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Analysis by MackerelPye
Saias - Bishop of Flame

Hero Stats

Max Avg Total Stats at Lvl 40
151
HP 36
ATK 33
SPD 30
DEF 18
RES 34

Stat Variations

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

Level 40 Stat Variations
5★
4★
3★
HP ATK SPD DEF RES
Low 33 30 26 14 31
Middle 36 33 30 18 34
High 40 36 33 21 37

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

Shoop Da Whoop (Aether Raids Offense / Vantage)

Build by MackerelPye
Recommended
Wargod's Tome (+Eff) A Close Foil
Alternate: Close Counter
Positional Assist B Vantage 3
Miracle
Alternate: Glimmer
C Spd Smoke 3
Alternate: Joint Drive Atk
IVs

+ATK / -DEF

SHeavy Blade 3
Alternate: Atk/Def Solo 3

Show Explanation/Analysis

Weapon: Wargod's Tome (+Eff)

Assist: Positional Assist

Special: Miracle / Glimmer

Passive A: Close Foil / Close Counter

Passive B: Vantage

Passive C: Spd Smoke / Joint Drive Atk

Sacred Seal: Heavy Blade / Atk/Def Solo / Fierce Stance

  • Here it is, the classic Broadleaf Fan + Close Foil/Counter + Vantage build that's familiar to many at this point, except Saias is using his blueberry-flavored spellbook instead of said fan. The resulting strategy is still very much the same: utilize the massive damage potential Saias's weapon gives him against debuffed enemies while using Vantage and a chosen Close skill to (ideally) one-shot any incoming enemy before they get a chance to hit him. With these skills and proper setup, Saias can run a solid enemy phase sweeper build. As usual, be wary of Vantage countermeasuring skills (such as Firesweep / Dazzling Staff and Hardy Bearing) while also keeping in mind that Saias's blue coloring generally stunts his matchups against healthy green enemies.
  • Wargod's Tome is key to this build as it deals a potentially lethal amount of damage based on the amount of visible penalties on his enemy. Fortunately, the tome already does half of the job with astonishing convenience; it will apply Atk/Res -5 to all allies within three columns or rows of Saias.
    • The only missing penalties you'd need to account for after this would be Defense and Speed—Saias can run Spd Smoke himself, or rely on ally support skills such as Sabotage Spd or Def or Temari to finish the array of debuffs.
  • Miracle provides a layer of safety against enemies that manage to survive the Vantage onslaught—even with a fully charged attack and Vantage, Saias may not always avoid taking damage. With Miracle's inconveniently high cooldown, however, Heavy Blade is pretty much essential to charge it fully faster. Else, Glimmer is a damage-based Special that synergizes with the high damage potential of Wargod's Tome and similarly benefits from Heavy Blade by being fully charged every second matchup.
  • To more directly improve Saias's damage (especially if you're running outsourced debuffing, in which case Saias won't need to use skills like Spd Smoke or Def Smoke), Joint Drive Atk in his C slot and Atk/Def Solo or Fierce Stance in his Sacred Seal are perfectly suitable.

Energizing Evangelist (Aether Raids Offense / Dedicated Support)

Build by MackerelPye
Recommended
Wargod's Tome (+Eff) A HP/Atk 2
Alternate: Fort. Def/Res 3
Smite
Alternate: Reposition
B Even Pulse Tie 3
Alternate: Sabotage Spd 3
Moonbow
Alternate: Glimmer
C Infantry Pulse 3
Alternate: Distant Guard 3
IVs

+HP or +RES / -DEF

SHP/Atk 2
Alternate: Fortress Res 3

Show Explanation/Analysis

Weapon: Wargod's Tome (+Eff)

Assist: Smite / Reposition

Special: Moonbow / Glimmer

Passive A: HP/Atk 2 / Fury / Fort. Def/Res

Passive B: Even Pulse Tie / Sabotage Spd / Sabotage Def / Odd Pulse Tie

Passive C: Distant Guard / Infantry Pulse / Drive Atk

Sacred Seal: HP/Atk 2 / Fort. Def/Res 2

  • Saias's militaristic charisma can take centerstage on a build completely oriented to supporting his allies. Thankfully, Wargod's Tome already provides a potent and easy form of this via unavoidable debuffs -5 in Atk/Res in a large cross area. This build has two general flavors:
    • High-HP Support Build: This assumes you can augment Saias's HP by conferring a Light or Astra blessing with double or triple Mythic heroes on one raiding team. As a result of his highly-stacked HP thanks to said Mythic blessings and utilizing HP/X stat skills, Saias can provide Pulse Tie support (which greatly eases matchups against Infantry Pulse stacking teams) support or Infantry Pulse (which precharges the Specials of fellow infantry units) or both.
    • Sabotage Support / Dark Shrine Absorption Build: Speed and Defense are stats that Wargod's Tome do not cover in its penalty infliction effect. Therefore, Saias can utilize Sabotage Spd or Sabotage Def to strengthen his debuffing utility further as well as penalize foes that aren't in his tome's range (three rows and three columns). Notably, Speed will lend itself useful to offensive allies that are mages or rely on Spurn / Close Call / Repel, while Sabotage Def is more useful for physical weapon (especially Broadleaf Fan) or slower dragonstone users. To optimize Saias's Sabotage potency, he must use visible Resistance modifying skills—Fury and/or Fort. Def/Res would be best in this respect while also improving his ability to absorb Bright Shrine debuffs for the team.
  • The remaining parts of this build is pretty much fringe. Moonbow or Glimmer's short cooldown fits the short-lived combative nature of this build (though Saias can put up a fairly good fight with the right blessing and skills), while Reposition or Smite provide helpful movement utility that's ever appreciated in Aether Raids Offense.

Whaling in Dragalia Lost (Aether Raids Defense / Support & Offense Hybrid)

Build by MackerelPye
Wargod's Tome (+Eff) A Mirror Impact
Alternate: Atk/Spd Push 4
Rally Atk/Res+
Alternate: Rally Atk/Spd+
B Spd/Def Ruse 3
Iceberg
Alternate: Glimmer
C Infantry Pulse 3
Alternate: Distant Guard 3
IVs

+ATK / -DEF

SDeath Blow 3
Alternate: Distant Guard 3

Show Explanation/Analysis

Weapon: Wargod's Tome (+Eff)

Assist: Rally Atk/Spd+ / Rally Atk/Res+ / Other Rally Assists

Special: Iceberg / Glimmer

Passive A: Mirror Impact / Atk/Spd Push 4 / Fury / Death Blow / Atk/Res Push 4

Passive B: Spd/Def Ruse

Passive C: Infantry Pulse / Distant Guard / Drive Atk

Sacred Seal: Death Blow / Distant Guard / Drive Atk

  • Another way to complete the array of debuffs that Wargod's Tome already provides is by utilizing Spd/Def Ruse—it inflicts its namesake penalties as well as the ever-useful Guard effect on enemies in cardinal directions of Saias and his Rally target. Such a strategy lends itself beautifully (and very annoyingly) to Aether Raids Defense setups with Ground Orders or Guidance support, though it also works in Offense if can be mindful of the lack of movement Assist.
  • Outside of Rally + Ruse support, Saias can also make use of his inflicted penalties by participating in combat directly himself; he can make a sizeable offensive contribution when needed thanks to the Attack stacking nature of his tome. Death Blow in his Sacred Seal paired with most Attack-boosting A slot skills will suffice to maximize his one-shot potential. It's worth noting that Mirror Impact is generally best for Aether Raids Defense given it prevents the foe's follow-up attack while contributing to Iceberg damage, while Atk/Spd Push 4 can be inherited from the same Eleonora you're inheriting Spd/Def Ruse from.
  • Another supplementary form of support Saias can provide besides debuffing is helping nearby allies with Drive-style skills such as Distant Guard or Drive Atk, or providing Infantry Pulse for fellow infantry allies if your Aether Raids Defense relies on precharged Specials to pressure opposing teams.

How to Play Jenga Feat. Arvis (Low-Investment)

Build by MackerelPye
Wargod's Tome (+Eff) A Death Blow 3
Alternate: Fury 3
Positional Assist B Swordbreaker 3
Moonbow
Alternate: Glimmer
C Spd Ploy 3
IVs

+ATK / -DEF

(Neutral suffices for budget purposes)

SDef Ploy 3
Alternate: Death Blow 3

Show Explanation/Analysis

Weapon: Wargod's Tome (+Eff)

Assist: Positional Assist

Special: Moonbow / Glimmer

Passive A: Death Blow / Fury

Passive B: Swordbreaker

Passive C: Spd Ploy

Sacred Seal: Def Ploy / Death Blow

  • A much cheaper variant of the previous offensive builds. The premise is mostly the same: support by debuffing with Wargod's Tome (and Saias's default Spd Ploy) and hit hard whenever Saias needs to. At low merges with budget skills, however, Swordbreaker is a more practical skill to run than most else to follow-up against fast modern-day sword units. Against most other targets, Saias should ideally one-shot or bust.  
  • Death Blow in both the A slot and Sacred Seal maximizes Saias's one-hit potential, though if you'd like to optimize his Ploy coverage and visible Resistance instead, running Fury + Def Ploy also suffices.

Pegasiphobia (Offensive Focus)

Build by MackerelPye
Wargod's Tome (+Eff) A Fury (3 or 4)
Alternate: Atk/Spd Push 4
Positional Assist B Desperation 3
Alternate: Lull Spd/Res 3
Glimmer
Alternate: Iceberg
C Spd Smoke 3
Alternate: Time's Pulse 3
IVs

+SPD / -DEF

SSwift Sparrow 2
Alternate: Death Blow 3

Show Explanation/Analysis

Weapon: Wargod's Tome (+Eff)

Assist: Positional Assist

Special: Glimmer / Iceberg

Passive A: Fury / Atk/Spd Push 4 / Swift Sparrow / Death Blow / Atk/Spd Solo

Passive B: Desperation / Lull Spd/Res

Passive C: Spd Smoke / Time's Pulse

Sacred Seal: Death Blow / Swift Sparrow

  • Wargod's Tome easily inflicts penalties on enemies' Speed and Resistance by its lonesome while also taking advantage of any existing penalties by adding them to Saias's attack power. Thus, a conventional hyper offensive build that highly stacks Attack and Speed is definitely on the board of possibilities as it increases both his damage and follow-up potential.
  • Given Saias's only-sufficient offensive statline at base, it is best to stack Atk/Spd augmenting skills in both his Sacred Seal and A slot. The usual faire applies: Fury, Swift Sparrow, Atk/Spd Push 4, and Atk/Spd Solo are fantastic modern-day offensive A slots, while Death Blow and Swift Sparrow are go-to Sacred Seals for sweeper units.
  • Desperation is both cheap and safe as it's easily accessible and allows Saias to make follow-up attacks immediately before an enemy counterattack. Else, Lull Spd/Res is a more deluxe, higher-content option that more directly strengthens his damage and follow-up potential.
  • For C slots, Spd Smoke is also accessible and cheap while synergizing extremely well with this build's playstyle; it opens up follow-up opportunities on surrounding enemies while contributing further to Wargod Tome's debuff-based damage. Time's Pulse is great if a luxurious alternative that shortens the wait for a fully charged Special; Glimmer in particular can activate in one round with Desperation.

Strengths

Wargod's Tome

The very essence of Saias's viability, his unique weapon Wargod's Tome is essentially an accessible, free-to-play form of Broadleaf Fan, which in itself was already considered a positively renowned weapon. Here's why: its refined form grants Saias a damage bonus equal to the amount of red debuffs present on his target. In other words, if you set up under optimal conditions—which isn't difficult considering the tome also applies Atk/Res -5 to foes in a huge cross-shaped area—Saias gains huge one-shot hitting potential, capable of functioning in Aether Raids Offense, Defense, and general content.

Aside from the pretty workable positioning aspect, the debuffing part of Wargod's Tome also does well in applying mass penalties with arguably less restrictive conditions. This is favorable if other allies on your team have skills which rely on hitting weakened enemies (such as Thrasir and Bramimond).

Hits Resistance

One of the key advantages of using Saias over other Broadleaf Fan-style units is the fact that he is a tome user, meaning he hits Resistance instead of Defense. This is a relatively nice perk as many units in the game have lower Resistance than Defense, and only a few units that are stronger in Resistance can stand up to the might of a fully prepared Wargod's Tome hit.

Sufficient Stats

Saias's mainly used stats are his 33 base Attack and 30 base Speed, both of which are hardly fantastic but allow him to maintain nice numbers in offensive play.

Freely Available

Copies of Saias are obtained through Heroic Grails, a free-to-play currency as opposed to Orbs. Additionally, you can offset the Grail cost by completing Saias's Grand Hero Battle and subsequent reruns.

Weaknesses

Outclassed Statline

By modern unit standards, Saias isn't exactly what you'd call exemplary. While his statline is sufficient for his job, its middling values throughout will occasionally come to overwhelm him in matchups against modern-day enemies—especially with dominant stats and skills.

Blue Coloring

The typical Broadleaf Fan user benefits from colorless coverage, meaning color disadvantage is nearly never a worry. In Saias's case, general matchup disadvantage against green units is something that he doesn't particularly appreciate from being blue.

Penalty Neutralization and Reversal skills

And of course all of Saias's hard work goes to waste whenever he has the misfortune of running into enemies with penalty neutralizing or reversing skills. Those can be built into a number of weapons such as Chaos Ragnell or Whirling Grace, or the enemy equips skill such as Atk/Res Unity or Slick Fighter.

Weapon Skills

Weapons SP Rng. Mt.
Light
Blue Tome Users Only
50 2 4
Ellight
Learns by default at 3 ★
Blue Tome Users Only
100 2 6
Shine
Learns by default at 4 ★
Unlocks at 3 ★
Blue Tome Users Only
200 2 9
Wargod's Tome

At start of turn, inflicts Atk/Res-4 on foes in cardinal directions with Res < unit's Res through their next actions.

Unlocks at 5 ★
Non-Inheritable skill.
400 2 14
Weapon Evolution
Weapon Upgrades
Weapon Upgrades

Special Skills

Special Skills SP Turns
Chilling Wind

Boosts damage dealt by 50% of unit's Res.

Learns by default at 4 ★
Unlocks at 3 ★
Non-inheritable by Staff-wielding units.
100 4
Glacies

Boosts damage dealt by 80% of unit's Res.

Unlocks at 4 ★
Non-inheritable by Staff-wielding units.
200 4

Passive Skills

Passive Skills SP Slot
Escape Route 1

If unit's HP ≤ 30%, unit can move to a space adjacent to any ally.

Inheritable by all units.
Unlocks at 3 ★
60
B
Escape Route 2

If unit's HP ≤ 40%, unit can move to a space adjacent to any ally.

Inheritable by all units.
Unlocks at 4 ★
120
B
Escape Route 3

If unit's HP ≤ 50%, unit can move to a space adjacent to any ally.

Inheritable by all units.
Unlocks at 5 ★
240
B
Spd Ploy 1

At start of turn, inflicts Spd-3 on foes in cardinal directions with Res < unit's Res through their next actions.

Inheritable by all units.
60
C
Spd Ploy 2

At start of turn, inflicts Spd-4 on foes in cardinal directions with Res < unit's Res through their next actions.

Inheritable by all units.
Unlocks at 3 ★
120
C
Spd Ploy 3

At start of turn, inflicts Spd-5 on foes in cardinal directions with Res < unit's Res through their next actions.

Inheritable by all units.
Unlocks at 4 ★
240
C

Other Info

Origin
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776

Banners Featured In

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