Raven

This article is about the character. For the type of laguz, see Raven (laguz).

Raven (Japanese: レイヴァン Leyvan), given name Raymond (Japanese: レイモンド Raymond), is a playable character in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. Initially a member of the dissolved kingdom of Cornwell, Raven becomes a mercenary with a grudge against House Ostia.

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

Role

Pre-game

Raven was not always known as Raven; initially, he was known as Lord Raymond of Cornwell, one of fourteen territories found in the League of Lycia. Despite initially living a life of a noble, the territory was later dissolved by the head of Lycia, Ostia, due to allegations of embezzlement. During the dissolution of the territory following the subsequent proof that the leaders of Cornwell knew what they were doing, all of the ruling class of the territory committed suicide, leaving only two direct survivors of the family: Raymond and his younger sister Priscilla. Outside of this, the only other survivor was a man named Lucius, who eventually became a vassal to Raymond.

After these events, Priscilla was sent off to live with Count Caerleon of Etruria; Raymond himself vanished and instead became a traveling mercenary by the name of Raven, with his primary purpose in life becoming a mission to avenge the fall of Cornwell.

In-game

In his travels as a mercenary, Raven ended up in Castle Caelin for unknown reasons, along with his vassal Lucius. During his stay, however, Marquess Laus, Darin, launched a surprise attack on the territory, forcing the granddaughter of Marquess Caelin, Lyn, and some of her own army to flee, and causing survivors to be locked in a prison cell within the castle. While Raven begrudgingly waits out his sentence, upon hearing that the castle will be liberated by a force partially commanded by Hector, the brother of Marquess Ostia, Uther, Raven defects to Laus in the hopes of killing the young lord.

In a coincidence, however, Raven finds not only Hector as part of the army, but he also finds that his long-estranged sister Priscilla is with them as well. Upon learning this, Raven willingly defects again to Eliwood's army, and forces Lucius to go along with him; although claiming to Priscilla he is joining with her in order to protect her, he reveals to Lucius that his sole purpose is to get close to Hector so he can kill him.

As the game progresses, however, supports with either Priscilla or Lucius, he chooses to give up his plans for revenge, upon either learning that there is no proof that Ostia is reponsible for the death of his parents or that he is unwilling to abandon his sister when she tells him to stop his quest.

Post-game

Under ordinary circumstances, Raven vanishes after the end of the war against Nergal, with his ending claiming that reports claim he might be living in Araphen, the same area that Lucius ends up living in. In addition, Raven can get a paired ending with Lucius, which states that the mercenary discussed the fate of Cornwell with Hector; while Hector is sympathetic to his plight and suggests recreating Cornwell with Raven as its marquess, Raven refuses the offer and elects to continue traveling with Lucius.

Starting stats and growth rates

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.^[3]

Normal/Eliwood Hard Hector Hard

Mercenary Level 5 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 16E/17H, enemy, talk to with Priscilla Stats Growth Rates Max HP 25 Luck 2 Strength 8 Defense 5 Skill 11 Resistance 1 Speed 13 Constitution 8 Movement 5 Aid 7 Max HP 85% Luck 35% Strength 55% Defense 25% Skill 40% Resistance 15% Speed 45% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Steel Sword Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Mercenary Level 5 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 17, enemy, talk to with Priscilla Stats Growth Rates Max HP 28~30 Luck 2 Strength 9~11 Defense 5~6 Skill 12~14 Resistance 1~3 Speed 14~15 Constitution 8 Movement 5 Aid 7 Max HP 85% Luck 35% Strength 55% Defense 25% Skill 40% Resistance 15% Speed 45% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Steel Sword Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- -- -- --

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Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Weapon level
Hero	+4	+0	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+1	+1	+40, E

Analysis

Despite starting at the relatively low level of 5, Raven is often considered one of the game's best foot units. His base stats as a mercenary are already solid in Normal Mode, but in Hard Mode, they become excellent. This gives him absurd offense early on, and it continues to develop as he gains levels thanks to good growth rates. He will one-round the majority of enemies, even at base level. Raven's high HP growth, coupled with an already solid starting HP of 25 to 29, also prevents him from being dangerously frail.

Raven is initially sword-locked, but promotion fixes this by giving him axes and reliable 1-2 range, all he could ever want besides a mount. Since his bases are so high, it's not a bad idea to get him to promotion sooner rather than later so he can enjoy the benefits of axes earlier.

Raven's low luck, however, makes him somewhat susceptible to critical hits, thus limiting his effectiveness against swordmasters, berserkers, and units that wield killer weapons. Fortunately, tactician bonuses will mitigate this issue against most enemies. While Raven's constitution is suitable for wielding swords, at 8 (9 after promotion), this constitution prevents him from wielding many axes in the game without taking a speed penalty. However, this can be remedied with his high potential speed. Also, the axes he will wield the most, Iron Axes and Hand Axes, both have a low weight.

Raven's defense is mediocre but adequate for soaking physical hits in tandem with his high HP. His low resistance makes strong magic enemies dangerous, though, and he is easy prey for status staves. This will hold him back in chapters like Genesis and Cog of Destiny. Pure Waters and Barrier can help him, though.

Raven's biggest problem will never be about his stats, though, or even his weapon types. He eventually gets 1-2 range, and he has everything a player could want for a combat unit. The most significant issue is that good combat becomes ubiquitous later in the game. As the game continues, the ability to one-round enemies is not a rare niche anymore. Raven's stats become overkill. Trained mounted units like Kent, Sain, Lowen, Heath, and even Marcus can one-round with greater efficiency because of their higher movement. Another point in their favor is that their mounts give them utility unrelated to combat. At the same time, Raven will always strictly be a combat unit. Raven also obviously lacks staff utility.

Overall, Raven's bases and growths make him an invaluable combat unit upon his join time. However, it is likely for him to fall off as the game continues. Different, more versatile units can achieve adequate combat parameters. If continued use is desired, though, he can still pull his weight easily.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

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

Raven: Peerless Fighter

Starting stats

★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 6/7/8 Speed 7/8/9 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 34/37/40 Attack 27/30/33 Speed 28/31/34 Defense 19/22/25 Resistance 16/19/22 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Steel Axe* -- --

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 7/8/9 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 35/38/41 Attack 29/32/35 Speed 30/33/36 Defense 20/23/26 Resistance 17/20/23 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Brave Axe* -- Daylight

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 18/19/20 Attack 7/8/9 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 5/6/7 Resistance 4/5/6 Maximum HP 37/41/44 Attack 31/34/37 Speed 32/35/38 Defense 22/25/29 Resistance 19/22/25 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Brave Axe+* -- Daylight

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Axe	★★★	★★★	50
	Steel Axe	★★★	★★★	100
	Brave Axe	★★★	★★★★	200
	Brave Axe+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Basilikos	★★★★★	—	400
	Daylight	★★★	★★★★	100
	Sol	★★★★	—	200
A	Defiant Spd 1	★★★	—	40
A	Defiant Spd 2	★★★	—	80
A	Defiant Spd 3	★★★★	—	160
C	Threaten Def 1	★★★	—	40
C	Threaten Def 2	★★★★	—	80
C	Threaten Def 3	★★★★★	—	160

Personality

Among Raven's most notable characteristics is his strongly introverted manner; in all of his supports, except for those with Lucius, Raven never speaks first, and in many of them, Raven also speaks less than the other participant. Adding to this, Raven sometimes completely walks out during conversations, to the puzzlement of the other speaker, and Bartre himself notes that the mercenary is difficult to locate during battle.

Additionally, Raven's manner in conversation, when he speaks, tends to be coarse and cold to others; in supports, he belittles Rebecca after repairing her bow,^[4] calls Wil "an idiot" after his many attempts to socialize,^[5] and after seeing Bartre's long and illegible family tree, tells him outright that is handwriting is poor and to take as long as possible to learn how to master handwriting.^[6] Even with his vassal Lucius, Raven expresses no end to his callousness; throughout their supports, Raven tells Lucius to stop trying to dissuade him from his quest for revenge on Ostia, though Lucius does win out in the end. Raven's own personality is reflected even in his facial features; as noted by both Rebecca^[7] and Wil,^[8] Raven always appears cold and uncaring.

Raven, however, is not always in his introverted, cold manner; in his supports with Priscilla, he does take a considerably calmer tone with her, though his actual words remain rough; in their A support, Raven finally gives in and drops his attempts at revenge, as willing to fight alongside his sister.^[9] In addition, Rebecca, after giving Raven a large meal as a way to repay him for fixing her bow, Rebecca shows surprise upon seeing him actually smile.^[10]

Supports

Main article: Raven/Supports

Raven Mercenary Lucius Monk Initial: 30 Per turn:+3 Rebecca Archer Initial: 0 Per turn:+2 Bartre Fighter Initial: 0 Per turn:+1 [[{{{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:+ Priscilla Troubadour Initial: 20 Per turn:+3 Wil Archer Initial: 0 Per turn:+1 [[{{{support6}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin6}}}affin.png|link={{{affin6}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints6}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{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

Raven, Sublime Mercenary
Raven vanished without a word. Many reports have placed him in Araphen, but none could be confirmed.

Lucius, the Light, and Raven, Sublime Mercenary
After the conflict, Raven revealed his past to Hector. Hector offered to rebuild Raven's home, but Raven refused. He and Lucius travel as mercenaries, but Lucius is pleased to see his friend's heart has been eased.

Quotes

Death quote

Final Chapter: Light quote

Battle History quotes

Tactician quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article: Raven/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Raven'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

Raven is featured on four cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Raven
	Blade of Love and Revenge, Raven
		"Revenge...is all I have lived for."
		Attack: 60	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Hero		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		House Sworn Blade: [Always] While you have at least 2 allies with support skills, this unit gains +20 attack. Hero's Revenge: [Trigger] When this unit's attack destroys the enemy lord, you may move an enemy in the Back Line.
	Card #B07-032R • Artist: VOCO
	Sublime Mercenary, Raven
		"My name is Raven now. Raymond is... a name I've discarded."
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Mercenary		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Stay there and be quiet.: [Trigger] During your turn, if both you and your opponent have at least 1 unit in the Back Line, this unit gains +20 attack. Attack Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this combat, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B07-033N • Artist: VOCO
	Unquenched Flame of Vengeance, Raven
		"Uther, the lord of Ostia... He brought House Cornwell down... He killed my parents..."
		Attack: 70	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Hero		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Pitiless Sword of Vengeance: [Trigger] When this unit Critical Hits your opponent's Main Character, choose 1 of your opponent's Orbs, and destroy it. If there are no Orbs for this skill to destroy, choose up to 2 non-Main Character enemies, and destroy them. All-Consuming Obsession: [Activate] [Once per turn] [] [Send 1 of your orbs to the Retreat Area] Draw 2 cards.
	Card #B21-067SR • Artist: BISAI
	Nemesis-Targeting Swordsman, Raven
		"Forget the crime that was committed? I... I have no such strength."
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Mercenary		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		He Who Was Known as Raymond: [Always] During your turn, if you have an allied Lucius or Priscilla, this unit gains +10 attack. Attack Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this combat, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B21-068N • Artist: BISAI
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Raven .

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Raven appears as a Novice Attack-type spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, using his art from Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. When equipped to a player character, Raven grants a support spirit slot and increased damage to sword attacks.

	#649 Fire Emblem Series Raven
	Type: Attack
	Rank: ★
	Number of support spirit slots: ⬣
	Trait: Sword Attack ↑ Slightly increases sword-attack power of fighters like Link and Marth.
	Level 1 stats: Attack: 450 Defense: 407 Power: 942
	Level 99 stats: Attack: 2253 Defense: 2038 Power: 4720

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Raven: Peerless Fighter
Raven is a wandering mercenary with a mysterious past. He's not much of a talker, but fortunately his first-rate weapon skill speaks for itself.	If you were thinking he has an oddly noble bearing for a wanderer, you might be onto something. Apparently, he's the heir of House Cornwell, formerly a member of the Lycian League…until the family was disgraced in a certain incident and all but died out.	Since then, Raven has sought revenge on those who brought about his family's downfall, and he turned to working as a mercenary, with his retainer Lucius at his side.	I wonder if Raven will ever get the revenge he's been dreaming of… Whatever happens, I just hope he can find peace someday.
Closely Associated Characters
Lucius Priscilla {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} A gentle monk who serves Raven. Carries a heavy burden from a dark childhood. The daughter of Count Caerleon. Also Raven's sister. Poised and gentle, with a jealous streak. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

128

Raven The Blazing Blade

2,233

CYL 2 (2018)

240 (+112)

Raven The Blazing Blade

978 (−1,255)

CYL 3 (2019)

244 (+8)

Raven The Blazing Blade

972 (−6)

CYL 4 (2020)

266 (+7)

Raven The Blazing Blade

572 (−400)

CYL 5 (2021)

245 (−21)

Raven The Blazing Blade

398 (−174)

CYL 6 (2022)

277 (+31)

Raven The Blazing Blade

352 (−46)

CYL 7 (2023)

205 (−72)

Raven The Blazing Blade

313 (−39)

CYL 8 (2024)

240 (+35)

Raven The Blazing Blade

262 (−51)

Total results		This character has 8 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	6,080

Trivia

Raven (left) and Harken's (right) Hero sprites

• Along with Linus, Raven's Hero sprite is unique; instead of breastplates and spiked shoulder pads such as those that Dieck, Ogier, Harken (pictured), and Gerik have, Raven and Linus wear long, knee-length jackets to resemble their official artworks.
• Raven's growths are identical to Cormag's from Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones.

Etymology and other languages

Raven

Raymond

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Mercenary Hero Sword Axe Sword

Official artwork

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  Artwork of Raven from The Blazing Blade.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

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  Artwork of Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Resplendent Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Resplendent Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Resplendent Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Resplendent Raven: Peerless Fighter.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

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  Artwork of Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Artwork of Raven: Peerless Fighter.

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  Raven in artwork of Lucius: The Light.

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  Raven in artwork of Lucius: The Light.

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  Raven in artwork of Priscilla: Delicate Princess.

Other artwork

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  Wallpaper of Raven: Peerless Fighter from the A Hero Rises 2018 event.

Cipher artwork

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  Artwork of Raven.

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  Artwork of Raven with Priscilla and Lucius.

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  Raven in artwork of Lucius.

References

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