—Rickard in Shadow Dragon.
Rickard is a thief who appears in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem, Fire Emblem: Archanea Saga and the remakes of those games.
Profile
Not much is known about Rickard's past. At one point, he traveled with Lena, as seen in Archanea Saga Episode 3: Thieves' Gang of Justice, in which he and Lena took part in an infiltration of the fallen Archanea Palace with the goal of looting treasures from its occupiers.
Some time before the events of Shadow Dragon, Rickard and Julian met, and they demonstrate familiarity in Rickard's recruitment conversation with him. In both New Mystery of the Emblem and Fire Emblem Heroes, Rickard states that Julian taught him everything he knows, including how to pick locks and move quietly.
After the events of Shadow Dragon and New Mystery of the Emblem, Rickard resumes thieving despite his claims in Shadow Dragon that he'll give it up.
Personality
Rickard is energetic and enthusiastic about stealing, as shown in his support conversations with Kris and Julian, as well as his dialogue in Fire Emblem Heroes. He has a mischievous, childish sense of humor, and likes to tease Julian about his affection towards Lena.
Despite his childish streak, Rickard is cunning and can use these traits to his advantage. In Archanea Saga Episode 3, when Navarre suspects his true intentions for the treasure, Rickard whines and feigns sadness to gain Lena's sympathy. He then talks Navarre into helping him, Lena and Castor rob the castle.
Rickard greatly admires Julian and views him like an older brother. He refers to Julian as "Chief" in English translations and "aniki" (an informal term for an elder brother or one's senior that is often translated as "big bro") in Japanese. Rickard sometimes ends his sentences to Julian with heart symbols, and Julian states he will give people the wrong impression in the second book. When Julian quits thieving, Rickard is very disappointed, but joins him regardless. Julian wants Rickard to quit thieving as well, but Rickard finds it exciting.
Rickard is shown to have some talent for cooking. In his support with Kris, he offers to teach Kris to cook.
In-Game
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
Recruitment
Base Stats
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Thief | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Wlv | Mov |
| 1 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Weapon | Starting Items | ||||||||
| Sword | Iron Sword | ||||||||
Growth Rates
| HP | Str | Skl | Spd | Lck | Wlv | Def | Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 50% | 20% | 60% | 40% | 0% | 20% | 0% |
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
Recruitment
Base Stats
Growth Rates
| HP | Str | Skl | Spd | Lck | Wlv | Def | Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 50% | 20% | 60% | 40% | 30% | 20% | 3% |
Fire Emblem: Archanea Saga
Base Stats
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Thief | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Wlv | Mov |
| 1 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Weapon | Starting Items | ||||||||
| Sword |  Iron Sword | ||||||||
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Recruitment
Base Stats
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Thief | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 1 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Weapon | Starting Items | ||||||||
| Sword - E |  Iron Sword | ||||||||
Growth Rates
| HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 50% | 0% | 30% | 50% | 40% | 10% | 2% |
Support Relationships
Supported by
Overall
|
Subjective: The following part of this article is based upon the editor's personal experiences and opinions, and therefore may not be applicable for all readers.
|
Rickard is the second recruitable thief in Shadow Dragon. Like Julian, he can open chests and doors and this is his main utility. Also like Julian, it is only really necessary to deploy Rickard at all if there are a lot of chests or doors that need to be unlocked. Marth can unlock chests using the Fire Emblem, and any unit can use Door Keys or Master Keys. Some maps, like Chapter 19, might even go a bit faster if both Rickard and Julian are deployed. Still, on many maps it won't be necessary to deploy a thief at all.
His base stats and growths are slightly worse than Julian's, but neither Rickard nor Julian make good combat units. Thieves cannot reclass in Shadow Dragon, meaning Rickard cannot promote, nor can he use any weapons except swords, in which both he and Julian have a base E rank. Swords are already weak in Shadow Dragon due to the high numbers of lance-wielders in the later game, but Rickard is even less effective as a sword wielder due to his inability to reclass. Almost any promoted male unit will outdo Rickard as a sword fighter provided that they can reclass into Swordmaster. Like Julian, Rickard is very frail and will die in one or two hits from most enemies, so it's best to just avoid putting him in danger in the first place.
Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem
Recruitment
Chapter 5: Talk to him with Julian.
Base Stats
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Thief | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 3 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Weapon | Starting Items | ||||||||
 Sword - E | Iron Sword VIP Card | ||||||||
Growth Rates
| HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 40% | 0% | 30% | 70% | 60% | 30% | 0% |
Support Relationships
Supports
Supported by
- Note: In Archanea Saga Episode 3, he is a Lord character (meaning Game Over if he dies).
Fire Emblem Heroes
- Carefree Culprit
- A thief who looks up to Julian. He is barely able to contain his excitement for thievery, let alone a celebration of it. Appears in Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.
Base Stats
Rarity: ✯✯✯✯✯
 | Title | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carefree Culprit | |||||
| Group | |||||
 Flying | |||||
| Level | HP | Atk | Spd | Def | Res |
| 1 40 | 18/19/20 35/38/42 | 7/8/9 35/38/42 | 11/12/13 39/42/46 | 6/7/8 30/33/36 | 5/6/7 22/25/29 |
| Skills | Weapon | ||||
 Florid Cane+ Shove |  Sword | ||||
Skills
| Type | Name | Prerequisite | Default | Unlocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Iron Sword | - | - | - |
| Steel Sword | - | - | - | |
| Florid Cane | - | - | - | |
| Florid Cane+ | Florid Cane | - |  | |
 | Shove | - | - | - |
| B |  Flier Formation 1 | - | - | |
 Flier Formation 2 | Flier Formation 1 | - | ||
 Flier Formation 3 | Flier Formation 2 | - | ||
| C |  Spd Def Oath 1 | - | - | |
 Spd Def Oath 2 | Spd Def Oath 1 | - | ||
 Spd Def Oath 3 | Spd Def Oath 2 | |
Overall
|
|
Subjective: The following part of this article is based upon the editor's personal experiences and opinions, and therefore may not be applicable for all readers.
|
Base Kit
Counters
Skill Inheritance Options
Meet Some of the Heroes
| Carefree Culprit Rickard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Having made a reputation for himself in Archanea, Rickard's come to the festival in Askr dressed as a suave master thief! | ||
|
Here's his special outfit, which features a mask that is sure to keep his true identity a secret. It's a stylish little number that makes good use of dark colors, contrasting nicely with his cheeky, playful nature! | ||
|
He's also carrying a cane with an elegant rose design—but watch out, because this rose has a thorn! There's a sword concealed within for when dangerous situations need to be handled with gentlemanly grace! | ||
|
Rickard isn't used to the new look yet, but I'm sure the skills he learned from his mentor Julian will serve him well throughout the festival's events! | ||
| Closely Associated Characters | |||
| Julian | A reformed thief who takes the War of Shadows as a chance to atone for his crimes. Lives and works in a convent with Sister Lena. Rickard fondly looks up to him as a mentor in the art of thieving. | ||
Quotes
As an Enemy
—Rickard's opening lines in battle in Mystery of the Emblem Book 1 and Book 2
Recruit conversation
—Recruit conversation with Marth in Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
—Recruit conversation with Marth in Shadow Dragon
Recruitment Conversation (Julian)
- Julian: Rickard? It can't be! What are you doing here?
- Rickard: Julian! It's been too long since I've seen you, Chief. I came to this castle to steal a few things. And wouldn't you know it...I got a little sloppy. And what brings you here?
- Julian: Me? As of today, I've washed my hands of thievery. I'm on the side of what's good and just.
- Rickard: Ha! I bet I know the truth behind this change of heart. Beauties have always been your weak point.
- Julian: N-not a chance! The spirit of justice awakened within me! Look, don't worry about it. Just join up with us!
- Rickard: There you so again, trying to make up my mind for me. Since you're the one asking... Well, why not? It's settled! I'll lend you a hand. But I'll take a cut of the loot as payment!
- Recruit conversation with Julian in Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
- Julian: What the- Rickard? What are you doin' in here?
- Rickard: Oh, uh...hey there, Chief! Been a long time, huh? So, funny story: I decided to break in here and clean the place out- and then I got caught. Hilarious, right? Comedy gold. Ok, your turn. What are YOU doin' here?
- Julian: Me? I've washed my hands of thievery and joined the forces of justice.
- Rickard: Ohhh really? Justice? So then this wouldn't have nothin' to do with some new lady friend? You always did have a soft spot for a pretty face and right features-
- Julian: Wha- Can it, you little fink! I said it's about justice! I'm entitled to have a moral crisis now and then! ... You know what? Just for that, YOU are gonna work for me, startin' right now.
- Rickard: What? Do I have to...? Well, all right. You dive a hard bargain, but what can I say? I missed ya, Chief. Just make sure I get a cut of the haul!
- Recruit conversation with Julian in Shadow Dragon
In FE12
Recruitment
- Julian: Hey, Rickard! I see you haven't tired of stealin'.
- Rickard: Ah! Chief! How nice to see ya. Well, I was plannin' on workin' with you and makin' loadsa money, but you had to go and quit the business! Fallin' head over heels for that beautiful cleric, and then dumpin' me... That's just too cruel! Did our love really mean that little to you?
- Julian: Can it, you little fink!! People'll get the wrong idea about us, if you keep talkin' like that. Anyway, forget about thievin' and come with me to fight for justice.
- Rickard: Hmm... alright then! I'll follow you anywhere. I do adore ya, Chief!
Death Quotes
—Rickard's Death Quote in Mystery of the Emblem
—Rickard's Death Quote in New Mystery of the Emblem
—Rickard's Death Quote in Shadow Dragon
—Rickard's Death Quote as an enemy in New Mystery of the Emblem
Endings
Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
- Returns to his hometown seeking a quiet life.
Shadow Dragon
- Big-Time Thief
- Rickard returned home to live in peace- or so he claimed, even as the area experienced a surge in break-ins and purse-snatchings.
New Mystery of the Emblem
- Julian's Pal
- After the war, Rickard returned to thievery yet again.
Non-Canon Appearances
Fire Emblem 0 (Cipher)
Rickard is illustrated in the trading card game Fire Emblem Cipher with the following cards:
Choose Your Legends Placement History
| Round | Placement | Character Version | Votes |
|---|
| CYL9 | 376 ↑47 |
 Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light/Shadow Dragon/Mystery of the Emblem/New Mystery of the Emblem |
23 ↑4 |
Trivia
- In the continuity of the novel adaptation of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light by Takayashiki Hide, Rickard's age is given as 23. This is a contrast with his appearance in the games, due to his childlike personality and appearance (specifically his wide eyes, a common trait among the children in the Fire Emblem series). He is most likely in his early teens.
- In Shadow Dragon, Rickard is held in a cell that he, being an enemy thief, very well could have opened, implying he was not held against his will or was unaware he could open the door.
- In Mystery of the Emblem, Rickard has his own theme, composed mostly on the flute.
- Rickard shares his Japanese voice actress, Shizuka Itō with Byleth (F) in Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Gallery
- See main article: Rickard/Gallery.