As a long-time Fire Emblem fan, I was both shocked and thrilled to discover Byleth returning as an enemy commander in Three Hopes. This fierce warrior‘s new abilities looked incredible during the opening battle cutscenes. I knew then that I had to uncover a way to convince them to join my forces!
Successfully recruiting powerful antagonists like Byleth requires careful planning, wise relationship-building with allies, and flawless execution on the battlefield itself. After claiming victory on Maddening difficulty across all three houses, I‘ve compiled my ultimate strategies to help fellow players gain the Enlightened One’s strength for their armies.
Understanding Byleth’s New Role
Before diving into battle tactics, we must first analyze the shift in Byleth’s background for Three Hopes. They now devote themselves fully to the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus rather than teaching at Garreg Mach as in Three Houses. What prompted this new direction?
A Loyal Kingdom Battle Master
Rather than a mysterious mercenary-turned-professor, Byleth grows up renowned as the Ashen Demon fighting alongside their father Jeralt’s well-respected knights. After years establishing fame and combat pedigree, Byleth earns an exclusive position training Royal Guards for the ruling Blaiddyd family in the Kingdom capital.
Byleth’s prodigy with both weapons and strategy made them a prime candidate as instructor of the realm’s elite forces. The additional backing of the Blade Breaker likely also smoothed relations with the typically wary King Lambert. Ultimately, this special role forms a tighter bond between Byleth’s destiny and Faerghus nobility.
Motivations and War Phase Goals
Thanks to their extended history alongside Kingdom forces, Byleth now shares an aligned motivation to protect Faerghus sovereignty and the Blaiddyd bloodline. After tragedy strikes during the War Phase’s opening days, Byleth’s new purpose comes into full focus:
- Uphold Dimitri’s claim as the heir apparent to the Kingdom throne
- Support loyalists like Rodrigue, Gilbert, and Catherine to unify the Kingdom against threats
- Lead elite battalions to viciously crush any enemies that stand in Dimitri’s way
Byleth proves utterly devoted to these objectives, earning renown as a ruthless, unbeatable commander who flattens all battlefield opposition. Their SS-rank swordplay and magical skills leave only ravaged corpses and smoldering ruins in their wake.
However, could we potentially persuade this hardened, focused warrior that joining our cause aligns with their motivations? The opportunity awaits in one climactic battle…
Preparing to Recruit Byleth
Forging Connections on Azure Gleam
Based on Byleth’s intrinsic ties to Faerghus, Azure Gleam unsurprisingly offers the clearest path for recruitment. As house leader, Dimitri can directly appeal to Byleth based on their shared desire to restore the Kingdom and honor the Blaiddyd legacy.
However, fully maximizing potential allies requires aggressively investing in Relationship Levels between chapters. Focus especially on characters with close Faerghus affiliations like Rodrigue, Catherine, and Gilbert using lost items, tea times, choir practice, or simply combat links. Their kinship with Dimitri grows stronger in Three Hopes, translating into greater sway when negotiating with Byleth.
As you strengthen bonds leading up to Chapter 10, also ensure your tactics stay aligned with pro-Kingdom interests. For example, prioritize defending Kingdom-leaning strongholds or troops when facing Empire attackers. Such decisions demonstrate solidarity with Faerghus and loyalty from your forces.
Ideal Units and Battle Preparations
When selecting units for key story battles, lean on Kingdom natives plus your strongest in-house recruits.Characters benefiting from high Charm, plus Authority for potent Gambits, excel when attempting to Persuade enemies into retreating or surrendering.
Armored and cavalry classes also prove useful for their innate movement range and strength suited for seizing objectives. Flying classes provide helpful mobility but risk greater susceptibility to area attacks like ballistae. Include a balanced squad with varied range and magical capabilities to handle diverse threats.
Beyond unit composition, focus on upgrading best weapons, stockpiling combat arts uses, and acquiring plenty of healing items. The Silver Maiden boasts dangerous foes like demonic beasts that demand top-tier equipment to defeat efficiently. Completing side battles on weeks prior further bolsters experience gains to promote units into Advanced or Master tiers pre-Chapter 10.
With supports unified, teams battle-ready, and the decisive fight ahead…Byleth’s recruitment hour draws near!
Act I: The Siege of Arianrhod
Chapter 10 pits your forces into the jaws of the imposing Silver Maiden citadel within the ravenous Faerghus Dukedom. Standing sentinel atop its ramparts: none other than the indomitable Ashen Demon themself, Byleth Eisner.
However, the ensuing battle’s flow depends profoundly on our actions. Carefully navigating objectives while leveraging allies sets the stage for a fateful encounter with our recruitment target…
Opening Strikes: Seizing Gates
With battle lines drawn, divide your deployed team into two balanced groups based on combat role rather than house. Group A will storm west to capture the nearby gate quickly, while Group B mirrors actions at the east entrance.
Storming each gate right away achieves two strategic aims:
- Opens additional deployment zones closer to the central stronghold
- Prompts more enemy units to mobilize away from Byleth’s position
Both factors allow us better positioning while reducing immediate threats to our main lord (like Dimitri) as we advance. Maintain largely defensive tactics focused on swift executions rather than sustaining losses against the Silver Maiden’s fearsome ballistae arrows.
Pressing Forward: Quest to Protect
Shortly after claiming access gates, a quest will initiate to protect friendly engineers while they work north of your emerging position. Agree immediately to shield the engineers.
Fulfilling this side objective unlocks the mighty Resonant Lightning combat art upon completion. More importantly, however, the engineers’ ongoing project provides necessary cover for stealthily moving our recruitment team ahead unseen…
Recruitment Strike Team Assembles!
Under the din of battle as defenses mobilize, carefully split off a specialized squad ideally containing:
- Dimitri (our persuade attempt leader)
- 2-3 Kingdom allies (Gilbert, Catherine, Rodrigue, etc)
- 1-2 healers
- 1-2 mages
This balanced team of 6-8 units will pursue Byleth while avoiding unnecessary conflicts. Stick to outer mountain paths as this squad cuts northwest through the stronghold exterior.
The engineers’ huge contraption crawling westward draws all nearby enemy attention inward. This opening allows our lean strike force to scoot past foes and structures unnoticed. Soon…destiny awaits.
Act II: The Ashen Demon
Intercepting the Target
As our protagonists near the isolated valley riverbank, a stunning cutscene interrupts! Byleth spins and ruthlessly cuts down the fleeing Lord Rodrigue before our strike team’s eyes. Stunned by this vicious betrayal, the legendary warrior drops their blade…lost in grief and doubt.
This long-awaited moment of vulnerability opens a small window to make our move. Rush Dimitri and allies forward to surround Byleth while their guard lies weakened!
Parley for a Legend
With Byleth prevented from easily escaping, Dimitri begins appealing to their sensibilities and past bonds with the Kingdom. Gilbert and Catherine also help persuade Byleth regarding how joining us protects the late King Lambert’s vision for Faerghus’ future.
Eventually, moved by the conviction in our words plus seeing familiar faces, the stoic warrior finally relents. They cautiously agree to join forces with their former allies against those that betrayed the Kingdom’s trust.
Unlocking Byleth’s True Potential
Successfully defeating and recruiting Byleth requires masterful strategy, but the true payoff lies in utilizing their robust strengths for your army! With high Charm and balanced combat capabilities, they shine within multiple classes across agency phases.
Ideal Class Progressions
Byleth’s SS proficiencies in Swords, Reason, plus Authority give excellent flexibility for classing. Fortress Knight provides phenomenal early durability thanks to Axe/Lance skills and balanced defensive growths. High resistance also aids handling mages.
Later on, pivoting into Holy/Dark Knight or even Mortal Savant amplifies Byleth’s devastating magic potential with swords or Reason access. Mastering Knight classes also keeps providing additional movement to help reach objectives.
Matching Playstyles for Each Lord
Byleth’s versatility also lets them tailor to each lord’s unique playstyle preferences wonderfully. Their chassis offers something beyond just pure stats:
- For Dimitri, provide durable frontline anchor and Gambit support
- For Edelgard, mix magic and swords as a top-tier Mortal Savant
- For Claude, lean into Bow Knight to complement range tactics
Teaching Byleth new weapons like bows for Claude after recruitment through tutoring sessions and seminars helps them shore up army weaknesses however needed. Never neglect their instruction!
Maximizing the Ashen Demon
At the end of the day, units like Byleth demonstrate the immense potential rewards behind thoughtful recruitment tactics in Fire Emblem. Their unique strengths demand investment tounlock, but translate into game-changing assets once acquired.
Hopefully this guide has equipped all fellow players, casual or competitive, with the necessary knowledge to recruit the legendary Ashen Demon for themselves. May the Twin Enlightened Wings of Spell and Sword grace your coming victories!
