Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather

Location Somewhere between Pherae and Santaruz Required units All living units New units Eliwood's tale: Hector, Oswin Hector's tale: Eliwood, Marcus, Lowen, Rebecca, Dorcas, Bartre, Oswin, Serra Boss(es) Zagan Previous chapter(s) Taking Leave (Eliwood's tale) Another Journey (Hector's tale) Next chapter(s) In Search of Truth

“	I know young Eliwood well. His father, Elbert, and I are old friends. I've no children of my own, and I've always treasured Eliwood... I do not believe I could look him in the eye and... I could not lie to him. I could not.	”	— Helman to the hooded figure

Birds of a Feather (Japanese: 比翼の友 Closely-Winged Companions) is the twelfth chapter in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade.

Plot

Main articles: Birds of a Feather/Script (Eliwood) and Birds of a Feather/Script (Hector)

Eliwood arrives at the border of Santaruz and requests an audience with its marquess, Helman. Inside Castle Santaruz, Helman mulls over his options with Ephidel; Helman cannot tell Eliwood the truth about his father, but nor can he bear to lie to Eliwood, whom considers as precious as a son. Ephidel suggests that Helman simply scare off Eliwood with an attack; Helman reluctantly agrees. Later, at Eliwood's camp, a bandit by the name of Zagan approaches the group and announces that he has come to kill Eliwood, prompting a battle with Zagan and his fellow bandits.

As Hector makes out for Santaruz, Serra suddenly calls out to him. Hector tries to make Serra go home but Oswin catches up and informs him that they have been ordered to accompany him by Uther. Before Hector can protest too much, Matthew (or Serra, if Matthew is dead) spots an ongoing battle in the distance. Suspecting Eliwood might be involved, Hector jumps into battle, with Oswin in tow.

After the last enemy has been defeated, Eliwood and Hector speak. Hector asks why Eliwood did not call him when he departed to look for his father; Eliwood admits that he thought Hector would be too busy with Uther recently becoming the Marquess of Ostia. After Hector introduces his companions, Eliwood and Marcus explain that the bandits they just dispatched were hired to kill Eliwood. Hector, in turn, shares that he observed a knight of Santaruz watching the battle as if he were planning on letting Eliwood die.

If a tactician is present, they will advise Eliwood to check on Lord Helman to ensure that he is alright. The tactician is then introduced to Hector; if both Matthew and Serra are alive, they also speak to the tactician. If a tactician is not present, Marcus suggests Eliwood check on Lord Helman.

Chapter data

Eliwood Normal Eliwood Hard Hector Normal Hector Hard

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemy units	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat: Eliwood or Hector dies	6+2	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	15	{{{third}}}

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemy units	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat: Eliwood or Hector dies	6+2	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	20	{{{third}}}

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemy units	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat: Eliwood or Hector dies	10	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	12	{{{third}}}

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemy units	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat: Eliwood or Hector dies	10	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	16	{{{third}}}

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In Eliwood's tale, units are arranged based on their position after Eliwood in the deployment order.

If every unit is alive, deployment order is: Eliwood, Marcus, Lowen, Rebecca, Dorcas, Bartre

Character data

Eliwood's tale Hector's tale

Characters
New Units
Hector Lord HP 19 Inventory Wolf Beil Vulnerary Level 1 Automatically on turn 4 if Zagan is alive Oswin Knight HP 28 Inventory Iron Lance Javelin Level 9 Automatically on turn 4 if Zagan is alive
Required Characters
Available Characters

Characters
New Units
Eliwood Lord HP 18 Inventory Rapier Vulnerary Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Marcus Paladin HP 31 Inventory Steel Sword Steel Lance Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Rebecca Archer HP 17 Inventory Iron Bow Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Lowen Cavalier HP 23 Inventory Iron Sword Javelin Level 2 Automatically from turn 1 Dorcas Fighter HP 30 Inventory Iron Axe Level 3 Automatically from turn 1 Bartre Fighter HP 29 Inventory Iron Axe Hand Axe Level 2 Automatically from turn 1 Oswin Knight HP 28 Inventory Iron Lance Javelin Level 9 Automatically from turn 1 Serra Cleric HP 17 Inventory Heal Vulnerary Level 1 Automatically from turn 1
Required Characters
Available Characters

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Item data

Items

Name Obtainment Method Secret Book Visit village

Shop data

Armories and vendors

Swords Lances Axes Bows Anima Light Dark Staves Items Secret

	Name	Cost
	Iron Sword	460

	Name	Cost
	Iron Lance	360

	Name	Cost
	Iron Axe	270

	Name	Cost
	Iron Bow	540

None

None

None

None

	Name	Cost
	Vulnerary	300

None

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Enemy data

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.

Eliwood Normal Eliwood Hard Hector Normal Hector Hard

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Con Mov Inventory and Skills Bandit Soldier 2 2 20~21 3~4 0~1 1~2 0 0~1 0~1 6 5 Iron Lance • The northern one begins moving if he can attack a unit within two turns. • The central one moves to attack units in range. Bandit Soldier 1 2 20 3 0 1 0 0 0 6 5 Iron Lance Moves to attack units in range. Bandit Brigand 1 2 20 5 1 5 0 3 0 12 5 Iron Axe The easternmost one moves to attack units in range, and begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 1 2 18 4 8 8 0 4 0 9 5 Iron Sword The northernmost one moves to attack units in range, and begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 2 1 18~19 4~5 8~9 8~9 0 4~5 0~1 9 5 Iron Sword Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Brigand 3 1 21~22 5~7 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe -- Bandit Fighter 1 1 20 5 2 4 0 2 0 11 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Archer 2 2 18~19 4~5 3~4 3~4 0 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow Moves to attack units in range; the eastern one begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Fighter 2 1 20~21 5~6 2~3 4~5 0 2~3 0~1 11 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Zagan Fighter 7 1 32 11 4 6 2 6 5 14 5 Steel Axe Does not move until turn 3, at which point he begins moving unprovoked.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Con Mov Inventory and Skills Bandit Soldier 2 2 20~21 3~4 0~1 1~2 0 0~1 0~1 6 5 Iron Lance • The northern one begins moving if he can attack a unit within two turns. • The central one moves to attack units in range. Bandit Soldier 1 2 20 3 0 1 0 0 0 6 5 Iron Lance Moves to attack units in range. Bandit Brigand 1 2 20 5 1 5 0 3 0 12 5 Iron Axe The easternmost one moves to attack units in range, and begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 1 2 18 4 8 8 0 4 0 9 5 Iron Sword The northernmost one moves to attack units in range, and begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 2 1 18~19 4~5 8~9 8~9 0 4~5 0~1 9 5 Iron Sword Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Brigand 3 1 21~22 5~7 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe -- Bandit Fighter 1 1 20 5 2 4 0 2 0 11 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Archer 2 2 18~19 4~5 3~4 3~4 0 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow Moves to attack units in range; the eastern one begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Fighter 2 1 20~21 5~6 2~3 4~5 0 2~3 0~1 11 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Brigand 2 5 20~21 5~6 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe The northwestern one moves to attack units in range. Zagan Fighter 7 1 32 11 4 6 2 6 5 14 5 Steel Axe Does not move until turn 3, at which point he begins moving unprovoked.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Con Mov Inventory and Skills Bandit Brigand 2 1 20~21 5~6 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 2 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Pegasus Knight 5 1 16~17 5~6 6~7 6~7 0 3~4 3~4 5 7 Iron Lance Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 2 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 1 1 18 4 8 8 0 4 0 9 5 Iron Sword -- Bandit Brigand 3 1 21~22 5~7 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe -- Bandit Brigand 1 2 20 5 1 5 0 3 0 12 5 Iron Axe The western one moves to attack units in range. Bandit Pegasus Knight 3 3 15~16 4~5 5~6 5~6 0 3~4 2~3 5 7 Iron Lance The northeast two move to attack units in range, and begin moving unprovoked on turn 2 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Archer 2 2 18~19 4~5 3~4 3~4 0 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow Moves to attack units in range. Zagan Fighter 7 1 32 11 4 6 2 6 5 14 5 Steel Axe Does not move until turn 2, at which point he begins moving unprovoked.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Con Mov Inventory and Skills Bandit Brigand 2 1 23~26 7~9 2~4 5~8 0 3~5 0~2 12 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Pegasus Knight 5 1 18~21 6~8 7~10 7~10 0 3~5 4~6 5 7 Iron Lance Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 1 1 21~23 5~7 9~11 9~10 0 4~6 0~2 9 5 Iron Sword -- Bandit Brigand 3 1 24~27 7~10 2~4 5~8 0 3~5 0~2 12 5 Iron Axe -- Bandit Brigand 1 3 23~25 7~8 2~3 5~7 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe The western and second-eastern ones move to attack units in range, and begin moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Pegasus Knight 3 6 17~20 5~7 6~9 6~9 0 3~5 3~5 5 7 Iron Lance • The northeast two, southernmost one, and upper of the central two move to attack units in range, and begin moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. • The northwestern one moves to attack units in range. Bandit Archer 2 2 21~23 5~7 4~7 4~6 0 3~5 0~2 7 5 Iron Bow Moves to attack units in range. Zagan Fighter 7 1 35~37 13~15 5~6 7~8 2 6~7 5~6 14 5 Steel Axe Does not move until turn 3, at which point he begins moving unprovoked.

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Boss data

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.

Main article: Zagan

Normal/Eliwood Hard Hector Hard

Fighter Level 9 Affinity --

Stats Max HP 32 Luck 2 Strength 11 Defense 6 Skill 4 Resistance 5 Speed 6 Constitution 14 Movement 5 Aid 13

Inventory Steel Axe Weapon Levels -- -- D -- -- -- -- --

Fighter Level 9 Affinity --

Stats Max HP 35~37 Luck 2 Strength 13~15 Defense 6~7 Skill 5~6 Resistance 5~6 Speed 7~8 Constitution 14 Movement 5 Aid 13

Inventory Steel Axe Weapon Levels -- -- D -- -- -- -- --

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Strategy

Augury
This chapter has no augury. Hannah will offer her services beginning in Chapter 14.

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

Hector and Eliwood's parties unite in this chapter, so there are a lot of potential newcomers. Common to both tales is Oswin, a level 9 Knight. His poor movement makes him a questionable choice for ranked play, but his good combat stats (particularly his stellar bulk) make him a very safe pick for anyone just wanting to get through the game.

Eliwood Hard

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Eliwood's party first meets Hector; like Oswin, he is a slow and sturdy unit with a good weapon specialization (axes) and just enough speed to squeak by. His late promotion harms him, however.

Hector Hard

Hector's party first meets Eliwood, a mediocre sword-locked infantry unit. He promotes very late, but he gets a horse and lances to make him a far more effective combatant. Marcus is a pre-promoted Paladin with spectacular bases and serviceable growths who can remain relevant throughout the game. Lowen is a Cavalier. His offensive growths aren't as good as those of Kent or Sain, but Cavalier is still an amazing class with great mobility and he does hold an undeniable availability advantage. Rebecca is an Archer. Archers are generally awful on the GBA, and Rebecca is no exception; being locked to 2-range in an especially enemy-phase dominated game renders her effectively useless outside of occasional chip damage (and even then, she is outclassed by magic users). Dorcas returns with pretty good bases, but his awful Speed growth makes doubling a dicey prospect later on in the game (and given how weak the enemies tend to be in The Blazing Blade, this is deeply troubling). Bartre is another Fighter. He has poor bases, to the point that he can even be doubled by the faster Brigands in this chapter. However, he needs to become a level 5 Warrior in order to recruit Karla at the end of the game. Karla is an awful unit, so nothing of value is lost if you choose to ignore him in spite of this, but if you want to recruit everyone then you're stuck with Bartre for the foreseeable future. Finally, Serra returns. She's a staff infantry who will act as a filler healer until Priscilla joins in Chapter 14, bringing a mount to the table and rendering her obsolete.

On to the battle. Your biggest problem is the Pegasus Knights flying around poking everyone. Fortunately, their above-average Speed is routinely hampered by their atrocious Constitution, making them far slower than one might expect. On the north side, have Hector and Oswin start carving their way south. Prioritize killing the Pegasus Knights so that you can safely have Serra dart in for a heal if you need her. Matthew has nothing to steal this chapter, but can chip in in combat if you are desperate. Being the only sword user of Hector's group also makes him a good choice against the northern Brigand once everything calms down a bit. If you can make your way to the central armory to sell the Red Gem, so much the better; buy an Iron Axe for Hector and an Iron Sword for Eliwood so you don't tear apart their unique weaponry too fast. On the south side, send Rebecca to hit the village and collect the Secret Book. If a stray Pegasus Knight gets any funny ideas and charges her, she shouldn't have too much trouble shooting them down. Place Bartre on the southern house so he can pull in the first Pegasus Knight and start carving your way north. Lowen will be your primary tank against the Brigands. Try to give kills to Eliwood, Lowen, and Bartre if you can, but don't be afraid to have Marcus delete someone if you need him to. By the time the two parties unite, Zagan will have started moving. Marcus has just the right stat distribution to weaken Zagan with an Iron Sword, softening him up for Lowen or Eliwood to take the kill. Hector or Rebecca can chip him further if necessary.

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology and in other regions
Language	Name	Definition, etymology, and notes
English	Birds of a Feather	--
Japanese	比翼の友	Closely-Winged Companions
Spanish	De tal palo, tal astilla	Chip off the old block; lit. "From such a stick, such a splinter"
French	L'ami retrouvé	The met up friend
German	Gleich und Gleich...	From "Gleich und Gleich gesellt sich gern" Similar to "Birds of a feather flock together"

Gallery

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

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← Taking Leave • ← Another Journey •	Birds of a Feather	• In Search of Truth →