Arden

Arden (Japanese: アーダン Arden) was a knight in the service of Grannvale's House Chalphy. When the Grannvale army went to war with Isaach, Arden was one of its few knights left behind, remaining in Chalphy with Sigurd.

Biography

Arden was present in Chalphy when they received word of the Verdane attack on Yngvi Castle. At Alec's suggestion, Arden was tasked with remaining at Chalphy to guard the castle in this initial skirmish. Arden subsequently accompanied Sigurd's army on the campaigns in Verdane and Agustria, in exile in Silesse, and presumably in being executed by the mages of Velthomer in the Battle of Belhalla.

Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War

Role

Arden is a playable character during the first generation. He is avalaible from the start of the Prologue up until the end of Chapter 5.

Starting stats and growth rates

Sword Armor Level 3 Holy Blood -- Movement 5

Recruitment: Prologue, automatically from the start Stats Growth Rates Max HP 36 Speed 4 Strength 13 Luck 3 Magic 0 Defense 13 Skill 5 Resistance 0 Max HP 90% Speed 20% Strength 50% Luck 10% Magic 5% Defense 40% Skill 10% Resistance 5% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Iron Sword 2,000 Gold Vantage Weapon Levels B -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Skills	Weapon level
General	+0	+1	+0	+1	+2	+0	+2	+3	+0	Pavise	A A B B

Love growths and events

Arden Sword Armor Edain Initial: 0 Per turn: +2 Ayra Initial: 0 Per turn: +2 Lachesis Initial: 50 Per turn: +2 Silvia Initial: 0 Per turn: +3 Erinys Initial: 50 Per turn: +2 Erinys Initial: 50 Per turn: +2 Brigid Initial: 50 Per turn: +4 Tailtiu Initial: 120 Per turn: +3 [[File:Ma snes02 {{{class8}}} playable.gif|link={{{class8}}}]] [[{{{option8}}}]] Initial: {{{initialpoints8}}} Per turn: + [[File:Ma snes02 {{{class9}}} playable.gif|link={{{class9}}}]] [[{{{option9}}}]] Initial: {{{initialpoints9}}} Per turn: + [[File:Ma snes02 {{{class10}}} playable.gif|link={{{class10}}}]] [[{{{option10}}}]] Initial: {{{initialpoints10}}} Per turn: + [[File:Ma snes02 {{{class11}}} playable.gif|link={{{class11}}}]] [[{{{option11}}}]] Initial: {{{initialpoints11}}} Per turn: + [[File:Ma snes02 {{{class12}}} playable.gif|link={{{class12}}}]] [[{{{option12}}}]] Initial: {{{initialpoints12}}} Per turn: + [[File:Ma snes02 {{{class13}}} playable.gif|link={{{class13}}}]] [[{{{option13}}}]] Initial: {{{initialpoints13}}} Per turn: +

• In Chapter 2, if Arden is not married, he can received a Follow-Up Ring if he waits on a tile on the sandy peninsula south of Heirhein Castle.
• In Chapter 5, if Arden is married, he can receive a +5 Skill boost if he waits on a tile located on a cliff overlooking Phinora Castle, directly south from a village.
• In Chapter 5, if they are lovers, Ayra or Erinys can talk to Arden. This conversation gives no reward.

Analysis

Arden is one of the game's weaker units. While his combat is not terrible, he has a poor 5 movement in the game with the largest maps in the franchise. In multiple cases, slowing down for him to catch up is not a reasonable option due to the numerous times that villages are under attack. Arden's low movement and strong defense incline him to defending castles; however, there are very few cases where a player will need to defend a castle.

Fortunately, if he manages to get into a fight, he can hold his own. Arden's high defense means he can be relatively safe against physical enemies while Vantage is active, though he will be vulnerable to magic users, and may be healed out of Vantage range when guarding a castle. Once promoted, Arden receives a large boost in his weapon levels and the Pavise skill to increase his durability; however, promotion does not increase his movement, and has only a minor impact on his performance outside the arena. His offense is also problematic without Follow-Up.

In an event in Chapter 2, Arden gains the unique Follow-Up Ring, a very valuable and useful item. While it can be given to other units, him getting it for free means that he can use it without needing 40,000 gold and he can sell it to get a lot of gold. Though his speed is low, Arden is still fast enough to double many enemies with axes or lances, as swords have very little weight; with the Brave Sword, Arden can potentially attack four times in a single round of combat. With or without the Follow-Up Ring, Arden can find use in Chapter 3, as he can safely block the pirates off at the bridge north of Madino even at base level, preventing them from attacking the castle. If Arden is to see significant use, he will likely need the Follow-Up Ring, the Brave Sword, and the Leg Ring (which increases his very low movement); however, all of these items are much more useful on other units.

As a father, Arden provides Vantage and high strength and defense; he can be a decent father to a number of children, but most or all have better options. Arden can make a decent husband for Brigid or Silvia, as their children appreciate Vantage, as when combined with the Sleep Sword it means they can always clear the arena. Still, they can receive similar bonuses from Lex, or other bonuses from other fathers (such as Dew passing Bargain, or Claud passing staves to Coirpre). Additionally, keeping Silvia near Arden to ensure they fall in love can impede her ability to dance for other units. Arden can provide Lachesis's or Edain's children high strength and weapons to their sons, but he cannot pass Follow-Up and lacks events that grant love points or unique items.

Fire Emblem Awakening

Arden is playable as a SpotPass character, released in the Genealogy of the Holy War first-generation character set.

Arden also appears as an enemy unit in two DLC episodes—Lost Bloodlines 1 and 3—and as a NPC in a further one episode, Lost Bloodlines 2.

Starting stats and growth rates

Knight Level 12 Movement 4

Recruitment: SpotPass, hire him for 3,900 gold or defeat him in a skirmish Stats Growth Rates Cap Modifiers Max HP 31 Speed 5 Strength 16 Luck 4 Magic 0 Defense 18+2 Skill 7 Resistance 1 Max HP 90% Speed 45% Strength 60% Luck 60% Magic 35% Defense 55% Skill 40% Resistance 30% Speed 0 Strength −1 Luck +2 Magic 0 Defense +3 Skill −3 Resistance +2 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Steel Lance* Defense +2 Indoor Fighter Vantage Weapon Levels -- C -- -- -- --

Reclassing options

Arden Base classes:* Knight General Great Knight Reclass options: This unit can reclass to any male class available through reclassing.

Growth rates when reclassed

Promotion stat gains

Archer Barbarian Cavalier Dark Mage Wyvern Rider Fighter Knight Mage Mercenary Myrmidon Priest Tactician Thief

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sniper	+4	+2	+1	+4	+3	+0	+5	+3	+1	--
Bow Knight	+8	+3	+0	+2	+4	+0	+1	+2	+3	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Berserker	+8	+5	+0	+2	+3	+0	+2	+1	+1	--
Warrior	+6	+4	+0	+5	+1	+0	+4	+3	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Paladin	+7	+3	+1	+2	+2	+0	+3	+6	+1	--
Great Knight	+8	+5	+0	+1	+1	+0	+7	+1	+0	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sorcerer	+5	+1	+3	+2	+1	+0	+3	+3	+1	--
Dark Knight	+7	+3	+2	+4	+2	+0	+5	+1	+3	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Wyvern Lord	+5	+4	+0	+2	+2	+0	+3	+3	+1	E
Griffon Rider	+3	+2	+0	+4	+4	+0	+0	+3	+1	--

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Warrior	+8	+4	+0	+3	+2	+0	+3	+3	+1	E
Hero	+2	+0	+1	+6	+5	+0	+4	+3	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
General	+10	+4	+0	+3	+2	+0	+4	+3	+1	E
Great Knight	+8	+3	+0	+2	+3	+0	+3	+1	+3	E E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sage	+4	+1	+3	+2	+3	+0	+2	+2	+1	E
Dark Knight	+9	+4	+1	+3	+1	+0	+7	+2	+3	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Hero	+6	+3	+1	+3	+3	+0	+3	+3	+1	E
Bow Knight	+8	+3	+0	+2	+3	+0	+1	+2	+3	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Swordmaster	+4	+3	+1	+2	+3	+0	+2	+3	+1	--
Assassin	+5	+4	−1	+4	+2	+0	+1	+0	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
War Monk	+8	+5	+2	+2	+2	+0	+5	+0	+1	E
Sage	+4	+1	+4	+3	+3	+0	+3	−1	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Grandmaster	+4	+3	+3	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+1	--

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Assassin	+5	+5	+0	+7	+4	+0	+3	+1	+1	E
Trickster	+3	+1	+4	+4	+3	+0	+1	+5	+1	E

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Skill set

Like all male bonus units in Awakening, Arden has access to all base class and advanced class skills available to standard male units.

Fire Emblem Engage

Role

Arden appears as an equippable Bond Ring. He can be summoned using Sigurd's Emblem Ring.

Bond Ring data

Stat modifiers Ring level HP Str Def C +0 +1 +0 B +0 +1 +1 A +2 +1 +1 S +2 +2 +1

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Arden is one of the characters added to the game in the World of Holy War update, and was made available to players in the fifth edition of the Tempest Trials, "Genealogy of Light", which initially ran from October 23, 2017, to November 6, 2017.

Arden: Strong and Tough

Starting stats

★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 23/24/25 Attack 9/10/11 Speed 1/2/3 Defense 12/13/14 Resistance 1/2/3 Maximum HP 54/57/60 Attack 31/34/37 Speed 11/14/17 Defense 36/39/42 Resistance 11/14/17 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Note: This unit requires the usage of Trait Fruit to access any flaws and assets.

Skills Brave Sword -- Buckler

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 24/25/26 Attack 9/10/11 Speed 2/3/4 Defense 12/13/14 Resistance 2/3/4 Maximum HP 57/60/63 Attack 33/36/39 Speed 12/16/19 Defense 38/41/44 Resistance 12/16/19 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Note: This unit requires the usage of Trait Fruit to access any flaws and assets.

Skills Brave Sword+ -- Buckler

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Sword	★★★★	★★★★	50
	Steel Sword	★★★★	★★★★	100
	Brave Sword	★★★★	★★★★	200
	Brave Sword+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Arden's Blade	★★★★★	—	400
	Buckler	★★★★	★★★★	100
	Pavise	★★★★	—	200
B	Follow-Up Ring	★★★★★	—	200
C	Spur Def 1	★★★★	—	50
C	Drive Def 1	★★★★	—	120
C	Drive Def 2	★★★★	—	240

Personality

Arden is rather slow, both physically and mentally, but very strong and reliable. While these traits make him an ideal heavy-armored knight, they also earn him the mockery of his comrades, particularly Alec,^[1] and he often laments that he is ill-suited for fighting out on the field like his fellow knights and as such is overlooked by Sigurd.^[2] Despite the mockery, Arden nonetheless respects Alec and wishes he were more like him.^[3] Upon marrying and having a child, Arden feels that their welfare is his top priority.^[4] His Einherjar incarnation in the Outrealms states that he has a similar lack of presence problem to Kellam.^[5]

Endings

Genealogy of the Holy War

Arden, a knight of Chalphy...

Quotes

Battle quotes

Death quote

Heroes quotes

Main article: Arden/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Arden is featured on four cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Arden
	Castle Guardsman, Arden
		"But you have to bring me with you at least once!"
		Attack: 30	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Sword Armor		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		"Sturdy!!": [Always] If this unit is attacked by a non- unit, this unit gains +20 attack. Defense Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this combat, your defending unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #S08-004ST • Artist: Akihiro Mibuta
	Sturdy! Strong! Slow!, Arden
		"Pah... I'm strong and tough, I know, but you really don't need to call me slow!"
		Attack: 50	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: General		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		"STURDY!!": [Always] If this unit is attacked by a non- unit, this unit gains +20 attack. "STRONG!!": [Always] During your turn, this unit gains +20 Attack. "SLOW!!": [Always] During your turn, this unit cannot be moved.
	Card #P06-003PR • Artist: Akihiro Mibuta
Normal Promo Pack 19 {{{alt2image3}}} {{{alt3image3}}} {{{alt4image3}}} {{{alt5image3}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}	Immovable Armored Knight, Arden
		"Don't have anyone else to defend the castle, do you? Alright, alright... I'll hold down the fort for the moment." "Sigh... Oh, woe is me. It just doesn't matter how strong or tough I am... It's just not easy, being a bloke."
		Attack: 30	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Sword Armor		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Steel Sword: [Activate] [] Until the end of the turn, this unit gains +10 attack. Armor Expertise: [Always] If this unit is being attacked by a non-, this unit gains +20 attack. Defense Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this combat, your defending unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B17-099N, B17-099ST, P19-005PR • Artist: Ippei Soeda
	Tough! Strong! Brave!, Arden
		"I'll show you just how strong I am!"
		Attack: 60	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: General		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Follow-Up Ring: [Trigger] [Once per turn] When this unit's attack destroys your opponent's lord, untap this unit. Resounding Strength: [Trigger] [] When this unit is attacking, you may pay the cost and if you do: Until the end of this combat, this unit gains +20 attack. Sturdy!: [Always] If this unit is being attacked by a non-, this unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B19-057R • Artist: Ippei Soeda
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Arden .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Arden: Strong and Tough
A number of stalwart knights serve Chalphy, the duchy governed by the descendants of the crusader Baldr. This time, I'll be introducing Arden, one of the knights of Chalphy!	Arden's allies often poke fun at him for being slow because he's weighed down by his heavy armor, but his unshakeable tenacity and fearsome swordsmanship make him the core of Chalphy's defenses!	When the neighboring duchy of Yngvi came under invasion, Sigurd led a force from Chalphy to come to its aid. This left a shortage of manpower at the castle, but it was in good hands with Arden assigned to keep the place safe!	So you can see that people rely on Arden a lot already, but he's got lofty goals for himself—he wants to be able to pull off flashy flurries of attacks and impress the love of his life, whoever she may be! I'm rooting for you, Arden!
Closely Associated Characters
Sigurd Alec {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Heir to Chalphy, descendant of the crusader Baldr, and Seliph's father. He's courageous and has a strong sense of justice. Arden's lord. A knight of Chalphy in service to Duke Sigurd. He has a cheerful, breezy personality. Fought alongside Arden. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

93

Arden Genealogy of the Holy War

3,094

CYL 2 (2018)

368 (+275)

Arden Genealogy of the Holy War

510 (−2,584)

CYL 3 (2019)

340 (−14)

Arden Genealogy of the Holy War

584 (+74)

CYL 4 (2020)

370 (+4)

Arden Genealogy of the Holy War

361 (−223)

CYL 5 (2021)

331 (−39)

Arden Genealogy of the Holy War

266 (−95)

CYL 6 (2022)

325 (−8)

Arden Genealogy of the Holy War

271 (+5)

CYL 7 (2023)

317 (−8)

Arden Genealogy of the Holy War

183 (−88)

CYL 8 (2024)

323 (+6)

Arden Genealogy of the Holy War

184 (+1)

Total results		This character has 8 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	5,453

Trivia

• In TearRing Saga: Yutona Heroes War Chronicles, there is a character named Norton who bears a striking resemblance to Arden.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Sword Armor General Sword (Iron Sword) Sword (Iron Sword or Blade) Lance (Iron Lance) Axe (Iron Axe) Bow (Iron Bow)

Official artwork

• 

  Artwork of Arden from Genealogy of the Holy War.

• 

  Artwork of Arden from Treasure.

• 

  Artwork of Arden from the Trading Card Game.

• 

  Artwork of Arden from the Trading Card Game.

• 

  Artwork of Draug, Arden, Meg, Valbar, and Kjelle from the 25th Anniversary Staff Book.

Portraits

• 

  Portrait of Arden in Awakening.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 

  Artwork of Arden: Strong and Tough.

• 

  Artwork of Arden: Strong and Tough.

• 

  Artwork of Arden: Strong and Tough.

• 

  Artwork of Arden: Strong and Tough.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 

  Artwork of Arden: Strong and Tough.

• 

  Artwork of Arden: Strong and Tough.

• 

  Artwork of Arden: Strong and Tough.

• 

  Artwork of Arden: Strong and Tough.

Other artwork

• 

  Wallpaper of Arden: Strong and Tough from the A Hero Rises 2018 event.

• 

  Artwork of Arden with other characters for Heroes's second anniversary, drawn by Soeda Ippei.

• 

  Artwork of Arden and several other characters for Heroes's third anniversary, drawn by Soeda Ippei.

• 

  Artwork of Arden and several other characters for Heroes's fourth anniversary, drawn by Soeda Ippei.

Cipher artwork

• 

  Artwork of Arden.

• 

  Artwork of Arden.

• 

  Artwork of Arden.

• 

  Arden in artwork of Sigurd.

References

This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series.