Bastian

Bastian Artwork of Bastian from Radiant Dawn. The count of Fayre. He is well versed in the art of diplomacy and the ways of the world, and is one of Elincia's most faithful vassals. He enjoys speaking as if he is on stage at all times.

Gender Male Race Beorc Nationality Crimean Title(s) Count of Fayre Starting class Sage (Path of Radiance) Arch Sage (Radiant Dawn) Voiced by Eliah Mountjoy (English, Heroes) Rikiya Koyama (Japanese, Heroes) Appearance(s) Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn Heroes

“	When I look back on my performing days, I know that any hardship in my road shall be like ashes at the fire's end! Yet till Crimea sees its freedom come, I shall pass myself as the simple fool!	”	— Bastian, to Makalov

Bastian (Japanese: ユリシーズ Ulysses) is a Crimean mage and noblemen, bearing the title of Count of Fayre. Formerly a vassal in the service of the former Crown Prince Renning, he entered the service of Princess—later Queen—Elincia during the Mad King's War. Following the war, he disappeared and worked with Volke to track down Izuka and find a means of curing the Feral One condition afflicting Renning; during this time, he hired Ike and the Greil Mercenaries to support Elincia at the climax of Ludveck's rebellion.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Role

Following Crimea's defeat in the Mad King's War, Bastian took refuge in Castle Delbray with Lucia and Geoffrey and performed covert operations across Crimea to gather surviving royal retainers; during these, Bastian disguised himself as a street performer. Near the war's end, he and Geoffrey set about preparing for Elincia's imminent return to Delbray, but were interrupted by an attack on the castle by Daein soldiers. Bastian fled the castle to warn Elincia while Geoffrey remained behind as a decoy, and participated in the remainder of the war following. Following the defeat of Bertram, Bastian identified him as Renning and had him taken away to his castle, in the hope of curing his feral condition.

Starting stats and growth rates

Sage Level 13 Attribute Build 10

Recruitment: Chapter 24, automatically from turn 2 Stats Growth Rates Max HP 35 Speed 16 Strength 12 Luck 15 Magic 19 Defense 12 Skill 21 Resistance 20 Movement 6 Weight 10 Max HP 55% Speed 55% Strength 40% Luck 30% Magic 65% Defense 35% Skill 65% Resistance 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Elwind Stiletto Corrosion Knife Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B C A --

Analysis

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

Bastian is the last playable sage in the game. He has respectable bases in magic, skill, and resistance. His base speed is low for lategame, so he will not double frequently, limiting his magic offense. His base defense is higher than most mages, but he is still fragile and does not have high avoid. He has respectable weapon levels, able to use all three anima siege tomes without investment and Tornado. His base strength is high for a magic user, able to wield all anima tomes without speed loss besides Bolting and Rexbolt (though, given he does not double reliably, this primarily affects his avoid). With his respectable strength, he has the highest attack power out of the sages with knives, though this is a gimmick at best.

Bastian has excellent offensive growths in magic, skill, and speed. His long-term magic and skill will ensure he can hit hard and reliably at 1-2 range. His speed base and high base level limits his high speed growth, so he will likely continue to struggle to double attack.

Bastian has the Corrosion skill which is usually useless, since it does not deplete an enemy's weapon enough to matter. If the player wants to steal a weapon, this can actually be a detrimental skill, so the player may want to consider removing it. Bastian has a respectable skill base and growth, so Adept helps fix his doubling issues. He can be a decent candidate for the endgame Occult to learn Flare due to his late join time, though this is only practical if no other better options are available by endgame.

Bastian has a wind affinity which gives a light accuracy and avoid boost. This complements Volke for a double wind affinity, though Volke serves a different kind of role and has higher move. Makalov has a thunder affinity which complements the wind affinity, giving more avoid and a bit of defense, though this mostly benefits Makalov as a paladin; he also has other better options. Lucia is Bastian's best support option, having the same availability, similar movement, and giving much avoid with her earth affinity, benefiting both units due to their low durability.

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

Role

Following the ascension of Pelleas to the Daein throne, Bastian was sent by Elincia as an envoy to the newly-reconstructed nation, during which he also investigated the whereabouts of the Black Knight, and so was not present during Ludveck's insurrection. However, he was aware of Ludveck's motivations prior to his departure, and so located and commissioned the Greil Mercenaries to assist Elincia, tasking them to remain hidden until the last moment.

Following the Daein mission, he remained away from Crimea and, with Volke in his employ, pursued Izuka in the hope of curing Renning of his affliction by the Feral One drug; he was again not present to assist in the war with Begnion, although he returned to Crimea to recruit Geoffrey into assisting him with Renning. He, Volke and Geoffrey finally re-emerged and rejoined Elincia in the Hawk Army, following Ashera's judgement, but were interrupted by Izuka's escape from their custody. After dealing with Izuka, he explained the nature of his mission and absence—to cure Renning—and had Reyson use the Galdr of Rebirth to heal him.

Starting stats and growth rates

Arch Sage Level 10 Affinity Constitution 10

Recruitment: Part IV, Chapter 5, automatically from the start Stats Growth Rates Max HP 45 Speed 24 Strength 21 Luck 21 Magic 35 Defense 20 Skill 27 Resistance 32 Movement 6 Weight 10 Max HP 25% Speed 40% Strength 20% Luck 40% Magic 30% Defense 25% Skill 70% Resistance 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Arcwind Elthunder Elfire Elixir Corrosion Shove Flare Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- -- -- A A SS -- -- B

Biorhythm Best Good Normal Bad Worst

• Note: The above stats are Bastian's default stats. If a Radiant Dawn game was started via a data transfer from Path of Radiance, any stat Bastian capped in Path of Radiance will result in a boost to his base in the stat in question in Radiant Dawn.

Analysis

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

Bastian is a pre-promoted wind-specialist Archsage that joins in the last chapter before endgame. He has respectable base magic for endgame, able to do solid magic damage or healing. He has an SS wind rank and B rank in staves, allowing him to use Rexcalibur right away and use all healing staves besides Fortify, Matrona, and the Ashera Staff. His base speed is extremely low for his join time, and he will frequently get double attacked by enemy units. He has a mediocre base defense so he is frail, but his base resistance is high which helps for endgame, due to the abundance of dangerous magic-wielding enemies. Bastian's growths are overall average at best, with only a high growth in skill and resistance. Given his join time and bases and growths, Bastian functions as a serviceable filler wind sage with healing utility that requires no investment but will often be much weaker than other trained sages. In Path of Radiance without stat boosters, Bastian can only cap strength, which is marginally useful for dealing minor physical chip damage if he gets attacked on enemy phase while equipped with a staff, but he otherwise does not benefit much from transfer bonuses, especially since his base strength is already high enough to handle the weight of all his usable tomes.

Bastian has the Corrosion skill which is mostly wasted due to joining so late and many endgame units not having weapon durability. He already knows Flare, boosting his offense and providing a method of self-healing. His speed is very low, so skills like Adept and Vantage do not work well on him. Nihil is a useful skill if the player wants to use Bastian for combat in endgame.

Bastian has a wind affinity which gives an accuracy and avoid boost. As his join time is extremely late, he will not have time to build a strong support with other units, so he is best supporting another late-game or leftover unsupported unit. As some endgame enemies have very high avoid, partnering him with a unit with a fire or heaven affinity can help. If the player wants to boost their own units avoid for endgame, partnering Bastian with an earth or dark affinity unit can help. A double wind affinity also accomplishes both, albeit to a weaker extent.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Bastian was added in the Goddess Reunion update, and was first made available to summon from February 17, 2023 through March 7, 2023.

Bastian: Crimea's Keystone

Starting stats

★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 10/11/12 Speed 2/3/4 Defense 1/2/3 Resistance 14/15/16 Maximum HP 34/37/40 Attack 38/42/45 Speed 22/25/28 Defense 15/18/21 Resistance 40/43/47 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Gronndeer -- Chilling Wind

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 10/11/12 Speed 3/4/5 Defense 2/3/4 Resistance 14/15/16 Maximum HP 36/40/43 Attack 40/44/47 Speed 25/28/31 Defense 17/20/23 Resistance 42/45/49 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Gronndeer+ -- Chilling Wind

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Rarity	SP cost
	Wind	Innate
	Elwind	Innate
	Gronndeer	Innate
	Gronndeer+	★★★★★	300 SP
	Chilling Wind	Innate
	Iceberg	★★★★	200 SP
B	Sabotage Res 1	★★★★	60 SP
B	Sabotage Res 2	★★★★	120 SP
B	Sabotage Res 3	★★★★★	240 SP
C	Atk Ploy 1	★★★★	60 SP
C	Atk Ploy 2	★★★★	120 SP
C	Atk Ploy 3	★★★★	240 SP

Personality and character

Though exceptionally bright and knowledgeable in the ways of diplomacy and the broader world, Bastian prefers to cloak himself in a grandiose, theatrical air. He constantly speaks in an elaborate poetic manner incorporating iambic pentameter, often obscuring his true meaning through heavy-handed verse and minor riddles; this leads most people with whom he deals to be frustrated at him. Despite his usual outward behavior, he is typically calmer and more level-headed than his associates, keeping calm in times of stress or excitement. He harbors an ongoing romantic interest in fellow Crimean knight Lucia, whom he pursues relentlessly; he believes that she reciprocates this despite her constant protestations.

Supports

Path of Radiance

Main article: Bastian/Supports (Path of Radiance)

Bastian Sage Volke Thief C: 0 B: 1 A: 2 Makalov Sword Knight C: 1 B: 3 A: 4 Lucia Swordmaster C: 0 B: 2 A: 3 [[{{{support4}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gcn {{{affin4}}}affin.png|link={{{affin4}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c4}}} B: {{{b4}}} A: {{{a4}}} [[{{{support5}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gcn {{{affin5}}}affin.png|link={{{affin5}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c5}}} B: {{{b5}}} A: {{{a5}}} [[{{{support6}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gcn {{{affin6}}}affin.png|link={{{affin6}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c6}}} B: {{{b6}}} A: {{{a6}}} [[{{{support7}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gcn {{{affin7}}}affin.png|link={{{affin7}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c7}}} B: {{{b7}}} A: {{{a7}}}

See Support § Path of Radiance for more details on supports.

Radiant Dawn

Bond supports

Bastian Arch Sage Default bonds: Geoffrey Lance Paladin Bonus: 10 [[{{{supportd2}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd2}}} [[{{{supportd3}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd3}}} [[{{{supportd4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd4}}} Extra bonds:* Volke Assassin Bonus: 5 Makalov Blade Paladin Bonus: 5 Lucia Swordmaster Bonus: 5 [[{{{supporte4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse4}}} [[{{{supporte5}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse5}}}

See Support § Radiant Dawn for more details on supports.

Endings

Radiant Dawn

Crimea's Keystone - Bastian
Bastian's unparalleled diplomatic skills ensured that many treaties were signed, spreading peace across Tellius.

Quotes

Battle quotes

“	True knights know when to retreat.	”	— An unused quote intended to be Bastian's escape quote in Path of Radiance.

“	Izuka: Have a care, Crimean count! If my knowledge dies, so does your only hope of saving that man! Bastian: Hmm...it's true that your knowledge is a valuable asset. Izuka: Ah, my noble count! You are most merciful! Bastian: I have some knowledge of anatomy. Once you are dead, perhaps I will dissect your brain and see if I can identify the root of your intelligence. Izuka: Y-you monster! What you suggest is unconscionable! Bastian: Exactly, yet you had no hesitation before doing worse to the laguz. I will speed you now to the afterlife, where you may contemplate your life's egregious mistakes.	”	— Bastian, when fighting Izuka in Part IV, Chapter 5 of Radiant Dawn.

Death quote

“	Gaa...urr... Does my glorious life end here? No, I say... My eyes must not close. Not until they witness the rebirth of my beloved Crimea...	”	— Bastian, in Path of Radiance.

“	Bastian: ...Argh...! Elincia: Bastian! Bastian: Trouble yourself not, fair queen. If Bastian must pass into bleak death’s domain, it will be from wounds more dire by far. However, my body desires to lay down and rest, so I beg of you your pardon.	”	— Bastian's defeat quote in Part 4, Chapter 5 of Radiant Dawn.

“	...Here shall I cross... from this world...to death's dry kingdom. I always suspected...that it would come to this.	”	— Bastian's death quote in Part IV, Endgame (1) onward of Radiant Dawn.

Heroes quotes

Main article: Bastian/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Bastian is featured on two cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Bastian
	Deputy Prime Minster of Crimea, Bastian
		"My loyalty and dedication are always with the Crimean royal family."
		Attack: 60	Support: 20	Range: 1-2	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Wind Sage		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Back to Work: [Trigger] [] When another ally is growthed, you may pay the cost, and if you do: Draw a card. Crimea's Tactician: [Special] When this card in your hand is discarded by an opponent's skill or an opponent's support skill, your opponent must discard a card. This skill cannot be activated unless you have at least one bond.
	Card #B05-096HN • Artist: Yoneko
	Crimea's Keystone, Bastian
		"For my rudeness..... I beg of you please forgive me."
		Attack: 40	Support: 20	Range: 1-2	Deploy Cost: 2
		Class: Wind Mage		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Stepping Stone to Victory: [Trigger] [Once per turn] When this unit is destroyed by an attack, choose 1 ally. Choose 1 card with the same unit name as that ally in your Retreat Area , then stack it under that ally to growth them. (A growthed unit is treated as if it is Leveled Up. If they possess a , they are able to use it.)
	Card #B05-097N • Artist: Yoneko
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Bastian .

Flavor text

Game	Text (English)	Text (Japanese)
Radiant Dawn	The count of Fayre. He is well versed in the art of diplomacy and the ways of the world, and is one of Elincia's most faithful vassals. He enjoys speaking as if he is on stage at all times.	クリミア王国のフェール伯。 エリンシアの忠実な巨下であり、 世情や外交に明るい。 芝居がかった まわりくどい言い回しを好む。
Heroes	Deputy prime minister of Crimea and trusted ally of the new queen. During the war, he visited many countries to engage them in diplomacy. Appears in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn.	新女王が信頼するクリミアの副宰相。 戦中戦後の諸国を歴訪し、外交政策に手腕を発揮した。 （登場：『ファイアーエムブレム　暁の女神』）

Trivia

• According to Tellius Recollection, Bastian was designed with an apparent age of 25 in Path of Radiance and 27 in Radiant Dawn.

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology and in other regions
Language	Name	Definition, etymology, and notes
English	Bastian	German contracted form of Sebastian, from the Latin Sebastianus, "from Sebaste".
Japanese	ユリシーズ	Officially romanized as Ulysses. Variant of Ulyxes, the Latin name for the Greek hero Odysseus.
Spanish	Bastian	--
French	Bastian	--
German	Juri	Variant of Yuri, the East Slavic variant of the given name George.
Italian	Bastian	--
Portuguese	Bastian	--
Traditional Chinese	尤里西斯	Ulysses

Gallery

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  Artwork of Bastian from Path of Radiance.

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  Artwork of Bastian from Radiant Dawn.

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  Bastian's portrait in Path of Radiance.

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  Bastian's portrait in Path of Radiance.

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  Bastian's portrait in Radiant Dawn.

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  Bastian's portrait in Radiant Dawn.

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  Bastian as a Sage in Path of Radiance.

Heroes artwork

• 

  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.

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  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.

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  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.

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  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.

Other appearances

• 

  Artwork of Bastian from Fire Emblem Cipher.

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  Artwork of Bastian from Fire Emblem Cipher.

References

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