Optimize Growth Rates

Like in previous Fire Emblem games, characters have different growth rates set to their stat points for whenever they level up. For instance, Dimitri may often see his Strength improving, but is nearly inadequate at raising his Magic.

But depending on the role you’d like these characters to cover, there are still ways for you to influence their growth rates, albeit slightly. Various classes that you can unlock in-game can confer to certain improved growth rates on top of the characters’ personal rates.

These rates aren’t listed out in-game for you, but you can generally make an educated guess on what influences what. A Swordmaster may focus on offensive power such as Strength, a Thief may boost Dexterity and Speed, while a Fortress Knight will surely focus on Defence. Make sure to read each of the classes’ descriptions to have a better idea.

As for determining characters’ growth rates, taking a look at your characters’ favourite proficiencies and base stats can help point you in the right direction for where their stats may inevitably end up. As an example, Dorothea starts out in the game with 5 Strength and 11 Magic at Level 1. Naturally, this would imply that she values magic-type efforts more so than physical, so you should allocate your investments accordingly. One way to do this is by sticking to magic-type classes such as a Priest or Dark Mage for the majority of the game in order to optimise her stats.

Hoard Those Abilities & Arts

Many of the classes in Three Houses come with their own sets of unique abilities. Thieves can open chests without requiring a key, Priests get a boost to their healing magic, and so on. The classes you use can offer various strategic advantages that other classes don’t. Naturally, these abilities disappear the moment you decide to use another class.

But what’s interesting are unlockable abilities and arts that you can equip even on different classes. For instance, you can obtain the Speed +2 ability and Swap art (exchanges positions with the ally next to you) from the Myrmidon class. These skills are then permanently added to your character, which you can equip and unequip at will. Getting these skills at all, however, requires that you master the class by defeating enemies in battle and gaining experience.

There’s a lot of customisation to be had here, and some abilities and arts can be extremely powerful when combined with certain other classes. It’s easier than ever to switch between classes compared to previous entries, but don’t forget that it can still pay off to dedicate yourself to just one for the time being.