Harken (Japanese:ハーケンHarken) is a playablehero inFire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. He is a knight ofPherae and the lover ofIsadora.

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

Role

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Harken is aHero fromPherae, who was part of LordElbert's elite guard when Elbert left. When Lord Elbert was captured and the rest of the guard were killed, Harken fled. He found thatNergal had ties to theBlack Fang, and intended to kill as many Black Fang members as he could to his last breath. He appears as anenemy inPale Flower of Darkness. He can only appear inKenneth's version if less than two of certain promoted units are killed. InJerme's version, he appears if less than four doors were opened.

IfHector,Eliwood,Marcus,Lowen,Oswin, orIsadora speaks to him, Harken tries to leave, but is called back to be asked what happened to him.

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/Eliwood HardHector Hard

Hero Level 8 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 25E/27H: talk to withEliwood,Marcus,Lowen,Hector,Oswin, orIsadora Kenneth's version: Defeat 1 or fewer of3 specific advanced class enemies by turn 10. Jerme's version: Open 3 or fewer doors by turn 10. StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 38 Luck 12 Strength 21 Defense 15 Skill 20 Resistance 10 Speed 17 Constitution 11 Movement 6 Aid 10 Max HP 80% Luck 20% Strength 35% Defense 30% Skill 30% Resistance 25% Speed 40% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Brave Sword Weapon Levels B -- B -- -- -- -- --

Hero Level 8 Affinity

Recruitment: Chapter 25E/27H: talk to withEliwood,Marcus,Lowen,Hector,Oswin, orIsadora Kenneth's version: Defeat 1 or fewer of3 specific advanced class enemies by turn 10. Jerme's version: Open 3 or fewer doors by turn 10. StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 41~43 Luck 12 Strength 22~23 Defense 15~17 Skill 21~22 Resistance 10~12 Speed 17~19 Constitution 11 Movement 6 Aid 10 Max HP 80% Luck 20% Strength 35% Defense 30% Skill 30% Resistance 25% Speed 40% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Brave Sword Weapon Levels B -- B -- -- -- -- --

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Analysis

Harken has good base stats that can even be useful as late as the final chapter regardless of the mode one is playing. He can immediately contribute thanks to his base stats, and while his growths are not as high as comparable early-game units, they are more than acceptable. He also has good weapon ranks in swords and axes, and can wield handaxes to counter at 1-2 range. While not of great significance, his Fire Affinity can increase the offense of both himself any of his support partners greatly. The only thing he lacks that he would otherwise want is a mount. Overall, Harken is a useful character and starts out very strong, and will stay strong throughout the rest of the game.

Comparison to Karel

While Harken's class may make comparisons toRaven inevitable, a more practical comparison takes place between Harken andKarel; as only one can be recruited, there exists a decision that the player must make. Both come at level 8, and both come with some of the rarest weapons in the game: Harken has the only obtainableBrave Sword (which can be used by any sword user) and Karel has one of only twoWo Daos (which are restricted to being useable by onlyMyrmidons,Swordmasters, and a promotedLyn). Statwise, Karel has superior skill, speed, luck, and resistance, as well as superior growths in skill, speed, and luck, but potential difficulty in surviving attacks and dealing high raw damage. Karel's constitution of 9 is also lower than Harken's constitution of 11, though neither will have issues doubling.

Karel'sSwordmaster class comes with an extra 15% boost to critical hits, whereas Harken's Hero class allows him to wield both swords and axes, allowing him to potentially negate or take advantage of the weapon triangle. Also, Harken can wield Hand Axes for a 1-2 range option, while Karel can only use the Light Brand, which—as implied earlier—is very rare, expensive and weak, or theRunesword, which is even rarer than the Light Brand (it is only obtainable in aHector's Tale-exclusive Gaiden chapter extremely late in the game) and cannot be used to inflict critical hits. Adding further to the rift between the two is the HectorHard Mode boost; Harken gains additions in many of his stats in Hector Hard Mode due to starting off as an enemy, whereas Karel receives no such benefit due to appearing as an NPC.

Another factor to consider is the requirements for their appearance: whether to kill enough enemies or open enough doors for Karel to appear, or to kill few enough enemies or open few enough doors for Harken to appear. Players who make a habit of finishing chapters as quickly as possible will find that it requires a good deal of restraint to keep two of the three promoted enemies alive in Kenneth's chapter for Harken rather than to kill them for Karel. In Jerme's chapter, on the other hand, even players who make a habit of finishing chapters as quickly as possible will find some difficulty in unlocking enough buildings quickly enough to spawn Karel. In short, Karel is easier to recruit in Kenneth's chapter and Harken in Jerme's.

Overall, Harken is better than Karel stat-wise due to his 1-2 range and his better offensive stats, particularly on Hector Hard Mode.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

One variation of Harken is available inHeroes. The normal variation of Harken was first made available to summon from November 17 to December 6, 2023.

Harken: Troubled Warrior

Starting stats

Harken: Troubled Warrior is only available at 5★ rarity.

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 18/19/20 Attack 6/7/8 Speed 5/6/7 Defense 15/16/17 Resistance 7/8/9 Maximum HP 37/41/44 Attack 43/46/50 Speed 29/32/35 Defense 43/46/50 Resistance 24/27/31 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Troubling Blade Glowing Ember --

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Sword	★★★★★	★★★★★	50
	Steel Sword	★★★★★	★★★★★	100
	Silver Sword	★★★★★	★★★★★	200
	Troubling Blade	★★★★★	★★★★★	400
	Glowing Ember	★★★★★	★★★★★	100
	Bonfire	★★★★★	—	200
A	Atk/Def Clash 1	★★★★★	—	60
A	Atk/Def Clash 2	★★★★★	—	120
A	Atk/Def Clash 3	★★★★★	—	240
A	Atk/Def Clash 4	★★★★★	—	300
B	Brash Assault 1	★★★★★	—	50
B	Brash Assault 2	★★★★★	—	100
B	Brash Assault 3	★★★★★	—	200
B	Brash Assault 4	★★★★★	—	300

Personality

Harken is a very troubled individual before joining the army, he already hides a seriously damaged self-esteem, and greatly fears that he'll be questioned or hated if it's known that he served a cruel lord, which also explains why he lost it so badly upon not being able to aid a master who treated him kindly without caring about his shady past. His suicidal tendencies are only matched by his self-worth troubles coming from his blurry background and his love for his fiancée, Isadora, who he promised to marry once the war was over and he returned.

Supports

Main article:Harken/Supports

Harken Hero Eliwood Lord Initial: 25 Per turn:+3 Lowen Cavalier Initial: 15 Per turn:+3 Vaida Wyvern Lord Initial: 0 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:+ Isadora Paladin Initial: 40 Per turn:+4 Marcus Paladin Initial: 20 Per turn:+2 [[{{{support6}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin6}}}affin.png|link={{{affin6}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints6}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{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

Harken, Troubled Warrior
Harken worked closely with Marcus to rebuild the knights of Pherae. They are slowly rebuilding their strength and prestige.

Harken and Isadora
They were married shortly after returning to Pherae. Their love grew during their years of service, and now it blossomed with the blessings of Eliwood and Eleanora. Many envied their good fortune.

Harken and Vaida
Though both desired to be together, they could not bring themselves to end their service to their lords, and so they parted ways. That was the last time Harken ever heard Vaida's voice.

Quotes

Death quote

Final Chapter: Light quote

Battle History quotes

Tactician quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article:Harken/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Harken's official artwork fromThe Blazing Blade can be viewed inPath of Radiance's extras menu if a copy ofThe Blazing Blade is connected to a copy ofPath of Radiance.

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Harken: Troubled Warrior
Harken is a knight of Pherae, the eastern territory of Elibe's Lycian League, who found himself embroiled in a plot targeting the house he served.	Elbert, the marquess, was attacked by an unknown assailant during a march and went missing. Of the people who were accompanying him, only Harken escaped unscathed.	Unable to bring himself to return to House Pherae, Harken wandered the continent, hunting for information about what happened. Then, he learned about the connection between the marquess's attacker, Nergal, and the Black Fang assassins.	In order to exact vengeance on Nergal, Harken infiltrated the Black Fang—and set off on a solitary battle to gain their trust.
Closely Associated Characters
Eliwood Isadora {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} A sincere noble of Pherae. His friends Lyn and Hector serve him loyally. Harken's lord. A knight of Pherae known for being a paladin of marked beauty. She serves as the personal guard of Eleanora, wife of Marquess Pherae. Harken's betrothed. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

437

Harken The Blazing Blade

299

CYL 2 (2018)

432 (−5)

Harken The Blazing Blade

353

CYL 3 (2019)

429 (+19)

Harken The Blazing Blade

333 (−20)

CYL 4 (2020)

442 (−17)

Harken The Blazing Blade

256 (−77)

CYL 5 (2021)

494 (+52)

Harken The Blazing Blade

140 (−116)

CYL 6 (2022)

423 (−73)

Harken The Blazing Blade

189 (+49)

CYL 7 (2023)

442 (+19)

Harken The Blazing Blade

118 (−71)

CYL 8 (2024)

791 (+349)

Harken The Blazing Blade

22 (−96)

CYL 9 (2025)

689 (−102)

Harken The Blazing Blade

36 (+14)

CYL 10 (2026)

795 (+106)

Harken The Blazing Blade

13 (−23)

Total results		This character has 10 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	1,759

Trivia

• Harken wields the only obtainableBrave Sword in the entire game.
• Harken is actually the person in the village inFour-Fanged Offense who gives the Silence Staff. Harken's portrait data is loaded, but he is not shown on-screen.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Hero Sword Axe

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Harken fromThe Blazing Blade.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 
  Artwork of Harken: Troubled Warrior.
• 
  Artwork of Harken: Troubled Warrior.
• 
  Artwork of Harken: Troubled Warrior.
• 
  Artwork of Harken: Troubled Warrior.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Harken: Troubled Warrior.
• 
  Artwork of Harken: Troubled Warrior.
• 
  Artwork of Harken: Troubled Warrior.
• 
  Artwork of Harken: Troubled Warrior.
• 
  Harken in artwork ofIsadora: Escort of Pherae.

References

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