Optimal Character Builds
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest offers a robust class system with numerous promotion options and skill acquisitions, allowing for highly specialized character builds. The core of optimizing a unit lies in understanding their base stats, growth rates, and the unique skills available through their class and potential Heart Seals or Second Seals. For instance, a character like Silas, who starts as a Cavalier, can be built into a formidable physical tank. His high Strength and Defense growth rates make him an excellent candidate for promotion into a Paladin or a Great Knight, both of which offer strong defensive capabilities and access to powerful physical attacks. The Paladin class grants access to the skill "Defender," which increases adjacent allies' Resistance and Defense by 3, making Silas a valuable support unit in addition to his offensive prowess. Alternatively, focusing on his offensive potential by promoting into a Wyvern Lord can leverage his Strength for potent aerial assaults, especially when paired with a strong weapon like a Killer Lance.
Another crucial aspect of character building in Conquest is the strategic use of skills inherited through support ranks and class promotions. For example, building a strong bond with a character like Charlotte, who possesses high Strength and Luck, can allow other units to inherit her skill "Rally Strength," providing a significant boost to nearby allies' Strength. This is particularly effective on units that might have lower Strength growth rates, helping them to reach damage thresholds against tougher enemies. When considering magic users, characters like Odin or Elise can be built into powerful offensive spellcasters. Odin, with his high Magic and Skill, excels as a Dark Knight, gaining access to both offensive magic and the ability to heal with staves. Elise, on the other hand, is a natural healer but can also be promoted into a Strategist, a class that boasts high Magic and Resistance, allowing her to dish out significant magical damage while maintaining her supportive role. The key is to identify a unit's strengths and weaknesses early on and tailor their class progression and skill inheritance to amplify their strengths or shore up their deficiencies, ensuring they can effectively contribute to the challenging maps presented in Conquest.
When planning character builds, it's essential to consider the enemy compositions of later chapters. Conquest is known for its challenging enemy density and powerful boss units. For example, Chapter 10, "The Dragon's Gate," features numerous powerful enemies that require a well-rounded army. Units built for pure offense might struggle if they lack the defensive stats or supportive skills to survive enemy counter-attacks. Therefore, a balanced approach is often best. A character like Xander, a powerful Great Knight, can be further optimized by focusing on skills that enhance his survivability, such as "Pavise" (if obtainable through class inheritance) or by ensuring he has access to potent healing through staves if he's in a class that allows it. Similarly, units that can debuff enemies, like those with the "Seal Strength" or "Seal Defense" skills, become invaluable. These skills, often found on classes like the Master Ninja or Bow Knight, can significantly reduce the threat posed by powerful enemy units, allowing your offense-focused characters to secure KOs more reliably. The "Fire Emblem Fates Class Promotion Chart (JPG)" linked in the source material is an invaluable resource for visualizing these promotion paths and the skills they unlock, aiding in the long-term planning of your army's development.