Quick Answers

What is the primary weapon of choice for the Sage class in the Fire Emblem Series?

In the Fire Emblem Series, the Sage class primarily uses Anima magic. They also employ staves for support. Variations like the Wind Sage, Dark Sage, and Thunder Sage use Wind, Dark, and Thunder magic respectively.

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How does the Sage class in Fire Emblem differ from the Bishop class?

In Fire Emblem, the Sage class, typically an upgrade for the Mage class, is initially exclusive to male Mages and can utilize Anima Magic, Light magic, and Staves. It's viewed as the apex playable magic class. Conversely, the Bishop class, an advanced form of the Priest, Monk, and Cleric classes, mainly uses Light magic and Staves for support, marked by high Magic, Luck, and Resistance, but low Defense.

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What is the role of the Sage class in the Fire Emblem Gaiden?

The Sage class in Fire Emblem Gaiden is a combat magical class, promoted from the Mage class. It primarily uses Anima magic and staves for support. The Sage class also replaces the Bishop class, and can wield Light magic and Staves, in addition to all types of Anima Magic.

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When does the Sage class reappear in the Fire Emblem series after its original inception in Gaiden?

The Sage class, which first appeared in Fire Emblem Gaiden, makes its reappearance in the series in Genealogy of the Holy War. As the upgraded form of the Mage class, it wields Anima magic and staves. The Sage class continues to feature in other games such as Path of Radiance, Awakening, and Fates.

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What are some of the best upgrades for a Sage in the Fire Emblem series?

In Fire Emblem, a Sage's upgrades significantly enhance their stats, including a +4 to HP and Magic, and a +2 to Defense, making them a formidable magic unit. They also gain E-rank Staves, enhancing their healing abilities. The Sage primarily wields Anima magic and staves. Promoting a Mage to a Sage is often preferred due to higher stat caps and access to light tomes.

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History in the Series[]

In its original inception in Gaiden, the Sage class is introduced as a replacement for the Bishop class, acting as the promoted form of the Mage class.

The Sage class is then rendered absent until the onset of Genealogy of the Holy War. The Sage class acts as the promoted form of Shamans and Bards, and is, apart from wielding all types of Anima Magic, also able to arm Light magic and Staves. The Sage could be considered the ultimate playable magic class and the counterpart to the enemy Dark Bishop class. Of the playable Sages, only one character in the first generation can become a sage and only two characters in the second generation. Even in the enemy armies, Sages are rare.

In Thracia 776, the Sage class remains mostly the same, but is now also the promoted form of Asbel, a character who starts out as a Mage. In comparison to Genealogy of the Holy War, Sage is no longer a rare class which would remain the case throughout the rest of the series.

In TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga, the Sage class acts as the promoted form of the various Mage classes, as is the case in Gaiden. Like its Jugdral predecessor, the Sage class in this title is able to wield Anima Magic and Light Magic, however it has the lost use of Staves.

The Sage class is not instituted as the staple promoted form of the Mage class until The Binding Blade. This iteration of the class is locked to employing only Anima Magic and Staves. The exemption to this is Guinivere in the trial maps, which can use light.

In The Sacred Stones, the Sage class is one of the promoted forms of both Monks and Priests. This iteration of the class is, like its Jugdral incarnation, able to wield Light magic alongside Anima Magic and Staves.

In Radiant Dawn, the Sage class specialises in specific types of Anima Magic, and is thence split into Fire, Thunder and Wind Sages. Other non-Anima variations of the Sage class also exist, taking the form of the Light and Dark Sage classes, specialising in Light and Dark Magic respectively.

In Fates, the Sage class is known as Onmyoji (陰陽師 Onmyōji) and is treated as a Hoshidan class.

In the spin-off Warriors, it is the promoted class of Linde in the English version, though in the Japanese version, Linde's promoted class is the Bishop. It is an infantry class that uses Tomes and Staffs. There is also an enemy-only version that acts as a clone of the Grandmaster class, and the Hoshidan version, the Onmyoji, is also present as an enemy-only class in this game.

In Vestaria Saga I, the Sage is known as the Archmage. It is the promotion of the Vestal and Sphirian Mage. It primarily wields Anima Magic, but depending on what it is a promotion of it can wield Light and Dark Magic, too. Enemy-only variants known as Vestal and Sphirian Sages can wield staves in addition to all magic types.

Overview[]

Combat[]

Sages tend to possess the highest Magic growth and caps of any non-exclusive class in most titles, although there have been exceptions to this rule; Sorcerers in Fates, for one, have slightly higher Magic.

Path of Radiance[]

Interestingly, Mages in Path of Radiance have the choice of gaining the ability to wield either Knives or Staves upon promotion, with all Pre-Promoted sages having the former chosen for them by default. This marks the fifth occurrence of a magic-wielding class gaining a non-magical weapon upon promotion (the others being the Priestess from FE2/FE15, Mage Knight and the Mage Fighter of FE4, followed by the Mage Knight yet again in FE5, all three using Swords). The latter option is, however, ostensibly more useful, in that it adds healing powers that draw upon the unit's Magic, whereas the former option is not especially useful in the hands of Sages, who will most often have low Strength, although it does offer a chance for them to physically attack units with high Resistance.

Awakening[]

Due to the astronomical Magic cap boasted by Sages in this title, their Tome strength and healing potency is unparalleled. If they have high enough Magic, their range with the Rescue or Fortify staves can possibly cover entire maps, making them excellent support units. The two skills Sages can learn are Rally Magic and Tomefaire.

Rally Magic boosts Magic by 4 to all units within three spaces. In addition to powering up the combat magical capabilities of allies, this skill also makes the healing power of other staff users stronger, emphasizing Sages' supportive role and enhancing their strategic use. Tomefaire grants the user +5 to their Magic when they are equipped with a Tome; an outstanding boon under consideration of the fact Sages cannot wield any weapons besides tomes, and thus would never misuse the skill's benefits.

Fates[]

Onmyoji are parallel to Awakening's Sages in almost every aspect. Their physical defensive qualities remain lackluster, although this is compensated for by their reliable Skill, Speed and Resistance. In addition to this, Onmyoji wield Tomes and Staves as their primary equipment, alongside preserving Rally Magic and Tomefaire as their skills.

However, unlike their Awakening incarnation, Onmyoji do not boast superlative Magic in this game, the title now having been conferred to the Witch, who possess a hefty 36 Magic (three points above the Onmyoji class' 33), as well as an S Rank in Tomes (compared to the Onmyoji's maximum of A). Their Luck has also been noticeably downgraded, and in accordance to Fates' HP adjustments, their maximum HP is now 45, further dampening the little defensive use that they have.

However, none of this deter the player from employing the Onmyoji class. The Magic that they possess still remains among the best in the game, and their good Skill and Speed guarantee that they can consistently perform double attacks, as well as dodge sometimes and land critical hits reliably enough. Though they may be severely lacking in Defense, their Resistance remains steadfastly reliable, and it is thus very likely that they will be able to survive and even tank magical attacks aimed at them.

Onmyoji's B Rank in Staves further expands their usefulness by granting them access to a bounty of healing options and debuffs, making them not just powerful offensive casters, but more than outstanding supporters as well. While they may fill either role wonderfully, an Onmyoji's true versatility lies in how they can perform both simultaneously in the heat of battle, making them a valuable unit with many different uses.

WiFi Battles[]

(Please note that due to the discontinuation of the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi servers, the following information is arguably obsolete)

Sages are used mainly for their utility value. No sage is able to kill a combat unit one-on-one, and they are therefore mostly used for their staves. In particular, Staves like Fortify and Warp provide a team with a large tactical advantage.

The actual value of having a Sage on a squad is debatable. Sages can be easily killed in one-on-one encounters, and are also usually unable to take down foes in one-on-one combat. Despite this, the predominant reason Sages are deployed is because they do not drain stat-increasing items needed to make a squad of five powerful units. Normally, a team of five combat units will need to spread the boosts thinner and have little need for Magic boosts. However, a team of four combat units and a Sage will be able to distribute their limited boosts to the combat units by especially focusing Magic-based items on the Sage character. However, Strategist and specially Falcon Knight fit better this role because of their superb mobility.

In-Game[]

Base Stats[]

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE2	32	12	-	8	7	0	6	9	4	-	-	Black Magic	-
FE4	35	0	15	12	15	0	3	12	6	-	-	B B B B B	-
FE5	20/16	0	7	7	9/10	0	4/3	-	7	5/3	-	D D D C D	-
TS	20	0	7	8	8	0	4	-	5	-	-	5	-
FE6	20/19	-	5/4	4/6	4/5	0	5/3	5/6	6	7/5	-	C E	-
FE7	20/19	-	5/4	4/6	4/5	0	5/3	5/6	6	7/4	-	C E	-
FE7 (Limstella)	19	-	4	6	5	0	3	6	6	7	-	C E	-
FE8	20/19	-	5/4	4/6	4/5	0	5/3	5/6	6	7/4	-	C D D	-
FE9	20	2	4	4/3	6/7	0	4/3	6/7	6	10/7	10/7	D D D E	-
FE11	22	3	4	2	4	0	3	5	6	-	-	D E	-
FE12	22	3	5	2	4	0	3	5	6	-	-	D E	-
FE13	20	1	7	5	7	0	4	5	6	-	-	E E	-
FE14	16	0	7	6	7	2	3	6	6	-	-	E E	-
FE15	32	12	-	8	7	0	6	9	4	-	-		-
FE17	20	1	9	8	7	3	3	9	5	5	-	S B^	-

Maximum Stats[]

	HP	Str	Mag	Skl	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Con	Wt	Wlv	Cha
FE4	80	15	30	27	30	30	18	27	6	-	-	B B B B B	-
FE5	80	20	20	20	20	30	20	-	20	20	-	A A A A A	-
TS	60	15	22	23	23	30	19	-	12	-	-	20	-
FE6	60	-	28/30	30/28	25	30	20	25	15	20	-	S S	-
FE7	60	-	28/30	30/28	26	30	21	25	15	20	-	S S	-
FE7 (Limstella)	60	-	30	28	26	30	30	30	15	20	-	S S	-
FE8	60	-	28/30	30/28	26	30	21	25	15	20	-	S S S	-
FE9	60	15	30	28	28	40	20	28	6	10/7	10/7	S S S S	-
FE11	60	20	30	28	25	30	20	25	6	-	-	A A	-
FE12	60	20	30	28	25	30	20	25	6	-	-	A A	-
FE13	80	30	46	43	42	45	31	40	6	-	-	A A	-
FE14	45	25	33	31	32	28	25	31	6	-	-	A B	-
FE17	43	26	48	34	30	30	20	44	7	11	-	S B^	-
FEW	958	15	182	107	118	159	42	144	5	-	-	S	-

Growth Rates[]

Class Skills[]

	Skill	Requirements
FE2	Renewal	Class skill of the Sage and Cantor classes.
FE9	Knife Flare	Choose Knives to be the secondary equipment. Occult skill of the Sage and Bishop classes; assign with an Occult Scroll.
FE13	Rally Magic Tomefaire	Learnt at Level 5. Learnt at Level 15.
FE14	Rally Magic Tomefaire	Learnt at Level 5 and above. Learnt at Level 15 and above.
FE15	Discipline	Class skill of the Sage class.
FE17	Spell Harmony Seal Resistance	Class Skill of Sages. Maddening mode skill.

Promotions[]

	Base Class	Promotion Method	Promoted Class
FE2	Mage	Visit a shrine after reaching Level 12.	Sage (Males)
FE4	Bard	Choose the "Class Change" option in the Home Castle when the relevant unit reaches Level 20.	Sage
FE4 (Julia)	Shaman	Choose the "Class Change" option in the Home Castle when the relevant unit reaches Level 20.	Sage
FE5	Bard	Use a Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Bard.	Sage
FE5	Sister	Use a Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Sister. Visit the Church in Chapter 21 (Linoan).	Sage
FE5 (Asbel)	Mage	Use a Knight Proof on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
TS	Mage	Use a Saint Proof on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
FE6	Mage	Use a Guiding Ring on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
FE7	Mage	Use a Guiding Ring or an Earth Seal on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
FE8	Mage	Use a Guiding Ring or a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
FE8	Priest	Use a Guiding Ring or a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Priest.	Sage
FE8	Monk	Use a Guiding Ring or a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Monk.	Sage
FE8	Pupil (2)	Use a Guiding Ring or a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Pupil.	Sage
FE9	Mage	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
FE11	Mage	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
FE12	Mage	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
FE13	Mage	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Mage.	Sage
FE13	Priest	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Priest.	Sage
FE13	Cleric	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Cleric.	Sage
FE14	Diviner	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Diviner.	Onmyoji
FE14	Monk	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Monk.	Onmyoji
FE14	Shrine Maiden	Use a Master Seal on a Level 10+ Shrine Maiden.	Onmyoji
FE15	Mage	Visit a shrine after reaching Level 12.	Sage
FE15	Sage	Visit the Altar of the Savant when the relevant unit reaches Level 20.	Guru
FE17	Mage	Use Master Seal on Level 10+ Mage with Staff Proficiency.	Sage
FEW	Mage	Use a Master Seal on Linde.	Sage

Notable Sages[]

Gaiden[]

• Nomah - The elderly magic user who watched over Celica at the Priory for Mila, and trained Boey, Mae and Genny.
• Halcyon - The former leader of the Duma Faithful who was ousted to Sage Hamlet by Jedah.
• Possible promotion for: Boey, Luthier, Tobin, Kliff, Gray and Atlas.

Genealogy of the Holy War[]

• Arvis - Duke of Velthomer and later emperor of Grannvale.
• Ced - Lewyn and Erinys's son.
• Hawk - Ced's substitute character.
• Ishtar - Princess of Friege and lover of Julius
• Promotion for: Lewyn and Julia.

Thracia 776[]

• Ced - Lewyn's and Erinys's son and the prince of Silesse.
• Promotion for: Asbel, Homer, Linoan and Sara.

TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga[]

• Alfred (TearRing) - The Flash of Leda and one of the Twelve Heroes.
• Promotion for: Maruju, Meriah, Alicia, and Rishel.

The Binding Blade[]

• Ohtz - A lieutenant of Bern who leads the attack on Arcadia.
• Brunnya - One of Bern's three Dragon Generals.
• Guinivere - Zephiel's younger, illegitimate sister.
• Promotion for: Lugh, Lilina and Hugh.

The Blazing Blade[]

• Aion - A member of the Black Fang who is known as the "Owl". Guards the entrance to the Dragon's Gate alongside Kishuna.
• Ephidel - One of Nergal's morphs.
• Pent - Count Reglay, a nobleman from Etruria, husband of Louise and father to Clarine and Klein.
• Sonia - One of Nergal's morphs who is the wife of Brendan Reed. Married Brendan in order to gain control of the Black Fang.
• Limstella - Allegedly Nergal's best morph.
• Promotion for: Erk and Nino.

The Sacred Stones[]

• Pablo - The leader of the revolt in Carcino and one of the two bosses of Chapter 10 in Eirika's route.
• Saleh - Ewan's magic tutor from Caer Pelyn.
• Possible promotion of: Lute, Ewan, Moulder and Artur.

Path of Radiance[]

• Calill - A self-proclaimed world class sage.
• Bastian - A nobleman from Crimea and one of Elincia's advisors.
• Balmer - One of General Petrine's men.
• Kayachey - A Daein officer under Petrine who commands the Daein border fortress Tor Garen.
• Heddwyn - A general of Daein and the chief guard of Gritnea Tower.
• Promotion for: Soren, Ilyana and Tormod.

Shadow Dragon[]

• Wendell - A sage from Khadein and the teacher of Merric and Arlen.
• Gotoh - A Divine Dragon known as the White Sage and the teacher of Miloah and Gharnef.
• Promotion for: Merric and Linde.

Note: All Sages were Bishops in the original game

New Mystery of the Emblem[]

• Katarina- One of Eremiya's assassins.
• Promotion for: Jubelo and Arlen.

Awakening[]

• Emmeryn - The Exalt of Ylisse and the older sister of Chrom and Lissa.
• Excellus - Walhart's tactician.
• Nelson - A former Valmese general who is pillaging a small village in Paralogue 10.
• Ovis - One of the Deadlords.
• Possible promotion for: Lissa, Miriel, Ricken, Brady and Laurent.

Fates[]

• Izana - Ruler of the Principality of Izumo.
• Possible promotion for: Orochi, Hayato, Sakura, Azama, Mitama and Rhajat.

Engage[]

• Griss - A member of the Four Hounds.
• Gregory - A member of the Four Winds.
• Possible promotion for: Clanne, Citrinne.

Vestaria Saga I[]

• Roland - A minister of Sphire and Accorte's father.
• Promotion for Theodel and Accorte.

Vestaria Saga: The Holy Sword of Silvanister[]

• Accorte - Roland's Daughter, a Sphirian noble and student at the magic academy

Etymology[]

Onmyoji (陰陽師), the Fates' name of the class, were Japanese scientists during the Heian Period who conducted research on astronomy, geology and atmospheric science to improve farming techniques or military strategies. In Japanese popular culture, they are often portrayed as spellcasters who expel demons.

Trivia[]

• In The Blazing Blade, the morphs Sonia and Limstella, while formally classed as Sages, have higher stat caps with respect to Defense and Resistance, both of which can reach a maximum of 30, compared with the usual 21 and 25 respectively that can be attained by normal female Sages.
• The Sacred Stones incarnation of the Sage class has the highest number of classes promoting into it (Mage, Priest, Monk and Pupil (2)), sharing the number with the Paladin class from Path of Radiance and Archsage class from Radiant Dawn.
• In Fates, Onmyojis use different attack animations when given a tome.
• In Fates, Onmyojis are the only class to learn a -faire skill but are not capable of reaching S rank in their weapon.

Gallery[]

Concept artwork of the unused Sage class from Path of Radiance.

Concept artwork of the female variant of the Sage class from Awakening.

Concept artwork of the male variant of the Sage class from Awakening.

Concept art of a female Onmyoji from Fates

Concept art of of a male Onmyoji from Fates

Concept artwork of the Sage class from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Generic CG portrait of the Sage class from the DS titles.

Generic portrait of the Sage class from Awakening.

Generic class portrait of an Onmyoji from Fates.

Generic class portrait of a Sage from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Generic class portrait of a Sage from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Sage village sprite.

Battle model of the Sage class from Fire Emblem Gaiden.

Battle model of the Sage class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Animation featuring Hugh, a potential Sage from The Binding Blade, performing a normal attack.

Animation featuring Lilina, a potential Sage from The Binding Blade, performing a critical attack.

Calill as a Sage in Path of Radiance.

Ilyana as a Sage in Path of Radiance.

Soren as a Sage in Path of Radiance.

Tormod as a Sage in Path of Radiance.

Kayachey's battle model as a Sage in Path of Radiance.

Brady as a Sage in Awakening.

Lissa as a Sage in Awakening.

Hayato as an Onmyoji in Fates.

Nomah as a Sage in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Tharja as a Sage in Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE.

Map sprite of the Sage class from Gaiden.

Map sprite of the male variant of the Sage class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of the female variant of the Sage class from 'Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of the NPC male variant of the Sage class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of the enemy male variant of the Sage class from Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of the enemy female variant of the Sage class from 'Genealogy of the Holy War.

Map sprite of the male variant of the Sage class from the DS titles.

Map sprite of the female variant of the Sage class from the DS titles.

Emmeryn's map sprite as a Sage in Awakening.