What? Another one?! That’s right, there’s yet another Fire Emblem character joining the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, as the protagonist from Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Byleth is adapted to the game. He’s the fifth and final new character in the Fighters Pass, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to be found in this DLC, as a bunch of new Mii Fighter costumes (including Cuphead) are added, and there’s promise of even more characters in the future.
Byleth will be out on 29th January, both individually or as part of the Fighters Pass.
Check out the special stream (with a rather odd laugh track) here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of-ck7EOfYE
Byleth joins Persona 5’s Joker, Dragon Quest XI’s Hero, Banjo & Kazooie, and King of Fighters’ Terry to round out the Fighters Pass. As in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Byleth can be either male or female – in Japan these were Bereto and Beresu, but share a name in the English version of the game.
Byleth as a character has relatively low mobility and does not have a strong throw, but more than makes up for that in other areas. The Heroes’ Relics are their weapon, able to whip each of them out depending on your directional input.
Upward inputs use the Sword of the Creator, a whip sword that can swirl around – Up and B extends the whip sword and then retracts, for example. Sideways inputs transform it into the Areadbhar a lance with long reach of Celtic origin, with the sideways and B attack a sweeping smash attack to knock enemies away.
Downward inputs trigger a powerful axe called Aymr, channeling all their energy into the weapon and even dealing shockwave damage when you don’t hit enemies. Finally Neutral moves use the bow Failnaught, which will fire an arrow with two power levels, but can also be used to spin around in midair.
Byleth’s Final Smash is Progenitor God Ruptured Heaven, an enhanced version of their move from the original game, teaming up with Sothis to launch a combined attack.
By default, odd-numbered players are male colour variations and even numbers are female, while third, fourth and fifth player colours adopt the looks of the three house leaders, and the sixth colour is based on Sothis. Obviously, you’ll be able to pick for yourself.
The new stage is Garreg Mach Monastery, based off the central location of the game, picking the Marketplace, Reception Hall, Bridge and Cathedral as areas to battle in.
In addition to all of this, there’s 11 new Fire Emblem songs in the game, a new Fire Emblem Spirit Boards to take on, and a new path in A Heroic Legacy to fight through Fire Emblem stages.
A bunch of new Mii Fighter costumes in pack #5 include Altair (Swordfighter), Rabbids (Hat), MegaMan X (Gunner), MegaMan.EXE (Gunner), and Cuphead (Gunner). These will be available on 29th January.
And finally, a new Fighters Pass has been confimed. Volume 2 will be available from 29th January for £26.99, and will have six Challenger Packs, released in order sometime before 31st December 2021. Though the contents have already been decided, they will be kept a mystery, just as with the first volume.
