Matthew

Matthew (Japanese: マシュー Matthew) is a thief from Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. He serves as an Ostian spy with his lover, Leila.

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

Role

Lyn's tale

Matthew is first seen in Chapter 6. He is watching the battle that happens in Araphen. If the player visit the Northern village, or wait until the third turn, disguised as a Thief, he will join the player's army to help open the door and chest in that chapter. Apparently, he choose to joins since the player's army is more fun than the assassin's army. In Chapter 7, he can visit the southeastern house to meet Hector. It is revealed that he is sent by Lord Uther to find out about the "long-lost granddaughter". In Chapter 8, he helps Lyn by searching for information to the nearby village, informing about the illness of her grandfather. He follows Lyn for the rest of her journey, and leave without trace after Lyn defeats Lundgren.

Eliwood and Hector's tale

In Hector's tale, he is first seen in Chapter 11H as Hector's spy. He helps Hector escape from Uther to help Eliwood search his father that has been missing for months. In Chapter 12, they are chased by Oswin and Serra, an Ostian retainer. Hector tells Matthew to watch for Serra. In Eliwood's tale, Matthew leaves the map with Serra. While in Hector's tale, they can join the battle. In Chapter 13, he meets Guy, a myrmidon that he saves prior to the event of the game. Matthew tells Guy about him owing his live and forced him to join the player's army. In Chapter 16E/17H, he rendezvous with Leila, his lover. He tells her to meet his parents after the battle. Unfortunately, in Chapter 18E/19H, Leila is killed by Black Fang member, Jaffar. Her body is put in a forest at the entrance of Valor for her to be found by the player's army. Matthew than burry her. Despite his sorrow, Matthew still participates in battle. Because of that, he has a deep hatred toward Jaffar, even after he joins the player army. He stays in the player's army for the rest of the game.

Starting stats and growth rates

Thief Level 2 Affinity

Recruitment: Lyn's tale: Chapter 6, visit the northern village, or automatically on turn 3 Eliwood's tale: Chapter 13, automatically on turn 1 Hector's tale: Chapter 11, automatically on turn 1 Stats Growth Rates Max HP 18 Luck 2 Strength 4 Defense 3 Skill 4 Resistance 0 Speed 11 Constitution 7 Movement 6 Aid 6 Max HP 75% Luck 50% Strength 30% Defense 25% Skill 40% Resistance 20% Speed 70% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Iron Sword Lockpick Weapon Levels D -- -- -- -- -- -- --

• Note: If Matthew dies in Lyn's tale, he will appear in Eliwood/Hector's tale with these same stats.

Promotion stat gains

Analysis

Matthew is a level 2 Thief. He is recruitable from a village in Lyn Mode Chapter 6. In Hector Mode, he is available from the start, while in Eliwood Mode, he joins in chapter 13. This marks Matthew as one of the most available units in The Blazing Blade. He is the only Lockpick user in the early game and the only unit who can steal items from enemies. Until Legault joins in the mid-game, Matthew faces no competition in his niche.

Matthew's base speed is extremely high, allowing him to double most enemies and avoid getting doubled. His speed growth is also enormous, though enemies are so slow it is overkill if the player is training him up for combat. That said, his speed does not salvage his other stats, which are all terrible. He only has 21 physical bulk with 3 defense and 18 HP. His magical bulk is even worse at 18, with 0 resistance. While Matthew's avoidance is quite good thanks to his high speed, he dies in two hits to every enemy. Later in the game, some enemies can one-shot him, making it dangerous to put him in enemy range. Matthew's offensive capabilities are also subpar at best. His base strength is low, his strength growth is mediocre, and he uses swords. Swords are the worst melee weapon type in The Blazing Blade because they lack good 1-2 range options and have low strength. Finally, Matthew never becomes mounted. While his 6 movement matches the movement of promoted infantry units, it is still below cavalry and fliers. All this considered, Matthew is not a combat unit by any means. Even if trained, he will not perform very well.

What Matthew excels at is using his Lockpicks and stealing. In the early game and in Lyn Mode, there are many valuable items he can obtain. In Lyn Mode, he can get an Angelic Robe and an Armorslayer. The former is a great stat booster for frailer units, and the latter comes in handy against enemy armor knights. In Hard Mode, Matthew can steal the Silver Card. The Silver Card halves prices in shops for the unit that has it, making it useful as a money-saver, especially in ranked runs where weapons will be worth twice their cost. He can also steal the Guiding Ring and Elysian Whip, both useful promotion items many good units can use.

As for Matthew's promotion, it is the worst promotion in The Blazing Blade. All it gives Matthew is minimal statistical increases and the ability to level up beyond level 20, while not fixing any of his weaknesses. Not only that – it also comes extremely late in the game, at a point when most players will be using Legault or Jaffar instead. In fact, the Fell Contract is only available after Jaffar joins you, and as an Assassin he compares favorably to Matthew in every way. Assassin gives Matthew the Silencer skill, which allows him to one-shot an enemy on a crit. However, it has an RNG-based chance to activate, so it is unreliable, especially when he is not wielding a Killing Edge. As mentioned before, putting Matthew in combat is a risk, especially late-game. There are much more reliable strategies than sending the frail Matthew to the frontlines with a high-crit weapon and hoping that Silencer will kill.

Matthew is, above all, a utility unit. He is the only way for the player to get several useful items early on, including promotion items. Even if trained in Lyn Mode or later, Matthew's combat will remain poor, though. He uses the worst melee weapon type in the game, and his base stats are low except for speed. While he is amazingly fast and will consistently double enemies, he will not deal much damage and cannot take many hits. For that reason, most players use Matthew strictly for his early game utility and replace him with Legault when he joins. Matthew can still be deployed alongside Legault in the desert to find hidden items more easily, though.

Fire Emblem Awakening

Role

Matthew is playable as a SpotPass character, released in the Fire Emblem character set. Matthew is also present as an enemy in the second and third installments of the Smash Brethren DLC series.

Starting stats and growth rates

Thief Level 17 Movement 5+1

Recruitment: SpotPass, hire him for 6,000 G or defeat him in a skirmish Stats Growth Rates Cap Modifiers Max HP 30 Speed 21 Strength 13 Luck 9 Magic 2 Defense 8 Skill 11 Resistance 2 Max HP 75% Speed 75% Strength 45% Luck 60% Magic 40% Defense 30% Skill 60% Resistance 25% Speed +4 Strength −3 Luck +2 Magic 0 Defense −1 Skill +1 Resistance 0 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Steel Sword* Locktouch Movement +1 Wrath Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- --

Reclassing options

Matthew Base classes:* Thief Assassin Trickster 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, Matthew has access to all base class and advanced class skills available to standard male units.

Fire Emblem Engage

Role

Matthew appears as an equippable Bond Ring. He can be summoned using Lyn's Emblem Ring.

Bond Ring data

Stat modifiers Ring level HP Spd Lck C +0 +1 +0 B +0 +1 +1 A +2 +1 +1 S +2 +2 +1

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Matthew is one of the characters available to be summoned by players from the game's initial launch. Only one variation of Matthew is currently available in Heroes, based on his The Blazing Blade incarnation.

Matthew is also one of four free units apart from the main characters given to new players of the game; the player's free Matthew is obtained after returning to the castle after completing the Preface. Players who first started the game prior to version 2.5 got this Matthew at two-star rarity; players who first started the game from version 2.5 onward get this Matthew at four-star rarity.

Matthew: Faithful Spy

Starting stats

★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 14/15/16 Attack 4/5/6 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 2/3/4 Maximum HP 31/34/37 Attack 18/20/23 Speed 25/28/31 Defense 20/23/26 Resistance 10/13/16 {{{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 Iron Dagger* -- --

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 15/16/17 Attack 4/5/6 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 34/37/40 Attack 19/22/25 Speed 27/30/33 Defense 23/26/29 Resistance 12/15/18 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Steel Dagger* -- --

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 15/16/17 Attack 5/6/7 Speed 9/10/11 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 35/38/41 Attack 21/24/27 Speed 29/32/35 Defense 24/27/30 Resistance 13/16/19 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Rogue Dagger* Reciprocal Aid --

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 5/6/7 Speed 9/10/11 Defense 5/6/7 Resistance 4/5/6 Maximum HP 38/41/44 Attack 22/25/29 Speed 31/34/37 Defense 27/30/33 Resistance 14/18/21 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Rogue Dagger* Reciprocal Aid --

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Dagger	★★	★★	50
	Steel Dagger	★★	★★★	100
	Rogue Dagger	★★★	★★★★	200
	Rogue Dagger+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Spy's Dagger	★★★★★	—	400
	Reciprocal Aid	★★★	★★★★	150
B	Poison Strike 1	★★★	—	60
B	Poison Strike 2	★★★★	—	120
B	Poison Strike 3	★★★★★	—	240
C	Hone Spd 1	★★	—	50
C	Hone Spd 2	★★	—	100
C	Hone Spd 3	★★★★	—	200

Personality

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Matthew's demeanor is cheerful and optimistic at best, rarely ever set back by the current situations at hand. He usually tends to give sarcastic and joyful responses to most threats and conversations thrown at him, though he has his slip ups in personality. He doesn't give an effort to hide the annoyance and grief he is caused because of Serra's presence. He also is aggressive and overreacts to Jaffar admitting the murder of Leila, even attempting to kill the assassin and threatening Jaffar with the life of Nino before he eased his grief, knowing that Leila wouldn't enjoy having her death avenged in such a way. Despite his happy outlook on life, he can be serious and solemn on matters, such as Leila's funeral and reporting Lundgren's influence on Caelin to Hector.

Supports

Main article: Matthew/Supports

Matthew Thief Hector Lord Initial: 20 Per turn:3 Guy Myrmidon Initial: 10 Per turn:3 Oswin Knight Initial: 5 Per turn:2 [[{{{support7}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin7}}}affin.png|link={{{affin7}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints7}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{support9}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin9}}}affin.png|link={{{affin9}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints9}}} Per turn:+ Jaffar Assassin Initial: 0 Per turn:1 Serra Cleric Initial: 5 Per turn:1 Legault Thief Initial: 0 Per turn:2 [[{{{support8}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin8}}}affin.png|link={{{affin8}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints8}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{support10}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin10}}}affin.png|link={{{affin10}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints10}}} Per turn:+

Endings

Lyn's tale

Matthew, the Enigmatic Thief
Matthew vanishes after the final battle, and his whereabouts remain a mystery.

Matthew, the Enigmatic Thief (if Matthew was defeated)
Despite his injuries, Matthew sees Lyn safely to Castle Caelin. He vanishes shortly after their arrival and is not seen again.

Eliwood/Hector's tale

Matthew, Thief and Spy
Matthew continued his service as a spy for House Ostia. The memory of his beloved Leila lingers on in his heart.

Matthew and Serra
Matthew returned to Ostia, where he led the network of spies for the new marquess. During this hectic time, his thoughts turned to Serra. Thanks to her, the pain of losing Leila slowly became more bearable.

Quotes

Death quote

Final Chapter: Light quote

Battle quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article: Matthew/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Matthew's official artwork from The Blazing Blade can be viewed in Path of Radiance's extras menu if a copy of The Blazing Blade is connected to a copy of Path of Radiance.

Fire Emblem Cipher

Matthew is featured on three cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Matthew
	Thief and Spy, Matthew
		"Well... I, er... gather information, open doors, chests, and such."
		Attack: 50	Support: X	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 2
		Class: Thief		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Whistling Spy: [Trigger] When this unit is deployed, reveal the top card of your opponent's deck. You may then place that card in their Retreat Area. Spy's Sleight: [Support] Reveal the top card of the opponent's deck. Until the end of this battle, this card's support value is equal to the support value of that card (If the revealed card has a Support Value of X, then this card's support value becomes 0).
	Card #B07-021HN • Artist: Misei Ito
Normal R+ {{{alt2image2}}} {{{alt3image2}}} {{{alt4image2}}} {{{alt5image2}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}	Elegy Devoted to the Shadows, Matthew
		"You wouldn't want me to give up. I must fulfill my duty. So rest... I promise I will take care of everything."
		Attack: 70	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Assassin		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Sworn Fell Sword: [Trigger] [Once per turn] During your turn, when your opponent reveals a card from their deck as the result of a skill's effect, untap this unit. Undercover in Deep Darkness: [Support] If you have fewer cards in your hand than your opponent, draw one card. You may [] and each time you do, this skill is activated again.
	Card #B13-014R(+) • Artist: Hatori Kyoka
	Cheerful Spy, Matthew
		"Hm? A wraith? And here I thought I was a spy."
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Thief		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Spy's Intelligence Gathering: [Trigger] [] When this unit's attack destroys an enemy, you may pay the cost, and if you do: Draw one card. Thief Emblem: [Support] Reveal the top card of your opponent's deck. You may send that card to the Retreat Area.
	Card #B13-015N, B13-015ST • Artist: Hatori Kyoka
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Matthew .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Matthew: Faithful Spy
House Ostia proudly leads the Lycian League. And supporting them from the shadows is their ever-loyal spy, Matthew!	Matthew first served Uther, the Marquess of Ostia. But when Uther's younger brother, Hector, abruptly left home to go on a journey, Matthew followed him.	During their travels, Hector and Matthew became entangled in a plot by a group of assassins known as the Black Fang. Things took a much darker turn when Matthew's lover, a fellow spy by the name of Leila, was killed by the assassins…	Though shocked by what had become of Leila, Matthew remained dedicated to fighting for justice. I'm sure that, somewhere, Leila is watching him with a smile on her face.
Closely Associated Characters
Hector Jaffar {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Eliwood's friend and the brother of the Marquess of Ostia. Prefers action to court formality. Matthew's lord. An emotionless member of the Black Fang assassins. Known as the Angel of Death. He is the one who killed Matthew's lover Leila. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

81

Matthew The Blazing Blade

3,565

CYL 2 (2018)

256 (+175)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

912 (−2,653)

CYL 3 (2019)

249 (No change)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

914 (+2)

CYL 4 (2020)

283 (+16)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

530 (−384)

CYL 5 (2021)

260 (−23)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

376 (−154)

CYL 6 (2022)

236 (−25)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

421 (+45)

CYL 7 (2023)

224 (−12)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

287 (−134)

CYL 8 (2024)

213 (−11)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

307 (+20)

CYL 9 (2025)

123 (−90)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

493 (+186)

Total results		This character has 9 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	7,805

Trivia

• If Hector's tale is played, Matthew holds the distinction of being the only playable character in Lyn's tale not to leave the player's control in the transition to the main story.
• Matthew is the only character in The Blazing Blade that winks. It is used in his recruitment conversation with Guy.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Thief Assassin Sword Sword

Official artwork

• 

  Artwork of Matthew from The Blazing Blade.

CG images

• 

  CG image featuring Matthew in The Blazing Blade.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 

  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Resplendent Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Resplendent Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Resplendent Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Resplendent Matthew: Faithful Spy.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 

  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.

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  Matthew in artwork of Hector: General of Ostia.

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  Matthew in artwork of Serra: Outspoken Cleric.

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  Matthew in artwork of Guy: Kutolah Blade.

Other artwork

• 

  Wallpaper of Matthew: Faithful Spy from the A Hero Rises 2018 event.

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  Artwork featuring Matthew released on the seventh day of Choose Your Legends: Round 8.

Cipher artwork

• 

  Artwork of Matthew.

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  Artwork of Matthew.

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  Artwork of Matthew.

References

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