Matthew (Japanese:マシューMatthew) is athief fromFire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. He serves as anOstian spy with his lover,Leila.

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

Role

Lyn's tale

Matthew is first seen inChapter 6. He is watching the battle that happens inAraphen. If the player visit the Northern village, or wait until the third turn, disguised as aThief, he will join the player's army to help open the door and chest in that chapter. Apparently, he choose to joins since the player's army is more fun than the assassin's army. InChapter 7, he can visit the southeastern house to meetHector. It is revealed that he is sent by LordUther to find out about the "long-lost granddaughter". InChapter 8, he helpsLyn by searching for information to the nearby village, informing about the illness ofher grandfather. He follows Lyn for the rest of her journey, and leave without trace after Lyn defeatsLundgren.

Eliwood and Hector's tale

In Hector's tale, he is first seen inChapter 11H as Hector's spy. He helps Hector escape from Uther to helpEliwood searchhis father that has been missing for months. InChapter 12, they are chased byOswin andSerra, an Ostian retainer. Hector tells Matthew to watch for Serra. In Eliwood's tale, Matthew leaves the map with Serra. While in Hector's tale, they can join the battle. InChapter 13, he meetsGuy, amyrmidon that he saves prior to the event of the game. Matthew tells Guy about him owing his live and forced him to join the player's army. InChapter 16E/17H, he rendezvous withLeila, his lover. He tells her to meet his parents after the battle. Unfortunately, inChapter 18E/19H, Leila is killed byBlack Fang member,Jaffar. Her body is put in a forest at the entrance ofValor for her to be found by the player's army. Matthew then buries her. Despite his sorrow, Matthew still participates in battle. Because of that, he has a deep hatred toward Jaffar, even after he joins the player army. He stays in the player's army for the rest of the game.

Starting stats and growth rates

Thief Level 2 Affinity

Recruitment: Lyn's tale:Chapter 6, visit the northernvillage, or automatically on turn 3 Eliwood's tale:Chapter 13, automatically on turn 1 Hector's tale:Chapter 11, automatically on turn 1 StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 18 Luck 2 Strength 4 Defense 3 Skill 4 Resistance 0 Speed 11 Constitution 7 Movement 6 Aid 6 Max HP 75% Luck 50% Strength 30% Defense 25% Skill 40% Resistance 20% Speed 70% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Iron Sword Lockpick Weapon Levels D -- -- -- -- -- -- --

• Note: If Matthew dies in Lyn's tale, he will appear in Eliwood/Hector's tale with these same stats.

Promotion stat gains

Analysis

Matthew is a level 2Thief. He is recruitable from a village inLyn Mode Chapter 6. InHector Mode, he is available from the start, while inEliwood Mode, he joins in chapter 13. This marks Matthew as one of the most available units inThe Blazing Blade. He is the onlyLockpick user in the early game and the only unit who can steal items from enemies. UntilLegault joins in the mid-game, Matthew faces no competition in his niche.

Matthew's base speed is extremely high, allowing him to double most enemies and avoid getting doubled. His speed growth is also enormous, though enemies are so slow it is overkill if the player is training him up for combat. That said, his speed does not salvage his other stats, which are all terrible. He only has 21 physical bulk with 3 defense and 18 HP. His magical bulk is even worse at 18, with 0 resistance. While Matthew's avoidance is quite good thanks to his high speed, he dies in two hits to every enemy. Later in the game, some enemies can one-shot him, making it dangerous to put him in enemy range. Matthew's offensive capabilities are also subpar at best. His base strength is low, his strength growth is mediocre, and he uses swords. Swords are the worst melee weapon type inThe Blazing Blade because they lack good 1-2 range options and have low strength. Finally, Matthew never becomes mounted. While his 6 movement matches the movement of promoted infantry units, it is still below cavalry and fliers. All this considered, Matthew is not a combat unit by any means. Even if trained, he will not perform very well.

What Matthew excels at is using hisLockpicks and stealing. In the early game and in Lyn Mode, there are many valuable items he can obtain. In Lyn Mode, he can get anAngelic Robe and anArmorslayer. The former is a great stat booster for frailer units, and the latter comes in handy against enemy armor knights. In Hard Mode, Matthew can steal theSilver Card. The Silver Card halves prices in shops for the unit that has it, making it useful as a money-saver, especially in ranked runs where weapons will be worth twice their cost. He can also steal theGuiding Ring andElysian Whip, both useful promotion items many good units can use.

As for Matthew's promotion, it is the worst promotion inThe Blazing Blade. All it gives Matthew is minimal statistical increases and the ability to level up beyond level 20, while not fixing any of his weaknesses. Not only that – it also comes extremely late in the game, at a point when most players will be usingLegault orJaffar instead. In fact, the Fell Contract is only available after Jaffar joins you, and as an Assassin he compares favorably to Matthew in every way.Assassin gives Matthew theSilencer skill, which allows him to one-shot an enemy on a crit. However, it has an RNG-based chance to activate, so it is unreliable, especially when he is not wielding aKilling Edge. As mentioned before, putting Matthew in combat is a risk, especially late-game. There are much more reliable strategies than sending the frail Matthew to the frontlines with a high-crit weapon and hoping that Silencer will kill.

Matthew is, above all, a utility unit. He is the only way for the player to get several useful items early on, including promotion items. Even if trained in Lyn Mode or later, Matthew's combat will remain poor, though. He uses the worst melee weapon type in the game, and his base stats are low except for speed. While he is amazingly fast and will consistently double enemies, he will not deal much damage and cannot take many hits. For that reason, most players use Matthew strictly for his early game utility and replace him withLegault when he joins. Matthew can still be deployed alongside Legault in the desert to find hidden items more easily, though.

Fire Emblem Awakening

Role

Matthew is playable as aSpotPass character, released in theFire Emblem character set. Matthew is also present as an enemy in thesecond andthird installments of theSmash BrethrenDLC series.

Starting stats and growth rates

Thief Level 17 Movement 5+1

Recruitment:SpotPass, hire him for 6,000G or defeat him in askirmish StatsGrowth RatesCap Modifiers Max HP 30 Speed 21 Strength 13 Luck 9 Magic 2 Defense 8 Skill 11 Resistance 2 Max HP 75% Speed 75% Strength 45% Luck 60% Magic 40% Defense 30% Skill 60% Resistance 25% Speed +4 Strength −3 Luck +2 Magic ±0 Defense −1 Skill +1 Resistance ±0 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Steel Sword* Locktouch Movement +1 Wrath Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- --

Reclassing options

Matthew Base classes:* Thief Assassin Trickster Reclass options: This unit can reclass to any male class available through reclassing.

Growth rates when reclassed

Promotion stat gains

ArcherBarbarianCavalierDark MageWyvern RiderFighterKnightMageMercenaryMyrmidonPriestTacticianThief

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sniper	+4	+2	+1	+4	+3	+0	+5	+3	+1	--
Bow Knight	+8	+3	+0	+2	+4	+0	+1	+2	+3	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Berserker	+8	+5	+0	+2	+3	+0	+2	+1	+1	--
Warrior	+6	+4	+0	+5	−1	+0	+4	+3	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Paladin	+7	+3	+1	+2	+2	+0	+3	+6	+1	--
Great Knight	+8	+5	+0	+1	−1	+0	+7	+1	+0	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sorcerer	+5	+1	+3	+2	+1	+0	+3	+3	+1	--
Dark Knight	+7	+3	+2	+4	+2	+0	+5	+1	+3	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Wyvern Lord	+5	+4	+0	+2	+2	+0	+3	+3	+1	E
Griffon Rider	+3	+2	+0	+4	+4	+0	+0	+3	+1	--

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Warrior	+8	+4	+0	+3	+2	+0	+3	+3	+1	E
Hero	+2	+0	+1	+6	+5	+0	+4	+3	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
General	+10	+4	+0	+3	+2	+0	+4	+3	+1	E
Great Knight	+8	+3	+0	+2	+3	+0	+3	+1	+3	E E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sage	+4	+1	+3	+2	+3	+0	+2	+2	+1	E
Dark Knight	+9	+4	+1	+3	+1	+0	+7	+2	+3	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Hero	+6	+3	+1	+3	+3	+0	+3	+3	+1	E
Bow Knight	+8	+3	+0	+2	+3	+0	+1	+2	+3	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Swordmaster	+4	+3	+1	+2	+3	+0	+2	+3	+1	--
Assassin	+5	+4	−1	+4	+2	+0	+1	+0	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
War Monk	+8	+5	+2	+2	+2	+0	+5	+0	+1	E
Sage	+4	+1	+4	+3	+3	+0	+3	−1	+1	E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Grandmaster	+4	+3	+3	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+1	--

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Assassin	+5	+5	+0	+7	+4	+0	+3	+1	+1	E
Trickster	+3	+1	+4	+4	+3	+0	+1	+5	+1	E

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Skill set

Like all male bonus units inAwakening, Matthew has access to all base class and advanced class skills available to standard male units.

Fire Emblem Engage

Role

Matthew appears as an equippableBond Ring. He can be summoned usingLyn'sEmblem Ring.

Bond Ring data

Stat modifiers Ring level HP Spd Lck C +0 +1 +0 B +0 +1 +1 A +2 +1 +1 S +2 +2 +1

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Matthew is one of the characters available to be summoned by players from the game's initial launch. Only one variation of Matthew is currently available inHeroes, based on hisThe Blazing Blade incarnation.

Matthew is also one of four free units apart from the main characters given to new players of the game; the player's free Matthew is obtained after returning to the castle after completing thePreface. Players who first started the game prior to version 2.5 got this Matthew at two-star rarity; players who first started the game from version 2.5 onward get this Matthew at four-star rarity.

Matthew: Faithful Spy

Starting stats

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Rarity ★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 14/15/16 Attack 4/5/6 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 2/3/4 Maximum HP 31/34/37 Attack 18/20/23 Speed 25/28/31 Defense 20/23/26 Resistance 10/13/16 {{{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.

Skills Iron Dagger -- --

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 15/16/17 Attack 4/5/6 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 34/37/40 Attack 19/22/25 Speed 27/30/33 Defense 23/26/29 Resistance 12/15/18 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Steel Dagger -- --

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 15/16/17 Attack 5/6/7 Speed 9/10/11 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 35/38/41 Attack 21/24/27 Speed 29/32/35 Defense 24/27/30 Resistance 13/16/19 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Rogue Dagger Reciprocal Aid --

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 16/17/18 Attack 5/6/7 Speed 9/10/11 Defense 5/6/7 Resistance 4/5/6 Maximum HP 38/41/44 Attack 22/25/29 Speed 31/34/37 Defense 27/30/33 Resistance 14/18/21 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Rogue Dagger Reciprocal Aid --

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Dagger	★★	★★	50
	Steel Dagger	★★	★★★	100
	Rogue Dagger	★★★	★★★★	200
	Rogue Dagger+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Spy's Dagger	★★★★★	—	400
	Reciprocal Aid	★★★	★★★★	150
B	Poison Strike 1	★★★	—	60
B	Poison Strike 2	★★★★	—	120
B	Poison Strike 3	★★★★★	—	240
C	Hone Spd 1	★★	—	50
C	Hone Spd 2	★★	—	100
C	Hone Spd 3	★★★★	—	200

Personality

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Matthew's demeanor is cheerful and optimistic at best, rarely ever set back by the current situations at hand. He usually tends to give sarcastic and joyful responses to most threats and conversations thrown at him, though he has his slip ups in personality. He doesn't give an effort to hide the annoyance and grief he is caused because of Serra's presence. He also is aggressive and overreacts to Jaffar admitting the murder of Leila, even attempting to kill the assassin and threatening Jaffar with the life of Nino before he eased his grief, knowing that Leila wouldn't enjoy having her death avenged in such a way. Despite his happy outlook on life, he can be serious and solemn on matters, such as Leila's funeral and reporting Lundgren's influence on Caelin to Hector.

Supports

Main article:Matthew/Supports

Matthew Thief Hector Lord Initial: 20 Per turn:3 Guy Myrmidon Initial: 10 Per turn:3 Oswin Knight Initial: 5 Per turn:2 [[{{{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:+ Jaffar Assassin Initial: 0 Per turn:1 Serra Cleric Initial: 5 Per turn:1 Legault Thief Initial: 0 Per turn:2 [[{{{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

Lyn's tale

Matthew, the Enigmatic Thief
Matthew vanishes after the final battle, and his whereabouts remain a mystery.

Matthew, the Enigmatic Thief (if Matthew was defeated)
Despite his injuries, Matthew sees Lyn safely to Castle Caelin. He vanishes shortly after their arrival and is not seen again.

Eliwood/Hector's tale

Matthew, Thief and Spy
Matthew continued his service as a spy for House Ostia. The memory of his beloved Leila lingers on in his heart.

Matthew and Serra
Matthew returned to Ostia, where he led the network of spies for the new marquess. During this hectic time, his thoughts turned to Serra. Thanks to her, the pain of losing Leila slowly became more bearable.

Quotes

Death quote

Final Chapter: Light quote

Battle quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article:Matthew/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Matthew'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.

Fire Emblem Cipher

Matthew is featured on three cards inFire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Matthew
	Thief and Spy, Matthew
		"Well... I, er... gather information, open doors, chests, and such."
		Attack: 50	Support: X	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 2
		Class: Thief		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Whistling Spy:[Trigger] When this unit is deployed, reveal the top card of your opponent's deck. You may then place that card in their Retreat Area. Spy's Sleight:[Support] Reveal the top card of the opponent's deck. Until the end of this battle, this card's support value is equal to the support value of that card (If the revealed card has a Support Value of X, then this card's support value becomes 0).
	Card #B07-021HN • Artist:Misei Ito
NormalR+ {{{alt2image2}}} {{{alt3image2}}} {{{alt4image2}}} {{{alt5image2}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}	Elegy Devoted to the Shadows, Matthew
		"You wouldn't want me to give up. I must fulfill my duty. So rest... I promise I will take care of everything."
		Attack: 70	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Assassin		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Sworn Fell Sword:[Trigger][Once per turn] During your turn, when your opponent reveals a card from their deck as the result of a skill's effect, untap this unit. Undercover in Deep Darkness:[Support] If you have fewer cards in your hand than your opponent, draw one card. You may [] and each time you do, this skill is activated again.
	Card #B13-014R(+) • Artist:Hatori Kyoka
	Cheerful Spy, Matthew
		"Hm? A wraith? And here I thought I was a spy."
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Thief		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Spy's Intelligence Gathering:[Trigger] [] When this unit's attack destroys an enemy, you may pay the cost, and if you do: Draw one card. Thief Emblem:[Support] Reveal the top card of your opponent's deck. You may send that card to the Retreat Area.
	Card #B13-015N, B13-015ST • Artist:Hatori Kyoka
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Matthew .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Matthew: Faithful Spy
House Ostia proudly leads the Lycian League. And supporting them from the shadows is their ever-loyal spy, Matthew!	Matthew first served Uther, the Marquess of Ostia. But when Uther's younger brother, Hector, abruptly left home to go on a journey, Matthew followed him.	During their travels, Hector and Matthew became entangled in a plot by a group of assassins known as the Black Fang. Things took a much darker turn when Matthew's lover, a fellow spy by the name of Leila, was killed by the assassins…	Though shocked by what had become of Leila, Matthew remained dedicated to fighting for justice. I'm sure that, somewhere, Leila is watching him with a smile on her face.
Closely Associated Characters
Hector Jaffar {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Eliwood's friend and the brother of the Marquess of Ostia. Prefers action to court formality. Matthew's lord. An emotionless member of the Black Fang assassins. Known as the Angel of Death. He is the one who killed Matthew's lover Leila. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

81

Matthew The Blazing Blade

3,565

CYL 2 (2018)

256

Matthew The Blazing Blade

912 (−2,653)

CYL 3 (2019)

249 (No change)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

914 (+2)

CYL 4 (2020)

283 (+16)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

530 (−384)

CYL 5 (2021)

260 (−23)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

376 (−154)

CYL 6 (2022)

236 (−25)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

421 (+45)

CYL 7 (2023)

224 (−12)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

287 (−134)

CYL 8 (2024)

213 (−11)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

307 (+20)

CYL 9 (2025)

123 (−90)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

493 (+186)

CYL 10 (2026)

172 (+49)

Matthew The Blazing Blade

216 (−277)

Total results		This character has 10 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	8,021

Trivia

• If Hector's tale is played, Matthew holds the distinction of being the only playable character in Lyn's tale not to leave the player's control in the transition to the main story.
• Matthew is the only character inThe Blazing Blade that winks. It is used in his recruitment conversation with Guy.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Thief Assassin Sword Sword

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Matthew fromThe Blazing Blade.

CG images

• 
  CG image featuring Matthew inThe Blazing Blade.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 
  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Resplendent Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Resplendent Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Resplendent Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Resplendent Matthew: Faithful Spy.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Artwork of Matthew: Faithful Spy.
• 
  Matthew in artwork ofHector: General of Ostia.
• 
  Matthew in artwork ofSerra: Outspoken Cleric.
• 
  Matthew in artwork ofGuy: Kutolah Blade.

Other artwork

• 
  Wallpaper of Matthew: Faithful Spy from theA Hero Rises 2018 event.
• 
  Artwork featuring Matthew released on the seventh day ofChoose Your Legends:Round 8.

Cipher artwork

• 
  Artwork of Matthew.
• 
  Artwork of Matthew.
• 
  Artwork of Matthew.

References

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