Mathilda

Mathilda (Japanese: マチルダ Machilda), is a Zofian paladin appearing in Fire Emblem Gaiden and Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. She is hailed as a legendary female knight.

Fire Emblem Gaiden

Role

Mathilda is a Zofian knight and member of the Deliverance. During the events of Act 3, she is being held prisoner by Desaix. When Desaix realizes that Alm is approaching his stronghold, he orders Mathilda to be executed by archers.^[3]

After Alm rescues her, she joins his military force and aids him for the rest of the war. Afterwards, she retires and marries Clive if he also survived the war. If Clive died, she instead takes up command of the knight's order of the united Valentia in his place.

Starting stats and growth rates

Paladin Level 1

Recruitment: Act 3, talk to her in Desaix's Fortress Stats Growth Rates Max HP 26 Luck 13 Strength 12 Defense 7 Skill 14 Resistance 10 Speed 12 Movement 8 Max HP 40% Luck 10% Strength 30% Defense 30% Skill 20% Resistance 0% Speed 40% Recover -- Warp -- Physic -- Expel -- Fortify -- Nosferatu -- Invoke -- Seraphim -- {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Equipment -- Weapons Sword ✗ Lance ✓ Bow ✗ B. Magic ✗ W. Magic ✗

Promotion stat gains

• In Gaiden, promotion gains give the character as many points as necessary—the "x" value shown in the table—to reach the promoted class' base stats. If the character's stats are higher than their promoted class' base stats, they will not receive any bonus; however, if all stats are higher, then they will receive +1 to HP.

Analysis

Mathilda joins in Act 3. While her availability is low, her stats are quite good across the board, although her HP and defense are on the lower end. Of a particular note is Mathilda's speed—she will double all enemies without any issue and deal significant damage. She also has a high base resistance, allowing her to face magical enemies while taking less damage than other units. Combined with her high movement and eventually promotion to Gold Knight, she will be an excellent combat unit for the remainder of the game.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Role

Mathilda reprises her role in the remake.

Starting stats and growth rates

Main story Flight from the Ruins Siege of Zofia Castle

Paladin Level 1 Fatigue tol. 0.55

Recruitment: Act 3, talk to her in Desaix's Fortress Base Stats Growth Rates Max Stats Max HP 26 Luck 13 Attack 12 Defense 7 Skill 14 Resistance 10 Speed 12 Movement 8 Max HP 40% Luck 45% Attack 50% Defense 40% Skill 45% Resistance 4% Speed 55% Max HP 52 Luck 41 Attack 39 Defense 39 Skill 40 Resistance 40 Speed 41 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Item Skills -- Lance Weapons ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

Cavalier Level 5

Stats Max HP 22 Luck 12 Attack 9+3 Defense 6 Skill 12 Resistance 10 Speed 11 Movement 7

Item Skills Blessed Lance Recovery* Anti-Terrors* Weapons ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

Cavalier Level 5

Stats Max HP 24 Luck 13 Attack 11 Defense 8 Skill 12 Resistance 10 Speed 14 Movement 7

Item Skills Dried Meat Lance Weapons ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

{{{content4}}}

{{{content5}}}

{{{content6}}}

{{{content7}}}

{{{content8}}}

{{{content9}}}

{{{content10}}}

{{{content11}}}

{{{content12}}}

{{{content13}}}

{{{content14}}}

{{{content15}}}

Growth rates when reclassed

Promotion stat gains

• In Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, promotion gains give the character as many points as necessary—the "x" value shown in the table—to reach the promoted class' base stats. If the character's stats are higher than their promoted class' base stats, they will not receive any bonus; however, if all stats are higher, then they will receive +1 to HP.

Analysis

Mathilda first appears in Act 3 in Desaix's Fortress as an ally unit, and she can be recruited after the battle.

Mathilda is a prepromoted Paladin in Shadows of Valentia. She has good bases in every area besides HP and Defense and has great growth rates across the board. She also has a high base 10 Resistance, allowing her to deal with dangerous enemies such as Cantors and Arcanists relatively well. Her speed is also great, allowing her to double enemy Gold Knights without needing speed shrines. In addition, her high movement allows her to contribute without needing to be Warped into battle.

Her biggest drawback is her poor physical durability, having 2 less HP and 1 less defense than the Paladin's bases. This makes her a worse Ridersbane user than Clive, who can take on more Cavaliers at a time while still having the offenses to one-round. Mathilda's growth rates will eventually bring her durability to par, but she then runs into another problem: she joins at level 1. Due to the Paladin class's slow rate of experience gain, it will take her a long time to promote into Gold Knight, especially when compared with Clive who will likely be around level 5 when she joins. The Gold Knight has very strong bases that will give any Paladin a significant stat boost, especially in HP, and Mathilda's stats will be worse than another Gold Knight's until she becomes one.

Overall, Mathilda is a solid all-around unit who will contribute well on any team on Alm's side. However, her physical frailty and low joining level hold her back from becoming an especially strong unit until after she promotes during Act 4.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Mathilda is one of the characters added to the game in the Bitter Enemies update, and became available for summoning by players on July 13, 2017. Only one variation of Mathilda is currently available in Heroes, based on her Echoes: Shadows of Valentia incarnation.

Mathilda: Legendary Knight

Starting stats

★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 14/15/16 Attack 5/6/7 Speed 6/7/8 Defense 5/6/7 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 29/32/35 Attack 22/25/28 Speed 25/28/31 Defense 18/21/24 Resistance 27/30/33 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Steel Lance* -- --

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 14/15/16 Attack 5/6/7 Speed 7/8/9 Defense 5/6/7 Resistance 7/8/9 Maximum HP 30/33/36 Attack 23/26/29 Speed 27/30/33 Defense 19/22/25 Resistance 29/32/35 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Ridersbane* Rally Resistance --

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 15/16/17 Attack 6/7/8 Speed 7/8/9 Defense 6/7/8 Resistance 7/8/9 Maximum HP 32/35/39 Attack 25/29/32 Speed 29/32/35 Defense 21/24/27 Resistance 31/34/37 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Ridersbane+* Rally Resistance --

{{{content4}}}

{{{content5}}}

{{{content6}}}

{{{content7}}}

{{{content8}}}

{{{content9}}}

{{{content10}}}

{{{content11}}}

{{{content12}}}

{{{content13}}}

{{{content14}}}

{{{content15}}}

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Lance	★★★	★★★	50
	Steel Lance	★★★	★★★	100
	Ridersbane	★★★	★★★★	200
	Ridersbane+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Knightly Lance	★★★★★	—	400
	Rally Resistance	★★★	★★★★	150
A	Cancel Affinity 1	★★★	—	50
A	Cancel Affinity 2	★★★★	—	100
A	Cancel Affinity 3	★★★★★	—	200
C	Hone Atk 1	★★★	—	50
C	Hone Atk 2	★★★	—	100
C	Hone Atk 3	★★★★	—	200

Personality

In Gaiden, Mathilda has minimal dialogue, but she is Clive's lover, and wife at the end of the game. In Shadows of Valentia, she is shown to be an extremely courageous, calm, and driven knight with a direct manner of speech, as a result of the training she received from her father.^[4]

Supports

Main article: Mathilda/Supports

Mathilda Paladin Support conversations: Clive Cavalier C: 15 B: 35 A: 60 Clair Pegasus Knight C: 15 B: 35 A: 60 [[{{{supportm3}}}]] Bishop C: {{{cm3}}} B: {{{bm3}}} A: {{{am3}}} [[{{{supportm4}}}]] Bishop C: {{{cm4}}} B: {{{bm4}}} A: {{{am4}}} [[{{{supportm5}}}]] Bishop C: {{{cm5}}} B: {{{bm5}}} A: {{{am5}}} Bond supports:* Clair Pegasus Knight Bonus: Avoid +5 [[{{{supporto2}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond2}}} [[{{{supporto3}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond3}}} [[{{{supporto4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond4}}} [[{{{supporto5}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond5}}} [[{{{supporto6}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond6}}} [[{{{supporto6}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond6}}} [[{{{supporto7}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond7}}} [[{{{supporto8}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond8}}} [[{{{supporto9}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond9}}} [[{{{supporto10}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond10}}}

Base conversations

Main article: Mathilda/Conversations

Ending

Gaiden

If Clive survived
She shed her armor and became Clive's wife. The legendary female knight, Mathilda -- That name shall surely be carved within the histories of Valentia for eternity.

If Clive died
Having lost Clive, she reluctantly took command of the knights' order. The legendary female knight, Mathilda -- That name shall surely be carved within the histories of Valentia for eternity.

Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

If Clive survived
Mathilda cast her armor aside and wed Clive. She was rarely seen in public after that, having perhaps chosen to support her husband behind the scenes instead. However, her legendary exploits as a knight are sure to live on forever in Valentian history.

If Clive died
Clive's death forced Mathilda to carry on in his place as captain of the One Kingdom's Brotherhood of Knights. The grief in her heart steeled her, and she became a key figure in the kingdom's growth. Her legendary exploits are sure to live on forever in Valentian history.

Quotes

The Final Battle quote

Critical quotes

Death quotes

Heroes

Main article: Mathilda/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Gaiden manga

In the Gaiden manga, Mathilda has a similar role to hers in Gaiden. She has been captured and set for execution by Desaix, and Alm's forces set out to rescue her.

During the rescue mission Kliff helps untie her. During this, Kliff being distracted with helping Mathilda, Desaix fatally impales Kliff. This horrifies Mathilda. After Desaix is killed by the Deliverance Mathilda makes no further appearances.

Fire Emblem Cipher

Mathilda is featured on two cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Mathilda
	Legendary Knightess, Mathilda
		"Now point me at your foes, that I may cut the louts down one by one!"
		Attack: 60	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Paladin		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		Goddess of the Battlefield: [Trigger] When this unit is untapped, until the end of this turn, this unit gains +10 attack. Indomitable Knight: [Trigger] [Once per turn] When this unit is tapped by a skill's effect or by the cost of a skill, untap this unit.
	Card #B09-031HN • Artist: Tomohide Takaya
	Beautiful Knightess, Mathilda
		"I remember that day... When the three of us started the deliverance."
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Cavalier		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Oath-Sworn Pennon: [Always] During your turn, while there are at least two other allies, this unit gains +20 attack. Attack Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this battle, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B09-032N • Artist: Tomohide Takaya
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Mathilda .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Mathilda: Legendary Knight
Here's Mathilda of the Deliverance! She's got a tenacious, indomitable spirit, something she inherited from her father, and she also follows in his footsteps by being an accomplished knight.	Mathilda and her fellow Deliverance member Clive are lovers. It seems that she's the stronger of the two, and so she often looks out for him on the battlefield!	At one point, Mathilda was taken captive by the enemy, but she remained resolute, faithful that Clive would save her. They really do share an unbreakable bond!	Mathilda is a tough and unyielding fighter, but she's also gentle toward the man she loves and she believes in him with all her heart. Maybe someday I'll be a true warrior like her!
Closely Associated Characters
Clive Alm Clair {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Former leader of the Deliverance and Clair's brother. Idealistic and focused on the good of the kingdom. Mathilda's lover. A brave but kind young warrior, raised by the hero Mycen in Ram Village. His left hand is marked with the Brand. He rescued Mathilda from captivity. A pegasus knight with the Deliverance. Clive's younger sister. Secretly loves Alm. A close friend of Mathilda's. {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

429

Mathilda Gaiden

313

CYL 2 (2018)

362 (−67)

Mathilda Gaiden / Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

521 (+208)

CYL 3 (2019)

384 (+34)

Mathilda Gaiden / Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

444 (−77)

CYL 4 (2020)

530 (+84)

Mathilda Gaiden / Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

168 (−276)

CYL 5 (2021)

514 (−16)

Mathilda Gaiden / Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

122 (−46)

CYL 6 (2022)

537 (+21)

Mathilda Gaiden / Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

120 (−2)

CYL 7 (2023)

477 (−60)

Mathilda Gaiden / Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

104 (−16)

CYL 8 (2024)

424 (−53)

Mathilda Gaiden / Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

122 (+18)

Total results		This character has 8 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	1,914

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Gaiden Paladin Gold Knight Lance Javelin/Gradivus Lance Javelin/Gradivus
Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Cavalier Paladin

Official artwork

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda from the art book Fire Emblem: The Complete.

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

• 

  Full portrait artwork of Mathilda from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

• 

  Full portrait artwork of a younger Mathilda from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

CG images

• 

  Mathilda being held captive by Fernand in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Portraits

• 

  Portrait of Mathilda in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

• 

  Portrait of a younger Mathilda in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, used in Love's Beginnings.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda: Legendary Knight.

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda: Legendary Knight.

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda: Legendary Knight.

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda: Legendary Knight.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda: Legendary Knight.

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda: Legendary Knight.

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda: Legendary Knight.

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda: Legendary Knight.

• 

  Mathilda in artwork of Clive: Idealistic Knight.

Other artwork

• 

  Wallpaper of Mathilda: Legendary Knight from the A Hero Rises 2018 event.

Cipher artwork

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda with Clive and Fernand.

• 

  Artwork of Mathilda.

Other appearances

• 

  Mathilda as she appears in the Gaiden manga adaptation.

References

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