Classes

A **class** (兵種, *Heishu*) is, generally, a classification of unit recognized by identical or very similar sprites users of the class share. A class will often specialize in certain stats and/or weapons and will have certain traits that separate them from other classes.

There are many different classes, such as Mages, Pegasus Riders, Wyvern Riders, Lords, Archers, Bards, Dancers, and a vast many others. Each class has different abilities that the player can use to their advantage — Where one class may fail at certain tasks, another may succeed them spectacularly. For example, the bard and dancer classes use their abilities to allow a single unit to get an extra turn after they've already moved, and Mages can use their magic on units that physical attacks are ineffective against. Pegasus riders have little limits on where they can move, and while units like Berserkers and Pirates are not quite as mobile, they can still cross water panels (like river and ocean) that can make it difficult for an enemy to escape. Then, although Archers and Snipers cannot fight adjacent units, they can be deadly at long range if the target is kept at a distance. And of course, utilizing knowledge of the Weapon Triangle (the Trinity of Magic is removed in this game) when deciding on how to use each class can make an enormous difference in battles.

Another facet of classes is the **Class Change** (クラスチェンジ, *Kurasu Chenji*), where a unit can become a stronger class, either by reaching a certain Level or by using a promotional item (Or both in concert, in many cases). In traditional Fire Emblem games, it is normally advised to wait as long as possible before promoting a unit, because once they are promoted, they start over at level one and begin increasing their stats further; thus, with patience and strategy, a seemingly weak unit can grow into a powerful, useful part of the team. However, in this game, no such level reset exists due to stat gains being tailor fitted for all units, allowing players to promote whoever they want at their leisure and discretion.

# Nonplayable Classes

The below are nonplayable characters that the player will meet on the battlefield under various factions.

* The Aytolisian Army is the player's army. Their unit uniform colors are a blue/navy blue with white as their accent color.
* The Grisstonne Army unit uniform colors have brick red and a more reddish hue of cream as their accent color.
* The Ylissean Army unit uniform colors have forest green with mint green as their accent colors.
* The Hoshidan Army unit uniform colors are white with bright red as their accent colors.
* The Nohrian Arm unit uniform colors are black with purple as their accent colors
* The Altean Army unit uniform colors are a turquoise with sky blue and cream as their accent colors.
* The Chaos Army unit uniform colors are completely black.

## Myrmidons & Swordmasters

**Myrmidons** (剣士, *Kenshi*) and their promoted class **Swordmasters** (ソードマスター, *Sōdomasutā*) are nonplayable units that uses Swords as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Myrmidon class are called the **Samurai** (侍). In the Japanese version of the game, the Hoshidan version of the Swordmaster class are called **Sword Saints** (剣聖, *Kensei*).
* The Nohrian versions of the Myrmidon and Swordmaster class are called the **Mercenaries** (マーシナリ―, *Māshinarī*) and **Heroes** (ブレイブヒーロー, *Bureibu Hīrō*).

They perform best against Axe-carrying enemies, but suffer against Spear-carrying enemies.

This class has some of their moveset cloned from Ryoma, whose base class is a Hoshidan Swordmaster. This is also the class path for both Owain and Navarre, though Navarre uses the original names for the **Mercenary** (傭兵, *Yōhei*) and **Hero** (勇者, *Yūsha*) classes.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Myrmidon's Breechcloth or the rare Myrmidon's Head Guard.

## Soldiers & Halberdiers

**Soldiers** (ソルジャー, *Sorujā*) and their promoted class **Halberdiers** (ハルバーディア, *Harubādia*) are nonplayable units that uses Lances as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Soldier and Halberdier class are called the **Spear Fighters** (槍術士, *Sōjutsu-shi*) and **Spear Masters** (槍聖, *Sōsei*).

They perform best against Sword-carrying enemies, but suffer against Axe-carrying enemies.

This class has their moveset cloned from Oboro, whose base class is a Spear Fighter.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Soldier's Waist Guard or the rare Soldier's Helmet.

## Fighters & Warriors

**Fighters** (戦士, *Senshi*) and their promoted class **Warriors** (ウォーリア, *Wōria*) are nonplayable units that uses Axes as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Fighter and Warrior class are called the **Oni Savages** (鬼人, *Kijin*) and **Oni Chieftains** (修羅, *Shura*).
* The Nohrian versions of the Fighter and Warrior class are called the **Axe Fighters** (アクスファイター, *Akusu Faitā*) and **Berserkers** (バーサーカー, *Bāsākā*).

They perform best against Spear-carrying enemies, but suffer against Sword-carrying enemies.

This class has some of their moveset cloned from Lissa, the only playable Infantry Axe unit.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Axe Fighter's Glove or the rare Axe Fighter's Helmet.

## Mages & Sages

**Mages** (魔道士, *Madō-shi*) and their promoted class **Sages** (賢者, *Kenja*) are nonplayable units that uses Tomes as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Mage and Sage class are called the **Diviners** (呪い師, *Noroi-shi*) and **Onmyoji** (陰陽師, *In'yōshi*).
* The Nohrian versions of the Mage and Sage class are called the **Dark Mages** (ダークマージ, *Dāku Māji*) and **Sorcerers** (ソーサラー, *Sōsarā*).

They perform best against units with low Resistance, such as Knights, Manaketes, Wyvern Riders, and Monsters. Pegasus Knights can counter Mages by exploiting the class's low Defense while relying on their high Resistance.

This class has their moveset cloned from Robin. Mage is the base class for Linde, while Dark Mage is the base class for Tharja, who becomes the sole playable Sorcerer, as the boss units Validar, Iago, and Gharnef are also Sorcerers.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Mage's Mask or the rare Mage's Robe.

### Priests

There is additionally a subclass of the Mage class, called **Priests** (神官, *Shinkan*). These special Mage-type unit usually focus on healing their wounded comrades, attacking when provoked. They look identical to Mages.

* The Hoshidan version of the Priest class are called the **Monks** (修験者, *Shugenja*).
* The Nohrian version of the Priest class are called the **Butlers** (バトラー, *Batorā*).

Priests have the same strengths, weaknesses, and drops as their regular Mage counterparts.

## Archers & Snipers

**Archers** (アーチャー, *Āchā*) and their promoted class **Snipers** (スナイパー, *Sunaipā*) are nonplayable units that uses Bows as their main form of combat.

* In the Japanese version of the game, the Hoshidan versions of the Archer and Sniper class are called the **Bow Users** (弓使い, *Yumi-tsukai*) and **Bow Saints** (弓聖, *Kyūsei*). As a Hoshidan representative, Takumi belongs to these classes.

They perform best against Flying units. As a whole, their Strength stat is low enough to be defensively soft-countered by all units except for Mages and Sages, while their defenses are quite low.

This class has moveset cloned from all the playable Bow-using Hero Units.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Archer's Breastplate or the rare Archer's Shoulder Pad.

## Great Knights and Guardian Knights

**Great Knights** (グレートナイト, *Gurēto Naito*) and their promoted class **Guardian Knights** (ガーディアンナイト, *Gādian Naito*) are nonplayable armored horseback units that uses Axes as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Great Knight and Guardian Knight class are called the **Steel Knights** (鉄騎武者, *Tekki Musha*) and **Sturdy Knights** (剛騎武者, *Gōki Musha*).

They perform best against Spear-carrying enemies, but suffer against Sword-carrying enemies. As mounted units, this class have a soft advantage over Infantry units. As this class are armored horseback units, they are weak to any weapon with either an Armorslayer or Mountslayer weapon attribute.

This class has their moveset cloned from Frederick, whose base class is a Great Knight.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Great Knight's Gauntlet or the rare Great Knight's Barding.

## Cavaliers and Paladins

**Cavaliers** (ソシアルナイト, *Soshiaru Naito*) and their promoted class **Paladins** (パラディン, *Paradin*) are nonplayable horseback units that uses Swords as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Cavalier and Paladin class are called the **Expert Riders** (騎馬武者, *Kiba Musha*) and **Master Riders** (聖騎馬武者, *Seikiba Musha*).

They perform best against Axe-carrying enemies, but suffer against Spear-carrying enemies. As mounted units, this class have a soft advantage over Infantry units. As this class are horseback units, they are weak to any weapon with the Mountslayer weapon attribute.

This class has their moveset cloned from Xander, whose base class is a Paladin.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Cavalier's Greaves or the rare Cavalier's Saddle.

## Pegasus Knights and Falcon Knights

**Pegasus Knights** (ペガサスナイト, *Pegasasu Naito*) and their promoted class **Falcon Knights** (ファルコンナイト, *Farukon Naito*) are nonplayable flying units that uses Spears as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan version of the Pegasus Knight class are called the **Sky Knights** (天馬武者, *Tenma Musha*). In the Japanese version of the game, the Hoshidan version of the Falcon Knight class are called **Holy Pegasus Warriors** (聖天馬武者, *Seitenma Musha*).

They perform best against Sword-carrying enemies, but suffer against Axe-carrying enemies. As mounted units, this class have a soft advantage over Infantry units. As this class are flying units, they are weak to any weapon with a Wingslayer weapon attribute.

This class has their moveset cloned from the three playable Pegasus Knight units Cordelia, Hinoka, and Caeda.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Pegasus Knight's Down or the rare Pegasus Knight's Visor.

## Wyvern Riders and Wyvern Lords

**Wyvern Riders** (ドラゴンナイト, *Doragon Naito*) and their promoted class **Wyvern Lords** (ドラゴンマスター, *Doragon Masutā*) are nonplayable dragonic flying units that uses Axes as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Wyvern Rider and Wyvern Lord classes are called the **Wyvern Warriors** (飛竜武者, *Hiryū Musha*) and **Wyvern** **Aces**.

They perform best against Spear-carrying enemies, but suffer against Sword-carrying enemies. As mounted units, this class have a soft advantage over Infantry units. As this class are flying dragon units, they are weak to any weapon with either a Wingslayer or Dracoslayer weapon attribute.

This class has their moveset cloned from Camilla, as her base class, Malig Knight, promote from Wyvern Riders in her home game.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Wyvern Rider's Talon or the rare Wyvern Rider's Tasses.

## Thieves and Assassins

**Thieves** (盗賊, *Tōzoku*) and their promoted class **Assassins** (アサシン, *Asashin*) are nonplayable units that uses Swords as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Thief and Assassin class are called the **Ninjas** (忍) and **Master Ninjas** (上忍, *Jōnin*).
* The Nohrian versions of the Thief and Assassin class are called the **Outlaws** (シーフ, *Shīfu*) and **Adventurers** (アドベンチャラー, *Adobencharā*).

They perform best against Axe-carrying enemies, but suffer against Spear-carrying enemies. This class has the skill to open Treasure Chests, pilfering its contents then running away to a specific location where they will then withdraw from battle.

This class has some of their moveset cloned from Ryoma, the same as the Myrmidon class.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Outlaw's Bracer or the rare Outlaw's Mask. In specific instances in Story Mode, this class can drop Keys for Treasure Chests when defeated.

## Knights and Generals

**Knights** (アーマーナイト, *Āmā Naito*) and their promoted class **Generals** (ジェネラル, *Jeneraru*) are nonplayable armored units that uses Spears as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Knight and General class are called the **Armor Knights** (鎧武者, *Yoroi Musha*) and **Shield Masters** (盾聖, *Tatesei*).

They perform best against Sword-carrying enemies, but suffer against Axe-carrying enemies. As this class are armored units, they are weak to any weapon with the Armorslayer weapon attribute. Additionally, this class has low Resistance, making this class more vulnerable to units with a high Magic stat.

This class has a unique moveset, due to there being no playable Knights.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Knight's Shield or the rare Knight's Pauldron.

## Manaketes and Fafnirs

**Manaketes** (マムクート, *Mamukūto*) and their promoted class **Fafnirs** (ファヴニル, *Favuniru*) are nonplayable dragon units that uses Dragonstones as their main form of combat.

* The Hoshidan versions of the Manakete and Fafnir class are called the **Ryujin** (竜人, *Ryūjin*) and **Great Ryujin** (真竜人, *Shin Ryūjin*).

They perform best against most enemies with Strength-using enemies, but suffer against Magic-using enemies. As this class are dragonic units, they are weak to any weapon with the Dracoslayer weapon attribute. Manakete is the base class for Tiki.

This class has their moveset cloned from Tiki while she is in Awakening Mode.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Manakete's Scale or the rare Manakete's Tail.

## Monsters

**Monsters** (モンスター, *Monsutā*), alternatively known as **Outrealm Fiends** (異形の者, *Igyō no Mono*), are a nonplayable monster class.

Unlike all the other units, their weapons are known as Claws, as well as never changing colors for whatever faction they belong to, though there isn't an instance of Monsters being a part of the Aytolisian Army. This class is weak to any weapon that has the Beastslayer weapon attribute.

As there is no playable character in the game that can use Claws, this class as a unique moveset.

When defeated, the Materials they drop can either be the common Monster's Fang or the rare Monster's Horns.

## Special Classes

For these classes, all class archetypes can assume these titles and fulfill their designated purposes:

* **Conjurer** (呪術師, *Shūjutsushi*): This special class appears for certain missions. Conjurers demotivate ally forces, lowering defenses and offenses. Defeating them will return ally motivation to normal.
* **Gatekeeper** (門番, *Monban*): This special class appears for certain missions. Gatekeepers barricade doors to either hallways or Forts shut. Defeating them immediately opens the doors.
* **Guards** (警備兵, *Keibi-hei*): This special class appears for the breakout missions. They appear to prevent the allies you freed from reaching the escaping point.
* **Rally Captain** (鼓舞兵, *Kobu-hei*): This special class appears periodically. Rally Captains motivates enemy forces, increasing defenses and offenses. Defeating them will return enemy motivation to normal.
* **Ruffian** (ならず者, *Narazumono*): This special class appears for Fort Defense and Gold Rush missions. For Fort Defense missions, Ruffians invade any of the three bases, but once they step into the base, they will automatically take the fort if not defeated in a minute's time. In Gold Rush missions, Ruffians will attempt to rob the Villager's Gold.
* **Summoner** (召喚兵, *Shōkan-hei*): This special class appears for certain missions. Summoners bring in units over a period of time.

# Trivia

* This game marks the first time in franchise history where the Knight class isn't playable, as well as there being no spear-wielding calvary.
* In the Fire Emblem Series, when characters change classes, their map sprite changes to reflect the changes to their classes, which is not the case here, as they remain static throughout their promotions.
* Certain Units' Promoted Classes are currently unique in the fact that this is the first incarnation that they are playable, typically these belong to Units who are already promoted (like they were in their home games) or their default class has no Promoted Class in their home games.
	+ Ryoma, a pre-promoted Swordmaster, promotes to the High Prince class, a wholly original class currently unique to this game.
	+ Xander, a pre-promoted Paladin, promotes to the Crown Prince class, a wholly original class currently unique to this game.
	+ Camilla, a pre-promoted Malig Knight, promotes to the Malig Master class, a wholly original class currently unique to this game.
	+ Leo, a pre-promoted Dark Knight, promotes to the Dark Crusader class, a wholly original class currently unique to this game.
	+ Frederick, a pre-promoted Great Knight, promotes to the Guardian Knight class, a class not seen outside of the *Fire Emblem Cipher* trading card game.
	+ Anna, a pre-promoted Trickster, promotes to the Master Merchant class, a class not seen outside of the *Fire Emblem Cipher* trading card game.
	+ Azura's Promoted class of Diva is a wholly original class currently unique to this game, as her Songstress class, which is unique to her, does not have a Promoted class to call its own in her home game.
	+ Minerva's case is interesting; in *Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon*, *Mystery of the Emblem* and their remakes, Wyvern Riders were the promoted form of Pegasus Knights, but with *Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War*, Wyvern Riders became their own class line that promote to a different Promoted class. As a nod to this, Minerva mentions trading her Pegasus for a Wyvern during her Support Conversation with Hinoka.
	+ Olivia's Promoted class of Prima is a wholly original class currently unique to this game, as the Dancer class does not have a Promoted class to call its own since their inception in *Mystery of the Emblem*.
* The Spear Master class is not actually the Hoshidan version of the Halberdier class, but of the Sentinel class.