In Nintendo’s new trailer of Fire Emblem Engage, Intelligent Systems made it known that there will be at least 12 Lords from previous installments included as Emblem Rings in the game. These magical rings are the key to channeling the powers of the past protagonists and using them to reinstate peace over Elyos.
The Emblem Ring System is inspired by a concept similar to those found in the mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes, where two units can join to increase their power and use exclusive skills.Taking into account both their popularity and potential skill in Engage, which heroes are the best of the 12 that have been announced so far?
Eirika
The younger twin sister of Prince Ephraim and the Princess of the Kingdom of Renais, Eirika, originates from Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. In the game, she is exiled from her homeland during its invasion by Grado.
Though Eirika is a kind princess who hates violence, she takes up arms against Grado and helps lead the war effort in order to claim protection over the Sacred Stones, five stones of much magical power. The sword user isn’t particularly strong compared to her brother, so it's generally assumed that she will be on the weaker end of the Emblem Ring Lords in Engage.
Micaiah
One of the only Mage Lords in all of the franchise and leader of the Dawn Brigade in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Micaiah is the secret heir to the throne of Begnion who is part Laguz, for which she is discriminated for. She is the true apostle and becomes the Queen of Daein by the end of the game.
In combat, she is usually killed in one turn if left in a vulnerable spot, which is troublesome when protecting her throughout the game. However, her light magic comes with a considerably useful skill called Sacrifice, which allows her to lend her HP to another character. Using this in Engage could prove to be a game changer in sticky situations and give the player a second chance.
Female Corrin
Corrin was once the only Dragon Lord main character of the franchise, that is, until Alear was announced for Engage. She is a main character and Princess in Fire Emblem: Fates, who is forced to choose between the kingdom she was raised in, or the kingdom she is related to by blood.
Other than being the princess who must choose between the warring Nohr and Hoshida, Corrin lacks much depth as a character, but makes up for it with her high customizability. At the beginning of Fates, the player can decide what stats to maximize and build Corrin to be a class of their choosing, on top of already being a dragon. If this was implemented in Engage, Corrin’s flexibility would be greatly useful in battle.
Roy
Roy, the leader of the troops of Pherae in Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade and heir to the throne, is a fiery young man eager to learn as he proves himself to those around him. His game is known as one of the best games to command an army in, due to its array of lovable heroes and character development.
The fiery Lord’s sword is none other than Durandal, the blazing blade given to him by his father, Eliwood. In the game, once Roy is leveled up enough, the sword is distinguishably more powerful than any other weapon, making the possibility of using it in Engage pretty exciting.
Male Byleth
Byleth, the male main character and war professor at the Garreg Mach Monastery from Fire Emblem: Three Houses, is a Lord that essentially has no personality at the very start of the game. As the game progresses, he slowly discovers himself while choosing which of the student Lords to side with and being guided by the voice of the Goddess, Sothis.
While he isn’t very interesting by himself, Byleth’s weapon is very unique and can only have its power awakened by him. The Sword of the Creator’s vast power and ability to transform into a segmented blade that gains exceptional range could prove quite powerful when used by Emblem Ring Byleth in Engage.
Lucina
Lucina is the distant descendant of Marth, daughter Prince Chrom, and the Princess of Ylisse who goes back in time to save her Kingdom from the Fell Dragon in Fire Emblem: Awakening. She is loved deeply by fans for her strong-willed, reassuring nature and charmingly funny denseness.
Like Marth and her father, Lucina wields a divine sword that is effective against Dragon foes called the Falchion. However, in Engage, Lucina will be wielding a bow instead. The bow is directly taken from Legendary Lucina in Fire Emblem Heroes, a free smartphone version of the classic games, that is used alongside a skill that allows her to swap places with an ally, then act again. The ability will almost certainly be useable when wearing her Emblem Ring and would be valuable in combat.
Celica
Celica is one of the two main protagonists of Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, which is a remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden. Her real name is Anthiese and she is a humble, born Princess of Zofia whose home was set ablaze, but was saved by Mycen.
From then, she was raised in the Monastery, until going on a pilgrimage to find the Goddess, Mila. Her unique class, Priestess, allows her to attack both with magic and physically, packing a punch with her volatile specials like True Ragnarok. The skill can damage foes from up close and from a far distance, which viewers of the Nintendo Direct were given a glimpse of while Céline wears Celica’s Emblem Ring, proving it will be a reliable asset in the game.
Leif
Fans were applauding when Fire Emblem: Thracia 776’s Leif was confirmed for Engage, and not just because this will be the first game he is in to be released in the West. The cousin of Sigurd and Prince of Leonster fled from his homeland after it fell and became self-critical in the process.
Overcoming his guilt of abandoning Leonster, Leif returns to liberate it and reclaim the throne, becoming known as the great unifier. Much like Celica, he wields a magic blade known as the Light Brand that is capable of performing ranged attacks, which the protagonists of Engage could surely make use of when wearing Leif’s Emblem Ring.
Marth
The legendary Hero-King and a fan favorite Lord, Marth, already seems to be a crucial part of Engage’s story. This isn’t the first Fire Emblem game he has made an appearance in since the first game in the series, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, as he was also present in Mystery of the Emblem.
Bound to assist in taking down the new Fell Dragon using his Falchion, since it’s highly effective against Dragon enemies, Marth will definitely be around to help guide Alear. Seeing the brave and reliable face of Fire Emblem reinvigorated in a fresh plot will unquestionably bring excitement and nostalgic elements to the game.
Lyn
Quite possibly the most beloved female Lord is none other than Lyn, who joins the franchise in The Blazing Blade after her parents and most of her tribe are murdered by bandits. She holds her homeland, the Sacaen Plains, close to her and charms others with her polite yet infectious confidence throughout the game.
As the leader of the Lyndis Legion, she bands together with Hector and Eliwood to reclaim Caelin after it is taken by Laus's forces. Her sword in the game is the katana-like Mani Katti, which could be a priceless asset when using her Emblem Ring. The weapon is not only effective against calvary and armored foes, but even heightens the chances of a critical hit, making it extremely versatile.
Ike
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is one of Nintendo’s best RPGs and Ike’s origin game. Later, in Radiant Dawn, he becomes the leader of the Greil Mercenaries following his father’s demise. As the first main character of Fire Emblem to have commoner blood, he lacks much of a filter, but is highly respectable with a strong sense of justice.
Normally, he would be wielding Ragnell, but was instead given the axe of his father that Brave Ike uses in Fire Emblem Heroes. This axe, Urvan, accelerates his Special attack in the mobile game and reduces the damage of a foe’s first attack by almost half. On top of this, consecutive attacks reduce damage by 80%, with would be insane to use in Engage if implemented.
Sigurd
Fire Emblem fans were never more excited when Sigurd was showcased in the trailer of Engage, and rightfully so. He is the first Lord in the Fire Emblem series to be capable of both wielding Lances and riding a horse. Sigurd shows his responsible, noble traits as the Prince of Chalphy while he and his son Seliph bring justice to the continent of Jugdral.
Sigurd will certainly be indescribably valuable in Engage while wielding Tyrfing, one of the Holy Weapons from Genealogy of the Holy War, because the blade provides great resistance to magic and the tremendous Might, making it a mage killer. Furthermore, Sigurd’s Lance, Holy Blood specials, and added movement will make him an obvious pick as an Emblem Ring.