Janius

On my first playthrough I managed to survive until Cog of Destiny (Linus). I rarely restarted when I lost units because I just wanted to get on with the story. I don't think I've recruited any enemy units that playthrough (not permanently at least). Guy and Raven died at least. Never recruited Priscilla or even encountered Canas either. So I ended up with only 8 units left: the lords, Marcus, Pent, Louise, Karel and Dart. Dart was still at base, so he was basically destined to die that chapter. The lords were still unpromoted, because it was only then that I realised that I could use the Heaven Seals on Lyn and Hector. I didn't know I could that in the battle preparations, so I'd always waste the first turn promoting them. I relied mostly on Marcus that chapter. I believe he was level 15. Lyn and Hector were decent I guess, I don't really remember. Karel would end up dying a number of times. Pent was good, but of course he left whenever Louise died, and I'd be screwed. Eliwood was actually incredibly amazing for a level 15 unpromoted lord, although that might have something to do with having bias towards him (he got the Afa Drops and probably a number of stat boosters. I think he actually performed better than Lyn and Hector that chapter (both at 20/1). I don't know how many times I've attempted, but during the most fruitful attempts, things would go smoothly until Vaida would show up. Even if Eliwood managed to recruit her, he'd eventually fall against the wyvern riders. So I eventually gave up, until I got stuck at the final chapter on my 2nd playthough because of goddamn Lloyd and Linus. I don't remember if I did another playthrough or eventually managed to win through another strategy.