Chapter 3, after the battle is over, in a scene set in Grado Keep. He is with the other two generals, Glen and Selena, discussing the war, quietly questioning the emperor Vigarde's intentions. Vigarde summons them and give them each a new partner; Duessel is partnered with Riev. These two are ordered to stay in the capital, charged with the responsibility of defense.

Eirika's route

Duessel appears in more scenes with the emperor. In Chapter 9, he is ordered to go to Frelia and fight Ephraim. In several other scenes, he is mentioned as one of the Imperial Three.

In Chapter 15, Duessel is one of Ephraim's two companions when he arrives to reinforce her, the other being Knoll. He helps Eirika in her battle, and after the two twins reunite, he fights with them for the rest of the game.

Ephraim's route

In Ephraim's route, Duessel is still ordered to go to Frelia. In this story, he asks the emperor why he has been trying to destroy Renais and the rest of Magvel. However, Vigarde refuses to provide an answer, instead only commanding him to destroy Ephraim's army. After the battle, a soldier tells Ephraim that Duessel has been begging the emperor for answers for days, with no answer in sight. In another scene in the same chapter, Vigarde orders General Selena to find Duessel and kill him, branding him a traitor. She is doubtful, but regardless, she follows his orders out of loyalty.

In the next chapter, Ephraim and his army arrives at Bethroen, a seaside town where Dussel and a few troops are stationed. Selena comes to apprehend Duessel; when he wishes to talk to Ephraim, she threatens to execute him for treason. Duessel flees to a corner, and Ephraim spots him, aiming to save him. They meet, and Duessel joins Ephraim's army. After the battle ends, Duessel explains to Ephraim that the emperor has changed. He suggests a possible cause that had happened at the same time – the creation of a strange "Dark Stone" by Prince Lyon and the other royal researchers. After this, he joins Ephraim's army.

Starting stats and growth rates

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.

Eirika's route Ephraim's route

Great Knight Level 10 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 15, automatically on the enemy phase of turn 2 Stats Growth Rates Max HP 41~43 Luck 8~10 Strength 17~19 Defense 17~19 Skill 12~14 Resistance 9~11 Speed 12~14 Constitution 15 Movement 6 Aid 10 Max HP 85% Luck 20% Strength 55% Defense 45% Skill 40% Resistance 30% Speed 30% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Silver Axe Silver Lance Vulnerary Weapon Levels A A A -- -- -- -- --

Great Knight Level 8 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 10, talk to with Ephraim, or automatically at the end of the chapter if he survived Stats Growth Rates Max HP 41 Luck 8 Strength 17 Defense 17 Skill 12 Resistance 9 Speed 12 Constitution 15 Movement 6 Aid 10 Max HP 85% Luck 20% Strength 55% Defense 45% Skill 40% Resistance 30% Speed 30% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Silver Axe Steel Lance Vulnerary Weapon Levels A A A -- -- -- -- --

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Analysis

This character analysis section may not be accurate to every player's experience.

Duessel joins as a level 8 Great Knight in Chapter 10 of Ephraim's route and as a level 10 Great Knight in Chapter 15 of Eirika's route. His base stats are incredible in both routes, outside of occasionally low speed, making Duessel a powerful combat unit.

Duessel joins much earlier in Ephraim's route and will eclipse nearly every other unit in the player's army with his raw stats. His physical bulk is a massive 58, with 17 defense and 41 HP, making him almost invulnerable to physical enemies. His magical bulk is still very good at 50, with 41 HP and 9 resistance. As a Great Knight, he has 6 movement and a mount, giving him access to Canto. He also has an A-rank in swords, lances, and axes, letting him use nearly every melee weapon in the game with no investment. This includes 1-2 range weapons like Javelins and Hand Axes, making Duessel a combat powerhouse.

Since Duessel's stats and weapon ranks are incredible, he is a great failsafe for the more difficult maps in Ephraim's route, including Chapter 11 – the dreaded Phantom Ship. Duessel is so durable and deals so much damage that he can solo the map without much trouble. Even in later maps, he remains a powerful contributor, capable of one-rounding most enemies and usually taking little damage in return.

In Eirika's route, Duessel is less dominant. He joins significantly later this time – on turn 3 of Chapter 15, making him stand out less. He also joins during a desert chapter, decreasing his movement a great deal. Finally, regardless of route, Duessel can have trouble doubling faster enemies. Because he is both promoted and with a high base level, he gains experience very slowly, so growths will not solve this problem. A good way to remedy this is to give Duessel a Speedwing, but he may not double some foes without that.

In comparison to Paladins and even Cavaliers, Duessel's movement is low despite him being mounted. 6 move and Canto is not nearly as good as 7 move or 8 move and Canto, so he can sometimes fall behind. He also really suffers from terrain penalties for that reason. Furthermore, the Great Knight is considered a mounted unit and an armored unit. Both mount-effective and armor-effective weapons wielded by enemies pose a threat to Duessel. His stats are high enough to avoid getting one-shot by them, but the player should keep this in mind.

Regardless of the route, Duessel is so strong that he remains a viable choice for the endgame. Since his base weapon ranks are so high, he can reach S-rank in one of his weapon types and use the respective S-rank weapon in the endgame. Axes are the most common choice for this since very few axe users with a high axe rank are available in The Sacred Stones. Garm also increases Duessel's speed by 5. Since Duessel's speed can sometimes be insufficient to double, having it increased by 5 benefits him greatly and ensures he will double nearly all enemies. If the player intends to have Duessel use the Garm, granting him the Speedwing bonus is no longer necessary. Another unit can receive it instead.

Overall, Duessel is an excellent combat unit in Ephraim's route and a good filler combat unit in Eirika's route. He can sometimes miss doubling thresholds, and he moves slower than other cavalry units. Still, he compensates with great weapon ranks and excellent stats all around.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Duessel is one of the characters added to the game in the Book V launch update, and became available for summoning by players on December 8, 2020. Only one variation of Duessel is currently available in Heroes, based on his The Sacred Stones incarnation.

Starting stats

Duessel: Obsidian is only available at 5★ rarity.

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 18/19/20 Attack 8/9/10 Speed 4/5/6 Defense 8/9/10 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 35/38/42 Attack 25/28/32 Speed 21/24/28 Defense 25/28/32 Resistance 23/26/30 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Obsidian Lance -- Glowing Ember

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Rarity	SP cost
	Iron Lance	Innate
	Steel Lance	Innate
	Silver Lance	Innate
	Obsidian Lance	Innate
	Glowing Ember	Innate
	Bonfire	★★★★★	200 SP
A	Def/Res Solo 1	★★★★★	60 SP
A	Def/Res Solo 2	★★★★★	120 SP
A	Def/Res Solo 3	★★★★★	240 SP
A	Def/Res Solo 4	★★★★★	300 SP
B	Lull Atk/Def 1	★★★★★	60 SP
B	Lull Atk/Def 2	★★★★★	120 SP
B	Lull Atk/Def 3	★★★★★	240 SP
C	Rouse Def/Res 1	★★★★★	60 SP
C	Rouse Def/Res 2	★★★★★	120 SP
C	Rouse Def/Res 3	★★★★★	240 SP

Personality and character

Duessel is a mature, strong man who is loyal to his country of Grado. However, during the course of the game, this loyalty is shaken by the trials of the war, and he then betrays the country and acts according to his own beliefs. He feels guilty for this, having been branded a traitor. Otherwise, he is good-willed and kindhearted, shown in acts such as his taking time off from his job as a general to find a female captive's daughter. He is quite wise and mature, an old man compared to the rest of the army, and very insightful in others' and his own thoughts. Many look up to him, having had a rank as high as former Grado general. Amelia and Cormag both admire him as a Grado general, while Ephraim knows him as a former lance teacher.

Duessel is a former general of Grado, known as the Obsidian of the Imperial Three: he, Selena, and Glen. However, after the emperor changes and declares war on Renais, during the game, he is unwilling to keep fighting for Grado and betrays the emperor. He had been a former teacher of the lance to Ephraim, and is famous among soldiers of Grado.

He carries a cursed lance which caused Valter's insanity long ago. During a battle, Valter took the lance after his own broke, and went mad from the power of the lance. In his A support with Cormag, Duessel gives the lance to him, believing him to have the courage and righteousness to wield it.

Supports

Main article: Duessel/Supports

Duessel Great Knight Cormag Wyvern Rider Initial: 10 Per turn:+2 Knoll Shaman Initial: 0 Per turn:+2 [[{{{support5}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin5}}}affin.png|link={{{affin5}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints5}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{support7}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin7}}}affin.png|link={{{affin7}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints7}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{support9}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin9}}}affin.png|link={{{affin9}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints9}}} Per turn:+ Amelia Recruit Initial: 10 Per turn:+3 Ephraim Lord Initial: 30 Per turn:+3 [[{{{support6}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin6}}}affin.png|link={{{affin6}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints6}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{support8}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin8}}}affin.png|link={{{affin8}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints8}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{support10}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin10}}}affin.png|link={{{affin10}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints10}}} Per turn:+

See Support § GBA games for more details on supports.

Endings

Duessel, Obsidian General
Following the war, Duessel returned to Grado, where he was instrumental in its rebuilding. He spent his remaining years watching over Grado and sharing his wisdom with other nations as an expert combat instructor.

Duessel and Amelia
Upon their return to Grado, Duessel reunited Amelia with her mother. The two wept with joy, giving thanks to Duessel. Afterward, Amelia became the most trusted companion of the man once known as Obsidian.

Quotes

Death quote

“	This... This is nothing!	”	— Duessel

Battle quotes

“	Vigarde: ...... Duessel: Your Majesty, am I finished? Vigarde: ...... Duessel: Your Majesty...It's too late, isn't it? ...Forgive me.	”	— Duessel when fighting Vigarde.

“	We must be steel blades with which to pierce the enemy.	”	— Duessel in the final chapter.

Heroes quotes

Main article: Duessel/Quotes (Heroes)

Trivia

• Duessel is the only one of Grado's six Generals to become a player unit in the main path (the other five join later in the Creature Campaign).
• In the Official Nintendo Power Guidebook for The Sacred Stones, Duessel's base stats are mistakenly listed as those from the Japanese version of the game instead of the Western version.

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language	Name	Definition, etymology, and notes
English	Duessel	A German surname. Named after the river Düssel, a tributary of the Rhine.
Japanese	デュッセル	Officially romanized as Dussel.
Spanish	Duessel	As above.
French	Duessel	As above.
German	Duenell	Possibly changed as Duessel is a real-life German surname.
Italian	Duessel	As above.
Portuguese (Brazil)	Duessel	--
Traditional Chinese	迪賽爾	Dussel

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Great Knight Sword Lance Basic axe Ranged axe

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  Artwork of Duessel from The Sacred Stones.

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  A page of the The Sacred Stones Comic; Duessel appears in the bottom panel.

Heroes artwork

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  Artwork of Duessel: Obsidian from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Duessel: Obsidian from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Duessel: Obsidian from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Duessel: Obsidian from Heroes.

References

This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series.