Gonzalez (Japanese:ゴンザレスGonzalez) is a playable character debuting inFire Emblem: The Binding Blade. He first appears in eitherChapter 10A orChapter 10B, and possibly joinsRoy's army in both cases. Gonzalez is notable in that he is one of the only playableBrigands in theFire Emblem series, with the other beingMarty inFire Emblem: Thracia 776.

Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade

Role

When Gonzalez was growing up, he was mercilessly bullied for his ugly appearance and was never able to get an education. Due to this, the only way he could find work and survive was as a bandit.

Gonzalez first encounters Roy when the latter is attempting to protect civilians of the Western Isles fromEtrurian exploitation. Gonzalez is ordered by eitherNord orScollan to burn down a village suspected of being a rebel stronghold. However, he encounters theOstian princess Lilina, who notices the sad look in his eyes and realizes he can be reasoned with. Gonzalez attempts to get Lilina to have the villagers evacuate so he can complete his orders without harming anyone, but Lilina sways him over to Roy's side with the promise of being accepted and no longer needing to harm innocent people to survive.

He serves under Roy for the rest of the conflict, and eventually returns to the Western Isles where he receives a hero's welcome.

Starting stats and growth rates

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.^[1]

Normal, Ch. 10ANormal, Ch. 10BHard, Ch. 10AHard, Ch. 10B

Brigand Level 5 Affinity

Recruitment:Chapter 10A, talk to withLilina StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 36 Luck 5 Strength 12 Defense 6 Skill 5 Resistance 0 Speed 9 Constitution 15 Movement 5 Aid 14 Max HP 90% Luck 35% Strength 60% Defense 25% Skill 15% Resistance 5% Speed 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Devil Axe Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- C -- -- -- -- --

Brigand Level 11 Affinity

Recruitment:Chapter 10B, talk to withLilina StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 36 Luck 5 Strength 12 Defense 6 Skill 5 Resistance 0 Speed 9 Constitution 15 Movement 5 Aid 14 Max HP 90% Luck 35% Strength 60% Defense 25% Skill 15% Resistance 5% Speed 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Devil Axe Weapon Levels -- -- D -- -- -- -- --

Brigand Level 5 Affinity

Recruitment:Chapter 10A, talk to withLilina StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 41~44 Luck 6~7 Strength 15~17 Defense 6~7 Skill 7~8 Resistance 0~1 Speed 10~11 Constitution 15 Movement 5 Aid 14 Max HP 90% Luck 35% Strength 60% Defense 25% Skill 15% Resistance 5% Speed 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Devil Axe Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- C -- -- -- -- --

Brigand Level 11 Affinity

Recruitment:Chapter 10B, talk to withLilina StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 41~44 Luck 6~7 Strength 15~17 Defense 6~7 Skill 7~8 Resistance 0~1 Speed 10~11 Constitution 15 Movement 5 Aid 14 Max HP 90% Luck 35% Strength 60% Defense 25% Skill 15% Resistance 5% Speed 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Devil Axe Weapon Levels -- -- D -- -- -- -- --

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Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Weapon level
Berserker	+4	+2	+5	+2	+0	+3	+0	+1	+1	+50

Analysis

Gonzalez is the perfect example of the Axes inThe Binding Blade stereotype; hitting things becomes a big challenge for him very quickly, due to his woeful skill and the poor hit rates of axes in general. What is not a problem for him is power and doubling enemies; even at base level, he can somewhat reliably one-round enemies. A promotion gives a massive +5 to Skill, giving an automatic +10 hit, on top of great boosts to other stats, +1 to his current Axe rank, +30 to critical hit chance, and the ability to cross water which can occasionally come in handy. While he still has poor hit rates, his ability to double, high damage output, and ability to critical means that he will have great offense against enemies that are not standing on terrain. He has a lot of HP, decent defense, and great speed, but his resistance is putrid.

His massive constitution is a double-edged sword; while it does enable him to wield nearly any axe without losing speed (especially after promotion), includingArmads andSteel Axes, and allows him to participate in rescue chains with heavier units, it also makes him difficult to rescue for many units. This can cut both into his mobility and survivability by a lot, as well as making him riskier to use since he often has to commit to whatever he chooses to do. Lastly, as with all Brigands, he can cross mountainous terrain such as peaks, which give massive defense and avoid. Putting him in one of those cuts into his movement significantly, but makes him all the more sturdy which can help sometimes, for example inChapter 21 where he can take on wyverns very easily.

Gonzalez is unique in that he can have two different joining levels, with their own distinct advantages. In Larum's route,Chapter 10, he joins at level 5. However in Elffin's route,Chapter 10, he joins at level 11. Larum's route gives Gonzalez more levels to work with, allowing him better stat potential, and a higher C rank in axes. Elffin's route allows him to use a Hero crest the moment he joins, instantly making him more powerful as well as catching up to Larum's route's C Axes over Elffin's route's D Axe rank. In both routes, he joins as an enemy, and as an enemy reinforcement at that, which means his stats are boosted on Hard mode. This allows him to keep up with enemies more easily than other units.

Gonzalez's thunder affinity makes him likelier to get critical hits, as well as granting him better survivability. His best support partners can assist him with his middling accuracy. For example, Lilina, with whom he has identical movement to and is his fastest support. Echidna's ice affinity also works, but their support is much slower and only possible on Larum's route. Trec and Garret also have a support that can do so, albeit the former has much more movement than Gonzalez which can make keeping them together an issue. Dayan and Bartre do not do this for him, which can be a bit of an issue, but they make up for it in making him sturdier, and in Bartre's case, easier to set up. However, due to the incredibly slow gains of those supports, as well as the fact that support gains are capped anyway, there is the very likely possibility he will have to go without.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Gonzalez is one of the characters added to the game in thePrincess Alone update, and was made available to players in the sixty-forthGrand Hero Battle, which initially ran from February 19, 2022 through March 2, 2022. Only one variation of Gonzalez is currently available inHeroes, based on hisThe Binding Blade incarnation.

Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit

"Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit" redirects here. For the Grand Hero Battle map, seeGrand Hero Battle/Battle data (page 5) § Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.

Stats

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Weapon type Movement type Entry Release version 6.2

Level 1 / DefaultLevel 40 / Max Stats Max HP 18/19/20 Attack 10/11/12 Speed 7/8/9 Defense 7/8/9 Resistance 2/3/4 Skills Steel Axe -- -- A-- B-- C-- Stats Max HP 43/46/49 Attack 35/38/41 Speed 28/31/34 Defense 26/29/32 Resistance 15/18/21 Skills Rein Axe -- Dragon Gaze AAtk/Spd Push 1 B-- CThreat. Atk/Spd 1 {{{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.

Weapon type Movement type Entry Release version 6.2

Level 1 / DefaultLevel 40 / Max Stats Max HP 18/19/20 Attack 11/12/13 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 7/8/9 Resistance 2/3/4 Skills Rein Axe -- Dragon Gaze A-- B-- C-- Stats Max HP 44/47/51 Attack 37/40/44 Speed 30/33/36 Defense 27/30/33 Resistance 16/19/22 Skills Rein Axe -- Dragon Fang AAtk/Spd Push 2 B-- CThreat. Atk/Spd 2 {{{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.

Weapon type Movement type Entry Release version 6.2

Level 1 / DefaultLevel 40 / Max Stats Max HP 19/20/21 Attack 11/12/13 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 8/9/10 Resistance 3/4/5 Skills Rein Axe+ -- Dragon Gaze A-- B-- C-- Stats Max HP 47/50/54 Attack 39/42/46 Speed 32/35/38 Defense 30/33/36 Resistance 18/21/24 Skills Altruist's Axe -- Dragon Fang AAtk/Spd Push 3 B-- CThreat. Atk/Spd 2 {{{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.

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Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Axe	★★★	★★★	50
	Steel Axe	★★★	★★★	100
	Rein Axe	★★★	★★★★	200
	Rein Axe+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Altruist's Axe	★★★★★	—	400
	Dragon Gaze	★★★	★★★★	100
	Dragon Fang	★★★★	—	200
A	Atk/Spd Push 1	★★★	—	60
A	Atk/Spd Push 2	★★★★	—	120
A	Atk/Spd Push 3	★★★★★	—	240
C	Threaten Atk 1	★★★	—	50
C	Threat. Atk/Spd 1	★★★	—	100
C	Threat. Atk/Spd 2	★★★★	—	200

Personality

Gonzalez speaks slowly, with short, sometimes broken, sentences, and limited vocabulary. He perceives himself as an unintelligent individual,^[2] though it is unknown if his issues with expressing himself stem from a lack of care at a young age or are due to something else. He believes he is unable to properly interact with civilized society due to his ugly appearance and has poor self-esteem because of it. Despite this, he has retained a very kind disposition, and does not like hurting innocent people if he can help it.

Supports

Main article:Gonzalez/Supports

Gonzalez Brigand Lilina Mage Initial: 30 Per turn:+2 Bartre Warrior Initial: 1 Per turn:+1 Dayan Nomadic Trooper Initial: 1 Per turn:+1 [[{{{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:+ Echidna Hero Initial: 1 Per turn:+1 Garret Berserker Initial: 20 Per turn:+1 Trec Cavalier Initial: 1 Per turn:+1 [[{{{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

Gonzalez, Kindly Bandit
Short: Returned to the Western Isles.

Long: When Gonzalez returned to his home on the Western Isles, he was not greeted with stones or harsh words. Instead, people cheered for the return of a hero.

Quotes

Battle quotes

Death quote

Heroes quotes

Main article:Gonzalez/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem: Hasha no Tsurugi

Gonzalez appears in the mangaFire Emblem: Hasha no Tsurugi in Chapter 17.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Gonzalez's official artwork fromThe Binding Blade can be viewed inPath of Radiance's extras menu if a copy ofThe Binding Blade is connected to a Japanese copy ofPath of Radiance. This illustration, along with all otherThe Binding Blade-related artwork, is inaccessible in the international versions of the game, owing to the fact thatThe Binding Blade was not released in those regions.

Fire Emblem Cipher

Gonzalez is featured on one card inFire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Gonzalez
	Gentle Berserker, Gonzalez
		"This, I give you. You pretty. Flower pretty. Look good together..."
		Attack: 60	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Berserker		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		Kind Strength:[Activate][Once per turn] [] Until the end of your opponent's next turn, this unit gains +20 attack. Giver of Courage:[Always] If you have an allied "Lilina", this unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B16-022HN • Artist:Ippei Soeda
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Gonzales .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit
Gonzalez is a Hero who comes from the Western Isles of Elibe. He's as tough as he looks, but beneath the fearsome surface, he's a kind and sensitive man with a heart of gold!	People used to fear Gonzalez because of his appearance. Left alone and abandoned, he found himself working as a henchman for the villainous lord who ruled the land.	It was Lilina of the Lycian League who saved him from this sad plight. She saw the kindness within him, and this gave him the courage to leave his master.	And then, after joining the Lycian League's army, Gonzalez found his true allies. Now, he fights to protect his new friends, and all those who suffer at the hands of the wicked!
Closely Associated Characters
Lilina Echidna {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} A noble of Ostia with a natural gift for magic. Roy's friend since childhood. She understands Gonzalez for who he really is. Resistance leader of the Western Isles. She's highly capable and many rely on her. She invites Gonzalez to help rebuild their home. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

280

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

767

CYL 2 (2018)

265 (−15)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

857

CYL 3 (2019)

314 (+57)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

667 (−190)

CYL 4 (2020)

287 (−45)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

519 (−148)

CYL 5 (2021)

192 (−95)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

529 (+10)

CYL 6 (2022)

175 (−18)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

571 (+42)

CYL 7 (2023)

529 (+354)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

85 (−486)

CYL 8 (2024)

652 (+123)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

52 (−33)

CYL 9 (2025)

561 (−91)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

64 (+12)

CYL 10 (2026)

546 (−15)

Gonzalez The Binding Blade

48 (−16)

Total results		This character has 10 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	4,159

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Brigand Berserker Basic axe Ranged axe Basic axe Ranged axe

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez fromThe Binding Blade.

Battle animations

• 
  Gonzalez attacking with anAxe as aBrigand inThe Binding Blade.
• 
  Gonzalez performing acritical hit with an Axe as a Brigand inThe Binding Blade.

Concept artwork

• 
  Concept artwork of Gonzalez fromThe Binding Blade.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.
• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.
• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.
• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.
• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.
• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.
• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez: Kindly Bandit.

Other artwork

• 
  Artwork ofHans, Gonzalez, andGaron forHeroes's sixth anniversary.
• 
  Artwork featuring Gonzalez forHeroes's eighth anniversary.

Cipher artwork

• 
  Artwork of Gonzalez.

References

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