Battalions were a brand-new gameplay mechanic added to Fire Emblem in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. This would involve assigning a group of soldiers to a unit that could be used in combat. Each battalion excels in a weapon category, but the endurance and effectiveness of a battalion would vary based on its ranking. Players could deploy battalions in battle by selecting "Gambit" if they had one assigned. In Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, battalions can be purchased, but they're much more simplified than their Three Houses counterparts.
Since Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes uses hack-and-slash gameplay, combat is fast-moving and relies less on real-time strategy. However, units need to rank up their Authority if they want access to the best battalions Three Hopes has to offer. Unlike in Three Houses, equipping a battalion will reduce the damage taken from certain weapons in Three Hopes. Here's everything players need to know about using them.
Battalion Information and Tips
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Obtaining and Equipping Battalions
The Battalion Facility is where players can purchase and dismiss battalions. This will unlock early in Three Hopes' campaigns, specifically after Chapter 4 has been cleared. At the start, players will only have access to low-ranking battalions (Rank E-D). It should also be noted that, like weapons, only a set amount of battalions can be hired in the Convoy at a time. If no more battalions can be purchased, players will need to dismiss them to make room.
To equip a battalion, go into the Convoy and select a unit. Underneath the equipment slots (ex: weapons and accessories) is a battalion category. Just like any other accessory, select a battalion to assign to the unit. Battalions in Three Hopes will reduce the damage taken from weapons by varying percentages. Some battalions can reduce damage from weapons by 70%, while others can reduce damage by 40%.
Strategies For Using Battalions
When equipping battalions, check which Class the desired unit is assigned. If they're a sword-wielding unit such as a Trickster, then equip a battalion that will reduce damage from lances. Other battalions will decrease damage from bows, brawling/fists, and tomes. Using a battalion in Three Hopes doesn't require any effort beyond equipping them. When a unit battles an enemy with a weapon that's weak against the battalion, the battalion's effect will kick in and decrease the damage taken.
Remembering the weapon triangle will make it easier to assign battalions:
- Swords beats Axes
- Axes beat Lances
- Lances beat Swords
Assigning a battalion does not negate weaknesses. For example, if players assign an Archer-based battalion to a Pegasus Knight, the Pegasus Knight will still be susceptible to bows. It will, however, reduce some damage received. If players want to get rid of weapon weaknesses, they should equip their unit with a special accessory.
Improving Battalions
The first Battalion Facility upgrade will allow players to purchase Rank D battalions. Additional upgrades to the Facility will:
- Reduce the costs of battalions
- Increase the endurance of battalions
- Increase the number of battalions that can be hired
- Allow higher-ranking battalions to be hired
Keep in mind that just because a battalion reduces more damage doesn't necessarily mean they will have higher endurance. For example, the Reaper Knights battalion (Rank C) reduces damage from swords by 70%. However, its endurance is only 1,430. Meanwhile, the Gautier Knights is a Rank B battalion that reduces damage from swords by 55% with an endurance of 2,600. Battalions can't be upgraded individually, so if a battalion isn't lasting for the entire battle, then it may be time to hire a new one.
Acquiring higher-tiered Classes at the Training Instructor will increase Authority. Increasing weapon rank works a bit differently in Three Hopes, since Byleth and the other professors aren't there to teach the students. Simply master Classes and unlock new ones with various Seals and eventually, a unit will reach Rank A Authority with little worry.
How to Unlock More Battalions
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Most battalions will be unlocked by completing paralogues and surveying the War Map. In fact, all paralogues will reward players with special Rank A battalions. These are indicated by their golden symbol and strong endurance. They also serve as the S Rank Reward, so review the S Rank requirements before deploying. If players miss out on a battalion, they can replay the paralogue by speaking to the Records Keeper at the camp.
Players can unlock paralogues by completing the Main Quests, but they'll also want to recruit other allies. The Ashen Wolves can be recruited no matter which house Shez joins (albeit in various chapters depending on the route), and having all of them can unlock the Ashen Wolves' Reunion paralogue. Getting an S Rank will unlock the Mockingbird's Thieves, a sword-based battalion.
By completing side quests on the War Map, players can survey markers indicated by a glowing, light blue orb. Sometimes, an NPC will offer two different battalions. Choosing one results in missing out on the other. Fortunately, most of the battalions gained from the War Map, especially early on, are fairly weak. The goal to unlocking and purchasing non-paralogue battalions is to keep upgrading the Battalion Facility.
When playing a New Game Plus, all battalions and Battalion Facility upgrades will be carried over, should players choose to do so.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is available now on Nintendo Switch.