Vanguard

Learn how to unlock and effectively use the Vanguard class in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest, including its stats, skills like Aether and Strengthtaker, and weapon proficiencies.

Alright, let's talk about the Vanguard class in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest! Think of it as a really solid, strong fighter, kind of the opposite of the Lodestar. You'll get access to this class by playing the DLC map called Vanguard Dawn. They're built tough and hit hard, but they aren't exactly the fastest units on the battlefield, which is why they have skills like Heavy Blade to boost their Strength and Speed, even if it comes with a slight Speed penalty.

The Vanguard comes with some pretty cool skills:

• Heavy Blade: This gives you a nice boost of Strength+3 and Speed-1. It really leans into the class's strengths.
• Veteran Intuition: This grants Critical Evade+15. It's a nice little safety net against critical hits, but remember, you should always try to avoid getting hit in the first place!
• Aether: This is a fantastic skill, shared with the Great Lord class. It has a Skill x 0.5% chance to activate, and when it does, it triggers Sol and then Luna in succession. Basically, you get two powerful attacks that can heal you and deal extra damage.
• Strengthtaker: This is straightforward – after you defeat an enemy, your Strength gets a +2 bonus that lasts until the end of the battle. It can even stack up to Strength+10, making your Vanguard a real powerhouse as the fight goes on. Just a heads-up, this skill won't stack with Speedtaker or any other "-taker" skills, so choose wisely!

Here's a look at their stat growths and what weapons they can use:

So, while they might be a bit slow, their high Strength and access to Aether make them a formidable force, especially when they start racking up those Strengthtaker bonuses!