Gerik

Gerik Artwork of Gerik from The Sacred Stones. A mercenary leader from Jehanna. He's better known as the Desert Tiger.

Gender Male Race Human Title(s) Desert Tiger Starting class Mercenary Voiced by Nathan Hedrick (English, Heroes) Kenjiro Tsuda (Japanese, Heroes) Appearance(s) The Sacred Stones Heroes

“	The thing is I can't stand to see my friends die. But if you're in this business long enough, people around you get killed. It happens. The only thing you can do is keep moving forward and try not to think about it.	”	— Gerik to Innes

Gerik (Japanese: ジスト Xyst) is a Mercenary in Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. He is the leader of Gerik's Mercenaries, working out of a guild in Jehanna. His skill with the sword has earned him the title "Desert Tiger".

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Role

In Eirika's route, Gerik first appears in Chapter 10. He, Innes, and Tethys hide in a fort, evading Pablo and his forces. Innes suggests that Gerik and Tethys leave him, but Gerik refuses, intent on helping the prince. He can then be recruited either by Innes (recruited by Eirika) or by Tethys (recruited by Innes). After being recruited, Gerik can in turn recruit Tethys (if she has not already been) and his fellow mercenary, Marisa. Gerik's Mercenaries then accompany Eirika on the rest of her journey.

In Ephraim's route, Gerik first appears in Chapter 13. He and Tethys appear together, searching for Ephraim, whom they have been sent to guard. Then, Myrrh, having just been liberated by Selena, approaches the pair. Gerik intimidates Myrrh, but Tethys calms her down, and asks where they can find Ephraim. Myrrh then points Ephraim out, and flies to him. During the battle, Gerik can be recruited by Marisa, and he apologizes to her for the guild's mistake in her assignment. After being recruited, Gerik can talk to Ephraim, delivering a message from Innes. Gerik and his mercenaries then accompany Ephraim on the rest of his journey, upon Innes's request.

Starting stats and growth rates

Eirika's route Ephraim's route

Mercenary Level 10 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 10, talk to with Innes or Tethys If Tethys dies in chapter 10, Gerik also leaves Stats Growth Rates Max HP 32 Luck 8 Strength 14 Defense 10 Skill 13 Resistance 4 Speed 13 Constitution 13 Movement 5 Aid 12 Max HP 90% Luck 30% Strength 45% Defense 35% Skill 40% Resistance 25% Speed 30% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Steel Blade Vulnerary Hero Crest Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Mercenary Level 10 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 13, automatically from turn 1 Stats Growth Rates Max HP 32 Luck 8 Strength 14 Defense 10 Skill 13 Resistance 4 Speed 13 Constitution 13 Movement 5 Aid 12 Max HP 90% Luck 30% Strength 45% Defense 35% Skill 40% Resistance 25% Speed 30% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Steel Blade Vulnerary Hero Crest Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- -- -- --

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Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Weapon level
Hero	+4	+1	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+2	+1	+40, D
Ranger	+3	+2	+1	+1	+0	+3	+3	+0	+2	D

Analysis

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

Gerik joins as a level 10 Mercenary with a Hero Crest in his inventory. His bases are very good, except for his base 4 in resistance. His growths are average, but since he joins at level 10 with a promotion item, the player can early promote him.

Promoting Gerik early is a good idea. He has worse growths than growth units who join earlier than him, like Franz, and also has fewer levels to grow. This means leveling him up as a mercenary will not affect his performance very much. More importantly, Gerik stands to gain a lot from his promotion. Gerik's split promotion in The Sacred Stones is the most balanced choice in the game. He can either promote to Ranger, which grants him a mount and D-rank bows, or to Hero, which grants him D-rank axes. Ranger's utility includes effectiveness against fliers, rescue-drop utility, Canto and higher movement. Hero's utility centers around the D-rank in axes, which is enough to wield Hand Axes. Having 1-2 range is very important in The Sacred Stones, because enemies tend to be weak. Killing swaths of enemies with Javelins and hand axes is the fastest way to clear maps.

It is up to the player what they value more, because each class has something good to offer. Both will give Gerik significant statistical bonuses, though. His bases are already good, so promoting him fast will result in a very competent combat unit.

Gerik's statistical flaw is that his resistance is subpar, but it is not outright bad. There are few enemies in The Sacred Stones who are threatening to units with low resistance. His other flaw is that he can never be mounted AND have 1-2 range. He must pick between the two as he promotes, while many other combat units have both. But it does not stop Gerik from being a solid combat unit, who can also have extra utility as a Ranger.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Gerik is one of the characters added to the game in the Marvelous Dream update, and became available for summoning by players on November 7, 2019. Only one variation of Gerik is currently available in Heroes, based on his The Sacred Stones incarnation.

Starting stats

Gerik: Desert Tiger is only available at 5★ rarity.

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 18/19/20 Attack 10/11/12 Speed 9/10/11 Defense 7/8/9 Resistance 2/3/4 Maximum HP 44/47/50 Attack 34/37/40 Speed 33/36/39 Defense 26/30/33 Resistance 19/22/26 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Firesweep Axe+ -- New Moon

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Rarity	SP cost
	Iron Axe	Innate
	Steel Axe	Innate
	Firesweep Axe	Innate
	Firesweep Axe+	Innate
	New Moon	Innate
	Moonbow	★★★★★	200 SP
A	Darting Blow 1	★★★★★	50 SP
A	Darting Blow 2	★★★★★	100 SP
A	Darting Blow 3	★★★★★	200 SP
A	Darting Blow 3	★★★★★	300 SP
B	Sudden Panic 1	★★★★★	60 SP
B	Sudden Panic 2	★★★★★	120 SP
B	Sudden Panic 3	★★★★★	240 SP
C	Infantry Pulse 1	★★★★★	60 SP
C	Infantry Pulse 2	★★★★★	120 SP
C	Infantry Pulse 3	★★★★★	240 SP

Personality and character

Gerik is a calm, amiable leader who deeply cares the other fighters in his mercenary group and in the whole army. He is a very experienced fighter, and believes that a fighter's mind is his most important weapon. Although he accepts his life as a mercenary, he dislikes seeing his friends die, even though he knows it is a reality. His supports suggest that he had been much more reckless and hotheaded earlier in his life, but he states that he has grown calmer. Marisa describes him as being too nice to be a leader. Gerik is very comfortable with talking to others, and greatly believes in the people he befriends. Overall, he is a steady, friendly, and confident leader.

Known as the Desert Tiger, Gerik is the leader of a mercenary troop often referred to as "Gerik's Mercenaries". In his troop are his friends Tethys the dancer and Marisa the quiet myrmidon. He has had much experience as a mercenary, having fought against Ross's father Garcia and the Renais army. He himself states that he used to be very arrogant until one day, he foolishly challenged a knight whose strength far surpassed Gerik's and lost, giving him a scar on his face.

In a conversation with Innes, Gerik describes a close friend who became a mercenary. Because of this, Gerik became one as well, to watch over his friend. However, this friend got killed anyway. By then Gerik had made other friends and didn't want to see them die, so he has stayed in the mercenary life. Gerik and Saleh converse about a friend that Saleh had killed. Although Saleh feel deep regret, Gerik forgives him, accepting the fact that they became friends. This may or may not be the same friend as in Innes's conversation; it is not specified.

Supports

Main article: Gerik/Supports

Gerik Mercenary Innes Sniper Initial: 15 Per turn:+3 Marisa Myrmidon Initial: 20 Per turn:+3 Joshua Myrmidon Initial: 15 Per turn:+3 [[{{{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:+ Tethys Dancer Initial: 30 Per turn:+4 Saleh Sage Initial: 25 Per turn:+3 Ross Journeyman Initial: 0 Per turn:+3 [[{{{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

Gerik, the Desert Tiger
Gerik continued as a mercenary. Over the years, his reputation grew so great that he had more job offers than he could handle. One day, without warning, he left, never to return.

Gerik and Tethys
Gerik and Tethys remained bound to no nation and beholden to no authority. They bought themselves a leisurely retirement. Gerik taught fencing to city youths, and Tethys found many stages on which to dance.

Gerik and Marisa
Gerik remained a mercenary, and Marisa became his company's fencing instructor. Gerik returned the affection she gave him, although he was troubled to learn she was clumsy at everything but fighting.

Gerik and Joshua
After the war, Joshua challenged Gerik to a duel in hopes of pressing him to move to Jehanna. The match ended in a tie, but Gerik was impressed by Joshua's swagger. From that day forward, Gerik never left Joshua's side.

Quotes

Death quote

“	If you live on the battlefield, you know this day will come...	”	— Gerik

Battle quotes

“	Never stop fighting. Never...	”	— Gerik in the final chapter.

Heroes quotes

Main article: Gerik/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Gerik is featured on four cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Two of the below cards' epithets are still in raw, untranslated Japanese; these need translation.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Gerik
	Desert Tiger, Gerik
		"Never stop fighting. Never..."
		Attack: 70	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Hero		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Gerik's Mercenaries: [Always] If you have 2 or more other allies with 10 support, this unit gains +20 attack. Costly Bounty: [Trigger] [] When this unit's attack destroys the enemy's lord, you may pay the cost and if you do: Draw 1 card.
	Card #B11-034R • Artist: Clover.K
	Chief of Gerik's Mercenaries, Gerik
		"Now let's get thinking. We still need a plan to get us all out of here alive."
		Attack: 50	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 2
		Class: Mercenary		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Leader of the Valorous: [Always] For each other ally with 10 support, this unit gains +10 attack.
	Card #B11-035N • Artist: Clover.K
	百人力の猛虎, Gerik
		"If your desire to win is stronger than your opponent's, you've already won. Your mind is your most important weapon."
		Attack: 70	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Hero		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Veteran Commander: [Always] If you have 3 or more allies, including this unit, in the Front Line, all allies in the Front Line gain +10 attack. An Eye for the Strong: [Activate] [Once per turn] [] Choose 1 card with a deployment cost of 1 from your Retreat Area, and deploy it.
	Card #B18-092HN • Artist: Karuta Shiki
	砂漠の傭兵戦士, Gerik
		"If I quit while our employer still fought on, my crew would want a new name, you follow me?"
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Mercenary		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Sandstorm-Cleaving Tough Blade: [Trigger] [Once per turn] When you deploy an other ally in the Front Line, until the end of the turn, this unit gains +10 attack. Attack Emblem [Support] Until the end of this combat, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B18-093N • Artist: Karuta Shiki
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Gerik .

Flavor text

Game	Text (English)	Text (Japanese)
The Sacred Stones	A mercenary leader from Jehanna. He's better known as the Desert Tiger.	ジャハナ王国出身の傭兵団隊長 【砂漠の虎】で名高い百戦錬磨の強者
Heroes	A veteran soldier who leads his own mercenary band, Gerik's Mercenaries. He's the commander of Tethys, Ewan, Marisa, and others. Appears in Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones.	ジスト傭兵団のリーダーで、百戦錬磨の傭兵。 テティス、ユアンの姉弟やマリカらを統率する。 （登場：『ファイアーエムブレム 聖魔の光石』）

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology and in other regions
Language	Name	Definition, etymology, and notes
English	Gerik	An Old German name meaning "spear ruler".
Japanese	ジスト	Officially romanized as Xyst. Xyst is a short form of xystus, from Ancient Greek ξυστός xystós, an entryway porch supported by columns to a gymnasium.
Spanish	Gerik	As above.
French	Gerik	As above.
German	Gerik	As above.
Italian	Gerik	As above.
Portuguese (Brazil)	Gerik	As above.
Traditional Chinese	吉斯特	Xyst

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Mercenary Hero Ranger Sword Sword Axe Sword Bow

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  Artwork of Gerik from The Sacred Stones.

Heroes artwork

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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger from Heroes.

Other appearances

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  Artwork of Gerik from Fire Emblem Cipher.

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  Artwork of Gerik 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.