Not to be confused withKiran, the player character ofFire Emblem Heroes whose default name is Kiran.

Kieran (Japanese:ケビンKevin) is an enthusiastic, headstrongaxe knight and lateraxe paladin who appears inFire Emblem: Path of Radiance andFire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. InPath of Radiance he is a member ofCrimea's 5th Platoon, and then inRadiant Dawn he is deputy commander of theCrimean Royal Knights. He shares a mostly one-sided rivalry withOscar and is good friends withGeoffrey. A true knight of Crimea, he is very dedicated to helping his country.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Role

InPath of Radiance, Kieran is the leader of the Crimean army's 5th platoon. His platoon served asElincia's escorts toGallia until they were met in battle byDaein soldiers. As a result, all of the platoon, save for Kieran, was killed, though at the same time, the Daein soldiers were wiped out as well. Kieran was then captured and imprisoned along withBrom andNephenee. He shared a cell with Brom untilIke's party came and rescued them. He joins the group afterward, even though he lost his weapons when he was captured.

Starting stats and growth rates

Axe Knight Level 12 Attribute Build 10

Recruitment:Chapter 10, automatically at the end if his prison door was opened and he survived (On Maniac Mode, he must have also escaped the map) StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 30 Speed 12 Strength 11 Luck 8 Magic 1 Defense 10 Skill 10 Resistance 1 Movement 8 Weight 33 Max HP 60% Speed 40% Strength 50% Luck 25% Magic 15% Defense 40% Skill 50% Resistance 30% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills -- Gamble Weapon Levels -- -- C -- -- -- -- --

Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Weapon level
Paladin	+3	+2	+2	+2	+2	+0	+2	+3	+1	+1	(x to C) or or E

Analysis

Kieran is the third cavalier/paladin to join, afterTitania andOscar, and is the onlyAxe Knight in the game. He joins at level 12 with average to decent base stats in strength, skill, speed, and defense, and as a mounted unit withCanto, he can contribute immediately. He likely will not be able to double reliably (especially since he is weighed down bySteel Axes), but a few levels with theKnight Ward can fix that quickly. When he does start doubling, thanks to his excellent strength and skill growths and using axes, he quickly becomes a powerful mounted unit useful throughout the rest of the game. He also remains bulky.

When promoting, Kieran has the option to use lances, swords, and bows. He faces accuracy issues against faster sword-wielding enemies, so giving him lances lets him cover that option and still have 1-2 range combat. In the Japanese version, he can also abuse slim forges with 255% crit and does not need to raise his lance rank to do this. Bows give him an accurate 2-range option, especially against fliers, but do not have 1-range. Furthermore, he is limited toIron Bows until his weapon level increases; Iron Bows only have 12 might against flying units, barely stronger than Steel andShort Axes. Swords are his weakest option because they lack 1-2 range and are the weakest weapon type. In the Japanese version, he can use slim swords with 255% crit, but he can do the same with lances.

Kieran starts with theGamble skill, which is not a practical skill but can be fun to use. As it is an optional command to use, there is no reason to remove it unless the player wants to make space for better skills. Kieran is a good candidate for anOccult scroll, as he learnsSol, which significantly boosts his durability with self-healing. As Kieran may initially struggle to double attack,Adept helps fix this and complements his good skill growth.Resolve can work well due to his good bulk, though it is a late-game skill and often better used on units likeIke.

Kieran has a wind affinity, giving a boost to accuracy and avoid. Oscar is another cavalier with an earth affinity, giving a massive boost to avoid, so it is easy to keep them together and benefit from their supports.Marcia is another mounted unit (albeit a flier) with a fire affinity, giving an appreciated attack and accuracy boost to both partners.Rhys also has a fire affinity, though as an unmounted healer, it is impractical to keep him and Kieran close together.

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

Role

InRadiant Dawn, Kieran is the deputy commander of the Crimean Royal Knights. He is first used in Part II in Geoffrey's chapters to help thwartLudveck's plot to dethrone Elincia, and then again in a chapter of Part III. Kieran can later join Ike's group and be used for the remainder of Part III. Kieran is placed in the Hawk Army in Part IV by default, though he can be moved to any of the three formed teams.

Starting stats and growth rates

Axe Paladin Level 11 Affinity Constitution 11

Recruitment:Part II, Chapter 3, automatically from the start StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 41 Speed 20 Strength 21 Luck 16 Magic 6 Defense 18 Skill 20 Resistance 11 Movement 9 Weight 36 Max HP 75% Speed 30% Strength 60% Luck 30% Magic 15% Defense 60% Skill 40% Resistance 25% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Steel Poleax Hand Axe Vulnerary Gamble Canto Weapon Levels -- -- A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Biorhythm Best Good Normal Bad Worst

Note: The above stats are Kieran's default stats. If aRadiant Dawn game was started via adata transfer fromPath of Radiance and Kieran managed to reach level 20 in his highest possible class in thePath of Radiance save file, any stat Kieran capped inPath of Radiance will result in a boost to his base in the stat in question inRadiant Dawn. The boost is a +5 formax HP, and +2 forstrength,magic,skill,speed,luck,defense orresistance. In addition, Kieran'sweapon level at the end of a transferredPath of Radiance game can result in an boost to hisweapon experience inRadiant Dawn. SeeData transfer §Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn for more information.

Promotion stat gains

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Con	Mov	Skills	Weapon level
Gold Knight	+4	+2	+4	+2	+2	+0	+2	+4	+0	+0	Sol	C (x to A)

Availability

Analysis

Kieran is one of the paladins of the Crimean Royal Knights in Part II, and is available in chapters 2-3, partway through 2-E, 3-9, and joins Ike's group in 3-11. He has good base stats for Part II, with strong 1-2 range axes, good bulk, and is just fast enough to double many Part II enemies, making him the best Part II paladin after Geoffrey. In the long run, Kieran has excellent growths in strength and defense. His speed growth is low despite his okay base speed, so he will need a speedwing or BEXP after capping some stats to keep up past Part II. He may also face accuracy issues despite an acceptable skill growth and base, because of axes and an unstable biorhythm cycle. Path of Radiance transfers benefit him especially, as he caps strength and skill on average in PoR, letting him cap ram them earlier in here. It is also viable for PoR Kieran to cap speed and defense, especially with the PoR knight ward, which help him immensely.

In chapter 2-3, Kieran can get a free Silver Axe through an info conversation. It is also recommended to buy the Killer Axe for him, as it is an accurate axe with high crit, helping him a lot during his available chapters. Kieran holds his own well in chapter 3-9 despite it favoring infantry and fliers. However, when he joins Ike's group in 3-11, he will likely be behind and outclassed by other mounts like Titania, Haar, and Oscar. If the player wants to use him, it is reasonably viable to help him catch up without too much investment thanks to his decent base level and stats.

If trained, Kieran can be useful in Part IV, though it is recommended to put him on Ike's team, as the other two teams have chapters extremely harsh for paladins (desert and swamp). As this is the team that almost every paladin should go to, he is often, again, outclassed by paladins like Titania. For endgame, Kieran can contribute with his high strength, mobility, and hammer access, though his accuracy issues will cause problems for the last chapter.

Kieran starts with the Gamble skill, which is not a practical skill but can be fun to use. If the player wants to use him past chapter 3-9, it is highly recommended to take Paragon off of Geoffrey or Astrid and give it to Kieran in 3-9, as it will help him immensely with catching up to the other paladins in Ike's group. After promotion, Sol helps him continue to be an excellent physical tank.

Kieran has a wind affinity which gives a light boost to accuracy and avoid. Due to his awkward availability, he benefits most from supporting someone in his shared chapters. Geoffrey has a very valuable fire affinity, boosting attack and accuracy, but Geoffrey is not available after 3-9 until 4-5. Astrid and Makalov have the exact same availability as Kieran and are also fellow paladins, but are not very practical units to train in the long run, in addition to Kieran. Marcia and Danved are both decent units in Kieran's chapters with valuable fire affinities and are likely Kieran's best support partners. However, keep in mind that Marcia is a flier and Danved is an infantry unit, limiting this support potential.

Personality

Kieran is a headstrong, energetic, loud, and proud knight. He always shouts his name and rank whenever he enters battle and he takes his training very seriously. He is also shown to be rather clumsy since he often injures himself when he trains, though he always ignores the wounds. He also refuses to spar with anyone and always trains alone. Oscar also says that Kieran contradicts himself a lot, but that he is a simple knight.

Supports

Path of Radiance

Main article:Kieran/Supports (Path of Radiance)

Kieran Axe Knight Oscar Lance Knight C: 2 B: 5 A: 8 Rhys Priest C: 3 B: 6 A: 9 Marcia Pegasus Knight C: 3 B: 7 A: 11 [[{{{support4}}}]] [[]][[File:Is gcn {{{affin4}}}affin.png|link={{{affin4}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c4}}} B: {{{b4}}} A: {{{a4}}} [[{{{support5}}}]] [[]][[File:Is gcn {{{affin5}}}affin.png|link={{{affin5}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c5}}} B: {{{b5}}} A: {{{a5}}} [[{{{support6}}}]] [[]][[File:Is gcn {{{affin6}}}affin.png|link={{{affin6}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c6}}} B: {{{b6}}} A: {{{a6}}} [[{{{support7}}}]] [[]][[File:Is gcn {{{affin7}}}affin.png|link={{{affin7}}} (affinity)]] C: {{{c7}}} B: {{{b7}}} A: {{{a7}}}

Radiant Dawn

Bond supports

Kieran Axe Paladin Default bonds: Geoffrey Lance Paladin Bonus: 5 [[{{{supportd2}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd2}}} [[{{{supportd3}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd3}}} [[{{{supportd4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonusd4}}} Extra bonds:* Oscar Lance Paladin Bonus: 5 Rhys Bishop Bonus: 5 Marcia Falcon Knight Bonus: 5 [[{{{supporte4}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse4}}} [[{{{supporte5}}}]] Bishop Bonus: {{{bonuse5}}}

Endings

Radiant Dawn

Kieran, Veteran Knight
Kieran served the royal family with nearly fanatical verve. His voice could be heard from anywhere in the castle.

Quotes

Battle quotes

Death quotes

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Kieran is featured on two cards inFire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Kieran
	Fervant Knight, Kieran
		"For as long as I draw breath, I will stand ready at your side!"
		Attack: 60	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Paladin		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		Gamble:[Trigger] When you class change into this unit, until the end of this turn, this unit gains +50 attack. Eternal Rival?:[Always] While this unit is being supported by "Oscar", this unit gains +30 attack.
	Card #B03-030HN • Artist:BISAI
	Raging Axe Knight, Kieran
		"I am Kieran... The same Kieran who has sworn himself to be your eternal rival!"
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Axe Knight		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Eternal Rival?:[Always] While this unit is being supported by "Oscar", this unit gains +30 attack. Attack Emblem:[Support] Until the end of this battle, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B03-031N • Artist:BISAI
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Kieran .

Flavor text

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)	379	Kieran Path of Radiance	431
	482	Kieran Radiant Dawn	246

CYL 2 (2018)	454	Kieran Path of Radiance	304 (−127)
	591	Kieran Radiant Dawn	140 (−106)

CYL 3 (2019)

363 (−16)

Kieran Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn

508 (+63)

CYL 4 (2020)

381 (−5)

Kieran Radiant Dawn Path of Radiance

341 (−167)

CYL 5 (2021)

286 (−95)

Kieran Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn

336 (−5)

CYL 6 (2022)

284 (−3)

Kieran Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn

341 (+5)

CYL 7 (2023)

262 (−22)

Kieran Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn

236 (−105)

CYL 8 (2024)

219 (−43)

Kieran Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn

296 (+60)

CYL 9 (2025)

179 (−40)

Kieran Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn

314 (+18)

CYL 10 (2026)

156 (−23)

Kieran Path of Radiance Radiant Dawn

253 (−61)

Total results		This character has 12 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	3,746

Trivia

• According toTellius Recollection, Kieran was designed with an apparent age of 20 inPath of Radiance^[1] and 23Radiant Dawn.^[2]

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Kieran fromPath of Radiance.
• 
  Artwork of Kieran andOscar fromPath of Radiance.
• 
  Artwork of Kieran fromRadiant Dawn.

Portraits

• 
  Portrait of Kieran inPath of Radiance.
• 
  Portrait of Kieran inPath of Radiance.
• 
  Portrait of Kieran inRadiant Dawn.
• 
  Portrait of Kieran inRadiant Dawn.

Screenshots

• 
  Kieran as aGold Knight inRadiant Dawn.
• 
  Kieran activatingGamble inRadiant Dawn.

Cipher artwork

• 
  Artwork of Kieran.
• 
  Artwork of Kieran.
• 
  Kieran in artwork ofCain.

References

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