Difficulty: Difference between revisions

This article provides an breakdown of all the universal and general changes made by each difficulty level in each game. More detailed information, such as the exact numbers of enemies, reinforcement timing, etc. can be found on each individual chapter page.

A hidden difficulty mode accessible only by pressing Select + Start + A on the main menu. Easy Mode is identical to Normal Mode, except all [[experience]] gain is doubled.

Clever mode is also the first example of a difficulty that can be changed mid-playthrough; from the options menu, Clever mode can be toggled at any time at all.

Unlocked by completing Normal Mode once. Enemies have higher stats, and there are more of them. Certain enemies will have differing inventories and positions to make them more challenging to deal with.

{{main|Gameplay modes#Eliwood, Hector, and Lyn's tales}}

Unlocked by completing the game once. Lyn's tale is largely identical between Normal and Hard modes, with Hard Mode having no tutorials and fewer scripted events. As a result, the player is given more freedom, though it introduces loss conditions in chapters that were previously impossible to fail.

Hector Hard Mode is unlocked by completing Hector Normal Mode once. It is the most challenging mode the game has to offer. Enemies have higher stats, differing inventories, and there are more of them. The composition of enemies can also vary greatly, requiring different strategies altogether to approach them. In many chapters, the number of deployment slots is reduced, giving the player fewer units to work with.

The first eight chapters include tutorials, but are otherwise identical to those in Normal mode. After [[It's a Trap!|Chapter 8]] and [[A New Journey|the subsequent interlude chapter]], all following main chapters in Easy Mode are identical to their Normal Mode counterparts. There are some subtle differences between [[skirmish]]es and random drops in the two difficulties, however.

Easy Mode save files are colored green.

Enemies have higher stats, and there are more of them. Certain enemies will have differing inventories and positions to make them more challenging to deal with.

Hard Mode save files are colored red for Eirika's route and brown for Ephraim's route.

Added in the international versions of ''Path of Radiance'' to replace Maniac Mode, Easy Mode features fewer enemies, with them having higher [[level]]s but lower overall stats, resulting in player units receiving overall more [[experience]]. As well, Easy Mode awards the player more [[bonus experience]] than Normal Mode.

Enemies have higher stats, there are more of them, and they can have differing inventories, such as being given [[Elixir]]s to replace [[Vulnerary|Vulneraries]], stronger weapons, etc. The common "Clear bonus" for bonus experience is removed, and bonus experience gained by completing secondary objectives has been reduced.

Hard Mode save files are colored blue.

Present only in the Japanese version, Maniac Mode serves as an even greater challenge than Hard Mode. Maniac Mode is primarily defined by an exceedingly large number of enemies when compared to the other difficulties. Enemies in Maniac Mode have much higher defensive stats, though often not much higher offensive stats than those of Hard Mode, and bosses often have the same stats as they do on Hard Mode, with some exceptions.

Maniac Mode was removed in the international versions due to its generally poor reception from Japanese players.<ref>{{Cite web|quote=But they also had quite a bit of feedback from people in Japan that said "it's simply unplayable" on that level of difficulty. So all of this was taken into consideration while creating the English version.|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/2266/fire-emblem-path-of-radiance-interview|title=Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Interview|site=Nintendo World Report}}</ref>

Named Normal Mode in the Japanese version.

Named Hard Mode in the Japanese version.

===Difficult Mode===

Named Maniac Mode in the Japanese version. Unlocked after completing Normal Mode once. Enemies are stronger, and there are more of them. The [[weapon triangle]] is not in effect, and the player cannot see enemy [[movement]] ranges, forcing them to count them out manually to know how far they can reach. Less [[experience]] and [[bonus experience]] is received overall.

As well, map [[affinity]] bonuses are disabled for both player and enemy units. In-battle quick saves are also disabled, forcing players to complete chapters in a single go without breaks.

{{quote|Recommended for those seeking a challlenge. Enemies are up to five degrees tougher than those in Normal mode. No prologue is included.|Help text}}

All variations of Hard Mode exclude the four chapter prologue, starting the player off on [[Marth Embarks|Chapter 1]]. Each version gives enemies higher stats, and enemies can have higher level weapons such as [[Silver Sword]]s and [[Bolganone]] much earlier. Enemies may also be given [[forge]]d weaponry. [[Reinforcement]]s appear at the start of enemy phase, and can act on the same turn they appear. Apart from these changes, however, the general positions, quantities, and behaviors of the enemies are largely identical to how they are on Normal Mode.

Hard Mode save files are marked with an H and one star ({{star}}).

Enemies have even higher stats, a minimum of B in all [[weapon level]]s, and there are more of them.

Maniac Mode save files are marked with an M and two stars ({{star|2}}).

Enemies have yet even higher stats, maximum [[weapon level]]s, and enemies can have higher level weapons such as Silver Swords and Bolganone much earlier. Enemies may also be given forged weaponry. Reinforcements appear at the start of enemy phase, and can act on the same turn they appear. There are also more enemies present.

Lunatic Mode save files are marked with an L and three stars ({{star|3}}).

The game's highest difficulty, {{hover|Lunatic′|Pronounced &quot;Lunatic Dash&quot;, as the ′ is a prime symbol, pronounced as &quot;dash&quot; in Japanese}}, also called "Lunatic Reverse", is unlocked by completing Lunatic Mode once. The unlocking mechanism is somewhat obtuse, however; completing Lunatic/Casual will only unlock Lunatic′/Casual, while completing Lunatic/Classic will unlock Lunatic′ on both Casual and Classic modes.

Lunatic′ Mode is largely identical to Lunatic, except that enemies will always strike first when attacked, even on player phase, hence the name Lunatic Reverse.

Lunatic Reverse Mode save files are marked with an L′ and three stars ({{star|3}}).

The game's standard difficulty. The first several chapters include "slide guide" tutorials on the bottom screen to help new players, though these can be turned off in the settings menu. Enemies generally have low stats, and little to no unpromoted units will have any [[skills]]. Later on, promoted units can have a single skill from their class tree's pool, though they are generally limited from having stronger skills such as the -breaker series and [[offensive skill]]s.

Enemies have higher overall stats, a minimum of C in all [[weapon level]]s, and there are more enemies in most chapters. [[Reinforcement]]s appear at the start of enemy phase, and can act on the same turn they appear. Unpromoted enemies can randomly have one skill from their class pool, while promoted enemies can randomly have one skill, and later two, from their class tree's pool. Unlike Normal Mode, promoted enemies in hard mode can have more powerful skills such as the -breaker series and [[offensive skill]]s. Later enemies will also be equipped with [[forge]]d weaponry (+4 Mt, +10 Hit). Very late into the game, or with certain [[Bonus damage|effective weaponry]], they may be forged to a stronger level than can be achieved by the player (+8 Mt, +20 Hit).

Unrelated to enemy behavior, the [[Reeking Box]] has its price increased in Hard Mode—from 500G to 4800G—making it more resource-intensive to grind for levels. [[Staff|Staves]] also award less [[experience]] than on Normal Mode.

Enemies have much higher stats, maximum [[weapon level]]s, and there are typically even more enemies in each chapter compared to Hard Mode. Like in Hard Mode, reinforcements can act on the same turn they appear. Promoted enemies have access to more powerful skills earlier than in Hard Mode, and can have three or even more skills from their class tree's pool at random. Around halfway through the game, all enemies also have the skill [[Hit Rate +10]], which is replaced later in the game with [[Hit Rate +20]]. Enemies have higher-level weapons such as [[Silver Sword]]s much earlier, and will have [[forge]]d weapons even earlier than Hard Mode enemies, with later enemies having weapons forged stronger than what the player can ever achieve (+8 Mt, +20 Hit).

Lastly, [[experience]] gain is calculated differently. [[Staff|Staves]] award even less experience than they do on Hard Mode. Experience gained from repeatedly attacking a single enemy will gradually diminish until it awards no experience at all, discouraging the player from abusing stationary, healing bosses to level up. Skirmishes also provide less experience, with each attack only giving one point.

In ''Conquest'', even on Normal Mode, enemy AI is noticeably smarter; they will not attack an enemy that they cannot deal any damage to, among other changes.

In all paths, enemies have higher overall stats, as well as a minimum of C in each [[weapon level]].

In all paths, all [[level up]]s in this mode are predetermined upon a unit's recruitment, meaning the player cannot reset for different stat growths on a level up. As well, enemies have maximum [[weapon level]]s.

In ''Revelation'', enemies have higher HP, strength/magic, defense, and resistance. Promoted enemies are given the two [[skills]] from their respective base classes. Apart from these changes, however, few of the chapters' enemy setups are changed, with many chapters having the same number of enemies as on Hard or even Normal mode, though some enemies may gain the occasional ranged weapon.

The game's standard difficulty. Enemy positioning and stats are nearly identical to how they are in the original ''Gaiden''{{'}}s Normal Mode, though with some changes to account for new mechanics such as dungeons, as well as the new characters.

Enemies have higher [[level]]s, making them stronger overall, but having the side-effect of giving player units slightly more [[experience]] than in Normal Mode. There are more enemies overall, and more of them are given weapons and items to make them more dangerous. In several cases, their positions are also completely reworked, removing certain easy strategies that were present in ''Gaiden'' and ''Echoes''{{'}} Normal Mode.

{|width="85%" align=center class="cellpadding-3" style="border-spacing: 3px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; {{round}}; border:1px solid {{Color2}}; background-color: {{Color1}}; text-align: center"

!style="{{roundtl}}; border:none" width="100%" colspan="5"|Difficulty modes by game

!style="{{Roundtl}}; border:none; background-color:{{Color3}};" width=20%"| Game

!style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" width="15%"| Difficulty mode

!style="{{Roundtr}}; border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" width="65%"| Unlock conditions and notes

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="5" | {{TMSFE}}

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Friendly

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Available only if the player gets a [[Death|Game Over]] on Easy.

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Easy

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | "This difficulty is easier than Normal. Recommended for those who want to casually enjoy the game."

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Normal

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | "This is the standard difficulty. Recommended for those who are playing the game for the first time."

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Hard

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | "This difficulty is more challenging than Normal. Recommended for those who are confident in playing RPGs."

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Lunatic

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | "An insane difficulty. Vicious battles fraught with hardship await those who choose to walk this path." Available only after completing the game once.

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="5" | {{title|Heroes}}

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Normal Mode

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | The initial difficulty of all Story Maps.

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Hard Mode

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Unlocked for each chapter by completing it on Normal Mode. Costs slightly more [[Stamina]] to play.

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Lunatic Mode

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Unlocked for each chapter by completing it on Normal Mode. Costs the most [[Stamina]] to play.

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Infernal Mode

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Only available for special maps from June 16, 2017 onward. Costs as much [[Stamina]] as Lunatic to play.

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Abyssal Mode

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Only available for special maps from August 28, 2018 onward. Extremely difficult.

{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color1}}" colspan="3" {{!}} <!--blank spacing-->

| style="{{Roundbl}}; border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="4" | {{title|Warriors}}

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Easy

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | "For newcomers."

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Normal

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | "For experienced players."

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Hard

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | "For experts."

| style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Lunatic

| style="{{Roundbr}}; border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" | Available only after completing Story Mode once.

|jap-name

|jap-mean=

|ger-name={{hover|Schwierigk.|Schwierigkeit}}

|ger-mean=Difficulty

|span-name=Dificultad

|span-mean=Difficulty

|dut-name=

|dut-mean=

|kor-name=

|kor-mean=

|ch-simp-name=

|ch-simp-mean=

|ch-trad-name=

|ch-trad-mean=

|eng-mean=

|jap-name=

|jap-mean=

|ger-mean=• Easy. Used in ''The Sacred Stones''.<br>• Simple. Used in ''Warriors''.

|ital-mean=As above.

|eng-mean=

|jap-name={{hover|ノーマル|Nōmaru}}

|jap-mean=Normal

|fren-mean=As above.

|ger-mean=As above.

|span-mean=As above.

|dut-name=

|dut-mean=

|kor-name=

|kor-mean=

|ch-simp-name=

|ch-simp-mean=

|ch-trad-name=

|ch-trad-mean=

|eng-name=Hard<br>Difficult

|eng-mean=Difficult is used in ''The Sacred Stones'', ''Path of Radiance'', and ''Radiant Dawn''. Hard is used in the other games.

|jap-name={{hover|ハード|Hādo}}

|jap-mean=Hard

|fren-mean=Difficult

|ital-mean=As above.

|dut-name=

|dut-mean=

|kor-name=

|kor-mean=

|ch-simp-name=

|ch-simp-mean=

|ch-trad-name=

|ch-trad-mean=

|eng-name=Hard<br>Brutal<br>Savage<br>Fiendish<br>Merciless

|jap-name={{hover|ハード|Hādo}}Lv.#

|jap-mean=Hard Lv. # (# being the number from 1 through 5)

|eng-fan-mean=

|jap-name={{hover|マニアック|Maniakku}}

|jap-mean=Maniac

===Lunatic===

|eng-name=Lunatic

|eng-mean=

|jap-name={{hover|ルナティック|Runatikku}}

|jap-mean=Lunatic

|fren-mean=Used in ''Awakening'', ''Fates'' and ''Warriors''.

|ger-mean=Extreme. Used in ''Warriors''

|span-mean=Extreme. Used in ''Warriors''

|ital-mean=Insane. Used in ''Warriors''

|kor-name=

|kor-mean=

|eng-fan-name=Lunatic′<br>Reverse Lunatic<br>Lunatic Reverse

|jap-name={{hover|ルナティック′|Runatikku dasshu}}

|jap-mean=Lunatic′; pronounced "Lunatic Dash".

|eng-mean=

|jap-name={{hover|ルナティック+|Runatikku purasu}}

|jap-mean=Lunatic+

|fren-name=Lunatique +

|fren-mean=Lunatic +

|ger-name=

|ger-mean=

|span-name=

|span-mean=

|ital-name=

|ital-mean=