Ross

Ross (Japanese: ロス Ross) is a boy living in a small village of Renais. He appears in Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, and joins in Chapter 2 along with his father Garcia. He is a trainee unit.

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Role

Ross first appears in Chapter 2 in a small village in Renais. Eirika's group appears in the northwest, and after talking to Eirika he joins them. He talks to his father Garcia, who also joins. He starts out as a Journeyman, one of the three trainee classes in the game. This means he has very low initial stats, but gains experience quickly.

Starting stats and growth rates

Journeyman Level 1 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 2, talk to with Eirika or automatically at the end of the chapter if both he and Garcia survived Stats Growth Rates Max HP 15 Luck 8 Strength 5 Defense 3 Skill 2 Resistance 0 Speed 3 Constitution 8 Movement 4 Aid 7 Max HP 70% Luck 40% Strength 50% Defense 25% Skill 35% Resistance 20% Speed 30% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Hatchet Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- E -- -- -- -- --

Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Weapon level
Fighter	+2	+2	+1	+0	+0	+0	+1	+3	+1	+30
Pirate	+2	+2	+0	+1	+0	+1	+0	+2	+1	+30
Journeyman (2)	+2	+0	+2	+0	+0	+2	+2	+0	+1	+30

From Fighter

Class	HP	Str	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Weapon level
Warrior	+3	+1	+2	+0	+0	+3	+3	+2	+1	+40, E
Hero	+4	+1	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+0	+1	C

From Pirate

Class	HP	Str	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Skills	Weapon level
Berserker	+4	+1	+1	+1	+0	+2	+2	+3	+1	Critical +15*	+40
Warrior	+3	+1	+2	+0	+0	+3	+3	+3	+1	--	+40, E

From Journeyman (2)

Class	HP	Str	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Skills	Weapon level
Hero	+4	+1	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+3	+1	--	C
Journeyman (3)	+4	+1	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+0	+1	Critical +15*	+40

Analysis

Ross appears in Chapter 2 as an allied unit alongside his father Garcia, where Eirika can recruit him. This marks Ross's availability as one of the highest in the game.

Ross's base stats are downright awful. His only salvageable base stat is an 8 in luck—the least important stat, though it is notable in a game where many units have poor luck. With 3 speed, he cannot double even enemies with 0 speed. 15 HP, 3 defense, and 0 resistance ensure he will not survive more than one hit. If he gets doubled, he will die.

His 8 base constitution is another issue. On paper, 8 constitution seems decent, but axes are the heaviest weapons. With 8 constitution, a mere Iron Axe weighs Ross down by 2 points, bringing his speed down to 1. If he uses anything except the Hatchet he joins with, he will get doubled and die.

Ross's hatchet only has 4 might, the lowest might of any axe in the game. Since Ross has 5 base strength, he deals a pathetic 9 damage while using it. This means that Ross can find himself in a situation where he does not deal enough damage to kill an enemy, but other units cannot weaken the enemy for him without killing them. That said, the weapon does have 1-2 range, allowing Ross to avoid counterattacks. At 85 hit, it is also the most accurate axe in the game and offsets Ross's terrible base skill. This makes Ross much easier to train. However, the hatchet is not a personal weapon, and Garcia can also use it if he needs a reliable 1-2 range weapon.

Ross's growths are not amazing for a growth unit. His 30% speed growth is especially problematic because his base speed is dreadful. If the player is unlucky, Ross may not reliably double enemies for a long time. He has more levels to grow, but his bases are so poor they offset that advantage. In practice, Ross's stats only become decent upon his first promotion, and he needs 9 levels to reach it. Upon reaching it, he is mostly on par with a normal level 1 unit, but that is going to be less than the rest of the army without giving Ross massive favoritism. He will have high strength and luck on average, but his other stats will be mediocre. Other units will have grown by then, too, so Ross will still look unimpressive. His advantages will only show up on his second promotion.

First promotion choices

Ross joins as a level 1 Journeyman—a trainee class. This means Ross can promote twice instead of once, giving him access to more classes than other units. At level 10, he can promote to either a Fighter or a Pirate. From Fighter, he can be promoted into a Warrior or a Hero using a Hero Crest. From Pirate, he can be promoted to a Warrior or a Berserker using an Ocean Seal.

A third option appears if the player has completed both Eirika's and Ephraim's routes: Journeyman. Ross can promote to it twice—as his first and second promotion. However, if Ross promotes to Fighter or Pirate, he cannot promote to Journeyman anymore. The second time Ross promotes to Journeyman, he gains +15 crit.

Ross's possible promotions have different advantages and disadvantages.

Journeyman is by far the worst option. It does not grant a constitution bonus, so it does not fix one of Ross's key issues. +1 movement and later +15 crit are good bonuses but not superior to other options. Other promotions also give Ross movement, and they all give him constitution. Journeyman does not do the latter.

Both Fighter and Pirate increase Ross's constitution, allowing him to wield Iron Axes with no speed penalty. This effectively increases his attack speed. However, these two classes have important distinctions. Fighter does not grant a speed bonus, while Pirate does. Pirates can also walk on water, while fighters cannot. +1 speed may seem insignificant, but Ross's speed base and growth are poor. Ross needs all the help he can get to start doubling, and Pirate helps a bit more. Do note that when using anything heavier than an Iron Axe, including a Hand Axe, the two classes have the same attack speed.

The ability to walk on water is also helpful because it gives Ross a unique niche. The only other water-walking foot unit in The Sacred Stones is Dozla, who joins much later. Pirate Ross can do it earlier, and it comes in handy on water-filled maps. Chapter 7 has a river he can cross while rescuing Eirika, enabling a faster clear. Chapter 13 in Ephraim's route is another good example—it has dozens of rivers, and Ross can cross them all. Fighters also cannot promote to Berserker, only to Warrior or Hero.

Second promotion choices

Warrior grants Ross bow access, +1 movement, +2 constitution, +3 defense, and +3 resistance. These are good bonuses. However, the promotion does not give Ross any speed, and low speed is his greatest issue. The constitution increase helps wield heavier axes, but Hero and Berserker give equal or greater speed. Also, access to bows is little more than a novelty. In practice, Ross has remarkably high strength and can simply use hand axes to attack from 2-range. Even in Hard Mode, he will be able to kill fliers without using a bow. Using a bow also leaves him susceptible to 1-range attacks on the enemy phase. A hand axe gives him 1-2 range instead, letting him counter both melee and ranged foes. Not to mention, E-rank bows is a horrible weapon rank, so even if there was a situation where bows would be useful, he can only use Iron Bows at base.

Hero is the other option if Ross promotes to Fighter. It grants no constitution bonus, but gives +2 speed, a C-rank in swords, and comparable defensive bonuses. The sword rank is not very useful, but is more so than an E-rank in bows. Swords are lighter than axes, so Ross can wield them without penalties. This can sometimes make a difference between doubling and not doubling. That said, they have no 1-2 range options, and having 1-2 range is important in The Sacred Stones. For that reason, Ross will use axes most of the time. +2 speed from Hero is better than Warrior's constitution bonus because it is more universal. It gives him +2 AS over his unpromoted self when wielding any weapon, while a constitution bonus only equals that +2 bonus for heavier weapons. Hero does have a lower strength cap than Warrior, but this is only relevant in the very late-game, and Ross will not have issues killing even when he does reach the cap. This makes Hero a more appealing promotion choice compared to Warrior.

Berserker is an option if Ross promotes to Pirate. It grants Ross +1 speed (tying it with the Hero when paired with Pirate's +1 speed) and +3 constitution, an incredible attack speed increase. It also allows Ross to walk on mountains, letting him fight a group of enemies with a +30 avoid bonus (though non-flying enemies on mountains will also have this bonus). Berserkers also have an innate +15 crit chance bonus, compensating for when Ross misses or cannot double. These combined advantages make Berserker the most appealing final class for Ross. It grants him the highest attack speed increase, the greatest offensive potential, and the most bonus utility. The only other unit that can walk on mountains is Dozla, giving him a useful niche.

Ross also has access to one more Journeyman promotion if he promoted to tier 2 Journeyman, but it leaves Ross with 8 constitution, so even Warrior will have equal or greater attack speed (unless using the Hatchet). It does possess +15 critical, but being able to double is always more important, and Berserker also has the crit bonus, but with better constitution, the ability to traverse terrain, and a higher strength cap.

Summary

Overall, Ross starts very weak and requires catching up for many chapters. That said, his high availability and accurate 1-2 range weapon make training him not impossible. He has massive speed issues that can be a problem for most of the game. Fixing them requires several promotions and some luck with growths. However, once Ross starts doubling, his combat becomes good. He has unique utility as a Pirate thanks to water-walking and as a Berserker—thanks to mountain-walking. Around his second promotion, he becomes an incredible combat unit. Axes are among the best weapon types in the game, thanks to 1-2 range access. They also have a weapon triangle advantage against lances, a common enemy weapon type.

If Ross does not receive sufficient training and investment to fix his issues, he will not add much to the army at any point. If he does receive the attention he needs, he offers utility and great combat.

Fire Emblem Engage

Role

Ross appears as an equippable Bond Ring. He can be summoned using Eirika's Emblem Ring.

Bond Ring data

Stat modifiers Ring level HP Str Lck C +2 +0 +0 B +2 +1 +0 A +2 +1 +1 S +5 +1 +1

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Ross is one of the characters added to the game in the Marvelous Dream update, and became available for summoning by players on November 7, 2019. Only one variation of Ross is currently available in Heroes, based on his The Sacred Stones incarnation.

Ross: His Father's Son

Starting stats

★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 15/16/17 Attack 6/7/8 Speed 5/6/7 Defense 2/3/4 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 40/43/46 Attack 31/34/37 Speed 24/27/30 Defense 25/28/31 Resistance 18/21/24 {{{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 15/16/17 Attack 7/8/9 Speed 6/7/8 Defense 2/3/4 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 41/44/48 Attack 33/36/40 Speed 26/29/32 Defense 26/29/32 Resistance 19/22/25 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Brave Axe Smite --

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 7/8/9 Speed 6/7/8 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 4/5/6 Maximum HP 44/47/51 Attack 35/38/42 Speed 28/31/34 Defense 29/32/35 Resistance 21/24/28 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Brave Axe+ Smite --

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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
	Father's-Son Axe	★★★★★	—	400
	Smite	★★★	★★★★	150
A	Fire Boost 1	★★★	—	50
A	Fire Boost 2	★★★	—	100
A	Fire Boost 3	★★★★	—	200
C	Threaten Def 1	★★★	—	50
C	Threaten Def 2	★★★★	—	100
C	Threaten Def 3	★★★★★	—	200

Personality

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Ross is very confident in his abilities as a fighter, but in the beginning of the game he is quite weak. Only a child, he believes that he is a warrior like his father. He shows that he is very determined to fight and become strong. Ross is very enthusiastic about being a warrior and is also quite friendly to others in the party, such as Amelia or Ewan. He looks up to his father Garcia and is eager to learn.

Ross's father Garcia is a retired war hero of Renais. He fought in the military and was well known throughout the country, but when his wife died of illness, he realized what he had lost – his family. He went back to care for Ross. Ross dislikes that his father decided to stop being a warrior, but still respects him for his skill. In his B support conversation with Lute, he says that his mother knew some magic.

Supports

Main article: Ross/Supports

Ross Journeyman Garcia Fighter Initial: 35 Per turn:+4 Amelia Recruit Initial: 5 Per turn:+2 Gerik Mercenary Initial: 0 Per turn:+3 [[{{{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:+ Lute Mage Initial: 5 Per turn:+2 Ewan Pupil Initial: 5 Per turn:+3 [[{{{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

Ross, His Father's Son
He returned to Ide, village of his youth, and helped rebuild it after the bandit attack that brought it to ruin. Years later, he set out on his own to perfect his fighting skill and hone both body and spirit.

Garcia and Ross
Father and son returned to Ide, where they toiled together to rebuild their village. Ross grew to become a greater warrior than even his father. When he himself had a son, that child continued his family's legacy.

Ross and Amelia
Amelia traveled to Ross's hometown, where she decided to remain. Over time, the two fell in love and were wed. Years later they had a son who grew into a warrior. As he grew in skill and strength, he surpassed even his father.

Quotes

Death quote

Battle quotes

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

Heroes quotes

Main article: Ross/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Ross's official artwork from The Sacred Stones can be viewed in Path of Radiance's extras menu if a copy of The Sacred Stones is connected to a copy of Path of Radiance.

Fire Emblem Cipher

Ross is featured on two cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Ross
	His Father's Son, Ross
		"Have you seen me fight? I'm not a child anymore. I'm a warrior, like you."
		Attack: 60	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Warrior		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		The Village's Finest Fighter: [Always] This unit gains +10 attack. Sword-Smashing Axe: [Always] This unit gains +10 attack. ( This skill becomes active while this unit's stack is at least 5)
	Card #B11-010HN • Artist: Nekohayashi
	Son of Garcia, Ross
		"You're a warrior, Dad, and I am your son. I won't be beaten so easily."
		Attack: 30	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Journeyman		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Aspirational Back: [Trigger] [] At the start of your turn, you may pay the cost, and if you do: Choose a "Ross" card in your deck with a Deployment Cost of 2 or less, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Shuffle your deck afterwards. Tempered Emblem: [Support] If your defending unit is destroyed, at the end of combat, you may add this card to your hand instead of placing it in your Retreat Area.
	Card #B11-011N • Artist: Nekohayashi
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Ross .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Ross: His Father's Son
Hailing from the village of Ide in Renais, Ross is a rookie warrior who's ready to take on the world!	Ross is the son of Garcia, who was once a commander in the Renais military, and he wants to be a celebrated warrior, just like his dad.	However, Garcia cut his military career short to spend more time with his family, realizing all too late that he never quite spent enough time with them. Fearing for his son's safety, he began to avoid conflict. But when war came to the village, it was some encouraging words from Ross that stirred the old fighting spirit in him once more!	Ross joined Eirika's army in their battle against Grado, and he continued to grow into a warrior in his own right. He might be an even stronger warrior than his dad one day!
Closely Associated Characters
Garcia Amelia Lute {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Ross's father. A former commander in the Renais army, but left after his wife passed away. When Ide Village was attacked by bandits, Ross's intervention spurred him into picking up his axe once more. A young soldier from a small village in Grado. She is honest and sincere. She has a friendly rivalry with Ross. A young mage of Renais with an unusual temperament. Confident in her abilities. Remains convinced that Ross's name is "Son-of-warrior-garcia-ross." {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

127

Ross The Sacred Stones

2,234

CYL 2 (2018)

116 (−11)

Ross The Sacred Stones

2,205 (−29)

CYL 3 (2019)

128 (+6)

Ross The Sacred Stones

2,014 (−191)

CYL 4 (2020)

417 (+236)

Ross The Sacred Stones

286 (−1,728)

CYL 5 (2021)

532 (+115)

Ross The Sacred Stones

115 (−171)

CYL 6 (2022)

411 (−123)

Ross The Sacred Stones

194 (+79)

CYL 7 (2023)

475 (+64)

Ross The Sacred Stones

105 (−89)

CYL 8 (2024)

412 (−63)

Ross The Sacred Stones

127 (+22)

CYL 9 (2025)

448 (+36)

Ross The Sacred Stones

93 (−34)

Total results		This character has 9 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	7,373

Trivia

• Ross is the only character in the game who can use one of three items to promote; if the player chooses to make him a Fighter, he requires a Hero Crest, but if the player decides to make him a Pirate, he requires an Ocean Seal. Regardless a Master Seal can promote him.
• In the prototype Ross could promote to Brigand instead of Pirate.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Journeyman Fighter Pirate Hero Warrior Berserker Basic axe Ranged axe Basic axe Ranged axe Basic axe Ranged axe Sword Axe Basic axe Ranged axe Bow Basic axe Ranged axe

Official artwork

• 

  Artwork of Ross from The Sacred Stones.

Battle animations

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  Ross attacking with an axe as a Journeyman in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross performing a critical hit with an axe as a Journeyman in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with a ranged axe as a Journeyman in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross performing a critical hit with a ranged axe as a Journeyman in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with an axe as a Fighter in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross performing a critical hit with an axe as a Fighter in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with an axe as a Pirate in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with a sword as a Hero in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross performing a critical hit with a sword as a Fighter in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with an axe as a Hero in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with an axe as a Warrior in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross performing a critical hit with an axe as a Warrior in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with an bow as a Warrior in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross performing a critical hit with a bow as a Warrior in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with an axe as a Berserker in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross performing a critical hit with an axe as a Berserker in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross attacking with a ranged axe as a Berserker in The Sacred Stones.

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  Ross performing a critical hit with a ranged axe as a Berserker in The Sacred Stones.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 

  Artwork of Ross: His Father's Son.

• 

  Artwork of Ross: His Father's Son.

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  Artwork of Ross: His Father's Son.

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  Artwork of Ross: His Father's Son.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 

  Artwork of Ross: His Father's Son.

• 

  Artwork of Ross: His Father's Son.

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  Artwork of Ross: His Father's Son.

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  Artwork of Ross: His Father's Son.

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  Ross in artwork of Vanessa: Dutiful Rider.

Cipher artwork

• 

  Artwork of Ross.

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  Artwork of Ross.

References

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