Swordsalmon vs Mekkah

[Mekkah]

SS is opening

[Swordsalmon]

Let's have a good debate. Good-luck, Mekkah. :)

Alright, Kein Vs Hicks. On the story, Hicks is a knight of Manster who joins Leaf's army after they rescue his son, Maphy. Hicks also was able to hide an entire village's children from the Lopt Sect, which is pretty awesome. Kein is just some random knight. He doesn't even get any speaking lines other than death and escape quotes. Hicks is far more interesting.

When Hicks joins, he's immediately pretty good. A comparison with the other fighting characters at Hicks' joining.

Hicks level 6 w/ Pole Axe

HP: 30

Atk: 22

Hit: 78%

AS: 3

Def: 8

Mag: 0

Avoid: 12%

Brighton level 9 w/ Steel Axe

HP: 31

Atk: 20

Hit: 72%

AS: 4

Def: 7

Mag: 0

Avoid: 11%

Felgus level 6 w/ Steel Sword

HP: 29

Atk: 16

Hit: 91%

AS: 6

Def: 6

Mag: 0

Avoid: 20%

Machuya level 5 w/ Short Sword

HP: 26

Atk: 11

Hit: 106%

AS: 11

Def: 5

Mag: 1

Avoid: 29%

Dalshien level 7 w/ Battle Axe

HP: 30

Atk: 23

Hit: 69%

AS: 3

Def: 11

Mag: 0

Avoid: 7%

Rifis and Lara are doing their theif stuff, Nanna is healing, Karin is likely transporting the Theives and Dalshien to the exit, then Leaf to the villages.

Felgus and Machuya do have a lead on Hicks stat-wise. However, he comes with a Pole Axe. The most numerous and dangerous enemies in this chapter are Lance Knights. Hicks one-shots all of them. The next chapter, he can also one-shot Eisenhow and make the chapter considerably easier. Hicks is doing pretty well.

Onwards to where Kein joins, Chapter 9.

Hicks level 11 w/ Steel Axe

HP: 34

Atk: 22

Hit: 80% (103% Leadership, Charisma, Leaf support)

AS: 7

Def: 10

Mag: 0

Avoid: 23% (43% Leadership, Charisma Leaf support)

Kein level 2 w/ Iron Lance

HP: 26

Atk: 14

Hit: 81% (94% Leadership, Selphina support)

AS: 7

Def: 6

Mag: 0

Avoid: 15% (28% Leadership, Selphina support)

Hicks is actually making use of Charisma this chapter, since Selphina's brigade is the entire length away from the starting position. Hicks is destroying Kein everywhere; 8 HP, 8 Atk, 4 Defense, and 8% Avoid. Kein wins only in 1% Hit, and that's nulified with Charisma. Hicks' HP lead also allows him to fight more enemies and in more chapters.

A later comparison at Chapter 13, an Escape chapter.

Hicks, level 16 w/ Steel Axe

HP: 38

Atk: 24

Hit: 87% (103% w/ Leadership, Leaf support)

AS: 8

Def: 11

Mag: 1

Avoid: 28% (44% w/ Leadership, Leaf support)

Kein, level 8 w/ Steel Lance

HP: 31

Atk: 20

Hit: 83% (89 w/ Leadership)

AS: 6

Def: 8

Mag: 0

Avoid: 18 (24% w/ Leadership)

Kein is catching up, but Hicks is still doing quite better. More AS and offense is nice, and Hicks’ defensive leads are considerably better.

Now after these two rather bland stat comparisons, some other notes. Hicks has several notable advantages over Kein besides stats.

Hicks is an Axe Knight, while Kein is a Lance Knight. Hicks gets WTA over the Lance enemies, which are the most common in the game. He can also use the Brave Axe immediately and Silvers fairly soon due to a C in Axes. Every Axe is available without AS loss at level 20/3. Kein loses AS from Steel Lance until level 17, and Great Lances until level 20/6. Hicks has the better class and weapons.

Hicks has much more utility than Kein. Chapters 6 and 7 are considerably easier with Hicks and his Pole Axe. Chapter 6 has tons of reinforcement Cavaliers as mentioned earlier. Eisenhow is one-rounded in Chapter 7, so all his reinforcements will not arrive. This is a huge benefit, as then all the other characters can concentrate on recruiting Shiva. Kein joins 4 chapters after Hicks with a large level disadvantage.

Support-wise, neither are too great. However, Leaf is supporting Hicks, while Selphina supports Kein. Leaf is of course, always being used, so Hicks is receiving bonuses every chapter. Selphina is a rather mediocre character and is unlikely to be used. Of course, she joins in Chapter 9, so Kein receives bonuses at least that chapter.

With Hicks’ level lead comes a promotion advantage. He joins at a fairly high level, which means Hicks can promote at a reasonable time. Of course Fin, Othin, Halvan, and Rifis all get one before that, but Hicks gets the fifth Knights Proof. He promotes at about Chapter 15.

Kein, being underleveled, has much more competition for a Knights Proof. Other good characters like Machuya, Felgus, Carrion, and the Myrmidons all have a good chance of getting one. As such, Kein is promoting far later, most likely around Chapter 20 at earliest.

Hicks>Kein

Sorry that it's a bit short. :(

[Mekkah]

Sorry that it's a bit short.

nonono, short is good.

Alright, Kein Vs Hicks. On the story, Hicks is a knight of Manster who joins Leaf's army after they rescue his son, Maphy. Hicks also was able to hide an entire village's children from the Lopt Sect, which is pretty awesome. Kein is just some random knight. He doesn't even get any speaking lines other than death and escape quotes. Hicks is far more interesting.

Hicks rescues an entire village, but forgets to look after his son? Good father he is. Kein is some kind of underground rebel, now that's kind of cool.

When Hicks joins, he's immediately pretty good. A comparison with the other fighting characters at Hicks' joining.

Lol, you compared them with their joining weapons (except Fergus, since he didn't conceal a blade within his doublet before being jailed), but with a vendor and an armory in this chapter, as well as trade being as accessible as it is in this game (you get to trade with everyone around you as often as you want), there is no reason why they should stick with that. Anyway, I'll just note that Hicks has some pretty fail Spd right here. As much as base level Leaf, but a lot of chapters later, and 5 levels higher. Using that Halberd brings it down to Dalshien level, who has the lowest Spd in the game.

I would also venture a guess at these units having higher levels. Fergus only gains 3 levels during 4, 4x and 5, when he's one of your, if not your best fighter?

However, he comes with a Pole Axe. The most numerous and dangerous enemies in this chapter are Lance Knights. Hicks one-shots all of them. The next chapter, he can also one-shot Eisenhow and make the chapter considerably easier. Hicks is doing pretty well.

The Lance Knights come on turn 13. If you haven't already packed up and left by then, you should now, since Galzus comes on turn 15. To say Galzus rips your entire army a new one would be like saying getting kicked in the groin feels just a tad unpleasant. And you can't take any risks with him, since he has 5 movement stars (25% chance of moving again).

So yeah, it's quite worthless to be bragging about that here.

The next chapter, he can also one-shot Eisenhow and make the chapter considerably easier. Hicks is doing pretty well.

Last time I checked, he leaves Eisenhower with some HP, though not much. Though note that he comes with 3 Cav reinforcements with Rapier, which will have massive Hit rates on him, and 2HKO him due to FE5's broken effective weapon formula. And if he jumps off his horse, he can no longer use Halberd.

And if you kill Eisenhower, you can't steal all those pretty Rapiers with Lifis (your army loves using Rapiers - light, but extremely effective against the tons of Armors this game throws at you), and there's some Bishops with Physic and Meteors.

So Hicks is nothing special when he's around and Kein is.

Onwards to where Kein joins, Chapter 9.

How did Hicks grow five levels in three chapters?

I see you're comparing their parameters, but conveniently forget that Kein is facing different enemies. He faces Archers, Soldiers, Knights and maybe one or two stray Dragon Knights, though those should be lured away with your main group, or else Robert/Selfina get killed (and Selfina in particular should survive, since you need Carrion to talk to her for Elite Sword, she holds a Knight Proof, and she needs to talk to Glade for the Brave Bow).

Your main group is copping with those Dragon Knights, including that bastard boss, as well as some more Knights and a Meteor Bishop.

Hicks is actually making use of Charisma this chapter

If Nanna is used and fielded that is. Stat-wise, Nanna is nothing to write home about, so this might not happen, but she does have supports/Earth Sword/Charisma/staves to make up for it. But either way, Nanna isn't always in play, and if she's in play, not always in range. And after this chapter, she is equally as likely to be in range for both of these.

If we're going to add factors that count for this chapter, count the escape arrow square Kein can stand on. Unless you're using Alva as well, I see no reason why he can't take it. 30% Avo + 10 Def + healing every turn? Yeah, Kein turns this comparison around. With all the troops he is facing, he may very well be gaining 3-4 levels here.

A later comparison at Chapter 13, an Escape chapter.

Funny how you picked this one, since Selphina is in it, so Kein gets his support again.

Kein grows one more level than Hicks in due time, while being six levels lower AND having an entire army to kill for himself? If we give Kein 2 levels for his army solo (rather generous if you ask me), he's L4, while Hicks can have 6 levels for Ch6-Ch9, putting him at L12 (this is at 1.5 levels per chapter, not counting 8x due to limited spots, as well as the fact that Hicks is prolly going to fatigue in one of those maps).

Then Kein grows like three times as fast, so if Hicks gets to be L16 in Ch13, Kein should be like L12 at least.

12 Kein with Iron Lance

19 atk, 94 hit, 10.5 AS | 29 avo, 33.5 hp, 9.5 def

16 Hicks with Iron Axe

19.5 atk, 96.5 hit, 8 AS | 27.5 avo, 38 hp, 11 def

Kein wins offense, since 2.5 AS is a lead that actually matters. Also, Hicks only wins .5 atk outdoors. Indoors, they both have to use Iron Sword, but Hicks loses 2 more Atk with that.

Defensively, Hicks is a winner for nao, though not by as much as you'd think, due to Hicks getting doubled occasionally (takes 12 AS to double him, while it takes 14-15 to double Kein).

Then, their promo bonuses are the same. Kein grows faster due to lower level, and he has a growth advantage (5% more Spd, 5% more Def and, most importantly, 20% more Str, which outweighs Hicks' 5% HP and 5% Luk). So the future is looking bright for Kein.

Hicks is an Axe Knight, while Kein is a Lance Knight. Hicks gets WTA over the Lance enemies, which are the most common in the game. He can also use the Brave Axe immediately and Silvers fairly soon due to a C in Axes. Every Axe is available without AS loss at level 20/3. Kein loses AS from Steel Lance until level 17, and Great Lances until level 20/6. Hicks has the better class and weapons.

Most of the game you'll be using Iron and other light weapons, since heavy weapons are held by heavy enemies (capturing an Armor is a lot harder than capturing a Soldier), and obviously your thieves won't have enough Bld to nick something like a Great Lance. For WTA, lol at 5%. WT sucks in this game. Their classes are also the same when they go indoors. Hicks wins by 5% against lance users, but Kein wins by 10% against Sword users. Against axe users, they can both dismount and gain 5%.

Hicks has much more utility than Kein. Chapters 6 and 7 are considerably easier with Hicks and his Pole Axe. Chapter 6 has tons of reinforcement Cavaliers as mentioned earlier. Eisenhow is one-rounded in Chapter 7, so all his reinforcements will not arrive. This is a huge benefit, as then all the other characters can concentrate on recruiting Shiva. Kein joins 4 chapters after Hicks with a large level disadvantage.

This is a repeat of what was said earlier, so I will just bring up something new. Hicks ain't getting credit for the Pole Axe (or Halberd). He joins with it, but to use it, I just have to visit his village. It isn't his Prf weapon either, since Dalshien and Bryton can use it as well, and after 2 chapters, I get Othin and Halvan back. This goes for every other weapon Hicks can use: yeah, great that he can use them, but others want to use them as well. Lance users have far less competition for this, since no one can use lances indoors (except promoted Dalshien and Xavier, but the former starts with an E, and the latter joins superlate), and Karin can't lift a paper lance without losing AS, while Dean can use Dragon Lance every map he gets to without it ever running out. That leaves Fin, who has the Brave Lance, and such a huge level lead that he rapes with Iron anyway.

Support-wise, neither are too great. However, Leaf is supporting Hicks, while Selphina supports Kein. Leaf is of course, always being used, so Hicks is receiving bonuses every chapter. Selphina is a rather mediocre character and is unlikely to be used. Of course, she joins in Chapter 9, so Kein receives bonuses at least that chapter.

Leaf is supporting 13 other units though (not counting Eyvel and Ronan), and has way less move than Hicks does outdoors, so he will not be in range as often as you'd want him to. And he's not very flexible, since he spends half of the game at 20/0, where it's preferable to not see combat at all, and his defensive parameters are nothing special.

With Hicks’ level lead comes a promotion advantage. He joins at a fairly high level, which means Hicks can promote at a reasonable time. Of course Fin, Othin, Halvan, and Rifis all get one before that, but Hicks gets the fifth Knights Proof. He promotes at about Chapter 15.

Maybe if this were FE9/FE10 where you autopromote at 21. Knight Proofs are scarce in this game. By Ch15, you have nine, maybe less if you missed the second one in 12x, or some other. There's many, many more waiting for one of those things, and lots of them have a level advantage over Hicks, whether it be during a level lead they had to begin with, or superior offense allowing them to get more kills (see: Shiva).

Then, you may want to promote earlier than 20. Since most people cap important stats somewhere down the line anyway, it doesn't make much of a difference for your final stats whether you promote at 15 or at 20. At 15/0, your growth slows down massively anyway, so you may as well just grab all your nice promo bonuses and perhaps extra skills.

With Saphy, Halvan, Othin, Brighton, Shiva, Lifis, Machua, Fergus, Karin, Dalshien, Asvel, Homer and lots of others all wanting a Knight Proof around Ch15, I see no reason why Hicks is privileged to one. If he's getting one, he's making others wait, which phails. If he gets to have one, then Kein gets to have one as well.

Assuming they both patiently wait for a Knight Proof...

20/1 Kein

Iron Lance - 25.5 atk, 104.4 hit, 15.3 AS | 42.6 avo, 39.5 hp, 14.3 def

Steel Lance - 28.5 atk, 99.4 hit, 15.3 AS

20/1 Hicks

Iron Axe - 22.9 atk, 107.9 hit, 11.2 AS | 36.1 avo, 41.2 hp, 14.2 def

Steel Axe - 26.9 atk, 97.9 hit, 11.2 AS

Hicks loses both Atk and AS, which may as well be waving the white flag when it comes to offense. Defensively, it's closer, basically 6.5 avo vs 1.6 hp. Nowhere near the big victory Kein has for offense. Leaf support evens things up a bit, but doesn't make Kein's huge offense lead go away. Oh, and Hicks may still get doubled (14-15 AS is what bosses tend to have, while nothing really makes it to 19 AS).

[Swordsalmon]

nonono, short is good.

Okay, thanks. :)

Hicks rescues an entire village, but forgets to look after his son? Good father he is. Kein is some kind of underground rebel, now that's kind of cool.

Pfft, Hicks sent Maphy there to liberate the children. Because Hicks is so awesome, Maphy is also awesome Contrary to what Leaf though, Maphy was guarding those children.

Underground rebels are typically cool, but let's look at the facts. It's less of a group and more of a band of five mediocre cavalry. And further proof of how lame the rebels Kein is with, let's look at this guy. Roberto, the single biggest loser in all of Fire Emblem, is a member of the underground rebels.

Now, Hicks was a knight of Manster. this guy. Brighton is one of the coolest characters in the game. Also, the Magi Group>Selphina's Phailures.

Lol, you compared them with their joining weapons (except Fergus, since he didn't conceal a blade within his doublet before being jailed), but with a vendor and an armory in this chapter, as well as trade being as accessible as it is in this game (you get to trade with everyone around you as often as you want), there is no reason why they should stick with that. Anyway, I'll just note that Hicks has some pretty fail Spd right here. As much as base level Leaf, but a lot of chapters later, and 5 levels higher. Using that Halberd brings it down to Dalshien level, who has the lowest Spd in the game.

I would also venture a guess at these units having higher levels. Fergus only gains 3 levels during 4, 4x and 5, when he's one of your, if not your best fighter?

How much money is going to be had at this point in the game? Unless you're packing Leaf and Rifis with the stat-boosters before getting captured, Leaf is broke. Though if we're going your way and buying items, Hicks gets and Iron or Steel Axe and is suddenly doubling the Loldiers and Armor Knights. His AS is only mediocre with the Pole Axe, but that doesn't matter when he's one-shotting the Cavaliers.

You have seven characters that are regularly fighting in those three chapters, nine to give Lara and Nanna some kills so they don't suck later on. It's doubtful that several levels will be gained. Also, with the exception of Chapter 5, the other chapters have few enemies. Chapter 4 has a few Loldiers and that division near the Escape point. Chapter 4x is similar, but with less Loldiers and Sety destroying everyone.

The Lance Knights come on turn 13. If you haven't already packed up and left by then, you should now, since Galzus comes on turn 15. To say Galzus rips your entire army a new one would be like saying getting kicked in the groin feels just a tad unpleasant. And you can't take any risks with him, since he has 5 movement stars (25% chance of moving again).

So yeah, it's quite worthless to be bragging about that here.

The Lance Knights have two turns before Galzus appears, and are moving a total of 16 spaces. Galzus has 7 Movement; 14 if his stars activate. Hicks can kill one and run away, reducing the amount of enemies that would plague Karin while visiting the houses. And she's the only person that can visit the houses on the left. Otherwise, Truman will come in and go President on everyone's ass with his large Armor Knight division and his own Defense. There's plenty of time to kill a few Lance Knights then escape before Galzus gets to attack.

Last time I checked, he leaves Eisenhower with some HP, though not much. Though note that he comes with 3 Cav reinforcements with Rapier, which will have massive Hit rates on him, and 2HKO him due to FE5's broken effective weapon formula. And if he jumps off his horse, he can no longer use Halberd.

And if you kill Eisenhower, you can't steal all those pretty Rapiers with Lifis (your army loves using Rapiers - light, but extremely effective against the tons of Armors this game throws at you), and there's some Bishops with Physic and Meteors.

So Hicks is nothing special when he's around and Kein is.

Eisenhow has about 32 HP or so, probably less. I'm pretty sure Hicks can one-shot him. :/

Some convience for later chapters isn't worth the risk of having three Rapier Cavaliers and two Meteor Bishops come and kill your characters every turn. Already Brighton, Dalshien, Nanna, and Hicks are weak against Rapiers, and it's unlikely that Rifis and Lara are able to steal all those Rapiers while recruiting Shiva. The turn Eisenhow enters, three Cavaliers and two Bishops appear with him, so if you really want the Rapiers and such, take those and kill Eisenhow with Hicks. Everyone wins. ^_^

Kein isn't special when he joins. On the contrary, he's just an underleveled Lance Knight.

How did Hicks grow five levels in three chapters?

I see you're comparing their parameters, but conveniently forget that Kein is facing different enemies. He faces Archers, Soldiers, Knights and maybe one or two stray Dragon Knights, though those should be lured away with your main group, or else Robert/Selfina get killed (and Selfina in particular should survive, since you need Carrion to talk to her for Elite Sword, she holds a Knight Proof, and she needs to talk to Glade for the Brave Bow).

Your main group is copping with those Dragon Knights, including that bastard boss, as well as some more Knights and a Meteor Bishop.

Killing Lance Knights in his join, killing Eisenhow the next chapter, then the next two are filled with Bandits.

Not necessarily. While the Dragon Knights usually target Leaf's army, the two on the boss' left charge Selphina's position. So Hicks and company fight the boss and two Dragon Knights, while Kein and company fight the other two Dragon Knights. The Dragon Knights aren't even much of a threat to Selphina; she has a Killer Bow and Charge.

Why are the Armor Knights and Meteor Bishop being fought right then? The fastest route to the Escape position is overheard through the forest. There's also the Fala scroll nearby, so that's another reason to avoid the enemies. And even if the route taken is through the Armor Knights and Bishop, Hicks gets more combat than Kein does on those Loldiers and Archers.

If Nanna is used and fielded that is. Stat-wise, Nanna is nothing to write home about, so this might not happen, but she does have supports/Earth Sword/Charisma/staves to make up for it. But either way, Nanna isn't always in play, and if she's in play, not always in range. And after this chapter, she is equally as likely to be in range for both of these.

If we're going to add factors that count for this chapter, count the escape arrow square Kein can stand on. Unless you're using Alva as well, I see no reason why he can't take it. 30% Avo + 10 Def + healing every turn? Yeah, Kein turns this comparison around. With all the troops he is facing, he may very well be gaining 3-4 levels here.

Saphy suffers Fatigue very quickly. At level 12, Saphy can heal only 17 times. Because Nanna will be Fatigued after Chapter 7, Saphy will heal for Chapters 8 and 8x. Nanna has to take Saphy's place for at least Chapter 9.

Using the Escape position will actually cause Kein to gain less EXP. The bonuses are indeed great, but then Kein has to wait on that space while the enemies trudge their way up to him. By that time, Leaf's army could of united with Saphy's characters and clear the enemies.

Funny how you picked this one, since Selphina is in it, so Kein gets his support again.

Kein grows one more level than Hicks in due time, while being six levels lower AND having an entire army to kill for himself? If we give Kein 2 levels for his army solo (rather generous if you ask me), he's L4, while Hicks can have 6 levels for Ch6-Ch9, putting him at L12 (this is at 1.5 levels per chapter, not counting 8x due to limited spots, as well as the fact that Hicks is prolly going to fatigue in one of those maps).

Then Kein grows like three times as fast, so if Hicks gets to be L16 in Ch13, Kein should be like L12 at least.

12 Kein with Iron Lance

19 atk, 94 hit, 10.5 AS | 29 avo, 33.5 hp, 9.5 def

16 Hicks with Iron Axe

19.5 atk, 96.5 hit, 8 AS | 27.5 avo, 38 hp, 11 def

Kein wins offense, since 2.5 AS is a lead that actually matters. Also, Hicks only wins .5 atk outdoors. Indoors, they both have to use Iron Sword, but Hicks loses 2 more Atk with that.

Defensively, Hicks is a winner for nao, though not by as much as you'd think, due to Hicks getting doubled occasionally (takes 12 AS to double him, while it takes 14-15 to double Kein).

Then, their promo bonuses are the same. Kein grows faster due to lower level, and he has a growth advantage (5% more Spd, 5% more Def and, most importantly, 20% more Str, which outweighs Hicks' 5% HP and 5% Luk). So the future is looking bright for Kein.

I considered that before posting. However, is it worth obtaining the Brave Bow? Only 8 characters can be fielded in that chapter, including Leaf. Bow users in FE5 are fairly terrible, and the only character that makes decent use of the Brave Bow is Xavier, who joins very late. Fielding a mediocre character just to get a shiny Bow is completely pointless and a detriment.

Kein is not doing the army solo. Even if he is, he'll become Fatigued faster and will have to wait out a chapter. As such, Kein will still be at the same level if he did not do the army solo and fight for more chapters.

Ten levels in four chapters is ridiculous, even with his level disadvantage. Especially since the chapters he's in at the time are followed.

Chapter 9:

Several enemies.

Chapter 10:

Tons of Armor Knights. A typical Armor Knight has 12 Defense. Level 5 Kein w/ Iron Lance (That's even being extremely generous) deals only 8 damage a round. Level 11 Hicks w/ Iron Axe deals 12 damage a round; 20 w/ Steel Axe. That's assuming Hicks didn't get a level-up in Kein's joining chapter, too.

Chapter 11:

More Armor Knights and some Archers at the beginning of the chapter.

Chapter 11x:

No reason to bring Kein or Hicks; there's virtually no enemies within attack range of either character.

Chapter 12:

Bandits. Kein and Hicks will get a few level-ups here.

Chapter 12x:

Again, virtually no enemies. The Dancers can't be attacked, the Theives run away soon, and neither can attack the Archers. There's a few Myrmidons to fight, and that's it.

Chapter 13: More Armor Knights and a few Bow Knights. These Knights have about 14 Defense. Level 8 Kein w/ Iron Lance deals 6 damage a round, 12 w/ Steel Lance. The latter only applies to the Armor Knights with 2 or less AS, and many are at 3. Level 16 Hicks w/ Iron Axe deals 12 damage a round, 18 w/ Steel Axe, 42 w/ Hammer. Because Hicks isn't losing AS from any weapon except Devil Axe, he's doubling all the Armor Knights with the rare exception of those with 5 AS.

In these chapters, Kein isn't reliably killing most enemies, since the majority are Armor Knights. He's unlikely to gain more than 6, maybe 8 levels at most. Hicks, on the other hand, is dealing more damage a round and will be killing more reliably.

Most of the game you'll be using Iron and other light weapons, since heavy weapons are held by heavy enemies (capturing an Armor is a lot harder than capturing a Soldier), and obviously your thieves won't have enough Bld to nick something like a Great Lance. For WTA, lol at 5%. WT sucks in this game. Their classes are also the same when they go indoors. Hicks wins by 5% against lance users, but Kein wins by 10% against Sword users. Against axe users, they can both dismount and gain 5%.

Many enemies by Chapter 14 are carrying more powerful weapons like Great Lances and Steel Axes, even the lower enemies like Loldiers. I'll concede this point, but the amount of stronger weapons tend to accumulate by Chapter 14. Especially in Chapter 18, where using Tina's Theif staff is extremely useful in preventing Xavier and his cronies from attacking.

This is a repeat of what was said earlier, so I will just bring up something new. Hicks ain't getting credit for the Pole Axe (or Halberd). He joins with it, but to use it, I just have to visit his village. It isn't his Prf weapon either, since Dalshien and Bryton can use it as well, and after 2 chapters, I get Othin and Halvan back. This goes for every other weapon Hicks can use: yeah, great that he can use them, but others want to use them as well. Lance users have far less competition for this, since no one can use lances indoors (except promoted Dalshien and Xavier, but the former starts with an E, and the latter joins superlate), and Karin can't lift a paper lance without losing AS, while Dean can use Dragon Lance every map he gets to without it ever running out. That leaves Fin, who has the Brave Lance, and such a huge level lead that he rapes with Iron anyway.

However, to have anyone use the Pole Axe, Hicks must be recruited.

Except outdoors, there's massive competition for Lances. Karin needs a weapon to defend herself while doing flier utility, Carrion, Alva, Fred, Glade, and later Misha and Conomore all use Lances.

Leaf is supporting 13 other units though (not counting Eyvel and Ronan), and has way less move than Hicks does outdoors, so he will not be in range as often as you'd want him to. And he's not very flexible, since he spends half of the game at 20/0, where it's preferable to not see combat at all, and his defensive parameters are nothing special.

Leaf is regularly supporting only 8 of those characters, 10 when Tina and Sara are used for healing. His Movement is 6, while Hicks' is 8 unpromoted. Support range is three, so they'll be in range.

Nearly every chapter is Escape or Seize, both involving Leaf to run to a point. Even if he doesn't see combat, Leaf is forced to move to the enemies to complete chapters. Hicks' purpose if to fight and escape, both involving running to a point. Support problems aren't a problem.

Maybe if this were FE9/FE10 where you autopromote at 21. Knight Proofs are scarce in this game. By Ch15, you have nine, maybe less if you missed the second one in 12x, or some other. There's many, many more waiting for one of those things, and lots of them have a level advantage over Hicks, whether it be during a level lead they had to begin with, or superior offense allowing them to get more kills (see: Shiva).

Then, you may want to promote earlier than 20. Since most people cap important stats somewhere down the line anyway, it doesn't make much of a difference for your final stats whether you promote at 15 or at 20. At 15/0, your growth slows down massively anyway, so you may as well just grab all your nice promo bonuses and perhaps extra skills.

With Saphy, Halvan, Othin, Brighton, Shiva, Lifis, Machua, Fergus, Karin, Dalshien, Asvel, Homer and lots of others all wanting a Knight Proof around Ch15, I see no reason why Hicks is privileged to one. If he's getting one, he's making others wait, which phails. If he gets to have one, then Kein gets to have one as well.

Assuming they both patiently wait for a Knight Proof...

20/1 Kein

Iron Lance - 25.5 atk, 104.4 hit, 15.3 AS | 42.6 avo, 39.5 hp, 14.3 def

Steel Lance - 28.5 atk, 99.4 hit, 15.3 AS

20/1 Hicks

Iron Axe - 22.9 atk, 107.9 hit, 11.2 AS | 36.1 avo, 41.2 hp, 14.2 def

Steel Axe - 26.9 atk, 97.9 hit, 11.2 AS

Hicks loses both Atk and AS, which may as well be waving the white flag when it comes to offense. Defensively, it's closer, basically 6.5 avo vs 1.6 hp. Nowhere near the big victory Kein has for offense. Leaf support evens things up a bit, but doesn't make Kein's huge offense lead go away. Oh, and Hicks may still get doubled (14-15 AS is what bosses tend to have, while nothing really makes it to 19 AS).

Not always. Promoting at level 15 means losing five natural levels, and more as characters gain less EXP promoted. A couple more chapters of quick promotion bonuses and occasionally a skill isn't worth slowing down greatly and losing stats overall.

Fin, Othin, Halvan, Rifis, and Felgus are getting the first five Knight Proofs. Promoting Saphy is pointless early on, since she gets only a few stat bonuses and that's it. She's still unable to use Light magic unless Homeros isn't fielded, and that breaks into her healing. Brighton and Dalshien are fairly mediocre mid to late-game and might not be fielded after Manster, and Machuya is pretty much in the same area as Hicks and Kein. Homeros joins fairly late and underleveled, even though Elite is helping. Hicks is ramming level 20 before Karin and Shiva due to higher level and those Lance Knights, and gets the 6th Knight Proof. Even then, he'll promote at around Chapter 17.

Kein is underleveled. Having Karin, Shiva, or Asvel wait for a promotion longer just so Kein gets an earlier Proof is damaging. As such, Kein has to wait at level 20 until Chapter 22.

If Hicks promoted at Chapter 17 and Kein having to wait, a better comparison.

Hicks, level 20/6 w/ Iron Axe/Steel Axe

HP: 45

Atk: 25/29

Hit: 115/105% (125/115% w/ Leaf support)

AS: 13

Def: 16

Mag: 2

Avoid: 42% (52% w/ Leaf support)

Kein, level 20/1 w/ Iron Lance/Steel Lance

HP: 40

Atk: 26/29

Hit: 94/89%

AS: 15

Def: 14

Mag: 2

Avoid: 42%

So Kein has a minor offensive lead, but Hicks beats him defensively. Hicks can use the Brave Axe to beat Kein offensively, though. Also, Hicks has been able to participate in more chapters, while Kein is benched after ramming level 20.