Hermann is a dependable Hoplite who excels at soaking physical damage and shielding teammates with both single-ally and row-wide cover. He won’t carry fights with DPS, his job is to stabilize lanes, blunt ranged chip, and set your damage dealers up to win long exchanges.
How to Recruit Hermann
Progress Cornia’s story: clear “Heir to the Dragonlands,” then advance into the main mission “Unicorn Overlord.” Hermann joins during this stretch (he also appears as a controllable ally during Heir to the Dragonlands).
Class Overview: Hoplite (Armored / Infantry)
Hoplites boast high Physical Defense, greatshields, and exceptional cover tools. Hermann’s class Leader Effect: Resist Ranged Assist reduces incoming chip from enemy assists for his whole squad, perfect into archer/gryphon poke. He does not promote (stays Hoplite), so power comes from skills, gear, and smart tactics.
Stats and Growth
Built to protect first, act second—big guard uptime, low magic durability, slow turn order.
- AP / PP: 2 / 2 – enough flexibility to layer cover with a timely active.
- HP: B – sturdy pool for frontline duty.
- Physical ATK / DEF: C / S – modest damage, top-tier physical bulk.
- Mag ATK / DEF: E / F – weak to magic; plan support vs casters.
- Accuracy / Evasion: D / F – he blocks; he doesn’t dodge.
- Crit / Guard Rate: F / S – almost never crits; guards constantly.
- Initiative: F – acts late; pre-buff and pre-cover when possible.
- Leader Effect: Resist Ranged Assist – cuts incoming assist damage to his squad.
Skills and Abilities
Actives
- Sting (1 AP): Cheap stab; +50 potency if <50% HP. Use as a finisher when already covering.
- Row Protection (1 AP, Lv25): +50% Physical DEF to allies in Hermann’s row, excellent before enemy cleaves.
- Greatshield (1 AP, Lv30): +50% Phys DEF to self and +2 PP, both bulk and resource battery to fuel covers.
Passives
- Heavy Cover (PP): Cover a single ally with a heavy guard, your emergency lifesaver on carries.
- Guardian (PP, Lv15): After being attacked, +20% Phys ATK & +20% Guard Rate (stacks) for attrition wins.
- Row Cover (PP, Lv20): Cover an entire row with medium guard, blankets teams against assists and row swings.
Valor (VP)
- Fortress II: Temporarily negate stage damage for allied units in an area, great for pushing through hazards.
Best Equipment and Accessories
Weapon: Any sword that adds survivability/consistency (flat Phys ATK, DEF/guard modifiers). Damage is secondary.
Shield: Prioritize high Guard Rate / Phys DEF greatshields to supercharge his role.
Armor: Phys-leaning by default; switch to Mag-resist on caster-heavy maps (his Mag DEF is poor).
Accessories:
- Lapis Pendant (+1 PP): Keeps Heavy/Row Cover online across multiple fights.
- Carnelian Pendant (+1 AP): Lets you stack Greatshield with Row Protection or slip in a timely Sting.
- Mag-resist trinket (flex): Mitigates his biggest weakness into witches/wizards.
(Use the best-tier versions you’ve unlocked.)
Ideal Unit Placement & Team Synergy
Front row or mid-front, directly shielding your carries. He pairs naturally with:
Backline DPS (archers, mages like Rosalinde/Eltolinde): they thrive behind Row/Heavy Cover while Resist Ranged Assist reduces chip.
Bruisers / DEF breakers (Lex, Aubin, Clive): Hermann soaks while they punish softened targets.
Healers/Cleansers (Scarlett, Sharon): counter magic focus and keep Hermann healthy for continuous cover uptime.
Tips and Strategy
Tactic template (priority order):
- Row Cover (PP) → Condition: “Enemy has row attacks / assists” (blanket protection vs cleaves & chip).
- Heavy Cover (PP) → Condition: “Ally HP ≤ 50% / priority carry threatened” (single-target lifesaver).
- Greatshield (1 AP) → Condition: “Before enemy engage / Self HP ≤ 70%” (bulk up +2 PP to refuel covers).
- Row Protection (1 AP) → Condition: “Enemy cleaver about to act” (+50% Phys DEF to Hermann’s row).
- Sting (1 AP) → Condition: “Target HP low / Self HP <50%” (cheap finisher with bonus potency).
- Guardian (PP) → leave enabled (free ATK + Guard stacks over time).
Play notes
Lead him into archers/cleavers. His kit blunts assists and row damage, send his squad where protection matters most.
AP→PP loop. Use Greatshield proactively to harden up and recharge PP so your covers never drop.
Respect mages. Rotate in Mag-DEF gear or healer support on caster-heavy maps, that’s his Achilles heel.
Final Thoughts
Hermann is a true tank: constant cover, towering Guard Rate, and team-wide Phys DEF tools that make messy fights safe and predictable. Build him for durability and PP economy, point him at lanes with heavy assists or cleaves, and your carries will have all the room they need to win.
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Featured image is from this YouTube video by BAI GAMING and used under Fair Use.