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Counterattack

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
For the ability in Three Houses, see Counterattack (ability). For the Tactics Drill, see Basics 8: Counterattacks.

In the combat of the Fire Emblem series, a unit may be able to counterattack (Japanese: 反撃 counterattack) under certain circumstances. Counterattacking is available to almost every weapon-wielding unit if an opposing unit attacks them, allowing the defending unit to retaliate with an attack of their own. Generally, units can only counterattack if their equipped weapon's range matches the distance between the attacker and the defender; for example, a unit with a 1-range sword can counterattack against enemies that are one space away, but not against enemies that are two or more spaces away.

Counterattacks are fuelled by the same number of calculations that attacks are: their damage dealt, hit rates, critical rates, and ability to perform follow-up attacks are largely identical to those of standard attacks, though other factors such as skills may affect counterattack calculations specifically. Whether or not an opponent is able to counterattack will be displayed in the combat forecast.

Several weapons and status effects can disable a unit's ability to counterattack, even if they could under normal circumstances. In Gaiden, Radiant Dawn, and Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, certain specific units may refuse to attack or counterattack other specific units due to moral, familial, or other reasons. Thracia 776 similarly prevents a unit from counterattacking against any enemy unit that grants a support bonus to them. In Engage, the break status inflicted by the weapon triangle and other sources prevents a unit from counterattacking both during the round of combat they were inflicted with it, as well as for one round of combat afterward.

Weapons and skills affecting counterattacks

Weapons affecting counterattacks
Weapon Effect Games
Is ds meteor.png Meteor Foe cannot counterattack. Mystery of the Emblem, Genealogy of the Holy War, Thracia 776, Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn, New Mystery of the Emblem
All ballistae and siege tomes Foe cannot counterattack. Genealogy of the Holy War, Thracia 776, Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn
All ballistae and siege tomes User and foe cannot counterattack. The Binding Blade, The Blazing Blade, The Sacred Stones
Is wii spectre card.png Spectre Card Foe cannot counterattack. Radiant Dawn
Is wii reaper card.png Reaper Card Foe cannot counterattack. Radiant Dawn
Is wii daemon card.png Daemon Card Foe cannot counterattack. Radiant Dawn
Is wii judge.png Judge
(long-range versions)
Foe cannot counterattack. Radiant Dawn
All ballistae Foe cannot counterattack. Three Houses, Engage
Is ns01 crest stone.png Crest of Flames Power Foe cannot counterattack. Three Houses
Is ns02 hliðskjálf.png Hliðskjálf If user initiates combat, foe cannot counterattack. Engage
Skills affecting counterattacks
Skill Effect Games
Is ns02 vantage.png Vantage User can counterattack before foe can make their first attack. Genealogy of the Holy War, Thracia 776, Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn, Awakening, Fates, Three Houses, Engage
Is wii cancel.png Guard Nullifies any further counterattacks from the foe during the current round of combat. Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn
Is ns02 windsweep.png Windsweep Foe cannot counterattack. Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, Three Houses, Engage
Is 3ds03 skill ring.png Vengeful Cry User can counterattack regardless of the range between user and foe. Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Is ns01 close counter.png Close Counter User can counterattack at 1 range if user has a bow equipped. Three Houses
Is ns01 counterattack.png Counterattack User can counterattack regardless of the range between user and foe. Three Houses
Is ns02 alacrity.png Desperation User can perform a follow-up attack before foe can counterattack. Three Houses, Engage
Is ns01 battalion vantage.png Battalion Vantage User can counterattack before foe can make their first attack. Three Houses
Is ns01 battalion desperation.png Battalion Desperation User can perform a follow-up attack before foe can counterattack. Three Houses
All gambits and Staggering Blows Foes cannot counterattack. Three Houses
All engage attacks Foe cannot counterattack. Engage
Is ns02 surprise attack.png Surprise Attack If user initiates combat while standing on terrain that grants an avoid bonus, foe cannot counterattack. Engage

Etymology and other languages

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

Counterattack

--

Japanese

反撃

Counterattack

Spanish

Contrataque

Counterattack

French

Contre-attaque

Counter-attack

German

Gegenangriff

Counterattack

Italian

Contrattaccaro

Counterattack

Portuguese

Contra-ataque

Counterattack

Korean

반격

Counterattack

Simplified Chinese

反击

Counterattack

Traditional Chinese

反擊

Counterattack

Gallery

References

See also

Game mechanics
Out-of-battle management Base (BarracksBase CampBase conversationEveryone's ConditionsExpeditionGarreg Mach Monastery (Abyss) • My CastleSomniel) • Bonus experienceDungeonsGameplay modes (DifficultyCreature CampaignNew Game +) • GoldLessonsMila ShrinesPeddlerPreparationsRenownShopping (ArmoryBargainsForgeItem shopMerchantOnline shopSecret shop) • Supply convoyWorld map
Battles and chapters ArenaBattle saveBossCastleChapter (Alternate routeParalogueSide quest) • ChestCombat forecastEvent tilesHidden treasureObjectivesReinforcementSkirmishTerrain (Hazards) • Turn (Turn rewind) • Weather (Fog of war) • Village
Stats Units ActionAffinityAuthorityBiorhythmCharmClass (Class masteryClass relative powerUnit type) • Constitution (Aid) • DefenseExperienceFollow-up critical multiplierGrowth rateHit pointHoly BloodInventoryLevelLuckMagicMovementProficiencyResistanceSkillSpeedStrengthWeapon levelWeight
Weapons Brave weaponCritical rateDurabilityHitKill bonusMightPersonal weaponsRangeWeapon experienceWeapon levelWeightWorth
Unit mechanics and commands AdjutantAttack (Counterattack) • Auto-BattleBattalion (Gambit) • CantoChain attackChain GuardClass change (Reclass) • Combat artCrestsDance (GaldrarPlaySing) • Death (Decoy) • DismountDragon VeinEmblem RingsFatigueInventoryLaguz transformationLove (JealousyInheritance) • Pair UpRallyRecruitmentRescue (Capture) • Skills (Offensive skill) • SmashStaggering BlowStatus effectsSupportTalkTradeUnit (AvatarBond unitsBonus unitEinherjarLoan unitPrisonerReplacement unitSubstitute character) • Visit
Calculations AttackAttack speedAvoidBonus damageCritical hit (Combination bonusDodgeTriangle Attack) • Hit rate (True hit) • Random number generatorWeapon triangle (Trinity of magic)
Connectivity amiiboData transferDouble DuelDownloadable contentLink ArenaMultiplayer battleOnline shopSpotPassStreetPass
Other BarrierBirthdayClass rollGlitchesMultiple endingsRankingsSound RoomTactician bonus