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!

Dark Emperor

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
Dark Emperor

Cm fe12 20.png

Location

The Palace

New units

Midia

Boss(es)

Hardin

Previous chapter(s)

The Last Decisive Battle

Next chapter(s)

Dark Emperor (Japanese: 暗黒皇帝 The Dark Emperor) is the twentieth chapter of Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem Book II and Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem.

Plot

Main articles: Dark Emperor/Script and Dark Emperor/Conversations

Marth and his allies break into the Archanean castle. Jagen reminds him that whoever wants to defeat Hardin must hold the Lightsphere to counter the effects of the Darksphere. In the castle, Midia has been captured, and Hardin tells her that the world is better off without humans. While fighting the enemy troops, Marth speaks to Hardin. Marth tries to get Hardin to see some reason, saying that the Darksphere has consumed his mind. He responds that he despised Marth in the previous war, and hated the decision of Nyna to give Marth the Fire Emblem. He remains convinced that he will kill Marth.

After Hardin is defeated, he returns to his old self for a brief moment. He laments how he couldn't fight the Darksphere's influence, and asks for forgiveness. He begs Marth to save Nyna, whom he loved until the very end. The four abducted princesses suddenly show up, with Nyna expressing her happiness at Marth's return. However, it turns out to be a trick by Gharnef, and the Binding Shield, which is now complete with the addition of the Darksphere, removes the disguises. Gharnef is surprised and signals for a retreat, saying that the Shadow Dragon must be revived. Gotoh then appears in the castle, and applauds Marth for his efforts in restoring the Binding Shield. He warns that the earth dragons will soon rise and cause a cataclysm, and tells Marth to go and seal the dragons before it's too late.

Chapter data

Chapter data

Mystery of the Emblem New Mystery of the Emblem

Normal Hard Maniac Lunatic

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Seize Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Marth or Kris dies 1–12+1 {{{partner}}} {{{other}}} 28+16
Cm fe12 20.png
Map dimensions:
30 columns by 28 rows

When a unit acts within the throne room (columns 11–19, rows 20–28), the southeast door is opened and the covered area revealed. A unit ending their turn in the area will not cause the door to open; they must actively wait, attack, use a staff, etc. In New Mystery of the Emblem, this excludes Midia's starting location (column 18, row 21), but does not exclude Midia herself from activating the trigger elsewhere; Midia's starting location can activate the trigger in Mystery of the Emblem, and Midia can do so by waiting.

Character data

Mystery of the Emblem New Mystery of the Emblem

Characters
New units
Midia
Portrait midia fe12.png
Paladin
HP
35
Inventory
--
Level
12
Automatically from turn 1
Required characters
Marth ​
Available characters
Kris m ​Ryan ​Luke ​Roderick ​Gordin ​Cecil ​Draug ​Arran ​Marisha ​Catria ​Warren ​Cord ​Linde ​Palla ​Bord ​Julian ​Matthis ​Wrys ​Ogma ​Yuliya ​Jubelo ​Sirius ​Castor ​Caeda ​Barst ​Rickard ​Frey ​Norne ​Samuel ​Wendell ​Caesar ​Radd ​Navarre ​Phina ​Cain ​Bantu ​Roger ​Jeorge ​Minerva ​Etzel ​Merric ​Arlen ​Dice ​Malice ​Horace ​Jake ​Darros ​Roberto ​Belf ​Reiden ​Beck ​Athena ​Xane ​Tiki ​Est ​Dolph ​Abel ​Macellan ​Astram ​Katarina ​Tomas ​Sheena ​Samson ​Frost ​Roshea ​Vyland ​Sedgar ​Wolf ​

Item data

Mystery of the Emblem New Mystery of the Emblem

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is ds brave axe.png Brave Axe Northernmost chest
Is ds bullion.png Bullion (L) Uppermost treasure room chest
Is ds brave sword.png Brave Sword Upper-middle treasure room chest
Is ds master seal.png Master Seal Lower-middle treasure room chest
Is ds anew.png Anew Lower-left treasure room chest
Is ds brave lance.png Brave Lance Lower-right treasure room chest
Is ds brave bow.png Brave Bow Southernmost chest
Is ds gradivus.png Gradivus Dropped by Hardin
Is ds darksphere.png Darksphere Dropped by Hardin if the Lightsphere, Starsphere, Geosphere, and Lifesphere were obtained
Is ds vulnerary.png Vulnerary Dropped by a Hero ×2
Is ds fortify.png Fortify Dropped by a Bishop (Maniac and Lunatic)
Is ds fortify.png Fortify Dropped by a Bishop
Is ds recover.png Recover Dropped by a Bishop
Is ds master key.png Master Key Dropped by a Thief
Is ds binding shield.png Binding Shield Immediately formed after obtaining the Darksphere; consumes it and the Lightsphere, Starsphere, Geosphere, and Lifesphere

Enemy data

Enemy data

Mystery of the Emblem New Mystery of the Emblem

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or otherwise be truncated.

Normal Hard Maniac Lunatic

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma ds02 emperor enemy.gif Hardin Emperor 30 1 50 20 0 20 20 0 20 15 -- GradivusThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat. DarksphereThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.*
Stands on a throne, the chapter's seize point.
Ma ds02 general enemy.gif Archanea General 15 2 36.6 15.2 1 12.2 10.8 0 17.8 6.8 6 Steel Lance
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds02 sage enemy.gif Archanea Sage 10 2 25.6 3 8.6 11.7 11.7 0 8.8 7.7 6 Bolganone
The one near Hardin moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds02 sniper enemy.gif Archanea Sniper 15 4 32.2 12.8 1 16.2 16.2 0 13.8 5.8 7 Silver Bow
The one nearest Hardin moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds02 sorcerer enemy.gif Heretic Sorcerer 10 1 27.6 2 6.7 9.7 10.7 0 7.8 9.7 6 Glower
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds02 hero enemy.gif Archanea Hero 15 1 34.2 14.2 1 16.8 16.8 0 16.2 5.8 8 Silver Sword VulneraryThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
--
Ma ds02 bishop enemy.gif Archanea Bishop 10 2 25.6 1 6.7 6.7 7.7 0 5.8 12.5 6 Fortify
The southeastern one will not act until uncovered.
Ma ds02 earth dragon enemy.gif Dragon Earth Dragon 15 1 35.4 19 0 19.2 17.2 0 16 18.8 6 Dark Breath
Moves to attack units in range; returns to its starting position if no one is in range.
Ma ds02 general enemy.gif Archanea General 15 3 36.6 15.2 1 12.2 10.8 0 17.8 6.8 6 Spear
The southeastern one will not act until uncovered.
Ma ds02 warrior enemy.gif Archanea Warrior 15 1 37.6 19 0 13.2 14.8 0 14 2.4 7 Tomahawk
--
Ma ds02 hero enemy.gif Archanea Hero 15 1 34.2 14.2 1 16.8 16.8 0 16.2 5.8 8 Swordslayer VulneraryThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
--
Ma ds02 sage enemy.gif Archanea Sage 10 2 25.6 3 8.6 11.7 11.7 0 8.8 7.7 6 Thoron
--
Ma ds02 bishop enemy.gif Archanea Bishop 10 2 25.6 1 6.7 6.7 7.7 0 5.8 12.5 -- Swarm
--
Ma ds02 hero enemy.gif Archanea Hero 15 1 34.2 14.2 1 16.8 16.8 0 16.2 5.8 8 Silver Axe
--
Ma ds02 bishop enemy.gif Archanea Bishop 10 1 25.6 1 6.7 6.7 7.7 0 5.8 12.5 -- FortifyThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
--
Ma ds02 hero enemy.gif Archanea Hero 15 1 34.2 14.2 1 16.8 16.8 0 16.2 5.8 8 Silver Sword
--
Ma ds02 bishop enemy.gif Archanea Bishop 10 1 25.6 1 6.7 6.7 7.7 0 5.8 12.5 -- Swarm RecoverThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Will not act until revealed.
Ma ds02 thief enemy.gif Archanea Thief 20 1 25.4 11.8 4 14.6 16.5 0 7.7 0 7 Levin Sword Master KeyThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Moves to open the left-most chest of the central treasure room, then moves to escape via the southeast corner of the map; ignores combat, except to attack player units blocking the escape point.
Reinforcements
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma ds02 paladin enemy.gif Archanea Paladin 20 2 36.2 16.65 1 15.7 15.8 0 16.7 9.8 10 Silver Lance
--
Ma ds02 paladin enemy.gif Archanea Paladin 20 4 36.2 16.65 1 15.7 15.8 0 16.7 9.8 10 Spear
--
Ma ds02 paladin enemy.gif Archanea Paladin 20 2 36.2 16.65 1 15.7 15.8 0 16.7 9.8 10 Silver Sword
--
Ma ds02 hero enemy.gif Archanea Hero 15 2 34.2 14.2 1 16.8 16.8 0 16.2 5.8 8 Silver Sword
--
Ma ds02 sniper enemy.gif Archanea Sniper 15 2 32.2 12.8 1 16.2 16.2 0 13.8 5.8 7 Silver Bow
--
Ma ds02 warrior enemy.gif Archanea Warrior 15 2 37.6 19 0 13.2 14.8 0 14 2.4 7 Tomahawk
--
Ma ds02 sage enemy.gif Archanea Sage 10 2 25.6 3 8.6 11.7 11.7 0 8.8 7.7 6 Thoron
--

No enemy initially present on the map will attack Midia until after a player unit has acted in the throne room (columns 11–19, rows 20–28; excluding column 18, row 21 where Midia starts).

Reinforcements

Mystery of the Emblem
  • Upon entering the throne room, continuing until five of each appear

All reinforcements are halted when Hardin is defeated.

New Mystery of the Emblem
  • Once after a player unit acts in the southwest area (columns 1–10, rows 13–28; and columns 11–13, rows 16–19), the northwest corner (columns 1–10, rows 1–5), or the throne room (columns 11–19, rows 20–28; excluding column 18, row 21 where Midia starts) or—on Hard and higher—after provoking the units around or between the treasure room and the northwest room after turn 6; and again one (Hard and higher) and two turns later
    • Four (Maniac and lower)/Six (Lunatic) Paladins (one with a Silver Lance, two Spears, one a Silver Sword; an additional one with a Silver Sword and one with a Spear in Lunatic) from the east outside
  • After a player unit has acted in the throne room (columns 11–19, rows 20–28; excluding column 18, row 21 where Midia starts) or—on Hard and higher—after provoking the units around or between the treasure room and the northwest room or the above reinforcements appear; and again two turns later

All reinforcements are halted when Hardin is defeated.

Boss data

Main article: Hardin
Boss data

Mystery of the Emblem New Mystery of the Emblem

Normal Hard Maniac Lunatic

Portrait hardin 01 fe12.png
Ma ds02 emperor enemy.gif Emperor
Level 30
Movement --
Stats
Max HP 50 Speed 20
Strength 20 Luck 0
Magic 0 Defense 20
Skill 20 Resistance 15
Inventory
GradivusThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
DarksphereThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.*
Weapon Levels
Swords -- Lances A Axes --
Bows -- Tomes -- Staves --

Strategy

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

In lower difficulties, this chapter is best beaten by warping a strong bosskiller to defeat Hardin and warping Marth afterwards to seize the throne. If the player wishes to get the items on this map, they can warp a thief or use the thief staff. This is recommended as the only brave weapons available in the game (in the remake, at least) can be found in the chests of this chapter.

Playing without the Warp staff, or on higher difficulties, further complicates the chapter.

First, the thief can pose an annoyance as you cannot reach him turn one without dancing or usage of the Anew staff, but he isn't particularly bulky and a trained Katarina or Linde should be able to one-shot him. Another thing to consider is the hallway guarded by two heroes. On the opposite side of the wall, there is a sniper, general, and sage nearby. The heroes have capped skill and can only be doubled by swordmasters with capped speed or berserkers and snipers using the Starsphere. The swordslayer deals bonus damage to them, but be careful as one of the Lunatic-exclusive characters also carries a swordslayer. As it is extremely difficult to take on the enemies on both sides, it is best to bait the sage and sniper first by getting in their range with one of your bulkier units and then finishing each of them separately. In the meantime, be careful with the bishop in the jail cell with Swarm. After crossing said hallway, reinforcements will begin to appear; as they are rather strong, it is best to just ignore them and rush towards Hardin. At this point it is a good idea to rescue Midia as it can be difficult to rescue her otherwise. Now, you must choose between going left or right. Going right is more practical as the enemies there are weaker compared to the Earth Dragon and two heroes, the door makes for a good chokepoint, and there are good items there to take. Now, the final part of this map is the Dark Emperor himself, Hardin. Note that it is only possible to harm him if the unit that attacks him has the Lightsphere in their inventory. However, Hardin is incredibly strong, fast and bulky; he will double Generals, Warriors and Dracoknights, even if they have the Starsphere in their inventory. There isn't a particularly easy way to deal with him and it's best to kill him in a single turn by dancing or using the Anew staff with your strongest unit. After defeating him and seizing with Marth, you will either complete the Binding Shield and unlock the Endgame, or only get the Darksphere and finish the game with the bad ending.

In order to access Chapter 20x, the player must have completed the Binding Shield; they must also have recruited and kept alive at least three of Wolf, Sedgar, Vyland, Roshea, and Midia, or they must clear this chapter in a certain number of turns. The turn count of the latter requirement varies by difficulty, as follows:

Difficulty Turn Count
Normal 24
Hard 28
Maniac 33
Lunatic 38
Lunatic′ 43

Trivia

Etymology and other languages

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

Dark Emperor

Used in the Mystery of the Emblem and New Mystery of the Emblem fan translations.[which?]

Japanese

暗黒皇帝

The Dark Emperor

Gallery

References

← The Last Decisive Battle • Dark Emperor • The Wyvern's Dale →
• Bottom of the Deep Abyss (New Mystery only) →
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
Playable characters Book 1 AbelArranAstramBantuBarstBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDolphDraugEliceEstGordinHardinJagenJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreOgmaPallaRaddRickardRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfXane
Book 2 AbelArlenArranAstramBantuCaedaCainCastorCatriaCecilDraugEliceEstPhinaGordinJeorgeJubeloJulianLenaLindeLukeMariaMarishaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreNynaOgmaPallaRickardRoderickRosheaRyanSamsonSamuelSheenaSiriusTikiVylandWarrenWendellXaneYuliya
Non-playable characters Book 1 GotohMalledusNynaTalys King
Book 2 Aurelis KingBoahCamusGotohJagenLangLorenzMichalis
Bosses Book 1 CamusEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerHarmeinHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Book 2 DallEibelEllereanFire DragonGailGharnefHardinHereticIce DragonJeorgeLangLorenzLumelLykkeMage DragonMedeusNehringSheenaTorusWillowWyvernYodel
Background characters AdrahAnriArtemisCaldasCorneliusIoteLizaLudwikMarlonMarcelusNagaOrdwin
Regalia and personal weapons AumAuraExcaliburFalchionFire EmblemGradivusImhulluMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlight
Chapters Book 1 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: A Brush in the Teeth • 4: Champions of Aurelis • 5: Fire Emblem • 6: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 7: Port Warren • 8: Princess Minerva • 9: Knorda Market • 10: The Ageless Palace • 11: Land of Sorrow • 12: An Oasis of Magic • 13: The Battle for Altea • 14: Star and Savior • 15: Manakete Princess • 16: Camus the Sable • 17: A Knight-Filled Sky • 18: Dark Pontifex • 19: The Dragonkin Realm • 20: Chosen by Fate
Book 2 1: The Grustian Expedition • 2: Rebellion at Macedon • 3: Abducted Princess • 4: Joy and Sorrow • 5: Liberation of Grust • 6: The Nest of Evil • 7: The Scarlet Sword • 8: Soulful Bridge • 9: Sanctuary of Sorcery • 10: Two Sorcerers • 11: Anri's Way • 12: Graveyard of Fire Dragons • 13: Frozen Land • 14: A Mystery Revealed • 15: Return of the Prince • 16: Regaining the Capital • 17: Gra's Sun Sets • 18: Battle of the Pass • 19: The Last Decisive Battle • 20: Dark Emperor • E1: The Wyvern's Dale • E2: The Dragon Altar (part 1part 2part 3)
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAnri's WayAurelisDolhr (Dragon Altar) • Empire of ArchaneaGraGrustKhadeinMacedonTalys
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueCoyote's MenDragons (Divine DragonEarth DragonManakete) • DragoonsHereticsSable OrderWar of HeroesWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Anime adaptationName chart • Other games (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightGaidenGenealogy of the Holy WarArchanea SagaNew Mystery of the EmblemAwakening) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound MuseumTimeline
Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem: Heroes of Light and Shadow
Playable characters AbelArlenArranAstramAthenaBantuBarstBeckBelfBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCecilCordDarrosDiceDolphDraugEliceEstEtzelFreyFrostGordinHoraceJakeJeorgeJubeloJulianKatarinaKrisLenaLindeLukeMacellanMaliceMariaMarishaMarthMatthisMerricMichalisMidiaMinervaNagiNavarreNorneNynaOgmaPallaPhinaRaddReidenRickardRobertoRoderickRogerRosheaRyanSamsonSamuelSedgarSheenaSiriusTikiTomasVylandWarrenWendellWolfWrysXaneYmirYuliya
Non-playable characters Aurelis KingBoahCamusGotohJagenLangLorenz
Bosses ArlenAthenaCaedaCainClarisseDallDraugEibelEremiyaEstGailGharnefHardinIce DragonJagenJeorgeKatarinaLangLegionLorenzLumelLukeLykkeMedeusNehringOgmaRoderickSheenaTorusWillowWyvernYodel
Background characters AdrahAnriArtemisCaldasIoteLudwikMarlonMarcelusNagaOrdwin
Regalia and personal weapons AumFalchionGradivusHauteclereImhulluMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlightWing Spear
Chapters Main story P1: MeetingP2: Young SquiresP3: Training BeginsP4: New Companions (Jeorge, Athena) • P5: March DutyP6: Bonds (Ogma, Draug) • P7: The Final Test (Est, Cain) • P8: Assassination of the Hero-King • 1: The Grustian Expedition • 2: Rebellion at Macedon • 3: Abducted Princess • 3x: Shadows Behind the Scenes • 4: Joy and Sorrow • 5: Liberation of Grust • 6: The Nest of Evil • 6x: Mercenary Squad • 7: The Scarlet Sword • 8: Soulful Bridge • 9: Sanctuary of Sorcery • 10: Two Sorcerers • 10x: The Mask Laughs • 11: Anri's Way • 12: Graveyard of Fire Dragons • 13: Frozen Land • 13x: Within the White Darkness • 14: A Mystery Revealed • 15: Return of the Prince • 16: Regaining the Capital • 16x: Reunion • 17: Gra's Sun Sets • 18: Battle of the Pass • 19: The Last Decisive Battle • 20: Dark Emperor • 20x: Bottom of the Deep Abyss • 21: The Wyvern's Dale • 22: The Dragon Altar • 23: The Dark Pontifex LivesE: Light and Shadow
New Archanea Saga 1: The Capital Falls • 2: Red Dragoon • 3: Righteous Thieves • 4: The Beginning
DLC bonus chapters 1: Wind and Thunder • 2: Three Assassins • 3: That Which Was Done by the Sword Shall Be Undone by the Sword
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAnri's WayAurelisDolhr (Dragon Altar) • Empire of ArchaneaGraGrustKhadeinMacedonTalys
Groups, objects and concepts Coyote's MenDragon (Divine DragonEarth DragonManakete) • HereticsSable OrderFire Emblem/Binding ShieldWar of HeroesWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists Base conversationsChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Name chart • Other games (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightGaidenMystery of the EmblemArchanea SagaShadow DragonAwakening) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline