Nicolai "Niko" Bennex is a soldier of the Meridian Empire, and L'arc's "sidekick." He joins the party as a temporary character and as a guest.
Personality[]
He looks up to L'arc perhaps in part because his personality is such an opposite of his own and often refers to him as Mr. L'arc in the English version of the game.
Niko is known for fleeing from dangerous situations and at times leaves the party before a boss fight only to return after the fight is over. He is also known to stutter when he is scared or when he is nervous. He has a laid back attitude as seen by how he wears his uniform or some of his other outfits. He is not very assertive and is often bossed around by other people such as L'arc or General Freya. Later on in the game, he eventually leaves L'arc a Letter saying that all the danger is too much for him and he is just getting in L'arc's way and doesn't return to the party.
Gameplay Stats[]
Niko uses guns as his weapons and is the first ranged character that the party gets, not having to be up close to the enemy in order to attack. Despite his cowardly attitude, Niko is very skilled in battle due to being a soldier for the Meridian Empire. Similarly to Leslie, Niko's AP growth is unique in that it doesn't level up all that often, but when it does, both values (AP Regen/Max AP) increase; this allows him to give the party a boost in the AP department.
Niko's function is that of a support character or a Machinist of some sort. When compared to Leslie, the other gunner in the game, Niko is more physically oriented while having slightly less defenses. His HP is average as well as his defense, allowing him to function as a secondary wall, though not as effective as Rastan. His speed stat is high, being the second highest in the game (tied with Serge and Alf), with his range giving him the upper hand in his execution of attacks as opposed to Serge. Niko's weaknesses come in his magic and resistance, having low numbers in both departments, thus making him an incompetent mage. In order to get the full use out of Niko, it is best to relegate him as a support and secondary attacker character.
Due to the fact that he is a temporary character, Niko only has 4 Excel Acts, but all of them have low AP costs, allowing him to be a great help in contributing to Trinity Acts (as long as he doesn't lead them). His Excel Act "Niko Cannon" has an SP cost of 60% while only needing 5 AP to execute, which is a great steal considering L'Arc needs 6 AP to execute "Gae Bolg". His "Trickster" Excel Act costs 80% for only 6 AP points, making it the most cost effective attack during the time he is playable. Due to this, it is possible to execute an Excel Trinity when everyone's level is at the low 40s. His "Showtime!" Excel Act can fully heal Niko when he is in a bind, allowing him to function more as a tank.
| Level | AP | HP | Strength | Magic | Speed | Defense | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | +9/9 | 5007 | 222 | 205 | 181 | 130 | 143 |
Story Development[]
Niko Bennex in his military uniform.
He is seen again later when the party has to visit Ferris in the course of the game and is revealed to be a member of the resistance group fighting against the Empire. During this time he gets in contact with Dr. Carlisle for the party.
He is eventually taken captive by Walter Ignacy who had originally wanted to take L'arc's Mother Elena. However he chooses to take Niko because Niko tried to protect Elena. Ignacy's plan works and L'arc goes to Lascarde Skywalk to help Niko and by association meet with Patriarch Hosea.
After the confrontation with the Patriarch a powerful weapon known as the White Spear is activated and aimed at Diamant Royal City. While Rastan attempts to deactivate the device Niko having just been rescued says he overheard another way to stop the weapon. L'arc suspicious of Niko follows him only to find out that Niko is taking a starship out and is going to try and destroy the weapon from inside it's barrel. Niko is killed from inside the barrel of the weapon when it fires, dying a hero's death and becomes mourned by his friends.
Excel Acts[]
| Excel Act | Level | SP | AP | Element | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brutal Cannon | -- | 25% | 3 | Untyped | Single target, untyped damage. Attacks first. |
| Showtime! | 17 | 40% | 4 | --- | Self, fully restores HP. |
| Niko Cannon | 25 | 60% | 5 | Fire | Area of effect, Fire damage. |
| Trickster | 36 | 80% | 6 | Untyped | Area of effect, untyped damage. |
Outfits[]
Trivia[]
- After Niko sacrifices his life at Lascarde Skywalk, the party can visit Genral Freya back in Diamant, and she will give the party a gun that was originally meant for Niko, called "Bennex". This can be equipped by Leslie.
- Niko shares his "Brutal Cannon" Excel Act with Leslie, with the only difference being that he shoots from the left side of the screen due to being left-handed as well as the effects being the color blue while Leslie's is pink.
- Niko's costume Dreadnought! can only be worn by him when he temporarily joins the party in Allwise Infinity Maze.
- Niko's costume, Playful Suit, is the only costume in the game that cannot be obtained. The only time Niko will wear it is during one of Shelly's parties, and after that it will be gone. It can only be obtained through hacking.