Gerik (Japanese:ジストXyst) is aMercenary inFire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. He is the leader ofGerik's Mercenaries, working out of a guild inJehanna. His skill with the sword has earned him the title "Desert Tiger".

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Role

In Eirika's route, Gerik first appears inChapter 10. He,Innes, andTethys hide in a fort, evadingPablo and his forces. Innes suggests that Gerik and Tethys leave him, but Gerik refuses, intent on helping the prince. He can then be recruited either by Innes (recruited byEirika) or by Tethys (recruited by Innes). After being recruited, Gerik can in turn recruit Tethys (if she has not already been) and his fellow mercenary,Marisa. Gerik's Mercenaries then accompany Eirika on the rest of her journey.

In Ephraim's route, Gerik first appears inChapter 13. He and Tethys appear together, searching forEphraim, whom they have been sent to guard. Then,Myrrh, having just been liberated bySelena, approaches the pair. Gerik intimidates Myrrh, but Tethys calms her down, and asks where they can find Ephraim. Myrrh then points Ephraim out, and flies to him. During the battle, Gerik can be recruited byMarisa, and he apologizes to her for the guild's mistake in her assignment. After being recruited, Gerik can talk to Ephraim, delivering a message from Innes. Gerik and his mercenaries then accompany Ephraim on the rest of his journey, upon Innes's request.

Starting stats and growth rates

Eirika's routeEphraim's route

Mercenary Level 10 Affinity

Recruitment:Chapter 10, talk to withInnes orTethys If Tethys dies in chapter 10, Gerik also leaves StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 32 Luck 8 Strength 14 Defense 10 Skill 13 Resistance 4 Speed 13 Constitution 13 Movement 5 Aid 12 Max HP 90% Luck 30% Strength 45% Defense 35% Skill 40% Resistance 25% Speed 30% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Steel Blade Vulnerary Hero Crest Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Mercenary Level 10 Affinity

Recruitment:Chapter 13, automatically from turn 1 StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 32 Luck 8 Strength 14 Defense 10 Skill 13 Resistance 4 Speed 13 Constitution 13 Movement 5 Aid 12 Max HP 90% Luck 30% Strength 45% Defense 35% Skill 40% Resistance 25% Speed 30% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Steel Blade Vulnerary Hero Crest Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- -- -- --

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Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Weapon level
Hero	+4	+1	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+2	+1	+40, D
Ranger	+3	+2	+1	+1	+0	+3	+3	+0	+2	D

Analysis

Gerik joins as a level 10Mercenary with aHero Crest in his inventory. His bases are very good, except for his base 4 in resistance. His growths are average, but since he joins at level 10 with a promotion item, the player can early promote him. He joins in Chapter 10 of Eirika's route and Chapter 13 in Ephraim's route. He will be more useful in Eirika's route, as not only does he join earlier but he joins beforeCormag andDuessel, so he has less competition as a combat unit. However, his functionality on both routes will be similar.

Promoting Gerik early is a good idea. He has worse growths than growth units who join earlier than him, likeFranz, and also has fewer levels to grow. This means leveling him up as a mercenary will not affect his performance very much. More importantly, Gerik stands to gain a lot from his promotion. Gerik can either promote toRanger, which grants him a mount and D-rank bows, or toHero, which grants him D-rank axes. Ranger's utility includes effectiveness against fliers, rescue-drop utility,Canto, and higher movement. Hero's utility centers around the D-rank in axes, which is enough to wieldHand Axes. Having 1–2 range is very important inThe Sacred Stones because enemies tend to be weak. Killing swaths of enemies withJavelins and hand axes is the fastest way to clear maps. However, while he only has 1 less movement, his high constitution means that mounted units will have issues rescuing him. Generally, Hero is the easier class to use and is better at combat, but Ranger is a viable alternative.

It is up to the player what they value more, because each class has something good to offer. Both will give Gerik significant statistical bonuses, though. His bases are already good, so promoting him fast will result in a very competent combat unit.

Gerik's statistical flaw is that his resistance is subpar, but it is not outright bad. There are few enemies inThe Sacred Stones who are threatening to units with low resistance. His other flaw is that he can never be mounted and have 1–2 range. He must pick between the two as he promotes, while many other combat units have both. But it does not stop Gerik from being a solid combat unit, who can also have extra utility as aRanger.

Fire Emblem Engage

Role

Gerik appears as an equippableBond Ring. He can be summoned usingEirika'sEmblem Ring.

Bond Ring data

Stat modifiers Ring level HP Str Dex C +2 +0 +0 B +2 +1 +0 A +2 +1 +1 S +5 +1 +1

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Gerik is one of the characters added to the game in theMarvelous Dream update, and became available for summoning by players on November 7, 2019. Only one variation of Gerik is currently available inHeroes, based on hisThe Sacred Stones incarnation.

Gerik: Desert Tiger

Starting stats

Gerik: Desert Tiger is only available at 5★ rarity.

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 18/19/20 Attack 10/11/12 Speed 9/10/11 Defense 7/8/9 Resistance 2/3/4 Maximum HP 44/47/50 Attack 34/37/40 Speed 33/36/39 Defense 26/30/33 Resistance 19/22/26 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Firesweep Axe+ -- New Moon

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Axe	★★★★★	★★★★★	50
	Steel Axe	★★★★★	★★★★★	100
	Firesweep Axe	★★★★★	★★★★★	200
	Firesweep Axe+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Desert-Tiger Axe	★★★★★	—	400
	New Moon	★★★★★	★★★★★	100
	Moonbow	★★★★★	—	200
A	Darting Blow 1	★★★★★	—	50
A	Darting Blow 2	★★★★★	—	100
A	Darting Blow 3	★★★★★	—	200
A	Darting Blow 4	★★★★★	—	300
B	Sudden Panic 1	★★★★★	—	60
B	Sudden Panic 2	★★★★★	—	120
B	Sudden Panic 3	★★★★★	—	240
C	Infantry Pulse 1	★★★★★	—	60
C	Infantry Pulse 2	★★★★★	—	120
C	Infantry Pulse 3	★★★★★	—	240

Personality

Gerik is a calm, amiable leader who deeply cares the other fighters in his mercenary group and in the whole army. He is a very experienced fighter, and believes that a fighter's mind is his most important weapon.^[2] Although he accepts his life as a mercenary, he dislikes seeing his friends die, even though he knows it is a reality.^[3] His supports suggest that he had been much more reckless and hotheaded earlier in his life, but he states that he has grown calmer.^[4]Marisa describes him as being too nice to be a leader.^[5] Gerik is very comfortable with talking to others, and greatly believes in the people he befriends. Overall, he is a steady, friendly, and confident leader.

Known as the Desert Tiger, Gerik is the leader of a mercenary troop often referred to as "Gerik's Mercenaries". In his troop are his friendsTethys the dancer andMarisa the quiet myrmidon. He has had much experience as a mercenary, having fought againstRoss's fatherGarcia and theRenais army.^[6] He himself states that he used to be very arrogant until one day, he foolishly challenged a knight whose strength far surpassed Gerik's and lost, giving him a scar on his face.^[7]

In a conversation withInnes, Gerik describes a close friend who became a mercenary. Because of this, Gerik became one as well, to watch over his friend. However, this friend got killed anyway.^[8] By then Gerik had made other friends and didn't want to see them die, so he has stayed in the mercenary life.^[9] Gerik andSaleh converse about a friend that Saleh had killed. Although Saleh feel deep regret, Gerik forgives him, accepting the fact that they became friends.^[10] This may or may not be the same friend as in Innes's conversation; it is not specified.

Supports

Main article:Gerik/Supports

Gerik Mercenary Innes Sniper Initial: 15 Per turn:+3 Marisa Myrmidon Initial: 20 Per turn:+3 Joshua Myrmidon Initial: 15 Per turn:+3 [[{{{support7}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin7}}}affin.png|link={{{affin7}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints7}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{support9}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin9}}}affin.png|link={{{affin9}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints9}}} Per turn:+ Tethys Dancer Initial: 30 Per turn:+4 Saleh Sage Initial: 25 Per turn:+3 Ross Journeyman Initial: 0 Per turn:+3 [[{{{support8}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin8}}}affin.png|link={{{affin8}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints8}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{support10}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin10}}}affin.png|link={{{affin10}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints10}}} Per turn:+

Endings

Gerik, the Desert Tiger
Gerik continued as a mercenary. Over the years, his reputation grew so great that he had more job offers than he could handle. One day, without warning, he left, never to return.

Gerik and Tethys
Gerik and Tethys remained bound to no nation and beholden to no authority. They bought themselves a leisurely retirement. Gerik taught fencing to city youths, and Tethys found many stages on which to dance.

Gerik and Marisa
Gerik remained a mercenary, and Marisa became his company's fencing instructor. Gerik returned the affection she gave him, although he was troubled to learn she was clumsy at everything but fighting.

Gerik and Joshua
After the war, Joshua challenged Gerik to a duel in hopes of pressing him to move to Jehanna. The match ended in a tie, but Gerik was impressed by Joshua's swagger. From that day forward, Gerik never left Joshua's side.

Quotes

Death quote

Battle quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article:Gerik/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Gerik is featured on four cards inFire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Gerik
	Desert Tiger, Gerik
		"Never stop fighting. Never..."
		Attack: 70	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Hero		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Gerik's Mercenaries:[Always] If you have 2 or more other allies with 10 support, this unit gains +20 attack. Costly Bounty:[Trigger] [] When this unit's attack destroys the enemy's lord, you may pay the cost and if you do: Draw 1 card.
	Card #B11-034R • Artist:Clover.K
	Chief of Gerik's Mercenaries, Gerik
		"Now let's get thinking. We still need a plan to get us all out of here alive."
		Attack: 50	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 2
		Class: Mercenary		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Leader of the Valorous:[Always] For each other ally with 10 support, this unit gains +10 attack.
	Card #B11-035N • Artist:Clover.K
	Almighty Mad Tiger, Gerik
		"If your desire to win is stronger than your opponent's, you've already won. Your mind is your most important weapon."
		Attack: 70	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Hero		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Veteran Commander:[Always] If you have 3 or more allies, including this unit, in the Front Line, all allies in the Front Line gain +10 attack. An Eye for the Strong:[Activate][Once per turn] [] Choose 1 card with a deployment cost of 1 from your Retreat Area, and deploy it.
	Card #B18-092HN • Artist:Karuta Shiki
	Desert Mercenary Warrior, Gerik
		"If I quit while our employer still fought on, my crew would want a new name, you follow me?"
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Mercenary		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Sandstorm-Cleaving Tough Blade:[Trigger][Once per turn] When you deploy an other ally in the Front Line, until the end of the turn, this unit gains +10 attack. Attack Emblem[Support] Until the end of this combat, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B18-093N • Artist:Karuta Shiki
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Gerik .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Gerik: Desert Tiger
The mercenary trade thrives in the Kingdom of Jehanna, but few are more capable than the band led by Gerik, the Desert Tiger!	Despite his skills, Gerik doesn't care much about fame or riches. In fact, he started working as a mercenary to keep an eye on a childhood friend of his who wanted to become the greatest mercenary on the continent—and sadly died with his ambitions unfulfilled.	Though Gerik had lost his reason to fight as a mercenary, he realized that he had gained other loyal friends through shared battles. He couldn't bear to abandon them, and so he decided to start his own band of mercenaries and keep his friends close until the end.	Gerik is compassionate, and will never abandon an ally under any circumstances. That devotion, along with his wealth of experience, make him a natural leader, and a useful comrade on the battlefield!
Closely Associated Characters
Marisa Tethys Ewan {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} An aloof swordfighter in a mercenary group led by Gerik. Her nom de guerre, Crimson Flash, strikes fear in others. A bewitching dancer who belongs to Gerik's band of mercenaries. She and Ewan were abandoned by their parents, and she worked hard to raise her young brother alone. A former member of Gerik's band of mercenaries who went to study magic under the tutelage of the sage Saleh. Tethys's younger brother. {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

179

Gerik The Sacred Stones

1,489

CYL 2 (2018)

200

Gerik The Sacred Stones

1,274 (−215)

CYL 3 (2019)

141 (−59)

Gerik The Sacred Stones

1,889 (+615)

CYL 4 (2020)

446 (+245)

Gerik The Sacred Stones

251 (−1,638)

CYL 5 (2021)

508 (+62)

Gerik The Sacred Stones

128 (−123)

CYL 6 (2022)

446 (−64)

Gerik The Sacred Stones

175 (+47)

CYL 7 (2023)

408 (−38)

Gerik The Sacred Stones

130 (−45)

CYL 8 (2024)

455 (+47)

Gerik The Sacred Stones

109 (−21)

CYL 9 (2025)

397 (−58)

Gerik The Sacred Stones

113 (+4)

CYL 10 (2026)

457 (+60)

Gerik The Sacred Stones

66 (−47)

Total results		This character has 10 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	5,624

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Mercenary Hero Ranger Sword Sword Axe Sword Bow

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gerik fromThe Sacred Stones.

Battle animations

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  Gerik attacking with asword as aMercenary inThe Sacred Stones.
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  Gerik performing acritical hit with a sword as a Mercenary inThe Sacred Stones.
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  Gerik attacking with a sword as aHero inThe Sacred Stones.
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  Gerik performing a critical hit with a sword as a Fighter inThe Sacred Stones.
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  Gerik attacking with anaxe as a Hero inThe Sacred Stones.
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  Gerik attacking with abow as aRanger inThe Sacred Stones.
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  Gerik performing a critical hit with a bow as a Ranger inThe Sacred Stones.

CG images

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  CG image ofGerik's Mercenaries,Saleh, andEwan inThe Sacred Stones.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger.
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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger.
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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger.
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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger.
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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger.
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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger.
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  Artwork of Gerik: Desert Tiger.
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  Gerik in artwork ofMarisa: Crimson Flash.
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  Gerik in artwork of Marisa: Crimson Flash.

Cipher artwork

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  Artwork of Gerik.
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  Artwork of Gerik.
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  Artwork of Gerik.
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  Artwork of Gerik.

References

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