Round #1 — Match 8 of 42
Nader
"I’ve always had a soft spot for Nader because he does a lot with fairly little screen time. The game doesn’t need to overexplain him, you get the vibe almost immediately. He’s capable, clearly important, very funny in that confident older-man way, and he tells you a lot about Claude just by existing in his orbit. If Claude trusts him, that matters. If this huge Almyran legend is willing to show up for him, that matters too. He helps make Claude’s connections outside Fodlan feel real instead of just something we’re told about."
vs. Balthus von Albrecht
"yes he’s irresponsible, yes he’s constantly in trouble, yes half his life seems to be one bad financial decision after another, but he’s also genuinely brave, protective, and way more emotionally perceptive than people give him credit for. i just think he’s FUN."
"I’ve always liked Balthus because he’s very easy to underestimate at first. He comes off loud, reckless, kind of shameless, and pretty unserious, so it would have been easy for the game to leave him as comic relief. But there’s more to him than that. He’s clearly someone who cares a lot about people, even if he doesn’t always package that care in the most graceful or sensible way, and I think the fact that he keeps blundering his way into trouble doesn’t cancel out the loyalty underneath. If anything, it makes it more charming. He’s one of those characters who feels rough around the edges in a way I find very likeable."
Who should win?
Nader
Balthus
