Jesse (Japanese:ジェシーJesey) is amercenary appearing inFire Emblem Gaiden andFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Fire Emblem Gaiden

Role

Jesse is the third and last mercenary that can be recruited byCelica's party. He is imprisoned in the Desert Fortress after trying to helpEst escape, following the latter's kidnapping byGrieth. After Celica's army arrives at the Desert Fortress and defeatsWolff, Jesse agrees to join the party.

Starting stats and growth rates

Mercenary Level 6

Recruitment:Act 3, talk to withCelica at theDesert Stronghold StatsGrowth RatesSpell Levels Max HP 28 Luck 9 Strength 11 Defense 5 Skill 10 Resistance 7 Speed 12 Movement 4 Max HP 40% Luck 20% Strength 25% Defense 25% Skill 40% Resistance 0% Speed 40% Fire M Aura -- Thunder 9 Sagittae -- Excalibur 2 Ragnarok -- Seraphim -- Recover S {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Equipment -- Weapons Sword ✓ Lance ✗ Bow ✗ B. Magic ✗ W. Magic ✗

Promotion stat gains

• InGaiden, promotion gains consist of giving the character as many points as necessary—the "x" value shown in the table—to reach the promoted class' base stats. If the character's stats are higher than their promoted class' base stats, they will not receive any bonus; however, ifall stats are higher, then they will receive +1 to HP.

Analysis

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Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Role

Jesse reprises his role in the remake. He is also featured in a Memory Prism, savingSilque from brigands.

Starting stats and growth rates

Mercenary Level 6 Fatiguetol. 0.45

Recruitment:Act 3, talk to withCelica at theDesert Stronghold Base StatsGrowth RatesMax Stats Max HP 28 Luck 9 Attack 11 Defense 5 Skill 10 Resistance 7 Speed 12 Movement 4 Max HP 40% Luck 55% Attack 30% Defense 25% Skill 45% Resistance 0% Speed 50% Max HP 52 Luck 43 Attack 39 Defense 39 Skill 40 Resistance 40 Speed 40 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Item Skills -- Sword Weapons ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

Growth rates when reclassed

Spell list

Promotion stat gains

• InFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, promotion gains give the character as many points as necessary—the "x" value shown in the table—to reach the promoted class' base stats. If the character's stats are higher than their promoted class' base stats, they will not receive any bonus; however, ifall stats are higher, then they will receive +1 to HP.

Analysis

Jesse joins the Pilgrimage midway through Act 3 as a level 6 Mercenary with rounded growths and bases that are above average for his level but still below those of the Myrmidon and below the stats of the enemies he can expect to face. His problems are immediately apparent - he is far behind the rest of the party, who will likely be getting started on their second-tier classes while he is stuck on his first tier during the desert section of Celica's route, and he needs one level before he can reach promotion and close the gap. Furthermore, he is badly overshadowed as an extra Dread Fighter by Deen, who joins a mere two to three battles after him as a level 5 Myrmidon and blows Jesse's stats and level out of the water. If the player wants to use Jesse, the best way to do so is to squeeze him a kill or two on the way to the Dragon Shrine so that he can promote into Myrmidon, and then he can chip in if needed for the rest of the game. Even at base level, Jesse is capable of one-rounding enemy Witches inStorming of Duma Gate, so he can contribute without much investment, albeit limited to flunky utility. If Jesse is shown heavy favoritism or the player stops to grind, he can certainly do well as a Dread Fighter; however, the return on investment is generally not worth it when there are far better uses for the player's time and experience points.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

There is one playable variation of Jesse inHeroes. The normal variation of Jesse was added on March 18, 2025.

Jesse: Blithe Mercenary

Starting stats

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 8/9/10 Speed 6/7/8 Defense 8/9/10 Resistance 9/10/11 Maximum HP 35/38/41 Attack 37/40/43 Speed 39/42/45 Defense 25/28/31 Resistance 26/29/32 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Steel Sword -- --

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 9/10/11 Speed 6/7/8 Defense 8/9/10 Resistance 10/11/12 Maximum HP 36/39/42 Attack 40/43/46 Speed 41/44/47 Defense 26/29/32 Resistance 28/31/34 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Hexblade Sword -- New Moon

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 9/10/11 Speed 7/8/9 Defense 9/10/11 Resistance 10/11/12 Maximum HP 39/42/45 Attack 42/45/48 Speed 44/47/51 Defense 28/32/35 Resistance 29/33/36 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Hexblade Sword+ -- New Moon

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Sword	★★★	★★★	50
	Steel Sword	★★★	★★★	100
	Hexblade Sword	★★★	★★★★	200
	Hexblade Sword+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	New Moon	★★★	★★★★	100
	Moonbow	★★★★	—	200
A	Spd/Def Ideal 1	★★★	—	60
A	Spd/Def Ideal 2	★★★	—	120
A	Spd/Def Ideal 3	★★★★	—	240
B	Repel 1	★★★	—	60
B	Repel 2	★★★★	—	120
B	Repel 3	★★★★★	—	240

Personality

As with many characters inGaiden, Jesse has minimal characterization. He appears to be always willing to rescue someone in danger, even at the cost of his own safety, as shown by his being imprisoned following his attempt to save Est from Grieth.

Shadows of Valentia expands on his personality, showing him as a superficial individual who enjoys life without restrictions, shown when he left his stringent household when he was able.^[1] He is also shown to be very flirtatious, often smooth talking women in Celica's army, and often Celica herself. He desires to establish a country of mercenaries, suggesting he is a big dreamer.^[2]

Supports

Main article:Jesse/Supports

Jesse Mercenary Support conversations: Saber Mercenary C: 15 B: 35 A: 60 Deen Myrmidon C: 15 B: 35 A: 60 [[{{{supportm3}}}]] Bishop C: {{{cm3}}} B: {{{bm3}}} A: {{{am3}}} [[{{{supportm4}}}]] Bishop C: {{{cm4}}} B: {{{bm4}}} A: {{{am4}}} [[{{{supportm5}}}]] Bishop C: {{{cm5}}} B: {{{bm5}}} A: {{{am5}}} Bond supports:* Silque Cleric Bonus: Dodge +7 [[{{{supporto2}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond2}}} [[{{{supporto3}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond3}}} [[{{{supporto4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond4}}} [[{{{supporto5}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond5}}} [[{{{supporto6}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond6}}} [[{{{supporto6}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond6}}} [[{{{supporto7}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond7}}} [[{{{supporto8}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond8}}} [[{{{supporto9}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond9}}} [[{{{supporto10}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bond10}}}

Base conversations

Main article:Jesse/Conversations

Endings

Gaiden

In the former territory of Grieth, he built a new country. Afterwards, he became known as the Desert Mercenary.

Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

After successfully founding a mercenary kingdom in Grieth's former land, Jesse then proved successful at ruling it. In times of strife, he worked with Alm to secure peace. Tales of his valor are told even now, in which he's reverentially called "the Steel Amidst the Sand."

Quotes

The Final Battle quote

Critical quotes

Death quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article:Jesse/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Jesse is featured on one card inFire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Jesse
	Woman-Loving Mercenary, Jesse
		"You're all traveling together, yeah? Looks like a real fun group. Don't suppose you got room for one more?""
		Attack: 50	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 2
		Class: Mercenary		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		"A sight for sore eyes!":[Always] If you have 2 or more allies, this unit gains +20 attack. "I'm raring to go!":[Activate] [] Until the end of your turn, non-lord enemies are unable to evade this unit's attacks.
	Card #B16-055HN • Artist:Tetsu Kurosawa
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Jesse .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Jesse: Blithe Mercenary
Jesse is a free-spirited mercenary from the continent of Valentia. He's a friendly face who'll never leave a woman in trouble!	The desert of eastern Valentia was once a lawless place ruled by Grieth's band of pirates. When Jesse saw that Est had been imprisoned by the pirates, he attempted to rescue her.	But then the pirates caught him too. After being rescued by Celica, Jesse then joined her army, and together they saved Est!	Apparently, it's Jesse's dream to build a free country of his own. If that's his goal, then he's got my support all the way!
Closely Associated Characters
Est Celica {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Youngest of three sisters who are pegasus knights for Macedon. After being captured, she was saved by Jesse and the other members of Celica's group. The princess of Zofia; trained as a priestess. Caring toward others, and dislikes fighting. Bears the Brand on her right hand. Rescues Jesse from capture by the pirates. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

747

Jesse Gaiden

43

CYL 2 (2018)

534 (−213)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

205

CYL 3 (2019)

509 (+16)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

196 (−9)

CYL 4 (2020)

514 (−20)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

180 (−16)

CYL 5 (2021)

463 (−51)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

158 (−22)

CYL 6 (2022)

356 (−109)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

236 (+78)

CYL 7 (2023)

314 (−42)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

184 (−52)

CYL 8 (2024)

351 (+37)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

167 (−17)

CYL 9 (2025)

319 (−32)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

158 (−9)

CYL 10 (2026)

850 (+531)

Jesse Gaiden /Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

8 (−150)

Total results		This character has 10 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	1,535

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Mercenary Myrmidon Dread Fighter Sword Sword Sword

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Jesse from the art bookFire Emblem: The Complete.
• 
  Artwork of Jesse fromEchoes: Shadows of Valentia.
• 
  Full portrait artwork of Jesse fromEchoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Portraits

• 
  Portrait of Jesse inEchoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 
  Artwork of Jesse: Blithe Mercenary.
• 
  Artwork of Jesse: Blithe Mercenary.
• 
  Artwork of Jesse: Blithe Mercenary.
• 
  Artwork of Jesse: Blithe Mercenary.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Jesse: Blithe Mercenary.
• 
  Artwork of Jesse: Blithe Mercenary.
• 
  Artwork of Jesse: Blithe Mercenary.
• 
  Artwork of Jesse: Blithe Mercenary.

Cipher artwork

• 
  Artwork of Jesse withGenny andMae.

References

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