If you’ve spent any time in the Tales fandom, you know the name. Eizen from Tales of Berseria isn't just a side character; he's the guy who basically anchors the emotional weight of the entire game. He’s a pirate. He’s a Malak. He’s a victim of a literal curse that makes him a walking disaster zone.
Honestly, it’s easy to look at him and just see the "cool older brother" trope. He’s got the blonde hair, the tough coat, and that voice that sounds like he’s seen too much. But there is a massive difference between being a "tough guy" and what Eizen actually goes through during the events of Berseria. Most players focus on Velvet’s revenge, which makes sense—it's her game—but Eizen is the one carrying a burden that actually lasts for centuries. Literally.
The Reaper’s Curse is Not Just a Gameplay Mechanic
In Tales of Berseria, Eizen is known as the Reaper. This isn’t a nickname he chose because it sounds edgy for a pirate. It’s a legitimate, metaphysical burden. The "Reaper’s Curse" ensures that misfortune follows him everywhere. If he stands near a cliff, it crumbles. If he boards a ship, a storm hits.
It’s easy to miss how much this affects his psyche. Think about it. Every person he cares about is technically in danger just by standing next to him. This is why his relationship with the Van Eltia crew is so fascinating. These guys are basically the bravest (or dumbest) humans in the world for letting him lead them.
The curse creates a weird paradox. Eizen values "will" above everything else. He talks about it constantly. "Who decides how you live? You do." It’s his mantra. But he’s the one character whose life is dictated by a force he can't control. He’s fighting a war against fate while being the poster boy for bad luck. It’s a contradiction that makes him way more complex than your standard RPG brawler.
How Eizen Connects Berseria to Zestiria (The Sad Reality)
For those who played Tales of Zestiria first, meeting Eizen in Berseria was a punch to the gut. We already knew his ending. We knew that eventually, the malevolence would win.
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In Zestiria, Eizen is a dragon. A mindless, terrifying beast perched atop a mountain, waiting for his sister, Edna, to find a way to save him. Spoilers for a decade-old game: there is no "saving" him in the traditional sense. Seeing him in his prime during Tales of Berseria—sharp, philosophical, and protective—is inherently painful because the clock is already ticking.
The developers at Bandai Namco did something really clever here. They gave us a character whose peak is in the prequel, knowing we’ve already seen his lowest point. It changes how you read his dialogue. When he talks to Laphicet about the importance of being your own person, he’s teaching a kid how to live because he knows he won’t be around to see him grow up. It’s heavy stuff.
The Dynamic With Edna
We have to talk about the letters. Eizen spends a good chunk of his downtime writing to his sister, Edna. He keeps his distance to protect her from his curse, but he never stops thinking about her.
This is where the "Expert" part of understanding Eizen comes in. Most people think he’s just being a distant jerk. He isn’t. He is sacrificing his own happiness and the only family he has left to ensure she stays untainted by the Reaper's Curse. It’s the ultimate act of "will." He chooses a life of isolation among pirates over a life of comfort with his sister because he loves her that much.
Combat, Coins, and the Art of the Brawl
Gameplay-wise, Eizen is a beast. He’s one of the few characters that feels truly "heavy" to play. His artes are brutal. He uses Earth and Wind elements, which fits his grounded but unpredictable nature.
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- The Coin Flip: His idle animation often involves flipping a coin. It’s a double-headed coin. People think it’s a trick, but it’s actually a symbol. He doesn't leave things to chance because chance has already screwed him over.
- Flash Step: His ability to close gaps is unmatched. If you aren't using his "Draconic Drive" hidden artes, you're playing him wrong.
- Break Souls: His "Consuming Claw" and subsequent triggers require a downed or stunned enemy. It forces you to play aggressively, which perfectly mirrors his personality.
If you’re struggling to use him, focus on his stun chance. Eizen thrives when the enemy is reeling. He isn't a finesse character like Eleanor or a spell-spammer like Magilou. He’s a hammer.
Why the "Will" Philosophy Matters
Eizen’s obsession with "steering your own ship" isn't just pirate talk. It’s the central theme of Tales of Berseria. The game pits "Reason" (Artorius and the Abbey) against "Emotion/Will" (Velvet and her crew).
Artorius wants a world without pain, but that requires removing free will. Eizen argues that pain, bad luck, and suffering are the price we pay for being alive. He would rather be a cursed Reaper who makes his own choices than a "saved" servant of the Abbey who has no choice at all.
This resonates because it’s a very human struggle. We all have "curses"—things in our lives we can’t change. Maybe it’s a health issue, a family situation, or just a streak of bad luck. Eizen tells the player that it doesn't matter what the curse is; what matters is how you handle the coin when it’s in the air.
Common Misconceptions About Eizen
- He’s a villain: No. He’s an anti-hero. He does bad things for the "right" reasons, or at least for his own reasons.
- He hates Zaveid: It’s more complicated. They have a "bro" pact. Zaveid is the one who eventually has to deal with the fallout of Eizen’s life, and their clash in Berseria is about two different ways of looking at the world.
- He’s immortal: Malaks live a long time, but they aren't unkillable. They turn into dragons when they are overwhelmed by malevolence (sin/hatred/despair). Eizen's tragedy is that his very existence generates this.
The Legacy of the Reaper
When you reach the end of Eizen’s side quests, specifically the ones involving his past and the Van Eltia, you see a man who has accepted his fate. He doesn't ask for a cure. He doesn't beg the gods for mercy. He just keeps sailing.
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That’s why he’s a fan favorite. In a genre filled with protagonists who find a magical way to break their curses, Eizen doesn't. He lives with it. He thrives in spite of it. And then, he accepts the end when it finally comes centuries later.
Actionable Insights for Players:
If you want to fully experience Eizen’s story, don’t just rush the main plot. You need to do the following to get the full picture:
- Complete the "Zaveid" side quest line: This is crucial for understanding the pact they make and how it leads into the events of Zestiria.
- Watch the Skits: A huge portion of Eizen's character development is hidden in the optional skits. This is where he talks about architecture, history, and his "Will."
- Pay attention to his gear: His unique equipment often has flavor text that hints at his life before joining Aifread’s pirates.
- Level up his "Earth" artes: In the late game, his ability to crowd control enemies with earth-based attacks makes him the most viable character for "Chaos" difficulty runs.
Eizen represents the grit of the Tales series. He’s the reminder that not every story has a sunshine-and-rainbows ending, but the journey is still worth the effort. Stop looking for a way to "fix" him and start appreciating the guy for the legendary Reaper he is.