The current list:
Spoiler -
1. Don't use all your units equally. Choose a group of about 8-10 and use them consistently. Otherwise, your units won't get enough experience.
EXCEPTION 1: In FE4, you are given the ability to field all your units. You can do this--your units will still turn out okay.
EXCEPTION 2: In FE5, due to the fatigue system and minimum chapter requirements, you will end up making use of more units than you otherwise would. 15-20 is normal for this
game.
2. You do NOT have to wait until level 20 to promote! You can do so earlier, even as low as level 10.
Promotion guidelines for various games:
3. On this note, a unit's 20/20 stats are not a reliable indicator of the units overall performance.
4. Just because a unit comes promoted doesn't mean it sucks.
5. "Normal Mode" doesn't necessarily mean normal mode, particularly in FE10. In the US, "Easy Mode" is the Japanese "Normal Mode," and "Normal Mode" is the Japanese "Hard Mode." If you're a casual player, play on Easy. You won't be mocked for this... hopefully.
6. Don't be afraid to use stuff up, especially healing items. Otherwise, you'll end up with a convoy full of powerful items that you never used.
(This happens in a lot of RPGs, actually. I like to call it "ether syndrome.")
7. Just because a unit turned out good/bad for you doesn't mean it will or has turned out bad for everybody. Do not use your experience to judge a character's "worth." (Of course, if the character is turning out good or bad, by all means use or bench them accordingly!)
8. By the same token, don't believe everything people say about a unit. Everyone has their own opinions.
9. Double-attacking is determined by speed--if a unit is particularly faster than another, that unit will get an additional attack. It works differently depending on the game. If you don't understand the underlying mathematics, make sure the combat window is not set to "detailed!"
10. On the topic of double-attacking, steel weapons are not always better than iron. They are more powerful, yes, but they also weigh more, slowing units down, especially if they have low constitution (or build or strength, depending on the game). This can prevent them from doubling other units, or worse, make them get doubled. Decide based on the unit.
11. Even though it may look like a character is getting a bad level-up, this may not be the case. 1-3 stats is pretty normal. When in doubt, check out their average stats online to see how they stack up.
12. Unless you're experienced with the game, avoid "Est" type units. These units are ones that start at a low level (with low stats), but have exceptionally high growth rates. The growths may look nice, but it's can be quite a pain to train them.
13. Don't be afraid to use a unit you might drop later.
EXCEPTION 1: In FE4, you are given the ability to field all your units. You can do this--your units will still turn out okay.
EXCEPTION 2: In FE5, due to the fatigue system and minimum chapter requirements, you will end up making use of more units than you otherwise would. 15-20 is normal for this
game.
2. You do NOT have to wait until level 20 to promote! You can do so earlier, even as low as level 10.
Promotion guidelines for various games:
Spoiler -
FE1: You can promote as early as you like. Promotion does not affect unit experience gain, all stats cap at 20, and promotion will automatically increase a unit's stats to the new class minimums.
FE2: You can promote as early as you like. Once again, stats get bumped up to the new class minimums.
FE3: See FE1.
FE4: Promote as soon as possible! Units can only promote once they reach level 20, and when they do, their level stays the same--the maximum level in this game is 30.
FE5: Stats cap at 20 again. Due to the difficulty, it's generally best to promote ASAP. You'll notice you get a lot of Knight Crests early on.
FE6-12: A lot of people will say to wait until level 20 to promote. This is not true! You can promote as early as level 10 without experiencing major difficulties. However, this varies based on the character itself and your experience with the game. Around level 15 is usually safest.
FE2: You can promote as early as you like. Once again, stats get bumped up to the new class minimums.
FE3: See FE1.
FE4: Promote as soon as possible! Units can only promote once they reach level 20, and when they do, their level stays the same--the maximum level in this game is 30.
FE5: Stats cap at 20 again. Due to the difficulty, it's generally best to promote ASAP. You'll notice you get a lot of Knight Crests early on.
FE6-12: A lot of people will say to wait until level 20 to promote. This is not true! You can promote as early as level 10 without experiencing major difficulties. However, this varies based on the character itself and your experience with the game. Around level 15 is usually safest.
3. On this note, a unit's 20/20 stats are not a reliable indicator of the units overall performance.
4. Just because a unit comes promoted doesn't mean it sucks.
Spoiler - Jeigan Characters (this is important!)
"Jeigan" characters are designed to be used as a sort of "crutch" in the early game. They are named for the first unit of their kind, Jeigan (or Jagen in the US). They're best used to weaken units so that your others can get the kill (and the EXP. Don't overuse these characters, and drop them in the mid-game.
Jeigans can be identified by a number of things:
1. They join on or around the first chapter.
2. They're promoted.
3. They're much stronger than your other units.
4. They're level-ups are consistently far below average.
5. Their weapons are better than your other units'.
6. They are often Paladins.
Notable Jeigans include Jeigan/Jagen, Marcus, and Alan/Arran.
Oifeys: Every now and then, a character that seems like a Jeigan is actually good. These units are sometimes called "Oifeys," after a character from the series's fourth installment. Oifeys are similar to Jeigans, but they actually improve enough to become good units by the end of the game.
Notable Oifeys are Oifey (obviously), Seth, and Titania.
Just because they're good doesn't mean you should overuse them, especially in the early game! Use them like Jeigans early on, then use them normally once the other units have caught up.
Jeigans can be identified by a number of things:
1. They join on or around the first chapter.
2. They're promoted.
3. They're much stronger than your other units.
4. They're level-ups are consistently far below average.
5. Their weapons are better than your other units'.
6. They are often Paladins.
Notable Jeigans include Jeigan/Jagen, Marcus, and Alan/Arran.
Oifeys: Every now and then, a character that seems like a Jeigan is actually good. These units are sometimes called "Oifeys," after a character from the series's fourth installment. Oifeys are similar to Jeigans, but they actually improve enough to become good units by the end of the game.
Notable Oifeys are Oifey (obviously), Seth, and Titania.
Just because they're good doesn't mean you should overuse them, especially in the early game! Use them like Jeigans early on, then use them normally once the other units have caught up.
5. "Normal Mode" doesn't necessarily mean normal mode, particularly in FE10. In the US, "Easy Mode" is the Japanese "Normal Mode," and "Normal Mode" is the Japanese "Hard Mode." If you're a casual player, play on Easy. You won't be mocked for this... hopefully.
6. Don't be afraid to use stuff up, especially healing items. Otherwise, you'll end up with a convoy full of powerful items that you never used.
(This happens in a lot of RPGs, actually. I like to call it "ether syndrome.")
7. Just because a unit turned out good/bad for you doesn't mean it will or has turned out bad for everybody. Do not use your experience to judge a character's "worth." (Of course, if the character is turning out good or bad, by all means use or bench them accordingly!)
8. By the same token, don't believe everything people say about a unit. Everyone has their own opinions.
9. Double-attacking is determined by speed--if a unit is particularly faster than another, that unit will get an additional attack. It works differently depending on the game. If you don't understand the underlying mathematics, make sure the combat window is not set to "detailed!"
10. On the topic of double-attacking, steel weapons are not always better than iron. They are more powerful, yes, but they also weigh more, slowing units down, especially if they have low constitution (or build or strength, depending on the game). This can prevent them from doubling other units, or worse, make them get doubled. Decide based on the unit.
11. Even though it may look like a character is getting a bad level-up, this may not be the case. 1-3 stats is pretty normal. When in doubt, check out their average stats online to see how they stack up.
12. Unless you're experienced with the game, avoid "Est" type units. These units are ones that start at a low level (with low stats), but have exceptionally high growth rates. The growths may look nice, but it's can be quite a pain to train them.
13. Don't be afraid to use a unit you might drop later.
Edited by Flock of Geese, 16 March 2012 - 10:19 AM.
