Site News
Warning: This wiki contains spoilers. Read at your own risk!

Social media: If you would like, please join our Discord server, and/or follow us on Twitter (X) or Tumblr!

A Brief Diversion

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
A Brief Diversion

Cm fe09 6.png

Location

Gallian Border

New units

None

Boss(es)

Emil

Previous chapter(s)

Flight!

Next chapter(s)

Shades of Evil

Ike will be commanding the main force. Titania, you’re his support. All right, let’s move out! See you all in Gallia!
— Greil

A Brief Diversion (Japanese: 陽動作戦 Diversionary tactics) is the sixth chapter of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. After abandoning their mercenary fort, the Greil Mercenaries flee through the forest toward Gallia with Princess Elincia in their company. As they approach the border, the group splits into two, so as to effectively sneak past any Daein ambush that may be waiting for them. The goal of this chapter is to escape, rather than fight, which may affect strategy.

Plot

Main article: A Brief Diversion/Script

The chapter begins with Gatrie complaining about the humidity and how uncomfortable his armor is. Titania acknowledges the heat, as does Shinon. He adds that humans aren’t meant for forests, the habitat of subhumans. Ike asks about the nature of subhumans, wondering how different they really are. Shinon gives a very ugly description, making them out as savages and hairy beasts. Soren explains that there are three types of laguz, noting their traditional name. The Beast Tribe, which resides in Gallia, the Bird Tribes to the south, and the Dragon Tribe of Goldoa.

Petrine receives a report from a scout telling the whereabouts of Elincia and her protectors. She praises Ena for her tactical skills and sets out on the hunt for the princess.

When the mercenaries approach the edge of the forest, Greil orders everyone into combat positions, asking Soren for strategy on how to proceed, knowing the Daein army is probably waiting. Soren proposes that the mercenaries separate into two groups, a small group of fighters to distract the Daein Army while the rest of the groups escorts Elincia to Gallia. Oscar questions this strategy, worrying that splitting up the group may not be a good decision. Soren explains that an ambush may be waiting for them, and that his suggestion would be the best course of action. Greil agrees, assigning himself, Shinon and Gatrie to the combat force. He requests that everyone be careful in the coming battle, insisting that they are a family, regardless of their blood ties. He puts Ike in charge of the main force, with Titania as support.

Ike’s group arrives at the forest’s edge, surprised by the number of Daein soldiers waiting for them. Ike expresses concern over the princess, Mist, and Rolf, who can’t fight their way through. Soren suggests that the party move through the tree-line to cross the western bridge while a few fighters create a distraction for the Daein soldiers. Elincia offers her services in battle, but Ike denies her help, sticking with his top priority of protecting the princess. He orders Mist and Rolf to keep themselves hidden, and to look out for the princess. Rolf makes light of the situation, pretending it’s a game of hide-and-seek.

After the battle, Ike’s party meets up with Mist, Elincia and Rolf, all of whom went unharmed. They are all relieved to have made it into the Gallian border, but Soren points out that Greil’s party hadn’t found them yet, and that they shouldn’t feel too secure just yet. Knowing this, Ike decides to send Elincia with Mist and Rolf to the palace of Gallia while he and his party go back to find the others.

Mist at first refuses, but Ike persuades her with a promise, and she agrees to let him go if Titania will keep him safe. Similarly, Rolf asks his brothers to keep themselves safe for as long as they’re separated. Oscar expresses sympathy, while Boyd responds with his usual boastful self, saying nothing bad will happen while he’s around. Before departing, Elincia gives Rhys a Mend staff, wanting to contribute in any way possible. She asks Ashera to bless the mercenaries and keep them safe. The two groups part ways, and Soren suggests that they head east to find Greil’s party.

Chapter data

Easy/Normal Difficult Maniac

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Ike escapes Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Ike dies 6 {{{partner}}} {{{other}}} 18
Cm fe09 6.png
Map dimensions:
19 columns by 23 rows
Bonus EXP
Requirement Easy Normal/Difficult Maniac
Clear the chapter in 9 turns or less
(-penalty per # of turns after)
450 (-30) 300 (-20) 150 (-10)
Player units escape 15 per unit 10 per unit 5 per unit

Character data

Characters
New units

None

Required characters
Ike ​Titania ​Oscar ​Boyd ​Rhys ​Soren ​
Available characters
None

Item data

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is gcn vulnerary.png Vulnerary Dropped by enemy Myrmidon
Is gcn poleax.png Poleax Dropped by enemy Axe Knight
Is gcn short spear.png Short Spear Dropped by Emil
Is gcn mend.png Mend Automatically at end of chapter if Rhys survived

Enemy data


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


Normal Difficult Maniac

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # Inventory and Skills Notes
Soldier Archer 7 1 Steel Bow --
Soldier Archer 9 1 Steel Bow --
Soldier Axe Knight 7 1 PoleaxThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat. --
Soldier Mage 5 1 Wind --
Mercenary Myrmidon 7 1 Steel Sword --
Mercenary Myrmidon 8 1 Steel Sword --
Mercenary Myrmidon 9 1 Steel Sword VulneraryThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat. --
Soldier Knight 9 1 Iron Lance --
Soldier Knight 9 1 Steel Lance --
Soldier Priest 7 1 Heal --
Soldier Soldier 7 1 Iron Lance --
Soldier Soldier 8 2 Iron Lance --
Soldier Soldier 8 1 Javelin --
Soldier Soldier 8 1 Steel Lance --
Soldier Soldier 9 1 Javelin Does not move.
Soldier Soldier 9 1 Javelin Vulnerary Does not move.
Emil Halberdier 2 1 Short SpearThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Serenity
Does not move; stands on the escape point.
Reinforcements
Name Class Lv # Inventory and Skills Notes

Boss data

Main article: Emil

Easy/Normal Difficult/Maniac

Medium portrait emil fe09.png
Halberdier
Level 2
Attribute Is gcn wateraffin.png
Build 11
Stats
Max HP 32 Speed 12
Strength 8 Luck 2
Magic 1 Defense 9
Skill 13 Resistance 4
Movement 7 Weight 15
Inventory Skills
Short SpearThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat. Serenity
Weapon Levels
Swords -- Lances B Axes -- Bows --
Fire magic -- Thunder magic -- Wind magic -- Staves --

Strategy

This section details unofficial strategies that may help with completion of the chapter. This may not work for everybody.

This chapter features six fighters, leaving Shinon and Gatrie unavailable. The group starts in the northern portion of the map, inside a large Thicket field. To the south lies an open plain, cut through by an impassable river and spanned by two bridges, one on each side. The goal is to have Ike escape through a marked area at the southern end of the map, guarded by the Halberdier boss, Emil.

The enemy will not make a move until after the mercenaries emerge from the Thickets. As such, the mercenaries can take time to position themselves for the assault before launching it. Either bridge can be taken, or both can be simultaneously if the party is managed well. However, they should be mindful of the enemies ahead, as many of them have weapons which make them difficult to deal with. The boss in particular, the first to be a promoted class unit, is no pushover, and will require patience to defeat. He drops his Short Spear for the mercenaries to collect once he is defeated.

On Hard Mode, there are six additional enemies to deal with, most on the far side of the river. Progress will have to be slower and more deliberate to deal with them.

Bonus experience can be earned in this chapter by having everyone else escape before Ike does. It will also accumulate based on how many turns it took to escape. This experience cannot be spent until Chapter 8.

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language Name Definition, etymology, and notes
English

A Brief Diversion

--

Japanese

陽動作戦

Diversionary tactics

Spanish

Breve desviación

Brief diversion

French

Diversion

Diversion

German

Der Weg voran

The path ahead

Italian

Una diversione

A Diversion

Gallery


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


← Flight! • A Brief Diversion • Shades of Evil →
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Playable characters AstridBastianBoydBromCalillDevdanElinciaEnaGatrieGiffcaGeoffreyHaarIkeIlyanaJanaffJillKieranLargoLetheLuciaMakalovMarciaMiaMistMordecaiMuarimNaesalaNasirNepheneeOscarRanulfReysonRhysRolfShinonSorenSotheStefanTanithTauroneoTibarnTitaniaTormodUlkiVolkeZihark
Trial Map characters AshnardBryceOliverPetrineShiharam
Non-playable characters AimeeCaineghisDanielDeghinseaGarethGreilHetzelIzukaJorgeKurthnagaLeanneLekainLotzMustonNealuchiRajaionSanakiSephiranSigrunZelgius
Bosses AshnardBalmerBertramBlack KnightBoydBryceDakovaDanomillEmilEnaGashilamaGreilGromellHafeddHavettiHeddwynHomasaIkanauKamuraKasataiKayacheyKimaarsiKotaffMackoyaMaijinMuarimNaesalaNedataNorrisOliverPetrineRikardSchaefferSeekerShiharamTomenamiZawana
Background characters AltinaAsheraElenaLilliaLoraziehRamonRenning
Regalia and personal weapons AlonditeAmitiAshera StaffDouble BowGurgurantRagnellRegal SwordRexauraRexboltRexcaliburRexflameRolf's BowUrvanVague KattiWishblade
Chapters P: Mercenaries • 1: The Battle Begins • 2: Rescue • 3: Pirates Aground • 4: Roadside Battle • 5: Flight! • 6: A Brief Diversion • 7: Shades of Evil • 8: Despair and Hope • 9: Gallia • 10: Prisoner Release • 11: Blood Runs Red • 12: A Strange Land • 13: A Guiding Wind • 14: Training • 15: The Feral Frontier • 16: The Atonement • 17: Day Breaks (stage 1stage 2stage 3stage 4) • 18: Crimea Marches • 19: Entrusted • 20: Defending Talrega • 21: Without a King • 22: Solo • 23: The Great Bridge • 24: Battle Reunion • 25: Strange Lands • 26: Clash! • 27: Moment of Fate (stage 1stage 2) • 28: Twisted TowerE: Repatriation
Trial Maps Hillside BattleLonely IsleStrange TurnDesperationEscapeTrapped
Locations TelliusBegnion (SienneTower of Guidance) • CrimeaDaein (NevassaTalrega) • GalliaGoldoaGrann DesertGritnea TowerKilvasPhoenicisSerenes Forest
Groups, objects and events Ancient languageGreat FloodGreil MercenariesLehran's MedallionMad King's War • Races (BeorcBrandedLaguz) • Serenes MassacreWarp Powder
Lists Base conversationsChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSkillsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Data transferList of version differences (Name chart) • Other games (Radiant Dawn) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline