Chapter 20: The Witch's Curse
Chapter 20, "The Witch's Curse," in Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest often introduces a unique and challenging map with special mechanics tied to the "witch" theme. This chapter might feature an enemy boss with powerful magical abilities and a map that inflicts status ailments or alters unit stats. Expect to face several magical units, such as Dark Mages and Shamans, alongside more conventional Nohrian soldiers. The objective is typically to defeat the witch boss, who may have a high resistance to physical attacks and potent spells. Units with high resistance and access to healing, such as the Priestess Sakura, can be invaluable for surviving magical assaults. Consider using pair-up to grant your units defensive bonuses and access to dual attacks, which can help overcome the boss's formidable defenses. Skills like Miracle, which allows a unit to survive a fatal blow with 1 HP, can be a lifesaver against powerful magic.
A significant challenge in this chapter can be the map's special conditions. For instance, certain tiles might inflict status effects like "Poison," which drains HP at the start of each turn, or "Silence," which prevents the use of magic. Units with the Poison Strike skill can be particularly dangerous in such an environment. It is crucial to have units that can cure status ailments, such as a Cleric or a unit with the "Renewal" skill. If the witch boss has a skill that debuffs your units, such as Hex, prioritize removing the debuff or defeating the boss quickly. Flying units can be useful for bypassing hazardous terrain or reaching the boss more directly, but be wary of enemy archers who can target them effectively. If the boss has a powerful area-of-effect spell, such as "Bolting," ensure your units are spread out to minimize the damage. Looting specific items from defeated enemies or chests, such as a Scientist's Tome, can provide a significant magical advantage. The chapter might also feature unique enemy reinforcements that appear after a certain number of turns, so maintaining a strong defensive line is essential.