Leonardo

Leonardo (Japanese: レオナルド Leonardo) is a member of the Dawn Brigade and a noble. He starts out as an archer, being first available during the prologue of Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. He is best friends with his opposite, Edward.

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

Role

Leonardo is a member of the Dawn Brigade along with Micaiah, Sothe, Edward, and Nolan. He is first seen in the Prologue of Part I rushing to the aid of Micaiah and Edward who were in a skirmish with some local bandits. He flees alongside the rest of the Dawn Brigade from Nevassa after it became unsafe for them to stay there, and was part of the Daein Liberation Army fighting against Begnion. After Daein was liberated, Leonardo stayed with the rest of the Dawn Brigade and would fight against the Laguz Alliance on the side of Daein and Begnion. Leonardo would then be part of the forces who marched on the Tower of Guidance to challenge Ashera.

Starting stats and growth rates

Archer Level 4 Affinity Constitution 7

Recruitment: Part I, Prologue, automatically from turn 3/4 Stats Growth Rates Max HP 17 Speed 10 Strength 8 Luck 6 Magic 0 Defense 5 Skill 12 Resistance 4 Movement 6 Weight 7 Max HP 60% Speed 35% Strength 40% Luck 65% Magic 15% Defense 35% Skill 75% Resistance 55% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Iron Bow Herb Dracoshield Cancel Shove Weapon Levels -- -- -- D -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Biorhythm Best Good Normal Bad Worst

Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Skills	Weapon level
Sniper	+2	+1	+2	+1	+1	+0	+1	+2	+1	+1	Critical +10	(x to C) (+Crossbows)
Marksman	+4	+2	+4	+2	+2	+0	+2	+4	+0	+0	Critical +15* Deadeye	(x to A)

Availability

Analysis

Leonardo is the only initial bow user in the Dawn Brigade and joins in the very first chapter. He has good base skill and average base speed, but all of his other base stats are weak. He is also bowlocked and cannot use crossbows until promotion; on top of that, he has durability that is only slightly better than Micaiah's, so his enemy phase is nonexistent. Throughout Part I, he can only contribute physical chip damage, often less damage than Micaiah and Ilyana due to them using magic and the low resistance of the early-game enemies.

Due to being a chipper, his rate of experience gain will be very low, so he needs a lot of bonus experience support. His only high growths are skill, luck, and resistance; in addition, to his stable Biorhythm cycle, he will at minimum have very stable and reliable hit rates. His strength growth is merely average and his defense and speed growths are mediocre, so he will often struggle to deal damage and double without good levels. He can potentially be a decent mage-killer thanks to his good resistance growth. On the other hand, his bad 2-range offense is mitigated by his unique bow Lughnasadh, available in Part III (not in the Japanese version), which is very powerful and gives him a +5 Speed boost that he desperately needs. He can also one-shot many flying units in Part III and shines against the Begnion Pegasus Knight reinforcements in Chapter 1-6. Promotion to Marksman gives him extra range which gives him a useful niche. However, he will often be promoted in Part IV where Shinon and Rolf are also Marksmen superior to Leonardo, let alone the fact that his only 1-2 range combats are weak crossbows. The main reason to bring him to the Tower of Guidance is so you can give him the Lughnasadh and have another bowman equipped with the Double Bow and/or Brave Bow. On average, he caps Skill and Resistance, and will cap Luck as a Marksman.

Leonardo starts with the Cancel skill, which is mostly useless as most of his targets cannot counter him, nor should they if they have a ranged weapon. Thus, it is highly recommended to give the Cancel skill to someone else on the team immediately. He can benefit a lot from Adept, but Adept is speed-based, so his activation rate will be low due to his meager Speed growths. Beastfoe and Crossbows might be doable through Part III, but a promoted Nolan makes better use of said weapons because of his higher bulk.

Leonardo has a Water affinity which gives a boost to attack and defense. He desperately needs more attack, but unfortunately for him, the only units through Part I with attack-boosting affinities are Micaiah and Tormod. Both can work since they have similar backline roles and movement as Leonardo, but Micaiah has better options and Tormod is only available for a few chapters in Part I before returning extremely late in Chapter 4-4. Leonardo also has a fast support with Nolan; while it does not directly benefit Leo, Nolan gets a useful attack and defense boost that he appreciates.

Fire Emblem Awakening

Role

Leonardo is playable as a SpotPass character, released in the Radiant Dawn character set. Leonardo is also present as an enemy in the first and third installments of the Smash Brethren DLC series.

Starting stats and growth rates

Archer Level 7 Movement 5

Recruitment: SpotPass, hire him for 4,200 G or defeat him in a skirmish Stats Growth Rates Cap Modifiers Max HP 23 Speed 12 Strength 9 Luck 8 Magic 2 Defense 7 Skill 12+2 Resistance 6 Max HP 85% Speed 40% Strength 60% Luck 50% Magic 35% Defense 45% Skill 75% Resistance 25% Speed −3 Strength +2 Luck −1 Magic 0 Defense +2 Skill +3 Resistance 0 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Iron Bow* Skill +2 Discipline Weapon Levels -- -- -- C -- --

Reclassing options

Leonardo Base classes:* Archer Bow Knight Sniper 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

{{{content14}}}

{{{content15}}}

Skill set

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

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

One version of Leonardo is currently present in Fire Emblem Heroes. The normal variation of Leonardo was added to the game and made available to summon on June 6, 2024.

Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow

Starting stats

★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 12/13/14 Speed 7/8/9 Defense 2/3/4 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 30/33/36 Attack 33/36/38 Speed 30/32/35 Defense 16/19/22 Resistance 25/28/31 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Steel Bow -- --

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 13/14/15 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 2/3/4 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 34/37/40 Attack 39/42/46 Speed 36/40/43 Defense 20/23/26 Resistance 30/33/36 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Doubler Bow -- New Moon

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 13/14/15 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 7/8/9 Maximum HP 36/40/43 Attack 41/44/48 Speed 38/42/45 Defense 22/26/29 Resistance 33/36/39 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Doubler Bow+ -- New Moon

{{{content4}}}

{{{content5}}}

{{{content6}}}

{{{content7}}}

{{{content8}}}

{{{content9}}}

{{{content10}}}

{{{content11}}}

{{{content12}}}

{{{content13}}}

{{{content14}}}

{{{content15}}}

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Bow	★★★	★★★	50
	Steel Bow	★★★	★★★	100
	Doubler Bow	★★★	★★★★	200
	Doubler Bow+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	New Moon	★★★	★★★★	100
	Luna	★★★★	—	200
A	Atk/Res Finish 1	★★★	—	60
A	Atk/Res Finish 2	★★★★	—	120
A	Atk/Res Finish 3	★★★★★	—	240
B	Guard 1	★★★	—	50
B	Guard 2	★★★	—	100
B	Guard 3	★★★★	—	200

Personality

Leonardo is characterized by a subdued and pensive demeanor, having good composure in contrast to Edward's energetic and upbeat personality. However, Leonardo's pensiveness causes him to frequently ruminate on the fleeting nature of human life^[1], as well as how his actions are insignificant to the overall war, making him have a more cynical perspective on the impact of his efforts compared to his friend. ^[2] Despite their clashing personalities, the two view each other as family, teaching each other how to fight and survive in the world.^[3] Leonardo also has a strong sense of patriotism for Daein, joining the Dawn Brigade in an effort to liberate his home from Begnion's occupation army despite his distaste for the senselessness of war.

Supports

Radiant Dawn

Bond supports

Leonardo Archer Default bonds: None. [[{{{supportd1}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd1}}} [[{{{supportd2}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd2}}} [[{{{supportd3}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd3}}} [[{{{supportd4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd4}}} Extra bonds:* None. [[{{{supporte1}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse1}}} [[{{{supporte2}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse2}}} [[{{{supporte3}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse3}}} [[{{{supporte4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse4}}} [[{{{supporte5}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse5}}}

Endings

Leonardo, Freedom's Arrow
Leonardo tolied at rebuilding the army. With his proven skills and good looks, he was beset by women across Tellius.

Quotes

Battle quotes

Death quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article: Leonardo/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Leonardo is featured on four cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Leonardo
	Furiously Piercing Bow, Leonardo
		"Apologize. To all the people you've trampled with that smug face..."
		Attack: 50	Support: 20	Range: 2	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Sniper		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		Crossbow: [Activate] [Once per turn] [] Until the end of this turn, this unit gains +10 attack and this unit's range becomes 1-2. Anti-Fliers: [Always] If this unit is attacking a unit, this unit gains +30 attack.
	Card #B05-059HN • Artist: Setsu
	Freedom's Arrow, Leonardo
		"Since losing the war three years ago. There's no other reason for it."
		Attack: 30	Support: 20	Range: 2	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Archer		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Calm Eye: [Always] During your turn, this unit gains +20 attack. ( This skill becomes active while this unit's stack is at least 2). Anti-Fliers: [Always] If this unit is attacking a , this unit gains +30 attack. Attack Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this battle, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B05-060N • Artist: Setsu
	Peace-Desiring Bow of Dawn, Leonardo
		"We've been fighting really hard for quite a while now, haven't we? All I want is to be able to live peacefully and in freedom."
		Attack: 50	Support: 20	Range: 2	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Marksman		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		"Let's survive this battle.": [Trigger] When this unit Class Changes, until the end of the turn, all non-Main Character enemies cannot evade. Lughnasadh: [Activate] [Once per turn] [] Until the end of the turn, this unit gains +20 attack. Anti-Fliers: [Always] If this unit is attacking a , this unit gains +30 attack.
	Card #B20-060HN • Artist: Nekohayashi
	Apprentice Archer of the Dawn Brigade, Leonardo
		"Honestly, I'm not sure that I can make much of a difference... But I'll do what I can nonetheless."
		Attack: 30	Support: 20	Range: 2	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Archer		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		"We're each other's best friend and family.": [Always] If you have an allied "Edward", this unit gains +10 attack. Anti-Fliers: [Always] If this unit is attacking a , this unit gains +30 attack. Bullseye Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this combat, non-Main Character defending units cannot evade.
	Card #B20-061N • Artist: Nekohayashi
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Leonardo .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow
Leonardo is an archer for the Dawn Brigade, a band of rebels who fight for the kingdom of Daein in Tellius! He's a thoughtful Hero who can keep his cool even in the most perilous situations.	Born into Daein nobility, Leonardo lost his entire family in the war.	Afterward, he met Edward, and the two would become fast friends. He then helped to form the Dawn Brigade, beginning his battle against the imperial army of Begnion, the force occupying Daein.	I hear that Leonardo often has his hands full trying to keep up with Edward's antics, perhaps to the point of frustration. But they're still always there for each other, which really shows how strong their relationship is!
Closely Associated Characters
Micaiah Edward Nolan {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} A member of the Dawn Brigade with silver hair and mysterious powers. As close with Sothe as a sister, though they're not related by blood. Leonardo's comrade. A boy from the streets of Nevassa, the capital of Daein. A member of the Dawn Brigade and Leonardo's friend. Leader and most senior member of the Dawn Brigade, to which Leonardo belongs. A scholar with a thirst for knowledge who guides the group's younger members. {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

393

Leonardo Radiant Dawn

398

CYL 2 (2018)

482 (+89)

Leonardo Radiant Dawn

261 (−137)

CYL 3 (2019)

471 (+23)

Leonardo Radiant Dawn

255 (−6)

CYL 4 (2020)

499 (−4)

Leonardo Radiant Dawn

194 (−61)

CYL 5 (2021)

428 (−71)

Leonardo Radiant Dawn

176 (−18)

CYL 6 (2022)

281 (−149)

Leonardo Radiant Dawn

350 (+174)

CYL 7 (2023)

215 (−66)

Leonardo Radiant Dawn

295 (−55)

CYL 8 (2024)

197 (−18)

Leonardo Radiant Dawn

350 (+55)

Total results		This character has 8 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	2,279

Trivia

• According to Tellius Recollection, Leonardo was designed with an apparent age of 16.^[4]

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Official artwork

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo from Radiant Dawn.

Portraits

• 

  Portrait of Leonardo in Radiant Dawn.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo: Freedom's Arrow.

• 

  Leonardo in artwork of Edward: Blade of Justice.

Cipher artwork

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo.

• 

  Artwork of Leonardo with Yune.

References

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