Zelgius Builds and Best IVs

This is a ranking page for the hero Zelgius - Jet-Black General from the game Fire Emblem Heroes (FEH). Read on to learn the best IVs (Individual Values), best builds (Inherit Skill), weapon refinement, stats at Lv 40, and more for Zelgius.

Heroes With the Same Name
Zelgius	Ninja Zelgius

Focus - Heroes with Fierce Stance Featured Heroes
Zelgius [9.0/10]	Dorcas [8.0/10]	Kana (F) [8.0/10]

Zelgius Rating and Basic Information

Overall Rating	9.0/10
Reroll Ranking (excluding Inherit Skill)	A (▶Reroll Ranking)
Ranking (including Inherit Skill)	A (▶FEH Tier List)

Zelgius - Jet-Black General: Basic Information

Color / Weapon Type / Move Type	Red / Sword / Armored
Rarity	5 Star
What Kind of Character Are They?	・Can counterattack from any range ・Very powerful exclusive special skill ・Atk increases when the foe initiates combat

Zelgius Skills at 5★

Alondite Might: 16　 Range: 1 Enables counterattack regardless of distance if this unit is attacked.

Black Luna Cooldown Count = 3 Treats foe's Def/Res as if reduced by 80% during combat. (Skill cannot be inherited.)

Fierce Stance 3 If foe initiates combat, grants Atk+6 during combat.

Warp Powder If unit’s HP ≥ 80%, unit can move adjacent to any ally within 2 spaces.

Panic Ploy 3 At start of turn, converts bonuses on foes in cardinal directions with HP ≤ unit’s HP into penalties through their next actions.

Zelgius Best IVs

Recommended IVs

Stat	Superboon/Superbane	IV Recommendation
HP (22)		★★☆☆☆
Atk (26)		★★★★★
Spd (7)		★★★★☆
Def (10)		★★★★☆
Res (6)		★★☆☆☆

◯ = Stat gains +4 with a superboon, ✕= Stat goes down by -4 with a superbane, - = No assets or flaws

See the IV Checker for All Units

Trait Fruits—How to Change IVs

When using an Ascendant Floret, we recommend getting the next superboon if it fits the hero. If not, consider what stat your hero needs most.

+Atk/-HP

The best IVs for Zelgius are +Atk and -HP. Zelgius shines best in being an enemy phase counterattacker. A +Atk IV synergizes with his kit to effectively fill this niche. His HP stat is of less importance, so it is safe to take it as a bane.

If you prefer a tankier Zelgius that can frequently execute follow-up attacks, you can take a +Spd IV instead.

+Spd for a +10 Merge

We recommend a +Spd IV when merging Zelgius to 10. At +10 Merges, Zelgius' Atk will reach such high levels that pushing it up higher is a waste, considering he has access to Black Luna, one of the most powerful specials in the game. At this point, it would be better to opt with a +Spd IV instead to help him take less follow-up attacks and allow him to make some follow-up attacks on his own. Follow-up attacks also speed up special activation.

Zelgius Best Builds

Bold Fighter Zelgius

HOT
： Alondite ： Pivot ： Black Luna ： -	： Steady Breath ： Bold Fighter 3 ： Threaten Def 3 ： Quickened Pulse ： -

How to Use, Explanation

This is a dual-phase build that makes use of Zelgius' native Black Luna and Alondite. Bold Fighter 3 takes care of the player phase, and Steady Breath takes care of the enemy phase. If you can afford Threat. Atk/Def 3, you can go for that too. The Sacred Seal slot is flexible, but Quickened Pulse allows you to take out a priority target at the start of battle as only a handful of units can survive a well-invested Black Luna

Refined Zelgius

HOT
： Alondite ： Swap ： Black Luna ： -	： Swift Stance 3 ： Special Fighter 3 ： Armor March 3 ： Quick Riposte 3 ： -

How to Use, Explanation

This is a high budget build that will guarantee instant activation of Black Luna due to the stacking effects of Alondite's refine, Special Fighter 3, and Swift Stance 3. You can also opt for Swift Stance 2 as his Sacred Seal to further fix his low Res.

Aether Raids Zelgius

HOT
： Alondite ： Pivot ： Black Luna ： -	： Atk/Res Unity ： Special Fighter 3 ： A/R Far Save 3 ： Mystic Boost 3 ： -

How to Use, Explanation

This is a build for Aether Raids. Special Fighter paired with Alondite's refine will trigger Black Luna faster, while A/R Far Save will save any of your fragile allies. Mystic Boost 3 ensures that Zelgius has some survivability.

Near Save Zelgius

HOT
： Alondite ： Swap ： Black Luna ： -	： Close Def 4 ： Crafty Fighter 3 ： A/D Near Save 3 ： Steady Breath ： -

How to Use, Explanation

This build protects allies with A/D Near Save 3 while activating Black Luna for every attack using refined Alondite's special cooldown reduction and Steady Breath's cooldown acceleration. Crafty Fighter provides a guaranteed follow-up attack and a Guard effect to slow down the foe's special cooldown.

Source Heroes for All Skills

Zelgius Best Weapon Refine

Effect of Zelgius's Refined Weapon

Exclusive Weapon Effect from Refining (Special Effect Type)
Alondite	SP: 400
Might: 16　Range: 1　HP: +3 Unit can counterattack regardless of foe's range. Accelerates Special trigger (cooldown count -1). At the start of combat, if unit's HP ≥ 25%, grants Atk/Spd/Def/Res+4. ：500　：200

We recommend the Special Effect Refine for Alondite

Alondite's refine gives Zelgius Atk/Spd/Def/Res+4 and also accelerates his Special trigger.

We recommend getting this refine as he will be able to activate Black Luna even faster when paired with other Special acceleration skills like Special Fighter 3.

Weapon Refinery Tier List

Zelgius Stats

Stat Rankings

Neutral Stats at Lv. 40 (5★)
174
HP	46	Rank: 59/1089
Atk	36	Rank: 480/1089
Spd	33	Rank: 555/1089
Def	38	Rank: 85/1089
Res	21	Rank: 786/1089

Stat Values

Lv 40+10 Stats (5★)

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
+10 Merges W/ Skill Bonuses	51	57	37	43	25	213
Lv.40 +10	51	41	37	43	25	197

Stats at Lv 40

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
5★- Adjusted for Skills	46	52	33	38	21	190
5★ Lv.40	46	36	33	38	21	174

Initial Stats (with Skills)

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
5★ Lv.1	22	26	7	10	6	71

Stat Comparison of Similar Heroes

Hero	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
Winter Byleth (M)	47	46	18	45	46	202
Halloween Kellam	48	46	31	48	27	200
Valentine's Hana	40	42	46	41	27	196
Winter Manuela	42	37	42	38	31	190
Summer Edelgard	46	45	17	43	39	190
Halloween Hector	47	41	26	39	27	180
Winter Zephiel	48	38	19	38	36	179
Zelgius	46	36	33	38	21	174
Valentine's Ike	45	37	38	35	19	174
Black Knight	48	34	34	35	18	169
Arden	60	36	16	41	16	169
Draug	50	30	32	39	18	169
Zephiel	55	35	16	38	24	168

Note: Stats bonuses from skills are not taken into account.

Zelgius Roles, Strengths, and Weaknesses

Zelgius Roles

Zelgius - Jet-Black General Roles
Close-Physical	Ranged-Physical	Close-Magic	Ranged-Magic
Physical Wall	Magic Wall	Effective Weapon	Movement Assist
Exclusive Skill	All-Range Counter	Recovery	Refresher
Legendary	Mythic	Duo / Harmonized	Resplendent

Zelgius Roles

Zelgius - Jet-Black General Roles
Close-Physical	Ranged-Physical	Close-Magic	Ranged-Magic
Physical Wall	Magic Wall	Effective Weapon	Movement Assist
Exclusive Skill	All-Range Counter	Recovery	Refresher
Legendary	Mythic	Duo / Harmonized	Resplendent

Zelgius is a close physical attacker (range = 1). Therefore, when not accounting for the Weapon Triangle, the amount of damage he deals will be equivalent to his Atk minus the foe's Def stat.

Zelgius Strengths

Counterattacks Regardless of Range

Alondite allows Zelgius to counterattack regardless of range. This synergizes with his kit making him a very deadly unit in the enemy phase. This somehow patches his low mobility as units cannot kite him around obstacles without getting damaged.

Powerful Special: Black Luna

Black Luna treats foe's Def/Res as if reduced by 80% and only has cooldown counter of 3. It can be considered as one of the most powerful specials in the game because of its sheer power and low cooldown. It is also exclusive to Zelgius, making it an ideal skill to build him around.

Due to the effects of his refine, he can trigger his Special faster and more often.

Access to a Special effect refine!

He has access to a Special effect refine and you can read more about it in the Weapon Refinement section!!

Zelgius Weaknesses

Weak to Armor Effective Weapons

Zelgius takes 1.5x damage from armor-effective weapons like Armorslayer+, and one blow from this type of weapon is sure to take him down. Make sure you know what weapons you are up against before hopping too far into the line of battle!

Heroes with Effective Skills

Low Res

Zelgius's Res only sits at 18 at Lv.40. This makes it easy for magic users to take him out. Be mindful of Zelgius' positioning in relation to magical units that can easily take him out.

Should you Unlock Potential?

Should You Unlock Potential for this Hero?	Cannot Unlock Potential

Zelgius - Jet-Black General Only Appears as a 5 Star Hero!

Zelgius - Jet-Black General only appears as a 5 Star Hero. We will include whether or not you should Unlock Potential for Zelgius - Jet-Black General if a 4 Star version is released!

Unlock Potential Tier List

Zelgius - List of Skills

Weapons

Skill Name	Might	Range	Effect	Learned At
Iron Sword	6	1	No Effect	5★
Steel Sword	8	1	No Effect	5★
Silver Sword	11	1	No Effect	5★
Alondite	16	1	Enables counterattack regardless of distance if this unit is attacked.	5★

Assists

This Hero has no Assist skills that can be learned.

Specials

Skill Name	Effect	Learned At
New Moon	(Cooldown Count = 3) Resolve combat as if foe suffered Def/Res -30%.	5★
Luna	(Cooldown Count = 3) Treats foe's Def/Res as if reduced by 50% during combat.	5★
Black Luna	(Cooldown Count = 3) Treats foe's Def/Res as if reduced by 80% during combat. (Skill cannot be inherited.)	5★

Passives

Skill Name	Effect	Learned At
Fierce Stance 1	If foe initiates combat, grants Atk+2 during combat.	5★
Fierce Stance 2	If foe initiates combat, grants Atk+4 during combat.	5★
Fierce Stance 3	If foe initiates combat, grants Atk+6 during combat.	5★
Warp Powder	If unit’s HP ≥ 80%, unit can move adjacent to any ally within 2 spaces.	5★
Panic Ploy 1	At start of turn, converts bonuses on foes in cardinal directions with HP ≤ unit’s HP-5 into penalties through their next actions.	5★
Panic Ploy 2	At start of turn, converts bonuses on foes in cardinal directions with HP ≤ unit’s HP-3 into penalties through their next actions.	5★
Panic Ploy 3	At start of turn, converts bonuses on foes in cardinal directions with HP ≤ unit’s HP into penalties through their next actions.	5★

Zelgius as a Source Hero

Value of Skills	★★★★☆

Inheriting Panic Ploy 3

Zelgius can be used to inherit the skill Panic Ploy 3. However, Zelgius is a powerful hero. We recommend training and investing in him instead.

• List of Source Heroes
• The Best Fodder Units

How to Get Zelgius / Illustrations / Voice Actor / Quotes

How to Get Zelgius

Obtain Through Regular Summon

Zelgius is a Hero who can be pulled from any summon.

Note: Not currently a featured hero in any Summon events.

Current Focuses and Which You Should Pull From

Voice Actor and Illustrator Information

Voice Actor (English)	Robert Clotworthy
Illustrator	Daisuke Izuka
Appears In	Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

Illustration

Quotes: Special Triggered

Special Triggered Quotes are voice lines that play upon activating a Special attack.

Lv 40 5★ Dialogue

Lv 40 5★ Dialogue become available when a hero attains Lv. 40 at 5★ rarity.

FEH: Related Guides

Focus: Heroes with Fierce Stance

Heroes from Focus - Heroes with Fierce Stance
Zelgius [9.0/10]	Dorcas [8.0/10]	Kana (F) [8.0/10]

See All Red Heroes

▶︎Return to the Red Heroes Page

All Types of Red Weapons

Close-Range	Ranged
Sword	Red Tome
Red Breath	Red Dagger
Red Beast	Red Bow