Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave boasts some of the series' finest tactical gameplay, but the journey between battles can feel like a significant undertaking. For players who find the downtime between combat encounters to be a slog, a strategic approach to engagement can unlock a more enjoyable experience. By prioritizing core activities and minimizing less rewarding busywork, players can better appreciate the evolved combat mechanics and nuanced systems.
The game presents players with a loop that includes lengthy downtime between main chapters. During these periods, players can engage in various activities such as dungeon-diving, seeking divine favors, training, mining, taking on odd jobs, and recruiting new team members. However, to expedite progress and focus on the core warfare, many of these can be selectively skipped. While combat training can improve stats and unlock skills, progress slows considerably at higher levels, making direct combat a more efficient alternative for skill acquisition.
Side quests offer another avenue for leveling units, but a discerning approach is recommended. Quests that involve tedious collection or repetitive tasks may not be worth the effort. Instead, focus on missions that involve combat, especially those that can significantly increase Renown, the game's primary currency for various benefits. While the game offers a limited number of extra missions, or paralogues, with potentially juicier rewards, their impact on Renown can be minimal. Therefore, prioritize side quests that offer substantial Renown boosts or quick credits, and consider skipping others if the payoff is not compelling.
Interacting with the game's deities can provide valuable combat buffs. However, attempting to gain favor with all of them is often infeasible. Players are advised to research which gods align best with their playstyle and focus on maximizing their friendship with one or two. Often, a level-one buff from a deity is sufficient, as tactical positioning and skill execution are paramount, and divine intervention is best reserved for critical moments or correcting mistakes.
Fortune's Weave features smaller unit counts during skirmishes compared to previous entries, necessitating a greater focus on unit positioning and resource allocation. While recruiting new party members is possible, it can be a time-consuming process involving Renown requirements and relationship building through gifts. Players should focus on building bonds with a select few characters, particularly those with lower initial relationship requirements. Prioritizing core cast members and keeping an eye out for readily available new recruits in the town square can lead to a more efficient and satisfying roster.
For players seeking to bypass non-essential activities entirely, the game offers an auto-activity feature. This allows players to skip ahead a set number of turns, automatically engaging in training, resource gathering, or skill honing. While the results may not match direct engagement, it serves as a viable alternative for those who wish to accelerate through the downtime.
Furthermore, the game provides options for adjusting difficulty. There is no shame in playing on normal or easy modes to enhance enjoyment. Fortune's Weave also incorporates a rewind feature, allowing players to undo mistakes and retry battles with accrued experience points. This mechanic can be strategically used to gain advantages, akin to employing a powerful cheat code.
Ultimately, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is designed to be enjoyable even when not every optional activity is pursued. The core group of fighters will naturally grow stronger throughout the Flame Lord campaigns. By identifying and focusing on the most rewarding activities, players can mitigate the friction points and immerse themselves in the game's excellent tactical combat.