Ashoka
A Servant appearing in Fate/Grand Order and related titles. He is based on the historical third monarch of the Mauryan Empire in ancient India, widely praised as a ideal ruler and protector of the Dharma. He initially made an appearance as a Ruler during a special collaboration event before being officially introduced as a playable Lancer. Reflecting on his past as a ruthless conqueror, he strives to uphold righteousness and peace as a noble sovereign.
Overview
A Servant appearing in Fate/Grand Order and related titles. He is based on the historical third monarch of the Mauryan Empire in ancient India, widely praised as a ideal ruler and protector of the Dharma. He initially made an appearance as a Ruler during a special collaboration event before being officially introduced as a playable Lancer. Reflecting on his past as a ruthless conqueror, he strives to uphold righteousness and peace as a noble sovereign.
Appearance
He is a dark-skinned male with a look reminiscent of a Buddhist monk. He features long blue hair and yellow eyes, complemented by jewelry including earrings.
Personality
He possesses a gentle and serene demeanor, sometimes appearing somewhat detached, yet he is at heart a noble soul who deeply wishes to safeguard and redeem others. He carries immense regret for his youthful acts of tyranny and destruction, acknowledging with self-deprecation that his attachments prevent him from reaching enlightenment. Despite his lofty standing, he exhibits a caring, pragmatic nature and occasionally demonstrates domestic hospitality toward his allies.
Abilities
He possesses class and personal skills including Magic Resistance, True Name Discernment, Divinity, and Hellish Tactics. In battle, he wields a massive iron pillar known as the Ashoka Pillar, using it to strike enemies, fire light beams, or crush targets beneath it. His Noble Phantasm, Dharma-Ashoka Chakra Vartin, merges several rings of light in the sky into a single massive aperture, launching a powerful beam of illumination that inflicts specialized damage against Evil and Demonic entities.
Background
Born to King Bindusara, he was feared early in his reign as a merciless conqueror whose campaigns left total devastation. Following a devastating war, he underwent a profound moral awakening and embraced the teachings of the Dharma. Transforming his rule to emphasize peace, humanitarianism, and moral governance, he became celebrated as a standard of ideal kingship. He intervened as an off-site guardian during the Eigetsu Kenbuu Chou event before playing a key role in Ordeal Call IV.
Relationships
He holds the Buddha in the highest esteem as a spiritual guide. He supports Fujimaru Ritsuka as a master, while demonstrating warm compassion and friendship toward Kadoc Zemlupus. Miyamoto Iori recognizes his extraordinary presence, and he harbors deep sentiment toward Servants linked to Guanyin, such as Xuanzang Sanzang, Nezha, Tomoe Gozen, and Ono no Komachi.
Trivia
The giant iron column he carries is tied to the real-world Iron Pillar of Delhi, embodying the popular confusion that attributed all legendary Indian pillars to his legacy. He firmly maintains that the column is a sacred stupa rather than an armament. Additionally, he utters authentic Sanskrit mantras during battle and key moments.