Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes’ Barbarossa Class is incapable of using Axes or Lances. Instead, the main weapon is a Bow, and, being a Unique Class, only Claude can learn the Barbarossa Class. Although it’s arguably his best Class, players will want to learn other Abilities to build Claude into a swift and powerful fighter.
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Barbarossa: Unlocking, Build, and Class Abilities
As a unit, Claude’s best stats are his Speed and Dexterity. He’s no slouch in Strength or Charm either, which is something to keep in mind if players wish to use battalions. On the other hand, he has poor Res and even worse Magic, meaning players should do their best to keep him away from Gremories and Dark Bishops. Since the Barbarossa Class is a flying unit, Claude takes extra damage from bow-wielders. However, because the Barbarossa’s main weapon is a bow, he can counter Pegasus Knights and Wyvern Riders too. If players equip him with the right Ability or the right Accessory, then they won’t have to worry about Claude’s flying weakness.
In order for Claude to learn the Barbarossa Class, he’ll need to have a Master Seal and have maxed out the following Classes:
Wyvern Master or Archer (Intermediate) Sniper (Advanced)
Claude’s recommended Classes are Wyvern Master, Sniper, and Barbarossa. Players will find out that if they take the time to master other Classes with Claude, he’ll have everything he needs to hold his own in battle.
The Barbarossa Class has the following Class Abilities:
Charm: Will restore some HP to surrounding allies upon defeating an enemy commander. Gauntlet Buster Lv 5: Increases damage to gauntlet-wielding enemies by 100%.
Players should keep in mind that the above Class Abilities cannot be learned. The effects will disappear the minute Claude changes Class. On the other hand, the Class Abilities listed in the following table will be added to the Set Abilities menu each time Claude meets a milestone/rank for Barbarossa:
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The Best Abilities for Barbarossa
Claude’s high Dexterity means he’s ideal for critical hits and critical rushes. In Three Hopes, Dexterity determines the damage output during a Critical Rush. Equipping Claude with a Nimble Dexterity Ring will bring his Dexterity stat up by ten points. He’ll also benefit wearing a Lightning Speed Ring, which instead raises Speed by ten.
If players have a fully built Tactics Academy (or are at least upgrading the proper branch), Claude can equip up to ten Abilities. Separate from Equppable Abilites are Unique Abilities. Claude’s is Dustcloud, which will imbue his attacks with devastating wind. Players should combine this with one or two of the Abilities mentioned below to get the full use out of this Unique Ability:
Essence of Wind and Fiendish Blow on the same Ability setup may seem redundant, but where Essence of Wind produces a more powerful version of a wind-based Combat Art, Fiendish Blow will double the elemental effects. In this case, Fiendish Blow will double the Windtorn status ailment inflicted on enemies by Claude’s attacks. Furthermore, having Essence of Wind is perfect for one of Claude’s Combat Arts: Wind God.
It is highly recommended to have Claude master the Wyvern Lord Class. Nullify Flying Effects will save the Accessory Slot in exchange for an Ability Slot. By equipping Nullify Flying Effects, Claude will not receive double damage from bows. If players don’t wish to use up an Ability Slot, then they can forgo Nullify Flying Effects by equipping Claude with an Aurora Shield instead.
Claude’s best Combat Arts as a Barbarossa are Wind God and Ward Arrow. Wind God is effective against all enemies, will inflict the Windtorn status effect, and even damage guarding enemies. Ward Arrow weakens the opponent and reduces their magic. Alternatively, Ward Arrow can be swapped out for something like Waning Shot or Hunter’s Volley. However, players will definitely want to keep Wind God because of its amazing Might and effects. As bow-based Combat Arts, they’re all effective against fliers.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is available now on Nintendo Switch.
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