Site News
Warning: This wiki contains spoilers. Read at your own risk!

Social media: If you would like, please join our Discord server, and/or follow us on Twitter (X) or Tumblr!

Life and Death

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
This article is about the skill. For the Tempest Trials, see Life & Death 1, Life & Death 2, Life & Death 3, Life & Death 4, Life & Death 5, and Life & Death Finale.

Life and Death (Japanese: 死線 Line of Death) is a skill which debuted in Fire Emblem Fates. Associated with the Master of Arms class, Life and Death is a high-risk, high-reward skill in that it allows the user to deal an additional 10 damage with any of their attacks, at the cost of taking an additional 10 damage when on the receiving end of any attack.

Life and Death

Is ns02 life and death.png
Icon of the Life and Death skill in Engage.


Unit deals +10 damage and takes +10 damage during combat.

Type(s)
  • Class (Fates, Engage)
  • Passive (Type A) (Heroes)
First game

Fates

In Heroes, Life and Death is a four-tiered type A passive skill (whose individual tiers are Life and Death 1, Life and Death 2, Life and Death 3, and Life and Death 4 in order from lowest to highest). It boosts its user's attack and speed, but reduces their defense and resistance; the size of the buff and debuff increases with the skill's tier.

Data

In the main Fire Emblem series

Game Icon Effect Activation Capacity Notes
Fates   +10 damage dealt for both the user and their target. -- -- Base cost: 1000 G
Engage   +10 damage dealt for both the user and their target. -- -- --

In other Fire Emblem series titles

Game Icon Type Effect SP cost Prerequisites Unusable by Inheritable Other effects and notes
Heroes
(Life and Death 1)
  A Grants +3 attack, +3 speed, −3 defense, −3 resistance. 50 --   --
Heroes
(Life and Death 2)
  A Grants +4 attack, +4 speed, −4 defense, −4 resistance. 100 Life and Death 1   --
Heroes
(Life and Death 3)
  A Grants +5 attack, +5 speed, −5 defense, −5 resistance. 200 Life and Death 2   --
Heroes
(Life and Death 4)
  A Grants +7 attack, +7 speed, −5 defense, −5 resistance. 300 Life and Death 3   --

Availability

Fates

Classes Master of Arms (Learned from Level 15 and up)

Engage

Unobtainable Exclusively used by enemy Barbarians on Maddening Mode.

Heroes

Method Data
Life and Death 1 Life and Death 2 Life and Death 3 Life and Death 4
Unit (★★★) Guy: Kutolah BladeHana: Focused SamuraiShez: Keen MercenarySothe: ZephyrZephiel: The Liberator Guy: Kutolah BladeSothe: Zephyr
Unit (★★★★) Hana: Focused Ninja Hana: Focused NinjaHana: Focused SamuraiShez: Keen MercenaryZephiel: The Liberator Guy: Kutolah BladeSothe: Zephyr
Unit (★★★★★) Celica: Valentia's HopeIgrene: Nabata's ProtectorIshtar: Echoing ThunderJaffar: Angel of DeathJoshua: Resolute TempestLeila: Rose amid FangsLucia: Tireless AdvisorMinerva: Red DragoonSay'ri: Righteous BrideSelena: FluorsparUllr: The BowmasterWolf: Coyote's Loyal Celica: Valentia's HopeIgrene: Nabata's ProtectorIshtar: Echoing ThunderJaffar: Angel of DeathJoshua: Resolute TempestLeila: Rose amid FangsLucia: Tireless AdvisorMinerva: Red DragoonSay'ri: Righteous BrideSelena: FluorsparUllr: The BowmasterWolf: Coyote's Loyal Celica: Valentia's HopeHana: Focused NinjaHana: Focused SamuraiIgrene: Nabata's ProtectorIshtar: Echoing ThunderJaffar: Angel of DeathJoshua: Resolute TempestLeila: Rose amid FangsLucia: Tireless AdvisorMinerva: Red DragoonSay'ri: Righteous BrideSelena: FluorsparShez: Keen MercenaryUllr: The BowmasterWolf: Coyote's LoyalZephiel: The Liberator Celica: Valentia's HopeIgrene: Nabata's ProtectorIshtar: Echoing ThunderJoshua: Resolute TempestLeila: Rose amid FangsLucia: Tireless AdvisorSay'ri: Righteous BrideSelena: FluorsparUllr: The BowmasterWolf: Coyote's Loyal
Tempest Trials Lost to Love: 20,000 points
Sacred Seal Forge 100  , 20  , 40   200  , 60  , 50  , Life and Death 1 seal 1,000  , 400  , 100  , Life and Death 2 seal

Flavor text

Game Text
(English)
Text
(Japanese)
Fates
During combat, +10 to damage
dealt and taken.
戦闘中、敵に与えるダメージ+10、
敵から受けるダメージ+10
Engage
Unit deals +10 damage and takes
+10 damage during combat.
与えるダメージ+10
受けるダメージ+10
Heroes
(Life and Death 1)
Grants Atk/Spd+3.
Inflicts Def/Res-3.
攻撃、速さ+3 守備、魔防-3
Heroes
(Life and Death 2)
Grants Atk/Spd+4.
Inflicts Def/Res-4.
攻撃、速さ+4 守備、魔防-4
Heroes
(Life and Death 3)
Grants Atk/Spd+5.
Inflicts Def/Res-5.
攻撃、速さ+5 守備、魔防-5
Heroes
(Life and Death 4)
Grants Atk/Spd+7.
Inflicts Def/Res-5.
攻撃、速さ+7 守備、魔防-5

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language Name Definition, etymology, and notes
English

Life and Death

--

Japanese

死線

Line of Death, i.e. boundary between life and death.

Spanish

Dar y tomar

Give and Take; used in all titles but the Latin American localization of Heroes.

Spanish
(Latin America)

Vida y muerte

Life and death; used in the Latin American localization of Heroes.

French

Vivre et mourir

Live and Die

German

Lebensfaden

Thread of Life

Italian

Vita e morte

Life and Death

Portuguese

Vida e morte

Life and death

Korean

사선

Deadline

Simplified Chinese

死线

Deadline

Traditional Chinese

死線

Deadline

References

See also

Skills in Fire Emblem Fates
Class skills Personal skills
Bonus damage skills Armor ShieldBeastbaneBeast ShieldGolembaneWinged Shield --
Breaker skills AxebreakerBowbreakerLancebreakerShurikenbreakerSwordbreakerTomebreaker --
Counter skills CounterCountermagic CountercurseDivine RetributionIcy BloodShuriken MasteryTriple Threat
Debuffing skills Draconic HexSeal DefenseSeal MagicSeal ResistanceSeal SpeedSeal Strength HighwaymanIcy BloodShuriken Mastery
Experience-related skills AptitudeFuture SightNobilityParagonUnderdog Pride
Faire skills AxefaireBowfaireLancefaireShurikenfaireSwordfaireTomefaire --
Healing skills AmaterasuBetter OddsCamaraderieEven BetterGood FortuneLive to ServeReliefRenewal Draconic HeirForagerGoody BasketHaikuHealing DescantMorbid CelebrationOptimisticReciprocitySweet Tooth
Item-obtaining skills ProfiteerSalvage BlowWitch's Brew CollectorMake a Killing
Mobility skills LungePassShoveSurefootedSwapWarp --
Mutual effect skills Life and DeathQuixoticWary Fighter Peacebringer
Offensive skills AetherAstraDragon FangIgnisLethalityLunaRend HeavenSolVengeance --
Pair Up skills Bold StanceDefenderDual GuardsmanDual StrikerNohrian TrustShelterTactical Advice BushidoCompetitiveDaydreamDevoted PartnerEvasive PartnerFierce RivalForceful PartnerGallantMiraculous SaveNoble CauseSisterhoodSupportive
Proximity skills AmaterasuCharmDemoiselleForeign PrincessGentilhommeHeartseekerInspirationMalefic AuraSavage BlowSolidarityVoice of Peace Fierce MienFortunate SonHealing DescantLily's PoiseMisfortunatePeacebringerPerspicaciousPlaythingsPyrotechnicsQuiet StrengthRallying CryRose's Thorns
Rally skills Rally DefenseRally LuckRally MagicRally MovementRally ResistanceRally SkillRally SpectrumRally SpeedRally Strength Fancy FootworkPerfect Pitch
Stat-boosting skills Dancing BladeDefense +2GambleHeavy BladeHP +5Inspiring SongLuck +4Magic +2Movement +1Resistance +2Rifled BarrelSkill +2Speed +2Strength +2SurveyVeteran Intuition CalmOptimistPerfectionistProdigyPuissanceVow of FriendshipWind Disciple
Taker skills DefensetakerLifetakerLucktakerMagictakerResistancetakerSkilltakerSpeedtakerStrengthtaker --
Turn-related skills AggressorArmored BlowBetter OddsCertain BlowDarting BlowDeath BlowDuelist's BlowEven BetterEvenhandedEven KeelFuture SightIron WillLucky SevenOdd ShapedPoison StrikeQuick DrawSavage BlowStrong RiposteToxic BrewWarding Blow CountercurseFearsome BlowMischievousMorbid CelebrationPyrotechnics
Miscellaneous skills AegisAir SuperiorityAwakeningClarityDragon WardElbow RoomGaleforceGrisly WoundHoshidan UnityLocktouchMiracleNatural CoverOpportunity ShotPavisePoint BlankPotent PotionQuick SalveReplicateShadowgiftSpendthriftTrampleVantage Aching BloodBibliophileBloodthirstBorn StewardBrynhildrCaptureChivalryFierce CounterFiery BloodGuarded BraveryIn ExtremisKidnapLucky CharmNohr EnmityOpportunistPragmaticUnmaskVendetta
Enemy-exclusive skills Divine ShieldDragonskinHit/Avoid +ImmobilizeImmune StatusInevitable EndResist StatusSelf-DestructStaff SavantVoid Curse
Skills in Fire Emblem Engage
Inheritable skills Art FocusAvoid +Axe GuardAxe PowerBow AgilityBow FocusBow GuardBuild +Defense +Dexterity +Dodge +Hit +HP +HP/Lck +Knife GuardKnife PrecisionLance AgilityLance GuardLance PowerLuck +Magic +Mag/Dex +Mag/Res +Magic GuardMovement +1Resistance +Special GuardSpeed +Spd/Dex +Spd/Res +Staff MasteryStrength +Str/Def +Str/Dex +Sword AgilitySword FocusSword GuardSword PowerTome Precision
Personal skills AdmirationAlabaster DutyAspiring HeroBig PersonalityBlinding FlashBlood FuryCharmerContemplativeCrimson CheerCurious DanceDisarming SighDivinely InspiringEnergizedExpertiseFair FightFairy-Tale FolkFell ProtectionFriendly BoostGenerosityGentle FlowerGet Behind Me!Knightly CodeKnightly EscortMeditationMoved to TearsNot *Quite*Party AnimalProtectiveRacket of SolmSeconds?Self-ImproverShare SpoilsSingle-MindedStunning SmileSurvival PlanTrained to KillVerdant FaithWeapon InsightWill to WinWounded Pride
Class skills Air RaidAllied DefenseBack at YouBrave AssistCareful AimChaos StyleClear the WayConvoyDark SpiritDiffuse HealerDivine SpiritEnchantFell SpiritFrost DomainGolden LotusGrasping VoidHobbleIgnisLet FlyLunaMercilessMiasma DomainNo DistractionsPack HunterPassPincer AttackPivotReforgeResist EmblemsRun ThroughSandstormSelf-HealingSmash+Special DanceSpur EmblemsSolSoulbladeSpell HarmonySwapWorld Tree
Sync skills AdaptabilityAdvanceAlacrityAnima FocusArms ShieldAssign DecoyBlock RecoveryBook of WorldsBraveryBreak DefensesBrute ForceCanterCharmClericDecisive StrikeDemolishDetoxifyDivine PulseDraconic HexDragon VeinDual AssistDual StrikeDual SupportEclipse BraceFavorite FoodFlame GambitFriendly RivalryGentilityGeosphereGroundswellHeadlong RushHealing LightHeavy AttackHold OutHoly StanceKeen InsightLevel BoostLifesphereLightsphereLineageLost & FoundLunar BraceMentorshipMomentumNight and DayPair UpPerceptivePiercing GlarePoison GambitQuick RiposteRally SpectrumRepositionReprisalResolveResonanceSacred TwinsShield GambitSilence WardSolar BraceSP ConversionSpeedtakerStarsphereSurprise AttackQuality TimeUnyieldingVantageWeapon SyncWrath
Engage skills AdaptableAtrocityAttunedAugmentBlue SkiesBond ForgerBonded ShieldBoon of ElyosCall DoublesCombat ArtsContractDivine SpeedDraconic FormDreadful AuraEchoEclipse BraceFallen StarFlareGallopHoly AuraHoly ShieldImpenetrableInstructLaguz FriendOther HalfRaging StormRise AboveSoar
Engage attacks All for OneAstra StormBlazing LionCataclysmDark InfernoDivine BlessingGoddess DanceDragon BlastGiga Levin SwordGreat SacrificeHouses UniteLodestar RushOverrideGreat AetherQuadruple HitStorm's EyeSummon HeroTorrential RoarTwin StrikeWarp Ragnarok
Bond Ring skills BaneBattlewiseBushidoChivalryDeadly BladeDire ThunderDraw BackFlickering FlowerFortify DefGiga ExcaliburGreat ThunderHealtouchLethalityMercyMiracleParaseleneRaging FireRenewalRightful RulerShoveSpur AttackSpur ResStrong ArmSure StrikeSympatheticWind AdeptWind GodWindsweep
Enemy-exclusive skills AnchorArmored BlowArtbreakerAxebreakerBond BreakerBowbreakerCertain BlowCornered BeastDark BarrierDarting BlowDarting StanceDeath BlowDuelist's BlowFell BarrierFierce StanceKnifebreakerLancebreakerLife and DeathPoison StrikeSavage BlowSeal DefenseSeal MagicSeal ResistanceSeal SpeedSeal StrengthSigil ProtectionSpirit StrikeStalwartSteady StanceSwordbreakerTomebreakerTriangle AdeptUnbreakableUnwaveringVeteranVoid CurseWarding BlowWarding Stance
Type A passive skills in Heroes
Aether Raids skills AR-D Atk/DefAR-D Atk/ResAR-D Atk/SpdAR-D Def/ResAR-D Spd/DefAR-D Spd/ResAR-O Atk/DefAR-O Atk/SpdAR-O Spd/Res
Bonus damage skills Ashera's ChosenDragonhideDragonscaleDragonskinDragoon ShieldGrani's ShieldIote's ShieldSvalinn Shield
Counter-attack skills Close CounterClose FoilClose ReversalClose SalvoClose WardDistant CounterDistant DartDistant FerocityDistant FoilDistant PressureDistant ReversalDistant StanceDistant StormDistant WardEmblems' MiracleOstian CounterOstia's HeartRealms United
Proximity skills Ashera's ChosenAtk/Def BondAtk/Def FinishAtk/Def FormAtk/Def SoloAtk/Def UnityAtk/Res BondAtk/Res FinishAtk/Res FormAtk/Res ScowlAtk/Res SoloAtk/Res UnityAtk/Spd BondAtk/Spd FinishAtk/Spd FormAtk/Spd HexbladeAtk/Spd ScowlAtk/Spd SoloAtk/Spd UnityAtk/Spd WildDef/Res BondDef/Res FinishDef/Res FormDef/Res ScowlDef/Res SoloDef/Res UnityDistant A/S SoloDistant D/R SoloLaws of SacaePower of NihilitySorcery BladeSpd/Def BondSpd/Def FormSpd/Def SoloSpd/Res BondSpd/Res FinishSpd/Res FormSpd/Res HexbladeSpd/Res Solo
Stat-boosting skills Attack +Attack/Def +Atk/Def CatchAtk/Def ClashAtk/Def IdealAtk/Def PrimeAtk/Def PushAttack/ResAtk/Res CatchAtk/Res IdealAtk/Res PushAtk/SpdAtk/Spd CatchAtk/Spd ClashAtk/Spd HexbladeAtk/Spd IdealAtk/Spd PrimeAtk/Spd PushBeyond WitcheryB Duel CavalryB Duel FlyingB Duel InfantryBonus DoublerBrazen Atk/DefBrazen Atk/ResBrazen Atk/SpdBrazen Def/ResBrazen Spd/DefBrazen Spd/ResC Bonus DoublerC Duel CavalryC Duel FlyingC Duel InfantryDefense +Def/Res CatchDef/Res IdealDef/ResDefiant AtkDefiant DefDefiant ResDefiant SpdD Bonus DoublerDistant PressureDragoon ShieldDualityEarth BoostEarthfire BoostEarthwind BoostFire BoostFireflood BoostFirestorm BoostFortress DefFort. Def/ResFortress ResFuryG Duel CavalryG Duel FlyingG Duel InfantryHP +HP/AtkHP/DefHP/ResHP/SpdKnightly DevotionLife and DeathObsessionPart of the PlanRare TalentR Duel CavalryR Duel FlyingR Duel InfantryResistance +ScendscaleSelf-ImproverSolid GroundSpeed +Spd/DefSpd/Def CatchSpd/Def ClashSpd/Def IdealSpd/ResSpd/Res CatchSpd/Res HexbladeSpd/Res IdealStill WaterSwift SliceThunder's FistTriangle AdeptVerdict of SacaeWater BoostWind Boost
Turn-related skills Armored BlowBlade SessionBracing BlowBracing StanceClose DefClose FoilClose ReversalClose WardDarting BlowDarting BreathDarting StanceDeath BlowDistant DefDistant FoilDistant WardDragonskinFierce BreathFierce StanceFlared MirrorFlared SparrowFlash SparrowGift of MagicKestrel StanceLaws of SacaeMastermindMirror ImpactMirror StanceMirror StrikeNightmareRemote MirrorRemote SparrowRemote SturdyShield SessionSteady BlowSteady BreathSteady ImpactSteady PostureSteady StanceSturdy BlowSturdy ImpactSturdy StanceSturdy SurgeSurge SparrowSwift SparrowSwift StanceSwift StrikeWarding BlowWarding BreathWarding Stance
Miscellaneous skills Gray IllusionFlashing BladeHeavy BladeMila's Turnwheel
Sacred Seal skills in Heroes
Debuffing skills Atk FeintAtk PloyAtk SmokeChill AtkChill Atk/DefChill Atk/ResChill DefChill Def/ResChill ResChill SpdChill Spd/ResDef FeintDef PloyGuardPanic PloyRes FeintRes PloySeal AtkSpd FeintSeal SpdSpd PloySpd Smoke
Follow-up strike skills Bold FighterBrash AssaultDeflect MagicDeflect MeleeDeflect MissileNull Follow-UpQuick RiposteSpecial Fighter
Healing skills Breath of LifeLive to ServeMystic BoostRenewal
Mobility skills AerobaticsAir OrdersArmor MarchArmored BootsEven TempestFlier FormationFlier GuidanceGround OrdersGuidanceObstructOdd Tempest
Proximity skills Armor MarchAtk SmokeAtk TacticAtk/Def BondAtk/Def FormAtk/Def SoloAtk/Res BondAtk/Res FormAtk/Res OathAtk/Res ReinAtk/Res SoloAtk/Spd BondAtk/Spd FormAtk/Spd OathAtk/Spd SoloBreath of LifeClose GuardDef TacticDef/Res BondDef/Res FormDef/Res SoloDist. Counter (D)Dist. Counter (M)Distant GuardDrive AtkDrive DefDrive ResDrive SpdFortify BeastsFortify DragonsHone AtkHone BeastsHone DragonsHone SpdInf. HexbladeInfantry RushRes TacticRouse Atk/DefRouse Def/ResRouse Spd/DefSavage BlowSorcery BladeSpd TacticSpd SmokeSpd/Def BondSpd/Def FormSpd/Def ReinSpd/Def SoloSpd/Res BondSpd/Res FormSpd/Res OathSpd/Res SoloSpur AtkSpur Atk/DefSpur Atk/ResSpur Atk/SpdSpur DefSpur Def/ResSpur ResSpur SpdSpur Spd/DefSpur Spd/ResThreaten AtkThreat. Atk/ResThreaten DefThreaten ResThreaten SpdThreat. Atk/DefThreat. Spd/ResWard BeastsWard Dragons
Squad Ace skills Squad Ace ASquad Ace BSquad Ace CSquad Ace DSquad Ace ESquad Ace FSquad Ace GSquad Ace HSquad Ace ISquad Ace JSquad Ace KSquad Ace LSquad Ace MSquad Ace NSquad Ace OSquad Ace PSquad Ace QSquad Ace RSquad Ace SSquad Ace TSquad Ace USquad Ace VSquad Ace WSquad Ace XSquad Ace YSquad Ace ZSquad Ace AASquad Ace ABSquad Ace ACSquad Ace ADSquad Ace AESquad Ace AFSquad Ace AGSquad Ace AHSquad Ace AISquad Ace AJSquad Ace AKSquad Ace ALSquad Ace AMSquad Ace ANSquad Ace AOSquad Ace APSquad Ace AQSquad Ace ARSquad Ace ASSquad Ace ATSquad Ace AUSquad Ace AVSquad Ace AWSquad Ace AXSquad Ace AYSquad Ace AZSquad Ace BASquad Ace BBSquad Ace BCSquad Ace BDSquad Ace BESquad Ace BFSquad Ace BGSquad Ace BHSquad Ace BISquad Ace BJSquad Ace BKSquad Ace BLSquad Ace BMSquad Ace BNSquad Ace BOSquad Ace BPSquad Ace BQSquad Ace BRSquad Ace BSSquad Ace BTSquad Ace BUSquad Ace BVSquad Ace BWSquad Ace BXSquad Ace BYSquad Ace BZSquad Ace CASquad Ace CB
Stat-boosting skills Attack +Attack/Def +Atk/Def CatchAtk/Def ClashAtk/Def IdealAtk/Def PushAttack/ResAtk/Res CatchAtk/Res IdealAtk/Res PushAtk/SpdAtk/Spd CatchAtk/Spd IdealAtk OpeningAtk/Spd PushBlaze DanceBonus DoublerBrazen Atk/DefBrazen Atk/ResBrazen Atk/SpdBrazen Def/ResBrazen Spd/DefBrazen Spd/ResDefense +Def OpeningDef/ResDef/Res CatchDef/Res IdealDefiant AtkDefiant DefDefiant SpdEarth BoostEarth DanceFire BoostFortify DefFortify ResFortress DefFort. Def/ResFortress ResFuryGale DanceHP +HP/AtkHP/DefHP/ResHP/SpdInitiate Seal AtkInitiate Seal DefInitiate Seal HPInitiate Seal ResInitiate Seal SpdLife and DeathResistance +Res OpeningSpeed +Spd OpeningSpd/DefSpd/Def CatchSpd/Def IdealSpd/Def OathSpd/Def CatchSpd/Res IdealSpd/ResStill WaterTorrent DanceWater BoostWind Boost
Turn-related skills Armored BlowBlade SessionBracing BlowBracing StanceBreath of LifeClose DefDarting BlowDarting BreathDarting StanceDeath BlowDesperationDistant DefEven Atk WaveEven Def WaveEven Res WaveEven Spd WaveFierce BreathFierce StanceKestrel StanceMirror StrikeMirror StanceOdd Atk WaveOdd Def WaveOdd Res WaveOdd Spd WavePoison StrikeQuick RiposteSavage BlowShield SessionSteady BlowSteady BreathSteady PostureSteady StanceSturdy BlowSturdy StanceSwift SparrowSwift StanceSwift StrikeWarding BlowWarding BreathWarding Stance
Miscellaneous skills Dragon's WrathFlashing BladeHardy BearingHeavy BladeIote's ShieldPhantom ResPhantom SpdQuickened Pulse
Enemy-exclusive skills Blade SealB Time TravelerBoots SealCharm SealC Time TravelerGold PerfectionG Time TravelerElixir SealEmbla's WardGuardian SealGullinburstiHorn SealMúspellflameNiðavellir AxiomR Time TravelerRøkkrVeil Seal