Rider

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Rider
Alias(es)	Iskandar, the King of Conquerors; Achilles, Rider of Red; Astolfo, Rider of Black 12 133 156
Species/Race	Heroic Spirits manifested as Servants 12 156
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Fourth Holy Grail War (Iskandar); Black Faction (Astolfo); Red Faction (Achilles) 12 131 132
Occupation/Role	Rider-class Servants and combatants in Holy Grail Wars
First Appearance	Iskandar: Chapter 12; Astolfo: Chapter 131; Achilles: Chapter 132 12 131 132

Distinct Identities

• Iskandar — The Rider of the Fourth Holy Grail War, who openly declares himself the King of Conquerors and seeks companions for his campaign of world conquest. 12
• Astolfo — The Black Faction’s Rider, a knight of Charlemagne’s Twelve Paladins whose many Noble Phantasms compensate for his low endurance and poor secrecy. 155 162
• Achilles — The Red Faction’s Rider, a famed Greek hero protected by divine blessings and driven by the desire to meet worthy opponents. 132 152

Iskandar

Background and Story Role

Iskandar enters the Fourth Holy Grail War by interrupting Saber and Lancer’s duel in a chariot. Rather than attack, he publicly reveals his True Name and offers both opponents a place in his ranks, proposing that they give him the Holy Grail in exchange for sharing in his conquest of the world. 12

He later takes an interest in Shirou, judging him to be “a warrior of the future” and inviting him to join his army. Wang Xiaoming refuses on Shirou’s behalf. 18

Iskandar convenes the Banquet of Kings, where he prioritizes wine and conversation over immediate conflict. During the debate on kingship, Medea condemns the aftermath of his empire’s collapse. Iskandar accepts responsibility for Macedonia’s fate and calls himself a tyrant, but refuses to regret the life he chose. 39 43

After the banquet is manipulated into conflict, Iskandar challenges Saber to settle their opposing ideals on the battlefield. He later reappears under “Irisviel’s” summons and fights Saber directly. 45 91 96

Personality

Iskandar is loud, ambitious, and openly proud, but his confidence is not as cold or dismissive as Archer’s arrogance. He responds to provocation with humor, seeks to understand formidable opponents, and values courage over caution. 12 40

He is also magnanimous toward Waver. Rather than make his Master’s decisions for him, he supports Waver’s refusal to abandon him and return to Kayneth. 69

Abilities & Noble Phantasms

Ionioi Hetairoi

Iskandar deploys Ionioi Hetairoi, summoning an army that he commands as its king.

• Overwhelms the Assassins who ambush the Banquet of Kings. 44
• Demonstrates Iskandar’s defining strength as a commander able to unite followers beneath his banner. 44
• Its large mana cost is a concern because Waver is considered an inferior magus. 46

Gordius Wheel

Gordius Wheel is Iskandar’s chariot, drawn by two powerful bulls.

• Emerges from a spatial rift after Iskandar splits the air with his sword. 91
• Its bulls generate purple lightning beneath their hooves as it charges. 91
• Medea destroys the chariot during Iskandar’s later battle with Saber. 96

Swordsmanship

Iskandar fights with the Cypriot Sword, the blade associated with severing the Gordian Knot.

• Uses broad, forceful sword strikes that reflect his direct and heroic fighting style. 96
• The Cypriot Sword is ultimately inferior to Saber’s Excalibur in a direct clash. 96

Equipment

• Gordius Wheel — Divine bull-drawn chariot. 91
• Cypriot Sword — Sword associated with the Gordian Knot. 96
• Ionioi Hetairoi — Army-summoning Noble Phantasm. 44

Achilles

Background and Story Role

Achilles enters the Great Holy Grail War as the Red Faction’s Rider. His first major engagement pits him against Black Saber and Black Berserker; neither can harm him despite striking with full force. 132

He is frustrated by opponents who cannot challenge him and instead seeks a battle worthy of his legend. Archer’s repeated attacks eventually reveal that an appropriately powerful Noble Phantasm can threaten his immortality, prompting Achilles to withdraw rather than continue the engagement recklessly. 132 133

Achilles later fights Chiron in the forest. Though his chariot is damaged and Pedasos is killed, he refuses to retreat, declaring that he must continue living as a hero even if death awaits him. 151 152

After Wang Xiaoming is revealed as Hector, Achilles becomes enraged at having been deceived and agrees to cooperate with Amakusa Shirou’s side in pursuit of their shared target. 175

Personality

Achilles is hot-blooded, battle-hungry, and intensely competitive. He is easily drawn toward opponents he considers worthy, particularly Hector and Chiron. 152 191

His devotion to heroism is sincere rather than merely boastful. He shows concern for his horses after Pedasos dies and refuses to flee from Chiron despite the tactical disadvantage. 151 152

Abilities & Noble Phantasms

Divine Blessings and Immortality

Achilles’ body is protected by blessings from the gods.

• Ordinary attacks cannot injure him unless they possess Divinity or an equivalent means of piercing divine protection. 132
• Black Archer’s replicated Nine Lives Blade Works is capable of wounding his immortality, though not of immediately killing him. 133
• Vampiric bloodsucking bypasses his usual protection because it is treated as a “friendly” act rather than a conventional attack. 165

Dromeus Cometes

Dromeus Cometes grants Achilles extraordinary running speed.

• Allows him to outrun both factions’ Lancers. 152
• Lets him move through the forest by using trees and terrain as points of support. 152
• His speed is described as difficult to distinguish from teleportation. 152

Troias Tragoidia

Troias Tragoidia, the Immortal Chariot of Raging Winds and Waves, is Achilles’ three-horse chariot.

• Drawn by the divine horses Xanthus and Balios, gifts of Poseidon, alongside the famed horse Pedasos. 151
• Can crush homunculi and heavy golems while charging across the battlefield. 150
• Pedasos is killed by Chiron’s attack, while Xanthus and Balios survive with injuries. 151
• The chariot can be immobilized when Black Caster’s golems bind the horses’ legs. 150

Spearmanship

Achilles is a highly skilled spear fighter even when dismounted.

• Fights with a spear and sword after his chariot is restrained. 150
• Can throw his spear with Noble Phantasm-level force. 153
• His thrown Diatrechon Astir Lonchi is stopped by Archer’s Rho Aias, a shield specifically suited to blocking thrown weapons. 153

Equipment

• Troias Tragoidia — Three-horse divine chariot. 150 151
• Xanthus and Balios — Immortal divine horses. 151
• Pedasos — Famed warhorse; killed during the battle with Chiron. 151
• Hero-Slaying Spear — Spear used in close combat and throws. 150 153
• Sword — Used alongside his spear after losing chariot mobility. 150

Astolfo

Background and Story Role

Astolfo is sent by the Black Faction to delay Red Berserker alone. Unable to defeat Berserker through raw firepower, he uses Trap of Argalia to remove Berserker’s mobility and create an opening for the Black side. 131

He becomes protective of a homunculus he had rescued, asking Black Archer to keep the child safe. When the homunculus later intervenes during Astolfo’s fight with Wang Xiaoming, Astolfo’s concern for the child interrupts the stalemate. 134 162

Astolfo assaults the Hanging Gardens of Babylon on his Hippogriff, but Semiramis’ barrage defeats his mount and forces him from the sky. He later returns to the Gardens and uses his grimoire to nullify Semiramis’ magecraft. 155 192

Following the war, Astolfo gains a physical body and travels the world with Homu’s permission, returning periodically to share his experiences. 200

Personality

Astolfo is cheerful, impulsive, and honest to a fault. His Rationality Evaporation leaves him unable to keep secrets, allowing enemies to extract information from him through simple conversation. 155

Despite his carelessness, he is compassionate toward the weak and fiercely protective of the homunculus connected to him. 134 162

Abilities & Noble Phantasms

Trap of Argalia

Trap of Argalia is Astolfo’s cavalry lance.

• Forces everything below a struck Servant’s knees into spirit form. 131
• Removes an opponent’s mobility immediately upon contact. 131
• Is especially effective against Berserker’s tactic of enduring attacks before counterattacking. 131
• Wang Xiaoming avoids taking the lance head-on after learning its True Name. 162

Declaration of Destruction

Declaration of Destruction (Casseur de Logistilla) is Astolfo’s anti-magecraft grimoire.

• Can destroy and completely nullify magecraft. 192
• Grants Magic Resistance equivalent to EX Rank when its full power is released. 192
• Allows Astolfo to survive Semiramis’ magical bombardment, though it does not prevent damage to his mount. 155 192

La Black Luna

La Black Luna: The Magic Flute That Calls Forth Terror is Astolfo’s horn.

• Releases ultrasonic waves capable of destroying Semiramis’ flying dragon-tooth familiars. 155
• Is low-ranked as a Noble Phantasm but highly effective against weaker familiars. 155

Hippogriff

Astolfo’s Hippogriff provides aerial mobility.

• Carries him during his assault on the Hanging Gardens. 154 155
• Is injured and dismissed after Semiramis’ magical barrage, but can recover with time. 155
• Later helps Astolfo destroy artillery positions around the Hanging Gardens. 191 192

Independent Action

Astolfo can remain active even after losing magical-energy support from his Master.

• Can act for several hours or up to a day without a Master’s mana supply. 171
• Resists a Command Spell long enough to prevent the homunculus beside him from being harmed. 171

Equipment

• Trap of Argalia — Mobility-sealing magical lance. 131
• Declaration of Destruction / Casseur de Logistilla — Magecraft-destroying grimoire. 192
• La Black Luna — Ultrasonic magic horn. 155
• Hippogriff — Flying Phantasmal Beast mount. 154 155

Relationships

• Waver Velvet — Iskandar’s Master. Iskandar casually flicks Waver aside when he protests, yet supports Waver’s decision to remain by his side rather than return to Kayneth. 12 69
• Saber — Iskandar’s ideological rival and battlefield opponent. Their Banquet of Kings debate ends with mutual recognition and an agreement to determine their respective paths through battle. 43 45
• Medea — Challenges Iskandar’s view of kingship and later destroys Gordius Wheel during his battle with Saber. 43 96
• Chiron — Achilles’ rival and former fellow student under the same teacher. Their battle forces Achilles to fight seriously and costs him Pedasos. 133 151 152
• Hector / Wang Xiaoming — Achilles’ longtime enemy and the opponent he most desires to fight properly. Hector’s revealed identity provokes Achilles into joining the effort against him. 175 191
• Atalanta — Achilles addresses her as “sis” and coordinates with her during the Great Holy Grail War. 129 191
• Homu Musik — Astolfo’s homunculus Master after the war; Astolfo travels the world with Homu’s permission and regularly returns to visit him. 186 200
• Unnamed homunculus — A child Astolfo protects and asks Archer to shelter; the child later intervenes to protect Astolfo from Wang Xiaoming. 134 162

Notable Quotes

“My name is the King of Conquerors, Iskandar. I have manifested in this Holy Grail War under the Rider class.” 12

“I will mourn and shed tears for the fall of Macedonia, because these were my decisions, so I should rightfully bear this stain, but I have absolutely no regrets.” 43

“To live out my life as a hero.” 152

“I’m Astolfo, one of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne. How could something like this possibly stump me?” 192