Dietrich opening guide: Visit September's main quest locations first and use two routes to cover different weaknessesMajor spoilers

Original video: [Fire Emblem] Dietrich’s story: a guide to a satisfying run and character training | Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave; Bilibili creator Pser_hanser

On Dietrich’s route, reveal the map early and avoid overtraining before reclassing. In September, visit main-story locations before scheduling tightly timed paralogues. Build around replacement healing and complementary training on two routes to save duplicated investment.

Visit the main quest locations before scheduling September paralogues#

For an efficient first playthrough, I recommend Dietrich's route. You have plenty of free time and a large map to explore. Use the Ringing Blade to farm enemies, duel people in caves, and strengthen or grant the abilities you learn from victories to allies. All of this contributes to your team's strength.

However, skipping enemy farming early can leave you short of gold, and paralogues have tight deadlines. In September especially, visit the main quest locations before scheduling paralogues. Do not wait until the deadline to discover that the road is closed. After finishing your daily tasks, when you are ready to advance the main story and still have dozens of turns left, make a cloud save backup.

Ringing Blade results depend on your node and direction#

The Ringing Blade detects enemies within a certain range. After finding them, its next search range shrinks. Enter and leave a cave or return to town to refresh it. It can find thieves, golems, and groups of animals. Break golem shields for materials, or fight animals for meat. I prefer thieves: they occasionally bring gold or silver mummies, giving you Bullion and opportunities to level up.

Repeating the same movements from the same position produces the same results; changing direction changes the results. Enemies appear at major map nodes, rather than randomly along the road. To avoid blocking a route, stand on the node you want to control before using it, or save first and inspect the distribution. Complete as many paralogues as possible, too: they are an important early source of gold.

Side quest deadlines and early levels#

Watch for the nighttime letter delivery quest outside the merchants' guild. Choose to deliver the letter, and more quests will follow. Accept and complete them promptly when they appear. The final reward is an accessory that helps farm proficiency. Do not miss Creek's side quest either; it is worth doing early on both Dietrich's and Leda's routes.

Rotate your healers as recruits arrive#

The starting units Fabio, Esmeralda, and Mikaela are all worth developing. Fabio joins late on other routes, so focus on him here. Esmeralda is worth training on two routes. Mikaela can also benefit, but you do not need to replay a route just for that.

You can recruit Yang Jie and Io early. Io comes with a horse and retains its mount bonuses outside Cai's route, though you cannot freely change its assignment. Start with Ultand as your healer; Patch Up also helps in exploration battles. Let Olympia take over healing when she arrives, then recruit Sofia at Renown level 9 so Olympia can switch to offensive magic. Mu is also worth recruiting. Gaitz arrives late, so develop him as a reserve.

Develop physical units across two routes#

High growth rates can still produce bad results. My Dietrich spent a long time as a Brigand and Warrior, yet had only 33 Strength at level 51. Start with Gladiator and Brigand, then master Myrmidon. If his Strength is still low, do not rush into Shido; spend another ten or so levels as a Warrior. In Part 3, master The Eternal and The Blade. You can finish as The Blade or return to Swordmaster to free up the Divine class slot.

Send Fabio through Diviner, Shaman, Ovate, and Druid. Split Esmeralda across two routes: use Ornius Rider, Caladrius, and Celestial Trooper on one to improve Strength and Speed. On the other, use Soldier, armored classes, and Dreadnought or Charioteer to improve Strength and Defense. Train axes to access The Eternal later. After merging, you can also enter Sentinel, master The Trident, then switch back.

I make Esmeralda a flier on this route, leaving Mikaela on the front line: Soldier, Armored Knight, and Dreadnought. On another route, use Gladiator, Brigand, and Warrior. After merging, you can continue into Castle Knight, or switch to Bau Lord once offense, defense, and Speed are sufficient.

Secondary routes for mages and Divine class mastery#

For Olympia, use Diviner, Priest, and Bishop on the main route, training white magic to S for The Avatar. This produces high Magic and Resistance, so avoid repeating magic training on the secondary route. Use armored classes for Strength and Defense, or Rogue and Ranger for Speed and Dexterity. Train swords to at least C so she can use Levin Sword. After gaining The Avatar's benefits, stay in it or return to Bishop or High Savant.

Ultand and Sofia also follow white magic paths; choose Valkyrium if you want a mounted option. Train Mu on at least two routes. On Leda's route, use sword classes for Speed and sword proficiency, adding Warrior first if Strength is low. On the other route, use armored classes, chariots, or Dreadnought for Strength and Defense.

For Io, either go from Light Cavalry to Charioteer and then Elephant Rider, or from Light Cavalry to Bardinger and then Orichaldia. Send Gaitz from Guardian to Sentinel, training white magic along the way. He can fill in as a reserve and occasionally heal an ally.