Merlinus (Japanese:マリナスMerlinus) is a character inFire Emblem: The Binding Blade andFire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. In the first game, he is a vassal of LordEliwood who joinsRoy's army inChapter 2, while in the latter, he is a merchant who is rescued and then contracted by Eliwood andHector inChapter 13x orChapter 16 (17 Hector).

Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade

Role

Merlinus is one ofEliwood's most trusted vassals, and he is sent to accompanyRoy as an adviser during the war. Merlinus appears in most of the conversations between chapters, doing his best to direct his young liege towards the right path.

Merlinus has not a specific ending; from his words, though, it can be deduced that he returns toPherae and spends the rest of his life working for Roy.

Starting stats and growth rates

Transporter Level 1 Affinity

Recruitment:Chapter 2, automatically on Turn 2 StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 15 Luck 10 Strength 0 Defense 3 Skill 3 Resistance 0 Speed 3 Constitution 25 Movement 5 Aid 0 Max HP 100% Luck 100% Strength 0% Defense 20% Skill 50% Resistance 5% Speed 50% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory -- Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Analysis

Merlinus's unique class,Transporter, functions like aconvoy; he or a unit standing next to him can move items between their inventory and the convoy by spending a turn. However, he is the only convoy available, and if Merlinus is not deployed, units cannot access the convoy though items can still be sent to it regardless. Unlike other units, Merlinus is not subject to permanentdeath; if Merlinus dies, he can be deployed in successive chapters. Because of this, Merlinus can be useful for baiting enemies; his terrible defensive stats and inability to counter-attack make it so that enemies will almost always prioritize him when he is in range, which can be used to prevent the deaths of other units.

However, Merlinus does not contribute much overall. His convoy utility, while situationally useful, can be diminished with well-managed inventories. All acquired items will be automatically deposited in the convoy whether or not he is deployed, so he is only useful for taking items out of the convoy. He also suffers from a lack of mobility; while 5 movement is the same as many other unmounted units, it is more detrimental for Merlinus, as his high constitution of 25 means he cannot berescued. He also cannot attack at all or use any weapon type, further decreasing his usefulness. Additionally, while his ability to bait enemies without risk of permanent death is useful, it can usually only be used once per map, as his HP and defense are so low almost any enemy will one-shot him. While in theorylevel-ups can help mitigate this problem, this is practically impossible; the only way for Merlinus to gainexperience is to get attacked and not die, which provides 1 point of experience for each round of combat. Combined with the fact he is one-shot by most enemies, Merlinus's stats will likely stay at their abysmal bases.

While Merlinus is overall a fairly underwhelming unit, he still has some niche utility. He is force-deployed on Chapters2 through5, so his strengths can be utilized without using a deployment slot. Additionally, inChapter 21, he is the best way to buy the infinite supply ofBoots available in thesecret shop by moving items from the convoy, selling them, buying the boots, and repeating that process.

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

Role

Merlinus is a quite nervous merchant who is traveling throughLycia. When he is passing by a small village in the march ofCaelin, bandits attack him. Fortunately, Eliwood andHector are nearby, and they rescue him. Merlinus offers them a small reward, but Eliwood refuses it, saying it was nothing. Hector nods, and carelessly adds that they do not need a peddler's junk. Offended, Merlinus presents himself, and after the lords give him their names, the merchant looks excited to have met such important people.

Hector then changes his opinion and asks him to become their merchant and supply manager; Merlinus happily assents. He then accompanies the army until the last travel toDread Isle. There, he vows to work for both lords forever, and sadly returns toFargus's ship to wait for their return.

After the crisis is averted, he opens a shop inOstia, but it does not do well and ends up closed. However, Merlinus does not give up; he plans on reopening it with Eliwood's aid. Should he have an A support with the knightMarcus, Merlinus directly goes to Pherae to work for Eliwood, focusing in the financial matters.

Starting stats and growth rates

NPC, Chapter 13xPlayable

Civilian Level 1 Affinity

Stats Max HP 13 Luck 12 Strength 0 Defense 2 Skill 1 Resistance 2 Speed 2 Constitution 7 Movement 5 Aid 6

Inventory -- Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Transporter Level 5 Affinity

Recruitment:Chapter 13x, end of the chapter Chapter 16E/17H, start of the chapter if 13x was not played StatsGrowth Rates Max HP 18 Luck 12 Strength 0 Defense 5 Skill 4 Resistance 2 Speed 5 Constitution 25 Movement 0 Aid 0 Max HP 120% Luck 100% Strength 0% Defense 30% Skill 90% Resistance 15% Speed 90% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory -- Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

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Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Merlinus is one of the characters added to the game in theReality update, and became available for summoning by players on November 17, 2020. Only one variation of Merlinus is currently available inHeroes, based on hisThe Binding Blade incarnation.

Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk

Stats

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Weapon type Movement type Entry Release version 4.11

Level 1 / DefaultLevel 40 / Max Stats Max HP 18/19/20 Attack 3/4/5 Speed 7/8/9 Defense 5/6/7 Resistance 3/4/5 Skills Steel Dagger -- -- A-- B-- C-- Stats Max HP 43/46/49 Attack 14/17/20 Speed 28/31/34 Defense 24/27/30 Resistance 20/23/26 Skills Smoke Dagger Reposition -- A-- BWings of Mercy 2 CDistant Guard 1 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Weapon type Movement type Entry Release version 4.11

Level 1 / DefaultLevel 40 / Max Stats Max HP 18/19/20 Attack 3/4/5 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 6/7/8 Resistance 3/4/5 Skills Smoke Dagger Reposition -- A-- B-- C-- Stats Max HP 44/47/51 Attack 15/18/21 Speed 30/33/36 Defense 26/29/32 Resistance 21/24/27 Skills Smoke Dagger Reposition -- A-- BWings of Mercy 3 CDistant Guard 2 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Weapon type Movement type Entry Release version 4.11

Level 1 / DefaultLevel 40 / Max Stats Max HP 19/20/21 Attack 4/5/6 Speed 8/9/10 Defense 6/7/8 Resistance 4/5/6 Skills Smoke Dagger+ Reposition -- A-- B-- C-- Stats Max HP 47/50/54 Attack 17/20/23 Speed 32/35/38 Defense 28/31/34 Resistance 23/27/30 Skills Convoy Dagger Reposition -- A-- BWings of Mercy 3 CDistant Guard 3 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

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Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Dagger	★★★	★★★	50
	Steel Dagger	★★★	★★★	100
	Smoke Dagger	★★★	★★★★	200
	Smoke Dagger+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Convoy Dagger	★★★★★	—	400
	Reposition	★★★	★★★★	150
B	Wings of Mercy 1	★★★	—	60
B	Wings of Mercy 2	★★★	—	120
B	Wings of Mercy 3	★★★★	—	240
C	Distant Guard 1	★★★	—	60
C	Distant Guard 2	★★★★	—	120
C	Distant Guard 3	★★★★★	—	240

Personality

InFire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, Merlinus is quite shy and easily scared, almost acting as a comic relief. He shows time and time again^[1] that he is not really suited to be in a battlefield; Marcus calls him out on the several occasions in which Merlinus lets down his guard.^[2] However, Merlinus is quite good at managing the army's supplies^[3] and at cooking – his dishes are praised by Marcus andVaida.^[4]

InThe Binding Blade, Merlinus seems to have a somewhat important position in House Pherae. He has lost most of his shyness by then, and tends to be a little more direct if not downright verbally aggressive when dealing with most people.^[5] Usually, he gives sound advice to Roy, but this is not always taken into account, which makes him disgruntled. It could be said that the only time Roy does really heed his advice is at the end – after the young lord says the war is over, Merlinus reminds him that is not true.^[6]

Supports

Main article:Merlinus/Supports

The Binding Blade

Merlinus cannot support with any character in this game.

The Blazing Blade

Merlinus Transporter Marcus Paladin Initial: 0 Per turn:+2 Vaida Wyvern Lord Initial: 0 Per turn:+1 [[{{{support5}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin5}}}affin.png|link={{{affin5}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints5}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{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:+ Nino Mage Initial: 0 Per turn:+2 [[{{{support4}}}]] [[]] [[File:Is gba {{{affin4}}}affin.png|link={{{affin4}}} (affinity)]] Initial: {{{initialpoints4}}} Per turn:+ [[{{{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

The Blazing Blade

Merlinus, Cheery Merchant
Merlinus opened a shop in Ostia, but it was forced to close. He plans on reopening with some aid from Lord Eliwood himself.

Merlinus and Marcus
The merchant Merlinus began working for Eliwood. He and Marcus were fast friends, and when Marcus became the head of military training, Merlinus used his business acumen to deal with all matters financial.

Quotes

Death quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article:Merlinus/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Merlinus's official artwork from bothThe Binding Blade andThe Blazing Blade can be viewed inPath of Radiance's extras menu if a copy ofThe Binding Blade orThe Blazing Blade is connected to a copy ofPath of Radiance respectively. Merlinus'sThe Binding Blade 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

Merlinus is featured on one card inFire Emblem Cipher. This card depicts his older self fromThe Binding Blade; he has no cards depicting his youngerThe Blazing Blade version.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Merlinus
	Pherae Official, Merlinus
		"Oh no! I'm getting out of here before I lose all my goods!"
		Attack: 10	Support: 10	Range: -	Deploy Cost: 2
		Class: Transporter		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Noncombatant:[Always] This unit cannot evade. "Tch, time to withdraw!":[Always] When this unit is destroyed by an attack, you may return this card back to your hand.
	Card #P05-003PR • Artist:Akihiro Mibuta
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Merlinus .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk
House Pherae has a number of outstanding knights at its disposal, but even the bravest knights need support. Enter Merlinus, a man of many talents who supports Pherae from behind the scenes!	In his younger days, Merlinus was a traveling merchant who wandered Elibe, but after an encounter with Eliwood, he entered the service of House Pherae.	Later, when Eliwood's son Roy began his own journey, Merlinus joined him in order to provide support.	For decades, Merlinus has supported House Pherae without taking center stage. Still, it's safe to say that his unfailing loyalty and the things he's achieved could put even a storied knight to shame!
Closely Associated Characters
Eliwood Roy {{{Related_name3}}} {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Marquess of Pherae. After overcoming the death of his father, Elbert, he foils Nergal's wicked ambitions with his comrades. He recruits Merlinus as a retainer to the family. The son of Eliwood, Marquess of Pherae. Talented leader of Pherae's army. Merlinus's lord. {{{Related_blurb3}}} {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)	362	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	474
	425	Merlinus The Binding Blade	318

CYL 2 (2018)	374	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	490
	564	Merlinus The Binding Blade	164 (−154)

CYL 3 (2019)	369 (+8)	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	494 (+4)
	467 (+106)	Merlinus The Binding Blade	272 (−218)

CYL 4 (2020)	112 (−239)	Merlinus The Binding Blade	1,456 (+962)
	362 (−27)	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	379 (−115)

CYL 5 (2021)	643 (+281)	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	65 (−314)
	740 (+628)	Merlinus The Binding Blade	30 (−1,426)

CYL 6 (2022)	701 (+56)	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	44 (−21)
	784 (+42)	Merlinus The Binding Blade	19 (−11)

CYL 7 (2023)	680 (−21)	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	41 (−3)
	800 (+16)	Merlinus The Binding Blade	12 (−7)

CYL 8 (2024)	782 (+102)	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	23 (−18)
	861 (+61)	Merlinus The Binding Blade	10 (−2)

CYL 9 (2025)	729 (−132)	Merlinus The Binding Blade	29 (+19)
	737 (−45)	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	28 (+5)

CYL 10 (2026)	761 (+24)	Merlinus The Blazing Blade	17 (−11)
	795 (+66)	Merlinus The Binding Blade	13 (−16)

Total results		This character has 20 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	4,378

Trivia

• It is possible for Merlinus to visit villages. However, inThe Blazing Blade, Merlinus cannot use the trade or supply functions, which means that once he has an item from a village, it is stuck in his inventory until the next chapter's preparations.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
The Binding Blade Transporter
The Blazing Blade Transporter None*

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Merlinus fromThe Binding Blade.
• 
  Artwork of Merlinus fromThe Blazing Blade.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 
  Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk.
• 
  Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk.
• 
  Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk.
• 
  Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk.
• 
  Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk.
• 
  Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk.
• 
  Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk.
• 
  Merlinus in artwork ofRoy: Young Lion.

Cipher artwork

• 
  Artwork of Merlinus.

References

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