Gangrel (Japanese:ギャンレル Gangrel) is an antagonist, and later playable character, inFire Emblem Awakening. He is the king of the nation ofPlegia, located to the west ofYlisse. Gangrel takes delight in deceiving others. He is additionally a cruel leader and is easily distracted. His subordinate isAversa of theGrimleal.

Fire Emblem Awakening

Role

Gangrel is the king of Plegia and could be considered the major antagonist of the first "act" ofAwakening's plot. He is fought and defeated during the events ofChapter 11, ending the Plegia–Ylisse war. He can be recruited during the last stretch of the game during the paralogueThe Dead King's Lament. He is one ofAwakening's two characters that start by default in theTrickster class, with the other beingAnna.

Growing up as a pauper in the Plegian slums, Gangrel saw his mother killed and was mocked by other Plegians, instilling a strong hatred in him.^[1] Gangrel later rose to became King of Plegia and used his position to turn the country into a Grimleal theocracy, as he had allied with the religion.^[2]

Gangrel is responsible for the Plegian troops disguised as bandits being sent into Ylisse during the early stages of the conflict. His goal, to spark a full-out war between Plegia and Ylisse, is successful after he drawsChrom's ire by kidnappingMaribelle, a noble of Ylisse, then claiming she was the aggressor. Emmeryn attempts to parley with him to bring about peace, though he only requests theFire Emblem be handed over to him and then insults her when she refuses. A battle breaks out between the meeting forces and Gangrel retreats to Plegia.

After receiving information from Ylisse's traitorousHierarch that Emmeryn is being transported to an eastern stronghold in Ylisse, Gangrel has a regiment of his troops intercept her while he personally assaults Ylisse in an attempt to obtain the Fire Emblem. The interception is directly unsuccessful, being defeated by Emmeryn's guard duringChapter 7, but Emmeryn feels obligated to return to the capital to support her people and does so;^[3] in doing this she walks straight into Gangrel's hands and becomes his prisoner. He then retreats back to Plegia.

Gangrel awaits Chrom's arrival duringChapter 9; he has Emmeryn situate herself atop a cliff where she may be easily executed for all to see. Chrom arrives not to negotiate but to take Emmeryn back by force; he arrives just after Gangrel publicly announces his intent to execute Emmeryn as revenge for the previous Exalt's war to the Plegian populace. Emmeryn asks once more if Gangrel is willing to negotiate any sort of truce; unsurprisingly he once again refuses her offer and reiterates his desire her execution. Before the situation can progress Chrom offers the Fire Emblem in exchange for Emmeryn. Emmeryn, refusing to allow that to happen, gives a short speech to the Plegians present that the endless cycle of war needs to end and she steps off the cliff to her death of her own volition, to Gangrel's amusement.^[4] Chrom's forces flee, unable to obtain Emmeryn's body.

When Chrom's forces return to face him duringChapter 11 Gangrel is surprised that they have launched their assault so soon; he is initially undaunted and is confident that his troops are much better equipped than the Ylisseans.^[5] He does however grow concerned upon hearing reports that his troops are surrendering en masse due to Emmeryn's final speech. During the ensuing battle Gangrel is defeated, with his last words reiterating his belief that every man stands alone.

Two years later, Gangrel somehow ends up in the employ ofZanth, a pirate known as the Southern Sea King. Chrom spots Gangrel during the battle and is baffled by his presence. After several attempts Chrom eventually convinces Gangrel that he should lend his sword to defeat Grima instead of aimlessly serving pirates. Gangrel only relents to Chrom's idea when his requests for execution are denied.

Starting stats and growth rates

Enemy - Chapter 11

See also:Mad King Gangrel

NormalHardLunatic

Trickster Level 5 Movement 6

Stats Max HP 35 Speed 20 Strength 12 Luck 15 Magic 8 Defense 8 Skill 20 Resistance 12

Inventory Skills Levin Sword Dragonstone Locktouch Weapon Levels B -- -- -- -- C

Trickster Level 5 Movement 6

Stats Max HP 41 Speed 24 Strength 15 Luck 18 Magic 11 Defense 9 Skill 24 Resistance 14

Inventory Skills Levin Sword Dragonstone Locktouch Lucky Seven Weapon Levels B -- -- -- -- C

Trickster Level 5 Movement 6

Stats Max HP 49 Speed 29 Strength 20 Luck 22 Magic 15 Defense 11 Skill 29 Resistance 16

Inventory Skills Levin Sword* Levin Sword Dragonstone Locktouch Lucky Seven Acrobat Weapon Levels A -- -- -- -- A

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Playable

NormalHardLunatic

Trickster Level 15 Movement 6+1

Recruitment:Paralogue 18, talk to withChrom three times StatsGrowth RatesCap Modifiers Max HP 49 Speed 33 Strength 21 Luck 15 Magic 20 Defense 18 Skill 29 Resistance 17 Max HP 75% Speed 70% Strength 50% Luck 30% Magic 45% Defense 35% Skill 75% Resistance 40% Speed +3 Strength −2 Luck −1 Magic ±0 Defense −1 Skill +3 Resistance ±0 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Levin Sword Movement +1 Locktouch Lucky Seven Acrobat Weapon Levels B -- -- -- -- C

Trickster Level 15 Movement 6+1

Recruitment:Paralogue 18, talk to withChrom three times StatsGrowth RatesCap Modifiers Max HP 54 Speed 37 Strength 26 Luck 17 Magic 25 Defense 20 Skill 34 Resistance 19 Max HP 75% Speed 70% Strength 50% Luck 30% Magic 45% Defense 35% Skill 75% Resistance 40% Speed +3 Strength −2 Luck −1 Magic ±0 Defense −1 Skill +3 Resistance ±0 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Levin Sword Movement +1 Locktouch Lucky Seven Acrobat Weapon Levels B -- -- -- -- C

Trickster Level 15 Movement 6+1

Recruitment:Paralogue 18, talk to withChrom three times StatsGrowth RatesCap Modifiers Max HP 58 Speed 41 Strength 31 Luck 19 Magic 29 Defense 22 Skill 38 Resistance 22 Max HP 75% Speed 70% Strength 50% Luck 30% Magic 45% Defense 35% Skill 75% Resistance 40% Speed +3 Strength −2 Luck −1 Magic ±0 Defense −1 Skill +3 Resistance ±0 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Levin Sword Movement +1 Locktouch Lucky Seven Acrobat Weapon Levels B -- -- -- -- C

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Reclassing options

Gangrel Base classes:* Thief Trickster Assassin Reclass options: Barbarian Berserker Warrior Dark Mage Sorcerer Dark Knight

Growth rates when reclassed

Promotion stat gains

ThiefBarbarianDark Mage

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Assassin	+5	+5	+0	+7	+4	+0	+3	+1	+1	E
Trickster	+3	+1	+4	+4	+3	+0	+1	+5	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Berserker	+8	+5	+0	+2	+3	+0	+2	+1	+1	--
Warrior	+6	+4	+0	+5	−1	+0	+4	+3	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sorcerer	+5	+1	+3	+2	+1	+0	+3	+3	+1	--
Dark Knight	+7	+3	+2	+4	+2	+0	+5	+1	+3	E

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Learned at
	Locktouch	Thief, level 1
	Movement +1	Thief, level 10
	Lucky Seven	Trickster, level 5
	Acrobat	Trickster, level 15
	Lethality	Assassin, level 5
	Pass	Assassin, level 15
	Despoil	Barbarian, level 1
	Gamble	Barbarian, level 10
	Wrath	Berserker, level 5
	Axefaire	Berserker, level 15
	Rally Strength	Warrior, level 5
	Counter	Warrior, level 15
	Hex	Dark Mage, level 1
	Anathema	Dark Mage, level 10
	Slow Burn	Dark Knight, level 5
	Lifetaker	Dark Knight, level 15
	Vengeance	Sorcerer, level 5
	Tomebreaker	Sorcerer, level 15
The above skill list does not include skills obtained exclusively viaDLC.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE

Role

Gangrel held control overNobu Horinozawa. However,Tsubasa broke his control with her new pose she worked on withItsuki. Gangrel is the boss ofChapter 2. He is revived byMedeus and then fought again duringChapter 6.

Stats

Class Myrmidon Level 28

Stats Max HP ?? Max EP ?? Strength ?? Magic ?? Skill ?? Speed ?? Defense ?? Resistance ??

Drop Skills Blackguard's Sin Dire Slice Strobe Pulse Reversal of Fortunes Shield me! Dire Slice Ultra Axe-Slash Weaknesses and resistances -- Wk Rs -- -- Wk -- Rs ?? --

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Gangrel is one of the characters added to the game in theWallowing in Love update, and was made available to players in the 44thGrand Hero Battle, which initially ran from June 6, 2020 through June 17, 2020. Only one variation of Gangrel is currently available inHeroes, based on hisAwakening incarnation.

Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King

Starting stats

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 4/5/6 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 38/41/44 Attack 25/28/31 Speed 31/34/37 Defense 18/21/24 Resistance 21/24/27 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Note: This unit requires the usage ofTrait Fruit to access any flaws and assets.

Skills Steel Dagger -- --

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 4/5/6 Speed 9/10/11 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 7/8/9 Maximum HP 39/42/45 Attack 26/29/32 Speed 33/36/39 Defense 19/22/25 Resistance 23/26/29 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Note: This unit requires the usage ofTrait Fruit to access any flaws and assets.

Skills Silver Dagger -- Chilling Wind

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 18/19/20 Attack 5/6/7 Speed 9/10/11 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 7/8/9 Maximum HP 42/45/48 Attack 29/32/35 Speed 35/38/41 Defense 21/24/28 Resistance 24/27/31 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Note: This unit requires the usage ofTrait Fruit to access any flaws and assets.

Skills Levin Dagger -- Chilling Wind

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Dagger	★★★	★★★	50
	Steel Dagger	★★★	★★★	100
	Silver Dagger	★★★	★★★★	200
	Levin Dagger	★★★★★	★★★★★	400
	Chilling Wind	★★★	★★★★	100
	Glacies	★★★★	—	200
B	Chill Atk 1	★★★	—	60
B	Chill Atk 2	★★★★	—	120
B	Chill Atk 3	★★★★★	—	240
C	Panic Ploy 1	★★★	—	60
C	Panic Ploy 2	★★★	—	120
C	Panic Ploy 3	★★★★	—	240

Personality

Despite his status as the king of Plegia Gangrel is crass and does not even attempt to act or speak like one of his station.^[6] He is also a brutal leader; during the war against Ylisse he would use the lives of the families of generals likeMustafa to guarantee loyalty.^[7] Gangrel publicly claimed he wanted to avenge the previous Exalt's crusade at Plegia, but in truth did not care for it or the Grimleal.^[8][9] He scorned Plegia in secret due to his life in the slums and the death of his mother.^[1]

Additionally, Gangrel appears to subscribe to a "might makes right" philosophy on life in general.^[10]

After his fall from grace and becoming an underling of the pirateZanth, Gangrel grows despondent that all his actions as the king of Plegia were ultimately for nothing.^[11] He is frustrated that Chrom will not kill him outright and eventually agrees to aid Chrom in defeating Grima, even if only to get him to shut up.

In his supports with Robin he claims to have started the war with Ylisse to unite the continent againstValm. In incredibly sharp contrast to his actions as king he appears to be remorseful of his deeds if he encounters the amnesiacEmmeryn inHot-Spring Scramble;^[12] he also claims that his barbaric actions were out of necessity to repel Valm.

Supports

Main article:Gangrel/Supports

As with the other characters obtained via theSpotPass paralogues, Gangrel can only support withRobin.

Endings

Gangrel, Mad King (single ending)
With the slaughter done, Gangrel retired to obscurity. While some claim he found another kingdom to rule and ruin, others insist he ended in the gutter. All agree he was dead within a matter of years.

Gangrel, Mad King & Robin, High Deliverer
Many wrote of Robin's legendary exploits, but accounts of her origins and character varied. Scholars, poets, and bards agreed on one thing alone—she loved her husband, Gangrel, above all else.

Quotes

Main articles:Gangrel/Quotes (Awakening) andGangrel/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Gangrel is featured on two cards inFire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Gangrel
	Mad King, Gangrel
		"Humans are the same as beasts in the end! Fight! Kill! And eat is all we do!"
		Attack: 60	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Trickster		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Cowardly Tactics:[Activate][Once per turn] Your opponent may []. If they do not, until the end of this turn, this unit gains +20 attack, the affinity, and range 1–2.
	Card #B08-043HN • Artist:Yoneko
	King of Plegia, Gangrel
		"The wish of the people of Plegia...is to kill everyone from Ylisse!"
		Attack: 30	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Thief		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Blade of Slaughter:[Trigger] While this unit is attacking an enemy with a Deployment Cost of 1, until the end of the battle, this unit gains +10 attack. Thief Emblem:[Support] Reveal the top card of your opponent's deck. You may place that card in their Retreat Area.
	Card #B08-044N • Artist:Yoneko
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Gangrel .

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Gangrel appears as an Advanced attack-typespirit inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, using his artwork fromFire Emblem Awakening. When equipped to an AI character, Gangrel grants increased attack power. When equipped to a player character, he grants two support spirit slots and increased electric attack power.

	#672 Fire Emblem Series Gangrel
	Type: Attack
	Rank: ★★
	Number of support spirit slots: ⬣⬣
	Trait: Electric Attack ↑ Slightly increases the power of electricity attacks.
	Level 1 stats: Attack:821 Defense:758 Power: 1673
	Level 99 stats: Attack:3285 Defense:3033 Power: 6697

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King
All kinds of members of royalty have come to Askr, but Gangrel is among the more unusual ones that we've had. To be less diplomatic about it, he's a cruel man who loves to deceive people.	Gangrel came from one of the poorest parts of Plegia. He lived with his mother, formerly a member of nobility, but she later died of an illness, leaving him alone.	Perhaps this is why Gangrel became obsessed with power and influence, and why he then embarked on a career of opportunistic villainy that eventually landed him on the Plegian throne.	During the war he started with Ylisse, Gangrel did everything he could to seize the Fire Emblem, including taking Emmeryn hostage. I suppose I'll have to give him a stern talking-to and make sure he gets along with everyone here!
Closely Associated Characters
Aversa Mustafa {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} A wily mage who serves Gangrel of Plegia. Excels at using her charms to disarm and then destroy her foes. General of Plegia. He is endlessly loyal to his king, but he is a military man who prefers a fair fight to besting his foes through trickery. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

220

Gangrel Awakening

1,101

CYL 2 (2018)

312

Gangrel Awakening

684 (−417)

CYL 3 (2019)

248 (−54)

Gangrel Awakening

927 (+243)

CYL 4 (2020)

246 (−14)

Gangrel Awakening

634 (−293)

CYL 5 (2021)

470 (+224)

Gangrel Awakening

154 (−480)

CYL 6 (2022)

473 (+1)

Gangrel Awakening

155 (+1)

CYL 7 (2023)

462 (−11)

Gangrel Awakening

111 (−44)

CYL 8 (2024)

509 (+47)

Gangrel Awakening

91 (−20)

CYL 9 (2025)

479 (−30)

Gangrel Awakening

83 (−8)

CYL 10 (2026)

519 (+40)

Gangrel Awakening

53 (−30)

Total results		This character has 10 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	3,993

Trivia

• His title in the English version, the Mad King, is shared byAshnard fromFire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
• His older concept art design seems to have been the basis of the genericTrickster class portraits.
• There is a minor inconsistency in Gangrel's design between different art assets. In his regular portrait, he has long sharp fingernails; in his confession and official art, he has normally cut rounded fingernails.
  • His artwork inFire Emblem Cipher blends both of these design choices by giving him his short nails in his unpromoted card and elongated sharp nails in his promoted card.
• During the preparation phase ofChapter 9, Gangrel is temporarily on-screen; selecting his name on the lower screen lists his information as "The cruel and fatalistic former king of Plegia", his description fromParalogue 18. InChapter 11, his information correctly displays as "The self-styled 'Mad King of Plegia'."
• Gangrel's recruitment during Paralogue 18 is similar to recruitingKatarina inFire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem; both are enemy units that must betalked to three separate times within the same chapter.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gangrel fromAwakening.
• 
  Artwork of Gangrel rebuffingAversa from his short story onAwakening's official site.

Portraits

• 
  Portrait of Gangrel inAwakening.

Concept artwork

• 
  Concept artwork of Gangrel fromThe Art of Fire Emblem Awakening.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King.
• 
  Artwork of Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King.
• 
  Artwork of Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King.
• 
  Artwork of Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King.
• 
  Artwork of Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King.
• 
  Artwork of Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King.
• 
  Artwork of Gangrel: Plegia's Mad King.
• 
  Gangrel in artwork ofMustafa: Plegian Champion.
• 
  Gangrel in artwork ofAversa: Dark One.

Cipher artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gangrel.
• 
  Artwork of Gangrel.
• 
  Bonus artwork featuring Gangrel.

References