Nina (Breath of Fire)

Main article: Nina

Nina ニーナ Niina (Nina)
Portrait
Sprite
Type												Playable Character
Home												Wyndia
Occupation												Princess
Height												158 cm (5'2")
Weight												45 kg (99.2 lbs)
Weapon												Rapier
I				II				III				IV				V				VI

Nina is a playable character in the original Breath of Fire game. She is a member of the Wing Clan, and the princess and heir apparent of Wyndia. Near the end of the game, Nina acquires her Clan's innate ability to become the Great Bird, allowing her to transport the party to any place with a suitable landing spot.

Role throughout the series

In Breath of Fire

Nina is first seen when Ryu visits Wyndia. She is concerned for her father, who was poisoned by the Wizard of Karma after he refused to ally with the Dark Dragon Clan. While Ryu rests for the night, the player shifts control to Nina, who sets off to face the Wizard in hopes of retrieving the Remedy to save her father's life. She is joined by two Wyndian soldiers (named Sr-1 and Sr-2) on her quest.

Arriving at the Wizard's Tower, the three manage to rescue some of the captured women from the town of Romero before sneaking into the Wizard's experiment chamber to look for the Remedy. However, the Wizard arrives soon after, and upon noticing them, releases the Xeon Gas, a special toxin engineered specifically to affect the Wing Clan. Nina and Sr-1 stay behind to distract the Wizard while Sr-2 escapes to get help.

Just as the Wizard was about to use Nina to create the Eternal Life Potion, Ryu arrives. Being a member of the Dragon Clan, Ryu is unaffected by the Xeon Gas and engages the Wizard, triumphing over him. Obtaining the Remedy, Ryu carries Nina back to the top of the tower, where they escape on the back of a veteran Wing Clan Soldier, (referred to as Sr-3) along with the other Wing Clan warriors.

Back in Wyndia, Nina gives her father the Remedy, which cures him of his poisoning. The King permits Ryu to use the tunnel under the castle to exit Wyndia to its east, with Nina insisting on accompanying him on his journey to stop the Dark Dragon Emperor Zog.

Much later in the game, when Nina attempts to insert the Time Key into a machine in Tock to save the people of Carmen, she is drawn into a time portal created by the key and sent an unknown number of years into the past in the musical kingdom of Tunlan. Suffering from amnesia, she is cared for by an elderly couple until the party find her in a highly repressed state in the present. With the help of a mysterious cloaked man (in actuality Jade, Zog's treacherous and manipulative lieutenant), they restore her memory and recruit her back into the party.

Now an adult, Nina changes from a red leotard to blue, sports a different headband, and gains the ability to become the Great Bird, inherent to all adult members of the Wing Clan.

During the adventure, Nina tends to bicker with fellow party member Bleu. (referred to as Deis in the original Japanese version, as well as future installments) This could be due to their similar roles as 'pretty girl' spellcasters. Bleu, at this time, was still shaking off a long hibernation and prone to casting half-remembered spells with disastrous consequences, and may have been feeling a little jealous. It could also be because they both have feelings for Ryu, as suggested in the manga adaption Breath of Fire: The Dragon Warrior. Regardless, towards the end of the game, the two gain some respect for each other.

After the defeat of the Dark Dragon Clan, as well as the Goddess Tyr, Nina is the last member of the party to leave Ryu. After being escorted back to Wyndia, she waves him goodbye as he leaves and heads for home.

In Breath of Fire II

Nina I as the guardian of the SkyCave.

See also: Guardian (Boss)

Though this game features a different Nina (hereafter referred to as Nina II for the sake of clarification), the original (Nina I) also makes an appearance as well.

At some point in the game. Nina II attempts a trial to obtain the Mark of the Wing, an item that will allow her to transform into the Great Bird and carry her friends to the Grand Church, but at the cost of her human form. Venturing deep into dungeon, she finds the item's protector, the Guardian, who asks her why she wants it. Replying that it's to save the world, the Guardian scoffs at her and decides to engage Nina II in battle as a final test to see if she is truly worthy of acquiring it.

Once Nina II triumphs over her, the Guardian congratulates her and gives her the Mark of the Wing. The Guardian then removes her armor, and reveals that she is Nina I, her ancestor. Nina I then tells her descendant that the reason the Wing Clan lost their power to naturally transform into the Great Bird was because she fell in love with a man from another tribe (strongly implied to be Ryu) and married him, causing the Wyndian bloodline to become diluted. Nina I then asks her descendant if she still intends to use the Mark of the Wing to become the Great Bird, to which Nina II replies she is. Nina I is pleased by this, seeing Nina II as truly worthy of using this power.

Nina I then begins to fly off, but then asks her descendant if she can forgive her for falling in love with a man outside of their tribe. If Nina II replies negatively, Nina I will apologize while indicating that she doesn't regret her decision. If Nina does forgive her, Nina I departs grateful.

In Breath of Fire III

Nina makes a brief cameo in a mural that's seen as this game's Ryu, as well as his comrades (including another winged woman named Nina), explore Dragnier. The mural shows up again as the Dragon Elder Jono tells the party about the history between the Dragon Clan and Myria.

Combat

Wielding a rapier and wearing light armor, Nina's best stats are AP, Intelligence, and Agility, but she suffers from a very weak melee attack that quickly becomes near-useless, in addition to a fairly lousy defense.

Her EXP thresholds for leveling up are strange, as she only requires 260,000 EXP in total to reach level 46, but the total required EXP is drastically higher for level 47 than 46, requiring her to obtain a total of 773,000 EXP, and then she suddenly levels up at a similar rate to other characters for the remaining levels.

Her sole strength is in her magic, which is orientated almost entirely towards healing and stat buffing, and later including holy attacks. If Nina performs any of her spells, she will always move first in combat (with the exception of Bo if he also casts Cura), making her a vital mainstay in any party configuration.

When she doesn't need to use a spell, Nina tends to do more damage utilizing an attack item such as the E.Key or using a weapon as an item, neither of which is consumed on use. Other characters can do this too, but the same item can only be used once per turn, and every other character has a better normal attack than Nina.

The best armor Nina can wear will usually have additional effects to make up for her low defense, such as damage reflection or regenerating the wearer's HP while walking. She is one of only two female characters (the other being Bleu), and thus female-only equipment is often set aside for her.

Abilities

Abilities
Level	Name	Flavor text	Effect	AP Cost
Default	Cura	Recover!	Restores 50 HP to one target	3
Default	Fort	Petrify!	(Battle only) Raises Defense for rest of battle	6
Default	Heal	Be Well!	Removes all negative status conditions	5
6	LK-UP	Cheer Up!	(Battle only) Raises Luck for rest of battle	6
7	ATK-UP	Power Up!	(Battle only) Raises Attack for rest of battle	15
9	Cura2	Recover!	Restores 100 HP to one target	6
11	Hold	Paralyze!	(Battle only) Attempts to paralyze all enemies	8
12	AG-UP	Agile Up!	(Battle only) Raises Agility for rest of battle	8
13	Warp	-	(Overworld only) Teleport to any previously visited town that has a Dragon Shrine	2
14	Zom1	Be Gone!	(Battle only) 120 damage to undead monsters	5
15	Cura3	Recover!	Restores 250 HP to one target	15
17	Renew	Revive!	Revive one dead ally with 1 HP	10
19	Idle	Slow Down	(Battle only) Attempts to slow one enemy	5
21	Shield	Deflect!	(Battle only) Reduces spell damage to target for rest of battle	8
23	Cura4	Recover!	Restores all HP for one target	20
24	Zom2	Be Gone!	(Battle only) 180 damage to undead	15
26	FortX	Petrify!	(Battle only) Raises entire party's Defense for rest of battle	14
28	Hush	?	Stops magic attacks	8
30	Dispel	?	Void Enemies Magic	14
34	RenewX	Revive!	Revive a dead ally with full HP	30
37	CuraX	Recover!	Restore 250 HP to entire party	20
41	Wall	?	(Battle only) The next enemy spell cast on target is reflected	15
46	ZomX	Be Gone!	(Battle only) Damages all undead	35

Equipment

Weapons	Attack	Weight	Value	Notes	Locations
ShortRP ショートレイピア	5	1	400	—	Starting equipment for Nina Shop in Romero
BronzRP ブロンズレイピア	7	2	800	—	Shops in Winlan, Romero, Tantar
Rapier ほそみのけん	10	4	1500	—	Shop in Auria (1650)
LightRP てんしのけん	10	2	80	—	Flea market before getting the Sphere
IronRP アイアンレイピア	14	5	2000	Elemental: Holy	Shop in Nanai before getting E.Key (1800)
PoisonRP ポイズンレイピア	20	5	3000	—	Shops in Prima (3300), Tunlan (2700, 3300)
FlameRP バーニンレイピア	28	5	5000	Casts F.Ball when used Elemental: Fire	Treasure chest in Winlan castle locked room
WingRP ウイングレイピア	34	2	7000	—	Shop in Gust
ThundrRP サンダーレイピア	46	6	9000	Casts Fry when used Elemental: Lightning	Flea market before getting the Sphere
EvilRP バスターレイピア	55	7	20000	—	Shops in Prima, Tunlan (18000) Flea market after getting the Sphere but before using the Tonic
LoyalRP かいらくレイピア	64	6	25000	Restores 3 AP when attacking	Shop in Carmen
PowerRP ちょうのレイピア	82	0	30000	Casts Ag-Up when used	Flea market after using the Tonic

Shields	Defense	Weight	Value	Notes	Locations
SuedeSH かわのたて	2	1	150	—	Shop in Nanai before getting E.Key (135) Treasure chest in Winlan castle Starting equipment for Sr-1, Sr-2, Sr-3, Ox, Bleu
Bandage バンテージ	5	1	500	—	Treasure chest in Ramui Woods
Gauntlet こて	8	1	800	—	Treasure chest in Camlon Castle Shop in Tunlan (880)
Wrist リストバンド	10	2	700	—	Treasure chest in Lament Woods
Bracelet ブレスレット	12	3	1200	—	Treasure chest in Agua
SkySH おおぞらのたて	15	1	300	—	Treasure chest in Lake Shrine
IcySH アイスシールド	30	5	4000	Reduces ice damage taken by 25%	Shop in Prima (5200)
GuardSH まもりのたて	32	10	10000	—	Treasure chest in Tock
ProSH クラブシールド	32	5	5000	—	Treasure chests in Wisdon (×2)
LightSH ライトシールド	36	10	4000	Reduces fire damage taken by 25%	Shop in Prima (4400) Treasure chest in Dreamland
MaskSH かめんのたて	65	8	20000	Reflects some magic damage	Flea market after using the Tonic

Armor	Defense	Weight	Value	Notes	Locations
Cloth ぼろ	1	1	10	—	Shops in Drogen, Nanai before getting E.Key (9)
Dress おうじょのふく	8	25	1000	—	Starting equipment for Nina Shop in Tunlan (900)
SuedeGN かわのふく	10	6	500	—	Shop in Winlan Starting equipment for Sr-1, Sr-2, Sr-3, Karn Treasure chest in Aura Cave
PrisonCL しゅうじんふく	10	2	10	Fate +20	Prison cell in Auria
SilkGN シルクのふく	15	4	2800	—	Shops in Drogen, Nanai before getting E.Key (2520), Romero
Gown タイトミニ	18	1	2000	—	Shops in Romero, Tunlan (1800) Starting equipment for Bleu
WoolRB けおりのローブ	25	2	5000	—	Shops in Bleak, Prima
SuedeRB かわのローブ	35	2	6000	—	Shop in Prima (6600)
QuartzAR クォーツチェスト	50	9	10000	Reduces lightning damage taken by 25%	Shop in Spring
MystRB ソーサルコート	60	8	6000	—	Shop in Tunlan (5400)
LightCL すかしのふく	68	1	30000	—	Shop in Carmen
AngleAR てんしのむねあて	76	3	30000	Reflects some magic damage	Flea market before using the Tonic
PowerAR オーラのころも	82	10	28000	Reflects some magic damage	Treasure chest in Pagoda
EarthRB ははなるよろい	88	8	1000	Restores HP when struck by magic	Breakable slab west of Gust
EvilRB まかいのローブ	90	1	9990	Reflects some magic damage	Flea market after using the Tonic
AgileAR スピードのよろい	92	0	10000	—	Treasure chest in Pagoda
ClearCL にじのはごろも	100	0	10000	—	Treasure chest in Bleak behind a heavy box

Helmets	Defense	Weight	Value	Notes	Locations
TideHT つなみのかぶと	0	0	1111	Protects from instant death attacks	Drawers in Prima inn
G.Tiara きんのティアラ	2	5	20000	—	Treasure chests in Auria, Tock Flea market after getting the Sphere
StrawHT むぎわらぼうし	2	1	200	—	Starting equipment for Ryu
Bandana バンダナ	5	1	400	—	Shops in Tantar, Prima
NiceHT きれいなぼうし	6	3	600	—	Treasure chest in Ease Cave Starting equipment for Karn Shop in Prima
SuedeHT かわのぼうし	6	3	200	—	Treasure chest in Winlan castle Starting equipment for Sr-1, Sr-2, Sr-3, Bo
HairBand ヘアーバンド	8	2	1000	—	Treasure chest in Agua
Tiara かみかざり	10	2	1500	—	Shop in Auria (1650)
Turban はでなバンダナ	11	1	2000	—	Treasure chests in Winlan castle locked room, Dark Tower
GoldHT きんのぼうし	14	6	20000	—	Shop in Prima (26000)
HeadGear ヘッドギア	14	5	2800	—	Treasure chests in Krypt, Dreamland
ChainHT チェインヘルム	16	8	2500	—	Shop in Prima (2750)
SkullHT スカルフェイス	25	10	—	Doubles damage taken	Treasure chests in Krypt (×2)
EchoHT こだまのぼうし	28	3	2000	Reflects some magic damage	Treasure chest in Hidden Fort
Domino ガラスのドミノ	42	7	30000	—	Treasure chest in Pagoda
AgileHT スピードのかぶと	42	1	5500	—	Flea market after getting the Sphere but before using the Tonic Treasure chest in Tock Digging patch southeast of Scande
CursedHT のろいのかぶと	62	20	100	—	Treasure chest in Dreamland tower
LoveHT こいするぼうし	64	10	100	—	Digging patch southeast of Scande

Trivia

• According to Breath of Fire: Official Complete Works, Nina's hobby is eating things.

Gallery

Breath of Fire, Nina artwork

Breath of Fire, Nina's Great Bird form

Breath of Fire GBA, Nina Artwork

Breath of Fire II, Nina I overworld sprite (without armor)

Breath of Fire II, Nina I's overworld sprite (with armor)

Breath of Fire II, Nina I's battle sprite