A Brief Diversion (Japanese:陽動作戦Diversionary tactics) is the sixth chapter ofFire Emblem: Path of Radiance. After abandoning their mercenary fort, theGreil Mercenaries flee through the forest towardGallia withPrincess Elincia in their company. As they approach the border, the group splits into two, so as to effectively sneak past anyDaein ambush that may be waiting for them. The goal of this chapter is to escape, rather than fight, which may affect strategy.

Plot

Main article:A Brief Diversion/Script

The chapter begins withGatrie complaining about the humidity and how uncomfortable his armor is.Titania acknowledges the heat, as doesShinon. He adds that humans aren't meant for forests, the habitat ofsubhumans.Ike asks about the nature of subhumans, wondering how different they really are. Shinon gives a very ugly description, making them out as savages and hairy beasts.Soren explains that there are three types oflaguz, noting their traditional name. TheBeast Tribe, which resides inGallia, theBird Tribes to the south, and theDragon Tribe ofGoldoa.

Petrine receives a report from a scout telling the whereabouts ofElincia and her protectors. She praisesEna for her tactical skills and sets out on the hunt for the princess.

When the mercenaries approach the edge of the forest,Greil orders everyone into combat positions, asking Soren for strategy on how to proceed, knowing theDaein army is probably waiting. Soren proposes that the mercenaries separate into two groups, a small group of fighters to distract the Daein Army while the rest of the groups escorts Elincia to Gallia.Oscar questions this strategy, worrying that splitting up the group may not be a good decision. Soren explains that an ambush may be waiting for them, and that his suggestion would be the best course of action. Greil agrees, assigning himself, Shinon and Gatrie to the combat force. He requests that everyone be careful in the coming battle, insisting that they are a family, regardless of their blood ties. He puts Ike in charge of the main force, with Titania as support.

Ike's group arrives at the forest's edge, surprised by the number of Daein soldiers waiting for them. Ike expresses concern over the princess,Mist, andRolf, who can't fight their way through. Soren suggests that the party move through the tree-line to cross the western bridge while a few fighters create a distraction for the Daein soldiers. Elincia offers her services in battle, but Ike denies her help, sticking with his top priority of protecting the princess. He orders Mist and Rolf to keep themselves hidden, and to look out for the princess. Rolf makes light of the situation, pretending it's a game of hide-and-seek.

After the battle, Ike's party meets up with Mist, Elincia and Rolf, all of whom went unharmed. They are all relieved to have made it into the Gallian border, but Soren points out that Greil's party hadn't found them yet, and that they shouldn't feel too secure just yet. Knowing this, Ike decides to send Elincia with Mist and Rolf to the palace of Gallia while he and his party go back to find the others.

Mist at first refuses, but Ike persuades her with a promise, and she agrees to let him go if Titania will keep him safe. Similarly, Rolf asks his brothers to keep themselves safe for as long as they're separated. Oscar expresses sympathy, whileBoyd responds with his usual boastful self, saying nothing bad will happen while he's around. Before departing, Elincia gives Rhys aMend staff, wanting to contribute in any way possible. She asksAshera to bless the mercenaries and keep them safe. The two groups part ways, and Soren suggests that they head east to find Greil's party.

Chapter data

Easy/NormalDifficultManiac

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory:Ike escapes	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Ike dies	6	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	18	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 19 columns by 23 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory:Ike escapes	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Ike dies	6	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	24	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 19 columns by 23 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory:Ike escapes	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Ike dies	6	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	31	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 19 columns by 23 rows

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Character data

Characters
New units
None
Forcibly deployed characters
Available characters
None

Item data

Items

Name Obtainment Method Vulnerary Dropped by enemyMyrmidon Poleax Dropped by enemyAxe Knight Short Spear Dropped byEmil Mend Automatically at end of chapter ifRhys survived

Enemy data

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.

EasyNormalDifficultManiac

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Soldier Archer 11 1 21~23 3~4 1 12~13 8~9 3 6 4 6 Steel Bow -- Soldier Archer 9 1 20~21 3 0 11 7~8 2 5 3 6 Steel Bow -- Soldier Knight 11 1 25~26 4~5 2 5~6 7 1 9 4 5 Steel Lance -- Soldier Knight 11 1 25~26 8~9 2 6~7 2~3 2 14~15 4~5 5 Iron Lance -- Soldier Axe Knight 9 1 23~24 4~5 1 5 9 1 7~8 3 8 Poleax -- Soldier Mage 7 1 17~18 0 7 5 6 1 3~4 6~7 5 Wind -- Soldier Priest 9 1 20~21 0 7~8 5 6 4 1 11~12 5 Heal -- Soldier Myrmidon 11 1 21~22 6~7 1 11~12 11~12 3 4 2 6 Steel Sword •Vulnerary -- Mercenary Myrmidon 10 1 21~22 6~7 0~1 10~11 10~12 2~3 3~4 2 6 Steel Sword -- Mercenary Myrmidon 9 1 20~21 6 0 9~10 10~11 2 3 2 6 Steel Sword -- Soldier Soldier 11 2 26~27 6~7 1 8~9 8~9 2 6~7 3~4 6 Javelin •Vulnerary Does not move. Soldier Soldier 10 2 25~26 3~4 1 8~9 8 2 5~6 3 6 Iron Lance -- Soldier Soldier 10 1 25~26 3~4 1 8~9 8 2 5~6 3 6 Steel Lance -- Soldier Soldier 10 1 25~26 6~7 1 8~9 8 2 6~7 3 6 Javelin -- Soldier Soldier 9 1 26~27 7 1 8 7~8 2 7 2~3 6 Iron Lance -- Emil Halberdier 2 1 32 8 1 13 12 2 9 4 7 Short Spear Serenity Does not move; stands on the escape point.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Soldier Archer 9 1 22~23 4 0 10~11 7~8 2 6 3 6 Steel Bow -- Soldier Archer 7 1 21~22 3~4 0 10 6~7 1~2 5~6 2~3 6 Steel Bow -- Soldier Knight 9 1 26 5 1 4~5 6 1 8~9 3~4 5 Steel Lance -- Soldier Knight 9 1 26~27 9 1 5~6 2 2 13~14 3~4 5 Iron Lance -- Soldier Axe Knight 7 1 24~25 4~5 0~1 4 8 0~1 7~8 2~3 8 Poleax -- Soldier Mage 5 1 18~19 0~1 6 4 5 0~1 3 6~7 5 Wind -- Soldier Priest 7 1 21~22 0~1 6~7 4 5~6 3 1 11~12 5 Heal -- Mercenary Myrmidon 9 1 22~23 7 0 9~10 10~11 2 4 2 6 Steel Sword •Vulnerary -- Mercenary Myrmidon 8 1 21~22 6~7 0 9~10 9~10 2 4 1~2 6 Steel Sword -- Mercenary Myrmidon 7 1 21 6 0 8~9 9 1~2 3~4 1 6 Steel Sword -- Soldier Soldier 9 2 26~27 7 1 8 7~8 2 7 2~3 6 Javelin •Vulnerary Does not move. Soldier Soldier 8 2 25~26 3~4 1 7~8 7 1~2 5~6 2~3 6 Iron Lance -- Soldier Soldier 8 1 25~26 3~4 1 7~8 7 1~2 5~6 2~3 6 Steel Lance -- Soldier Soldier 8 1 25~26 6~7 1 7~8 7 1~2 6~7 2~3 6 Javelin -- Soldier Soldier 7 1 25 6~7 0~1 7 6~7 1 6~7 2 6 Iron Lance -- Emil Halberdier 2 1 32 8 1 13 12 2 9 4 7 Short Spear Serenity Does not move; stands on the escape point.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Soldier Archer 9 1 22~23 6 0 10~11 7~8 2 7 3 6 Iron Bow -- Soldier Archer 9 1 22~23 6 0 10~11 7~8 2 7 3 6 Steel Bow -- Soldier Archer 8 1 22~23 5~6 0 10~11 7 2 6~7 2~3 6 Iron Bow -- Soldier Archer 7 1 21~22 5 0 9~10 6~7 1~2 6 2~3 6 Steel Bow -- Soldier Knight 9 1 26~27 9 1 5~6 6 2 13~14 3~4 5 Javelin -- Soldier Knight 9 1 26~27 9 1 5~6 2 2 14 3~4 5 Javelin -- Soldier Axe Knight 7 1 24~25 7~8 0~1 4~5 8 2 8~9 2~3 8 Iron Axe -- Soldier Axe Knight 7 1 24~25 7~8 0~1 4~5 8 2 8~9 2~3 8 Poleax -- Soldier Mage 7 1 19~20 1 7 5 7 1 3~4 7~8 5 Wind -- Soldier Mage 6 1 19 0 6~7 4~5 6~7 1 3 7 5 Wind -- Soldier Priest 8 1 22 1 6~7 4~5 5~6 3~4 2 12 5 Heal •Vulnerary -- Soldier Priest 7 1 21~22 0~1 6 4 5 3 2 11~12 5 Heal -- Mercenary Myrmidon 9 1 22~23 8 0 10 10~11 2 5 2 6 Steel Sword •Vulnerary -- Mercenary Myrmidon 7 1 21 7 0 8~9 9 2 5 1 6 Steel Sword -- Soldier Soldier 9 2 26~27 7 1 8 7~8 2 7 2~3 6 Javelin •Vulnerary Does not move. Soldier Soldier 9 1 26~27 7 1 8 7~8 2 7 2~3 6 Iron Lance -- Soldier Soldier 8 2 25~26 6~7 1 7~8 7 1~2 6~7 2~3 6 Iron Lance -- Soldier Soldier 8 1 25~26 6~7 1 7~8 7 1~2 6~7 2~3 6 Steel Lance -- Soldier Soldier 8 1 25~26 6~7 1 7~8 7 1~2 6~7 2~3 6 Javelin -- Soldier Soldier 7 1 25~26 6~7 0~1 7 7 1 6 2 6 Iron Lance -- Soldier Soldier 6 1 24~25 3 0 6~7 6 1 6 1~2 6 Steel Lance -- Emil Halberdier 2 1 32 8 1 13 12 2 10 4 7 Short Spear Serenity Does not move; stands on the escape point.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Soldier Archer 11 1 23~25 6~7 1 12~13 8~9 3 8 4 6 Iron Bow -- Soldier Archer 11 1 23~25 6~7 1 12~13 8~9 3 8 4 6 Steel Bow -- Soldier Archer 10 1 23~24 6~7 0~1 11~12 8 2~3 7~8 3~4 6 Iron Bow -- Soldier Archer 9 2 22~23 6 0 10~11 7~8 2 7 3 6 Steel Bow -- Soldier Knight 11 1 27~28 9~10 2 6~7 7 2 14~16 4~5 5 Javelin -- Soldier Knight 11 3 27~28 10 1~2 6~7 2~3 2 14~16 4~5 5 Javelin -- Soldier Axe Knight 9 1 25~26 8~9 1 5 9 2 9~10 3 8 Iron Axe -- Soldier Axe Knight 9 1 25~26 8~9 1 5 9 2 9~10 3 8 Poleax -- Soldier Mage 9 2 20~21 1 8~9 6 8 1 4 8~9 5 Wind -- Soldier Mage 8 2 20~21 1 7~8 5~6 7~8 1 4 8~9 5 Wind -- Soldier Priest 10 1 23 1 8 5 6~7 4~5 2~3 13~14 5 Heal •Vulnerary -- Soldier Priest 9 1 22~23 1 7~8 5 6 4 2 12~13 5 Heal -- Mercenary Myrmidon 11 1 23~24 9 1 10~12 11~12 3 6 2 6 Steel Sword •Vulnerary -- Mercenary Myrmidon 9 1 22~23 8 0 10 10~11 2 5 2 6 Steel Sword -- Soldier Soldier 11 2 28~29 7~8 1 8~9 8~9 2 7~8 3~4 6 Javelin •Vulnerary Does not move. Soldier Soldier 11 1 28~29 7~8 1 8~9 8~9 2 7~8 3~4 6 Iron Lance -- Soldier Soldier 10 3 27~28 7~8 1 8~9 8 2 7~8 3 6 Steel Lance -- Soldier Soldier 10 2 27~28 7~8 1 8~9 8 2 7~8 3 6 Iron Lance -- Soldier Soldier 10 1 27~28 7~8 1 8~9 8 2 7~8 3 6 Javelin -- Soldier Soldier 9 1 26~27 7 1 8 7~8 2 7 2~3 6 Iron Lance -- Soldier Soldier 8 1 25~26 6~7 1 7~8 7 1~2 6~7 2~3 6 Steel Lance -- Emil Halberdier 2 1 32 8 1 13 12 2 10 4 7 Short Spear Serenity Does not move; stands on the escape point.

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Boss data

Main article:Emil

Easy/NormalDifficult/Maniac

Halberdier Level 2 Attribute Build 11

Stats Max HP 32 Speed 12 Strength 8 Luck 2 Magic 1 Defense 9 Skill 13 Resistance 4 Movement 7 Weight 15

Inventory Skills Short Spear Serenity Weapon Levels -- B -- -- -- -- -- --

Halberdier Level 2 Attribute Build 11

Stats Max HP 32 Speed 12 Strength 8 Luck 2 Magic 1 Defense 10 Skill 13 Resistance 4 Movement 7 Weight 15

Inventory Skills Short Spear Serenity Weapon Levels -- B -- -- -- -- -- --

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Strategy

This chapter features six fighters, leavingShinon andGatrie unavailable. The group starts in the northern portion of the map, inside a largeThicket field. To the south lies an open plain, cut through by an impassable river and spanned by two bridges, one on each side. The goal is to have Ikeescape through a marked area at the southern end of the map, guarded by theHalberdier boss,Emil.

The enemy will not make a move until after the mercenaries emerge from the Thickets. As such, the mercenaries can take time to position themselves for the assault before launching it. Either bridge can be taken, or both can be simultaneously if the party is managed well. However, they should be mindful of the enemies ahead, as many of them have weapons which make them difficult to deal with. The boss in particular, the first to be a promoted class unit, is no pushover, and will require patience to defeat. He drops hisShort Spear for the mercenaries to collect once he is defeated.

On Difficult Mode, there are six additional enemies to deal with, most on the far side of the river. Progress will have to be slower and more deliberate to deal with them.

Bonus experience can be earned in this chapter by having everyone else escape before Ike does. It will also accumulate based on how many turns it took to escape. This experience cannot be spent untilChapter 8.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

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