Stone: Difference between revisions

The '''stone''' (Japanese: {{hl|石|Seki}} ''stone'') is a [[weapon]] type which was introduced in {{FE1}}. The stone category encompasses the special items used by [[unit]]s of various non-[[human]] species to transform into more powerful forms briefly to attack. This includes the [[dragonstone]]s used by [[manakete]]s in every game to assume [[dragon]] form, and the [[beaststone]]s used by [[taguel]] and other species from {{title|Awakening}} onward to assume various beast forms.

Stones function the exact same way in every game except ''Mystery of the Emblem''. Stone weapons grant their user substantial stat bonuses when equipped, reflecting the power of transformed state. Every time the user attacks or is attacked, the equipped stone is activated at the very beginning of the battle before either participant does anything, regardless of whether the stone user is within [[range]] to counterattack, and the transformation is reverted at the battle's end and the unit appears in their humanoid form on the map. The stone's [[durability]] is consumed with every time the stone wielder actually attacks, not just when they transform without attacking. Without an equipped stone, needless to say, a stone-user will not transform, will receive no stat boosts, and will be completely unable to attack or counterattack.

Although the existence of dragonstones dates back to the original ''Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light'' and has persisted throughout the entire series, stones were technically classified and treated as regular [[item]]s despite their offensive use for most of the series' history. The [[Nintendo DS]] remake {{title|Shadow Dragon}} was the first game to treat stones as a separate weapon classification, ''Awakening'' was the first to give stones their own [[supply convoy]] box, and {{title|Fates}} was the first to give stones a proper increasing [[weapon level]]; the ''Fates'' stone weapon level is shared between both stone types as well as the other [[Strike|nn-human weapon types]], and if a character has a class pool that includes wielders of both types of stone, the weapon level will carry over between both stone types.

{{FE3}}{{'}}s dragonstones operate very differently from those of other games. While other games treat stones as equippable weapons, ''Mystery''-style dragonstones behave as consumable [[item]]s instead and the transformations they cause function similarly to [[laguz transformation]]. When used by a compatible Manakete unit, a dragonstone will transform that manakete into the matching dragon both in and out of battle.  

The transformation lasts for a minimum of five [[turn]]s, with the duration randomly increased depending on the unit's current [[luck]] stat, calculated thus:

 

Once the allotted time has expired, the transformation automatically wears off at the beginning of the unit's next phase. Transformed Manaketes are not able to manually revert before their time is up. Enemy Manaketes will remain transformed for the rest of the map.

{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed basic" style="padding: 3px; border-spacing: 4px; border-width: 2px; width: 80%"

! style="background: none" colspan="13" | Stone stat gains in {{title|Mystery of the Emblem}}

|-

! style="width: 4%" | [[Mov]]

! class="roundtr" style="width: 16%" | Breath obtained

| rowspan="2" | {{Item|3|Firestone}}

| rowspan="2" | [[File:Ma snes01 fire dragon playable.gif]] [[Fire Dragon]]

| rowspan="2" | {{Item|3|Fire Breath}}

| rowspan="5" | [[File:Ma snes01 manakete tiki playable.gif]] [[Manakete]]<br>([[Tiki]])

| +14

| {{Item|3|Dark Breath}}

| colspan="13" class="roundb" style="font-size: smaller" | Transformation stat boosts cap at the maximum stat values (52 for HP, 12 for movement, 20 for all other stats) and will not exceed these maximums.<br>For generic enemy Manaketes, transformation changes their stats into the respective dragon class's base stats.

 

===In the DS games===

Dragonstones in {{title|Shadow Dragon}} and {{title|New Mystery of the Emblem}} are more standard weapons than in ''Mystery of the Emblem'', but they have an effect similar to ''Mystery of the Emblem''{{'}}s transformation: a Manakete with a dragonstone equipped uses the base and maximum stats of the corresponding dragon in combat. Additionally, Manaketes will visibly transform into the dragon corresponding with their equipped setone—both in the battle screen and the on the map—but this has no mechanical effect.

 

{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed basic" style="padding: 3px; border-spacing: 4px; border-width: 2px; width: 70%"

! style="background: none" colspan="13" | Stone stat gains in ''Shadow Dragon'' and ''New Mystery of the Emblem''

! class="roundtl" style="width: 23%" | Stone

! style="width: 23%" | Dragon

! style="width: 9%" | [[Str]]

! style="width: 9%" | [[Mag]]

! style="width: 9%" | [[Skl]]

! style="width: 9%" | [[Spd]]

! style="width: 9%" | [[Def]]

! class="roundtr" style="width: 9%" | [[Res]]

| {{Item|ds|Firestone}}

| [[File:Ma ds02 fire dragon enemy.gif]] [[Fire Dragon]]

| +8

| +0

| +4

| +4

| +9

| +4

| {{Item|ds|Icestone}}<br><small>(''New Mystery of the Emblem'' only)</small>

| [[File:Ma ds02 ice dragon enemy.gif]] [[Ice Dragon]]

| +5

| +0

| +7

| +4

| +13

| +8

| {{Item|ds|Wyvernstone}}<br><small>(''New Mystery of the Emblem'' only)</small>

| [[File:Ma ds02 wyvern enemy.gif]] [[Wyvern]]

| +5

| +0

| +4

| +7

| +8

| +3

| {{Item|ds|Magestone}}

| [[File:Ma ds02 mage dragon enemy.gif]] [[Mage Dragon]]

| +0

| +7

| +1

| +11

| +10

| {{Item|ds|Divinestone}}

| <!--[[File:Ma ds02 divine dragon playable.gif]]--> [[Divine Dragon]]

| +10

| +0

| +7

| +4

| +15

| +11

| {{Item|ds|Earthstone}}<br><small>(''Shadow Dragon'' only)</small>

| [[File:Ma ds02 earth dragon enemy.gif]] [[Earth Dragon]]

| +14

| +0

| +9

| +7

| +13

| +18

| colspan="8" class="roundb" style="font-size: smaller" | Stat changes may differ if the unit has capped any of their stats.<br>[[HP]] and [[luck]] do not change, as every dragon class has the same base stats as the Manakete (18 and 0, respectively); changes in [[movement]] are moot, as move is not used in combat.

In the [[Archanea (continent)|Archanea]] and [[Elibe]] games (every game where manaketes appear except {{title|The Sacred Stones}} and {{title|Fates}}), dragonstones were first created in response to great calamities which threatened the very being of dragons and which forced them to abandon living in their dragon bodies as their usual forms. When dragons assumed the human-like forms of manaketes, they sealed their power into gemstones to create dragonstones, which kept their power for them.<ref>{{Cite|If you really wanna know... Tens of thousands of years ago, the dragon tribe settled down on this continent, and created a civilization. They possessed intellect and abilities far exceedin' those of humans. But suddenly, outta nowhere, their day of destruction came. At first, they couldn't bear children. Then they began to lose their minds, goin' berserk one after the next. The elders warned that the end of dragons as a species was approachin'. There was no longer any way to prevent it. However, there was one way they could survive: to discard their identities as dragons and live on as humans. The dragons fell into a panic. Those who believed the elders sealed their forms within stones and became humans. But those who couldn't throw away their pride as a dragon; those who adamantly refused to become human... They eventually lost their minds and became naught but beasts...|[[Xane]]|New Mystery of the Emblem}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|'''Jahn:''' When the order of nature collapsed, we dragons suffered the most. With nature weakened, we could not maintain our dragon forms. And so, we sealed our power into gemstones and took human form.<br>'''Roy:''' The dragonstones...<br>'''Jahn:''' Yes. We were utterly powerless against the humans. In human form, we were even more feeble than the humans themselves. The humans took the opportunity to slaughter us.<br>'''Roy:''' Why did you choose the form of humans? Why not some other shape?<br>'''Jahn:''' In the new order of nature, the human form required the least energy to transform into.|[[Jahn]] and [[Roy]]|The Binding Blade}}</ref> By sealing their powers into dragonstones, manaketes retained the ability to become dragons for brief, safe periods of time, but overusing a dragonstone can be harmful especially for younger manaketes.<ref>{{Cite|And more importantly, you're still very young for a manakete. You can't overuse the dragonstone. It's far too powerful for one your age.|[[Nowi]]|Awakening}}</ref> As demonstrated by [[Bantu]] and [[Myrrh]], manaketes are capable of being separated from their dragonstones for extended periods of time without suffering consequences to their health aside from being unable to achieve dragon form. When not in use, at least, dragonstones give off a glow.<ref>{{Cite|Well g'day, there, son! …Why the wide-eyed stare? Ain'cha never seen a country village before? You know, speakin' o' rare sights, I once went to Pyrathi, where I saw me a real live Manakete! Cripes, let me tell you what a shock THAT was! In a blink, this regular old feller turned into an enormous dragon! I mean, I ain't stupid. I'd heard of the dragonkin before. I'd just always assumed Manaketes looked somethin' like parakeets. Sheesh… …What? Oh, this? I picked this stone up while I was there. Dunno what it is, but how often do you spy a glowin' red rock, ya know what I'm sayin' But honestly, it's been kinda creepin' me out lately. You want it? Go on ‘n' take it. Sheesh…|An [[Aurelis|Aurelian]] villager|Shadow Dragon}}</ref>

Dragonstones can also be used in human weapons to imbue them with immense power, and in this form are often called "orbs" or "gemstones" by humans. Weapons explicitly confirmed to contain dragonstones include [[Falchion (Archanea)|Falchion]], [[Aura]], and the twelve [[Regalia#In Jugdral|regalia]] of the [[Twelve Crusaders]]; it is likely, although unconfirmed, that the five orbs of the [[Binding Shield]] are also dragonstones. The practice of using dragonstones this way is rare, use of these weapons is primarily restricted to those who have undergone [[Holy Blood|blood rites]] with a dragon, and using such a weapon risks the human wielder's will being overridden by that of the dragon.<ref>{{cite web|quote=Q: How do the Holy Weapons work?<br>A: The dragon tribe has the ability to transfer their power and will into dragon stones (what humans refer to as orbs). The Falchion from ''Mystery of the Emblem'' and powerful magic like Aura, as well as the orbs on the 13 Holy Weapons of Jugdral, are all dragon stones. Humans can obtain tremendous strength from these dragon stones, but they are also in danger of losing their own will. Usually, only those who have formed blood pacts with the dragon tribe can use the power of the dragon stones, but there are exceptions if the seal on the orb has been broken.|url=https://serenesforest.net/general/designers-notes/holy-war/playing-guide/|title=Designers' notes from a ''Genealogy of the Holy War'' playing guide|site=as translated by Serenes Forest|retrieved=January 14, 2016}}</ref>

{{WeaponListCell|Firestone|2=y|4=y|7=y|12=y|13=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Magestone|2=y|4=y|7=y|12=y|13=y|notes=Magic weapon. Unused in {{title|The Binding Blade}}.}}

{{WeaponListCell|Divinestone|2=y|4=y|7=y|12=y|13=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Earthstone|2=y|4=y|12=y|notes=Unobtainable. Used by Medeus}}

{{WeaponListCell|Icestone|4=y|13=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Wyvernstone|4=y|13=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Dragonstone|9=y|14=y|15=y|notes=Magic weapon in {{title|Fates}}. Technically considered a monster weapon in {{title|The Sacred Stones}}.}}

{{WeaponListCell|Dragonstone+|14=y|15=y|notes=Magic weapon in {{title|Fates}}.}}

{{WeaponListCell|Beaststone|14=y|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Beaststone+|14=y|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Beastrune|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Manakete|y|n|y|n|n|y|n|y|n|n|y|y|y|n|n|n|n}}

{{WeaponListCell|Nohr Prince|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Nohr Princess|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Hoshido Noble|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Nohr Noble|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Taguel|14=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Kitsune|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Nine-Tails|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Wolfskin|15=y}}

{{WeaponListCell|Wolfssegner|15=y}}

* The Stone weapon type appears in {{FEWA1}} and is the only weapon type featured in that game that is only used by a single playable character: [[Tiki]].

|jpn-name={{h|石|Seki}}

|jpn-mean=Stone

|span-mean=Stone

|kor-name={{h|석|Seok}}

|kor-mean=Stone