Linus Builds and Best IVs

This is a ranking page for the hero Linus - Mad Dog 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 Linus.

Heroes With the Same Name
Linus	Fallen Linus

Linus Rating and Basic Information

Overall Rating	8.5/10
Reroll Ranking (excluding Inherit Skill)	N/A (▶Reroll Ranking)
Ranking (including Inherit Skill)	C (▶FEH Tier List)

Linus - Mad Dog: Basic Information

Color / Weapon Type / Move Type	Green / Axe / Infantry
Rarity	4 Star 3 Star
What Kind of Character Are They?	・Weapon skill makes it easy to trigger specials ・Gains a buff in Atk and Res when HP drops to 80% ・Grants a bonus to the Def of allies within 2 spaces

Linus Skills at 5★

Fanged Basilikos Might: 16　 Range: 1 Accelerates Special trigger (cooldown count-1). At start of combat, if unit's HP ≥ 25%, grants Atk/Spd+5 to unit during combat.

Luna Cooldown Count = 3 Treats foe's Def/Res as if reduced by 50% during combat.

Brazen Atk/Spd 3 If unit’s HP ≤ 80% at start of combat, grants Atk/Spd +7 during combat.

Drive Def 2 Grants allies within 2 spaces Def +3 during combat.

Linus Best IVs

Recommended IVs

Stat	Superboon/Superbane	IV Recommendation
HP (18)		★★☆☆☆
Atk (25)		★★★★☆
Spd (9)		★★★★★
Def (8)		★★★☆☆
Res (4)		★★☆☆☆

◯ = 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.

Neutral IVs by default!

As a hero obtainable only through Grand Hero Battle, Linus will always have neutral IVs by default. The only way to access IVs for this unit is through using Trait Fruits.

+Spd/-Res

The best IVs for Linus are +Spd and -Res. A higher Spd stat allows Linus to get a ton of follow-up attacks on his foes. It also protects him from hostile follow-up attacks. His Res is of less importance and thus safe to be taken as a bane.

+Spd for a +10 Merge

We recommend a +Spd IV when merging Linus to 10. This is for the same reasons as above. With this IV at max merges, he reaches 40 Spd. This can be further increased through skills and his special effect refine so expect him to reach ridiculous levels of Spd.

Linus Best Builds

Refined - Life and Death Linus

： Basilikos ： Draw Back ： Draconic Aura ： -

： Life and Death 4 ： Desperation 3 ： Joint Drive Spd ： Heavy Blade 3 ： -

How to Use, Explanation

This build aims to maximize Linus' Atk/Spd. This is for him to be able to rely on Desperation 3 to score some one-sided matchups with foes. This is also to reliably proc Heavy Blade 3 for consistent Special activations. e warned as this will put his Def/Res to absurdly low levels!

Refined Fanged Basilikos Linus

： Fanged Basilikos ： Reposition ： Luna ： -

： Atk/Spd Push 4 ： Frenzy 3 ： Atk/Spd Menace ： Heavy Blade 3 ： -

How to Use, Explanation

The spec. eff. refine of Fanged Basilikos provides another tool for a Desperation set. With the refine, Linus can ensure lethal, and consistent follow-up attacks on a wide range of foes. To leverage this, pick up Atk/Spd Push 4. Said skill not only increases his offenses, but it also provides a mechanic for activating Desperation. His weapon combined with Heavy Blade 3 makes activating Luna a breeze.

Source Heroes for All Skills

Linus Best Weapon Refinement

Effect of Linus' Refined Weapon

Exclusive Weapon Effect from Refining (Special Effect Type)
Fanged Basilikos	SP: 400
Might: 16　Range: 1　HP: 3 Accelerates Special trigger (cooldown count-1). At start of combat, if unit's HP ≥ 25%, grants Atk/Spd+5 to unit during combat. At start of combat, if foe's HP ≥ 75%, inflicts Spd/Def-5 on foe during combat and inflicts penalty on foe's Spd/Def during combat = current bonus on each of foe's stats x2. ：500　：200

We recommend the Special Effect Refine for Fanged Basilikos

We recommend getting the Special Effect Refine of Fanged Basilikos on Linus. The debuffs and Panic effect accentuate the gap between his offensive stats, and the foe's defensive stats. With this upgrade, not only does he deal more damage with each hit, but he can also score more hits through follow-up attacks.

We highly recommend Fanged Basilikos' special effect refine over the Basilikos'.

Weapon Refinery Tier List

Linus Stats

Stat Rankings

Neutral Stats at Lv. 40 (5★)
163
HP	42	Rank: 228/1089
Atk	37	Rank: 398/1089
Spd	33	Rank: 555/1089
Def	32	Rank: 300/1089
Res	19	Rank: 867/1089

Stat Values

Lv 40+10 Stats (5★)

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
+10 Merges W/ Skill Bonuses	47	58	38	36	23	202
Lv.40 +10	47	42	38	36	23	186

Stats at Lv 40

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
5★- Adjusted for Skills	42	53	33	32	19	179
5★ Lv.40	42	37	33	32	19	163
4★ Lv.40	39	35	31	29	17	151
3★ Lv.40	38	33	29	28	16	144

Initial Stats (with Skills)

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
5★ Lv.1	18	25	9	8	4	64
4★ Lv.1	17	20	9	7	3	56
3★ Lv.1	17	16	8	7	3	51

Stat Comparison of Similar Heroes

Hero	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
Valentine's Effie	43	46	43	32	23	187
Atlas	46	43	37	34	27	187
Fallen Linus	42	46	43	36	20	187
Shez (F)	38	41	42	32	34	187
Hans	46	45	39	35	21	186
Ninja Shamir	42	37	40	31	32	182
Gonzalez	50	42	35	33	21	181
Young Boyd	50	43	36	31	21	181
Brigand Boss	45	42	35	35	24	181
Ninja Hana	42	36	40	28	30	176
Ross	47	38	31	32	24	172
Echidna	45	34	36	30	27	172
Summer Ylgr	42	35	36	30	25	168
Linus	42	37	33	32	19	163
Anna	41	29	38	22	28	158
Legion	46	36	35	22	18	157
Raven	41	34	35	25	22	157

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

Linus Roles, Strengths, and Weaknesses

Linus Roles

Linus - Mad Dog 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

Linus 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.

Linus Strengths

Weapons Accelerate Special Trigger

Linus' weapon, the Fanged Basilikos accelerates his special cooldown by 1 count. It makes it easy for Linus to trigger special attacks and this is ideal for him because his huge offensive statline combined with something like Draconic Aura would easily take out a wide range of units!

This is also true for the Basilikos.

Fanged Basilikos has a powerful Special Effect Refine

The Special Effect Refine for Fanged Basilikos inflicts Spd/Def debuffs on opponents and converts their Spd/Def bonuses to penalties. This accentuates Linus' raw damage potential! Read more about it in the Best Weapon Refinement section.

Powerful Atk and Spd buff when HP gets low enough

Linus' A Skill Brazen Atk/Spd will give him Atk/Spd+7 when his HP is below 80%. Taking damage increases his offensive stats so manage his match-ups properly and try to get into this HP range. It is a great skill, but we recommend Life and Death 3 or 4 onto him and running Desperation on the B slot. However, feel assured that even base kit Linus can rely on his native A slot skill.

Linus Weaknesses

Low Res

Linus' Res only sits at 19 at Lv.40. This makes it easy for magic users to take him out. Be mindful of Linus' positioning in relation to magical units that can easily take him out. This is made worse if you get his special effect refine so watch out for that. The best defense Linus has over these magic units is to get to them before they get to Linus! Do not hesitate to engage on them especially if you have Desperation 3 inherited onto Linus.

Should you Unlock Potential?

Should You Unlock Potential for this Hero?

We Recommend Unlocking Potential for Linus - Mad Dog!

We recommend that you use Unlock Potential to bring Linus - Mad Dog from 4 Stars to 5 Stars. Linus - Mad Dog is very useful as a Axe-wielding infantry attacker, so you may find using Unlock Potential on Linus - Mad Dog helpful if your team lacks a party member with this role.

Unlock Potential Tier List

Linus - List of Skills

Weapons

Skill Name	Might	Range	Effect	Learned At
Iron Axe	6	1	No Effect	3★
Steel Axe	8	1	No Effect	3★
Silver Axe	11	1	No Effect	3★
Basilikos	16	1	Accelerates Special trigger (cooldown count -1)	5★
Fanged Basilikos	16	1	Accelerates Special trigger (cooldown count-1). At start of combat, if unit's HP ≥ 25%, grants Atk/Spd+5 to unit during combat.	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%.	3★
Luna	(Cooldown Count = 3) Treats foe's Def/Res as if reduced by 50% during combat.	4★

Passives

Skill Name	Effect	Learned At
Brazen Atk/Spd 1	If unit’s HP ≤ 80% at start of combat, grants Atk/Spd +3 during combat.	3★
Brazen Atk/Spd 2	If unit’s HP ≤ 80% at start of combat, grants Atk/Spd +5 during combat.	4★
Brazen Atk/Spd 3	If unit’s HP ≤ 80% at start of combat, grants Atk/Spd +7 during combat.	5★
Spur Def 1	Grants adjacent allies Def +2 during combat.	3★
Drive Def 1	Grants allies within 2 spaces Def +2 during combat.	3★
Drive Def 2	Grants allies within 2 spaces Def +3 during combat.	4★

Linus as a Source Hero

Value of Skills	★★★★☆

Inheriting Brazen Atk/Spd 3

Linus can be used to inherit the skills Brazen Atk/Spd 3. However, you can only acquire Linus from Grand Hero Battles or from using Heroic Grails, so think carefully before foddering him off.

• List of Source Heroes
• The Best Fodder Units

How to Get Linus / Illustrations / Voice Actor / Quotes

How to Get Linus

Obtain through a Grand Hero Battle

Linus is a Hero who, for a limited time, can be obtained through completing a Grand Hero Battle for the first time. They do not appear in regular summons. After the event has ended, they can be obtained by using Heroic Grails.

Voice Actor and Illustrator Information

Voice Actor (English)	Joe Brogie
Illustrator	Meka (めか)
Appears In	Fire Emblem (The Blazing Blade)

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

See All Green Heroes

▶︎Return to the Green Heroes Page

All Types of Green Weapons

Close-Range	Ranged
Axe	Green Tome
Green Breath	Green Dagger
Green Beast	Green Bow