Birds of a Feather (Japanese:比翼の友Closely-Winged Companions) is the twelfth chapter inFire Emblem: The Blazing Blade.

Plot

Main articles:Birds of a Feather/Script (Eliwood) andBirds of a Feather/Script (Hector)

Eliwood arrives at the border of Santaruz and requests an audience with its marquess,Helman. Inside Castle Santaruz, Helman mulls over his options withEphidel; Helman cannot tell Eliwood the truth abouthis father, but nor can he bear to lie to Eliwood, whom he considers as precious as a son. Ephidel suggests that Helman simply scare off Eliwood with an attack; Helman reluctantly agrees. Later, at Eliwood's camp, a bandit by the name ofZagan approaches the group and announces that he has come to kill Eliwood, prompting a battle with Zagan and his fellow bandits.

As Hector makes out forSantaruz,Serra suddenly calls out to him. Hector tries to make Serra go home butOswin catches up and informs him that they have been ordered to accompany him byUther. Before Hector can protest too much,Matthew (or Serra, if Matthew is dead) spots an ongoing battle in the distance. Suspecting Eliwood might be involved, Hector jumps into battle, with Oswin in tow.

After the last enemy has been defeated, Eliwood and Hector speak. Hector asks why Eliwood did not call him when he departed to look for his father; Eliwood admits that he thought Hector would be too busy with Uther recently becoming the Marquess of Ostia. After Hector introduces his companions, Eliwood andMarcus explain that the bandits they just dispatched were hired to kill Eliwood. Hector, in turn, shares that he observed a knight of Santaruz watching the battle as if he were planning on letting Eliwood die.

IfMark is present, they will advise Eliwood to check on Lord Helman to ensure that he is alright. Mark is then introduced to Hector; if both Matthew and Serra are alive, they also speak to Mark. If Mark is not present, Marcus suggests Eliwood check on Lord Helman.

Chapter data

Eliwood NormalEliwood HardHector NormalHector Hard

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemy units	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Eliwood orHector dies	6+2	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	15	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 17 columns by 16 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemy units	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Eliwood orHector dies	6+2	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	20	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 17 columns by 16 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemy units	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Eliwood orHector dies	10	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	12	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 17 columns by 16 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemy units	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Eliwood orHector dies	10	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	16	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 17 columns by 16 rows

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In Eliwood's tale, units are arranged based on their position afterEliwood in the deployment order.

If every unit is alive, deployment order is: Marcus, Lowen, Rebecca, Dorcas, Bartre

Character data

Eliwood's taleHector's tale

Characters
New units
Hector Lord HP 19 Inventory Wolf Beil Vulnerary Level 1 Automatically on turn 4 if Zagan is alive Oswin Knight HP 28 Inventory Iron Lance Javelin Level 9 Automatically on turn 4 if Zagan is alive
Forcibly deployed characters
Available characters

Characters
New units
Eliwood Lord HP 18 Inventory Rapier Vulnerary Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Marcus Paladin HP 31 Inventory Iron Sword Silver Lance Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Rebecca Archer HP 17 Inventory Iron Bow Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Lowen Cavalier HP 23 Inventory Iron Sword Iron Lance Level 2 Automatically from turn 1 Dorcas Fighter HP 30 Inventory Iron Axe Level 3 Automatically from turn 1 Bartre Fighter HP 29 Inventory Iron Axe Hand Axe Level 2 Automatically from turn 1 Oswin Knight HP 28 Inventory Iron Lance Javelin Level 9 Automatically from turn 1 Serra Cleric HP 17 Inventory Heal Vulnerary Level 1 Automatically from turn 1
Forcibly deployed characters
Available characters

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Item data

Items

Name Obtainment Method Secret Book Visitvillage

Shop data

Armories and vendors

SwordsLancesAxesBowsAnimaLightDarkStavesItemsSecret

	Name	Cost
	Iron Sword	460

	Name	Cost
	Iron Lance	360

	Name	Cost
	Iron Axe	270

	Name	Cost
	Iron Bow	540

None

None

None

None

	Name	Cost
	Vulnerary	300

None

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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.

Eliwood NormalEliwood HardHector NormalHector Hard

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Zagan Fighter 7 1 32 11 4 6 2 6 5 14 5 Steel Axe Does not move until turn 3, at which point he begins moving unprovoked toward the main lord. Bandit Soldier 2 2 20~21 3~4 0~1 1~2 0 0~1 0~1 6 5 Iron Lance • The northern one begins moving if he can attack a unit within two turns. • The central one moves to attack units in range. Bandit Soldier 1 2 20 3 0 1 0 0 0 6 5 Iron Lance Moves to attack units in range. Bandit Brigand 1 2 20 5 1 5 0 3 0 12 5 Iron Axe The easternmost one moves to attack units in range, and begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 1 2 18 4 8 8 0 4 0 9 5 Iron Sword The northernmost one moves to attack units in range, and begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 2 1 18~19 4~5 8~9 8~9 0 4~5 0~1 9 5 Iron Sword Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Brigand 3 1 21~22 5~7 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe -- Bandit Fighter 1 1 20 5 2 4 0 2 0 11 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Archer 2 2 18~19 4~5 3~4 3~4 0 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow Moves to attack units in range; the eastern one begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Fighter 2 1 20~21 5~6 2~3 4~5 0 2~3 0~1 11 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Zagan Fighter 7 1 32 11 4 6 2 6 5 14 5 Steel Axe Does not move until turn 3, at which point he begins moving unprovoked. Bandit Soldier 2 2 20~21 3~4 0~1 1~2 0 0~1 0~1 6 5 Iron Lance • The northern one begins moving if he can attack a unit within two turns. • The central one moves to attack units in range. Bandit Soldier 1 2 20 3 0 1 0 0 0 6 5 Iron Lance Moves to attack units in range. Bandit Brigand 1 2 20 5 1 5 0 3 0 12 5 Iron Axe The easternmost one moves to attack units in range, and begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 1 2 18 4 8 8 0 4 0 9 5 Iron Sword The northernmost one moves to attack units in range, and begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 2 1 18~19 4~5 8~9 8~9 0 4~5 0~1 9 5 Iron Sword Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Brigand 3 1 21~22 5~7 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe -- Bandit Fighter 1 1 20 5 2 4 0 2 0 11 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Archer 2 2 18~19 4~5 3~4 3~4 0 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow Moves to attack units in range; the eastern one begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Fighter 2 1 20~21 5~6 2~3 4~5 0 2~3 0~1 11 5 Iron Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Brigand 2 5 20~21 5~6 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe The northwestern one moves to attack units in range.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Zagan Fighter 7 1 32 11 4 6 2 6 5 14 5 Steel Axe Does not move until turn 2, at which point he begins moving unprovoked. Bandit Brigand 2 1 20~21 5~6 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Hand Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 2 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Pegasus Knight 5 1 16~17 5~6 6~7 6~7 0 3~4 3~4 5 7 Iron Lance Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 2 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 1 1 18 4 8 8 0 4 0 9 5 Iron Sword -- Bandit Brigand 3 1 21~22 5~7 1~2 5~6 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe -- Bandit Brigand 1 2 20 5 1 5 0 3 0 12 5 Iron Axe The western one moves to attack units in range. Bandit Pegasus Knight 3 3 15~16 4~5 5~6 5~6 0 3~4 2~3 5 7 Iron Lance The northeast two move to attack units in range, and begin moving unprovoked on turn 2 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Archer 2 2 18~19 4~5 3~4 3~4 0 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow Moves to attack units in range.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Zagan Fighter 7 1 35~37 13~15 5~6 7~8 2 6~7 5~6 14 5 Steel Axe Does not move until turn 3, at which point he begins moving unprovoked. Bandit Brigand 2 1 23~26 7~9 2~4 5~8 0 3~5 0~2 12 5 Hand Axe Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Pegasus Knight 5 1 18~21 6~8 7~10 7~10 0 3~5 4~6 5 7 Iron Lance Moves to attack units in range; begins moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Mercenary 1 1 21~23 5~7 9~11 9~10 0 4~6 0~2 9 5 Iron Sword -- Bandit Brigand 3 1 24~27 7~10 2~4 5~8 0 3~5 0~2 12 5 Iron Axe -- Bandit Brigand 1 3 23~25 7~8 2~3 5~7 0 3~4 0~1 12 5 Iron Axe The western and second-eastern ones move to attack units in range, and begin moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. Bandit Pegasus Knight 3 6 17~20 5~7 6~9 6~9 0 3~5 3~5 5 7 Iron Lance • The northeast two, southernmost one, and upper of the central two move to attack units in range, and begin moving unprovoked on turn 3 if Zagan is alive. • The northwestern one moves to attack units in range. Bandit Archer 2 2 21~23 5~7 4~7 4~6 0 3~5 0~2 7 5 Iron Bow Moves to attack units in range.

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Boss 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.

Main article:Zagan

Normal/Eliwood HardHector Hard

Fighter Level 9 Affinity --

Stats Max HP 32 Luck 2 Strength 11 Defense 6 Skill 4 Resistance 5 Speed 6 Constitution 14 Movement 5 Aid 13

Inventory Steel Axe Weapon Levels -- -- D -- -- -- -- --

Fighter Level 9 Affinity --

Stats Max HP 35~37 Luck 2 Strength 13~15 Defense 6~7 Skill 5~6 Resistance 5~6 Speed 7~8 Constitution 14 Movement 5 Aid 13

Inventory Steel Axe Weapon Levels -- -- D -- -- -- -- --

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Strategy

Hector and Eliwood's parties unite in this chapter, so there are a lot of potential newcomers. They'll be split in two, with Eliwood having most of the units at the bottom of the map and Hector having a few towards the top. Hector will arrive with Oswin, and in his own mode, also with Matthew and Serra. The rest of the cast will be with Eliwood.

Common to both tales isOswin, a level 9Knight. His poor movement makes him a questionable choice for ranked play, but his good combat stats (particularly his stellar bulk) make him a very safe pick for anyone just wanting to get through the game. His resistance stat will always be his weakest, but still better than what many other weapon users wind up with.

Eliwood's party first meetsHector; like Oswin, he is a slow and sturdy unit with a good axe specialization and just enough speed to squeak by. All lords in the GBA games are hurt by a late promotion, but Hector is solid as just another unit. Matthew and Serra unfortunately do not join you until the start of the next chapter.

Hector and Matthew join with a significant number of units, with varying levels of utility:

• Eliwood is a mediocre sword-locked lord, mostly useful for his speed and use of arapier. Like the other GBA-era lords, Eliwood will promote far too late. However, when he does he will gain a mount and access to lances, making him useful eventually.
• Marcus is a pre-promotedPaladin that will be your best unit for this phase of the game. Unlike most pre-promotes, Marcus has good enough growths to keep up with the rest of your army. It's a good idea to train Marcus's axe usage, as while it's his worst weapon, he is still much better than everyone on the field with it and future Paladins are guaranteed to be much worse at using them. He also comes with asilver lance, something overkill for this point in the game, so it's fine for it be sold for weapons and vulneraries with no loss.
• Lowen theCavalier starts off worse thanKent orSain but is by no means useless, if only for the utility of his class. His growths and availability will also mean he has plenty of time to come into his own.
• Rebecca is anArcher, which are generally awful units in the GBA games. Rebecca is no exception, but at this point you will need all the help you can get. She cannot attack at close range and joins right at level 1, making her prone to dying on enemy phase and only able to inflict chip damage. This chapter lines up a lot ofPegasus Knights for her, but she is not strong enough one shot any of them yet and might still risk being killed. Compared toWil she is weaker but faster, something a bit redundant considering Wil's decent speed. If you still want to use her, be sure to keep her near the background and let the other units feed kills to her.
• Serra comes back in this chapter from Lyn's story, not the next one like in Eliwood mode. She is aCleric, and right now she is sorely needed. If she received investment and was not defeated, she will be quite close to promoting. Without investment, she is only a filler healer untilPriscilla arrives on a mount two chapters later. The fact she is an infantry unit in a game with large maps and her joining not much sooner than Priscilla means she will be rendered obsolete by her and any other promoted magic user. If you intend to use her at all, make sure promote her the minute you find aguiding ring so she is not completely defenseless and can gain experience faster. Unlike the other characters on this list, she joins toward Hector's side of the map.
• Dorcas also returns and how useful he is depends on how much investment he received as well. At the minimum, he has solid bases but abysmal speed growth. Many enemy units inThe Blazing Blade are focused on speed or defense over strength, making his poor speed deeply troubling down the road. His average investment results do put him well ahead of:
• Bartre, anotherFighter, who comes with awful base stats. Even some of theBrigands in this chapter will be able to double him. His growths aren't much to write home about and is only useful to recruitKarla much later in the game. Said recruitment is an unintuitive process that requires significantly investing in him and Karla is even worse than he is, so it's not a good idea to bother unless you are a completionist type or simply want Karla for her supports. That said, high amounts of Pegasus Knights in this chapter will allow him to catch up for the time being.

Onto the battle; your biggest problem is the Pegasus Knights flying around poking everyone. Fortunately, their above-average speed is routinely hampered by their atrocious constitution, making them far slower than one might expect. On the upper side, have Hector and Oswin start carving their way south. Prioritize killing the Pegasus Knights so that you can safely have Serra dart in for a heal when you need it. Matthew has nothing to steal this chapter, but can chip in combat if you are desperate. Being the only sword user of Hector's group also makes him a good choice against the nearby brigand once everything calms down a bit. If you can, make your way to the central armory to sell the red gem. Then buy aniron axe for Hector and aniron sword for Eliwood so you don't tear apart their unique weaponry too fast. Marcus can also trade in his silver lance for aniron one and get his own iron axe. On the lower side, send someone to hit the village and collect thesecret book. Lowen will be your primary tank against the Brigands. Try to give kills to all your units if you can, but don't be afraid to have Marcus or Oswin delete someone if you need to.

By the time the two parties unite,Zagan will have started moving. Marcus has just the right stat distribution to weaken Zagan with an iron sword, softening him up for Lowen or Eliwood to take the kill. Hector or Rebecca can chip him further if necessary. It's common for him to be defeated before other enemies, so make sure nobody is made precarious from fighting him.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

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