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Roster Rearming: The best uses of Arcane Éljúðnir

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What Are Arcane Weapons?

With the introduction of Rearmed Heroes in September 2022, Fire Emblem Heroes finally throws a bone to older, more powercrept units in the form of Arcane Weapons.

Arcane weapons are essentially modern, inheritable prf weapons possessed by Rearmed Heroes, such as Rearmed Líf. You can inherit these prf weapons to other units of the same weapon type once, without losing the original hero - meaning that even after inheriting Arcane Éljúðnir, you can still use Rearmed Líf in combat.

This allows summoners to drastically increase the power level of older units, particularly those with poorly-aged refines, such as Selena, Draug, or Tobin.

Note that prf skills cannot be equipped at the same time as Arcane weapons. This means that skills such as Ayra’s Regnal Astra, Seliph’s Holy War’s End, or Sigurd’s Crusader’s Ward cannot be equipped when using a rearmed weapon.

Arcane weapons can also be stat refined for additional stats after inheritance - the examples in this article show non-refined Arcane Éljúðnir due to constraints in the unit builder.

Keep in mind that the units and builds displayed in this article are indicative of an archetype showcase, rather than a full endorsement for that specific unit. Additionally, the best character to give a new weapon to is always your favorite! This article serves to make suggestions based on what might be best in the current metagame.

Analyzing Arcane Éljúðnir: The Pros and Cons

Arcane Éljúðnir is a powerful weapon with the following effects:

  • Slaying, or Special Cooldown-1
  • Inflicts Atk/Def -6 on opponent
  • Grants unit a guaranteed follow-up attack
  • Prevent’s foe’s follow-up attack
  • Gives Guard to the unit

Looking more closely at these effects, we can see that users of this weapon will still be vulnerable to Null Follow-Up and Tempo skills, which disables crucial parts of the weapon. This weapon also doesn’t give any Speed, so Speed stacking units may have a difficult time using it in conjunction with skills like Spurn or Vital Astra. Finally, there is no Damage Reduction in this weapon, which means that tanks will have to get DR some other way.

Still, it’s an incredible weapon and naturally suited for units with high Attack and bulk, with middling Speed stats. Thanks to the follow-up denial and Guard, it can be used on bulky units, particularly Save armors. Additionally, with the cooldown and guaranteed follow-up effect, it’s also beneficial for units running a Galeforce build.

Unit Archetype 1: Slow, Bulky Units

Notably, this sword is a godsend for Save units who can use its Slaying effect in conjunction with Hardy Fighter and a 3 CD Defensive Special to negate the first hit in combat by 75% + 5. Then, the unit gets an auto-followup, Guard, disables foe follow-ups, and inflicts -6 Atk/Def on top of it all.

The only thing to note here is that by sacrificing an offensive Special, you may want to invest in an Atk-boosting A slot to give your unit better ability to KO.

Zephiel using Arcane Éljúðnir with a defensive build

However, armors aren’t the only ones who can use this weapon well - bulky infantry units can equip it with skills like Bulwark to give themselves some healing after combat while also walling opponents from reaching their squishier supports.

Scathach using Arcane Éljúðnir with a defensive build

Seal slot is flexible - you could run a Res Solo instead to build Resistance for fighting dragon foes.

Unit Archetype 2: Galeforce

Due to the Guaranteed Follow-Up and Slaying effect, Galeforce units (particularly slower units with high Attack) are also able to equip this with Special Acceleration skills in order to have an easier time activating Galeforce. This can make them either the Galeforce initiator on your team, or a good Wings of Mercy support.

Note that if the B slot is available, Cavaliers can shut down enemy follow-up denial with Flow Force, while infantry can shut down enemy follow-up denial or enemy Guard with Null Follow-Up or Tempo skills

Legendary Seliph using Arcane Éljúðnir in a Galeforce Build

Legendary Seliph happily drops his lackluster prf and B skill for a fearsome Galeforce build. A slot is flexible, but building his Resistance helps against Dragon foes like Medeus and Seiros.

Summer Lyon using Arcane Éljúðnir in a Galeforce Build

At the time of writing this article, Atk/Res Tempo is the only Atk-based Tempo skill, which is useful for making Heavy Blade checks. C Slot is flexible and can be used on a Smoke or Menace skill.

Unit Archetype 3: Alfonse

He’s a consistent bonus unit and now he might not be quite as much of a deadweight! With a statline that actually works with this weapon, Alfonse can start pulling his weight a bit more when he’s a bonus unit in game modes like Arena and Aether Raids.

Alfonse using Arcane Éljúðnir in a defensive build

A well-invested Alfonse who can hold his own

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About the Author(s)

A Flier Emblem enthusiast, Rae has been a content creator for the FEH Gamepress site since 2017 with a special interest in fliers and competitive scoring, as well as new unit analysis.

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