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Battle in the Lea

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
Battle in the Lea

Cm fe11 4.png

Location

Lea of Aurelis

New units

Matthis, Merric

Boss(es)

Bentheon

Previous chapter(s)

A Brush in the Teeth

Next chapter(s)

Champions of Aurelis

Battle in the Lea (Japanese: 草原の戦い Battle of the Prairie) is the fourth chapter in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light and Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. It is one of the five chapters that were cut from Book 1 of Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.

Plot

Main article: Battle in the Lea/Script

Marth arrives in Aurelis, but his attempt to reinforce the Aurelian forces is interrupted by a troop of Macedonian soldiers led by Bentheon. Before the battle, Malledus advises Marth to begin taking some time to choose his best soldiers for a situation and outfit them accordingly. During the battle, Marth adds two new comrades to his growing forces: Matthis, Lena's brother who was conscripted into the Macedonian army, and Merric, an old friend of Marth who has been studying magic in Khadein. Marth's forces overwhelm Bentheon and kill him. A village elder thanks him, informs him that Captain Hardin is protecting Princess Nyna in a fortress to the north, and presents him with a Silver Sword.

Chapter data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Shadow Dragon

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Seize Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Marth dies 1–14+2 {{{partner}}} {{{other}}} 20−1
Cm fe11 4.png
Map dimensions:
30 columns by 20 rows

Character data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Shadow Dragon

Characters
New units
Merric
Portrait merric fe11.png
Mage
HP
20
Inventory
Excalibur
Level
1
Visit the southern village
Matthis
Portrait matthis fe11.png
Cavalier
HP
20
Inventory
Iron Lance
Level
2
Enemy, talk to with Lena
Required characters
Marth ​
Available characters
Abel ​Frey ​Jagen ​Cain ​Gordin ​Draug ​Norne ​Caeda ​Wrys ​Ogma ​Barst ​Bord ​Cord ​Darros ​Castor ​Julian ​Lena ​Navarre ​

Item data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Shadow Dragon

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is ds bullion.png 5,000 G Visit the northern village
Is ds ridersbane.png Ridersbane Dropped by Bentheon
Is ds silver sword.png Silver Sword End of chapter

Shop data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Shadow Dragon

Armories and vendors

Swords Lances Axes Bows Tomes Staves Items Secret

Name Cost
Is ds iron sword.png Iron Sword 400
Is ds steel sword.png Steel Sword 875

Enemy data

Enemy data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Shadow Dragon

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or otherwise be truncated.

Normal Hard-1 Hard-2 Hard-3 Hard-4 Hard-5

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma ds01 cavalier enemy.gif Bentheon Cavalier 5 1 22 7 0 4 8 0 9 0 -- RidersbaneThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Stands on a gate, the chapter's seize point.
Ma ds01 cavalier enemy.gif Macedon Cavalier 1 2 18 5 0 2 6 0 7 0 9 Iron Lance
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma ds01 knight enemy.gif Macedon Knight 1 1 18 6 0 2 0 0 11 0 5 Iron Lance
Will not act until attacked.
Ma ds01 cavalier enemy.gif Macedon Cavalier 1 1 18 5 0 2 6 0 7 0 9 Armorslayer
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma ds01 thief enemy.gif Macedon Thief 1 1 16 2 0 1 7 0 1 0 7 Iron Sword
Prioritizes destroying the southern village.
Ma ds01 thief enemy.gif Macedon Thief 3 1 17.2 2.4 0 1.8 8 0 1.6 0 7 Iron Sword
Prioritizes destroying the northern village.
Ma ds01 cavalier enemy.gif Matthis Cavalier 2 1 20 5 0 2 6 0 7 0 9 Iron Lance
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma ds01 cavalier enemy.gif Macedon Cavalier 1 1 18 5 0 2 6 0 7 0 9 Iron Sword
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma ds01 archer enemy.gif Macedon Archer 1 2 16 5 0 3 4 0 6 0 5 Steel Bow
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds01 curate enemy.gif Macedon Curate 1 1 16 0 1 1 4 0 3 6 5 Heal
Moves to heal units within twice his movement.
Ma ds01 horseman enemy.gif Macedon Horseman 1 2 24 6 1 7 10 0 6 3 9 Iron Bow
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds01 fighter enemy.gif Macedon Fighter 1 4 20 5 0 1 7 0 3 0 6 Iron Axe
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma ds01 hunter enemy.gif Macedon Hunter 1 2 18 6 0 4 6 0 3 0 6 Iron Bow
Begin moving if they could attack a unit with twice their movement.

Boss data

Main article: Bentheon
Boss data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Shadow Dragon

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or otherwise be truncated.

Normal Hard-1 Hard-2 Hard-3 Hard-4 Hard-5

Small portrait bentheon fe11.png
Ma ds01 cavalier enemy.gif Cavalier
Level 5
Movement --
Stats
Max HP 22 Speed 8
Strength 7 Luck 0
Magic 0 Defense 9
Skill 4 Resistance 0
Inventory
RidersbaneThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Weapon Levels
Swords E Lances B Axes --
Bows -- Tomes -- Staves --

Strategy

This section details unofficial strategies that may help with completion of the chapter. This may not work for everybody.

Unit Management and Forge Access:

  • At the outset of this chapter, you're introduced to the concept of selecting specific units, as there's a maximum number of characters you can deploy per chapter. You also gain the ability to reclass your units as needed.
  • Merric, a powerful Mage, and Matthis, a less-than-stellar Cavalier, join your team. If you've been diligent in training Abel, you'll find Matthis pales in comparison. Given the limited slots, it's time to bench some units.
  • Consider equipping Navarre with an Iron Sword and buying a Fire tome for Merric.
  • If Cain remains at his base 6 Speed, reclass him to a Myrmidon to prevent him from being outpaced by the Fighters.
  • This chapter also introduces the Forge, letting you enhance your weapons. A top recommendation is to upgrade Caeda's Wing Spear with +4 Might and +10 Hit, making it a formidable weapon against most enemies on this map and subsequent levels.

Initial Movements:

  • At the chapter's start, send some cavalry units to eliminate the Thief near the armory. Then, station the rest of your forces at the northeast chokepoint.
  • Take this opportunity to stock up on Steel weapons.
  • Direct your cavalry northwards to engage the Hunter and Thief. Aim to clear all enemies before the enemy cavalry descends upon you.
  • Keep units like Draug away from any enemy wielding an Armorslayer.

Recruitment and Enemy Engagement:

  • After quelling the first wave, shift your focus to recruiting Merric. His village is within the range of two Archers and a Knight. However, the Knight remains passive unless provoked. Use a sturdy unit to draw out and eliminate the Archers, then visit the village.
  • To safely engage the Knight without agitating the northern Horsemen, position a unit two tiles south of the Knight, barricading the bridge. Once you've dealt with the Knight, methodically lure and defeat the Horsemen.
  • Compared to previous chapters, Bentheon, the boss, is less menacing due to his close-combat limitation. Use ranged units to defeat him.
  • Hand the Ridersbane to either Abel or Jagen.

Additional Insights:

  • Thieves can raze villages, so get rid of them quickly. Engage the northern fighters with a few units, but be wary of a unique-looking cavalier, Matthis. If Lena speaks to him, he'll join your side.
  • Once you've cleared most adversaries, you'll notice an Arena near the second village. This spot lets you earn experience and accumulate gold. However, it's risky to bet amounts over 900 gold due to the more challenging battles. Though the Arena can be a tempting opportunity for growth, be careful relying on it too much.
  • Merric, when recruited from the second village, comes with a unique spell: Excalibur. This spell is exclusive to him in the Famicom version and is a rare asset in the game. While it can be tempting to use it against ordinary foes or weaker bosses, it's advised to save it for more formidable challenges ahead. However, if you choose to confront the castle's enemy, Merric can vanquish him in a few strikes. Alternatively, utilize the Rapier or ranged attacks.

Strategy for Merciless difficulty

Primary Strategy:

  • Use Jagen as a frontline shield to absorb incoming attacks.
  • Be cautious of the village where Merric is. If you focus too much on the fighters, the second Thief may destroy it. Killing these fighters in a single turn requires at least three of your characters.
  • For other enemies, and especially the Hunter in the top right, consider placing a strong unit in a northern starting position to draw enemy attacks.
  • Begin by positioning units with less movement to the left. This placement allows them to keep up with your mounted units. Deploy Caeda in a way that she can confront and defeat one of the advancing Cavaliers. After her attack, have her retreat so she's ready for the next turn.
  • After clearing most of the enemies, encircle Matthis with units that can't harm him and wait. If a Hunter attacks you, it's best to have high HP and defensive characters nearby but out of the fighters' reach. A defensive formation using high HP characters, like Cavaliers, will effectively impede enemy movement.
  • Finish off the remaining enemies conventionally. For foes blocking the bridge, bait Archers by placing units within their attack range. Engage the General using Marth or Caeda. Attract the Cavaliers using a defensive unit on the opposite riverbank. Ensure all your units are together before making a move.

Alternative Strategy:

  • Position slower units on the left side and faster units on the right. Ensure Jagen reaches the Thief quickly to neutralize him. If Jagen's HP gets too low, send Caeda to back him up.
  • Send everyone else towards the nearest bridge.
  • Once in position, place two characters on the bridge. For example, you can use a transformed Barst as a Pirate alongside Ogma. Place an Archer and Lena behind them on the bridge. This arrangement allows for healing and archer attacks. If a frontliner's health drops critically, retreat and replace them with Jagen or another durable unit.

Etymology and other languages

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

Battle in the Lea

--

Japanese

草原の戦い

Battle of the Prairie

Spanish

Batalla en las pradera

Battle in the prairie; abbreviated as Batalla en las prad.

French

Bataille dans la plaine

Battle in the plain

German

Schlacht im Gras

Battle in the Grass

Italian

La battaglia della piana

The battle of the plain

Gallery


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


References

← A Brush in the Teeth • Battle in the Lea • Champions of Aurelis →
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light
Playable characters AbelArranAstramBantuBarstBeckBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDarrosDolphDraugEliceEstGordinGotohHardinJagenJakeJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreOgmaPallaRaddRickardRogerRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfWrysXane
Non-playable characters Aurelis KingMalledusNynaTalys King
Bosses BentheonCamusEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerGrigasHarmeinHeimlerHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenMannuMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasOrridyonSternlinTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Background characters AnriArtemisCorneliusLizaLudwik
Regalia and personal weapons AumAuraExcaliburFalchionGradivusImhulluMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlight
Chapters 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: The Ghoul's Teeth • 4: Battle in the Lea • 5: Champions of Aurelis • 6: Fire Emblem • 7: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 8: Port Warren • 9: The Pyrathi Dragon • 10: Princess Minerva • 11: Knorda Market • 12: The Ageless Palace • 13: The Wooden Cavalry • 14: Land of Sorrow • 15: An Oasis of Magic • 16: The Battle for Altea • 17: Star and Savior • 18: The Sable Order • 19: Manakete Princess • 20: Camus the Sable • 21: Clash in Macedon • 22: A Knight-Filled Sky • 23: Dark Pontifex • 24: The Dragonkin Realm • 25: Chosen by Fate
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAurelisDolhrGraGrustKhadeinKingdom of ArchaneaMacedonPyrathiTalysThabes
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueDragons (Divine DragonsEarth Dragons) • DragoonsFire EmblemSable OrderWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ArmoriesCharactersClasses (Class change) • ItemsScriptsSecret ShopsTerrainVendorsWeapons
Related topics Hakoda manga adaptationName chart • Other games (GaidenMystery of the EmblemShadow DragonAwakening) • Sound Test ModeTimeline
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Playable characters AbelArranAstramAthenaBantuBarstBeckBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDarrosDolphDraugEliceEstEtzelFreyGordinGotohHardinHoraceJagenJakeJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNagiNavarreNorneOgmaPallaRaddRickardRogerRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfWrysXaneYmir
Non-playable characters Aurelis KingMalledusNynaTalys King
Bosses BathysBentheonCamusCaptainDactylDejaniraEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerGrigasHarmeinHeimlerHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenLarissaMannuMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasOrridyonSternlinTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Background characters AdrahAnriArtemisCaldasIoteLizaLudwikMarlonMarcelusNagaOrdwin
Regalia and personal weapons AumFalchionFire EmblemGradivusImhulluHauteclereMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlightWing Spear
Chapters P: Prologue I • P: Prologue II • P: Prologue III • P: Prologue IV • 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: A Brush in the Teeth • 4: Battle in the Lea • 5: Champions of Aurelis • 6: Fire Emblem • 6x: In War's Grip • 7: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 8: Port Warren • 9: The Pyrathi Dragon • 10: Princess Minerva • 11: Knorda Market • 12: The Ageless Palace • 12x: A Traitor's Worth • 13: The Wooden Cavalry • 14: Land of Sorrow • 15: An Oasis of Magic • 16: The Battle for Altea • 17: Star and Savior • 17x: Helena Castle • 18: The Sable Order • 19: Manakete Princess • 20: Camus the Sable • 20x: The Lair of Fire • 21: Clash in Macedon • 22: A Knight-Filled Sky • 23: Dark Pontifex • 24: The Dragonkin Realm • 24x: The AlterspireE: Chosen by Fate
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAurelisDolhrGraGrustKhadeinKingdom of ArchaneaMacedonPyrathiTalysThabes
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueDragons (Divine DragonEarth DragonManakete) • DragoonsSable OrderWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • ConversationsItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics List of version differences (Name chart) • Other games (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightGaidenNew Mystery of the EmblemAwakening) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline