Fire Emblem has existed for decades, with the franchise having introduced several fan-favorite characters into its storylines. Fire Emblem Engage taps into nostalgia for these older titles by bringing back several of these familiar characters. Dubbed "Emblems," these Lords bring unique abilities and techniques to the table.
Able to be summoned through rings, the Lords of past Fire Emblem games are far more than just nostalgic elements. Showcasing the different ways to build an army and strategize, these Lords each offer ways to make a player's units as powerful as they can be. With so many of them coming back -- and especially with many of their games being Japanese-exclusive -- here's a look at which past heroes are back in the latest Fire Emblem title.
Original Fire Emblem Hero Prince Marth Returns in Engage
A Fire Emblem game celebrating the franchise's history wouldn't be complete without the presence of Marth, the protagonist of the first and third entries in the series. The Prince of Altea, he set the standard for other main characters in Fire Emblem by being a slim, somewhat "generic" swordsman. A staunchly heroic figure, Marth is a noble and kind young man, though his ideals sometimes cloud his judgment. He's also something of an anime archetype in how hard it is for him to express his romantic desires to his love interest Caeda.
Marth was introduced to Westerners via the crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. Melee, though his premiere games wouldn't release outside Japan for years. There and in the main series, he wielded the Falchion sword, which has become a symbol of the series. Though he has great HP, speed and Luck stats, his strength and other attributes are comparatively lacking.
Celica Was One of the Stars of Fire Emblem Gaiden
Debuting in Fire Emblem: Gaiden (which was remade into Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia), Celica was born as a Princess to the Zofia Kingdom. Losing her home amid an attempt to instigate a coup, she would be saved and trained to be a powerful warrior priestess. Celica's abilities combine swordplay with magic, though she emphasizes the latter this time around, especially since her ring boosts magical attacks.
Sigurd Broke the Mold for Protagonist Lords in Fire Emblem
Sigurd is the Prince of Chalphy, first appearing in Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War as the main lord. He went against the grain in this regard, as he was the first Lord to wield a lance instead of a sword. Crusader, knight of Chalphy and champion of Grandbell, Sigurd conquered half a continent and fell in love with a mysterious forest maiden. His mounted unit roll gives him a lot of power and range, making him one of the more versatile lords in Fire Emblem Engage. His Ridersbane weapon also grants bonuses for certain abilities, further heightening his power.
Leif Is Sigurd's Nephew & the Hero of Two Fire Emblem Titles
Appearing in Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and Genealogy of the Holy War, it's no surprise that Leif is dubbed the "Emblem of Genealogy" in Engage. Perhaps the most useful Lord, Leif can wield various types of weapons. His extra abilities include taking less damage if he has a weapons advantage befitting the would-be ruler. Ironically, he was plagued with self-doubt throughout his games, making his usefulness in the new game feel like poetic validation.
For Many, Roy Debuted in Smash Bros. Before Fire Emblem
Roy's respective Fire Emblem game was The Binding Blade, which is why he's "The Emblem of Binding" in Engage. A young nobleman, he would grow an army to protect his land against the vile king of a rival nation. Most know him for being one of the two hidden Fire Emblem characters in Melee. Like with some other Nintendo properties, he was once known more for that crossover game than his own. Versatile and well-trained despite his young age, he offers many great techniques for offense and defense. Some of his abilities include keeping other units alive and fighting, even if they only have one HP left.
Lyn Is One of Fire Emblem's Most Familiar Heroines
Debuting in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade (simply titled Fire Emblem outside Japan), Lyn was the main female character in the first globally released entry in the series. This and her presence as an assist trophy in Super Smash Bros. have made her recognizable to many. Raised in the Sacae plains, her upbringing belies Lyn's royal heritage. Now titled the "Emblem of Blazing," Lyn's ability allows her to strike twice before enemies counter and gives her an increased chance for critical strikes.
Eirika and Ephraim Are Twin Lords From The Sacred Stones
Representing the game Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, Eirika and Ephraim are the dual "Emblem of the Sacred." Their abilities can be mixed and matched, with one twin offering stronger attacks while the other can heal damage. Their relationship in the game's mechanics makes them unique, as other pairs throughout the franchise were split into separate units in Fire Emblem Engage.
Ike Was the Face of Fire Emblem for Two Console Generations
While some of the above Lords were featured in the handheld Fire Emblem titles, Ike gave no sympathy as the stern hero of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. Incredibly powerful, many of his abilities bolster his already great defense. Despite being a Lord, he's one of the few Fire Emblem protagonists who doesn't hail from any sort of royal bloodline. Nevertheless, he's quite resourceful, not to mention one of the most physically powerful Lords ever.
Micaiah Was the Helpful Mage of Radiant Dawn
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn is mainly remembered as the second game featuring Ike, though it's finally getting some more recognition with the new game's inclusion of Micaiah. Given that there was no Fire Emblem game on the failed Wii U console, she was the last female main character in a console Fire Emblem title for several years. The leader of the Dawn Brigade, she wields Light Magic that allows her to heal others and bolster the effectiveness of different healing techniques. Her selfless personality and focus on the healing arts make her better suited as a support unit.
Lucina Was the Marth Stand-In for Fire Emblem: Awakening
Traveling from a dark future to save her world from turmoil, Lucina wielded a Falchion like Marth's. To that end, she even imitated him, though she's quite different here. She can grant other fighters the use of Chain Attack, which is particularly helpful against armored opponents. She was revealed to be the daughter of Fire Emblem: Awakening protagonist Chrom, who so far is not in the game.
Corrin Is Much Different From Other Fire Emblem Protagonists
Debuting in Fire Emblem Fates, Corrin has a draconic heritage that forces them to choose their allegiance between two kingdoms. In the case of Engage, it's the female version of Corrin that's playable. Her extra abilities include changing the terrain and affecting the stats of her enemies. She wields the sword Yato and has the power to turn into a dragon, making her a tough Lord indeed.
Byleth Is a Great Defensive Fire Emblem Lord
Debuting in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Byleth could be either male or female. The male version appears in Engage, with his presence making nearby allies more powerful and even letting some failed attacks connect. A War Instructor at the Garreg Mach Academy, Byleth often comes off as cold and emotionless. The game marks Byleth's fifth appearance overall and fifth appearance on a game for the Nintendo Switch console.