In Fire Emblem Fates, there are many ways to change a character’s class–all require the use of a special item.
After changing classes, characters retain all of their learned skills. By changing class multiple times, characters can have more skills at their disposal.
Note: When a character uses a Master Seal to upgrade their class, their Level will be reset to 1 afterwards. Otherwise, a character’s Level is retained after changing class.
Promotion (via Master Seal)
When a character is Level 10 or higher in a “base class”, they can use a Master Seal item to upgrade to one of two “promoted classes”.
For example, Cavaliers can promote to an all-rounded Paladin or a strong and bulky Great Knight.
For a list of classes and promotion trees, please check the class introduction page.
Reclassing (via Heart Seal)
Characters can use a Heart Seal item at any time to reclass to one of two (or three) base classes. The classes a character can reclass to depend on the character themselves.
For a list of each character’s available classes, please see the class sets page.
If the character is currently in a promoted class, they will be able to reclass to the corresponding promoted classes instead (eg. Sorcerer and Dark Knight for Dark Mages).
Note: The DLC class-change items such as the Ebon Wing function exactly like the Heart Seal, but always reclass a character to a specific class (eg. Dark Falcon). In addition, the DLC class will be added to the character’s class sets.
Borrowing (via Partner or Friendship Seal)
Besides their own classes, characters can use a Partner Seal or Friendship Seal to change to their S or A+ support level partner’s default class.
More accurately, the character will borrow their partner’s first (left-most) class set.
Like reclassing, if the character using the Partner Seal or Friendship is in a promoted class, they will instead have access to the corresponding promoted classes instead.
Note: Because the Avatar cannot attain an A+ support level, he/she only needs an A support level to benefit from the Friendship Seal.
Although the process is usually simple, there are a few special cases to note.
A) The character’s first class set is the same as their partner’s first class set.
B) The partner’s first class set is Nohr Prince(ss), Songstress, Kitsune, Wolfskin or Villager.
In both cases, the character will borrow their partner’s second class set instead.
However if case B applies and the character’s first class is the same as their partner’s second class set, they will gain a parallel class corresponding to their partner’s first class set instead (or second class set if the partner is the Avatar).
Example 1: If Felicia uses the Friendship Seal with Flora, she will have access to the Dark Mage class set.
Normally, Flora would lend her partner the Troubadour class set, but Felicia’s first class is Troubadour as well, Flora she lends her second class set instead.
Example 2: If Arthur uses a Friendship Seal with Keaton, he will have access to the Outlaw class.
Since Keaton is a Wolfskin by default, he lends his partner the Fighter class instead. But Arthur is already a Fighter so Keaton lends a parallel class corresponding to Wolfskin.
Example 3: If Xander marries an Avatar with a Cavalier talent, he will have access to the Ninja class.
Like example 2, the Avatar is a Nohr Prince(ss), which cannot be borrowed, so he/she lends his talent instead. Of course, Xander’s first class set is Cavalier so the Avatar lends a parallel class corresponding to his/her talent.
Catching Up (via Offspring Seal)
From Chapter 18 and onward, children characters will join with an Offspring Seal item. If a child uses this item, it will function like a Master Seal, but also increase the child’s Level (and stats) to match the current chapter.
Warning: If you give the child a class-change item before using an Offspring Seal, they will be permanently rendered unable to use the Offspring Seal.