The students of the Golden Deer represent a nicely-balanced house through which to enjoy Fire Emblem: Three Houses' story. As Byleth, you'll be forced to choose one of the titular three houses to serve as their instructor;
The units available in Golden Deer are characters from the Leicester Alliance: Lysithea von Ordelia, Leonie Pinelli, Marianne von Edmund, Ignatz Victor, Raphael Kirsten, Lorenz Hellman Gloucester, Hilda Valentine Goneril, the right hand, and the House Leader, Claude von Riegan.
Introducing The Golden Deer
Compared to the other houses, the Golden Deer students have humbler beginnings, and most of them are excellent with bows. Byleth will be in charge of teaching them everything he or she can whilst training himself/herself as well.
Importantly, no matter which house you choose, you aren't confined to just those students in battle. Recruiting folks from other houses (and even from outside the house structure altogether) is a big part of the fun in this game. We intend to focus on the best potential recruits that work well alongside the base Golden Deer house.
In the case of the Golden Deer, you'll want to look for offensive units more than anything else.
The numbers tied with stat growth rate are percentage-based, reflective of higher percentages than average in the given category.
Petra
- House: Black Eagles
- STATS Growth Rates: SPD 60, DEX 50, HP 45, LCK 45.
- SKILLS: Sword (D+), Flying (D), Axe (E+), Bow (E+).
Petra is a melee unit, though she can perform as a flying unit as well. Petra is a character considered an offensive type. She is good with swords, axes, and bows and helps the Golden Deer deal extra damage to enemies.
She is a good option for the Assassin Class. Her Hunter's Boon Ability grants her +20 critical damage when the enemy's hp is below 50 percent. She has good Supports with Claude.
You can recruit Petra if Byleth has DEX 15 or higher, along with a C Rank Riding Skill, or by getting a B Support with her, so she will ask to join you.
Felix
- House: Blue Lions
- STATS Growth Rates: SPD 55, STR 55, HP 45, DEX 45.
- SKILLS: Sword (D), Brawl (E+), Bow (E+).
Felix is a character with good speed and an excellent sword unit, making him perfect for the Assassin/Swordmaster Class. Felix will be an additional sword beside the other sword unit of the House, Ignatz.
This character can also be an offensive type. His Lone Wolf Ability grants him +5 additional damage to the enemy when he has not been assigned any battalion.
You can recruit him if Byleth has SPD 15 or higher, along with a B+ Rank Sword Skill, or by getting a B support with him, so he will ask to join you.
Sylvain
- House: Blue Lions
- STATS Growth Rates: HP 55, SPD 50, STR 45.
- SKILLS: Riding (D), Axe (D), Lance (D).
Sylvain works well with both Hilda and Leonie. He is another offensive type and can perform on the front lines as a tank unit, with Lance as an additional mounting unit.
Sylvain can do well in the Wyvern Lord Class. He also has a Paralogue in the game that gives him some stats boosters. His Philanderer Ability grants him +2 damage to the enemy and -2 damage received if he is next to a female ally.
You can recruit him if Byleth has CHA 25 and a C Rank Reason Skill, or get a B Support with him, so he could ask to join you.
Note that, if you play as female Byleth, Sylvain is a completely free recruit.
Mercedes
House: Blue Lions
STATS Growth Rates: MAG 50, DEX 45, RES 45.
SKILLS: Faith (D), Reason (E+).
Mercedes is an excellent healer unit, if not the best, as she has good resistance and defensive power. Moreover, her Live To Serve Ability allows her to heal herself as much as she heals someone else.
Mercedes also holds potential as a Black Magic-user, so she'll be a great option to add to your team. She can be recruited if Byleth has MAG 15 or higher, along with a C Rank Bow Skill, or if you get a B Support with her.
Linhardt
- House: Black Eagles
- STATS Growth Rates: RES 45, LCK 45, MAG 45.
- SKILLS: Faith (D+), Reason (E+).
Linhardt has a Paralogue with Leonie. He is another good choice for a backup healer unit, with his Catnap ability's bonus that grants him 10% hp recovery if he takes no action waits.
Linhardt is a good candidate for Dark Mage or Dark Bishop Class. You can recruit him if Byleth has MAG 15 or higher, along with a C Rank Reason Skill, or by having a B Support with him.
Ingrid
- House: Blue Lions
- STATS Growth Rates: SPD 60%, LCK 45%, CHA 45%
- SKILLS: Lance (D), Flying (D), Riding (D), Sword (E+).
Ingrid is a talented character with swords, lances, and riding, so she is a flying unit and a melee unit, perfect for a Pegasus Knight Class. She has good Supports with Claude.
Her Lady Knight Ability grants her a +3 increase in unit movement and +5 hit rate when using gambits in a fight. You can recruit her if Byleth has DEX 15 or higher, along with a D Rank Flying Skill. You could also get a B Support with her, and she'll ask to join your House.
Ferdinand
- House: Black Eagles
- STATS Growth Rates: HP 50, SPD 50, STR 45.
- SKILLS: Lance (D), Riding (D), Axe (E+), Sword (E+).
Being a melee unit, this character is good for any physical class. His Confidence Skill grants him +15 in Hit and Evasion when his HP is at 100 percent.
He can be recruited if Byleth has DEX 15 or higher, along with a C Rank Heavy Armor Skill, or by reaching a B Support with him (which is only possible after the time skip).