Julian Builds and Best IVs

This is a ranking page for the hero Julian - Tender Thief 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 Julian.

Focus - Heroes Light and Shadow (Revival) Featured Heroes
Kris (M) [9.0/10]	Kris (F) [9.0/10]	Julian [8.5/10]	Lena [7.5/10]

Julian Rating and Basic Information

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

Julian - Tender Thief: Basic Information

Color / Weapon Type / Move Type	Colorless / Dagger / Infantry
Rarity	5 Star
What Kind of Character Are They?	・Strong against cavalry units ・Can counterattack physical melee units ・Neutralizes foe's skills that change attack priority

Julian Skills at 5★

Thief's Honesty Might: 14　 Range: 2 Effective against cavalry foes. At start of combat, if unit's HP ≥ 25%, grants Atk/Spd/Def/Res+4 to unit, deals damage = 20% of unit's Spd (excluding area-of-effect Specials), reduces damage from foe's first attack by 30% ("first attack" normally means only the first strike; for effects that grant "unit attacks twice," it means the first and second strikes), and disables unit's and foe's skills that change attack priority during combat. Effect: 【Dagger 7】

Moonbow Cooldown Count = 2 Treats foe's Def/Res as if reduced by 30% during combat.

Close Foil If sword, lance, axe, bow, dagger, or beast foe initiates combat, grants Atk/Def+5 to unit during combat and unit can counterattack regardless of foe's range.

Lull Atk/Spd 3 Inflicts Atk/Spd-3 on foe and neutralizes foe's bonuses to Atk/Spd (from skills like Fortify, Rally, etc.) during combat.

Julian Best IVs

Recommended IVs

Stat	Superboon/Superbane	IV Recommendation
HP (18)		★★★☆☆
Atk (20)		★★★★☆
Spd (10)		★★★★★
Def (7)		★★★☆☆
Res (5)		★★☆☆☆

◯ = 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.

+Spd/-Res

The best IVs for Julian are +Spd and -Res. A higher Spd stat allows Julian to get a ton of follow-up attacks on his foes. With his low defensive stats, no bane would be best, but a -Res IV would be great for him as it is of less importance. Take note that his Res is a superbane.

+Spd for a +10 Merge

We recommend a +Spd IV when merging Julian to 10. It is best to aim for follow-up attacks to increase his offensive ability as his Atk combined with his Def and Spd debuffs is already high. If you prefer relying on other allies' skills to increase Julian's Spd, you can go for a +Atk IV instead.

Julian Best Builds

Lethality Julian

HOT
： Thief's Honesty ： Draw Back ： Lethality ： -	： Atk/Spd Finish 4 ： Phys. Null Follow ： Time's Pulse 4 ： Blade Session 3 ： -

How to Use, Explanation

This build aims to quickly charge up Lethality and deal a heavy blow to Julian's foes.

Tank Julian

HOT
： Thief's Honesty ： Reposition ： Ignis ： -	： C Bonus Doubler ： Laguz Friend 4 ： Breath of Life 4 ： Bonus Doubler 3 ： -

How to Use, Explanation

This build utilizes Julian's physical bulk along with Laguz Friend to tank damage and retaliate with a heavy Ignis. Breath of Life 4 provides sustain to keep Julian alive.

Source Heroes for All Skills

Julian Best Weapon Refine

Effect of Julian's Refined Weapon

Exclusive Weapon Effect from Refining (Special Effect Type)
Thief's Honesty	SP: 400
Might: 14　Range: 2　HP: Effective against cavalry foes. At start of combat, if unit's HP ≥ 25%, grants Atk/Spd/Def/Res+4 to unit, deals damage = 20% of unit's Spd (excluding area-of-effect Specials), reduces damage from foe's first attack by 30% ("first attack" normally means only the first strike; for effects that grant "unit attacks twice," it means the first and second strikes), and disables unit's and foe's skills that change attack priority during combat. Effect: 【Dagger 7】 If unit initiates combat or is within 2 spaces of an ally, grants Atk/Spd/Def/Res+4 to unit, grants Atk/Spd/Def/Res+X to unit, inflicts Atk/Spd/Def/Res-X on foe (X = current bonus on each of foe's stats; calculates each stat bonus and penalty independently), grants Special cooldown charge +1 to unit per attack during combat (only highest value applied; does not stack), and restores 7 HP to unit after combat. ：500　：200

We recommend the Special Effect Refine for Thief's Honesty

Refined Thief's Honesty grants Julian effective damage against cavalry foes, a Hardy Bearing effect, Atk/Spd/Def/Res+8 during combat, bonus true damage equal to 20% of Julian's Spd, 30% damage reduction on his foe's first attack, Special cooldown count +1 per attack, and 7 HP post-combat healing.

Refined Thief's Honesty also steals Julian's foe's stat bonuses in combat by inflicting equivalent stat penalties to his foes and granting that amount in bonuses to Julian.

This refine provides multiple useful effects that allow Julian to function well on both phases and fulfill multiple roles depending on the team's needs.

Julian Stats

Stat Rankings

Neutral Stats at Lv. 40 (5★)
167
HP	40	Rank: 489/1171
Atk	38	Rank: 510/1171
Spd	38	Rank: 399/1171
Def	33	Rank: 346/1171
Res	18	Rank: 1076/1171

Stat Values

Lv 40+10 Stats (5★)

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
+10 Merges W/ Skill Bonuses	45	55	43	37	22	202
Lv.40 +10	45	43	43	37	22	190

Stats at Lv 40

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
5★- Adjusted for Skills	40	50	38	33	18	179
5★ Lv.40	40	38	38	33	18	167

Initial Stats (with Skills)

	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
5★ Lv.1	18	20	10	7	5	60

Stat Comparison of Similar Heroes

Hero	HP	Atk	Spd	Def	Res	Total
Legendary Shez (M)	41	47	47	32	27	194
Attuned Nino	38	44	47	26	33	188
Rearmed Sothe	43	43	47	30	25	188
Ninja Heather	41	42	47	27	30	187
Legendary Shez (F)	40	43	44	31	25	183
Legendary Yuri	41	44	47	24	26	182
Yuri	40	39	43	26	29	177
Volke	40	41	43	28	25	177
Rennac	39	37	42	34	25	177
Ascended Joshua	41	39	43	29	25	177
Cath	41	36	43	27	30	177
Julian	40	38	38	33	18	167
Leila	40	36	41	23	26	166
Ylgr	38	33	38	22	20	151
Sothe	39	36	33	22	21	151
Jaffar	41	26	33	25	22	147

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

Julian Roles, Strengths, and Weaknesses

Julian Roles

Julian - Tender Thief 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

Julian is a ranged physical attacker (range = 2). 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.

Julian Strengths

Thief's Honesty grants multiple offensive and defensive effects

Julian received a new exclusive weapon, Thief's Honesty as part of June 2024's Weapon Refinery update.

Refined Thief's Honesty grants Julian effective damage against cavalry foes, a Hardy Bearing effect, Atk/Spd/Def/Res+8 during combat, bonus true damage equal to 20% of Julian's Spd, 30% damage reduction on his foe's first attack, Special cooldown count +1 per attack, and 7 HP post-combat healing.

Refined Thief's Honesty also steals Julian's foe's stat bonuses in combat by inflicting equivalent stat penalties to his foes and granting that amount in bonuses to Julian.

This refine provides multiple useful effects that allow Julian to function well on both phases and fulfill multiple roles depending on the team's needs.

Julian Weaknesses

Low Res

Julian's Res only sits at 18 at Lv.40. This makes it easy for magic users to take him out. Be mindful of Julian's 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

Julian - Tender Thief Only Appears as a 5 Star Hero!

Julian - Tender Thief only appears as a 5 Star Hero. We will include whether or not you should Unlock Potential for Julian - Tender Thief if a 4 Star version is released!

Unlock Potential Tier List

Julian - List of Skills

Weapons

Skill Name	Might	Range	Effect	Learned At
Caltrop Dagger	8	2	Effective against cavalry foes. Disables unit's and foe's skills that change attack priority. Effect:【Dagger 5】 【Dagger 5】 After combat, if unit attacked, inflicts Def/Res-5 on target and foes within 2 spaces of target through their next actions.	5★
Caltrop Dagger+	12	2	Effective against cavalry foes. Disables unit's and foe's skills that change attack priority. Effect:【Dagger 7】 【Dagger 7】 After combat, if unit attacked, inflicts Def/Res-7 on target and foes within 2 spaces of target through their next actions.	5★
Thief's Honesty	14	2	Effective against cavalry foes. At start of combat, if unit's HP ≥ 25%, grants Atk/Spd/Def/Res+4 to unit, deals damage = 20% of unit's Spd (excluding area-of-effect Specials), reduces damage from foe's first attack by 30% ("first attack" normally means only the first strike; for effects that grant "unit attacks twice," it means the first and second strikes), and disables unit's and foe's skills that change attack priority during combat. Effect: 【Dagger 7】	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★
Moonbow	(Cooldown Count = 2) Treats foe's Def/Res as if reduced by 30% during combat.	5★

Passives

Skill Name	Effect	Learned At
Close Foil	If sword, lance, axe, bow, dagger, or beast foe initiates combat, grants Atk/Def+5 to unit during combat and unit can counterattack regardless of foe's range.	5★
Lull Atk/Spd 1	Inflicts Atk/Spd-1 on foe and neutralizes foe's bonuses to Atk/Spd (from skills like Fortify, Rally, etc.) during combat.	5★
Lull Atk/Spd 2	Inflicts Atk/Spd-2 on foe and neutralizes foe's bonuses to Atk/Spd (from skills like Fortify, Rally, etc.) during combat.	5★
Lull Atk/Spd 3	Inflicts Atk/Spd-3 on foe and neutralizes foe's bonuses to Atk/Spd (from skills like Fortify, Rally, etc.) during combat.	5★

Julian as a Source Hero

Value of Skills	★★★☆☆

Inheriting Close Foil

Julian can be used to inherit the skill Close Foil. However, Julian is a pretty powerful unit. It is best that you do not fodder him off, and we recommend that you build around him instead.

• List of Source Heroes
• The Best Fodder Units

How to Get Julian / Illustrations / Voice Actor / Quotes

How to Get Julian

Obtain Through Regular Summon

Julian 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)	Shannon McKain
Illustrator	Yamada Kotaro
Appears In	Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem and New Mystery of the Emblem

FEH: Related Guides

Focus: Heroes Light and Shadow (Revival)

Heroes from Focus - Heroes Light and Shadow (Revival)
Kris (M) [9.0/10]	Kris (F) [9.0/10]	Julian [8.5/10]	Lena [7.5/10]

See All Colorless Heroes

▶︎Return to the Colorless Heroes Page

All Types of Colorless Weapons

Close-Range	Ranged
Colorless Breath	Colorless Dagger
Colorless Beast	Colorless Bow
Colorless Tome	Staff