Many players dive into Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave with the intention of recruiting every possible character, a strategy that can lead to hours of wasted effort. The game presents a large roster of potential allies, many of whom can be recruited across different story routes. However, this abundance, coupled with in-game party size limitations, suggests a more focused approach is ultimately more satisfying.
For several in-game months, the author meticulously pursued gifts for every recruitable character, aiming to foster relationships and expand their party. This approach, reminiscent of collecting characters in games like Suikoden or maximizing social links in Persona, proved to be an inefficient use of time. While Fortune's Weave is generous in allowing characters to be recruited on alternative routes or by replaying chapters, the core gameplay loop often necessitates choosing a smaller, more effective team.
During Act One, each of the game's four protagonists has a twelve-chapter story. As the renown rank increases partway through these chapters, recruiting new teammates becomes a more tangible possibility. The author found themselves scraping by in the middle chapters of their chosen route while underleveled, prioritizing party expansion over essential character development.
Despite the freedom to recruit widely, Fortune's Weave subtly encourages players to develop favorites. Main story battles, particularly during the Heroic Games, typically limit party members to between five and seven. This constraint means that many characters, despite hours spent wooing them with gifts, may never see combat. The most effective teams often consist of characters acquired by default through a specific route, supplemented by a handful of recruits who have received dedicated training and combat experience.
Ultimately, the lesson learned is that attempting to befriend everyone in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is an exhausting and often futile endeavor. The game design encourages players to select a core group of characters that resonate with them, understanding that some will become valuable allies while others may prove less useful. The flexibility of the game allows for this focused approach without missing out on key companions, making it more rewarding to invest in a select few rather than pursuing the entire roster.