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Analysis by raelet
Naesala - Sky's Shadow

Hero Stats

Max Avg Total Stats at Lvl 40
162
HP 39
ATK 32
SPD 38
DEF 24
RES 29

Stat Variations

Level 1 Stat Variation
5★
4★
3★
HP ATK SPD DEF RES
Low 16 7 9 4 6
Middle 17 8 10 5 7
High 18 9 11 6 8

Level 40 Stat Variations
5★
4★
3★
HP ATK SPD DEF RES
Low 35 29 35 21 25
Middle 39 32 38 24 29
High 42 35 41 28 32

IV Sets

Key stats worth increasing through nature if possible.
Complementary stats that matter, but not to the point of picking them over key stats for nature increase.
Relatively worthless stat that can safely be decreased through nature.
HPATKSPDDEFRES

This unit requires use of Trait Fruits to get access to IVs.

Skill Sets

Leanne’s Husband (Offensive Nuke)

Build by raelet
Recommended
Raven King Beak (+Eff) A Surge Sparrow
Alternate: Atk/Spd Boosting A Slot
Reposition B S/D Near Trace 3
Alternate: Dive-Bomb 3
Luna
Alternate: Moonbow
C Spd/Def Rein 3
Alternate: Spd Smoke 4
IVs

+ATK or +SPD / -HP or -RES

SAtk/Spd Solo 3
Alternate: Swift Sparrow 2

Show Explanation/Analysis

Weapon: Raven King Beak (+Eff)

Assist: Reposition / Flexible

Special: Luna / Moonbow

Passive A: Surge Sparrow / Atk/Spd Boosting A Slot

Passive B: S/D Near Trace / Dive-Bomb 

Passive C: Spd/Def Rein / Spd Smoke

Sacred Seal: Atk/Spd Solo / Swift Sparrow

  • Naesala's PRF weapon has patched up many of his poor combat stats, as well as giving him the additional utility of shutting down Follow-Up Denial, which was a major counter to his offensive skillsets in the past.
  • For a general Player Phase unit, Surge Sparrow works very nicely to keep him above a 75% HP threshold by allowing him to heal himself each time his Special is triggered. When paired with his Special Acceleration in his PRF, this allows Naesala to hit his opponents with harder-hitting Specials while also keeping him healthy.
  • The natural choice for a melee specialist build is Luna, which will activate on the second hit if Naesala is retaliated upon after he attacks in Player Phase. This allows him to heal up the damage from the retaliation while also firing off a potent Special. However, if you anticipate him initiating combat against ranged units who can't counter him, then Moonbow would be a better idea, as it still activates on the second hit if he's not retaliated against.
  • Both S/D Near Trace and Dive-Bomb are great options for B slots - Near Trace gives him more of a stat swing and post-combat movement utility, while Dive-Bomb keeps him safer when initiating - if using Dive Bomb, be sure to use Moonbow with it, as he will not be retaliated on!
  • Desperation can still work, but since being at the Desperation HP threshold removes one of the conditions of his Attack buff, you need to ensure that he's always transformed and initiating combat, or he'll lose his sizable +10 Atk/Spd buff from his PRF.
  • In order to keep up with the Speedcreep metagame, as well as get the most out of his PRF Naesala prefers a +SPD IV and to keep stacking Speed in his A and S slots, while debuffing his opponent's Speed in his C slot. This can allow him to double attack all but the fastest opponents and dodge doubles from the top-tier speedsters in the game.

Reyson's Ex (Galeforce)

Build by raelet
Raven King Beak (+Eff) A Atk/Spd Boosting A Slot
Positional Assist B S/D Near Trace 3
Galeforce C Spd/Def Rein 3
IVs

+ATK or +SPD / -HP or -RES

SBlade Session 3
Alternate: Atk/Spd Solo 3

Show Explanation/Analysis

Weapon: Raven King Beak(+EFF)

Assist: Reposition / Flexible

Special: Galeforce 

Passive A: Atk/Spd Boosting A Slot

Passive B: S/D Near Trace 

Passive C: Spd/Def Rein

Sacred Seal: Atk/Spd Solo / Blade Session / Quickened Pulse

  • Naesala's new refine to his Raven King Beak breathes life back into his Galeforce potential by giving him a much-needed +10 Attack stat boost, as well as Speed-based Special acceleration, which frees up his A or S slot to run more stat boosts, granting this build at least a +16 Attack increase from the previous iteration.
  • This is made even better by his PRF giving him +10 Speed, as well as Offensive Null Follow-Up, meaning that his opponents can no longer deny his doubles with their skills or PRFs.
  • Finally, Naesala doesn't have to worry about punching above his weight class with Attack-Creep, as his Special acceleration is based on his Speed. All in all, Galeforce Bird fans are eating very well tonight.
  • This build now shifts to relying heavily on his Speed, which can still be lacking compared to modern units - and so it's boosted with S/D Near Trace and Spd/Def Rein. A +SPD IV would not go remiss here either, as he needs to outspeed his foe enough to naturally double them, which can be tricky against modern speedsters.
  • With this build, Naesala needs to be retaliated on in order to activate Galeforce, which can be tricky, and so the option to give him Quickened Pulse is there. However, in a beast bird Galeforce composition, he'll usually be fighting Tibarn for that seal (if you aren't using either of their Pirate versions), and the additional offensive stats from a Seal slot are helpful, so concessions may need to be made.
  • Regardless, Naesala now more than earns his slot in an all-bird Galeforce team with allies like Tibarn and Reyson, who can transform with him and terrorize the skies.

Strengths

Raven King Beak and Refine

Naesala’s unique personal weapon, Raven King Beak, grants him additional damage based on his Speed, as well as up to Atk/Spd +10 when transformed or above 75% HP, in addition to its native Spd +3 and transformation benefits of Atk +2.

However, the truly incredible effects of this weapon is how it grants him access to skills he otherwise couldn't have as a beast flier: particularly Flashing Blade and the Offensive half of Null Follow-Up, which prevents opponents from denying his natural Follow-Up attacks.

Beast Flier

As a flier, Naesala has access to excellent mobility and class-exclusive buffs, both key strengths that can be used to bolster his offensive presence tremendously. Naesala’s status as a beast unit complements his mobility, gaining an effective +1 movement and +2 Attack when transformed. In addition, this also allows him access to even more class-exclusive buffs such as Hone Beasts. 

Free

Even years after his release, Naesala still holds a medal for one of the best free units released, and is arguably the best male GHB flier we've ever gotten. His unique kit, statline, and class typing makes him an attractive option for grails and he is still used in many contexts throughout the game.

Weaknesses

Team Composition

Naesala is far more effective when he can be transformed, but this limits his team compositions and/or positioning requirements. It can be difficult to create a team that synergizes with him unless you are exclusively using beasts or dragons, at which point the lack of ranged options and healers can hinder your success - particularly in maps that start with all of your allies next to one another.

Low Attack

With a base Attack of 32 and a weapon with 14 MT, Naesala may hit fast, but he doesn't necessarily hit hard.  This is mitigated by his +12 Attack during transformation but requires him fulfilling his weapon requirements. It can be difficult for him to come up against tankier units without some sort of offensive Special.

Weapon Skills

Weapons SP Rng. Mt.
Hatchling (Flier)

At start of turn, if unit is adjacent to only beast or dragon allies or if unit is not adjacent to any ally, unit transforms (otherwise, unit reverts). If unit transforms, unit can move 1 extra space. (That turn only. Does not stack.) If unit transforms, grants Atk+2.

Beast Flier Only
50 1 4
Fledgling (Flier)

At start of turn, if unit is adjacent to only beast or dragon allies or if unit is not adjacent to any ally, unit transforms (otherwise, unit reverts). If unit transforms, unit can move 1 extra space. (That turn only. Does not stack.) If unit transforms, grants Atk+2.

Learns by default at 3 ★
Beast Flier Only
100 1 6
Adult (Flier)

At start of turn, if unit is adjacent to only beast or dragon allies or if unit is not adjacent to any ally, unit transforms (otherwise, unit reverts). If unit transforms, unit can move 1 extra space. (That turn only. Does not stack.) If unit transforms, grants Atk+2.

Learns by default at 4 ★
Unlocks at 3 ★
Beast Flier Only
200 1 9
Raven King Beak

Grants Spd+3. If unit's Spd > foe's Spd, deals damage = 70% of difference between stats. (Maximum bonus of +7 damage. Combos with Phantom Spd.) At start of turn, if unit is adjacent to only beast or dragon allies or if unit is not adjacent to any ally, unit transforms (otherwise, unit reverts). If unit transforms, unit can move 1 extra space. (That turn only. Does not stack.) If unit transforms, grants Atk+2.

Learns by default at 5 ★
Unlocks at 5 ★
Non-Inheritable skill.
400 1 14
Weapon Evolution
Weapon Upgrades
Weapon Upgrades

Special Skills

Special Skills SP Turns
Rising Wind

Before combat this unit initiates, foes in an area near target take damage equal to (unit's Atk minus foe's Def or Res).

Learns by default at 4 ★
Unlocks at 3 ★
Non-inheritable by Staff-wielding units.
150 4
Blazing Wind

Before combat this unit initiates, foes in an area near target take damage equal to 1.5x (unit's Atk minus foe's Def or Res).

Unlocks at 4 ★
Non-inheritable by Staff-wielding units.
300 4

Passive Skills

Passive Skills SP Slot
Darting Blow 1

If unit initiates combat, grants Spd+2 during combat.

Non-inheritable by Staff-wielding units.
50
A
Swift Sparrow 1

If unit initiates combat, unit granted Atk/Spd+2 during battle.

Non-inheritable by Staff-wielding units.
120
A
Swift Sparrow 2

If unit initiates combat, unit granted Atk/Spd+4 during battle.

Non-inheritable by Staff-wielding units.
Unlocks at 5 ★
240
A
Guard 1

If unit's HP is ≥ 100% at start of combat, enemy is inflicted with Special cooldown charge-1.
(If using similar skill, only highest value applied.)

Inheritable by all units.
50
B
Guard 2

If unit's HP is ≥ 90% at start of combat, enemy is inflicted with Special cooldown charge-1.
(If using similar skill, only highest value applied.)

Inheritable by all units.
100
B
Guard 3

If unit's HP is ≥ 80% at start of combat, enemy is inflicted with Special cooldown charge-1.
(If using similar skill, only highest value applied.)

Inheritable by all units.
Unlocks at 4 ★
200
B

Other Info

Origin
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

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