As a long-time Fire Emblem fan and avid gamer, I was eagerly awaiting Engage‘s release. Now having sunk 50+ hours into the latest entry, I can definitively showcase the diverse cast of heroes you‘ll recruit during this epic tactical roleplaying adventure.
If building the ultimate strategic party is your goal, this guide details everything you need to know about Engage‘s 37 playable characters from statistical growth rates to skill sets, specialized combat roles and competitive tier list rankings.
Get ready to lead Elyos to victory against the Fell Dragon, no matter the cost! This war demands shrewd battlefield decisions, cadaverous cunning and steadfast comrades. So study up on your troops across these key categories:
Statistical Growth Rates
A unit‘s growth percentages determine how their HP, Strength, Magic, Dexterity and other core stats increase when they level up through combat and class changes. Understanding these rates is pivotal for planning upgrades, promotions and battle readiness.
I‘ve compiled the full statistical growth details in this sortable table forreference alongside each character‘s specialized analysis:
| Character | HP | Str | Mag | Dex | Spd | Def | Res | Lck | Bld |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alear | 60 | 50 | 20 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 30 | 55 | X |
| Vander | 60 | 25 | 10 | 25 | 35 | 35 | 20 | 10 | 5 |
| Clanne | 40 | 35 | 10 | 40 | 50 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 5 |
| Alfred | 65 | 40 | 5 | 35 | 40 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 6 |
| Framme | 55 | 30 | 25 | 35 | 55 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 4 |
| Celine | 50 | 35 | 25 | 30 | 45 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 5 |
| Chloe | 75 | 40 | 0 | 25 | 25 | 50 | 20 | 25 | 15 |
| Diamant | 75 | 30 | 15 | 20 | 40 | 40 | 25 | 20 | 15 |
| Etie | 45 | 40 | 0 | 25 | 35 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 5 |
| Ivy | 55 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 40 | 30 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| Timerra | 55 | 25 | 25 | 45 | 45 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 10 |
| Louis | 75 | 25 | 3 | 40 | 55 | 30 | 25 | 25 | 5 |
| Anna | 55 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 35 | 45 | 7 |
| Boucheron | 85 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 45 | 35 | 20 | 15 | 9 |
| Kagetsu | 60 | 30 | 15 | 50 | 50 | 40 | 24 | 40 | 10 |
| Zelkov | 65 | 35 | 15 | 40 | 35 | 35 | 15 | 25 | 10 |
| Seadall | 55 | 25 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 25 | 25 | 35 | 10 |
*X = Variable or latent stat
With Alear being the main protagonist, it‘s no surprise they boast well-rounded statistical growth rates with a focus on strength, speed and dexterity for offenses. Outfitting them as a swordmaster playing to these talent strengths is an obvious path.
What I find interesting are outrageously high HP growth percentages sported by durable warrior classes like Cavaliers Vander and Alfred or future Armored Knights – they‘ll surely prove resilient on the battlefield‘s frontline especially when receiving heals.
Then you have nimble Wind mages like Clanne and Framme with phenomenal speed attributes enabling them to barrage foes with magic from afar before counterattacks can commence. However their middling defense begs for rearguard positioning.
Analyzing roles during pre-battle preparations based on each unit‘s statistical tendencies is utterly vital to victory. Now let‘s drill down on their inherent skills and combat capabilities…
Special Skills & Battle Role
Every hero arrives on the scene with specialized abilities and suggested classes that tap into their talents. Here‘s an overview of Engage‘s cast and how I leverage their skills effectively in battle:
Alear – Swordmaster Dodge Tank
As Divine Dragonkin, Alear unsurprisingly has an outstanding innate combat skillset including:
- Lunar – Boosts allies‘ avoid rate when nearby
- New Moon – Ignores enemy Def/Res during attack
- Ideal 4 – +7 to Atk/Spd during bonus
- Close Call – +30 avoid if HP >= 25%
- Smoke 4 – Inflicts -11 Atk/Spd post-combat
With unmatched agility and attack power, they serve as the quintessential swordmaster dodging lethal blows then carving up foes with vicious Lunar-powered strikes. Alear excels up close so they constantly lead my infantry rush.
Vander – Mounted Bodyguard
As a steadfast guardian Cavalier sworn to protect, Vander arrives with solid defensive aptitudes:
- Spur Atk – Grants +6 damage to adjacent allies
- Seal Def – Inflicts Def-5 after combat
- Sacred Cowl – Reduces damage by 30% once
His broader skill set revolves around improving party performance via enhancing attacks, tanking enemy phases despite middling speed and minor healing through obtaining herbs. He‘s always first into the fray defending Alear on horseback.
Clanne – Light Mage
Don‘t let Clanne‘s petite priestess size fool you – her magical talents terrify when unleashed:
- Dragon Boost – +10 Hit/Avoid beside dragonkin
- Distant Guard – Adjacent allies get -1 damage from range
- Special Spiral – Ready special after each fight
She serves as the quintessential ranged spellcaster who softens up oncoming foes then finishes them off in spectacular fashion with powerful ancient incantations or the mighty Divine Mistress staff. I also frequently pair Clanne with Alear so they both benefit from her Dragon Boost when surrounded.
Alfred – Cavalier Mage
As Firene Kingdom‘s noble prince, Alfred rides into skirmishes wielding both lances and magical arts:
- Spur Atk – Boosts allies‘ Atk by 5 when near
- Flow Refresh – Guarantees follow-ups if faster
- Flow Guard – -1 Special charge if attacked consecutively
Blessed with tremendous magical horsepower, he outpaces enemies to hammer them with spiked Lucid Beams then closes off kills by impaling cursed survivors on his razor-sharp Silver Lance. Swift death from all angles!
…
Yunaka – Myrmidon Dodgetank
Hailing from a village famed for its martial arts, Yunaka arrives as supreme evasion tank:
- Killing Intent – Boosts Critical by 15 when initiating
- Swordbreaker – +50 Hit/Avoid versus swordsmen
- Wrath – +20 Crit if under 75% health
Though relatively fragile strength-wise, her peerless dexterity and daddy issues fuel lethal Critical-stacked killing blows capable of felling even the hardiest Generals. She darts around provoking bold enemies then serving retribution and iron justice.
Overall Tier Rankings
While every hero has strengths in specific situations or roles, if we assess their overall combat performance in Fire Emblem Engage, some definitely shine brighter than others.
That‘s why the community maintains aggregate crowd-sourced tier lists tracking S-rank juggernauts down to C-rank also-rans. Let‘s evaluate our roster based on these crowdsourced aggregate ratings:
S-Tier
- Alear
- Alfred
- Merrin
As the protagonist, Alear tops the charts through sheer statistical prowess and unique ability to wield mythic Emblem heroes of yore. Prince Alfred rates exceedingly well as cavalry with phenomenal speed able to inflict both magical and physical punishment. Newcomer Merrin‘s versatility cement her as top-tier.
A-Tier
- Timerra
- Clanne
- Jean
Exemplary mages Timerra and Clanne demonstrate why magic rules the battlefield in Engage. Stalwart defender Jean‘s tanking and riposting abilities against axe-wielders also prove A-tier material.
B-Tier
- Framme
- Anna
- Yunaka
Framme‘s impressive evasion talents mostly make up for physical deficits as an advanced Priest. Yunaka dances around slaying unsuspecting swordsmen with critical katana strikes. And legendary merchant Anna, while situational, brings solid economic benefits.
C-Tier
- Vander
- Bunet
- Mauvier
Unfortunate Vander‘s mediocre speed hampers an otherwise defensive beast. Monk Bunet serves fine as designated healer but falters mightily in direct combat. Newcomer Mauvier feels generically average but her damage reduction warrants re-evaluation.
While I don‘t fully agree with every rating, especially for new characters needing more playtime, the broader tier list accurately reflects performance.
By stacking your primary battle team with S-rank and A-rank heroes, and understanding the capabilities of lower ranks, you‘re well prepared to handle Engage‘s diverse threats and challenging maps!
After 50+ hours commanding characters across excruciating maps in Fire Emblem Engage, I now know this cast‘s capabilities intimately.
The spectrum of classes, abilities, statistical growth tendencies and tier rankings should provide helpful guidance building your heroic band of warriors. Alear, Alfred, Merrin, Timerra, Clanne and other top-rankers form the crux your destined Order of the Emblem. Their teamwork and bonds will forge vital battlefield salvation against the merciless Fell Dragon.
Choose them wisely, outfit your troops shrewdly, then march proudly unto war knowing detailed unit knowledge is power! And when the smoke clears after hard-fought victory, raise a toast to friends fallen but never forgotten. The worthy sacrifice in service of mighty Elyos!
This has been your passionate Fire Emblem gamer guide to Engage‘s characters. Now enough talk – we‘ve got an apocalypse to survive!
