Support Conversations & Marriage

Fire Emblem Awakening places a significant emphasis on the relationships between its characters, a core mechanic that influences both gameplay and narrative. Support conversations are dialogues that characters engage in as they fight alongside each other, building bonds that unlock new abilities and provide valuable insights into their personalities and backstories. These conversations are not merely for flavor; they directly impact combat effectiveness through the Dual System, where paired units can provide defensive bonuses and even initiate follow-up attacks. The strength of these supports, ranging from C to S rank, dictates the magnitude of these bonuses. Marriage is the ultimate expression of these bonds, occurring when two characters achieve an S-rank support. This union not only solidifies their relationship but also has significant implications for the next generation of characters, as it determines the parentage of the children units who can be recruited later in the game. Understanding and strategically cultivating these relationships is crucial for maximizing your army's potential and experiencing the full breadth of Awakening's narrative.

The process of building supports involves having characters stand adjacent to each other on the battlefield for a set number of turns. Different character pairings will yield different conversation topics and potential outcomes. For instance, a support conversation between Chrom and Robin might delve into their shared leadership responsibilities and growing trust, while a conversation between Lissa and Frederick could explore their differing views on duty and protection. The game tracks these interactions, and as characters fight together, their support level increases, unlocking new conversation tiers. Reaching the S-rank support is a significant achievement, leading to marriage and the unlocking of unique dialogue and, importantly, the recruitment of the children of the married couple. These children, such as Lucina, Owain, and Inigo, inherit skills and stats from their parents, making the choice of who marries whom a critical strategic decision for players aiming for optimal team composition and powerful offspring. The Avatar's (Robin's) ability to support with almost any character adds another layer of complexity and personalization to this system.

Building Supports Effectively

Proximity is Key: Ensure characters you wish to build support with are positioned adjacent to each other on the battlefield for multiple turns.
Turn Count Matters: Each turn spent adjacent contributes to the support level. Prioritize pairings that need advancement.
Character Synergy: Consider the narrative and personality compatibility of characters when deciding who to pair. This can lead to more engaging conversations.
Avatar's Role: The Avatar unit can build supports with a wide range of characters, offering flexibility in creating powerful pairings and unique family lines.
S-Rank for Marriage: Aim for S-rank support with characters you wish to see married, as this unlocks marriage and the subsequent recruitment of their children.

Impact on Gameplay

Dual System Bonuses: Higher support levels grant increased Dual Strike and Dual Guard rates, improving offensive and defensive capabilities when units are adjacent.
Skill Inheritance: Children units inherit skills from both their mother and father, making strategic pairings vital for powerful skill combinations.
Narrative Depth: Support conversations provide character development and flesh out the relationships within the army, enriching the overall story.