Bastian (Japanese:ユリシーズUlysses) is aCrimean mage and noblemen, bearing the title of Count of Fayre. Formerly a vassal in the service of the former Crown PrinceRenning, he entered the service of Princess—later Queen—Elincia during theMad King's War. Following the war, he disappeared and worked withVolke to track downIzuka and find a means of curing theFeral One condition afflicting Renning; during this time, he hiredIke and theGreil Mercenaries to support Elincia at the climax ofLudveck's rebellion.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Role

Following Crimea's defeat in the Mad King's War, Bastian took refuge in Castle Delbray withLucia andGeoffrey and performed covert operations across Crimea to gather surviving royal retainers; during these, Bastian disguised himself as a street performer.^[1] Near the war's end, he and Geoffrey set about preparing for Elincia's imminent return to Delbray, but were interrupted by an attack on the castle byDaein soldiers. Bastian fled the castle to warn Elincia while Geoffrey remained behind as a decoy, and participated in the remainder of the war following. Following the defeat ofBertram, Bastian identified him as Renning and had him taken away to his castle, in the hope of curing his feral condition.^[2]

Starting stats and growth rates

Sage Level 13 Attribute Build 10

Recruitment:Chapter 24, automatically from turn 2 StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 35 Speed 16 Strength 12 Luck 15 Magic 19 Defense 12 Skill 21 Resistance 20 Movement 6 Weight 10 Max HP 55% Speed 55% Strength 40% Luck 30% Magic 65% Defense 35% Skill 65% Resistance 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Elwind Stiletto Corrosion Knife Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B C A --

Analysis

Bastian is the last playable sage in the game. He has respectable bases in magic, skill, and resistance. His base speed is low for lategame, so he will not double frequently, limiting his magic offense. His base defense is higher than most mages, but he is still fragile and does not have high avoid. He has respectable weapon levels, able to use all three anima siege tomes without investment and Tornado. His base strength is high for a magic user, able to wield all anima tomes without speed loss besides Bolting and Rexbolt (though, given he does not double reliably, this primarily affects his avoid). With his respectable strength, he has the highest attack power out of the sages with knives, though this is a gimmick at best.

Bastian has excellent offensive growths in magic, skill, and speed. His long-term magic and skill will ensure he can hit hard and reliably at 1-2 range. His speed base and high base level limits his high speed growth, so he will likely continue to struggle to double attack.

Bastian has the Corrosion skill which is usually useless, since it does not deplete an enemy's weapon enough to matter. If the player wants to steal a weapon, this can actually be a detrimental skill, so the player may want to consider removing it. Bastian has a respectable skill base and growth, so Adept helps fix his doubling issues. He can be a decent candidate for the endgame Occult to learn Flare due to his late join time, though this is only practical if no other better options are available by endgame.

Bastian has a wind affinity which gives a light accuracy and avoid boost. This complements Volke for a double wind affinity, though Volke serves a different kind of role and has higher move. Makalov has a thunder affinity which complements the wind affinity, giving more avoid and a bit of defense, though this mostly benefits Makalov as a paladin; he also has other better options. Lucia is Bastian's best support option, having the same availability, similar movement, and giving much avoid with her earth affinity, benefiting both units due to their low durability.

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

Role

Following the ascension ofPelleas to the Daein throne, Bastian was sent by Elincia as an envoy to the newly-reconstructed nation, during which he also investigated the whereabouts of theBlack Knight, and so was not present duringLudveck's insurrection. However, he was aware of Ludveck's motivations prior to his departure, and so located and commissioned theGreil Mercenaries to assist Elincia, tasking them to remain hidden until the last moment.^[3]

Following the Daein mission, he remained away from Crimea and, with Volke in his employ, pursuedIzuka in the hope of curingRenning of his affliction by the Feral One drug; he was again not present to assist in the war withBegnion, although he returned to Crimea to recruit Geoffrey into assisting him with Renning.^[4] He, Volke and Geoffrey finally re-emerged and rejoined Elincia in the Hawk Army, following Ashera's judgement, but were interrupted by Izuka's escape from their custody. After dealing with Izuka, he explained the nature of his mission and absence—to cure Renning—and hadReyson use theGaldr of Rebirth to heal him.^[2]

Starting stats and growth rates

Arch Sage Level 10 Affinity Constitution 10

Recruitment:Part IV, Chapter 5, automatically from the start StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 45 Speed 24 Strength 21 Luck 21 Magic 35 Defense 20 Skill 27 Resistance 32 Movement 6 Weight 10 Max HP 25% Speed 40% Strength 20% Luck 40% Magic 30% Defense 25% Skill 70% Resistance 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Arcwind Elthunder Elfire Elixir Corrosion Shove Flare Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- -- -- A A SS -- -- B

Biorhythm Best Good Normal Bad Worst

Note: The above stats are Bastian's default stats. If aRadiant Dawn game was started via adata transfer fromPath of Radiance and Bastian managed to reach level 20 in his highest possible class in thePath of Radiance save file, any stat Bastian capped inPath of Radiance will result in a boost to his base in the stat in question inRadiant Dawn. The boost is a +5 formax HP, and +2 forstrength,magic,skill,speed,luck,defense orresistance. In addition, Bastian'sweapon level at the end of a transferredPath of Radiance game can result in an boost to hisweapon experience inRadiant Dawn. SeeData transfer §Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn for more information.

Bastian cannot gain enough points via level-up and stat-boosting items to cap luck, and thus cannot legitimately obtain a boost in it.

Availability

Analysis

Bastian is a pre-promotedwind-specialistArchsage that joins in the last chapter before endgame. He has respectable basemagic for endgame, able to do solid magic damage or healing. He has an SS wind rank and B rank instaves, allowing him to useRexcalibur right away and use all healing staves besidesFortify,Matrona, and theAshera Staff. His basespeed is extremely low for his join time, and he will frequently get double attacked by enemy units. He has a mediocre basedefense so he is frail, but his baseresistance is high which helps for endgame, due to the abundance of dangerous magic-wielding enemies. Bastian's growths are overall average at best, with only a high growth inskill and resistance. Given his join time and bases and growths, Bastian functions as a serviceable filler wind sage with healing utility that requires no investment but will often be much weaker than other trained sages. InPath of Radiance without stat boosters, Bastian can only capstrength, which is marginally useful for dealing minor physical chip damage if he gets attacked on enemy phase while equipped with a staff, but he otherwise does not benefit much from transfer bonuses, especially since his base strength is already high enough to handle the weight of all his usable tomes.

Bastian has theCorrosion skill which is mostly wasted due to joining so late and many endgame units not having weapon durability. He already knowsFlare, boosting his offense and providing a method of self-healing. His speed is very low, so skills likeAdept andVantage do not work well on him.Nihil is a useful skill if the player wants to use Bastian for combat in endgame.

Bastian has a wind affinity which gives anaccuracy andavoid boost. As his join time is extremely late, he will not have time to build a strong support with other units, so he is best supporting another late-game or leftover unsupported unit. As some endgame enemies have very high avoid, partnering him with a unit with a fire or heaven affinity can help. If the player wants to boost their own units avoid for endgame, partnering Bastian with an earth or dark affinity unit can help. A double wind affinity also accomplishes both, albeit to a weaker extent.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Bastian was added in theGoddess Reunion update, and was first made available to summon from February 17, 2023 through March 7, 2023.

Bastian: Crimea's Keystone

Starting stats

★★★★★★★★★

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 10/11/12 Speed 2/3/4 Defense 1/2/3 Resistance 14/15/16 Maximum HP 34/37/40 Attack 38/42/45 Speed 22/25/28 Defense 15/18/21 Resistance 40/43/47 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Gronndeer -- Chilling Wind

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 10/11/12 Speed 3/4/5 Defense 2/3/4 Resistance 14/15/16 Maximum HP 36/40/43 Attack 40/44/47 Speed 25/28/31 Defense 17/20/23 Resistance 42/45/49 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Gronndeer+ -- Chilling Wind

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Wind	★★★★	★★★★	50
	Elwind	★★★★	★★★★	100
	Gronndeer	★★★★	★★★★	200
	Gronndeer+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Chilling Wind	★★★★	★★★★	100
	Iceberg	★★★★	—	100
B	Sabotage Res 1	★★★★	—	60
B	Sabotage Res 2	★★★★	—	120
B	Sabotage Res 3	★★★★★	—	240
C	Atk Ploy 1	★★★★	—	60
C	Atk Ploy 2	★★★★	—	120
C	Atk Ploy 3	★★★★	—	240

Personality

Though exceptionally bright and knowledgeable in the ways of diplomacy and the broader world, Bastian prefers to cloak himself in a grandiose, theatrical air. He constantly speaks in an elaborate poetic manner incorporatingiambic pentameter, often obscuring his true meaning through heavy-handed verse and minor riddles; this leads most people with whom he deals to be frustrated at him.^[5] Despite his usual outward behavior, he is typically calmer and more level-headed than his associates, keeping calm in times of stress or excitement.^[6] He harbors an ongoing romantic interest in fellow Crimean knightLucia, whom he pursues relentlessly; he believes that she reciprocates this despite her constant protestations.^[7]

Supports

Path of Radiance

Main article:Bastian/Supports (Path of Radiance)

Bastian Sage Volke Thief C: 0 B: 1 A: 2 Makalov Sword Knight C: 1 B: 3 A: 4 Lucia Swordmaster C: 0 B: 2 A: 3 [[{{{support4}}}]] [[]][[File:Is gcn {{{affin4}}}affin.png|link={{{affin4}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c4}}} B: {{{b4}}} A: {{{a4}}} [[{{{support5}}}]] [[]][[File:Is gcn {{{affin5}}}affin.png|link={{{affin5}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c5}}} B: {{{b5}}} A: {{{a5}}} [[{{{support6}}}]] [[]][[File:Is gcn {{{affin6}}}affin.png|link={{{affin6}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c6}}} B: {{{b6}}} A: {{{a6}}} [[{{{support7}}}]] [[]][[File:Is gcn {{{affin7}}}affin.png|link={{{affin7}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c7}}} B: {{{b7}}} A: {{{a7}}}

Radiant Dawn

Bond supports

Bastian Arch Sage Default bonds: Geoffrey Lance Paladin Bonus: 10 [[{{{supportd2}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd2}}} [[{{{supportd3}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd3}}} [[{{{supportd4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd4}}} Extra bonds:* Volke Assassin Bonus: 5 Makalov Blade Paladin Bonus: 5 Lucia Swordmaster Bonus: 5 [[{{{supporte4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse4}}} [[{{{supporte5}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse5}}}

Endings

Radiant Dawn

Bastian, Crimea's Keystone
Bastian's unparalleled diplomatic skills ensured that many treaties were signed, spreading peace across Tellius.

Quotes

Battle quotes

Death quote

Heroes quotes

Main article:Bastian/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Bastian is featured on two cards inFire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Bastian
	Deputy Prime Minister of Crimea, Bastian
		"My loyalty and dedication are always with the Crimean royal family."
		Attack: 60	Support: 20	Range: 1-2	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Wind Sage		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Back to Work:[Trigger] [] When another ally is growthed, you may pay the cost, and if you do: Draw a card. Crimea's Tactician:[Special] When this card in your hand is discarded by an opponent's skill or an opponent's support skill, your opponent must discard a card. This skill cannot be activated unless you have at least one bond.
	Card #B05-096HN • Artist:Yoneko
	Crimea's Keystone, Bastian
		"For my rudeness..... I beg of you please forgive me."
		Attack: 40	Support: 20	Range: 1-2	Deploy Cost: 2
		Class: Wind Mage		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Stepping Stone to Victory:[Trigger][Once per turn] When this unit is destroyed by an attack, choose 1 ally. Choose 1 card with the same unit name as that ally in your Retreat Area , then stack it under that ally to growth them. (A growthed unit is treated as if it is Leveled Up. If they possess a, they are able to use it.)
	Card #B05-097N • Artist:Yoneko
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Bastian .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Bastian: Crimea's Keystone
Bastian is a member of House Fayre, one of the most famous noble houses of Crimea. He was once a retainer and civil servant to Elincia's uncle, Prince Renning.	A master diplomat, Bastian is one of the sharpest minds in Crimea! Now he's putting his ingenuity and political wisdom to use in aiding Elincia's rule as queen.	He does have his quirks, though—he often speaks in a playful manner that can confuse people. Maybe he does it on purpose to keep people guessing?	Even when Crimea fell to Daein, Bastian continued to fight alongside Elincia's retainers so that she could one day rebuild the kingdom. I hope he can spare some time to share his political insight with us here in Askr!
Closely Associated Characters
Lucia Geoffrey {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Daughter of Count Delbray and master of the blade. She supports Elincia, sharing a bond stronger than that of most siblings. She fights alongside Bastian to defeat Daein. Paladin leader of the Royal Knights of Crimea. His loyalty for his homeland and Queen Elincia knows no bounds. Lucia's younger brother and a trusted friend of Bastian's. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)	618	Bastian Radiant Dawn	110
	670	Bastian Path of Radiance	80

CYL 2 (2018)	675	Bastian Radiant Dawn	77 (−33)
	726	Bastian Path of Radiance	49 (−31)

CYL 3 (2019)

521 (−27)

Bastian Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn

179 (+53)

CYL 4 (2020)

562 (+3)

Bastian Radiant Dawn Path of Radiance

143 (−36)

CYL 5 (2021)

592 (+30)

Bastian Radiant Dawn Path of Radiance

83 (−60)

CYL 6 (2022)

492 (−102)

Bastian Radiant Dawn Path of Radiance

139 (+56)

CYL 7 (2023)

477 (−15)

Bastian Radiant Dawn Path of Radiance

104 (−35)

CYL 8 (2024)

861 (+384)

Bastian Radiant Dawn Path of Radiance

10 (−94)

CYL 9 (2025)

815 (−46)

Bastian Radiant Dawn Path of Radiance

16 (+6)

CYL 10 (2026)

721 (−94)

Bastian Radiant Dawn Path of Radiance

21 (+5)

Total results		This character has 12 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	1,011

Trivia

• According toTellius Recollection, Bastian was designed with an apparent age of 25 inPath of Radiance^[8] and 27 inRadiant Dawn.^[9]

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Bastian fromPath of Radiance.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian fromRadiant Dawn.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian with other Tellius characters from the25th Anniversary Staff Book.

Portraits

• 
  Portrait of Bastian inPath of Radiance.
• 
  Portrait of Bastian inPath of Radiance.
• 
  Portrait of Bastian inRadiant Dawn.
• 
  Portrait of Bastian inRadiant Dawn.

Screenshots

• 
  Bastian as aSage inPath of Radiance.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 
  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian: Crimea's Keystone.

Cipher artwork

• 
  Artwork of Bastian.
• 
  Artwork of Bastian.

References

This article is part ofProject Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in theFire Emblem series.