Before diving into the strategic challenges of Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave, players must select their preferred difficulty setting, which significantly alters the experience. The game presents four initial options, combining two core modes: Casual and Classic, with Normal and Hard variations for each. This choice dictates how character permanence is handled and the overall challenge presented by enemy encounters.
Casual vs. Classic Mode
The primary distinction between Casual and Classic mode lies in the consequences of a character's HP reaching zero. In Casual mode, fallen units retreat from the current battle, becoming unavailable until the next mission. However, core story characters and your chosen Flame Lord are exceptions; their defeat results in a game over. The retreating characters retain their support levels and remain available for all non-combat activities, such as meals and support conversations.
Classic mode introduces a more permanent consequence. While in Act 1, during the Heroic Games, characters will retreat rather than die outright. They remain in the game world but are excluded from all party actions, including meals and support conversations, effectively being treated as lost for gameplay purposes. Guest characters in the Heroic Games follow a similar rule, with their group leader needing to survive, but individual unit retreats not counting as permanent losses. From Act 2 onwards, Classic mode implements permanent character death, mirroring traditional Fire Emblem mechanics.
Normal vs. Hard Mode
Normal mode is designed for players new to the series or those prioritizing the narrative over complex tactics. Enemy levels are closely aligned with player unit levels, allowing for greater flexibility in character development and experimentation without severe penalties. This mode makes it easier to keep player units on par with or exceeding enemy statistics.
Hard mode significantly increases the challenge by presenting enemies with higher levels and augmented stats. Elite enemies may be three levels or more above the recommended chapter level. The most dangerous aspect of Hard mode is the increased speed and attack speed of enemies, who can attack twice in combat, posing a significant threat even to well-developed characters. Success in Hard mode necessitates careful consideration of character classes, weapon choices, and equipment.
Players can adjust the difficulty by interacting with the Shrine of Causality in the Obelisk Chamber. It is possible to transition from Normal to Hard mode, but not vice-versa. The game also features Divine Sand, a resource used to activate blessings. On Normal mode, Fortuna's Blessing, which allows for time rewinds akin to Divine Pulse, costs no Divine Sand, enabling frequent use. Other blessings also have reduced costs compared to Hard mode, where Fortuna's Blessing costs five Divine Sand per use, with a limited total number of uses per battle.
Karma Shards, earned through in-game challenges, can be used to unlock Boons of Salvation, offering discounts on blessings. Regardless of the chosen difficulty, strategic use of these blessings and careful character management are key to overcoming the challenges presented in Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave.