Nintendo has unveiled detailed information about 'Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.' In a dedicated Direct broadcast on the night of the 4th, the company introduced the game's combat and progression systems and revealed the existence of a 'true protagonist' that had been kept under wraps. The broadcast lasted approximately 20 minutes.

The Story: Four Protagonists in the Great Tournament

The game is set in the Dagda Empire, which has flourished under the rule of the gods. The capital, Dagsion, is lined with facilities, including temples, on every street. Here, the Great Tournament is held, where the winner is granted one wish. The Divine Sovereign, who declares the opening of the tournament, promises to grant any wish to the one who reaches the final stage.

Players choose one of four warriors competing in the tournament and follow their distinct stories. Cai enters the tournament with a childhood friend, hoping for a peaceful life with his family and seeking to save his father, who was unjustly imprisoned. Dietrich, while wandering in search of stronger opponents, was attacked by a massive demonic beast; after fighting off bandits and the beast, he learned of the Great Tournament and decided to enter with new allies.

Theodora is the queen of a southern kingdom who serves the goddess of death and night. She leads her army into battle, vowing to restore the goddess' honor, protect her people's faith, and ensure the peace of her kingdom. Leda takes up the sword for revenge after learning that the person who killed her father is competing in the tournament.

Combat System: Weapon Triangles and Rewind

Combat retains the series' signature turn-based simulation style. A unit's movement range is highlighted in blue and its attack range in red; once all allied units have acted, the turn passes to the opponent. Victory conditions include objectives such as defeating the enemy commander.

Weapon affinities are also maintained. Swords are versatile and easy to handle, while daggers are effective for evading enemy attacks. Spears deal heavy damage to cavalry, and axes offer high Attack at the cost of lower Accuracy. Bows target enemies from a distance to land critical hits on flying units, while Magic is strong against heavily armored units and can heal or support allies in emergencies. The game also features weapons rarely seen in the series, such as a sword that calls down lightning and firearm-style equipment.

Positioning is presented as a key element. Attacking within an enemy's range triggers a counterattack. Players can avoid these by striking melee-wielding opponents from a distance or engaging ranged-weapon users up close. Terrain effects and buffs applied to adjacent allies can also shift the tide of battle.

There are two types of special attacks. Combat Arts consume weapon durability to increase power or provide beneficial effects. Blaze Arts consume HP but deliver power capable of turning the tide of battle. Cai exhales flames in a wide area from his hands, while Dietrich uses his Cloak to instantly move to hard-to-reach locations. Theodora uses power inherited from her ancestors to split the earth and hurl it at enemies, and Leda plays the vihuela to buff allies or summon powerful demonic beasts.

If a unit falls, there is no need to restart the battle. Players can rewind time after every action and return to any point during the battle to rethink their strategy.

Classes are divided into three tiers: Basic, Specialized, and Advanced. There are five Basic classes, such as the Gladiator, who handles various weapons, and the Diviner, who uses Magic. Over 10 Specialized classes are available, including the Armored Knight, who solidifies Defense with heavy armor; the Wing Soldier, who jumps over obstacles to travel long distances; and the Charioteer, who strikes enemies in a straight line all at once.

Advanced classes include the Cataphract, which combines the mobility of cavalry with the Defense of heavy armor; the Guardian, who wields both spears and white magic; and the Elephant Rider, who fights atop a massive beast. Stats, usable weapons, and movement range vary by class.

Prepare for Battle in Dagsion

Between matches, players are given a preparation period. Information about the next opponent is provided in advance, allowing players to explore Dagsion or embark on expeditions to refine their strength.

At the Arena Plaza, players can receive additional training once a week during the preparation period. Improving skills through training allows characters to learn new techniques and handle stronger weapons. On match days, players can observe other participants to study their opponents. At the Shopping Arcade, players can purchase weapons and tools or enhance weapons using collected materials.

The temple district, overlooked by a bronze statue of the Divine Sovereign, houses seven temples. The blessings available for battle depend on which temple you serve, providing effects such as temporary stat boosts or reduced damage taken. Speaking to an examiner allows you to take qualification tests. Pass rates vary depending on the applicant and the target class, so it is important to ensure you have the necessary skills first. Requests from residents provide rewards if completed within the deadline.

In Dagsion, you can also recruit strong warriors as allies. Even if they refuse at first, there is room to change their minds by giving gifts or inviting them to a meal. At the lodging, besides resting and eating, you can pass time to automatically collect EXP and materials, and view scenes where characters who have grown closer converse. More facilities become available as the journey progresses.

Dagsion also features a location to switch the active protagonist. Switching to another protagonist here saves progress for each character separately, allowing you to advance all four stories simultaneously. This means you do not need to start from the beginning to see every story.

Leaving Dagsion allows you to travel across the continent. Because time passes with each movement, you must plan your schedule carefully. You can buy local specialties or gather information in towns, and traveling with allies increases the party's overall combat capabilities. Random encounters with enemies on the world map lead to small-scale battles that grant EXP. Dungeons allow you to collect weapon enhancement materials and treasure.

Encountering enemies while exploring a Dungeon triggers a 'Clash,' which differs from standard combat. In a Clash, you can perform coordinated attacks with allies, and the four protagonists use their own Unique abilities. Dietrich draws out hidden enemies, while Theodora gathers soldiers from the town to deploy for material collection or combat.

The 'True Protagonist' Appearing After the Time Skip

The end of the broadcast shows Dagda several years later. The statues of the four heroes are broken, and a resurrected demon god is destroying the empire. The four who played active roles in the Great Tournament have also vanished.

In this situation, the Progenitor God Sothis summons a soul. Nintendo explained that this character is the true protagonist of the story. Players choose one of two paths: facing the demon god's forces alone, knowing it will not be easy, or intervening in the fate of the four heroes using the time-traveling power of the goddess Fortuna. Those who join from the future bolster your forces.

Sothis is the girl who appears within the protagonist Byleth in 'Fire Emblem: Three Houses.' The adult version of Sothis also appeared at the end of the first reveal video in September 2025, fueling speculation that the two works share a universe. The chronological relationship between the two titles has not yet been disclosed.

Release Date and Pre-order Information

'Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave' will be released on September 17 for the Nintendo Switch 2. Development is handled by Intelligent Systems. The game supports Korean, and the domestic retail price is ₩89800 for the digital version and ₩98k for the Package version. The digital version is currently available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop. The 'Dagdan Collection,' which includes a 150-page art book and 12 character art cards, will be released on the same day for ₩148k. The domestic age rating is 12+.

Nintendo also announced a release schedule leading up to the launch. Some tracks, including the main theme, will be added to Nintendo Music on the 4th. The Nintendo Today app will feature a Fire Emblem theme starting on the 5th, with new information to be released sequentially until launch. 'Ask the Developer,' featuring stories from the development team, will be released on September 15. Nintendo also teased that additional Fire Emblem-related content will be released immediately after the broadcast.