Fire Emblem’s Byleth is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s next DLC character

In a 35-minute Super Smash Bros. Ultimate livestream, game director Masahiro Sakurai revealed the final DLC character in the first Fighter’s Pass is Byleth.  

The character, who debuted in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, will have both male and female versions in the fighter. In a playful nod to how many swordsmen are in Smash already, Byleth was shown to have four weapons available in a lance, axe, whip, and bow.  

Each weapon is assigned to a different direction, with the up smash attacks and special moves utilising the whip, the sideway attacks the lance, down is for the axe, while neutral specials are for the bow.  

The fighter is described as having slow mobility and poor throws, with Sakurai saying they’re best utilised as a “distance demon” on the battlefield.

Byleth’s final smash calls upon Sothis from Fire Emblem: Three Houses to deal huge damage.  

The character also comes bundled with a new stage called Garreg Mach Monastery, which combines four areas from the hub world in Fire Emblem: Three Houses.  

Each area, from the marketplace to the reception hall, has different characters from each respective house in the background – along with some interactive hazards like falling chandeliers.

Eleven new music tracks are also coming with the character and a new spirit board featuring the house leaders from the latest Fire Emblem.

In perhaps the most exciting announcement, Mii fighter costumes based on Assassin’s Creed, Rabbids, Mega Man X, Mega Man Battle Network and Cuphead will also be available to purchase.

Byleth will be released on 28 January and will be instantly available if you’ve purchased the Fighter’s Pass, while they can also be purchased individually for £5.39.  

The new character rounds off an impressive line-up for the first Fighter’s Pass, following Pirahna Plant, Joker from Persona 5, Hero from Dragon Quest, Banjo Kazooie and Terry Bogard from SNK.

After being previously announced, Sakurai also touched upon the second Fighter’s Pass which will feature six new DLC characters instead of five like the first.  

The second Fighter’s Pass will be available for pre-purchase from 29 January when Byleth releases, although he explained how we wouldn’t know any of the contents of what’s to come yet. 

There will be a special bonus however in a Mii Fighter costume inspired by Ancient Soldier gear from Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, if you pre-order the second pass.

Considering how many were expecting Dante from Devil May Cry to be announced, the addition of a another Fire Emblem character might not go down too well with fans. 

The new arrival comes ahead of Smash tournament Genesis 7 later this month, where the top players compete for a $16,800 prize pool.  

Byleth is available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in the UK from 29 January.