Treehouse Day 2 Analysis



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As promised, the Treehouse crew gave Fire Emblem Fates another look, this time playing the first chapter in the Nohr campaign, immediately after choosing sides.

Welcome Home…?

Warning: This sequence includes some early-game spoilers, which I’ve removed. If you’re watching the playthrough, just don’t focus on the dialogue too much…

You look suspicious yourself…

Although the Avatar has returned to Nohr, his foster father, King Garon is anything but pleased–more than anything, he’s suspicious that the Avatar has returned to plot against him.

Iago, Garon’s aide or confident, is equally suspicious. Despite protests from the Avatar’s siblings, both Garon and Iago see the Avatar as a threat that must be removed for the safety of Nohr.

Are all political disputes handled this way?

As the tension between the parties intensifies, Garon chooses to defer the decision of whether to allow the Avatar to live or not to Anankos, a sacred mystical dragon.

The result: the Avatar is spared. However, before the Avatar can walk free, Garon gives him a test: to quell the Ice Tribe’s rebellion… all by himself.

Thus the Avatar leaves once again on a journey, but this time with nobody to help him. Once he’s gone, we–and Xander–learn that Garon doesn’t intend for the Avatar to survive this journey…

Dangers Afar

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To reach the site of the rebellion, the Avatar must cross the Devil’s Bog, deep in the Woods of the Forlorn. With no-one to rely on, except his little friend, Lilith the Star Dragon.

Within the foul bog, he soon encounters danger of the Faceless (Nosferatu) kind. Upon testing his might against a Faceless, the Avatar realises he cannot prevail unless he uses his Dragonstone.

But before he can transform into his dragon form, he’s surrounded with no time to act. During this dire moment, suddenly help comes from afar: Felicia, his loyal servant.

Apparently Your saviour is Jakob (Joker) if you chose the female Avatar.

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The dialogue between the Avatar and Felicia also reveals the name of someone who might be the blue-haired Maid: Flora. Funny how we learn her English name before her Japanese one.

Against the Faceless

After that, the battle begins, with two player units versus over a dozen Faceless. Hmm, the Nohr path is looking difficult already…

The Avatar right now is equipped with the Yato (Yatagomi), which he somehow obtained after losing his black blade, Ganglari. The Faceless meanwhile fight with Shackled Fists or Gauntlets.

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As the battle continues, however, reinforcements come in the form of Silas (Cyrus), the Avatar’s forgotten childhood friend, and his little sister, Elise, who came because Xander was worried.

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Then, a bit later, Elise’s subordinates–Arthur (Harold) the Fighter and Effie (Elfie) the Knight–enter the stage, slightly panicked after their liege suddenly disappeared into the bog.

As the hosts continue with the demo, they mention how each game features 28 (main) chapters–when combined, that’s the most chapters in the series so far.

Other random things I noticed:

Hidden Weapons are now Kunai (weapons) too.

Concoctions now have 2 uses, down from 3; they still restore 20 HP though.

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Correction: From the looks of things, the shield gauge (required for blocking enemy attacks in Guard Stance) increases by 2 points when the unit deals damage or receives damage.

Although don’t forget that the support unit in Guard Stance always blocks follow-up attacks (from an enemy Attack Stance). So the gauge is only for blocking regular attacks.

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Additionally, some Faceless have a skill that inflicts additional damage to their foe after a battle, although it’s not clear how exactly it works.

Sadly, there’s not enough time to see the end of the chapter, but tomorrow we’re getting a look at the Hoshido path–or as they call it, Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright – The Path of Hoshido.

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