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Triangle Attack

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
For the Tactics Drill in Heroes, see Skill Studies 38: Triangle Attack!.
Florina, Fiora and Farina perform a Triangle Attack in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade.
When the three of us surround an enemy, we're just about unstoppable!
— Est

The Triangle Attack (Japanese: トライアングルアタック Triangle Attack) is a recurring special attack introduced in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, in which groups of three related units can work together to unleash a single powerful blow on an enemy, achieved by surrounding their target in a triangular formation. The attack is primarily associated with characters of the Pegasus Knight class and its advanced forms, but members of other classes have been able to perform it in certain games.

Overview

Florina, Fiora and Farina demonstrate the two Triangle Attack formations.

The Triangle Attack is activated with two simple steps. Two of the members of the trio must wait next to the chosen target (or both be next to them already when their phase begins), then the third member of the trio must move to complete the formation and attack the target. The activation of a Triangle Attack is usually heralded by the initiating unit announcing the impending Triangle Attack, and in all appearances except the Tellius and DS games, the Attack itself usually features a special animation depicting all three participants striking the target.

In all of its appearances prior to Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (excluding Gaiden), the successful activation of a Triangle Attack guarantees that the initiating unit will deal a critical hit to the enemy. The power of the Triangle Attack is determined solely by the initiating unit's attack power, with no influence from its partners. It does not otherwise boost the stats of any of the participating units or, if the units are too weak to actually normally deal damage to their target, allow them to avoid dealing zero damage; however, this is rarely a concern.

There are two possible formations in which Triangle Attacks can be performed. The formations (pictured to the right) can be rotated in any direction and will still work, and can be activated from any of the three sides, but otherwise need to be exactly matched.

  • Formation A: The three participants are right next to the target, surrounding it at one range.
  • Formation B: The three participants surround the target at two range. This formation works only in Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn, and is mandatory for Rolf, Boyd and Oscar's bow-based Triangle Attack.

In Shadow Dragon and New Mystery of the Emblem, any and all of the participants in a Triangle Attack can be reclassed, and none of them are required to be in their original class in order to activate it, nor do they have to use the same weapon type. However, because the Triangle Attack can only be performed at 1-range, the initiator can't be classed as Archer, Hunter or Sniper as these classes are all bowlocked.

In its appearance in Shadows of Valentia, the Triangle Attack is a combat art which Palla, Catria, and Est each possess. As with all other combat arts, it must be activated on command when the three participants are in formation (Formation A only; Formation B does not work), costing 10 of the initiator's hit points to activate. Additionally, all three sisters need to be in flying classes (Pegasus Knight, Falcon Knight or Harrier); if they've been pitchforked into a different path, then the Triangle Attack can't be performed. It is significantly less powerful than in prior games, only boosting the user's critical rate instead of guaranteeing a critical hit. It also increases the initiator's attack power and hit rate for the duration of the attack, but like most combat arts, it is impossible to follow-up attack with it.

The combat art iteration of the Triangle Attack returns in Three Houses, where it can be learned by any female unit by mastering the Pegasus Knight class.

Combat art data

Game Icon Might Hit Crit Avo / Crit Avo* Range Cost Other effects and notes
Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Is 3ds03 skill personal.png +8 +30 +40 +0 1 10 HP Cannot make follow-up attacks.
Can only be used if 2 other allied Is 3ds03 flying.png flying units are also adjacent to the target. Initiator has to be in a Is 3ds03 flying.png flying class.
Three Houses Is ns01 combat art.png +8 +30 +40 +0 1 3 durability Cannot make follow-up attacks.
Can only be used if 2 other allied Is ns01 flying.png flying units are also adjacent to the target.

Possible users

Game Possible user trios Notes
Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Palla, Catria, and Est Can trigger on counterattacks and follow-up attacks, and can miss.
Gaiden Palla, Catria, and Est Damage formula: (5 + attackdefense) × 3. Minimum damage is 15. Can trigger on counterattacks and follow-up attacks, and can miss. Ignores all stats of the Javelin, treating it as a basic Lance.
Mystery of the Emblem Palla, Catria, and Est --
Genealogy of the Holy War Banba, Fotla, and Eriu
Mabel, Meng, and Bleg
Enemy only.
May miss (subject to normal miss chance).
Critical Hit may be negated by Nihil.
The Binding Blade Shanna, Thea, and Juno
Bors, Barthe, and Gwendolyn
Shanna, Thea and Juno's can only be performed if the player went for the Ilian route, due to Juno only being available in it.
The Blazing Blade Florina, Fiora, and Farina Can only be performed in Hector's tale, due to Farina only being available in it.
Ignores the crit-negating effect of the user's Runesword or the target's Iron Rune.
The Sacred Stones Vanessa, Tana, and Syrene Cannot be performed if both Vanessa and Tana have been promoted to Wyvern Knight. Only one Wyvern Knight can participate, and the Wyvern Knight must initiate the attack.
Ignores the crit-negating effect of the user's Runesword or the target's Hoplon Guard.
Path of Radiance Oscar, Boyd, and Rolf
Marcia, Tanith, and Elincia
• Activated by viewing the "3 Brothers" base conversations in Chapters 13 and 19. Can only be performed using Bows, requiring both that Boyd and Oscar are both promoted and that Oscar's new weapon type is bows.
• Activated by viewing the "Holy Guard" base conversation in Chapter 28. Marcia must be promoted.
Radiant Dawn Oscar, Boyd, and Rolf
Marcia, Tanith, Sigrun, and Elincia
• Can only be performed using Bows, requiring Oscar to be promoted and for Boyd to use crossbows.
• Any three of these four units can activate it together.
Shadow Dragon Palla, Catria, and Est If initiator has a brave weapon, two triangle attacks are dealt in a row.
New Mystery of the Emblem Palla, Catria, and Est
Barst, Bord, and Cord
If initiator has a brave weapon, two triangle attacks are dealt in a row.
Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Palla, Catria, and Est Appears as a visible, defined combat art, possessed by each of the three sisters, for the first time.
Three Houses Any unit that achieves class mastery of the Pegasus Knight class 100 class Exp required to learn.
Only the initiator needs to have the combat art learned and equipped. The only requirement for partner units is to be in a flying class, even if they cannot access the Pegasus Knight class.
Can only be used at 1-range, ignores a weapon's natural range.
Warriors Caeda, Cordelia, and Hinoka Activated by Caeda as a cosmetic effect at the end of her Awakening special. All three must have an A-Support with each other and all be deployed on the map.
Warriors: Three Hopes Any unit in the Pegasus Knight or Falcon Knight classes Activated by using a Warriors Special while the qualified units are nearby to perform it.

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

The Triangle Attack is a recurring skill in Fire Emblem Cipher, introduced in the first series. It is classified as a Formation Skill (Is TCGCipher Formation Skill.png), and in order to use it all three members of the Triangle Attack trio must be deployed and must not have made any moves in the current turn yet. To use the Triangle Attack, the player taps all three members to expend their turn, which gives the attacker a signficant boost to their attack power for their next attack and has an additional effect which hinders the opposing player.

Nine cards have a Triangle Attack as a skill:

  • Palla, Catria, and Est's Triangle Attack gives a +50 attack boost and disallows the opponent from evading the attack. This Triangle Attack is present on their first-series Falcoknight cards (B01-038R Eldest of the Three Pegasus Sisters, B01-040R Second of the Three Pegasus Sisters, and B01-042R Youngest of the Three Pegasus Sisters, respectively).
  • Oscar, Boyd, and Rolf's Triangle Attack gives a +40 attack boost and, during the opponent's next turn, disallows enemy units stationed in the Rearguard from attacking. This Triangle Attack is present on their first-series advanced-class cards (B03-012HN Eldest of the Three Mercenary Brothers, B03-014HN Second of the Three Mercenary Brothers, and B03-016HN Youngest of the Three Mercenary Brothers, respectively).
  • Shanna, Thea, and Juno's Triangle Attack gives a +30 attack boost and disallows the opponent from evading the attack. This Triangle Attack is present on their fifth-series Falcoknight cards (B05-022R Ilia's Cheerful Flower, B05-038R Ilia's Calculating Flower, and B05-046R Ilia's Elegant Flower, respectively).

Although it is not called "Triangle Attack", Barst (B01-021HN The Hatchet) has a similar Formation Skill, "Bordcordbarst", which requires Bord and Cord to be in play and has a similar effect. Unlike Triangle Attack, only Barst has this skill and can activate it.

Emma (B04-099HN A Dark Flier, Every Once in a While) has the skill "Triangle Attack?" which spoofs a regular Cipher Triangle Attack. If the player has two spare Emma cards in their hand, they may reveal them to give Emma a +20 attack boost for the rest of the turn. This skill can only be used once per turn.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Is feh status triangle attack.png

In Fire Emblem Heroes, Wedding-Bell Axe features the Triangle Attack status effect. It grants the unit the ability to attack twice when they initiate combat within two spaces of at least two allies with the status.

Flavor text

Game Text
(English)
Text
(Japanese)
Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
A flurry of attacks the
sisters perform in tandem.
姉妹の連携によって
連続で攻撃を仕掛ける
Three Houses
Can be activated only when 3 allied fliers,
including this unit, are adjacent to an enemy.
自身を含む味方の飛行ユニット3体が
攻撃相手に隣接していると発動可能

Trivia

Etymology and other languages

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

Triangle Attack

--

Japanese

トライアングルアタック

Triangle Attack. Abbreviated Tアタック T Attack in Shadows of Valentia and Three Houses gameplay.

Spanish

Ataque triángulo

Triangle attack

French

• Attaque triangle
• Attaque en triangle

• Triangle attack. Abbreviated Att. triangle in Shadows of Valentia gameplay.
• Triangle attack. Used in Three Houses.

German

Delta-Attacke

Delta-Attack. Delta (Δ) is the fourth letter of the modern Greek alphabet, which is shaped like a triangle.

Italian

Attacco triangolo

Triangle attack. Abbreviated Att. triangolo in Shadows of Valentia gameplay.

Dutch

Delta-aanval

Delta-attack. Delta (Δ) is the fourth letter of the modern Greek alphabet, which is shaped like a triangle.

Korean

T 어택

Transliteration of "T attack", short for triangle attack

Simplified Chinese

三角攻阵

Triangle Formation

Traditional Chinese

三角攻陣

Triangle Formation

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
Skills in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Combat arts AegisamiiboArchballistaArmorcrushArmor DisruptorAstral BladeCelestial BowCoral CoverCrosswise CutCurved ShotDeath BlowDestrezaDouble LionDragonhazeDuelist SwordEarth's BoonEarth's KissEncloserFlambergeFoudroyantGrounderHeaven or HellHeavy DrawHexbladeHit and RunHunter's VolleyKnightkneelerLeonine PoiseLongearcheLunar FlashLungeMistdancerOverrunPavisePenetratePlenitudeRagnarok ΩRoundhouseScendscaleShadow GambitShoveSolar ThrustSolo Triangle AttackSpeculumSubdueSunderSwapTempest LanceThunderclapTigerstanceTrance ShotTriangle AttackVendettaWard ArrowWindsweepWrath Strike
Other skills AbsolveAnathemaAnti-ArmorAnti-CavalryAnti-FliersAntihexAnti-TerrorsApotropeBanishBowrange +Dark SpikesDefensiveDeicideDisciplineDivideDragonskinDuma's GiftEerie ScreechEvade CriticalHalve AxesHalve LancesHalve SwordsHeavy ArmorHexIncarnationInfluenceLifetakerMagic +5MiracleNullify AilmentsPactPhalanxPhantasmReconstructRecoveryResistance +5SanctuarySoothing LightSophisticateTeleportationTransmuteTri-afflictionUpheavalVengeful CryWildfireWrath
Combat arts
Sword combat arts Armor DisruptorAssassinateAstraAstral BladeBane of MonstersBeast FangCrosswise CutDeath BlowDestrezaDouble LionDuelist SwordEarth's BoonElectric GrounderFinesse BladeFiresweepFlambergeFlash StrikeFoudroyant StrikeGrounderHaze SliceHeaven's FallHexbladeIcebladeLightbladeMagic BladeMortal StrugglePenetratePlenitudeRagnarok ΩRoundhouseRuptured HeavenScendscaleShadowbladeShadow GambitSoulbladeSubdueSublime HeavenSunderSwift SliceSword DanceThunderclapTigerstanceWindsweepWrath Strike
Lance combat arts AirshakerArchballistaArmorcrushAtrocityBurning QuakeDark LanceDragonhazeEarthsplitterFrozen LanceGlowing EmberHeaven or HellHit and RunKnightkneelerLance JabLeonine PoiseLightstrikeLongearcheLungeMistdancerMonster PiercerOverrunParaseleneRuined SkyShatter SlashSolar ThrustSolo Triangle AttackStormbladeSwift StrikesTempest LanceTitanic MightThunder RushVendettaVengeanceWheelsweep
Axe combat arts Apocalyptic FlameArmored StrikeArmor SmasherCrushDiamond AxeDustExhaustive StrikeFlickering FlowerFocused StrikeFuryHelm SplitterInvigorating SpiritLightning AxeMonster BreakerRaging StormReturning AxeShredderSmashSpikeSwinging FuryWar Master's StrikeWild Abandon
Bow combat arts Break ShotCelestial BowCurved ShotDeadeyeDrill ArrowEncloserFallen StarFlame VolleyHeavy DrawHide PresenceHunter's VolleyLunar FlashMonster BlastPoint-Blank VolleyPrecision VolleySchism ShotSpiral ShotThunderboltTornado ShotTracking ShotTrance ShotWaning ShotWard ArrowWind God
Gauntlet combat arts Battle TranceBombardDraining BlowDual DevastatorsEviscerateFading BlowFierce Iron FistFlamewhorl KickFrozen FistLightning FistMighty BlowMonster CrusherMystic BlowNimble ComboOne-Two PunchPneuma GaleRushing BlowSteady MindWhirlwind Kick
Movement-related combat arts Draw BackFoul PlayRepositionShoveSmiteSwap
Other combat arts amiiboCoral CoverDark SpikesDefensiveEarth's KissHealing FocusPaviseTriangle AttackUpheaval
Unused combat arts AegisSpeculum