Swordsman class series

This was originally referred to as the "Swordsman (Mars) class series" prior to Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, which renamed the corresponding "Swordsman (Venus) class series" the Crusader class series. Therefore, "Swordsman" redirects here.

The Swordsman class series is a class series available to the Mars Adepts, and to a lesser extent, the Mercury Adepts. Both kinds of Adepts require Mercury and Mars Djinn in order to attain this class, though with an emphasis on Mercury for the Mars Adepts and Mars for the Mercury Adepts.

This class is very similar to the Crusader class series, with which it shares the names of two classes, Defender and Cavalier, as well as the statistical shifts. In addition, the names of each class's first stage (Swordsman) was shared prior to Dark Dawn. The two class series differ slightly in Psynergy.

The class series, when at its highest stage of Radiant and compared to the other series at their highest respective stages, has high HP, good Attack, and stronger Defense, but below average Agility and PP - the Protector of the Crusader class series is the same in all of these areas. Both series' luck ratings are high. Noteworthy Psynergy from an endgame perspective includes Plume Edge, Pure Wish, Guard/Protect (contrast this with the Venus series' Revive), Pure Ply, Cure Poison, Break, and Avoid, and the heaviest area-of-effect Psynergy it has is Fiery Blast (contrast with the Venus variation's Nettle). Average stats from an endgame perspective are 145% (150% if you don't factor in Luck).

In all games, an Adept in this class series is not all the more likely to be affected by any particular status condition or secondary effect.

Statistical Influence

Swordsman class series
Class Name	Djinn		HP	PP	ATK	DEF	AGI	LCK
	Mars Adepts	Mercury Adepts
Swordsman	1	unavailable	100%	90%	110%	110%	90%	120%
Defender	2-3	unavailable	120%	100%	120%	120%	100%	120%
Cavalier	4-5	6	140%	110%	130%	130%	110%	120%
Luminier	6 , 1	7 , 1	170%	130%	140%	140%	130%	120%
Radiant	7 , 2	unavailable	190%	140%	150%	150%	140%	120%

Notes on Class Names

• Hover your cursor over class names for alt-text of series' Japanese names.

Psynergy Setup

Psynergy
Lvl	Psynergy	PP	Range	Power
1	Ply	4		—
	Class must be Defender or higher.
2	Blast	5		25
3	Guard	3		—
5	Cure Poison	2		—
6	Avoid	5		—
	Class must be Defender or higher.
8	Wish	9		—
	Class must be Cavalier or higher.
10	Mad Blast	9		50
11	Cutting Edge	5		ATK+32
	→Plume Edge at Luminier class	15		ATK+80
13	Restore	3		—
15	Protect	5		—
16	Ply Well	8		—
	Class must be Defender or higher.
22	Wish Well	13		—
	Class must be Cavalier or higher.
28	Fiery Blast	19		110
30	Break	5		—
34	Pure Ply	12		—
	Class must be Defender or higher.
46	Pure Wish	20		—
	Class must be Cavalier or higher.

Analysis

The Swordsman class series is basically a tougher, Mars-influenced version of the Water Seer class series, with an even more bare-bones offensive Psynergy lineup. The Cutting Edge duo and the Blast Psynergy series are the classes only offensive Psynergies. While strong early on, both Psynergies are fairly weak over the long run. Despite possessing both the Wish and Ply Psynergies, the class is lacking as a healing class due to the low PP pool, which would be drained quickly.

Despite its weaknesses, the Swordsman class does offer some benefits. The Cutting Edge Psynergy will make quick work of Saturos on the Mercury Lighthouse, and any other Mars-aligned monster. With the first Golden Sun featuring two separate deserts packed with Mars-aligned enemies, Cutting Edge is often a valuable offensive tool. When compared to the similar Crusader class, available to Venus Adepts, the Swordsman class falls slightly behind, due to the Swordsman's weaker offensive Psynergies, and the Crusader possessing Revive rather than the Guard Psynergy series.

In Golden Sun: The Lost Age, however, the Swordsman classes are generally much less useful due to far fewer enemies being vulnerable to Mercury damage. By the time they do roll around (Magma Rock and Mars Lighthouse), players that are diligent in collecting Djinn should have access to the Dragoon class series, which combines aspects of this and Crusader class series while also providing stronger stat boosts.

The class line, though, can be useful during the early and midgame. In the early game, due to uneven Djinn distribution (allowing you to have Mercury Djinn before having a Mercury Adept), it might be worth it to give someone the Mercury Djinn. Jenna can get access to Ply for single target healing and make better use of the Pirate's Sword. Midgame, during the Eastern Sea, Jenna can make use of the useful Mercury Power increasing equipment available to her, and also the powerful Mercury-based weapons available, giving the team a good Wish user thanks to her naturally high PP stat. Later on, when you have access to more Djinn, it's better to switch her (or Garet) to another class that has better stats or a better Psynergy lineup.

In Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, on the other hand, neither Tyrell nor Eoleo can make good use of the class, given that the game mostly lacks Mercury-based weapons for the warriors to make use of and you get two Mercury Adepts early on, making the class not very useful overall.