How to Use and Defeat Brave Hector | Recommended Units

This guide will show you how to use and defeat Brave Hector (Hector - Brave Warrior) in Fire Emblem Heroes (FEH). Learn the best units to support and counter Brave Hector, as well as Brave Hector’s strengths, weaknesses, and strategies in competitive game modes.

Brave Hector Overview

Brave Hector is a lance armored unit introduced into the game during the Choose Your Legends 2 summoning event.

Kit Overview

Refined Maltet

Brave Hector's strength mostly comes from his refined Maltet. It's loaded with various effects that add up to make Brave Hector a complete menace on the battlefield.

Below is a summary of refined Maltet's effects:

1	Accelerates Special trigger (cooldown count-1)
2	Neutralizes "effective against armored" bonuses
3	Neutralizes Brave Hector's penalties on enemy phase if Brave Hector's HP ≥ 25%
4	Brave Hector makes a guaranteed follow-up attack on enemy phase if Brave Hector's HP ≥ 25%
5	Inflicts Atk/Def-6 on foe during combat on enemy phase or if foe's HP = 100%
6	Prevent Brave Hector's foe from making a follow-up attack on enemy phase or if foe's HP = 100%

Most of the effects from refined Maltet are activated on enemy phase. This easily defines Brave Hector's role on the team as an enemy phase tank.

Ostian Counter

Ostian Counter is a strictly better version of Distant Counter, unique to Brave Hector.

On top of being able to counterattack at any range, it also provides an Atk/Def+4 bonus if the foe initiates combat.

It also costs 350 SP, which can be relevant for Arena scoring. It is the highest scoring A skill in the game, unmatched by any other.

Ostian Counter is simple and easy to understand. There aren't any drawbacks. Just equip it and go.

Common Brave Hector Builds

These are Brave Hector's most common builds, and you might see combinations of these as well.

Our solutions will mostly be geared towards abusing Brave Hector's weaknesses. His support units may be geared up to prevent those, however.

The stats shown are for an unmerged Brave Hector with neutral IVs and refined Maltet.

The stats you encounter will be different depending on merges, IVs, summoner support, dragonflowers, and bonuses from blessings.

Click to jump to a specific build

Far Save	Near Save
Hardy Fighter	Galeforce

Far Save Brave Hector

Brave Hector		HP 51		Atk 53		Spd 22		Def 39		Res 28
		： Maltet ： Swap ： Bonfire					： Ostian Counter ： Special Fighter 3 ： A/R Far Save 3 ： Mystic Boost 3

This is Brave Hector's most common build. A/R Far Save 3 protects his allies from ranged attacks and he retaliates with a massive Bonfire.

Mystic Boost 3 provides sustain with the heal after combat and it greatly hinders one of Brave Hector's counters, staff units, by cutting their damage in half.

Near Save Brave Hector

Brave Hector		HP 51		Atk 53		Spd 22		Def 39		Res 28
		： Maltet ： Swap ： Bonfire					： Sturdy Stance 3 ： Crafty Fighter 3 ： A/D Near Save 3 ： Steady Breath

Brave Hector is also a fantastic wielder of A/D Near Save 3.

Focusing on melee engagements allows him to drop Ostian Counter in favor of Sturdy Stance 3, which doubles down on Guard effects to shut down enemies from triggering their Specials.

A Near Save Brave Hector is almost always accompanied by another unit which can tank ranged attacks while he covers melee attacks. A good example of said unit is Valentine's Henriette.

Hardy Fighter Brave Hector

Brave Hector		HP 51		Atk 53		Spd 22		Def 39		Res 28
		： Maltet ： Pivot ： Aegis					： Ostian Counter ： Hardy Fighter 3 ： D/R Far Save 3 ： Deflect Magic 3

This build foregoes Brave Hector as the primary damage dealer in favor of maximizing his tanking prowess.

Hardy Fighter 3 in conjunction with Far Save and Aegis allows Brave Hector to function as a ranged tank, absorbing ranged attacks for the entire team.

Deflect Magic 3 is used to neuter brave tome users, notably Ninja Corrin (F) who counters Brave Hector without this seal, and Winter Lysithea who can shut off allied damage reduction effects (from Flayn and Elimine) with her C Feud 3.

Galeforce Brave Hector

Brave Hector		HP 51		Atk 53		Spd 22		Def 39		Res 28
		： Maltet ： Pivot ： Galeforce					： Ostian Counter ： Bold Fighter 3 ： Armored Stride 3 ： Atk/Def Solo 3

This is a mixed phase oriented build, using Bold Fighter 3 to attack twice on player phase and activate Galeforce.

Refined Maltet and Ostian Counter still carry Brave Hector on enemy phase, ensuring that he isn't a sitting duck after his two engagements.

Brave Hector Guide Overview

Brave Hector is a poweful unit capable of carrying matches with proper support around him.

His presence alone has defined the meta around him, making him a mainstay in multiple teams.

Though formidable, there are ways to neutralize him and bring him down.

Here you can find:

1	How to maximize Brave Hector
2	Brave Hector's best support units
3	How to defeat Brave Hector

How to Maximize Brave Hector

Summoner Support

S Rank Summoner Support adds +5 to HP and +2 to Atk, Spd, Def, and Res.

This is a simple way to buff up Brave Hector without costing you anything except the time spent levelling the support rank to S.

Ally Support

Ally Support adds in-combat bonuses of +2 to Atk/Spd/Def/Res if the allied pair is adjacent to each other, and +1 to Atk/Spd/Def/Res if the allied pair is one space away from each other.

This bonus may not seem much, but every stat matters.

Additionally, some support units like Corrin (M) require ally support to function.

Choice of Mythics in Aether Raids

Mythic heroes provide bonuses to certain stats for your blessed units when deployed in Aether Raids.

Brave Hector appreciates every additional stat point he can get when he is relied upon to tank multiple enemies.

Try to prioritize using Mythic heroes that boost Atk or Res, as those stats are the most important to boost for Brave Hector to perform his duties.

Dragonflowers

Dragonflowers add 1 stat point per use. The stat increased by each dragonflower rotates in a certain order depending on the unit's base stats.

As of September 2021, Brave Hector can be granted a maximum of 15 dragonflowers, for a total of +3 to each stat.

Merges and Choosing the Correct IVs

Merges are another way to add stats to your units.

The first merge adds +1 to two stats and removes the bane, while each additional merge adds +1 to another two stats, up to a maximum of 10 merges.

The stats increased by each merge rotate in a certain order depending on the unit's base stats, similar to dragonflowers.

Additionally, choosing the correct IVs or boon can be the difference between survival and demise.

We recommend +Res for Brave Hector to patch up his lower Res.

Stats per Investment Level

The investment levels mentioned above stack and make Brave Hector stronger.

Below is a table showing the progression of Brave Hector's stats as you add more investment to him.

	Base	Add Summoner Support	Add Mythic Bonuses	Add 15	Add +10 Merges
HP	51	56	71	74	79
Atk	53	55	55	58	63
Spd	22	24	28	31	35
Def	39	41	41	44	49
Res	28	30	40	43	47

Mythic Bonuses shown here are from fielding Eir, Peony, and Dagr alongside Brave Hector in Aether Raids during Light Season.

Brave Hector's Best Supports

The stats shown are for unmerged units with neutral IVs, special effect refined weapons if applicable, and visible stat changes from skills like Fury 4.

The stats you encounter will be different depending on merges, IVs, summoner support, dragonflowers, and bonuses from blessings.

Corrin (M)

Corrin (M)		HP 45		Atk 54		Spd 38		Def 34		Res 30
		： Yato ： Shove ： Moonbow					： Fury 4 ： Atk/Res Link 3 ： Distant Guard 3 ： Distant Guard 3

Corrin (M) is a cheap and easy way to provide in-combat bonuses to Brave Hector.

He is a 3-4 star unit in the permanent summoning pool. Obtaining copies for merges can be achieved over time without much effort.

With ally support and refined Yato, Corrin's presence alone gives Brave Hector Atk/Spd/Def/Res+6 assuming they are adjacent to each other, and Atk/Spd/Def/Res+5 if Corrin is one space away from Brave Hector.

Shove and Atk/Res Link 3 grant Brave Hector Atk/Res+6 visible buffs.

Atk/Res Link 3 is chosen because the affected stats are the most important stats to boost. You may use other Link skills if you desire.

Double Distant Guard 3 provides an additional +8 Def/Res to Brave Hector when receiving attacks from ranged foes.

This combo is suited towards the Far Save Brave Hector build. When using the Near Save build, replace these with Double Close Guard 3.

Brave Lucina

Brave Lucina		HP 44		Atk 54		Spd 40		Def 34		Res 23
		： Geirskögul ： Swap ： Moonbow					： Fury 4 ： Atk/Res Link 3 ： Distant Guard 3 ： Distant Guard 3

Brave Lucina is a more premium version of Corrin (M) in the sense that she provides in-combat bonuses on top of other buffs.

Unlike Corrin (M), Brave Lucina does not need to be ally supported to Brave Hector to provide the buffs, and she can provide them to other allies as well.

Brave Lucina's refined Geirskögul only provides +3 to Atk/Spd/Def/Res compared to refined Yato's +4, but it grants these bonuses to all sword, lance, axe, bow, dagger, or beast allies within range.

It also provides Special cooldown charge +1 to said allies during enemy phase.

This allows Brave Hector to forego Special Fighter 3 in favor of Crafty Fighter 3, which has a higher HP threshold but lacks the Special acceleration, which Geirskögul provides.

Bow Hinoka

Bow Hinoka		HP 37		Atk 46		Spd 38		Def 17		Res 29
		： Warrior Princess ： Reposition ： Luna					： Atk/Spd Bond 4 ： Aerobatics 3 ： Atk/Def Rein 3 ： Drive Atk 2

Bow Hinoka is a more aggressive support option to field alongside Brave Hector.

Her refined Warrior Princess provides an Atk/Spd+4 buff to Brave Hector, and applies an Atk/Spd/Def-4 debuff to enemies within 3 spaces.

As a flying unit, Bow Hinoka can also equip Rein skills. Atk/Def Rein 3 is the best option; applying an Atk/Def-4 debuff to enemies within 2 spaces.

These debuffs indirectly grant Atk/Def+8 and Spd+4 to Brave Hector assuming the foe has no way to neutralize them during combat.

The Drive Atk 2 Sacred Seal is a flexible slot. You may use other Drive seals or even movement-based seals like Guidance 3 if you wish.

Finally, Bow Hinoka can also help clean up once Brave Hector has sufficiently worn down the enemy team. She is a ranged unit and has great offensive stats.

Warrior Princess is effective against flying and armored foes, further strengthening her ability to clear enemies.

Flayn

Flayn		HP 40		Atk 53		Spd 27		Def 21		Res 35
		： Caduceus Staff ： Physic+ ： Fireflood Balm+					： Atk/Spd Push 4 ： Dazzling Staff 3 ： Distant Guard 3 ： Distant Guard 3

Flayn is arguably the best defensive support option to field alongside Brave Hector.

Caduceus Staff is an amazing staff, granting 30% damage reduction to all allies in 2 spaces. This is one of the very few ways to grant damage reduction to Brave Hector.

Additionally, as a staff unit, Flayn can also provide healing to help sustain Brave Hector's HP over time.

We recommend Physic+ to keep Flayn at a safe distance away from enemies who may potentially bypass your front line and take her down.

Summer Hilda

Summer Hilda		HP 39		Atk 51		Spd 40		Def 20		Res 25
		： Sunshade Staff ： Nudge+ ： Fireflood Balm+					： Atk/Spd Push 4 ： Dazzling Staff 3 ： Joint Drive Atk ： Drive Atk 2

Summer Hilda could be summarized as a mix of these other support options when it comes to supportive duties.

Her Sunshade Staff grants Atk+6 and Special acceleration per foe's attack to allies within 2 spaces.

As a support, the Atk buff can be compared to Bow Hinoka and the Special acceleration can be compared to Brave Lucina. Summer Hilda can also heal Brave Hector, similar to Flayn.

Summer Hilda is also able to help clean up the enemy team with her Sunshade Staff's Atk/Spd+6 buff and great offensive stat spread.

Finally, her Duo Skill can apply an Atk-7 debuff and an Isolation debuff to multiple enemies as long as the enemy team does not have an active Duo's Hindrance.

How to Defeat Brave Hector

Customize Your Own Brave Hector Counter

These are all the major hindrances or mechanics that you need to have in order to deal with most builds of Brave Hector. The examples given are not requirements, but they do help.

Here are some tools that can help you take down Brave Hector. Hopefully, enough are available for you to run effective offenses against the Maltet Man himself.

Tools against Brave Hector
Quickened Pulse	Helps main offense land Specials to apply more damage.
Fatal Smoke 3	AoE skill that disables healing, preventing Sol, Mystic Boost 3, and support units from restoring Brave Hector's HP.
Dazzling Staff 3	Staff units with Dazzling Staff either on their weapon or on their B slot prevent Brave Hector from counterattacking them. Be aware that the Mystic Boost 3 Sacred Seal disables the Wrathful Staff effect, cutting the damage of staff units in half.
Candlelight+ Flash+ Staff of Rausten Venin Edge Frostbite Breath Obsessive Curse	These weapons all apply the Flash status to Brave Hector, preventing him from counterattacking for the remainder of the turn.
Blazing Wind Pain+ Poison Strike 3 Savage Blow 3	Indirect damage applied safely with the help of Sweep-based weapons like Firesweep Bow+ can wear down Brave Hector and leave him vulnerable to follow-up engagements.
Null Follow-Up 3 Windsweep 3	Units with a combination of these two effects through their weapons and B slots are very effective at dealing damage to Brave Hector safely.
Structures and Defensive Terrain	In Aether Raids, you have the luxury of using offensive structures. You can even deliberately trigger enemy Bolt Traps to soften Brave Hector. In the Arena, all you have are Defensive Tiles to your advantage.

All these help with other threats too so don't worry about your team being too geared against a specific foe.

Specific Units

These units have proven to be effective in dealing with Brave Hector throughout the years.

Good Units Against Brave Hector
Young L'Arachel Kempf Nifl Rhajat	These units possess weapons which apply the Flash status to Brave Hector.
Ninja Corrin (F)	Ninja Corrin (F) has a base kit that's practically built to defeat Brave Hector. She is equipped with Ninjutsu Scrolls - a brave tome that deals bonus damage based on difference in Spd, which Corrin has a lot of and Hector is lacking in. She also has Atk/Spd Push 4 and Joint Drive Atk to further boost her damage. Ninja Corrin (F) also has great offensive stats and color advantage against Brave Hector.
Summer Caeda	Dolphin-Dive Axe being effective against lance units bypasses refined Maltet's armor weakness neutralization, allowing Summer Caeda to deal increased damage. Summer Caeda also has great offensive stats and color advantage against Brave Hector.
Bridal Catria	Wedding-Bell Axe provides the Triangle Attack buff to nearby allies, allowing them to attack twice and brute force their way through Brave Hector's defenses. Bridal Catria also has great offensive stats and color advantage against Brave Hector.
Summer Byleth (F) Selena Legendary Byleth (M)	These units are examples of those who can equip Windsweep 3 and bypass the drawbacks thanks to their weapons having built-in Null Follow-Up effects. These units also wield tomes and target Brave Hector's lower Res stat.
Veronica Young L'Arachel Summer Hilda Scion Nanna	Offensive staff units can attack safely into Brave Hector with their Dazzling Staff effects and target his lower Res stat. Be aware that the Mystic Boost 3 Sacred Seal disables the Wrathful Staff effect, cutting the damage of staff units in half.
Shamir	Shamir has Null Follow-Up 3 on her kit and a great offensive stat spread to fully utilize it. She can boost her Atk and Spd through Survivalist Bow, Atk/Spd Solo 4, and Rouse Atk/Spd 3. Survivalist Bow also shuts down counterattacks if her foe's HP ≥ 80%. If this condition is met, she'll put a huge dent in Brave Hector's bulk without fear of retaliation.
Brave Hector Ascended Idunn Valentine's Gustav	If all else fails, you can just commission yourself your very own Brave Hector or a similar high Def tank unit. Brave Hector is very powerful when his foe initiates combat, but is lacking if he has to initiate combat himself. Just click the End Turn button.

Brave Hector in Aether Raids

Aether Raids is the game mode where you will see Brave Hector the most.

The following will be a brief discussion of the possible situations you will find yourself in Aether Raids where you may run into Brave Hector.

Far Save on Defense

A sample defense team protected by a Far Save Brave Hector.

Some Aether Keeps rely on a Far Save Brave Hector to protect their teams from ranged initiators like Ninja Lyn or Scion Leif. He may or may not run the Hardy Fighter build, but he will be running a Savior build for sure.

Melee initiators are covered by the traps, while Brave Hector covers ranged initiators.

This allows the defense team to survive player phase based raiding parties and retaliate on the first enemy phase with Nótt and Legendary Sigurd providing additional movement and two dancers for support to get kills on the backline units.

Corner Save Balls

A rough corner Save Ball defense map.

This sample defense team traps a trio of armored units and a healer in a corner with the aim to stall the raider out of turns. Brave Hector runs A/R Far Save 3 while Brave Edelgard runs D/R Near Save 3, protecting all four units in the corner by forcing enemy units to attack properly invested tank units. The healer unit, Loki in this example, does nothing but heal the two savior units to keep them as healthy as possible.

The key unit in this setup is the third armored unit, Duma. Duma is weaponless and carries a rally assist skill, ensuring that he remains in place, trapping the other units in the corner. Duma also carries Upheaval, and together with the Catapult, they destroy possible Bolt Towers that can heavily damage the units in the corner and leave them vulnerable to death.

The three mythic heroes on the left side are all weaponless as well. The only purpose they serve is to boost the stats of Brave Hector and Brave Edelgard with their respective blessing bonuses. If the raider wastes time attacking these weaponless units, then that is time not spent whittling down the savior units.

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