Fire Emblem Engage,the next title in long-running tactical strategy seriesFire Emblem,will bring back characters from previous games to aid the new protagonist as summonable “Emblems.” Initially,Fire Emblem Engagewas announced with a limited number of Emblems - only one from each previous game. However, it was later confirmed that some characters will be coming to the game in the form of DLC, starting with Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude fromFire Emblem: Three Houses.Edelgard’s inclusion in the game is a unique choice, as her personal feelings regarding dragons and religion may cause friction with Alear, the game’s Divine Dragon protagonist.
Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude - the leaders of the titular houses-were confirmed to be summonable as asingle Emblem via DLC, rather than three separate characters. It has not yet been confirmed how social interactions with this Emblem will work, ideally all three characters can have distinct conversations withEngage’sprotagonist, as their personalities and backstories are all different. This potentially opens up an opportunity for character development for Edelgard, who has an antagonistic relationship with Divine Dragons in her home game and could instead learn to bond with Alear during her time as an Emblem.
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Edelgard Opposes The Divine Dragons
InFire Emblem: Three Houses,the player must choose one of the titular houses to teach. If the Black Eagle house is chosen, the player learns that Edelgard, the house’s leader, is plotting rebellion against the Church of Seiros. As heir to the Adrestian Empire, Edelgard possesses secret knowledge that the leaders of the church - including Saint Seiros herself - are actually powerful, nigh-immortal dragons who have been involved in ruling the land of Fodlan for centuries. If the player chooses toside with Edelgardand oppose the church, they will fight against and ultimately take down Fodlan’s draconic leadership. The Immaculate One, the Divine Dragon form of Saint Seiros, serves as the route’s final boss in a tricky and memorable battle.
While Edelgard’s revelation about the Saints' draconic identities is true, she is not portrayed as completely right to oppose them.Three Housesportrays most of its characters as morally gray; all three houses and the Church have valid points and noble goals, but are willing to go to extremes - including starting a war - to reach them. Edelgard’s inflexibility and unwillingness to accept that the Divine Dragons might not be universally evil is portrayed as one of her greatest flaws. Ultimately, the player is given the choice to support her rebellion or side with the Church against her. In all the game’s routes except her own, Edelgard serves as an antagonistic figure whose hatred of theChurch of Seirosand the draconic Saints does not allow her to see or accept other points of view.
Will Edelgard Have an Antagonistic Relationship With Alear?
Alear, the primary player character ofFire Emblem Engage,is openly aDivine Dragon; they do not hide their nature like Saint Seiros does. In the world ofEngage,Divine Dragons are revered and seen as legendary heroes. Alear even has priests and guards who are responsible for tending to them and watching over them. This is very different from Fodlan, where the dragons are forced to hide their nature.
It is possible thatEdelgard will struggle to adaptto a land where Divine Dragons are so openly honored, and to accept that Alear is a genuine hero who wants the best for the kingdom. Through conversations with Alear, it is possible that she could learn to overcome her prejudices and accept that not all Divine Dragons are villainous figures controlling the world from the shadows. Edelgard’s appearance inEngage,if handled well, could lead to character development and a more open worldview for the future Fodlan emperor.
It remains to be seen how Edelgard’s character and anti-Divine Dragon opinions will be handled inFire Emblem Engage,especially as she will be sharing a single Emblem slot with Dimitri and Claude. Players will be able to find out if they purchasethe first set ofFire Emblem EngageDLC. Ironically, the other character appearing in the DLC alongside theThree Housesleaders is Tiki, herself a Divine Dragon from the very first game in the series,Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light.Tiki, an adorable, friendly child, is another excellent choice for Edelgard to interact with and potentially develop a more positive opinion regarding dragons.
Fire Emblem Engagewill release on July 01, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch.
