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The Frozen River

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
The Frozen River

Cm fe06 18A.png

Location

Ilia Forest

Boss(es)

Martel

Previous chapter(s)

Ocean's Parting

Next chapter(s)

Bitter Cold

I order you. Use the spell book and create rainfall. Make it rain so that the rivers will overflow and push back the advancing Etrurian Army.
— Martel to Niime

The Frozen River (Japanese: 凍てつく河 Frozen River) is Chapter 18A of Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade.

Plot

Main article: The Frozen River/Script

After Arcado's defeat, the Etrurian Army continues its march deeper into Ilia. They arrive in a forest under the control of the bishop Martel. Before the battle, Roy confronts Guinivere about the rumors saying Zephiel murdered his own father. Guinivere cannot answer, and asks for more time.

Once she leaves, Merlinus gives Roy the report that Martel has recruited a powerful dark mage named Niime. She shows off her abilities by turning all the rivers in the forest to ice during the fight against Martel. Despite the changing weather, the Etrurian Army defeats Martel and rescues Niime from his control.

Niime reveals that she joined with Bern to study dragons, which draws Roy's attention. Because of her research, Niime concludes that Bern resurrected the Demon Dragon, the leader of the dragons defeated by the hero Hartmut. Additionally, this dragon has the ability to create more dragons, explaining the many manaketes the Etrurian Army fought until this point.

Finally, Niime joins the Etrurian Army, and they continue toward Edessa together.

Chapter data

Normal Hard

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Seize the castle gate Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Roy dies 1–15 {{{partner}}} {{{other}}} 32+26

Initial Turn 7

Cm fe06 18A.png

On the enemy phase of turn 7, the river freezes and becomes traversable to units who otherwise cannot cross rivers. This will not happen if Martel is already dead.

Character data

Characters
New units

None

Required characters
Roy ​
Available characters
Marcus ​Alen ​Bors ​Wolt ​Lance ​Merlinus ​Elen ​Ward ​Lot ​Dieck ​Shanna ​Chad ​Lugh ​Clarine ​Rutger ​Saul ​Dorothy ​Sue ​Zelot ​Trec ​Noah ​Astolfo ​Lilina ​Gwendolyn ​Barthe ​Ogier ​Fir ​Sin ​Gonzalez ​Klein ​Thea ​Larum ​Echidna ​Elffin ​Bartre ​Geese ​Raigh ​Cath ​Melady ​Perceval ​Cecilia ​Sophia ​Igrene ​Garret ​Fae ​Hugh ​Zeiss ​Douglas ​

Item data

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is gba secret book.png Secret Book Visit southeastern village
Is gba guiding ring.png Guiding Ring Visit northeastern village
Is gba goddess icon.png Goddess Icon Visit northwestern village

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.

Normal Hard

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma gba bishop enemy.gif Martel Bishop 10 1 45 19 11 11 12 12 17 7 6 Purge Divine
Does not move; stands on a gate, the chapter's seize point.
Ma gba falcoknight enemy.gif Ilia Falcoknight 6 2 31~37 11~15 12~16 12~16 5~9 6~9 7~11 6 8 Silver Lance
• The northern one begins moving unprovoked when she can attack a unit within two turns.
• The eastern one moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba pegasus knight enemy.gif Ilia Pegasus Knight 17 3 23~26 8~11 10~13 10~13 4~7 4~6 5~7 5 7 Axereaver
• The northern one begins moving unprovoked when she can attack a unit within two turns.
• The eastern two move to attack units in range.
Ma gba pegasus knight enemy.gif Ilia Pegasus Knight 17 2 23~26 8~11 10~13 10~13 4~7 4~6 5~7 5 7 Killer Lance
• The northern one begins moving unprovoked when she can attack a unit within two turns.
• The eastern one moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba pegasus knight enemy.gif Ilia Pegasus Knight 17 1 23~26 8~11 10~13 10~13 4~7 4~6 5~7 5 7 Steel Lance Javelin
Begins moving unprovoked when she can attack a unit within two turns.
Ma gba pegasus knight enemy.gif Ilia Pegasus Knight 17 1 23~26 8~11 10~13 10~13 4~7 4~6 5~7 5 7 Steel Lance
Begins moving unprovoked when she can attack a unit within two turns.
Ma gba pegasus knight enemy.gif Ilia Pegasus Knight 16 1 22~25 8~10 10~12 10~12 4~6 4~6 5~7 5 7 Steel Lance Javelin
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba wyvern rider enemy.gif Bern Wyvern Rider 17 1 31~35 13~16 7~10 9~11 3~5 11~13 1~2 10 7 Horseslayer
--
Ma gba wyvern rider enemy.gif Bern Wyvern Rider 17 1 31~35 13~16 7~10 9~11 3~5 11~13 1~2 10 7 Steel Lance Javelin
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba wyvern rider enemy.gif Bern Wyvern Rider 16 1 30~34 12~15 7~9 8~11 3~5 11~13 1~2 10 7 Steel Lance Javelin
--
Ma gba wyvern rider enemy.gif Bern Wyvern Rider 17 1 31~35 13~16 7~10 9~11 3~5 11~13 1~2 10 7 Steel Lance
--
Ma gba mercenary enemy.gif Ilia Mercenary 17 1 29~33 9~12 13~16 12~14 4~6 6~8 2~3 9 5 Armorslayer
--
Ma gba mercenary enemy.gif Ilia Mercenary 16 3 28~32 9~11 13~15 12~14 3~6 6~8 1~3 9 5 Steel Sword
--
Ma gba mercenary enemy.gif Ilia Mercenary 17 1 29~33 9~12 13~16 12~14 4~6 6~8 2~3 9 5 Light Brand
Begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns.
Ma gba mercenary enemy.gif Ilia Mercenary 17 2 29~33 9~12 13~16 12~14 4~6 6~8 2~3 9 5 Steel Sword
Begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns.
Ma gba priest enemy.gif Ilia Priest 15 2 24~26 4~6 5~7 5~8 5~8 1~3 11~13 5 5 Physic
--
Ma gba priest enemy.gif Ilia Priest 15 1 24~26 4~6 5~7 5~8 5~8 1~3 11~13 5 5 Mend Silence
--
Ma gba priest enemy.gif Ilia Priest 15 1 24~26 4~6 5~7 5~8 5~8 1~3 11~13 5 5 Mend Berserk
--
Ma gba archer enemy.gif Ilia Archer 18 2 28~32 9~11 8~11 7~10 5~7 5~6 1~2 7 5 Iron Bow
Moves to attack units in range; operates a Ballista.
Ma gba shaman enemy.gif Ilia Shaman 18 1 23~26 9~12 5~8 6~8 2~4 3~4 9~12 5 5 Nosferatu
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba shaman enemy.gif Ilia Shaman 18 3 23~26 9~12 5~8 6~8 2~4 3~4 9~12 5 5 Flux
• The norther one moves to attack units in range.
• The southern two begin moving unprovoked when they can attack a unit within two turns.
Reinforcements
Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma gba brigand enemy.gif Brigand Brigand 18 5 32~36 12~15 5~7 7~9 2~3 4~5 1~2 12 5 Steel Axe
Moves to raid villages, then moves to attack units unprovoked.
Ma gba brigand enemy.gif Brigand Brigand 18 5 32~36 12~15 5~7 7~9 2~3 4~5 1~2 12 5 Hand Axe
Moves to raid villages, then moves to attack units unprovoked.
Ma gba pegasus knight enemy.gif Ilia Pegasus Knight 17 8 23~26 8~11 10~13 10~13 4~7 4~6 5~7 5 7 Steel Lance
--
Ma gba pegasus knight enemy.gif Ilia Pegasus Knight 17 8 23~26 8~11 10~13 10~13 4~7 4~6 5~7 5 7 Steel Lance Javelin
--

Reinforcements

  • Enemy phase of turns 5–9
  • On Normal Mode, enemy phase of even turns 10–16; on Hard Mode, enemy phase of turns 10–20
  • On Normal Mode, enemy phase of odd turns 11–17; on Hard Mode, enemy phase of turns 10–20

Boss data

Main article: Martel
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.[1]

Normal Hard

Portrait martel fe06.png
Ma gba bishop enemy.gif Bishop
Level 10
Stats
Max HP 45 Luck 12
Magic 19 Defense 12
Skill 11 Resistance 17
Speed 11 Constitution 7
Movement 6 Aid 6
Inventory
Purge
Divine
Weapon Levels
Swords Lances Axes Bows
Anima magic Light magic Dark magic Staves

Strategy

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

For this map, bring foot soldiers, flying units, and Nomads. Avoid using Knights, Cavaliers, or armored units, as the dense forests will slow them down. Be wary of the Ballistae. Ensure you eliminate the Archers operating them before moving your flying units forward. Utilize the forests to enhance your units' evasion.

On turn 3, expect an assault from the Wyvern Riders. Positioning a competent bow-user at the edge of their attack range, ensuring no other units are close by, will be your best strategy. The Wyvern Riders will attempt long-range attacks, and your bow-user will counter and defeat them.

A note of caution: one of the Priests wields a Berserk staff. Either eliminate him quickly or carry Restore staves on multiple units for safety.

Two groups of Pegasus Knights are present on the map. The one near the Ballista guarded by two Mercenaries will remain stationary until you approach closely. Have your bow-users prepared. The other group will not move until you enter their attack range.

On turn 7, all the rivers freeze over, allowing any unit to cross. But be cautious: since this happens at the start of the enemy's turn, an enemy can cross a previously impassable river to strike any of your units positioned close by.

There are three villages to visit. The northeast village will be razed by turn 9 and the southeast one by turn 11. While the southeast and northwest villages are easily accessible—especially the northwest town for flying units—the northeast one poses a challenge. Either dispatch your strongest units to clear the enemies or employ a baiting strategy to draw them out.

Lastly, the boss wields a potent Purge spell. Avoid positioning fragile units within its 10-square range. Clear out the nearest threats first. Then, if you have a high-level Pegasus Knight, send her in for the kill. Otherwise, deploy a unit with robust strength, HP, and speed to handle the boss.

Etymology and other languages

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

Frozen River

Used in leftover text from the data transfer menu in the English version of Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade.

English
(unofficial)

The Frozen River

--

Japanese

凍てつく河

Frozen River

Gallery

References

  1. The Frozen River, triangleattack.com, Retrieved: December 24, 2020
← Ocean's Parting • The Frozen River • Bitter Cold →
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
Playable characters AlenAstolfoBartheBartreBorsCathCeciliaChadClarineDayanDieckDorothyDouglasEchidnaElenElffinFaeFirGarretGeeseGonzalezGwendolynHughIgreneJunoKarelKleinLanceLarumLilinaLotLughMarcusMerlinusMeladyNiimeNoahOgierPercevalRaighRoyRutgerSaulShannaSinSophiaSueTheaTrecWardWoltYoderZelotZeiss
Trial Map characters BrunnyaEliwoodGalleGuinivereHectorMurdockNarcianZephiel
Non-playable characters EliwoodGuinivereHectorMaryMordred
Bosses ArcardoBorsBrakulBrunnyaChanDamasDebiasDoryEinErikFlaerGalleGuerreroHenningIdunnKabulKelKudokaJahnLeganceMaggieMarralMartelMonkeMorganMurdockNarcianNordOatesOrloPeresRaithRandyRoartzRobertsRoseRuudScollanScottSiguneSlaterThorilTickWagnerWindhamZephielZinque
Background characters AthosBariganBramimondDurbanElimineHanonHartmutRoland
Regalia and personal weapons ApocalypseArmadsAureolaBinding BladeDurandalEckesachsForblazeMaltetMulagirRapierStaff of the Saint
Chapters Tutorial • 1: Breath of Destiny • 2: Princess of Bern • 3: Latecomer's Sorrow • 4: Crumbling League • 5: Fire Emblem • 6: Ensnared • 7: The Ostian Revolt • 8: Reunion • 8x: The Blazing Blade • 9: The Misty Isles • 10A: Western Resistance • 11A: The Hero of the West • 10B: Amidst a Struggle • 11B: Flight Toward Freedom • 12: The True Enemy • 12x: The Thunder Axe • 13: Rescue Mission • 14: Arcadia • 14x: The Infernal Truth • 15: The Dragon Child • 16: Storming the Capital • 16x: The Glorious Ascension • 17A: Ocean's Parting • 18A: The Frozen River • 19A: Bitter Cold • 20A: Ilia's Salvation • 20Ax: The Freezing Lance • 17B: The Bishop's Teachings • 18B: The Laws of Sacae • 19B: Battle in Bulgar • 20B: The Silver Wolf • 20Bx: The Bow of Swift Wind • 21: The Binding Blade • 21x: The Elder Revelation • 22: Unattained Dream • 23: The Ghosts of Bern • 24: Legends and LiesF: Beyond Darkness
Trial Maps Valley of DeathRainy IslandSnowy DefensivePirate's ChallengeRoy's Trial
Locations ElibeBern (Dragon TempleShrine of Seals) • Etruria (Aquleia) • IliaLycia (AraphenLausOstiaPheraeThria) • Missur (ArcadiaNabata) • Sacae (BulgarTaras) • Western Isles
Groups, objects and concepts Disturbance of BernEnding WinterFire EmblemGenerals of EtruriaThe ScouringWar Dragons
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Elibe DisturbanceHasha no TsurugiName chart • Other games (The Blazing Blade) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline