Five Emblems You Can Summon in ‘Fire Emblem Engage’ [Script & Video]

With so many memorable, well-designed characters introduced over this decades-long series, it comes as little surprise that fans have found a favourite Fire Emblem protagonist or two along the way. So in many ways, Fire Emblem Engage, the latest instalment in the series, is a celebration of the entire franchise.

This is made all the clearer with the games’ primary feature being the ability to summon ‘emblems’: iconic protagonists from prior games in the franchise. From classic heroes like Marth and Roy or modern classics like Corrin and Lucina, Fire Emblem Engage is primed to tickle all the nostalgia receptors in your brain.

So with 12 emblems to unlock and use, we’re exploring five of our favourites and what abilities they bring to Engage.

Engage to win

But first, how does the new ‘emblem engage’ feature work? Emblems are presented as equipable rings that can be summoned – or ‘engaged’ – onto the battlefield by the new protagonist Alear, and their allies. Engaging an emblem syncs your chosen character and their equipped emblem to unlock powerful new abilities. However, emblems can only be used for three turns before needing to recharge. Knowing the right moment to use this powerful strategy is key.

Marth

Let’s start with the OG Fire Emblem character and arguably the most influential in the series, Marth. Marth first debuted in 1990, in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, which was, up until 2022, a Japan-exclusive release. Regardless, Marth also became an internationally recognisable face; no doubt as a result of the character's frequent use throughout the series and his appearance in Super Smash Bros.

In Fire emblem Engage, Marth returns as a powerful emblem that uses his rapier to release a flurry of deadly sword attacks with his ‘lodestar rush’ ability. And with his ability ‘perceptive’, enemy counter-attacks can be more easily dodged.

Celica

Next up is the warrior princess and powerful spellcaster Celica. Celica was one of two playable protagonists in the 1992s Fire Emblem Gaiden and its 2017 remake Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. Celica was also the first protagonist to use magic as their primary attack.

Syncing with Celica in Engage opens up a whole host of spells that do extra damage to enemy units known as ‘the corrupted’. Her primary ability ‘Echo’ allows the player to attack twice, but with half the damage – making short work of already weakened enemies who clog up the field. Celica can also teleport around the terrain and unleash powerful magic attacks by using the ‘Warp Ragnarok’ ability.

Sigurd

First appearing in 1996 in Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War, Sigurd is notable for being the first protagonist in the series to use a horse in battle. In Engage, this grants a huge boost in movement range, allowing characters synced with Sigurd to move further. His override ability uses his powerful lance to run through groups of enemies and deal high damage.

Roy

Unlike most other Fire Emblem protagonists, Roy’s debut was actually in Super Smash bros. Melee, before later appearing in his own Japan-exclusive 2002 title, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade.

In Smash Bros. Roy is a hard-hitting, tanky swordsman with powerful fire abilities and a focus on the offensive. Much of the same rings true in Engage; Roy’s ability ‘hold out’ allows a synced character to survive an otherwise fatal blow during combat. His ‘Blazing Lion’ attack strikes several spaces in front of the user, while also setting the surrounding terrain on fire.

Micaiah

Last but certainly not least, we have Micaiah, the silver-haired maiden and primary protagonist of Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, released in 2007. Micaiah is the second main character in the franchise, after Celica, to primarily use magic.

In Engage she takes on the role of a powerful healer, using her ‘sacrifice’ ability to fully heal all allies at the cost of the synced characters' own health. Micaiah also has the ability ‘shine’, which illuminates the surrounding terrain, revealing any hidden enemies or obstacles.

These are just five of 12 equipable emblems available, with more arriving in upcoming DLC expansions. On top of that, Engage introduces a whole slew of new heroes, allies, and villains in what is shaping up to be the best instalment to date.

Fire Emblem Engage releases on January 20, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.