Nils

Not to be confused with Niles, a character from Fates, or with Nil, a character from Engage.

Nils (Japanese: ニルス Nils) is a character in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. He plays an important role in the story, and is Ninian's brother.

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

Role

This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.

Nils first meets Lyn in Khathelet while on the run from the Black Fang. His sister Ninian has been kidnapped, and he asks Lyn to help rescue her. He offers the use of his music to invigorate Lyn and her allies, and together they defeat the Black Fang and rescue Ninian with Eliwood's help. Nils continues to help Lyn in her quest to meet her grandfather, and once that goal is achieved, he departs to other lands.

One year later, he has been captured by the Black Fang alongside Lord Elbert of Pherae. Nergal intends to use him and Ninian to open the Dragon's Gate, but Elbert helps Nils and Ninian escape before that plan can reach fruition. Nils hides in the ruins near the Dragon's Gate until he senses danger coming from that direction; he then hurries to the Dragon's Gate just in time to stop Ninian and Nergal from summoning a dragon through it.

When Eliwood and his companions return to Lycia, Ninian is determined to help them, trying to make up for her part in Elbert's death. Knowing that Ninian is too weak to be of any help to Eliwood, Nils transfers his strength to her. As Eliwood and his companions prepare to meet Lord Uther to discuss the threat that Nergal poses to Elibe, Nils collapses, and Ninian insists that nobody move him even as a mercenary company threatens their position. Nils recovers and accompanies them to Nabata Desert, then to Bern.

Having transferred his strength to Ninian, Nils has no strength of his own to help Eliwood or his companions directly in battle. His gift of foresight, however, makes him a valuable asset when the battles prove too much for Hannah to bear; he provides information to Eliwood about the coming battles, as Hannah did, and he also reveals who can build up supports with whom.

When Nergal regains his strength, he demands that Nils and Ninian accompany him to the Dragon's Gate to finish the work he started. Ninian volunteers to go with him on the condition that Nergal let Nils go, and then she transfers the strength that Nils first gave her (plus the strength that she had gained in her own right by dancing for Eliwood and his companions) back to him.

Though Nils is again strong enough to use his music to invigorate his allies, he cannot do so for long: Soon Eliwood takes up Durandal against an ice dragon who is revealed to be Ninian; she dies in Eliwood's arms. Despondent at the loss of his sister, Nils refuses to participate in the battle to defend Castle Ostia. Only when Eliwood takes the battle back to the Dragon's Gate does Nils recover from his grief and help Eliwood put a final end to Nergal's schemes.

After Nergal's defeat and Ninian's resurrection, Nils departs through the open gate, either alone or with Ninian, and closes it from the other side.

Starting stats and growth rates

Bard Level 1 Affinity

Recruitment: Lyn's tale: Chapter 7, automatically from turn 1. Eliwood's tale: Chapter 28, automatically from battle preparations. Hector's tale: Chapter 30, automatically from battle preparations. Stats Growth Rates Max HP 14 Luck 10 Strength 0 Defense 5 Skill 0 Resistance 4 Speed 12 Constitution 3 Movement 5 Aid 2 Max HP 85% Luck 80% Strength 5% Defense 30% Skill 5% Resistance 70% Speed 70% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

• Note: When Nils returns in Eliwood/Hector's Tale, his inventory and stats (other than Constitution and Aid) will be the same as Ninian's. If Ninian used a Body Ring to improve her Constitution and Aid, that bonus will also apply to Nils.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

There are two variations of Nils available to Heroes, both of which are tied to his storyline appearance in The Blazing Blade. The normal variation of Nils is one of the characters added to the game in the On Dark Wings update, and became available for summoning by players on February 17, 2020. A Halloween variation of Nils was added to the game alongside the Divine Harvest update and made available to players in the fifty-ninth edition of the Tempest Trials+, "Life & Death 4", which initially ran from October 6, 2022 through October 16, 2022. An Ice Tribe-themed variant of Nils was added on September 6, 2024, and was available through a Tempest Trial.

Nils: Bright Bard

Starting stats

Nils: Bright Bard is only available at 5★ rarity.

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 6/7/8 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 5/6/7 Maximum HP 42/45/48 Attack 28/31/34 Speed 32/35/38 Defense 22/26/29 Resistance 22/25/29 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Frost Breath Play --

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Fire Breath	★★★★★	★★★★★	50
	Fire Breath+	★★★★★	★★★★★	100
	Flametongue	★★★★★	★★★★★	200
	Frost Breath	★★★★★	★★★★★	400
	Play	★★★★★	★★★★★	150
A	HP +3	★★★★★	—	40
A	HP/Def 1	★★★★★	—	80
A	HP/Def 2	★★★★★	—	160
B	Even Pulse Tie 1	★★★★★	—	60
B	Even Pulse Tie 2	★★★★★	—	120
B	Even Pulse Tie 3	★★★★★	—	240
C	Infantry Pulse 1	★★★★★	—	60
C	Infantry Pulse 2	★★★★★	—	120
C	Infantry Pulse 3	★★★★★	—	240

Nils: Wandering Star

Starting stats

★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 14/15/16 Attack 5/6/7 Speed 10/11/12 Defense 2/3/4 Resistance 8/9/10 Maximum HP 38/41/44 Attack 29/32/35 Speed 36/39/43 Defense 16/19/22 Resistance 30/33/36 {{{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 Surprise Breath Play --

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 15/16/17 Attack 6/7/8 Speed 10/11/12 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 8/9/10 Maximum HP 41/44/47 Attack 32/35/38 Speed 38/41/45 Defense 18/21/24 Resistance 32/35/38 {{{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 Surprise Breath+ Play --

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Fire Breath	★★★★	★★★★	50
	Fire Breath+	★★★★	★★★★	100
	Surprise Breath	★★★★	★★★★	200
	Surprise Breath+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Play	★★★★	★★★★	150
B	Torrent Dance 1	★★★★	—	50
B	Geyser Dance 1	★★★★	—	120
B	Geyser Dance 2	★★★★	—	240
C	Hone Spd 1	★★★★	—	50
C	Hone Spd 2	★★★★	—	100
C	Hone Dragons	★★★★★	—	200

Nils: Snowflake Melody

Starting stats

★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 3/4/5 Speed 12/13/14 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 34/37/40 Attack 29/32/36 Speed 38/41/45 Defense 24/27/30 Resistance 34/38/41 {{{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 Ice Dragonstone Play --

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 4/5/6 Speed 12/13/14 Defense 5/6/7 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 36/40/43 Attack 32/35/39 Speed 40/43/47 Defense 27/30/33 Resistance 36/40/43 {{{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 Ice Dragonstone+ Play --

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Fire Breath	★★★★	★★★★	50
	Fire Breath+	★★★★	★★★★	100
	Ice Dragonstone	★★★★	★★★★	200
	Ice Dragonstone+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Play	★★★★	★★★★	150
B	Res Cantrip 1	★★★★	—	60
B	Res Cantrip 2	★★★★	—	120
B	Res Cantrip 3	★★★★	—	240
C	Spur Res 1	★★★★	—	50
C	Spur Spd/Res 1	★★★★	—	120
C	Spur Spd/Res 2	★★★★★	—	240

Personality

This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.

Nils cares very much for his sister Ninian. He is distraught in Lyn's tale when no one wants to help him, until Lyn and her gang shows up.

In Eliwood and Hector's tales, he is the primary person who looks after Ninian.

Supports

Nils does not possess any supports in The Blazing Blade.

Endings

Lyn's tale

Nils, the Mysterious Musician
Nils and his sister, Ninian, take their leave of Castle Caelin after a few days. He may well be traveling the land, mastering his musical skills somewhere.

Nils, the Mysterious Musician (if Nils was defeated)
Nils's injuries are not so great that he cannot travel to Caelin with Lyn. However, he and his sister, Ninian, leave the castle after only a few days.

Eliwood/Hector's tale

Nils, Child of Destiny
Nils vanished through the gate in order to seal it from the other side. Those who saw him go will never forget his look of sorrow.

Nils and Ninian
After these dragonkin bid farewell to the land of their birth, they returned to their new world. Meeting Eliwood warmed the hearts of these ice dragons with the hope that man and dragon could live in peace.

Quotes

Battle quotes

Nils does not have any battle quotes.

Death quotes

Battle History quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article: Nils/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Nils'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

Nils is featured on one card in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Nils
	Wind-Riding Ballad, Nils
		"I believe in you. I will continue to protect you. I have to. That... That's both mine and Ninian's wish."
		Attack: 30	Support: 20	Range: -	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Bard		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Purifying Flute Melody: [Activate] [] Choose one other ally. Until the end of the turn, that ally gains +30 attack. Keepsake Ring: [Always] During your opponent's turn, this unit cannot be destroyed as the cost or effect of a skill. Warming Hope: [Trigger] [Once per turn] When this unit is attacked in the Back Line, until the end of battle, this unit cannot be destroyed by the enemy's attack.
	Card #B13-016SR • Artist: Kawasumi
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Nils .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Bright Bard Wandering Star Snowflake Melody

Nils: Bright Bard
Today's young Hero is Nils! Isn't he adorable? (Can I keep him?)	Nils and his sister Ninian share a mysterious power, and because of this, they were targeted by the Black Fang, a group of assassins.	At one point, the assassins managed to capture the two, but fortunately, the efforts of Elbert and Eliwood saw them rescued from danger.	The Black Fang wouldn't give up easily, though. And so, Nils continued his journey to evade the Black Fang's clutches, helping to keep Ninian safe every step of the way!
Closely Associated Characters
Ninian {{{Related_name2}}} {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} A young dancer who has a serene and mystical presence. Her dances are divine tributes. She is Nils's older sister. {{{Related_blurb2}}} {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Nils: Wandering Star
Nils has arrived from a land far from Elibe to join the harvest festival in Askr! That adorable costume he's wearing really suits him—I wonder if that distant land he calls home happens to be the Land of Sweet Treats?	His cuffs and his cape are lined with big bunches of fluffy material that look just like whipped cream! Meanwhile, the top of his crown is decorated with candy!	The weapon he's carrying looks like ice cream, but it's actually a dragonstone that keeps his draconic powers in check. In fact, it's just like the one his sister, Ninian, has!	By the way, did I mention that Nils is also a talented bard? He's given impromptu performances in the courtyard before, so I bet his music will really bring the harvest festival to life!
Closely Associated Characters
Ninian {{{Related_name2}}} {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} A young dancer who has a serene and mystical presence. Her dances are divine tributes. Nils's older sister. {{{Related_blurb2}}} {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Nils: Snowflake Melody
Nils is a Hero whose journeys take him across the continent of Elibe and back, but today, he’s here for the festival of snow and ice!	And would you take a look at the incredible snowflake design of his cape! Paired with his white tights, it makes him look just like a fairy-tale prince. And I see he’s wearing special boots for skating on the ice!	That object floating next to him is an ice dragonstone. Apparently, Nils carries the blood of ice dragons, allowing him to use this dragonstone!	The festival of snow and ice is full of joy and warmth. I hear Nils played a part in that by treating the festivalgoers to a display of his flute-playing skills!
Closely Associated Characters
Ninian {{{Related_name2}}} {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} A young dancer who has a serene and mystical presence. Her dances are divine tributes. Nils’s older sister. {{{Related_blurb2}}} {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

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Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

285

Nils The Blazing Blade

730

CYL 2 (2018)

81 (−204)

Nils The Blazing Blade

3,021 (+2,291)

CYL 3 (2019)

85 (No change)

Nils The Blazing Blade

3,140 (+119)

CYL 4 (2020)

79 (−7)

Nils The Blazing Blade

2,336 (−804)

CYL 5 (2021)

399 (+320)

Nils The Blazing Blade

196 (−2,140)

CYL 6 (2022)

392 (−9)

Nils The Blazing Blade

209 (+13)

CYL 7 (2023)

393 (+1)

Nils The Blazing Blade

138 (−71)

CYL 8 (2024)

467 (+74)

Nils The Blazing Blade

104 (−34)

Total results		This character has 8 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	9,874

Trivia

• Nils and Ninian both have the same growth rates.
• In Kinship's Bond, the unconscious Nils has by far the highest constitution of any unit in the game, at 30 (or 52 after resetting the console and resuming the chapter).

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Bard Child (Unarmed)

Official artwork

• 

  Artwork of Nils from The Blazing Blade.

• 

  Artwork of Nils and his sister Ninian from The Blazing Blade.

CG images

• 

  CG image of Lyn and Nils running towards Eliwood carrying Ninian in The Blazing Blade.

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  CG image of Hector carrying Nils in The Blazing Blade.

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  CG image of Nergal leaving Ninian and Nils in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Ninian sharing her power with Nils in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Nils learning of Ninian's death in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Ninian and Nils in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Ninian and Nils being captured by Nergal in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Ninian and Nils fleeing from Nergal's forces in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Elbert talking to Ninian and Nils in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Athos passing away in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Nils departing through the Dragon's Gate in The Blazing Blade.

• 

  CG image of Nils and Ninian departing through the Dragon's Gate together in The Blazing Blade.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Bright Bard.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Bright Bard.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Bright Bard.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Bright Bard.

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  Artwork of Nils: Wandering Star.

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  Artwork of Nils: Wandering Star.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Wandering Star.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Wandering Star.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Snowflake Melody.

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  Artwork of Nils: Snowflake Melody.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Snowflake Melody.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Snowflake Melody.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Bright Bard.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Bright Bard.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Bright Bard.

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  Artwork of Nils: Bright Bard.

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  Artwork of Nils: Wandering Star.

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  Artwork of Nils: Wandering Star.

• 

  Artwork of Nils: Wandering Star.

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  Artwork of Nils: Wandering Star.

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  Artwork of Nils: Snowflake Melody.

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  Artwork of Nils: Snowflake Melody.

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  Artwork of Nils: Snowflake Melody.

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  Nils in artwork of Ninian: Oracle of Destiny.

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  Nils in artwork of Ninian: Frozen Heart.

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  Nils in artwork of Ninian: Ice-Dragon Oracle.

Other artwork

• 

  Artwork of Nils and several other characters for Heroes's sixth anniversary, drawn by Mikuro.

Cipher artwork

• 

  Artwork of Nils with Ninian and Elbert.

• 

  Nils in artwork of Ninian.

Other appearances

• 

  Celebratory artwork featuring Nils done for the release of Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade and The Blazing Blade Original Soundtrack‏‎.

References

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