In Fire Emblem Fates, Children Units are an intriguing gameplay mechanic that enriches the overall experience, allowing players to further customize their strategies through character relationships and inheritance. These units represent the offspring of characters who achieve an “S” support rank and subsequently marry, leading to various unique characteristics and gameplay opportunities.

How Children Units Work

1. Marriage and Support: Two characters can marry after achieving maximum support at “S” rank. This results in the conception of a child through narrative devices within the game’s lore.

2. Inheritance Mechanics:
– Classes: Children inherit their base class, along with one class from each parent. This creates a blend of skills and classes that can cater to diverse gameplay strategies.
– Skill Inheritance: Children can inherit skills from their parents, maximizing their potential and allowing for specialized builds.

3. Level and Recruitment Timeline: Children typically join the army at a higher level (around level 10) compared to standard recruits. This early high level helps them integrate smoothly into the player’s roster.

4. Support Dynamics: While children have the capability to form “S” rank supports with each other, they generally cannot produce offspring unless the player’s avatar, Corrin, is involved. This maintains a certain lineage unique to the main character.

5. The Deeprealms: In the narrative, children are said to grow up in the Deeprealms, a magical space that allows for their young age despite the game’s timeline. This concept aids in rationalizing their sudden appearance and vital role in gameplay.

Recruitment by Path

The availability and number of Children Units are distinctly influenced by the player’s chosen path in the game:

– Birthright and Conquest: Each path features a unique cast of characters that impacts which children are born. This means that players can only access certain children depending on their storyline.

– Revelation: This path combines elements from both Birthright and Conquest, resulting in a wider range of available children units. However, some first-generation units exclusive to either Birthright or Conquest are often absent or removed due to the story’s circumstances.

– Recruitment Mechanics: Children typically become playable after their parents marry, with specific chapters or side missions designed for their recruitment. This gameplay mechanic encourages players to engage deeply with the support system and consider their choices carefully.

Examples of Children Units from Birthright

Several distinct children units are prominent in the Birthright path, each linked to their respective parents:

– Selkie – Child of Kaden
– Mitama – Child of Azama
– Rhajat – Child of Hayato
– Kiragi – Child of Takumi
– Asugi – Child of Saizo
– Shiro – Child of Ryoma
– Male Kanna – Child of Corrin/Athena
– Shigure – Child of Azura

These characters not only contribute to a diverse tactical environment but also carry the legacy of their parents through inherited traits.

Additional Notes

The children units in Fire Emblem Fates are influenced by systems developed in Fire Emblem Awakening, yet they introduce additional layers with a deeper selection of children and variability in recruitment timelines. While these units have been criticized for their minimal narrative relevance, their mechanics serve to enhance the player’s strategic options.

Overall, the integration of Children Units adds depth to the gameplay in Fire Emblem Fates, encouraging players to explore relationships and classes while navigating the complex dynamics of war. Their presence not only diversifies tactical gameplay but also reflects the intricate bond between characters within the game’s rich narrative landscape.