Byleth from the game Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the latest in the iconic Fire Emblem series, was revealed as the next DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch. The character was announced in today’s presentation with Smash Bros. series producer Masahiro Sakurai. The male and female versions of the Fire Emblem: Three Houses protagonist will be playable. Byleth will be the fifth and final character included in the Fighters Pass, though there will be six more Challenger Packs coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with the Fighters Pass Vol. 2.
Both Byleth’s male and female versions will be playable.
Byleth’s movement speed is one of the slowest among the Smash roster, but they make up for it with power and range. Byleth’s move set features four different Hero Relics, ancient weapons wielded by those with a corresponding crest. They will use a certain relic base on the direction of their attacks.
Byleth’s primary weapon is the Sword of the Creator, a blade that can turn into a whip. They will use this sword during basic, dash, and upward attacks. The upward special can tether to ledges to help recover on the stage.
Areadbhar is a spear used during side air, side smash, and side special attacks. Upward and downward tilts affect the direction that the attack is aimed. Similar to Marth’s Falchion, the spear does more damage when it hits with the tip. Byleth can slide with a side special smash for additional range.
Aymr is an ax that Byleth uses with downward inputs. With a downward special, Byleth will have super armor ability that will allow them to take damage without flinching and countering with a powerful attack. It is slow but powerful, and it can change direction. The ax also has a shockwave effect, so even if it misses nearby opponents, it can knock them back.
Byleth utilizes four legendary Hero Relics. The bow Failnaught is Byleth’s neutral special.
Failnaught is a bow used during Byleth’s neutral special. On the ground, Byleth will fire an arrow with the bow, when they will do a close-ranged spinning attack in the air. The longer the button is held, the more powerful the shot. Byleth can shield to cancel the bow attack before it is fully charged, but they will have to commit to firing it at its full power.
Byleth’s Final Smash is called Progenitor God Ruptured Heaven. Byleth will team up with Sothis to unleash the full power of the Sword of the Creator.
Byleth’s alternate color variations are based on the three house leaders (Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude), Sothis, and Byleth’s enlightened form.
Some of Byleth’s alternate colors represent the three houses of the Garreg Mach Monastery.
A new stage will be added with Byleth’s Challenger Pack called the Garreg Mach Monastery. This is based on the hub world of Fire Emblem: Three Houses where most of the game takes place. The stage will shift through different parts of the monastery, and each area will feature characters from the game spectating in the background. These areas in the Marketplace, the Reception Hall, the Bridge, and the Cathedral. The first couple of areas of the stage include destructible environments while the last two are very simple in their layouts.
In addition to everything else, there will be 11 new tracks added to all Fire Emblem stages and a new Spirit Board with several characters from Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Byleth will likely become available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on January 28th.
