Artoria Pendragon (Lancer)

, Class Name , is a Lancer-class Servant summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru in the Grand Orders of Fate/Grand Order.
==Profile==
===Identity===
Also known as King Arthur, the legendary King of Knights who governed over Britain. An “if” King Arthur who, after emerging as a king, made the Holy Lance his main armament instead of the holy sword and reigned over Britain.Fate/Grand Order material IV - Artoria Pendragon (Lancer), p.080-089, translated by Clyton at Beast's Lair.
A Heroic Spirit of a “different possibility” from the normal Artoria. Although she has a human form, it is possible to say that she is no longer a Human Heroic Spirit. This version of her is a Heaven Heroic Spirit that personally returned her Holy Lance at , returning it to the earth.
While in the middle of reigning in the , the great enterprise called the Incineration of the Human Order is looming, so the “King of Knights” acted in order to save what’s most important, mankind; while she possesses the same appearance as “Goddess Rhongomyniad”, Artoria is essentially a different person.
===Appearance===
Artoria's appearance is similar to those of Saber Artoria, but with more mature features. Due to being a grown up version, her figure is tall and curvaceous, clad in silver and blue armor, a cloak, and a helmet carved to resemble a lion's face with mane. She tied her hair in a bun, but her hair is notably longer than her younger counterpart. In her later ascensions, she wears a gold crown and removes her armor. Unlike the soulless Goddess Rhongomyniad, Lancer's emerald eyes are full of life, having never lost her heart like the Divine Spirit.
There are various opinions about her physique or body weight when Artoria is a Lancer. Having lost her growth suspension caused by the holy sword, she grew to a physical age suitable for a king. She became an existence closer to a Divine Spirit’s because she is using the Holy Lance, but given that her usage period of the lance was merely about a decade, her mental/spiritual make-up has not changed in a big way. Her body, however, has changed significantly.
===Personality===
Due to the properties hidden within the Holy Lance, Artoria has changed into an existence close to that of a Divine Spirit’s, a goddess if anything. While she has become more composed, and moreover, more rational than the Artoria of the holy sword, her human nature has not been parted with. Rather, there exists placidity in her choices partly because she became an adult, attaining the ideal way a king ought to be.
Artoria, who was summoned to Chaldea as a Servant, knows the beauty of the world. For the sake of taking back the world that shines even without the Farthest Ends, she will fight together with the Master, certainly wielding all the power that she holds.
====Relationships====
;Artoria Pendragon Lily
:"Charming. Still, is that person also called another 'if' of the me in history?"
;Artoria Pendragon
:"That person, does it seem like the things she is burdened with are equal to all of mine? That’s how it is, huh? Well, it is even less pitiful than what I had thought I would feel. The height of my pride is rising within my chest. As one would expect, since it would be rude to pat her head, I wonder if we can drink alcohol together instead?"
;Artoria Pendragon Alter (Lancer)
:"The King of Storms? The , huh? I see, so it’s like that."
;Artoria Pendragon (Swimsuit) / Artoria Pendragon Alter (Swimsuit) / Mysterious Heroine XX
:"I have also gained a swimsuit Saint Graph. Hehehe... Allow me to show you what it means to be an attractive and mature adult."
;Arthur Pendragon
:"How is the holy sword, me from the other world? Uhmm, I see... By the way, I want to hear about your Merlin, is that okay?"Fate/Grand Order Lines
:"Oh, the me from another world. What did you think of my Casino Camelot? What? I've interpreted the concept of bunnies wrong? What are you talking about? Bunnies are loving beasts. Nothing more and nothing less. Wait! Explain yourself fully, Arthur!"
:"Apparently, he had a sentiment he wished to share concerning bunnies, but it was terribly inarticulate.
Wait. Finish what you were saying, Arthur!"
;Knights of the Round Table
:"The holy lance exists, as do the Knights of the Round Table... ...It makes me feel nostalgic. Yes, very nostalgic and..."
:"They seem to be mostly in good health. It’s good to occasionally take a breather, too… Everything in moderation. Everything."
:"The knights who gathered for the sake of managing the casino. Their loyalty, is splendid. However they truly did work well. I'll have to think of a bonus."
;Morgan
:"She & I are very much alike. While together we can only deny each other's existence, I have to respect the way she returned from the furthest end & continued to protect Britain until the very end. Even if no one understood her, she deeply loved Britain more than anybody else ── & even more so than me."
;Mordred
:(No reaction)
:"Hmmm... Oh, no...it's nothing, Master."
:"Hm...?"
;Percival
:"Sir Percival! To think that I would see that figure of yours again is... Ahh, please don't cry, Percival. What should you be so sad about... what? "I am deeply moved in seeing her Majesty in a bunny suit. Please forgive me." ... I see, so it's like that..."
;Gareth
:"(I want to stroke her head to my heart's content, but I cannot because I am worried about the Knights of the Round Table around me)"
;Lancelot
;Tristan
;Agravain
;Gaheris
;Bedivere
;Palamedes
;Kay
;Merlin
:"Calm yourself."
;Bedivere
:"You constantly look after me, way too much. You yourself materialized as a Servant of Chaldea’s Master. You should live freely, even more so in this time called the present… Do not cry, Bedivere. Raise your face. I am not the me that you knew, and also, you are not the Bedivere that I know, but those tears... they often pierce into my heart."
;Gilgamesh / Ozymandias
:"Calm yourselves!"
;Romulus / Romulus-Quirinus
:"Um, what is it? It is probably good for you to moderate yourself on the Rome as well… As for that time, I give you my gratitude."
;Henry Jekyll and Hyde
:"Oh I see...so he... I'll leave the rest to you."
:"I humbly ask for your continued support."
;Swimsuit Blademasters Servants
:"All the Swimsuit Blademasters are dangerous. Honestly... No, I suppose that's how they are supposed to be."
:"Fufu. Really, all of them are highly skilled people. It's been a noisy summer vacation, but judging from Master's expression, it seems they all did a good job."
;Katsushika Hokusai (Swimsuit)
:"She is like a newborn chick... I'm excited to see what kind of Swimsuit Blademasters she will mature into."
:"Novel Swimsuit Blademaster. How will she fight and how will she shine? I had high hopes・・・ and she has lived up to them."
;James Moriarty
:"You're a fine bartender."
==Role==
===Fate/Grand Order===
====Interlude====
===== Holy Lance King of Knights =====
Artoria is in the Command Room with Romani Archaman, discussing how she may become the Lion King if she's unsatisfied with Ritsuka, as she is lacking in humanity. She immediately leaves the room when Ritsuka enters. She later finds Ritsuka in her dream, having been summoned there by Merlin. Fionn mac Cumhaill is also there, and Artoria immediately attacks him for trying to touch Ritsuka. She challenges him to battle as punishment for trampling on her memories. After Fionn retreats, Artoria asks Ritsuka why they've entered her memories and accuses them of trying to expose her identity. She warns they would be dead if they weren't contracted, telling them to exercise more caution in the future. She claims she only needs orders, as she doesn't believe mutual understanding could exist between her and a human. Because she held Rhongomyniad for too long, she is closer to a god and thus doesn't understand humans. She says her concept of "good" differs from Ritsuka's own and claims to be a tyrant who has no doubt their way is just. For that reason, she would trample on Ritsuka's joy if she got closer, something her former self wouldn't want to do. While she doesn't understand such feelings, she also doesn't wish to ruin the joy of others. Romulus then appears and attacks Ritsuka, but Artoria blocks it. He says she requires an evil Master who will become a mindless puppet that worships her. Artoria fights him for trying to kill Ritsuka, but her spear cannot breakthrough Romulus'. Romulus tells her she isn't using Rhongomyniad at its full potential because she fought to protect Ritsuka instead of the world. He then demands that Ritsuka tell Artoria that they love her. Artoria is initially grateful to them for saying so when she claims she doesn't require their respect. She confesses, though, that she'd be hurt if they hated her. Romulus tells her she doesn't yet possess the heart of a god and leaves. After he's gone, Artoria retracts her earlier comment that she and Ritsuka couldn't reach a mutual understanding. Gilgamesh and Ozymandias then appear, and Artoria defeats them on Ritsuka's order. With Artoria happier now, Ritsuka soon wakes from their dream.
==Abilities==
Due to having wielded the Holy Lance as her main armament instead of the Holy Sword, Artoria can no longer be called a Human Heroic Spirit due to having become an existence closer to a Divine Spirit. However, since the period of use was just that of ten-odd years, her mental structure and spiritual make-up have not changed too much, unlike the Lion King appearing in the Camelot Singularity. Regardless, Artoria boasts great power in this form. When Mordred heard that Lancer and Rider of Red possessed the strength to oppose Vlad III empowered by a fame boost without being given their identities, she considered the possibility of her having been summoned under those classes.Fate/Apocrypha Volume 1: Apocrypha: Great Holy Grail War - Chapter 2 She is capable of blocking Romulus' spear.Fate/Grand Order - Artoria Pendragon (Lancer)'s Interlude
===Skills===
====Class Skills====
*Magic Resistance (B Rank): Nullifies spells that have a chant of three verses or below. Receives almost no damage even against Great Magecrafts and Greater Rituals.
*Riding (A Rank): She is able to operate all vehicles and beasts freely except for Divine Beasts and Dragon Kinds. When she is a Lancer, Artoria is always mounting her horse .
====Personal Skills====
*Mana Burst (A Rank): A Skill that temporarily strengthens oneself by infusing their body and weapons with their magical energy. Although it is possible to tremendously raise one’s physical abilities, magical energy consumption is not very efficient.
:*Torrent of Light (A+ Rank): Upgrade from Mana Burst in Fate/Grand Order.
*Charisma (B Rank): The natural talent to command an army. Artoria, who ruled over Britain even while it was exposed to foreign enemies and having entirely repelled those enemies, possesses a high charisma.
*Protection of the Ends of the World (A Rank): Artoria, who possesses the Holy Lance that exists as an anchor to the planet, is receiving divine protection from the Farthest Ends itself. In the game, it is ranked EX.
===Noble Phantasms===
In this state, Artoria wields the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad, a Divine Construct regarded as the "Spear of the End" and whose power is said to rival the Holy Sword.Fate/Grand Order - London: Section 13 Beyond the Fog Rhongomyniad's true form is originally the tower that fastens the surface of the World onto the planet, however, due to its original power being limited by the Thirteen Restraints, it is barely in a state where it can succeed in taking form as a Noble Phantasm. As such, Artoria is unable of drawing out the sacred lance full potential. When fighting Romulus, it is incapable of breaking through his Magna Voluisse Magnum, especially while fighting to protect Ritsuka Fujimaru from him. Romulus states she would only unleash its full power in a fight to protect the world. By following his advice, Artoria defeats Gilgamesh and Ozymandias.
Artoria also owns Invisible Air just like her Saber counterpart. When used together with her Mana Burst Skill, it brings about the reinforcement of her Agility and a super-jump boost effect. Using all the stockpiled wind at once to fire a long range, area of effect attack (Strike Air) that mows down the enemies is still possible. Differing from Saber's version of Strike Air that is more of a piercing type, Lancer's version will mow people down. She primarily uses this Noble Phantasm to augment her attack power.
==Forms and Alternate Versions==
===Swimsuit===
The is a version of Lancer Artoria created following Merlin secretly modifying her with a Summer Saint Graph, which turned her into an Ruler-class Servant.Fate/Grand Order - All In! Las Vegas Championship Match, Final Fight - Western Ganryu-jima
Her name has three meanings. First, it belongs to the manager of Casino Camelot, the apex of Casinos that govern Las Vegas. Second, it belongs to the host who oversees the Seven Duels of Swordbeauties Championship Match, where contenders must fight with swords in hand, dressed in their best swimsuits, to make wonderful summer memories. Thirdly, it belongs to Lancer Artoria, who decided to put on her summer attire.
Please note that she is a completely different person from the so-called "Lion King" of the Sixth Singularity.
With her innate competitive instincts, keen observation skills, and mental fortitude, she holds dominion as Vegas' ultimate dealer. No form of cheating will get past her, and even the luckiest are brought to their knees. She is basically the same person as Lancer. However, since she's not on duty, she unconsciously believes that she can let loose a little bit, and so at times she makes surprisingly casual comments during the Swimsuit Swordbeauties' Seven Duels.
In addition, because she is no longer a Lancer, her horse Dun Stallion is not by her side. It doesn't mean the white horse has disappeared, as there have been sightings of it resting at Chaldea's stable. So, who's supplying the magical energy for it to manifest here? The world may never know.Fate/Grand Order - Artoria Pendragon (Ruler)'s Profile
====Abilities====
In combat, Artoria wields her cards like blades. She can summon lions of lights that can release a burst of light with a roar. She can unleash a beam of light similiar to Rhongomyniad's own on the enemy from above. In her second ascension, the Holy Spear is transformed into a parasol. She wields it like a sword, unleashing beams and waves of light with it.Fate/Grand Order - Artoria Pendragon (Ruler), Animations She also possesses a Reality Marble akin to the spell utilized by the Heroic Spirit Swordmasters known as that summons forth a battleground for Swimsuit Swordmasters to fight in. Once active, the field will not disappear until the battle is concluded and no form of outside communication such as the instruments used by Chaldea are capable of penetrating it.Fate/Grand Order - All In! Las Vegas Championship Match, Heading Out! To Dazzling Las Vegas!
=====Class Skills=====
*Magic Resistance (A Rank): Artoria Ruler possesses an extremely high magic resistance, invalidating the effects of most magecraft.
*Territory Creation (B Rank): The skill of the swimsuit blademaster to create their own casino.
=====Personal Skills=====
*Royal Bunny (A Rank): This is a Skill that represents how Artoria dresses as a Bunny Girl. Look at the thing shining above the king's head, what is that! Ears like that of an animal! Could it possibly be some kind of curse or the grudge of the howling Beast Glatisant (唸る獣, "Growling Beast") that appeared in Britain long ago, which now afflicts King Arthur. How terrifying, the growling beast[1], oh, to bare its fangs at the king even after the passing of hundreds of years… ー Nay, that is incorrect. Our king has simply come to harbor an interest in the thing known as bunny girls. Oh? Then that getup, could it possibly be. ー Yes. A costume. So that's it.Fate/Grand Order - Material Book IX -Artoria Pendragon (Ruler) profile - Translated by Ars_Caritas on Reddit
*Royal Card (C+ Rank→ B+ Rank (Upgrade)): This is a Skill that represents Artoria's ability to handle cards as a casino dealer, and throw them like daggers at enemies.That which the King seems to be a throwing does not appear to be a kind of dagger, no. Is that a card? — Yes. As a casino dealer, one must be exceptional in the handling of cards, as per the king's decree. Is it not a wonderful skill. At times, I have heard this place called as a casino being as for amusement. — That's right. Though the manner of throwing seems as if she has the intention of annihilating enemies in mind. — Perhaps it is something as intended to drive off inebriated guests and the like. Is that so…
*Knight of the Lion (B→A+ Rank (Upgrade)): This is a Skill that supposedly originally belonged to that Artoria took as her own, allowing her to summon lions of light. It is said that in the past, Sir Ywain fought alongside a lion. Thus, it is no wonder that as his liege, our king, is able to command a lion of light. Or possibly, at the time of the Saint Graph changing, the King purposefully selected as her own the skill that should have been originally possessed by Sir Ywain. ― That may also be the case. Yes.
====Noble Phantasm====
Her Noble Phantasm is , summoning the hall as a mobile fortress to unleash a blast similar to Rhongomyniad.
==Development==
===Creation and Conception===
Artoria Pendragon (Lancer) was designed by Akira Ishida in Fate/Grand Order. Her scenario writers are Kinoko Nasu and Hikaru Sakurai in Fate/Grand Order.
File:ArtoriaLancerDraft1.jpg|Concept art by Akira Ishida.
File:ArtoriaLancerDraft2.jpg|Concept art by Akira Ishida.
====Comment from Illustrator====
"For Lancer Artoria’s design, her design was settled ahead of Alter’s. I felt like I consciously drew her with the impression that Saber Artoria has legitimately evolved. Afterwards, during the time where it became necessary for a separate design for the Lion King in Chapter 6, it was decided that we proceed with a combination of all her Ascension states. As one would expect however, exposing her breasts in her last Ascension during Chapter 6’s Camelot is definitely not a holy attack." (Akira Ishida)
"The first ascension was a bunny, and the second ascension was a swimsuit...it was a natural progression, but I had some trouble deciding on the third ascension, I listed several candidates and waited for Takeuchi san and the management's direction on the matter. I expected it would be something like an armor dress, but the response that came back was "bunny armor dress with a card funnel" ...am I...a genius after all. The lion proposed in the rough idea draft (アイデアラフ, aidea rafu) was also accepted as a method of attack, and the ship design for instance as well was something I had never experienced before, but it was enjoyable being able to illustrate it." (Swimsuit ver.) (Akira Ishida)
==References==
it:Arturia Pendragon (Lancer)
vi:Lancer (Fate/Grand Order - Artoria)
Category:Servants
Category:English Servants
Category:Lancer-class Servants
Category:Genderswapped Servants
Category:Heroic Spirits
Category:Humans
Category:Sovereigns
Category:Knights of the Round Table
Category:Characters in Fate/Grand Order (Part 1)
Category:Saberface
Category:Lawful Good Servants
Category:Heaven Attribute Servants
Category:Dragon lineage
Category:B rank Strength Servants
Category:A rank Endurance Servants
Category:A rank Agility Servants
Category:A rank Mana Servants
Category:C rank Luck Servants
Category:A++ rank Noble Phantasm Servants
Category:Introduced in 2016
Category:Voice - Ayako Kawasumi
Category:Artoria variations