Fire Emblem (U)(Venom)

What is Fire Emblem (U)(Venom)?

Fire Emblem (U)(Venom) is the seventh installment in the acclaimed Fire Emblem tactical RPG series, developed for the Game Boy Advance. As the first entry in the franchise released outside of Japan, it introduced Western audiences to the deep strategy and character-driven storytelling the series is famous for. The game serves as a prequel to Fire Emblem: Fuin no Tsurugi (The Binding Blade), setting up the events and legacy of that world.

Game Features

• Deep Tactical Gameplay: Command a party of unique characters across grid-based battlefields, using terrain, positioning, and the weapon triangle to your advantage. • Engaging Storyline: Immerse yourself in a rich medieval fantasy narrative filled with political intrigue, warring nations, and memorable heroes. • Permanent Consequences: Experience the series' signature perma-death feature—if a unit falls in battle, they are gone for the rest of the game, raising the stakes of every decision. • Character Relationships: Build support conversations between characters to unlock stat bonuses, new dialogue, and deeper backstory. • Classic Fire Emblem Mechanics: Utilize the weapon triangle (swords beat axes, axes beat lances, lances beat swords) and promote your units to more powerful classes. • Diverse Unit Types: Lead lords, cavalry, mages, archers, and flying units, each with distinct strengths, weaknesses, and roles on the battlefield. • Prequel Narrative: The story establishes the history and legend of Elibe, setting the stage for the events of "The Binding Blade."

How to Play Fire Emblem (U)(Venom)?

The 7th game in the Fire Emblem series and a prequel to Fire Emblem: Fuin no Tsurugi, released for the Game Boy Advance. It is the first Fire Emblem game to be released outside of Japan.

As a GBA type game, the control scheme is adapted for keyboard play.

1. Movement & Cursor Control: Use the Arrow Keys or WASD to navigate the battlefield, move your cursor across menus, and select units and actions.
2. Confirm & Select: Press Z (like the GBA's A button) to confirm your selections, choose units, and advance dialogue.
3. Cancel & Menu: Press X (like the GBA's B button) to cancel actions, back out of menus, and review unit information.
4. Engage in Combat: Move a unit adjacent to an enemy. If you wish to attack, select "Attack" from the action menu and choose a weapon. The game will then calculate and display a combat forecast based on your unit's and the enemy's stats.
5. Manage Inventory: Each unit can hold items and weapons. Access their inventory to equip and trade items. Pay attention to weapon durability!
6. End Your Turn: After moving all the units you wish to, select the "End Turn" command. The enemy phase will then commence, where all enemy units take their actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "weapon triangle"? The weapon triangle is a core strategic mechanic where swords have an advantage over axes, axes over lances, and lances over swords. This gives a hit rate and damage bonus to the advantaged side and a penalty to the disadvantaged side.

What happens if one of my characters dies? Fire Emblem is famous for its perma-death mechanic. If a character is defeated in battle and falls, they are permanently lost for the rest of the game and cannot be used in subsequent chapters, unless you restart the chapter or use save states.

Can I promote my units to a higher class? Yes, most standard units can be promoted once they reach level 10. You will need to use a special item like a "Hero Crest" or "Guiding Ring" on the unit to change their class, granting them better stats, new weapons, and often higher movement.