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Laguz transformation

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
Ranulf, in the middle of shifting into his cat form.

In Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn, laguz units are governed by a unique system of transformation which is known as shifting. Unlike other shapeshifter species from other games, such as manaketes, most laguz cannot instantly assume their beast form. Instead, they must first build up a transformation gauge (also known as the transform gauge) which allows them to shift when full, and once they have shifted, it will slowly deplete and force them to revert to their humanoid form once it reaches zero. When untransformed, the gauge fills by a small amount at the start of every turn and is increased if they are attacked, and when shifted it depletes at the start of every turn and when they participate in a battle.

Laguz must be shifted in order to attack enemies, with the transformation also giving them significant statistical bonuses which make them formidable, and conversely they are unable to attack when untransformed, only having the ability to give weak counterattacks when attacked in Radiant Dawn.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

In Path of Radiance, shifting is automatic and occurs at the beginning of a laguz unit's phase once their transform gauge is full, or if they are attacked during the opposing army's phase, at the end of the battle that fills their gauge. Reversion is also automatic and occurs at the same times.

Transformation gauge

In Path of Radiance, the transformation gauge requires 20 points for a laguz to transform. Transformation point gains are the same for all laguz classes, and are as follows:[1]

Laguz transformation gauge gains in Path of Radiance
Unshifted state Shifted state When unshifted When shifted
Per turn Per battle Per turn Per battle
All laguz All laguz +4 +2 -3 -1

Each playable laguz (excluding the laguz royals) starts chapters with their transformation gauge set to a certain number of points, allowing some to transform faster than others.[1] Units with starting 16 points will gain the remaining 4 points and transform immediately during the player's first turn.

# Units starting with these points
0 MordecaiReyson
5 MuarimUlkiEnaNasir
10 Ranulf
16 LetheJanaffGiffca

Stat gains

In Path of Radiance, laguz transformation awards a fixed set of stat boosts which do not change as the unit gains levels. All gains are halved if the unit is using a Demi Band to halfshift. These stat boosts are as follows:[1]

Laguz transformation stat gains in Path of Radiance
Unshifted state Shifted state HP Str Mag Skl Spd Luck Def Res Con Mov
Beast Tribe Cat +0 +6 +0 +4 +3 +0 +5 +3 +15 +2
Beast Tribe Tiger +0 +7 +0 +4 +3 +0 +3 +3 +15 +2
Beast Tribe Lion +0 +8 +0 +4 +3 +0 +5 +3 +15 +2
Bird Tribe Hawk +0 +6 +0 +5 +3 +0 +4 +2 +10 +2
Bird Tribe (Tibarn) Hawk +0 +7 +1 +5 +3 +0 +3 +1 +8 +2
Bird Tribe Raven +0 +5 +1 +4 +4 +0 +3 +4 +9 +2
Bird Tribe (Naesala) Raven +0 +6 +2 +4 +3 +0 +3 +3 +7 +2
Bird Tribe Heron +0 +0 +5 +3 +4 +0 +1 +5 +6 +3
Dragon Tribe (M) Red Dragon (M) +0 +10 +0 +6 +3 +0 +4 +5 +26 +1
Dragon Tribe (F) Red Dragon (F) +0 +5 +0 +4 +4 +0 +4 +5 +12 +1
Dragon Tribe White Dragon +0 +10 +0 +5 +3 +0 +5 +5 +24 +1

Items affecting laguz transformation

In Path of Radiance, three items have an effect on the mechanisms of laguz transformation. Two of these are equippable bands.

Items affecting laguz transformation in Path of Radiance
Item Effect Games
Is gcn demi band.png Demi Band A band that, when equipped, allows its wearer to maintain animal form at all times. All abilities are slightly lower while using the band. Path of Radiance
Is gcn laguz band.png Laguz Band A band that, when equipped, allows its wearer to maintain animal form at all times. Abilities are not affected. For laguz nobles only. Path of Radiance
Is gcn laguz stone 2.pngIs gcn laguz stone 1.png Laguz Stone An item that allows a laguz to remain in animal form. Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

In Radiant Dawn, shifting is now at the player's discretion and no longer automatic. Once a laguz's transform gauge is at maximum, a green icon reading "MAX" will appear over them on the map, and they can be shifted at any time by moving them and selecting the Shift command. Reversion is still automatic and occurs at the beginning of a laguz unit's phase once their transform gauge is empty, or at the end of a battle that empties their gauge. However, a shifted laguz unit can also be reverted at the player's discretion by moving them and selecting the Revert command; if reverted this way, they will keep any transform points they still had at that point.

Transformation gauge

In Radiant Dawn, the transformation gauge requires 30 points for a laguz to shift. Unlike in Path of Radiance, every laguz class now has unique transformation point gains.

Laguz transformation gauge gains in Radiant Dawn
Unshifted state Shifted state When unshifted When shifted
Per turn Per battle Per turn Per battle
Cat Cat +10 +15 -5 -4
Tiger Tiger +8 +15 -4 -3
Wolf Wolf +6 +10 -4 -3
Lion Lion +5 +10 -3 -2
Lion
(Giffca)
Giffca +5 +10 -3 -2
Hawk Hawk +8 +15 -4 -3
Raven Raven +6 +10 -4 -3
Heron
(Rafiel)
Heron
(Rafiel)
+3 +6 -5 -8
Heron
(Leanne)
Heron
(Leanne)
+3 +8 -5 -8
Heron
(Reyson)
Heron
(Reyson)
+4 +10 -5 -6
Red Dragon Red Dragon +5 +6 -2 -1
White Dragon White Dragon +4 +5 -2 -1
Dragon Prince Black Dragon +5 +6 -2 -1

Stat gains

In Radiant Dawn, laguz stat gains are changed considerably. Shifting now awards a 2× multiplication of the laguz's unshifted strength, magic, skill, speed, defense and resistance stats to all laguz classes; these gains are reduced to multiplying the stats by 1.5 if the unit is using Wildheart to halfshift. Additionally, the unit's movement, weight and constitution are awarded flat stat boosts, which are as follows:

Laguz transformation stat gains in Radiant Dawn
Unshifted state Shifted state Con Wt Mov
Cat Cat +5 +20 +2
Tiger Tiger +10 +21 +2
Wolf Wolf +9 +22 +2
Wolf Queen Wolf +10 +23 +2
Lion Lion +10 +20 +2
Lion
(Giffca)
Giffca +10 +20 +2
Lion King Lion +10 +20 +2
Hawk Hawk +10 +9 +2
Hawk King Hawk King +14 +12 +2
Raven (M) Raven (M) +9 +8 +2
Raven (F) Raven (F) +9 +9 +2
Raven King Raven +10 +8 +2
Heron
(Rafiel)
Heron
(Rafiel)
+6 +4 +0
Heron
(Leanne)
Heron
(Leanne)
+6 +4 +1
Heron
(Reyson)
Heron
(Reyson)
+6 +4 +2
Red Dragon (M) Red Dragon (M) +26 +58 +1
Red Dragon (F) Red Dragon (F) +12 +33 +1
White Dragon White Dragon +24 +57 +1
Dragon Prince Black Dragon +10 +30 -1
Dragon King Black Dragon +26 +56 +1

Items and skills affecting laguz transformation

In Radiant Dawn, three items and two skills have an effect on the mechanisms of laguz transformation.

Items affecting laguz transformation in Radiant Dawn
Item Effect Games
Is wii olivi grass.png Olivi Grass An herb that restores 15 points to a laguz's transformation gauge. Radiant Dawn
Is wii laguz stone.png Laguz Stone An item that fills up the transformation gauge, allowing laguz to shift forms. For laguz only. Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn
Is wii laguz gem.png Laguz Gem An item that allows laguz to maintain their animal form for an entire battle. For laguz only. Radiant Dawn
Is wii wildheart.png Wildheart Cut ability points gained in half but allow the unit to transform at any time. Laguz other than herons Radiant Dawn
Is wii formshift.png Formshift Allows the unit to transform at any time. The unit will stay transformed until choosing to revert forms. Radiant Dawn

Additionally, in Radiant Dawn, right before Rebirth (3), Yune blesses every laguz unit in the party. This grants them full transformation gauge at the start of each map and the ability to pierce the Mantle skill.

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

In Fire Emblem Cipher, shifting is present as a recurring skill found on laguz cards with higher costs, including Lethe, Ranulf, Volug, and Lyre. Shift is a Level S Skill which becomes permanently active if the unit is in a stack of 2 or more cards. When active, as long as the unit remains in the player's Vanguard, the laguz unit gets a +10 attack increase and is able to ignore their usual range restrictions to attack enemies positioned in their Rearguard.

Trivia

Etymology and other languages

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

Shifting

--

French

Mutation

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 クラス/パラメータ変化, Pegasus Knight, Published: August 26, 2005, Retrieved: August 1, 2015
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