A common complaint I hear about the Avatar a.k.a Robin in Fire Emblem: Awakening is that they are ‘boring.’ And 'generic.’ And a few too many times now, I’ve responded by showing that while M!Robin fits that description, F!Robin very much does not.

I don’t think enough people play F!Robin enough to notice how, well, *interesting* she is. And that seems like an oxymoron, given 'the Avatar is boring’ complaint’, but its true. F!Robin is far from 'generic’, or even 'boring.’

Many of her unique Supports (in other words, those she doesn’t share with M!Robin) show that she’s actually playful, sassy, and rather aggressive. Take her C Support with Chrom for example. Partway through, Chrom admits he doesn’t see her as a 'lady’, and after he repeatedly sticks his foot in his mouth, it culminates in this exchange:

Chrom: It’s just my image of a lady is someone so prim and proper…perfumed, and pretty… Nothing like you at all! When I look at you, I just don’t see a “lady.” Does that– …Er, Robin? What… What are you doing with that rock?

Robin(F): I’m thinking a sharp blow to the head might help fix your eyesight.

Chrom: N-no, wait! It was a just a joke! Ha ha…ha? …Gotta go!

She’s also a bit of a troll, enjoys teasing people, and when combined with the aforementioned playfulness, you get stuff like her Support with Yarne (one of my personal favorite Supports):

Robin(F): Ha! Caught you at last. Let’s see that furry mane of yours…

Yarne: HEY! Don’t touch the hair, lady!

Robin(F): But it’s so soft and fuzzy! I just can’t help it.

Yarne: I told you…I’m ticklish…hee hee…behind…ha ha…the EARS! S-STOP ALREADY!

Robin(F): Oh, come on. Don’t squirm so much. A little petting now and then isn’t going to kill you.

Yarne: I’m a proud taguel, not a blasted pet!

Robin(F): No need to get all uptight about it…

Yarne: I’m the last surviving member of my race! Of course I’m uptight!

Robin(F): See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. A little petting will calm you down.

Yarne: No! Absolutely not! Do you hear…

(That’s their C-Support, by the way, minus literally the last line.)

Or pretty much her ENTIRE support with Lon'qu (Another favorite of mine):

Lon'qu: What in blazes are you doing, woman? Why are you…throwing…figs?!

Robin(F): If you can’t get close to a foe, you must engage him at long range. Basic tactics, really! I’m surprised you’d be unfamiliar with them.

Lon'qu: I never imagined you’d continue your fruity assault while I slept!

Robin(F): But it was the only way I was ever going to hit you…

Lon'qu: And how reckless of you to be sneaking into my tent at night. What if you’d been seen? Imagine what people would’ve thought!

Robin(F): Oh, it’s all right. I know exactly when and where everyone sleeps. I made sure I wouldn’t be spotted.

Lon'qu: I honestly cannot tell sometimes if you are a genius or a complete dimwit.

And as a bonus, a few lines from a couple other Supports:

Brady: That isn’t snot, it’s tears! I don’t need ya wipin’ my nose like a sap, see?

Robin(F): But you never cry, yeah?

Brady: You ain’t nearly as nice as everyone says you is.

Robin(F): Your eyes get so big and earnest when you’re telling a lie. Did you know that?

Severa: ARRRGH!

Yet despite that, she has strong overtones of being maternal figure of sorts in the army:

Nah: So you ARE going to keep coming out with me for my exercises, aren’t you?

Robin(F): Of course. I’ve grown quite fond of them, and of you… You’re like

the little sister I never had…and I guess the big monster I never had, too!

Robin(F): I’m not so sure…but we can leave it there. Hold on a moment, and I’ll bring your meal out here.

Gerome: Didn’t I make myself clear? I don’t need your help in this matter, or

any matter. I’m capable of getting my own meal.

Robin(F): Good heavens, but you are a stubborn one. All right then. I’ll leave you be. …But I expect to see that plate clean. I won’t have anyone wasting food. Not even the “lone wolf.”

Gerome: ……

To the point it gets lampshaded in her Support with Noire:

Noire: It’s just that you’re so strong and kind and charismatic. You’re a true

leader, both on and off the battlefield. You have this kindly maternal aura

that cocoons everyone who comes near. But you also have a calm, commanding presence that makes people feel safe. You’re like a mother to this whole entire army, Robin!

And works herself to the point of collapse/near-collapse on two separate occasions in her unique Supports:

Noire: Robin. You’re awake!

Robin(F): Huh? Noire? Was I sleeping? …Wait, where am I?

Noire: You’re in the nursing tent. You collapsed all of a sudden. The healers

say you have thin blood or something.

Robin(F): Was it you who found and brought me here?

Noire: Yes. I haven’t left your side since you arrived. I’ve spent a lot of

time in this tent, so I kind of know how things work.

Robin(F): Thank you for taking care of me.

Noire: Aw, you don’t need to thank me. It was an honor.

Robin(F): I’ve been working hard lately–perhaps the exhaustion is catching up to me. Still, I’ll have to find a solution, I don’t have the luxury of being

ill!

Laurent: You look exhausted, Robin. Drawn, haggard, and deathly pale.

Robin(F): Um, thanks? I guess I have been feeling a little worn dow– Whoops!

Laurent: And now you can barely walk without stumbling. This simply MUST

cease! You have worked yourself to the very brink of total exhaustion.

Robin(F): Oh, don’t exaggerate, Laurent! I just slipped on a pebble.

Laurent: I’m not exaggerating. You’re looking more Risen than human lately.

Robin(F): It’s just that… I have so much to do. Everyone is counting on me.

The personality difference between M!Robin and F!Robin were really highlighted in the Drama CDs. Or more specifically, how much M!Robin lacked personality in comparison to F!Robin. Drama CD 1 featured M!Robin and was a comedy-focused story called 'A Volatile Ylissean Romance’ that can be summed up as 'All the girls want to marry M!Robin’ (No, literally, that’s one of the plot points of DC1).

Drama CD 2, “A Dauntless Plegian Storm,” featured F!Robin, takes place right after the battle in Chapter 10: Renewal, and is darker and more serious. In one memorable scene, F!Robin calls out the cycle of violence between Ylisse and Plegia and gets into an actual argument with Chrom (translations provided by azurillturtle):

Robin: The two kingdoms have been at war since ages past. Why continue to repeat something so meaningless? Are they trying to destroy each other? Even though war breeds nothing but sadness. [breath growing shorter] This… earth where such beautiful flowers grow… is stained with blood…

Chrom: [darkly] It is because they have behaved aggressively since ancient times. Ylisse has always been threatened by Plegia.

Robin: Even so! Continuing these attempts to destroy each other is sheer folly from both sides!

Chrom: [whirls around, speaks sharply] Robin!

Chrom: Are you saying that Ylisse is also at fault? Are you siding with the Plegians? With those dastards who killed Emm!?

Robin: T-That’s not what I… meant…

Chrom: [accusingly] Then what did you mean?

This is one of those scenes that I really wish could have been included in the game itself. It probably wasn’t because M!Robin practically worships the ground Chrom walks on, and lacks the assertiveness to even *try* something like this.

Drama CD 2 does an excellent job of showing many sides of F!Robin’s character, even though she spends a good chunk of it conked out by illness (the main plot deals with trying to find a cure). Like her more playful side (Where they’re discussing visiting the local village for help, and doing so without attracting the Plegian army still pursuing them):

Chrom: Robin. It’s fine. Get some sleep. I’m going to pay a visit to that “village”.

Robin: [breathing heavily, panicked] Chrom! Wait! If anyone is to go, we’ll need a plan. Ah, um… let’s see. Please call Stahl.

[sounds of someone getting dressed]

Chrom: Honestly, even at a time like this… you’re really something.

Robin: [giggles] How is it? The two of them look just like a married couple on a journey.

Stahl: [unconvinced] R-really?

Lissa: Ehehe! It’s fun wearing something different!

Frederick: I see. Even if Lord Chrom hides his lineage, his royal dignity cannot be concealed, and word will spread. And so the one to visit the village must be Stahl, who is completely unremarkable! As expected, Robin! What a magnificent plan!

In one of the more intense scenes, where the group left behind while Chrom and the others are looking for the herb to heal her believe Plegian soldiers are approaching their hideaway, its made clear that underneath it all, Robin’s sense of self-worth is absolute rock-bottom:

Robin: Plegian soldiers… are approaching, aren’t they?

Lissa: Um… well…

Virion: No, those footsteps belong to the villagers coming to visit. It’s fine, Robin. We’ll go talk to them.

Robin: [small laugh that turns into ragged breathing] Virion… you’re quite skilled at lying. But… thank you. I know. You’ve done enough.

Virion: Robin…

Robin: Lissa… Virion… leave me… and run.

Lissa: Huh?

Virion: [muffled noise of surprise] What are you saying?

Robin: The enemy is approaching. You can’t bring me along. I’ll only be a burden.

Lissa: [gasps] No!

Virion: [gravely] Are those your orders as tactician?

Robin: Ah… [laughs breathlessly] It’s nothing that grand. I just… don’t want to… cause you all any more sorrow.

Lissa: [small voice] S-sorrow?

Robin: [breathing hard, about to cry] Lady Emmeryn has died. If I die as well… You are all too kind. You will be overcome with sorrow.

Lissa: [about to cry] Robin…

Robin: I don’t want to burden… Chrom and the others… with any more sadness. So… so… please pretend that I… a person without memories… who doesn’t even know her past… never existed to begin with. [breathing hard] Please… forget about me.

Lissa: [gasps, shouts] Don’t say that, Robin!

Robin: Lissa… this is where we part ways. Please tell Chrom… I escaped alone… and concealed my whereabouts. [swallows] “She fled from battle. She gave in to fear and departed the battlefield.” [gasping for breath] And then… everyone will immediately forget about me. I think… I think that’s for the best.

Lissa: [crying] No! I don’t want to!

Virion: Robin… you…

Robin: I’m a hindrance… so forget about me… and run away, quickly…

Lissa: [screaming] No! I’m staying right here! I’ll protect you until the end, Robin!

Robin: Lissa… [small laugh] T-that is a problem…

Robin: But… I really… am sorry. [sobbing] Lissa, Virion. I… really am hopeless… but even so… I don’t want everyone to forget about me!

(This is actually one of the few things she does share with M!Robin. But while F!Robin covers it up being aggressive, M!Robin deals with it by being the army’s doormat.)

Another place where the contrast between the two Robins shows is, surprisingly, Smash 4. Compare one of their victory poses, for instance:

M!Robin has a blank expression, while F!Robin is smiling in that 'Hah! I won!’ sort of way. In fact, one of her potential victory lines is “Ha! Checkmate!” (M!Robin’s corresponding line is “The key to victory lies within”). F!Robin, in short, *exudes* personality in Smash, while M!Robin is, well, pretty boring. And plain. Its an interesting contrast, really.

Someone on Reddit said, when I pointed all this out 'Why didn’t they just make F!Robin the main character then?’ Besides the fact the Avatar needed to be customizable, the female Avatar being better written then the male Avatar is actually not a phenomenon unique to Awakening.

But at this point, that warrants its own post. I’m just going to leave this here as a F!Robin analysis.

Hope you enjoyed!