Our Top 5 Starting Tips

Master Fire Emblem: Awakening with our top 5 starting tips! Learn to use the in-game guide, recruit everyone, check enemy range, grind effectively, and know when to reset.

Starting your journey in Fire Emblem: Awakening can be daunting, but these five tips will set you on the right path to success. From understanding the game's mechanics to strategic recruitment and battle planning, these pointers are crucial for any new player.

1. Study The In-Game Guide

Fire Emblem: Awakening offers a deep experience, and its built-in guide is your best friend for understanding the basics. Access it during a mission via the system menu (press A on an empty space, then select "Guide") or in the preparations menu by pressing L. The guide is filled with clear explanations and helpful diagrams. For technical assistance, consult the game's digital manual on your 3DS or 2DS home menu.

2. Recruit Everybody

Unlike previous titles, recruiting characters in Awakening is more straightforward. Keep an eye out for unique enemy or NPC characters during missions. Most enemies with a distinct face and name (excluding bosses) can be recruited, often by Chrom. Recruiting provides more units, diverse personalities, and some characters are key to recruiting others. Don't miss out on valuable allies like Tharja!

3. Check The Enemy’s Range

Understanding enemy movement and attack ranges is vital. Press A on an enemy to see their range, or press X to view all enemy ranges simultaneously. Ensure your units are outside enemy attack range by the end of your turn to prevent unnecessary casualties, especially for weaker units or healers. This mechanic can also be used to lure enemies strategically by positioning your sturdy or evasive units at the edge of their range.

4. Don’t Be Afraid To Grind

When the difficulty ramps up, don't hesitate to grind for levels. Characters can fall behind, especially new recruits like Donnel. Fight Risen enemies that appear randomly on the world map; their strength scales with your progression. You can also force Risen encounters using the Reeking Box, available in some shops (though costly on higher difficulties).

5. Reset When Things Go Downhill

Playing on Classic mode? If a battle is going poorly with multiple casualties, consider resetting the mission. Fire Emblem is a long game, and losing well-trained units can make future battles harder. A tough mission might also indicate a need to re-evaluate your strategy, perhaps by training characters in optional battles or swapping them for stronger ones. If only one non-essential character is lost near the mission's end, you might choose to finish it, but otherwise, a reset can save you future headaches.