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Just based on how they turned out for me, because I'm not a number cruncher (hence if you talk to me about stat averages and the like, I will look blankly at you : P)

Best: Mordicai. I just always ended up using him a lot and he worked for me.

Worst: Lyre. Just...no. -.- But I agree that Lethe isn't much better. Aside from Mordicai, I never really liked the cat Laguz.

Best --> Ranulf. He's one of my favorite Laguz units to use.

Worst --> Lyre. She just isn't really useful whenever I've tried to use her, so I've stopped trying.

Best:
Choice 1 (if accepted): Othlin (FE5), see Axefighter reason, and he promotes into FE5's version of Hero, so that's why I'm saying him
Choice 2 (if not accepted): Skasaher!Holyn (FE4)- with both Shooting Star Sword and Moonlight Sword, this guy is just a d**k to the enemies.

Honourable mentions to Havan and Galzus, Galzus in particular- 20/20 with Shooting Star Sword, FTW!

Worst: Samson (FE1, 11 and 12 [with 3 left out thanks to Star Orb abuse]), atrocious joining time, Oguma is running circles around everything by then and only joins TWO chapters earlier than EST for God's sakes!

dishonourable mentions go to Caesar for being rather unneeded (unless he's a Dark Mage) and Ralph for essentially being a Samson incarnation.

Nominate: Best/Worst Personal Weapon.
Also, haven't checked if it got chosen yet, but Best/Worst Gato archetype.

Best: Dieck. (FE6)

Worst: Samson. (FE: Shadow Dragon)

Yeah… Merc/Hero is one of the most solid classes throughout the series. This is going to be a tough one.

Best: It's really between Dieck and Raven for me on this one. they're both tip-top tier in their respective games for a reason. But I'm going to give it to Dieck because he DOES have better availability (s**t, his availability is near perfect - so glad he's based on Oguma and shows up so soon), is in the more difficult game (so being around so early is of greater value), and is a member of the most potent support triangle out of all the GBA games with two other amazing units (who doesn't love Rutger-Clarine-Dieck?). His offense isn't overkill the way Raven's eventually is later on, but it's still more than sufficient to make him a powerhouse throughout the game. Raven's an amazing unit, but he doesn't have all the other perks Dieck brings to the table.

This series is littered with great Merc/Hero units, though. So uh, the majority of them all deserve honorable mentions or at least recognition. But due to there being so many, I'm not going to bother naming them.

Worst: Samson (FE11). No thanks. And to think all the other prepromote Heroes in the series are so fierce.

@Maji: Curious. Do you always do Ayra/Holyn? I actually prefer Ayra/Lex myself. And I like how you diss Caesar but praise Radd whereas most people would do the exact opposite. At least for FE11. FE3, I understand, having seen their growths (not trying to start an argument about that - just appreciating your Majilicious idiosyncrasies)

I'd be lying if I didn't say I do AyraXHolyn because the info page on SF told me to, but I am also a whore for Shooting Star Sword mixed with Moonlight Sword because it helps with arena training much more than high defence coupled with Elite, or at least in my experience. Not to mention, the major Odo blood boost helps Skasaher's Skl. (+50% more Skl growth than Lex IIRC, where with Lex, Elite and 20% more Def is what you'd get). Then again, I am way overdue for another FE4 playthrough, I think I will try AyraXLex, I'm sure there's a lot to say about it. As well as Patty with Moonlight Sword, and a non-***** Briggid xD .

For Caesar, I was actually thinking FE1 on that part, sorry for not making that clear, but look at his FE1 stats, Biraku is even kicking his a** with that 70% Wlv growth! D;
FE3- I use him to make up for my lack of mounted units, but there's a lot of people who I use in FE3 who I probably would never use thanks to the Star Orb. Prime example being Thomas- with three Wlv growths away from using Partia which gives 2X Exp [hello 99 Exp a Mamkute kill!], he's fun to use
FE11- with reclass, he has his uses, but not as a Merc, that's Oguma (as a Hero, I actually make him an Axefighter in his tier one for Str bonus and to build up his Axe rank) and Wolf's job.

So this weeks Best/Worst is personal weapon. I am allowing the Holy Weapons from FE4 because the can really only go to one person per generation so it is kinda personal to them. Only they can use it. Dragonstones don't count.

Best: Holsety. Say hello to dodging maniacs for amazing times

Worst: Falchion