Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes stars the mercenary Shez, a new protagonist who can be either male or female. Faced with a choice, Shez can fight with only one army: the Adrestian Empire, led by Edelgard von Hresvelg; the Holy Kingdom of Faehrgus, led by Dimitri Alexander Blaiddyd; or the Leicester Alliance, led by Claude von Riegan. The player’s choice will determine which of three routes they play through: Crimson Blaze, Azure Gleam, or Golden Wildfire. On at least one route - possibly Golden Wildfire - players will be able to encounter the long-awaited character Holst Goneril.
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Holst: Mysterious Duke of Goneril
The trailer that officially confirmed Shez’s role as the protagonist also featured a brief look at a battle between a young pink-haired man and an older man with pale blue hair. The pink-haired man is theorized to be Holst Goneril, the older brother of Claude’s retainer Hilda. Hilda, who has been confirmed to be returning in Three Hopes as a playable character, frequently mentioned her older brother in the original game, but he never appeared on-screen.
Little is known about Holst, save that he is a former student of the Garreg Mach Officers Academy, and current head of House Goneril - one of the major noble houses of the Leicester Alliance at the time of Three Houses’ story. Hilda looks up to him as a role model, but is also frustrated that she is constantly compared to him. While the player is called to defend Holst’s territory in two Paralogue stories in Three Houses, he does not appear in either of them, as he had previously eaten bad mushrooms and become sick.
Holst’s Possible Role in Three Hopes
The character speculated to be Holst in the trailer for Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is shown actively engaged in combat, furthering fan theories that he may be introduced as a playable character. Like fellow new character Monica, it is theorized that he may be exclusive to one route of the game, most likely the Golden Wildfire route in which players side with the Leicester Alliance. Holst is shown wielding a sword, and his outfit resembles that of a Hero, one recurring class in the Fire Emblem series that is usually the promoted version of the Mercenary.
The man whom Holst fights is currently speculated to be Count Bergliez, the father of Black Eagles member Caspar, who has not yet been confirmed to return for Three Hopes. Like Holst, Count Bergliez was mentioned but did not appear in the previous title. He was mentioned to be a well-renowned general and fighter from the Adrestian Empire, so his battle against Holst represents a clash between two powerful opponents on differing sides of the game’s conflict. It could potentially be a climactic battle from late in one of the game’s three routes.
What Would Holst’s Inclusion Mean?
The long-awaited appearance of Holst indicates that Hilda may get more focus, as players will be able to actually witness the relationship between the Goneril siblings rather than just hearing about it. Holst’s inclusion is also a point in favor of the potential inclusion of the Ashen Wolves, playable characters added in the Cindered Shadows DLC for Three Houses. While the Ashen Wolves have not been confirmed for Three Hopes, Holst is close friends with Balthus, a member of that house.
Holst may also represent another playable character with a Major Crest - in this case the Crest of Goneril. While Holst is not confirmed to possess a Crest, the Crest of Goneril is shown on his cape in the Three Hopes trailer. He is also the leader of his House, a position usually reserved for people with Crests. If Holst has the Major Crest of Goneril, he could potentially wield Freikugel, his family’s Hero’s Relic, which Hilda was shown using in the latest trailer for Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. With just under two months until the game releases, it is certainly possible that more trailers or even a playable Three Hopes demo, might reveal more information about Holst Goneril and other Fire Emblem characters both new and returning.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes will release for the Nintendo Switch on June 24, 2022.
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