The base stats file isn’t updated. As for Fae, she’s not really that broken even with the divinestone being unbreakable, as she’s still capped at 20 speed, and her divinestone gives her lower bonuses overall. She does great against other manaketes and magic users, but physical attackers are her bane still, as she gets doubled by a lot.
Spoilers for Chapter 16x
16x Strategy + Tips
As for Chapter 16x, that Chapter has been playtested a lot, both by my playtesters and me. It’s definitely difficult, but it shouldn’t be anything too out of control. The Gaidens are definitely made with the goal of a difficulty spike in mind, but not anything crazy. The main goal of the chapter is to rush to the boss as fast as possible. Any dawdling will leave you open for attacks, but nothing that should be too unfair. You would’ve gotten Fae in the previous chapter and Douglas in this chapter, both that should be used to tank the magic attacks on the two sides of the ascent. With this, you really only need to worry about the purrge tome, which will only be relevant entering within 10 tiles of the main area.
The prepromotes also should definitely not be too much of an issue. The snipers can easily be baited, as they’re locked to two range and can be trapped. They also only have Steel Bows and engaging them should be way out of the purge tome’s attack range. The Sage will only approach within two movements, so you’ve got time to prep for its approach too. If you trained a magic user, or one of the Ilian Knights, they can easily take out the Sage and tank a Purge. Mounted movement is important to rescue units into and out of the bishop’s attack range. In fact, general enemy density around the boss is fairly light, you can use that opportunity to boss kill and then seize a few turns later. The Generals nearby won’t move so you can just ignore them.
I’ve played this chapter many times and I know it like the back of my hand. I’m sure it would appear difficult on a first playthrough, but keeping out of boss tome range and taking smart engagements are the key to this chapter, as well as making sure your units are always healed. Rushing in and attacking haphazardly will not work. Nothing in this Chapter is a surprise, atleast I don’t think so. The only thing that is overwhelming are the reinforcements, but you know their movements in advance and you know in how many turns they should be arriving in your location. All the information is presented to the player for them to make the correct decisions.
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy 16x, but I also don’t think the Chapter is really unfair. Perhaps on the first time go through it seems overwhelming, but most certainly you’ve got the tools to make it through. In fact, prior to the Douglas buff, this chapter was slightly harder. I haven’t heard many complaints in playtesting, in fact 16x was a pretty fun chapter according to them. In fact, what ended up being a major point of discussion was that the chapter was a bit too simple.
So yeah, I’m sorry you didn’t vibe with Chapter 16x, but I also think that it’s one of the most intense Gaidens out there that really tests your skills in positioning in combat.
P.S.
Not to say this completely rules out the possibility of changes to the chapter, but I’m just of the opinion that the core concept doesn’t need much changing. It’s a (literal) boss rush, turn defense chapter, mix, where you kill the annoying purge boss as quick as possible and seize before you get overwhelmed by reinforcements. If you want the stealables, the map turns into a defense chapter as you attempt to whether the storm while trying to steal some valuables.