Fate/Grand Order is packed with larger-than-life characters, but few are as unique and tragic as Ushiwakamaru. Originally known as Minamoto no Yoshitsune, she’s a Servant who mixes real historical legacy with standout gameplay design. As a 3-star Rider, Ushiwakamaru may not be the flashiest pick in this RPG, but her story, personality, and battle utility make her unforgettable.

From her early appearances in FGO’s main story to her performance in tougher fights, Ushiwakamaru holds a strong spot in the hearts of many players. She blends tactical usefulness with an intense loyalty to her Master, which aligns perfectly with her in-game identity as a samurai who lives to serve. Whether you’re new to the game or a veteran player, there’s something to appreciate in how she was built and how she’s been updated over time.

A Story of Loyalty and Tragedy

Ushiwakamaru’s character is deeply rooted in Japanese history. Based on the famous general Minamoto no Yoshitsune, her legend is one of brilliance, betrayal, and downfall. She was trained in secret by a Tengu at the Kurama Temple, developing genius-level sword skills and military tactics. But despite her talents, she was cast aside by her own brother, Yoritomo, who feared her power and charisma.

In Fate/Grand Order, this backstory shapes her personality. She’s disciplined, polite, and unwavering in her devotion—but there’s always a shadow of sadness in her tone. Her wish for the Holy Grail is simple: to reconcile with her brother. That emotional drive makes her more than just another Rider on your team. She’s a character with real depth.

More Than Just a Low-Rarity Rider

Don’t let her rarity fool you. Ushiwakamaru may be a 3-star unit, but she punches above her weight, especially for newer players looking to build a strong foundation. Her kit focuses on Quick cards and single-target burst damage, making her excellent for boss fights or challenging encounters with tough enemies.

Her Noble Phantasm, Dan-no-Ura Eight-Boat Leap, dishes out strong single-target damage and boosts her star drop rate for several turns. After getting an upgrade, this move becomes even more effective, keeping her relevant in mid to late-game content. As such, while she may not be featured as one of the top tier characters in FGO, she’s still worth keeping an eye out for, especially if you’re a beginner.

Key Strengths

Ushiwakamaru stands out as a free-to-access servant with excellent utility. Here’s what makes her shine:

• Strong NP Damage: Thanks to her NP upgrade and synergy with Quick buffs, she can delete enemies efficiently, especially Casters.
• Supportive Abilities: Her Tengu’s Strategy and Charisma buffs improve NP gain and team-wide attack. It’s not huge, but it’s enough to tip the scales in longer battles.
• Critical Support: With the right setup, her second skill boosts her own crit damage by 50% and generates 20 stars instantly.

These strengths make her perfect for Masters who want value without needing to pull high-rarity Servants.

Weaknesses

For all her advantages, Ushiwakamaru has a few setbacks. First, her hit counts are low, which holds back her star generation and NP gain without support. Second, she lacks a personal NP battery, which limits her use in faster farming setups. And despite having a one-turn Evasion skill, her overall survivability is still support-dependent in high-difficulty quests.

Because of her high Rider star absorption, she can also accidentally steal critical stars from other Servants unless she’s the main damage dealer. It’s a small thing, but it affects team synergy in more advanced setups.

Ideal Teams and Craft Essences

To get the most out of Ushiwakamaru, it’s best to surround her with support that patches up her weaknesses and boosts her strengths. Quick-based supports like Skadi (especially Summer Skadi) or Lady Avalon can amplify her crit potential and help with NP cycling. She also works well in multi-core teams where her buffs assist other damage dealers.

For Craft Essences, focus on:

• Quick Performance Up for better NP and card efficiency
• Starting NP Gauge to reach her Noble Phantasm faster
• NP Damage Up for maximizing her burst
• Critical Damage Up if you’re aiming to use her crits consistently

Some top picks include Golden Sumo, Imaginary Around, or Holy Night Sign, depending on your goal.

Not Just a Background Character

In the FGO storyline, Ushiwakamaru has multiple standout moments. Her biggest role is in the Babylon Singularity, where she serves under Gilgamesh alongside Benkei and Leonidas. There, she takes on demons and monsters with precision and fearlessness. She even sacrifices herself during the Nippur mission, showcasing her loyalty and courage.

Later, she’s captured and transformed into a monster by Kingu, giving players a heartbreaking twist in her narrative. In other side stories and events, she also shows up in a comedic light—like trying to gift severed heads during the holiday event or taking over a boat like it’s nothing.

These appearances make her one of the few 3-star characters with consistent narrative presence across FGO’s many storylines.

Fan Favorite Status: Why Players Love Her

Ushiwakamaru is a character that sticks with you. Her loyalty, tragic backstory, and unwavering faith in her Master give her a unique emotional depth. She’s also got a mix of elegance and menace that sets her apart visually, from her traditional armor to her long black ponytail and intense blue eyes.

Her voice lines and interactions are also memorable. She scolds the player for laziness, praises her brother with every chance, and still fights like a pro. Even her casual line asking for “headpats” makes her feel more grounded and human, despite being a legendary hero.

She’s also a favorite for players who enjoy building low-rarity teams that can still clear hard content. Her performance, especially at NP5, makes her a go-to for challenge quests or Cavalry-based battles where single-target damage matters.

Ushiwakamaru may not have the flashy animations or top-tier status of some of FGO’s newer Riders, but she offers more than just stats. She’s a reliable fighter, a semi-support with team buffs, and a Servant whose story continues to resonate across the game’s timeline. If you’re starting out or just appreciate well-rounded characters, she’s absolutely worth raising.

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