Scáthach (Japanese:スカサハSkasaher), known asUlster inFire Emblem Awakening, is a prince ofIsaach, the cousin of Crown PrinceShannan and one of the twin children of the presumed late PrincessAyra. Born during Ayra's travels withSigurd ofChalphy, at age two he was escorted into hiding byOifey and his elder cousinShannan, along with his twin sisterLarcei and Sigurd's sonSeliph. Seventeen years later, he was part of the beginning of Seliph's revolution against the tyranny of theGrannvale Empire.

In the gameplay ofGenealogy of the Holy War, if Ayra died or was not married in the course of the first generation, Scáthach's role is filled byDalvin, hissubstitute.

Biography

While scouting, Scáthach observed the approach of KingDanann's Grannvale forces towardTirnanog and reported back this news, observing that it had been discovered as the hideout of Shannan's rebellion. On Shannan's orders in lieu of his absence, he strongly advised caution until such a time as Shannan and Oifey returned, but was overruled by Larcei and Seliph's insistence, and so departed with the two andLana to take on Grannvale.

Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War

Role

Scáthach is a playable character in the second generation ifAyra was married and still alive at the end ofChapter 5. He is available from the start ofChapter 6.

Starting stats and growth rates

Main article:Scáthach/Stats

Sword Fighter Level 1 Holy Blood Movement 6

Recruitment:Chapter 6, automatically from the start StatsGrowth Rates Max HP Variable Speed Variable Strength Variable Luck Variable Magic Variable Defense Variable Skill Variable Resistance Variable Max HP +45% Speed +15% Strength +15% Luck +10% Magic +2% Defense +10% Skill +45% Resistance +2% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Iron Blade Inherited items Inherited gold Astra Nihil Follow-Up Inherited skills Weapon Levels A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Promotion stat gains

Main article:Scáthach/Stats

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Forrest	+0	+5	+3	+2	+2	+0	+2	+3	+0	A

Love growths and events

Scáthach Sword Fighter Lana/Muirne Initial: 0 Per turn: 2 Larcei Initial: -- Per turn: -- Julia Initial: 0 Per turn: 0 Fee/Hermina Initial: 0 Per turn: 2 Patty/Daisy Initial: 0 Per turn: 2 Patty/Daisy Initial: 0 Per turn: 2 Nanna/Jeanne Initial: 0 Per turn: 2 Lene/Laylea Initial: 0 Per turn: 2 Tine/Linda Initial: 0 Per turn: 3 {{{portrait9}}} {{{option9}}} Initial: {{{initialpoints9}}} Per turn: + {{{portrait10}}} {{{option10}}} Initial: {{{initialpoints10}}} Per turn: + Tine/Linda Initial: 0 Per turn: 3 {{{portrait9}}} {{{option9}}} Initial: {{{initialpoints9}}} Per turn: + {{{portrait10}}} {{{option10}}} Initial: {{{initialpoints10}}} Per turn: + {{{portrait11}}} {{{option11}}} Initial: {{{initialpoints11}}} Per turn: + {{{portrait12}}} {{{option12}}} Initial: {{{initialpoints12}}} Per turn: + {{{portrait13}}} {{{option13}}} Initial: {{{initialpoints13}}} Per turn: + {{{portrait14}}} {{{option14}}} Initial: {{{initialpoints14}}} Per turn: +

• InChapter 6, Scáthach can talk to Larcei at any time, giving her +1Luck.
• In theFinal Chapter, if they are lovers,Lana orMuirne can initiate a conversation with Scáthach, awarding him +5Resistance.

Analysis

Unit performance

Scáthach is a level 1Sword Fighter available from the beginning of the second generation. Scáthach will always inherit minor Od Holy Blood from his mother, increasing his skill and HP growth rates, as well asAstra andNihil; additionally, he will haveFollow-Up as a class skill from Sword Fighter andForrest. In general, Scáthach will have strong combat regardless of who his father is.

Scáthach will usually have high speed and strength, and will be able to deal significant damage to, if not one-round, many enemies in Chapter 6 and in thearena. Scáthach can one-round most enemies in the game when Astra activates; Astra activates based on the user's skill, which Od blood gives a growth boost to. Scáthach will always have a sword level of A, allowing him to use every sword in the game at base except theholy weapons, such asBalmung.

Scáthach and his sisterLarcei are very similar units, both unmounted sword users with good combat. They have similar stats, will always inherit the same skills, and have the same A-rank in swords. Scáthach promotes to Forrest, while Larcei promotes to the slightly betterSwordmaster, gaining three points more skill and speed, equal gains in every other stat, andAdept.

Scáthach lacks a mount, which the maps inGenealogy of the Holy War strongly favor; every map is very large, and the road tiles that boost the movement of units moving across them benefit high-move cavalry more. Scáthach's lack of a mount is less severe at the start of Chapter 6, when all four initially available units—including Scáthach—are unmounted, and can gain a lead to the first castle over the first mounted units, which join on turn 3. However, later in the game when the player gains access to more mounted units—when units such asSeliph promote or such asFinn join—and Scáthach is not afforded time to gain a lead on them, Scáthach will be able to contribute less; even later in Chapter 6, the first mounted units will be able to catch up and surpass Scáthach on the way to castles after the first.

Parentage influences

There is no pairing that will significantly strengthen Scáthach at the cost of Larcei, or vice versa. Both gain Follow-Up from their class, and each will inherit the same skills and mostly the same Holy Blood bonuses. Scáthach can gain major Forseti or Bragi Holy Blood, but the pairings required to get those grant lower strength growths, and Scáthach's class does not allow him to use either associated holy weapon. On the other had, Larcei has the slight advantage of inheriting her mother's items, while Scáthach inherits his father's; a number of good fathers can use swords, but some—particularlyLex—cannot, limiting the swords Scáthach can inherit from those fathers to a mere four obtained from villages or defeating bosses; theArmorslayer inCh2 village, theWing Clipper inCh3 village,Jacobi'sBolt Sword andChagall'sSilver Blade.

Lex passes down minor Nál Holy Blood,Vantage, andParagon. Nál Holy Blood increases Scáthach's HP and defense growths, making him tougher to kill. Vantage is situationally useful in battles against large numbers of enemies, while Paragon lets Scáthach gain levels faster and promote sooner. With Paragon, Scáthach would not need the Paragon Ring and would thus have moregold available for other things, such as repairing weapons or giving gold to a lover who does need the Paragon Ring, which is particularly helpful for theexperience ranking. However, Lex cannot purchase swords to pass down, and can only pass down swords gained by defeating enemies that drop them, most of whom Lex hasweapon triangle disadvantage against. Lex cannot be next to Ayra without slowing down and limiting his contributions; however, he does have an event with her inChapter 3 available from the start of the chapter that grants her the onlyBrave Sword available in the first generation and grantslove points between the two, making the pairing easier.

Chulainn passes down minor Od Holy Blood; combined with Ayra's minor Od blood, this grants Scáthach and Larcei major Od blood, granting a greater boost to their skill and HP growths. Major Od blood also grants ★ sword level; though this is of no benefit without usinga glitch that allows Balmung to appear in the armory. Both children also gainLuna, further improving their combat, though only one of Luna and Astra can activate at once. Chulainn can purchase swords up to A level to pass down to Scáthach. Chulainn has the same movement as Ayra and can easily reach the required love point threshold; additionally, Chulainn has an event in Chapter 3 available from the start which gives Ayra the Brave Sword and grants many love points between the two—this event is mutually exclusive with Lex's version of the event, so only one brave sword can be obtained and only one pair can gain the love points.

Another option isNaoise, who passes downAccost andCritical; this further improves Scáthach's combat by giving him an additional way to attack more than once and a potential increase in damage. Critical can be made redundant by passing down a sword with akill bonus, which will grant the same effect, though Critical can activate with any weapon, not just one with a kill bonus.Jamke similarly passes down Accost, but he passesAdept instead of Critical. Larcei benefits from Jamke as a father slightly less than Scáthach, as she gains Adept upon promotion, which Scáthach does not. Additionally, the effect of the Brave Sword prevents Adept from activating, which is a situational limitation. Naoise—like Lex—is a mounted unit, and has to slow down and limit his contributions in order to pair off with Ayra; alternately, Jamke has the same movement as Ayra and does not cost the opportunity of a stronger unit's contribution.

Fire Emblem Awakening

Scáthach, here known as "Ulster", is playable as aSpotPass character, released in theGenealogy of the Holy War second-generation character set. He is also present as an enemy in thefirst andthird installments of theLost BloodlinesDLC series.

Starting stats and growth rates

Myrmidon Level 15 Movement 5

Recruitment:SpotPass, hire him for 6,700G or defeat him in askirmish StatsGrowth RatesCap Modifiers Max HP 36 Speed 16 Strength 14 Luck 12 Magic 1 Defense 13 Skill 20 Resistance 4 Max HP 110% Speed 55% Strength 60% Luck 55% Magic 30% Defense 40% Skill 60% Resistance 20% Speed −1 Strength +1 Luck +2 Magic ±0 Defense +2 Skill ±0 Resistance −1 {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Skills Steel Sword* Avoid +10 Vantage Patience Weapon Levels C -- -- -- -- --

Reclassing options

Ulster Base classes:* Myrmidon Swordmaster Assassin 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

{{{content14}}}

{{{content15}}}

Skill set

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

Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Scáthach is one of the characters added to the game in theRevealing Lies update, and became available for summoning by players on April 18, 2022. Only one variation of Scáthach is currently available inHeroes, based on hisGenealogy of the Holy War incarnation.

Scáthach: Astra's Wake

Starting stats

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 10/11/12 Speed 6/7/8 Defense 8/9/10 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 36/39/42 Attack 35/38/41 Speed 23/26/29 Defense 35/38/41 Resistance 18/21/24 {{{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 17/18/19 Attack 11/12/13 Speed 6/7/8 Defense 9/10/11 Resistance 3/4/5 Maximum HP 37/40/43 Attack 37/40/44 Speed 24/27/30 Defense 37/41/44 Resistance 19/22/25 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Spirited Sword -- Night Sky

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial StatsLevel 40 Stats Maximum HP 18/19/20 Attack 11/12/13 Speed 7/8/9 Defense 9/10/11 Resistance 4/5/6 Maximum HP 40/43/46 Attack 39/42/46 Speed 26/30/33 Defense 39/43/46 Resistance 21/24/28 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Spirited Sword+ -- Night Sky

{{{content4}}}

{{{content5}}}

{{{content6}}}

{{{content7}}}

{{{content8}}}

{{{content9}}}

{{{content10}}}

{{{content11}}}

{{{content12}}}

{{{content13}}}

{{{content14}}}

{{{content15}}}

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Unlock	Auto-unlock	SP cost
	Iron Sword	★★★	★★★	50
	Steel Sword	★★★	★★★	100
	Spirited Sword	★★★	★★★★	200
	Spirited Sword+	★★★★★	★★★★★	300
	Night Sky	★★★	★★★★	100
	Astra	★★★★	—	200
A	Atk/Def Ideal 1	★★★	—	60
A	Atk/Def Ideal 2	★★★★	—	120
A	Atk/Def Ideal 3	★★★★★	—	240
C	Odd Def Wave 1	★★★	—	60
C	Odd Def Wave 2	★★★	—	120
C	Odd Def Wave 3	★★★★	—	240

Personality

According to Seliph and Larcei, under most circumstances Scáthach is hot-headed and eager when it comes to battle; however, this is balanced and sometimes outweighed by his sense of duty. To this end, when both Larcei and Seliph were calling for departing to respond to the impending Grannvale assault on Tirnanog, he was uncharacteristically reluctant to allow them to just leap into battle, as Shannan had tasked him with protecting Seliph in his absence.^[2]

Quotes

Battle quotes

Death quotes

Heroes quotes

Main article:Scáthach/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Scáthach is featured on four cards inFire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Scáthach
	Astral Earth-Runner, Scáthach
		"I'll show you what my training has done for me!"
		Attack: 60	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Forrest		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		Soul of Astra:[Activate][Once per turn] [] Reveal the top 5 cards of your deck. This unit gains +20 attack for each "Scáthach" card revealed this way, until the end of the turn. Send all the revealed cards to the Retreat Area afterwards. "Twin-Star Strike":[Activate] [] Until the end of this turn, the number of orbs this unit's attacks would destroy becomes 2. This skill cannot be activated unless this unit's attack is at least 100.
	Card #B08-057HN • Artist:Genki Kuno
	Son of a Sword Princess, Scáthach
		"This is terrible! It seems that the enemy has found out about our hideout!"
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Sword Fighter		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Memories of Mother:[Activate] While this unit is supported by a unit, this unit gains +10 attack. Attack Emblem:[Support] Until the end of this combat, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B08-058N • Artist:Genki Kuno
	Calm Swordmaster, Scáthach
		"Are you alright? Listen, you mustn't take any unnecessary risks. Don't let your recklessness get the better of you."
		Attack: 70	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 4
		Class: Forrest		Tier:Advanced	Class Change Cost: 3
		Swordsmanship from the Saint of Swords' Land:[Always] If the card supporting this unit is, non-Main Character enemies are unable to evade this unit's attack. Shadowbreaking Twin Astra:[Trigger][Once per turn] [] When an other ally is untapped through the effect of a skill, you may pay the cost and if you do: Untap this unit.
	Card #B19-074R • Artist:Doji Shiki
	Descendant of the Sword Saint, Scáthach
		"I won't lose, Larcei – not today!"
		Attack: 40	Support: 10	Range: 1	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Sword Fighter		Tier:Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Peerless Sibling Blades:[Always] If this unit is being supported by "Larcei", this unit gains +30 attack. Attack Emblem:[Support] Until the end of this combat, your attacking unit gains +20 attack.
	Card #B19-075N • Artist:Doji Shiki
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, seetheir TCG wiki article on Scáthach .

Flavor text

Meet some of the Heroes entries

Scáthach: Astra's Wake
Scáthach is the son of Ayra, princess of Isaach! He took up his sword and rose in defiance to reclaim his country from its invaders.	A descendant of the crusader Od, Scáthach was given a harsh education in swordsmanship by his cousin, Shannan. He also trained with his twin sister, Larcei, and his old friend Seliph.	Through his diligent training, Scáthach became a swordsman worthy of Od's reputation, and mastered Astra, the legendary technique of Isaach's royal family. He's truly a force to be reckoned with!	Scáthach's commitment to mastering the sword is matched only by the dedicated support he gave to Seliph's liberation army. He's an inspiring example of gallantry!
Closely Associated Characters
Ayra Larcei Shannan {{{Related_name4}}} {{{Related_name5}}} Princess of Isaach, master of the sword, and descendant of the crusader Od. She fights for her homeland. Scáthach's mother. A young warrior searching for her mother, elegantly fashioned blade in hand. Scáthach is her twin brother, and Shannan is her cousin. Prince of Isaach and descendant of the crusader Od. Skilled wielder of the divine blade Balmung. Taught Scáthach his swordsmanship. {{{Related_blurb4}}} {{{Related_blurb5}}}

Choose Your Legends placement history

Round	Placement	Character	Votes

CYL 1 (2017)

380

Ulster Genealogy of the Holy War

430

CYL 2 (2018)

495

Ulster Genealogy of the Holy War

248 (−182)

CYL 3 (2019)

416 (−43)

Ulster Genealogy of the Holy War

361 (+113)

CYL 4 (2020)

297 (−118)

Ulster Genealogy of the Holy War

491 (+130)

CYL 5 (2021)

247 (−50)

Scáthach Genealogy of the Holy War

394 (−97)

CYL 6 (2022)

216 (−32)

Scáthach Genealogy of the Holy War

477 (+83)

CYL 7 (2023)

493 (+277)

Scáthach Genealogy of the Holy War

97 (−380)

CYL 8 (2024)

456 (−37)

Scáthach Genealogy of the Holy War

108 (+11)

CYL 9 (2025)

448 (−8)

Scáthach Genealogy of the Holy War

93 (−15)

CYL 10 (2026)

453 (+5)

Scáthach Genealogy of the Holy War

67 (−26)

Total results		This character has 10 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls.	2,766

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Sword Fighter Forrest Sword (Iron Sword orBlade) Sword (Iron Sword orBlade)

Official artwork

• 
  Artwork of Scáthach fromTreasure.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach from theTrading Card Game.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach with other characters fromGenealogy of the Holy War from the25th Anniversary Staff Book.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach andLarcei from the25th Anniversary Staff Book.

Portraits

• 
  Portrait of Ulster inAwakening.

Heroes artwork

Character artwork

• 
  Artwork of Scáthach: Astra's Wake.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach: Astra's Wake.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach: Astra's Wake.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach: Astra's Wake.

Meet some of the Heroes artwork

• 
  Artwork of Scáthach: Astra's Wake.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach: Astra's Wake.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach: Astra's Wake.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach: Astra's Wake.
• 
  Scáthach in artwork ofLarcei: Keen Kin.

Cipher artwork

• 
  Artwork of Scáthach.
• 
  Artwork of Scáthach.
• 
  Scáthach in artwork ofSeliph andJulia.

References

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