Let's Play: Fire Emblem 8

[Sairyu]

Hi everyone,

I'm doing a playthrough of FE8 and this is going to be a series of (maybe) hilarious misadventures as I try to ironman my way through a game I can only vaguely remember playing through some five (or more?) years ago.

I'm skipping the cutscenes, because I don't want to screen-cap them. I will, however, summarize the local plot when I can. This is going to be on 'Difficult' setting (because I enjoy pain), so I'll only be saving when I turn the VGBA off. I won't be using the tower/ruins or the arena. Hopefully, things will work out well.

http://imageshack.us/a/img545/1917/fireemblemthesacredstonlh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img90/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png

Thanks for reading and now on to the game proper.

-= Prologue: The Fall of Renais =-
http://imageshack.us/a/img694/8034/fireemblemthesacredstonih.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img835/7265/fireemblemthesacredstondf.png

We start With Erika and Seth and the two of them are on the run from the Grado empire, which just finished conquering their kingdom of Renais. Erika is a princess.

Erika is the standard sword-lord with low-average str growth and high skl/lck.

http://imageshack.us/a/img141/5240/fireemblemthesacredstonr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img694/1788/fireemblemthesacredstonri.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|70
STR|40
SKL|60
SPD|60
LCK|60
DEF|30
RES|30[/table]
That's 350% growths [315% if you count HP as double]

Compared to Lynn from FE7, Erika has 15% more growths: 5% LCK and 10% DEF. She's just as prone to getting screwed out of STR/DEF/RES as Lyn is. Like Eliwood, she starts with a rapier.

Next is Seth, a Jeigan character who's actually pretty good. You still don't want rely on him too much in the early game, but he's perfectly capable of making it to your final roster once people start to promote.

http://imageshack.us/a/img811/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|90
STR|50
SKL|45
SPD|45
LCK|25
DEF|40
RES|30[/table]
That's 325% growths [280%]

He comes with a Steel Sword, Silver Lance, and Vulnerary. He's hurt and at 13/30HP for the first level, but who cares?

Anyways, this map's strategy is simple. It's the first level, so I don't care if I lose and have to restart. Erika is going to go over and fight the enemy "soldiers" (brigands) to the death while Seth goes out for lunch.

http://imageshack.us/a/img204/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img641/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png

As you're going to see a lot, the AI hits on a 39%. In FE7 and FE8, the game uses something called true hit, details of which can be found at: http://serenesforest.net/general/truehit.html

If you don't want to read that, it basically means that anything over 50% hit hits more often and that anything under 50% hits less often.

Anyways, Erika crit-kills the first brigand and then dodges and doubles the second one, leaving it at 1HP.

Turn #2 rolls around and Erika kills the second Brigand, going up to 75/100EXP. Seth then goes and stands in front of his lady, to shield her from the potential wrath of a boss that may or may not move (I can't remember). He also takes his weapons off so that he doesn't kill the O'Neill and eat the guy's (negligible, for him) EXP.

http://imageshack.us/a/img692/7782/fireemblemthesacredstontr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img341/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png

Turns out the boss does move, going to sit in a forest. I actually don't care to have Erika fight him while he's on a forest, so she eats a Vulnerary to heal up and then I end the turn.

http://imageshack.us/a/img341/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img32/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png

He moves off of the forest tile and hits Seth for 3 damage. Turn #3 starts and Erika claims the forest tile (+20 avoid, +1 def).

http://imageshack.us/a/img90/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img580/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png

The remainder of the map is Erika hitting him and laughing at his pitiful 25% chance to hit her back while he wails on a naked Seth.

http://imageshack.us/a/img26/8979/fireemblemthesacredstonrw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img441/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img441/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img441/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png

We end on Turn #6 when Erika kills O'Neill and hits level 2 and gets +1SKL.

Map #1 ends posthaste.

----------

-= Chapter 1: Escape! =-
Map #2 is called... Escape! I think. Seth and Erika are fleeing towards Castle Frelia, which is held by a friendly kingdom. It, the castle, is unfortunately attacked by Grado's forces and seized before Erika and Seth arrive. They capture Tana (another princess), who's one of Erika's friends.

http://imageshack.us/a/img515/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png

Most interestingly is this scripted crit from the boss (54% hit, 1% crit), who then gloats a bit after the deed (To be fair, I would too, if I hit a crit like that).

http://imageshack.us/a/img715/6410/fireemblemthesacredstonwo.png

It's a 'seize' map, so it won't end until Erika sits down on a specific tile and uses the command. In this case, it's where Breguet (the boss) is.

http://imageshack.us/a/img341/7035/fireemblemthesacredstonj.png

Here're Breguet's stats. He's holding an iron lance and is nothing special, especially since Erika's rapier is 'effective' against him.

http://imageshack.us/a/img40/2088/fireemblemthesacredstonju.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img443/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png

This is another map for Erika to grind out some EXP. Specifically, I want her to kill that brigand while staying out of the Soldier's range (because lances have WTA on swords). Seth visits the house and the NPC says that 'gate/castle/fort' tiles boost HP and provide healing per turn (20%). Like any other mounted unit, Seth can Canto after using an item, rescuing someone, trading, or using the [supply] command - mounted units in the GBA games cannot canto after attacking. In any case, he hides behind Erika so that the enemy brigand attacks Erika instead of him.

http://imageshack.us/a/img717/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png

The Brigand hits on 43% (actually 37.41%) and another Brigand moves forwards, eager to get in on the action. Gilliam and Roland arrive at the start of Turn #2.

[s]Roland is a mounted archer with 300% (265%) growths mainly focused on STR and SKL. He's got decent SPD and LCK ratings and I'll probably wind up using him over Neimi if her STR decides to never increase.

I mean, Franz is a Cavalier who's trying to be a myrmidon and has terrible DEF/RES growths

http://imageshack.us/a/img196/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/9066/fireemblemthesacredstoncs.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|80
STR|40
SKL|40
SPD|50
LCK|40
DEF|25
RES|20[/table]
That's 295% growths [255%]

... I would rather have Roland. Roland Franz starts with two Vulneraries for some reason.

On the other hand Gilliam is Oswin MK.2 with 5% more SKL growth and 5% less LCK growth. He has far worse starting stats (16 less starting stat points; 14.5 if you count HP as 2) though and is inferior in every way (even if comparing them is kind of unfair because Oswin has 5 levels on him).

http://imageshack.us/a/img221/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|90
STR|45
SKL|35
SPD|30
LCK|30
DEF|55
RES|20[/table]
That's 305% growths [270%]

http://imageshack.us/a/img51/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img687/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img197/6889/fireemblemthesacredstonfg.png

But anyways, Roland makes his triumphant entrace by attacking the nearby soldier and failing to kill it despite having a 90% hit rate (remember that 90% is really 98.10% with true-hit and so there was only a 3.7639% chance of that happening). On the plus side, he evades the 64% retaliate. Oswin MK.II sits on the fort and trades with Roland to make him equip his Iron sword, to discourage the brigands from attacking him.

http://imageshack.us/a/img189/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png

I have Erika use a Vulnerary and Seth go hide in a corner.

http://imageshack.us/a/img254/5240/fireemblemthesacredstonr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img812/5289/fireemblemthesacredstonrt.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img856/6089/fireemblemthesacredstonhc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img809/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png

As expected, the brigand attacks Erika (and hits again). Her returning hit kills it and she reaches level 3, gaining +1HP, +1SPD, +1LCK, +1DEF. She also reaches C proficiency and then promptly dies to the next Brigand.

Whoops.

http://imageshack.us/a/img846/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png

Here's the Game Over Screen.

You'll be seeing this a lot, I think.

For posterity, here's the percentage chance of Erika dying there: (0.3240)(0.3741)^2 = 0.045344 ~ 4.534%. Or, in other words I rolled a 1 on the d20 of survival.

Erika would have survived had I moved her out of the second brigand's range, but it was only Map #2 and I was greedy about feeding her EXP.

Game-Over Count: 1

Next update: I try again.

----------

Special Update:
http://imageshack.us/a/img534/7619/fireemblemthesacredstonxg.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img836/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img831/8388/fireemblemthesacredstonsw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img443/9787/fireemblemthesacredstongk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img33/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img23/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img100/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img846/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png

Game Over Count: 2

Notes: Yeah, I think that I said something about this being a possibility. I could have saved her by moving her back to heal and having Seth tank, but it's Map 1 and I'm lazy. Not really a legitimate update.

[Illven]

You can do it! I believe in you!

[Acanous]

To be fair, Roland ALSO has terrible Def/Res growths. He was based a good deal on Franz, with the rest actually coming from Astrid.

But I'd rather have a mounted archer, too.

...side note, if you're playing off of a ROM, there's ways to edit things. You COULD do a run with Roland in the party, you already know his Growths and it'd only take a little bit of editing. (Don't even need to change the picture, really)

[Illven]

To be fair, Roland ALSO has terrible Def/Res growths. He was based a good deal on Franz, with the rest actually coming from Astrid.

But I'd rather have a mounted archer, too.

...side note, if you're playing off of a ROM, there's ways to edit things. You COULD do a run with Roland in the party, you already know his Growths and it'd only take a little bit of editing. (Don't even need to change the picture, really)

I'm not sure Fe 8 has a nomad class for Roland to be.

[Penguinator]

A good hacker could probably install a nomad class. (Not that I know much about hacking aside from a friend who's a bit of a hacker)

[Sairyu]

It could be done, but should I? If I were going to go mod-happy, I'd probably wind up shoving in the entire cast of Close Horizons and then it wouldn't be (remotely similar to) FE8 at all.

Otherwise, have an update.

----------

-= Prologue: The Fall of Renais =-
Same strategy as always

http://imageshack.us/a/img534/7619/fireemblemthesacredstonxg.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img196/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img252/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img827/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img854/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png

This time Erika dodges the first brigand and lands a return-crit that ends it. The second brigand hits her, but

http://imageshack.us/a/img854/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img254/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png

I have her use a Vulnerary, because I think I'm worried about missing a 100% hit-chance attack. Luckily she dodges the attack and I don't have to use the Vulnerary again.

http://imageshack.us/a/img266/2183/fireemblemthesacredstonna.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img259/1012/fireemblemthesacredstonhj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img687/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img16/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png

A bit of sequence breaking, because I forgot to take a screenshot, but Erika claims the forest and grinds down O'Neill. Her level-up of +1HP, +1SKL, +1LCK, +1RES is pretty good. And we head into Map #2 again.

----------

-= Chapter 1: Escape! =-
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img822/2259/fireemblemthesacredstonyu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img255/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img191/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png

As before, I have Erika taunt the nearest brigand while Seth goes and cowers in a corner like the generous paladin that he is. Erika gets hit but lands a crit and on her retaliate and kills the brigand; the resulting EXP gain puts her up to level 3 and she gains +1STR and +1SPD. This is a good level, by virtue of her STR increasing.

http://imageshack.us/a/img15/7035/fireemblemthesacredstonj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img203/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img831/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img811/1687/fireemblemthesacredstonym.png

As before, Roland and Gilliam enter from the top. Erika uses a Vulnerary to get out of the 'death-in-one-hit' danger zone and moves onto the fort while Roland manages to kill the nearby soldier without taking any retaliatory damage. As before, Gilliam switches Roland's active weapon to the Iron Sword via trade, because spears with WTA deal less damage than axes with WTA. I end the turn with Seth still in his corner.

http://imageshack.us/a/img528/1074/fireemblemthesacredstonuh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png

One of the soldiers from next to the castle gets aggro'd by Roland's ability to draw breath and pokes him, only to get doubled down and die. The nearby brigand decides that it'd rather take its chances with Roland (who is not certain death for it like Erika is) as well, but misses and gets a sword to the face for its trouble.

http://imageshack.us/a/img217/1527/fireemblemthesacredstonhl.png

Then reinforcements spawn, cutting Seth off from the rest of the group (whoops). However, Seth is a Jeigan Paladin with 8 movement and enough DEF that he does not care despite being unarmed.

http://imageshack.us/a/img849/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img89/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png

I feed the weakened brigand to Erika and have Roland claim her newly vacated fort, Gilliam moves into a nearby forest so that he doesn't get attacked by the brigand on their left (who ranges both him and Erika). Seth moves towards the group, the honeyed allure of his weaponless body hopefully drawing all enemy forces with him.

http://imageshack.us/a/img543/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img248/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img248/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img16/8296/fireemblemthesacredstonku.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png

Seth gets attacked a few times, but doesn't get hit and his limit EXP gauge slowly begins to fill. The brigand, with only Erika in range, attacks her, misses, and gets doubled back for 18 damage (out of 22HP). The player phase ends with Erika getting out of mobbing distance by claiming the unoccupied forest tile and Roland continuing to defend his authority as 'king of the hill' atop the fort. In the ensuing melee, only Erika takes damage, but both her and Roland level up. Roland's level is significantly better.

http://imageshack.us/a/img19/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img10/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img32/9492/fireemblemthesacredstonql.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img850/30/fireemblemthesacredstonij.png

With the vast majority the enemy forces out of the way, I'm free to move left and have Seth continue to tank low-level mobs. Gilliam walks in to get a little EXP while he can and Roland finishes a wall that will protect Erika from unnecessary damage. Roland has dialogue with both Seth and Erika in this map, but I'm not showing it. Roland equips his Iron Lance, because it's senseless to provoke a weapon triangle disadvantage (even if he couldn't possibly die here).

http://imageshack.us/a/img171/9862/fireemblemthesacredstongd.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img43/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img43/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img585/6486/fireemblemthesacredstonqt.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img208/5444/fireemblemthesacredstonvl.png

Erika heals up and then goes to grind down the boss with her Rapier. With only an Iron Lance, he's no threat. Her level up this time (+1STR, +1SKL, +1SPD, +1LCK, +1RES) is very good. Erika then sits on the throne and ends the map. The party frees (princess) Tara who brings them to her father (some king). The king basically says that the army is tied up but gives them some pocket money (5000 gold) and sends Moulder and Vanessa to accompany them.

http://imageshack.us/a/img713/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|70
MAG|40
SKL|50
SPD|40
LCK|20
DEF|25
RES|25[/table]
270% growths [235%]

Look at that garbage RES below-average MAG growths. By comparison, Natasha has 305% growths [280%] and L'Arachel has 315% [292.5%]. He is by far the worst of the staff-users and is terrible.

http://imageshack.us/a/img72/7425/fireemblemthesacredstonum.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|50
STR|35
SKL|55
SPD|60
LCK|50
DEF|20
RES|30 [/table]
300% growths [275%]

Vanessa isn't bad, though her STR growth leaves her prone to being screwed by the RNG. You can expect her to max out on SKL/SPD very quickly, but it's rare to have a run where she doesn't wind up sorely lacking in either offense (STR) or durability (low HP growth, DEF, RES). Still, if the stars align just right, she's a decent to viable character.

http://imageshack.us/a/img534/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img194/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png

We're then dumped onto the World Map. I love the inclusion of the World Map as a feature in FE8; it makes the plot feel far more open and less claustrophobic than the FE7 plot despite the fact that it's just as set. From the World Map, we can manage our inventory, look at our units (and compare and judge them; ex. Moulder is significantly creepier than everyone else in the party), and shop where applicable.

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: We head into Map 3/Chapter 2. I think that's where we get Ross.

[Illven]

It could be done, but should I? If I were going to go mod-happy, I'd probably wind up shoving in the entire cast of Close Horizons and then it wouldn't be (remotely similar to) FE8 at all.

And what exactly would be the problem with this? :smalltongue:

[Acanous]

There isn't one, I think he's implying he'll do it AFTER he's done this run :p

[Sairyu]

@Illven
The problem is that it wouldn't be a 'FE8' Let's Play anymore, which is my current intent.

@Acanous
I don't actually know how to do it. I could give it a try, I suppose, but it'd be low-priority.

----------

-= Chapter 2: The Protected =-
Erika and co. head off to rescue Ephraim, travelling south towards Grado. They're waylaid by bandits along the way.

http://imageshack.us/a/img266/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png


This is a defeat enemy map, so it will end after Erika and co. slaughter everything that moves. Ignore the large number jump in the file names; I had to splice together a lot of screenshots in order to make that map overview. I may or may not do this in the future; I think that I can get maps off of serenesforest, but they don't have enemies on them. The game pre-places your units, so there's no preparation screen to be seen yet.

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img100/7458/fireemblemthesacredstonth.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img16/3986/fireemblemthesacredstonng.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img21/3482/fireemblemthesacredstonup.png

I start by rescuing Ross with Vanessa, because I want him on my team right away. Moulder takes and drops Ross, so I don't need to waste time doing that next turn. Erika visits the nearest town because she's in range and gets a Red Gem. I'll be transferring this to Seth for liquidation soon and will go back and rescue Garcia next turn.

http://imageshack.us/a/img84/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img96/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img856/8979/fireemblemthesacredstonrw.png

Ross uses a Vulnerary and Garcia fails to end his aggressor's life. Nothing special.

http://imageshack.us/a/img20/2859/fireemblemthesacredstonqy.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img685/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png

On the player phase, Erika recruits Ross and he heads off towards the warfront. Vanessa rescues Garcia and Franz drops him off 3 tiles away from Ross (4 move). Ross will recruit him next turn, barring AI suicide. Meanwhile, Seth picks up an Elixir.

http://imageshack.us/a/img528/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img90/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png

The AI rushes forwards but can't reach the group and Garcia misses again with his Hand-Axe. Two new enemy brigands spawn on the mountains just above the town.


Seth trades Erika's Red Gem for the Elixir and heads off to the store.

http://imageshack.us/a/img577/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png

Ross goes and recruits Garcia. Now that we've gotten both, we can look at their stats,

http://imageshack.us/a/img585/8613/fireemblemthesacredstonjd.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img59/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|70
STR|50
SKL|35
SPD|30
LCK|40
DEF|25
RES|20[/table]
270% growths [235%]

His stats are low and his growths aren't so hot, but Ross makes up for it by having 10 additional levels to grow up and a set of promotion bonuses when he grows out of the Journeyman class. He also comes with a special weapon, the hatchet, which is a light and accurate hand-axe.

http://imageshack.us/a/img201/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|80
STR|65
SKL|40
SPD|20
LCK|40
DEF|25
RES|15[/table]
285% growths [245%]

Garcia is a worse Ross with an exaggerated STR growth and subpar gains in every other area, SPD in particular - especially SPD. Entering the party with 31 stat points at lv.4, he probably won't do much past this map beyond bench warm or act as a decoy. He starts with an Iron Axe, a Hand-Axe, and a Vulnerary.

http://imageshack.us/a/img854/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img402/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img18/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img805/6089/fireemblemthesacredstonhc.png

Despite (because of?) my less-than-glowing assessment of his skills, Garcia uses his newfound PC competence to land a 22% crapshoot versus a mountain (40% dodge, 2def) bandito and Moulder rewards the feat with some healing. Vanessa tries to replicate Garcia's success but falls a bit short. I use Gilliam to block off the side and protect the weaker characters. Even though he's at weapon disadvantage, he has the HP and DEF pool to soak hits and not die.

http://imageshack.us/a/img803/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img812/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img201/8642/fireemblemthesacredstoncp.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/922/fireemblemthesacredstonve.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img823/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png

The enemy brigands continue to advance and Roland takes a bit of damage. The Player Phase rolls around and Seth buys some new weapons. Moulder heals Roland who (along with Seth) blocks off the chokepoint.

http://imageshack.us/a/img35/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img259/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img856/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png

Garcia gives Ross his Iron Axe and I take a pretty big risk and throw Ross at the weakened brigand. Luckily, he pulls through and grabs a ton of EXP (and a Vulnerary) for the kill. Erika moves up to see if she can't get the brigands to not attack Gilliam.

http://imageshack.us/a/img825/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img18/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img685/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img713/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img11/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img42/9121/fireemblemthesacredstonlk.png

Everything goes swimmingly and Erika dodges everything (and ranks up swords to C proficiency). Roland eats an arrow and Moulder gets attacked by a brigand (don't care) but dodges it.

http://imageshack.us/a/img401/7861/fireemblemthesacredstonks.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img690/1056/fireemblemthesacredstonaj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img18/5492/fireemblemthesacredstondc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img171/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img254/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img197/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img594/8978/fireemblemthesacredstonze.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img593/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png

Moulder heals Roland up and I have Garcia take another long-shot with his hand-axe, but he hits anyways. I then proceed to forget to check Ross' hit rate and have him go man to man with the weakened brigand. He manages to hit again (staving off death) and hits level 2, gaining a beautiful point in SPD (and some other stats). Vanessa visits the village at the bottom left and picks up a pure water. I use Seth to kill the archer because I'm paranoid about archers and then have Gilliam block Moulder off. Erika finishes off her brigand.

http://imageshack.us/a/img194/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img713/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img84/6972/fireemblemthesacredstonux.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img204/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img100/5836/fireemblemthesacredstonqr.png

The enemy phase immediately kicks off with Gilliam eating a double and failing to hit his retaliate. Roland gets double-teamed but comes out smelling pretty good and with a new level to show for it. At this point the map is essentially won (what with two enemies left) and the biggest choice is deciding who to feed the level-up to. While Ross is a valid contender, I've really gotten luckier with his attacks than I should have and will be sticking him on Hatchet duty for the remainder of the map.

http://imageshack.us/a/img507/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img141/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img407/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img801/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img252/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png

I start things off by having Gilliam abscond away from the axe-users while Garcia comes to gamble on another long-shot hit. Determined to make me a liar, Garcia hits the 41% attack, leaving the brigand in a state for Roland and Vanessa to whittle down further. Moulder moves out of the way and Ross hits to grab his coin-flip kill. Seth moves to block off Bone (the boss) from getting at my weaker units (except Vanessa). Erika ends by buying another Iron Sword.

http://imageshack.us/a/img197/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img11/7241/fireemblemthesacredstontl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img812/4761/fireemblemthesacredstonvg.png

By the way, this is Bone. He only has 15ATT and his stats don't make him much of a threat. I'm not worried about losing anybody this coming enemy phase. As expected, he goes and hits Vanessa, who misses both retaliates (mountain terrain).

http://imageshack.us/a/img51/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img233/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img850/3320/fireemblemthesacredstonws.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img543/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png

Ross starts the turn off well with a 41% hit, picking up a level, and Roland continues by hitting on a 67%. Vanessa rescues Ross away from very probable death and Garcia drops him well in safe territory. Erika, Seth, and Roland ring Bone and let him choose his poison come his next turn.

http://imageshack.us/a/img801/8853/fireemblemthesacredstongi.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img19/5836/fireemblemthesacredstonqr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img842/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img651/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png

He picks Erika, who rebuffs his amorous attentions with an unnecessary crit, killing him and ending the map with another point in STR.

In the post-map, someone steals Erika's ring bracelet and the group begins an epic journey to recover the artifact and then cast it into Mt. Doom.

http://imageshack.us/a/img839/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Map 4, or, Chapter 3: The Bandits of Borgo

[Acanous]

When I'm done with the 3-d characters I'll see if there's a resource online with a how-to. Or possibly a very friendly rom-hacker.

[Illven]

@Sairyu. I take it Joshua will be called Falcon.

@Acanous, And then you can do a let's play. :smalltongue:

[Sairyu]

-= Chapter 3: The Bandits of Borgo =-
Yeah, I'm not going to keep doing the large-map compilation thing, the little 'mission objective' signs don't want to get out of the way for me to get a clear set of shots. Instead you get a link to serenesforest: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/NomadicTrooperGirl/VASM/3.png

http://imageshack.us/a/img694/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img404/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img62/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png

Anyways, on to the map, another Seize map. The boss this time is Bazba, a lv.6 Brigand with a Steel Axe and a Hand Axe. Again, he's nothing special. There's also a mercenary with an antitoxin that I don't care about, a brigand with a pure water that I also don't care about, and the two nearest brigands (from left to right) drop a door key and a chest key. Once again, there's no preparations screen and the party's starting positions are fixed. Neimi, an archer joins the team during the pre-mission.

http://imageshack.us/a/img210/5983/fireemblemthesacredstontc.png

{table]stat|growth
HP|55
STR|45
SKL|50
SPD|60
LCK|50
DEF|15
RES|35[/table]
310% growths [287.5%]

I'm going to admit right now that I am a big fan of archers. Don't ask me why, but I am. Neimi is a good archer, with good STR, SKL, SPD, and LCK growths. She gets even better if she A-supports with Colm, gaining +ATK and +Crit as she does. She comes with an Iron Bow and a Vulnerary.

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img40/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img4/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img32/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png

I start off by having Ross swing at the brigand over the crumbling wall (20HP); he'll be doing this until the brigand dies and I will sandbag appropriately. Meanwhile, everyone else funnels up the corridor in a frenetic race to be the first ones to get killy. Roland, sadly, is stuck hitting a wall because I want the treasure chest behind it.

http://imageshack.us/a/img6/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img7/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img37/5240/fireemblemthesacredstonr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img641/600/fireemblemthesacredstonor.png

Colm appears on the neutral phase and I have Neimi immediately recruit him. Ross continues to swing, Roland breaks down the wall, and Colm challenges a brigand that's guarding three treasure chests. Everyone else continues their slog to the front lines.

http://imageshack.us/a/img5/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img204/6066/fireemblemthesacredstonda.png

Colm and Roland trade attacks with their respective brigands and both come out on top.

http://imageshack.us/a/img818/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img17/3459/fireemblemthesacredstonlf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img823/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png

Ross continues to swing and gets a level out of it while Colm waits for the brigand to suicide itself against him. Roland takes the less subtle approach of directly applying 'sword' to his brigand. Garcia hides in a corner, weaponless and a victim of my petty spite (make me a liar last map, will you). Gilliam sits on the stairs that Colm came in from because I don't remember if reinforcements come out of it but wouldn't put it past the game to have reinforcements come out of it.

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img687/2527/fireemblemthesacredstonxb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png

Roland finishes his brigand and takes the chest key as a reward. Colm continues to not take damage from RNG-hate.

http://imageshack.us/a/img819/7746/fireemblemthesacredstonkv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img90/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img231/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img502/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png

Neimi gets her first support (it's a freebie, of course I'll take it) with Colm immediately and they celebrate by finishing off that weakened brigand. Ross continues to swing and Roland opens the chest of his dreams; it's only got a javelin but that's okay, we all start somewhere. Seth and Vanessa get ready to ferry Ross over to the front (Seth is 2 squares away from Ross and Vanessa is 7 squares away, so Seth's movement will exactly allow a transfer).

http://imageshack.us/a/img696/7120/fireemblemthesacredstonxc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img845/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img703/4961/fireemblemthesacredstonuq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img339/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img687/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img201/4945/fireemblemthesacredstonuf.png

Ross finishes the brigand and grabs a door key. The rescue goes off without a hitch and I start to have Colm open treasure chests. Ross exchanges thrown axes with a nearby brigand as he does so, Moulder stepping in to heal him whenever he gets hit.

http://imageshack.us/a/img339/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png

I rotate Gilliam for Garcia for stair-watching duty, because at least Gilliam has a weapon. I have Ross grind EXP off of the archer that replaces the downed brigand as well. He does not seem to want to gain STR.

http://imageshack.us/a/img7/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img688/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png

Anyways, with the archer out of the way, Erika opens the door, Roland and Ross break down the wall, and I start to push into the next set of enemies.

http://imageshack.us/a/img338/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img688/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img40/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img69/8309/fireemblemthesacredstonnv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img692/2886/fireemblemthesacredstonpf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img39/1452/fireemblemthesacredstonyh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img96/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png

The thief beelines for Ross but gets shut down, netting a rather lacklustre level. I then pen in the next brigand (who has a hand-axe) and grind Ross up to lv.9. Moulder gets a level while I'm at it, which is terrible, like him.

http://imageshack.us/a/img196/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img84/7265/fireemblemthesacredstondf.png

Seth draws out the final brigand and Ross picks up his 10th and final Journeyman level. Angered by this, and moved by Seth's stubborn refusal to fight back with violence, the brigand suicides on Roland.

http://imageshack.us/a/img402/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img194/8972/fireemblemthesacredstonvr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img593/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img26/1954/fireemblemthesacredstondu.png

I then proceed to pile onto towards the boss, grabbing a pure water (that takes Colm to 99EXP) along the way. I do some rescue shenanigans that involve Vanessa rescuing Colm, then passing him to Seth, who drops him down within 2 tiles of Neimi so that she can benefit from their C support when she shoots at the pure-water-less mercenary; the shot nets her 10EXP. The mercenary suicides on Gilliam, because why not. He could use the EXP anyways.

http://imageshack.us/a/img11/7855/fireemblemthesacredstonxt.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img687/5552/fireemblemthesacredstoney.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img109/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img221/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png

Roland tanks the first hit to get a free double-attack worth of damage back (since I don't intend on healing him even if he does get hit) and then Colm moves in to add some more damage. There's no real strategy here beyond being ready to heal Colm (and then rescue Moulder) if he ever takes a hit.

Bazba gets some HP back on his turn, but it's not enough to save him.

http://imageshack.us/a/img39/2953/fireemblemthesacredstonzf.png

Erika seizes the throne, gets her bracelet back, and map #4 is over.
http://imageshack.us/a/img41/6854/fireemblemthesacredstonvj.png

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter #4: Ancient Horrors



----------

Grinding and gambling at it's finest: place your bets on the recruit and pray that they turn out good.

Edit: Also, if you guys want to see any particular characters in use (except Moulder, because he creeps me right out) or any supports, tell me and I'll try my best to make them work. I caution you that they, the suggested characters, may die, so I can't promise that they'll make it all the way to the end.

[Penguinator]

NeimixColm supports. (Likely to use them anyway, since you like archers and the only other thief comes really late)

I realize just how ridiculous my Level 8 Pirate Ross of old was, with his 17 Def and his 12 Res.

[Sairyu]

@Penguinator
Yup, it should happen, since free-C-rank makes getting to B and up pretty quick. I don't plan on grinding supports, but it 'should' happen.

----------

-= Chapter 4: Ancient Horrors =-

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png

I don't think that there're any particular plot points here; Erika and co. are walking along and get attacked by hungry, hungry, monsters of the undead quality.

Again, a link to serenesforest for the map overview: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/NomadicTrooperGirl/VASM/4.png

Before the map begins, we get a nice present - Ross (who reached lv10 last map) can class change to a Fighter or a Pirate. I'm making him into a Pirate, because Berserker. He gets +2HP, +2STR, +1SPD, +1DEF, and +2CON for this job-change (+8 stat points [+6]).

http://imageshack.us/a/img706/8757/fireemblemthesacredstonzo.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img845/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img839/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img821/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png

We're also then treated to the Preparations menu; the submenus are pretty self-explanatory. Artur, a monk, also makes his way into the party during the pre-battle cutscene. He can use light magic, but doesn't have the Slayer skill (always 'effective' vs. monsters) yet, so really, he's not any better at killing monsters (except Mogalls, which are 'dark' magic aligned) than any other mage. As you can see his name is also green, so he's mandatory for this map, which is okay, because he's pretty useful. I bench Seth and Garcia while I'm at it.

http://imageshack.us/a/img845/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|55
MAG|50
SKL|50
SPD|40
LCK|25
DEF|15
RES|55[/table]
290% growths [262.5%]

Artur is the only Light Magic user you get in the game until people start to promote, so I hope you like him. He's good for dealing with shamans (and we'll see a lot of them) because of WTA and his high RES and hits a lot harder than you'd expect a monk to. He's Ice affinity, which is largely defensive (+def/hit%/dodge%/c.evade%).

http://imageshack.us/a/img443/5240/fireemblemthesacredstonr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img31/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img820/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png

Now that I can change up the starting formation, I can put units that I want to feed EXP to in front. The boss for this map is an 'Entombed', the promoted 'Revenant' (Zombie); as you can see, monster stats tend to be pretty rubbish. The entombed boss is pretending to be an axe-user and hits reasonably hard (17att) but has bad accuracy (77% base).

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/7168/fireemblemthesacredstongr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img856/8643/fireemblemthesacredstonev.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img27/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png

Artur tells us to go recruit someone from the bottom town, so Vanessa will head on over to do just that. Ross takes a shot at a skeleton (sword) but misses, Colm doubles a zombie but gets hit, and Neimi finishes it off. Artur visits the nearby town and gets an iron axe while the rest of the party hides behind trees.

http://imageshack.us/a/img829/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img707/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img831/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png

Ross manages to land a crit somehow on his retaliate and re-kills the sword-wielding skeleton.

http://imageshack.us/a/img685/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img203/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png

As you can see, Artur and the Mogall do very little damage to each other; they're both mages and have 'good' RES, so it's best to just get a heavy hitting physical unit like Roland to deal with them if you're in a hurry (and on the offense). Vanessa is going try and kill that skeleton before visiting the town.

http://imageshack.us/a/img42/7035/fireemblemthesacredstonj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img191/7035/fireemblemthesacredstonj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img690/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png

Artur takes a beating and the skeleton that Vanessa was attacking doesn't move, so it's now free EXP. L'arachel and co. also appear after the enemy phase, but I don't think it's possible for her to actually arrive even if you take forever to finish the map.

http://imageshack.us/a/img26/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img600/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img231/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img571/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img850/8819/fireemblemthesacredstonwf.png

I have Gilliam hold the bridge while I clean up on this north side of the river and the stationary skeleton takes more hits.

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/3482/fireemblemthesacredstonup.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img641/9448/fireemblemthesacredstonrk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img845/4718/fireemblemthesacredstoncd.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img94/7035/fireemblemthesacredstonj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img825/2016/fireemblemthesacredstonel.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img69/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img443/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png

Gilliam lands an unnecessary crit to celebrate his level up and Roland and him clear the bridge. Ross fords the river and reaches C Proficiency with Axes.

http://imageshack.us/a/img443/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img690/8757/fireemblemthesacredstonzo.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img18/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img23/3656/fireemblemthesacredstonyy.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img69/6854/fireemblemthesacredstonvj.png

Erika dodges a Mogall's eye-beam and Colm chops down the tree, letting Neimi kill that immobile skeleton that Vanessa's been chucking spears at. Several revenants spawn in the upper left, but they're far away and I'm mostly through killing things on the map already. Vanessa then goes and visits the town, picking Lute, a mage, up.

http://imageshack.us/a/img811/9031/fireemblemthesacredstonee.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|45
MAG|65
SKL|30
SPD|45
LCK|45
DEF|15
RES|40[/table]
285% growths [262.5%]

Like Artur, Lute will have a monopoly on her brand of magic (Anima) for a long time. She has very high MAG growth and good SPD/LCK/RES growths. She's a good character with high growths in the areas that her class should be good in.

http://imageshack.us/a/img40/1636/fireemblemthesacredstonwx.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img94/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img827/893/fireemblemthesacredstonsk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img803/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img405/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img109/4300/fireemblemthesacredstonkf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img21/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img405/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img11/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png

Lute trades damage with a skeleton and Vanessa ferries her out towards the approaching zombies in the top left. Colm and Gilliam get into enemy range to provoke some attacks. Ross finishes off a zombie to get a lacklustre level while Roland checks to see if the boss on this stage moves and Erika continues her job of zombie-taunting.

http://imageshack.us/a/img708/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img542/8229/fireemblemthesacredstonoz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img853/6906/fireemblemthesacredstonyv.png

As expected, the zombie goes for Colm, who takes a bit of damage. It also turns out that the boss 'does' move, but Roland doubles it down to critical health and can finish it off on his next turn.

http://imageshack.us/a/img37/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img163/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img211/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img855/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img837/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png

I clear out three of the four zombies at the top and then contemplate whether I can skip healing Colm.

http://imageshack.us/a/img809/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img21/2606/fireemblemthesacredstonpa.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img7/1687/fireemblemthesacredstonym.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img72/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img210/3144/fireemblemthesacredstonfy.png

Turns out that the remaining zombie has 16ATT and Colm has 13HP and 3DEF (+0 plains), so I can't. Roland finishes off the boss and gets even stronger and Erika does the same, but without the STR gain.

http://imageshack.us/a/img5/2497/fireemblemthesacredstonjl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/3038/fireemblemthesacredstonlr.png

There's one zombie left on the map, so it'll be over as soon as it - it... chooses not to attack. Well, regardless, Gilliam and Neimi double team it and the map ends.

http://imageshack.us/a/img267/5240/fireemblemthesacredstonr.png

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 5: The Empire's Reach

[RagingKrikkit]

Oh, snap, I still have an update for mine I need to pump out!

[Battleship789]

A good hacker could probably install a nomad class. (Not that I know much about hacking aside from a friend who's a bit of a hacker)

It really isn't that hard to insert a class from another game. I am a terrible hacker, and I could probably do it in under two hours (gameplay stats, battle animations, moving/standing sprites, promotion tree, portrait, etc.). The hardest part is getting the animation palette correct and that only requires a bit of trial and error. Creating a custom class, on the other hand... :smalleek::smallfurious::smallsigh:

@Acanous: For all your Fire Emblem hacking needs: The Ultimate Tutorial (http://www.feshrine.net/ultimatetutorial/).

On topic: FE8 is my favorite Fire Emblem game (maybe because it is so easy :smalltongue:) so I will have to keep a watch on this. Also, it takes skill to cut down a tree with a dagger, Colm.

[Acanous]

It really isn't that hard to insert a class from another game. I am a terrible hacker, and I could probably do it in under two hours (gameplay stats, battle animations, moving/standing sprites, promotion tree, portrait, etc.). The hardest part is getting the animation palette correct and that only requires a bit of trial and error. Creating a custom class, on the other hand... :smalleek::smallfurious::smallsigh:

@Acanous: For all your Fire Emblem hacking needs: The Ultimate Tutorial (http://www.feshrine.net/ultimatetutorial/).

On topic: FE8 is my favorite Fire Emblem game (maybe because it is so easy :smalltongue:) so I will have to keep a watch on this. Also, it takes skill to cut down a tree with a dagger, Colm.

/e bowdown

Danke! I'll get on this as soon as I'm done the 3-d models :D

[Sairyu]

@Battleship789
My goodness, that's a lot of information. But thanks, I'll take a look at it when I can (hopefully soon).

@YakYak
Do you wanna race? :"p

----------

-= Chapter 5: The Empire's Reach =-
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png

As I've said before, I will not be using the arena or the tower.

Serenesforest for the map overview again: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/NomadicTrooperGirl/VASM/5.png

Again not much plot happening here. Erika heads south through a previously neutral town called Switzerland Serafew that's been invaded by Germany Grado. It's a defeat boss map, so it ends when Saar dies.

http://imageshack.us/a/img231/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img72/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png

The boss is Saar, a Knight with a javelin. He's not particularly accurate (83% hit) and has no alternative weapon, so anyone with an axe can comfortably go toe-to-toe with him. There's nothing to steal and no treasure on this map, so I'd bench Colm, but I want him to gain support with Neimi, so Gilliam (with his 3SPD) gets to sit out. Moulder also gets dropped like a hot potato and Natasha takes his staff, thus emasculating him. Natasha, like Artur, joins the party during the pre-map cutscene and is mandatory for this map - which is also okay, because she's a healer and I want to ditch Moulder.

http://imageshack.us/a/img402/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|50
MAG|60
SKL|25
SPD|40
LCK|60
DEF|15
RES|55[/table]
305% growths [280%]

Natasha is a healer. As discussed earlier, she's an upgrade (both visual and stat-wise) over Moulder and will be useful all game. Her high MAG growth means that she'll eventually be able to refill most of a character's HP with just a Heal staff, which is good, financially. She can recruit Joshua, a myrmidon.

http://imageshack.us/a/img853/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img703/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png

There aren't any interesting enemies on this map.

http://imageshack.us/a/img688/5038/fireemblemthesacredstonqk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img685/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img641/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img801/1033/fireemblemthesacredstonav.png

Having organized the troops, I send Roland off to block the west entrance and bait out a brigand and the archer. Vanessa visits the nearby house and gets a Dragonshield (+2DEF) for her trouble. Everyone else piles on towards the east stairs.

http://imageshack.us/a/img248/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img62/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png

The enemies advance. Roland proves himself to be a superior existence to the meagre axeman, though he does eat an arrow, and two brigands, one of which has a portrait and an inflated SPD stat (it's 8), enter from the east corridor.

http://imageshack.us/a/img191/8440/fireemblemthesacredstonxr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img713/7425/fireemblemthesacredstonum.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png

Ross kills a very brave soldier and comes into range of the next nearest soldier, Lute finishes the inferior brigand (going to up 99EXP), and Roland doubles down the archer, netting a nice defensive boost. Natasha heals Ross up to full and I block off the east corridor with Erika/Colm, with Neimi/Artur behind them and ready to play "Bombardment!".

http://imageshack.us/a/img696/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/6789/fireemblemthesacredstonzj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img802/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png

The next soldier proves to be just as brave and obligingly attacks Ross, netting him a nice level with SPD in it. Erika and Colm tank the brigands and Colm gets a level out of it.

http://imageshack.us/a/img839/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img13/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img87/3053/fireemblemthesacredston.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img843/7035/fireemblemthesacredstonj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img339/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png

Lute and Roland move up to taunt another soldier while Ross blocks off the approaching archer and equips a hand-axe. Erika eats damage but Artur finishes the brigand. Neimi takes her shot but misses, so Colm finishes chances the 12% retaliate and finishes the job. Vanessa moves into visiting range for the next house.

http://imageshack.us/a/img703/8971/fireemblemthesacredstonsn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img651/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img651/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png

Ross gets double-teamed, but manages to hit both retaliates (which is a win in my book) while Roland humiliates the soldier that challenges him.

http://imageshack.us/a/img10/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img820/2320/fireemblemthesacredstonmi.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img593/576/fireemblemthesacredstonpk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img268/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img854/4606/fireemblemthesacredstoniu.png

Lute takes a shot at the fighter over the wall and Roland gets close to the next brigand. Neimi takes another free shot and Natasha heals Ross, who finishes his brigand. Artur steps up and finishes the archer and Vanessa visits the house, getting and sending an armorslayer.

http://imageshack.us/a/img28/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png

Roland doubles and kills the aggro'd brigand and enemies continue to advance.

http://imageshack.us/a/img827/5662/fireemblemthesacredstontk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img443/3660/fireemblemthesacredstonrf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img819/5662/fireemblemthesacredstontk.png

Lute attacks the nearby brigand for some EXP and Natasha moves up into the forest tile so that she can recruit Joshua next turn. I've heard that he won't attack her, but we'll see - and I'll see if I need to use Moulder again. I should be okay, right?

http://imageshack.us/a/img267/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png

Okay, he doesn't attack her, which is good. Lute takes some damage but finishes off her attacker and two brigands spawn again from the right side of the map, entering next to the arena.

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png

Natasha goes to recruit Joshua, who stands in front of her to keep the newly spawned brigands off of her delicate cleric body and changes his weapon for an Iron Sword because I don't want him wasting killing edge charges yet.

http://imageshack.us/a/img87/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png

{table]stat|growth
HP|80
STR|35
SKL|55
SPD|55
LCK|30
DEF|20
RES|20
[/table]
295% growths [255%]

Joshua's not bad. He has a lot of HP growth, good SKL/SPD growths and high starting stats (8STR, 13SKL, 14SPD) at lv.5. Like every myrmidon, he's prone to getting STR or DEF/RES screwed by the RNG. His luck growth/base is a little lower than the usual for a myrmidon, but it's not a big issue. He comes with a Killing Edge.

http://imageshack.us/a/img22/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img208/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png

Roland heads back around so that he can start to clear the side and Lute takes a Vulnerary and waits for the archer on the other side of the wall to shoot at her. Vanessa heads towards the next house.

http://imageshack.us/a/img846/631/fireemblemthesacredstonwk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img577/2619/fireemblemthesacredstonfk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img43/9205/fireemblemthesacredstonir.png

Joshua tanks both brigands, getting hit once in the process, and Lute trades damage with the archer.

http://imageshack.us/a/img40/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img842/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img442/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png

Roland mauls another soldier and Lute takes the 91% leap of faith against the archer. She comes through and picks up some more MAG on the level.

http://imageshack.us/a/img802/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img685/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img690/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img833/5240/fireemblemthesacredstonr.png

Vanessa receives and sends a Secret Book (+2SKL) and the rest of the group gangs up on the weakened brigands. Neimi refuses to take the EXP that I want to hand her, but Joshua and Colm are less picky.

http://imageshack.us/a/img40/8528/fireemblemthesacredstondg.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img687/2949/fireemblemthesacredstontq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img835/5983/fireemblemthesacredstontc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img40/8528/fireemblemthesacredstondg.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img843/6770/fireemblemthesacredstonsb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img803/1515/fireemblemthesacredstonls.png

Ross moves up into the area threatened by the boss' attendant soldiers and kills both. Two more brigands spawn at the end of the enemy phase. Again, they're just standard brigands.

http://imageshack.us/a/img819/6789/fireemblemthesacredstonzj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img40/879/fireemblemthesacredstoncv.png

Vanessa gets and sends a torch and then hides from the enemy's melee-only forces. Roland and Lute move up and Lute takes the opportunity to attack an enemy mercenary from over the wall. Erika and Colm work to split up the enemy axe users' aggro.

http://imageshack.us/a/img441/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img194/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img43/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img802/1820/fireemblemthesacredstonyt.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img28/2818/fireemblemthesacredstonzz.png

Everything hits on the enemy phase, which is okay, because there aren't enough enemy forces left to make that concerning. As shown, below.

http://imageshack.us/a/img547/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img191/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img248/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img42/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img201/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img651/2820/fireemblemthesacredstonfi.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img138/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png

All remaining enemy forces except for the boss die. I am 100% sure that this guy doesn't move, so I'm really not concerned about putting people into his range. Colm and Neimi pick up their B support, which is a lot quicker than I'd thought.

http://imageshack.us/a/img11/7035/fireemblemthesacredstonj.png

Anyways, I sandbag a bit so that Natasha can grind out some healing EXP and pick up a level for my trouble.

http://imageshack.us/a/img820/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png

Done with healing, Erika goes and sits in the forest next to Saar, waiting for him to fall into her cunning trap of rapier-to-the-face.

http://imageshack.us/a/img6/5383/fireemblemthesacredstondh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img28/3925/fireemblemthesacredstonhd.png

He obliges, and Lute kills him in on the Player Phase, gaining even more MAG.

We get a Guiding Ring as an after-map reward (which I failed to SS) and are immediately thrust into 5X, which has Ephraim in it.

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 5X: Unbroken Heart

[Penguinator]

Ooh, ArturxLute and JoshuaxNatasha supports.

[Illven]

Weren't you supposed to confuse Falcon for Joshua? :smalltongue:

[Sairyu]

@Illven
Nah, their hair isn't the same color, so I can differentiate. I adhere to the rule of palette swapping: as soon as the color changes, it's a different thing.

@Penguinator
Sure, I'll try to make those happen.

[RagingKrikkit]

Do you wanna race? :"p

No. I'm taking the time to do a decent presentation ;P

[Sairyu]

-= Chapter 5X: Unbroken Heart =-


http://imageshack.us/a/img833/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png

It's an Eprhaim map. The first, of potentially many. In 5X Ephraim and co. are harassing the grado army. The enemy decides to find and crush them and sends a force outside to do that job. Ephraim takes the chance to attack the castle while they're out.

http://imageshack.us/a/img197/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png

The boss of this map is Zonta, a mercenary who might be threatening were it not for his Steel Blade weighing him by 5 down to an effective 5SPD. We get control of Ephraim and his retainers Forde, Kyle, and Orson.

http://imageshack.us/a/img231/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img402/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|80
STR|55
SKL|55
SPD|45
LCK|50
DEF|35
RES|25[/table]
345% growths [305%]

Ephraim comes with Reginleif, which is effective vs. cavalry and knights. He's a lance-lord with strong growths in everything but DEF and RES, of which DEF is a little lacklustre and RES is terrible. Still, he starts with 11SPD/8LCK/7DEF at lv.4, so he's got a large buffer before starting to suck.

http://imageshack.us/a/img713/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|85
STR|40
SKL|50
SPD|45
LCK|35
DEF|20
RES|25[/table]
300% growths [257.5%]

Forde is alright. His growths are about the same as Roland's, except with a bit less SPD/LCK, more DEF, and a bit more SKL. He starts with a Javelin, Steel Sword, and Vulnerary.

He's currently -2HP, -2STR, -3SPD, -1RES, +1SKL, +1LCK, +1DEF (-5 stat points [4]) and -1LV. compared to Roland. If he gets 3 stat gains (HP+2) on level, they'll be pretty close. If they ever equalize, I'll probably use him over Roland because his growths are better.

http://imageshack.us/a/img401/4374/fireemblemthesacredstongw.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|90
STR|50
SKL|40
SPD|40
LCK|20
DEF|25
RES|20[/table]
285% growths [240%]

Kyle is slightly worse than Forde/Roland, trading in some SKL and SPD for STR growth. He starts with an Iron Sword and a Steel Lance and stats that're slightly worse than Kyle's. He has an extra level to grow, but I'm not really that lucky. I'm probably going to bench him forever after this map.

http://imageshack.us/a/img401/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|80
STR|55
SKL|45
SPD|40
LCK|25
DEF|45
RES|30[/table]
320% growths [280%]

His stats are a little depressing for a promoted unit and his good growths don't have the space to fix it, but... Well... I kind of like him. He comes with a Silver sword, Steel lance, and Vulnerary. Also he betrays you at the end of the map, so I guess he's not very good after all.

http://imageshack.us/a/img850/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img827/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png

There's an archer who'll drop an elixir on the far end of the map and the three units in this room will drop keys for the door and the chests. Units are pre-placed for this map, so let's get things rolling. I'm really impatient, so I'm going to use Orson whenever I feel like I'm getting bogged down.

http://imageshack.us/a/img16/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img18/9247/fireemblemthesacredstonmm.png

Kyle doubles this soldier but not the other; guess which one he's attacking. Orson blocks the other Soldier.

http://imageshack.us/a/img339/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img528/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png

The enemies move in and Ephram gets shot.

http://imageshack.us/a/img821/8089/fireemblemthesacredstonia.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img33/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img836/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img341/8453/fireemblemthesacredstone.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img407/6854/fireemblemthesacredstonvj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img204/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png

Yeah. Reginleif is pretty good. Orson takes the key and blocks for Ephraim. Forde and Kyle doubleteam down the archer (because neither of them doubles it) and Forde takes care to stay away from the wall because he's terrified of dark magic.

http://imageshack.us/a/img341/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img26/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img94/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img846/2769/fireemblemthesacredstoni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img688/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img23/3816/fireemblemthesacredstonlc.png

Orson is going to grab the treasure for me while everyone else gangs up on a mercenary.

http://imageshack.us/a/img145/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img443/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png

Kyle takes a hit but manages to connect on the retaliate. I've got Vulneraries though, so it's not a big deal.

http://imageshack.us/a/img855/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img19/4613/fireemblemthesacredstonrb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img38/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img32/3645/fireemblemthesacredstonba.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/2818/fireemblemthesacredstonzz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img24/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img402/4606/fireemblemthesacredstoniu.png

Orson gives the chest items to Ephraim and then I push up and just work on clearing out the enemies up top. Kyle gets a shoddy level.

http://imageshack.us/a/img268/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img405/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img690/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png

Forde takes a gang beating but doesn't die. He uses an Elixir. I forget to move him and his turn ends for some reason after he downs the Elixir, so Ephram uses Reginleif to double the archer down and Kyle trades with Forde to change his weapon to a spear. The cavalier suicides on Ephraim on the enemy phase.

http://imageshack.us/a/img17/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img688/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img708/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img248/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png

Kyle and Forde block the pass and eat damage. Forde gets a level up that's not very good.

http://imageshack.us/a/img705/2259/fireemblemthesacredstonyu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img42/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img191/613/fireemblemthesacredstonkc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img231/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img145/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png

They finish off the wounded soldiers on the player phase and Ephraim kills the knight while operating under the premise of "no kill like overkill". Ideally, the cavaliers to the right will come over and attack him (and die), but I haven't checked range.

http://imageshack.us/a/img845/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img812/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img163/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img231/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img405/175/fireemblemthesacredstons.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img546/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png

Kyle misses a 90% retaliate and Ephraim kills the uncooperative cavalier.

http://imageshack.us/a/img94/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img821/3377/fireemblemthesacredstont.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img854/7673/fireemblemthesacredstonpq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img109/821/fireemblemthesacredstonlb.png

I send Forde to go fight the nearby monk and totally forget about the shaman from all the way back at the start of the map. Forde dies. Well no he doesn't; he 'retreats', because he can't actually die this map.

http://imageshack.us/a/img713/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img843/8127/fireemblemthesacredstonvu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img593/8643/fireemblemthesacredstonni.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img571/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img87/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img819/7289/fireemblemthesacredstonmr.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img837/5820/fireemblemthesacredstonqa.png

And then I send Orson to kill all the dangerous magic users and claim the Elixir.

http://imageshack.us/a/img443/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img854/7957/fireemblemthesacredstonht.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img607/2381/fireemblemthesacredstonx.png

Kyle fights a brigand for a while and gets a nice level up.

Things Dying
http://imageshack.us/a/img811/9389/fireemblemthesacredstonhn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img20/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img692/6554/fireemblemthesacredstonog.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img201/7035/fireemblemthesacredstonj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img39/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img534/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/5876/fireemblemthesacredstonun.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img855/3424/fireemblemthesacredstonn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img641/8844/fireemblemthesacredstonwz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img268/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img542/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img145/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img255/6013/fireemblemthesacredstony.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img11/236/fireemblemthesacredstono.png


I then push through the rest of the level.

http://imageshack.us/a/img94/7919/fireemblemthesacredstonkd.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img651/9178/fireemblemthesacredstonfc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img641/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img687/2685/fireemblemthesacredstonz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img715/5521/fireemblemthesacredstonc.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img94/6854/fireemblemthesacredstonvj.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/5552/fireemblemthesacredstoney.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img836/9580/fireemblemthesacredstonse.png

I take Orson's stuff and Ephraim sits next to the boss and grinds... Zonta down. It takes a lot of exchanges before a crit goes off, but it does, and I end the map.

http://imageshack.us/a/img59/4723/fireemblemthesacredstonv.png

Finally, the world map!

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: -

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 6: Victims of War

[Penguinator]

Ephraim has such great growths... Why do his stat caps suck so much?

[Acanous]

Probably BECAUSE he has great growths. It's a way to ensure you get a good main character without him turning out godly near the end. I mean, you can SOLO Path of Radiance with Ike. It's actually considered the easiest way to get through Hard mode.

[Penguinator]

With a 24 Spd cap, he won't even be doubling things by the end.

[Battleship789]

What?! Why would you drop Moulder the Boulder?!?!! Just kidding, he is rather terrible and always gets RNG screwed for me.

I always seem to forget how good Ephraim is until I get to use him on 5x. The only things he is missing are slightly higher base HP and a few more points of Con so Steel Lances don't weigh him down so much.


@Battleship789
My goodness, that's a lot of information. But thanks, I'll take a look at it when I can (hopefully soon).

*snip*

/e bowdown

Danke! I'll get on this as soon as I'm done the 3-d models :D

Heh, good to hear. If you have questions on hacking, take a look at the various FE related hacking boards and see if your question has already been asked/answered or send me a PM. Sites (and some more information):

Warning: Be aware that most FE hacking sites don't have the greatest community spirit and that there have been rather large rifts between the more vaunted members of the hacking community, so many of the sites don't get along very well.

feshrine.net (http://feshrine.net/hacks.html) is probably the most visited at the moment, so one's questions are most likely to be answered here. It also has a pretty good library of tools/utilities to help with hacking/modding FE (though, not all of them are completely up to date.) Site admin is the same person that created the Ultimate Tutorial I linked above.

serenesforest.net (http://serenesforest.net/) is probably the second best site to visit regarding FE hacks. It is also rather well traveled, but doesn't contain nearly as much information on hacking (but it has much more content relating to the actual games.)

feplanet.net (http://www.feplanet.net/) is really the last location that still functions. It has a decent mixture of both hacking and the original games, but neither is as good a selection as Serenes Forest or FEShrine. FEPlanet also has a decent selection of spriting materials

Sadly, many of the other forums and websites have very little traffic or are dead.

-

As far as tools and utilities go, there are a few necessities, depending on how much of a hack one wants to do:

Nightmare (http://feshrine.net/hacking/nightmare.html) - Nightmare is a program that handles the game mechanics side of a hack. Growths, stat caps, terrain bonuses, item stats, affinities, promotion trees, classes, and more. If there are numbers involved, Nightmare almost certainly covers it. Nightmare 2.0 is easier to use and better supported, imo. The modules just cover specific mechanics: a Stat Caps module, Item module, etc. Nightmare is pretty easy to use (once one gets used to loading modules) and it is really easy to see the changes come into effect. You will need the latest version of Java for Nightmare to run.

FEditor Adv (http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/609/) - FEditor Adv is a multi-use program. It edits in-game text and conversations (including supports, item names, and character names), portraits, and animations (battle and spell). Also requires Java.

Event Assembler (http://forums.feshrine.net/index.php?showtopic=3824) - The Event Assembler is how to truly make a game your own. It allows you to change what happens in a chapter: make more enemies spawn, change what characters you get on your team, new shops, change what items are on enemies, allies, etc. The most powerful of the tools, but also the hardest to use. Has MUCH more support for FE7 than for FE8 or FE6.

Hex Editor - Just google "hex editor" and choose one (personally I use HxD, but any will work).

Tiled Map Editor (http://serenesforest.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=26486) - Tiled is a relatively new tool the creates custom maps. It is much easier and more powerful than the previous tool-of-choice Mappy. Make sure to get the map inserter and FE tilesets as well.

Graphic Utilities (http://www.feshrine.net/hacking/graphicutil.html) - The big two here, that haven't already been covered, are Usenti and GBA Graphics Editor (or GBAGE). Usenti is like MS Paint, but keeps palettes intact, and is useful for creating custom battle sprites, weapon/item icons and mugs (character portraits). GBAGE is used for changing/inserting weapon icons, map sprites, custom chapter names (the flash and fade sections before chapters) and custom battle frames (the graphics that show HP, Damage, Crit, etc. during battle sequences).

Emulator - VisualBoyAdvance works best with the hacking utilities.

[Sairyu]

@Battleship789
Why would I use him when he's outclassed by both other healers? Okay, he starts with a bit more MAG/SKL/SPD, but he's also 2 levels higher than Natasha is and she has far better growths in those areas.

The only good thing about him is his HP growth, which is a weak stat because both his DEF and RES are terrible (2+25% and 5+25%). I guess 9CON would be an advantage when he promotes, but until then it's more of a drawback since you can't rescue-drop him if he's ever in danger with your lighter units.

@Penguinator
If you don't use the tower or arena and promote at lv20, I think that you end the game with most of your promoted units in the ~lv.10 area. Stat caps aren't really such a big deal at that point but I think Ephraim was designed to max out at around that 'end-game' power-level.

----------

-= Chapter 6: Victims of War =-
http://imageshack.us/a/img87/1084/fireemblemthesacredstong.png

Chapter 6 is a fog map, so it's automatically going to have a lot of “surprises”. It ends when we kill the boss, who I can't actually get a SS of because he's somewhere in the fog. There's a secondary mission objective of saving all the citizens, so I'll be trying to do that. The plot seems to be, "Erika and co. muddle along and get ambushed, again - but the villain has hostages this time!".

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/3792/fireemblemthesacredstonm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img845/7458/fireemblemthesacredstonth.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img191/9121/fireemblemthesacredstonlk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img843/5552/fireemblemthesacredstoney.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img254/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png

I take Joshua over Gilliam because I might as well start grinding support for him now. I also move Colm around a bit during preparations, but there doesn't seem to be anything that I can see beyond one soldier. I put the torch on Roland, because Colm doesn't see far enough enemies ignore fog.

http://imageshack.us/a/img31/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png

My initial setup will involve Roland, Lute, and maybe Artur heading around the hills just north of the starting position while everyone else goes east.

http://imageshack.us/a/img854/3664/fireemblemthesacredstona.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img706/8305/fireemblemthesacredstonh.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img805/384/fireemblemthesacredstonw.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/2501/fireemblemthesacredstonhz.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img87/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png

I make sure that if there're any enemies, they won't be able to sit on the forest tiles and hit me (except for archers) and sure enough, I walk right into some enemies. Roland uses his torch and sees this jerk with a halberd and some cavaliers (with swords). Luckily he can't reach me, but that's... not really something I wanted to see.

http://imageshack.us/a/img717/1495/fireemblemthesacredstonk.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img542/5371/fireemblemthesacredstonlq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img210/4453/fireemblemthesacredstond.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img51/5064/fireemblemthesacredstonl.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/963/fireemblemthesacredstonb.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img854/10/fireemblemthesacredstongn.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img703/9163/fireemblemthesacredstongs.png

A soldier comes out of nowhere and attacks Artur, Colm lands a crit on the aggro'd myrmidon, and Roland doubles those sword cavaliers. Lute gets ambushed by an archer out of nowhere, who gets healed by a troubadour from the far side of the moon.

http://imageshack.us/a/img51/6293/fireemblemthesacredstontm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img341/9210/fireemblemthesacredstonhm.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img39/1083/fireemblemthesacredstonu.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img145/9952/fireemblemthesacredstonf.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img716/3595/fireemblemthesacredstonq.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/3733/fireemblemthesacredstonck.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img443/7496/fireemblemthesacredstonp.png
http://s13.postimage.org/6tonxp3on/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png

I finish off all nearby enemies and see even more (really?). Lute gets out of the archer's immediate range and gets healed so that she doesn't die. I have her kill the 13HP cavalier so that Roland doesn't need to chance taking a retaliate. Erika equips the Armorslayer because her rapier's getting kind of low on durability.

http://s13.postimage.org/fpzg1muav/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png
http://s13.postimage.org/oma85kkx3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_31.png
http://s13.postimage.org/7zsnwhrzb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_32.png
http://s13.postimage.org/8dtzw3c2v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png
http://s13.postimage.org/lj9i275yf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png

Not much happens on the enemy phase, so I'm free to keep attacking.

http://s13.postimage.org/8gdvixfqf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_35.png
http://s13.postimage.org/gzx9goo2v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_36.png
http://s13.postimage.org/fma7z4e7b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png
http://s13.postimage.org/8x3oj3svb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_38.png
http://s13.postimage.org/iix8zek13/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_39.png
http://s13.postimage.org/niup7cpnr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png
http://s13.postimage.org/6wd4y9wpz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_41.png
http://s13.postimage.org/l42tmx9ev/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_42.png
http://s13.postimage.org/4hl9dugh3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png

Vanessa visits the Town and gets an Anti-toxin. I try to get rid of that archer, but he's on a hill and wins the probability game. I send Erika and Artur up to reinforce Roland and Lute and Vanessa gets out of the Cavalier's range. Ross gets on the fort and gets ready for some pain.

http://s13.postimage.org/dqnfnypd3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_44.png
http://s13.postimage.org/jg3o89vjb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_45.png
http://s13.postimage.org/p5jwsl1pj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_46.png
http://s13.postimage.org/vxex96g2v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_47.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ac9ulkjc7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_48.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ivt8jbron/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s13.postimage.org/4qnfhiinb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png

The Archer runs away instead of attacking Roland (???) and Ross gets a nice level. Roland wins the probability game this time and SOMETHING spawns from the left edge.

http://s13.postimage.org/kdeouvwfb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png
http://s13.postimage.org/do85evb3b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_52.png
http://s13.postimage.org/vfjrtbqhz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s13.postimage.org/p34mjhnfr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png
http://s13.postimage.org/47ic88r8n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_55.png
http://s13.postimage.org/vjdl9kvzb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
http://s13.postimage.org/vxjimx5gn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_57.png

I clear out the east front and Roland gets an Elixir from the dead troubadour.

http://s13.postimage.org/87u2y873b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png
http://s13.postimage.org/6u2g2x7tz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png

I have Lute run away because I'm worried about the things that spawned in the fog. Surprise, it's cavaliers...

http://s13.postimage.org/fevru3i07/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_62.png
http://s13.postimage.org/rushnubc7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_63.png
http://s13.postimage.org/uq5kupfc7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_64.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ole2hdn8n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png
http://s13.postimage.org/no7n8ibqf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png

Roland gets ambushed by the three cavaliers that spawned from the west edge but lives. A monk shows himself and heals the halberd-brigand.

http://s13.postimage.org/9vt8cvkyv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_66.png
http://s13.postimage.org/bc4qv0nvr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_67.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ohouev753/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_68.png
http://s13.postimage.org/mr5tddplz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_69.png
http://s13.postimage.org/h49gfwn3b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_70.png
http://s13.postimage.org/o8r9oxucn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png

He uses an Elixir and Joshua puts that Iron Blade to good use. Vanessa rescues the little girl and Erika tries to cover for Colm.

unnecessary combat-montage
http://s13.postimage.org/uaywffisn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s13.postimage.org/pqcq0hz3b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_73.png
http://s13.postimage.org/5zkhumpd3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png
http://s13.postimage.org/pip33zo4n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png
http://s13.postimage.org/khhp2mgo7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_75.png
http://s13.postimage.org/y13l5g0yv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_78.png
http://s13.postimage.org/abe5gr2lj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_79.png
http://s13.postimage.org/eyk7iipyf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png
http://s13.postimage.org/mftexqfhj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_81.png
http://s13.postimage.org/xhyhw69k7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png
http://s13.postimage.org/sxcbh8puv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ibsg58jjb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_85.png
http://s13.postimage.org/m9fpun6cn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png
http://s13.postimage.org/yuksbswdj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.png
http://s13.postimage.org/u0rdw346f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png
http://s13.postimage.org/5tbuonmjr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_82.png
http://s13.postimage.org/euqe29kh3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png
http://s13.postimage.org/4eevdoauf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_92.png
http://s13.postimage.org/mq5iutjhj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.png
http://s13.postimage.org/cet625rs7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png
http://s13.postimage.org/xe99tntgn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png
http://s13.postimage.org/42xf0wuef/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_93.png

Not much happens from here. I clear out all visible enemies and then send Roland up top to kill that archer while Vanessa blocks a Baal.

http://s13.postimage.org/5w0bp8fl3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_95.png

Oh, there he is.

more unnecessary combat-montage
http://s13.postimage.org/mxt5rbug7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_96.png
http://s13.postimage.org/r9hrgc1d3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_98.png
http://s13.postimage.org/8ikfjww6f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_99.png
http://s13.postimage.org/d70ff3ld3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_101.png
http://s13.postimage.org/89mutzjdz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_102.png
http://s13.postimage.org/3p0of1zon/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_103.png
http://s13.postimage.org/d0mqc0c87/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_106.png
http://s13.postimage.org/70yz8crfr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_107.png
http://s13.postimage.org/8u1vwocmf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_108.png
http://s13.postimage.org/z51hmmprb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_110.png
http://s13.postimage.org/9arowuprb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_111.png
http://s13.postimage.org/wq9m279if/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_112.png
http://s13.postimage.org/k05dp41k7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_113.png
http://s13.postimage.org/rkz7t3ht3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_97.png
http://s13.postimage.org/9m4jvvgtj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_100.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ru1dwrjzb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_104.png
http://s13.postimage.org/eeed7bbhj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_105.png
http://s13.postimage.org/kkkersusn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_109.png
http://s13.postimage.org/xica1edpj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_115.png

Well anyways, I slowly clear out everything else and have Neimi kill the Baal.

http://s13.postimage.org/x9epbh0x3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_118.png

The boss on this map (finally) is called Novala. He's a shaman that doesn't move and is ringed by trees.

http://s13.postimage.org/gmx52e7zb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_119.png
http://s13.postimage.org/crycdke7b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_120.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ttr6fnt2f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_121.png
http://s13.postimage.org/j87b3nmqv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_122.png
http://s13.postimage.org/wdmt9rgmf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_123.png
http://s13.postimage.org/s5s110f6v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_124.png

Lute doesn't want the kill, so Roland picks it up and gets a level.

http://s13.postimage.org/ruako8yqv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_125.png

The map ends and I get an Orion's Bolt for saving the NPCs.

http://s13.postimage.org/lumtkldyf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_126.png

Not really much to say here. Roland is doing fantastic and the level-ups this map have been rather nice.

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: -

Game Over Count: 2
Next Update: Chapter 7: Waterside Renvall

[Sairyu]

-= Chapter 7: Waterside Renvall =-
http://s13.postimage.org/dgs3e0mgn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png

This is a seize the throne map, so I'm free to mess around however I like once all the enemies are dead. I'll be using that time to get the supports that you guys want. The plot this time, is that Erika wants to rescue her brother, thinking that he's held in Castle Renvall.

http://s13.postimage.org/jvvpofik7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png

The boss is Murray, a cavalier with a steel sword, javelin, and droppable Knight's Crest. His stats, combined with his position on a castle tile, would make him vaguely threatening, except I picked up a Halberd last map (an axe that's effective against cavalry), so he's going to be rather ineffectual if it ever connects.

http://s13.postimage.org/fpav93iyf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png
http://s13.postimage.org/wbsfi6bw7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png
http://s13.postimage.org/h5mdr8lvb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png

Enemies of note include this mage with a stealable energy ring and this other one all the way over on the left that drops a Pure Water. There's a ballista over on the left side, so I'm going to try and claim it while the rest of the party takes the long way around. There're no real shortcuts that I can see, so it's going to be a long slog.

http://s13.postimage.org/kqi9agqev/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s13.postimage.org/hm7ldo9mf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png
http://s13.postimage.org/95832r4xj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png
http://s13.postimage.org/4klwntl87/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png
http://s13.postimage.org/d45alktkn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png
http://s13.postimage.org/c1vm9y46v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_12.png
http://s13.postimage.org/w0bhcbovr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_15.png
http://s13.postimage.org/py3ulu0fr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_14.png

I put my mages in front and start off the map, sending Roland with Neimi to clear out the enemies so that she can get a clear seat on the ballista.

http://s13.postimage.org/904tzzr1z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_16.png

It's important not to get into this guy's range with a unit that can retaliate, or he'll attack and die and I lose out on the energy ring. Since I haven't been leveling her, there's not much that Vanessa can do this map beyond snipe at enemies.

http://s13.postimage.org/3pzv8p6t3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_17.png
http://s13.postimage.org/56bdqu9pz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_18.png
http://s13.postimage.org/q4hjox9kn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_19.png
http://s13.postimage.org/4w3v7hv3r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_20.png
http://s13.postimage.org/t14kp7fef/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_21.png
http://s13.postimage.org/qxyqva4zb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_22.png
http://s13.postimage.org/h1xnvmz7b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png
http://s13.postimage.org/xqz3rjvsn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_24.png
http://s13.postimage.org/s42qu2t9z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_25.png
http://s13.postimage.org/6ixo6gwjb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_26.png
http://s13.postimage.org/c8dwqs2pj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_27.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ft9sa0793/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_28.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ibvhaoszb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png

I clear out the bottom right area and the top right mage so that Neimi can start to shoot.

http://s13.postimage.org/wwck5inxz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png
http://s13.postimage.org/3v87w43hz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_31.png
http://s13.postimage.org/u4xvsnet3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_32.png
http://s13.postimage.org/yfcjo8jw7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png
http://s13.postimage.org/jxfcg8sl3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png
http://s13.postimage.org/y5514w59z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_35.png
http://s13.postimage.org/txa8w53uf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_36.png

Roland starts his long trek to rejoin the party and Neimi starts to shoot at people. Vanessa will sit next to her for a rescue-taxi as soon as Neimi finishes shooting.

http://s13.postimage.org/ppfgne2ev/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png
http://s13.postimage.org/jd0bdjzcn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_38.png

Joshua is going to get into aggro range of those swordsmen by standing on that tile as soon as I finish having Colm make the ballista waste all its shots. The nearby house says that Ephraim hasn't been around here, so this is probably a trap (it's definitely a trap).

http://s13.postimage.org/ddck9wek7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_39.png
http://s13.postimage.org/l7d5vamd3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png
http://s13.postimage.org/gmqzgd2nr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_41.png
http://s13.postimage.org/hdoazvuev/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_42.png
http://s13.postimage.org/6s4fnvo3b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png

Anyways, five shots later, Neimi's killed both soldiers on the bridge (she critted one) and Colm's successfully forced the ballista to waste all of its ammunition. There's no 'tactics' rating in this game, so I'm free to sandbag as I please. It's a little liberating, I guess.

http://s13.postimage.org/4ou0g7oaf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_44.png
http://s13.postimage.org/655iycr7b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_45.png
http://s13.postimage.org/eooww3zjr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_46.png
http://s13.postimage.org/vqhqy7eev/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_47.png
http://s13.postimage.org/80sb9ig1j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_48.png
http://s13.postimage.org/gkbp79odz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s13.postimage.org/iq601rruf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png
http://s13.postimage.org/kj8wq3d13/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png
http://s13.postimage.org/wb1demx13/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ytn2fbirb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png

With that out of the way, Joshua baits out a mercenary and kills it and I get into stealing range. The other mercenary decides it wants to deny Ross EXP and goes for Roland instead. The archer comes off of its empty ballista to play.

http://s13.postimage.org/89uhd6i7r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_55.png
http://s13.postimage.org/bhyyq84hj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
http://s13.postimage.org/v13jzl393/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_57.png
http://s13.postimage.org/oooepr06v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png
http://s13.postimage.org/6n59ry65z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png
http://s13.postimage.org/cclic9cc7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_60.png

Now that the energy ring is mine, I've no more use for this guy.

http://s13.postimage.org/3vm01c7nb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png
http://s13.postimage.org/iu909ic3b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_63.png

Ross goes north a bit to provoke the remaining fighter, who doesn't take the bait, so Joshua does it.

http://s13.postimage.org/x5sieeu9j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_67.png
http://s13.postimage.org/mx018l67r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_68.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ha3ob43p3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_69.png
http://s13.postimage.org/rdwzl09tj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png
http://s13.postimage.org/qn49f87g7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_73.png
http://s13.postimage.org/rdwzl09tj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png
http://s13.postimage.org/47cn5l2uv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png
http://s13.postimage.org/rzlyh44vr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_81.png

The rest of the map is cleanup. I feed the archers to Neimi and Lute and Artur gain their C-Support. Joshua and Natasha follow a two turns later.

http://s13.postimage.org/793ffjfzr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png
http://s13.postimage.org/lgt446son/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png
http://s13.postimage.org/tc3nj02bb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_79.png
http://s13.postimage.org/kl182h8dz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_82.png
http://s13.postimage.org/tu3eclh9z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png

Last on the list is Murray, who takes some magic damage to force a switch to his javelin, at which point Ross steps in and hits a 17% throwaway attack. On his turn Murray attacks Lute instead of Artur and eats big damage back.

http://s13.postimage.org/cuufxc62f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png
http://s13.postimage.org/65nwhbkqf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_85.png
http://s13.postimage.org/dzoi2psjb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png
http://s13.postimage.org/s8o4ks71z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png
http://s13.postimage.org/pfux0r6pj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.png

I have Lute try to finish him, but wind up having to default to Ross.

http://s13.postimage.org/6c1lketvb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png

Erika seizes the throne and the map ends, taking us directly to the next map.

No World Map this time. I'm trying to condense my updates a bit, so there probably aren't going to be as many combat shots in the future; especially for the later maps, where the game tries to drown you with reinforcements.

If there's anybody following this, tell me how I'm doing there, would you?

Thanks.

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: -

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 8: It’s a Trap!

[Illven]

I'm still watching! And you're doing fine.

Who is getting the energy ring?

[Sairyu]

I don't normally use stat-boosting items actually, so it was actually just going to sit in the convoy. I'm just used to collecting them for my 'funds' rating.

Using it 'would' make things easier though.

I've got: 1 Energy Ring, 1 Secret Book, and 1 Dragon Shield.

If I were to use them, the Secret Book would probably go to Ross, because he has 5SKL (and the growth is poor). The Dragon Shield would probably go to Roland, because defense is one of his weaker stats and I think he's a shoe-in for the end-game already.

The Energy Ring... well, it depends on which route I go down, it'll either go to Erika to make her route more bearable or someone who's getting STR/MAG screwed (Artur, if he can pull some decent levels out soon).

On that note: Which route should I take?

[RagingKrikkit]

Finally, somewhere where I have a leg up on you! I maliciously vote you take Ephraim's route, because the real story is on Eirika's route.

[Penguinator]

Ephraim's route is generally more difficult. But at the same time, he doesn't have to immediately jump into map 15, and that's always annoyed me in Eirika's route.

You do want to actually use your items in this game.

As for how you're doing: Not bad at all. But I would suggest using Vanessa more for the time being.

[ZeltArruin]

Ephraim's route, because he is cool, and Erica sucks!

I would suggest liberal use of Tana when you get her, Cormag and Gerrik, too.

[Sairyu]

@Penguinator
I was thinking about phasing her out for Tana. I'll have to see how their level-ups go though.

@ZeltArruin
I'll start to cycle higher level members out every map once I get more characters then.

----------

-= Chapter 8: It's a Trap! =-

http://s9.postimage.org/o8nvbdnu7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png

Yup. Anyways, Erika figures out that Orson betrayed Ephraim. He bails and the Grado army drops their own dummy boss down to "kill" the party.

http://s9.postimage.org/h6pxp6k8f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png
http://s9.postimage.org/h6pxp6k8f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png
http://s9.postimage.org/6z7ecry0f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png

This knight drops a door key but otherwise, there're no interesting enemies. The level has 3 treasure chests, so Colm is a must. The knight in front of the treasure room on the left corridor does 'not' drop a door key.

http://s9.postimage.org/6npy00hkf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png

The boss is Tirado, a general with a silver lance and a javelin. He has 92% accuracy with the silver lance (82% with the javelin), so an axe user with decent SPD will maul him. He also only has 9RES, so magic users can deal with him as well.

http://s9.postimage.org/6ozvtfje7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png

For units, I'm going to leave Vanessa behind because I've been neglecting her and so she's still lv.1. Also, because she doesn't have any supports that I've been asked to build. Well, I mean I could bench Ross instead... Okay, let's do this.

http://s7.postimage.org/ov8l01717/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png
http://s7.postimage.org/m2fdg06or/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png
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http://s7.postimage.org/nlarkzd97/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s7.postimage.org/5708h00yj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png

My setup, which I apparently forgot to SS puts Lute in range of a soldier, a few people in range of the next, and Roland in range of the archer. Doing so will let me clear out the starting area and move on at my leisure.

http://s7.postimage.org/6akcsylln/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png
http://s7.postimage.org/kv1fnsgkb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png
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http://s7.postimage.org/yre9df26z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_12.png

Joshua gets in front of Vanessa so she doesn't get ganged up on by a mercenary and knight and die in her very first turn of active party duty.

http://s7.postimage.org/fnkxx2pcr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_13.png
http://s7.postimage.org/t5ru9d1i3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_14.png
http://s7.postimage.org/g2w7q3ba3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_15.png
http://s7.postimage.org/kdavlogd7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_16.png
http://s7.postimage.org/fsop6qwnv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_17.png

Ephraim arrives at the start on the next turn. He's going to have to kill his way out, just like in 5X, so business as usual for him I guess.

http://s7.postimage.org/bxlb46di3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_18.png
http://s7.postimage.org/vgpwdjc9n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_19.png
http://s7.postimage.org/lkotdw6hn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_20.png
http://s7.postimage.org/goprzxvq3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_22.png
http://s7.postimage.org/87q9p0r17/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png
http://s7.postimage.org/twp5svt97/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_25.png

Colm takes the door key from lute and Roland aggros some enemies to the left. Ephraim and co. will sit there and kill enemies piecemeal... just like in 5X.

http://s7.postimage.org/s664rebq3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_26.png
http://s7.postimage.org/mj9rtx97f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_27.png
http://s7.postimage.org/m7sbh5srf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_28.png

Killing the armor knight is a little tricky because there's an axe-fighter behind him; he has 9HP and Roland deals 8x2, so there's a chance that he might take a retaliate and then die when the fighter acts. However, Neimi deals 1x2 damage, so she plinks away and Roland gets off with a free kill. I use Erika to swap his lance for a sword so that he has WTA on the fighter.

http://s7.postimage.org/smrcdtzh7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png
http://s7.postimage.org/3urq6liaj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png
http://s7.postimage.org/cfpnbihuj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_32.png
http://s7.postimage.org/dw15tnkrf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png
http://s7.postimage.org/6u387gh5n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png
http://s7.postimage.org/twtr6mimz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_35.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ag91k3niz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_36.png

Otherwise, it's just clearing out enemies as normal.

http://s7.postimage.org/6l5nhj4d7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png
http://s7.postimage.org/oqilvl3vf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_39.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ehq4prftn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png
http://s7.postimage.org/v6rklocez/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_41.png
http://s7.postimage.org/k8kwh8d7f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_42.png
http://s7.postimage.org/gdhienu1n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png
http://s7.postimage.org/c6wnzbufv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_45.png
http://s7.postimage.org/bintgdvq3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_46.png

There's a gap in the threatened area of the four knights there, so Lute is free to go burn one down while Artur is busy duelling a shaman. Roland can talk to Forde.

http://s7.postimage.org/c9gjm5y3f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_47.png
http://s7.postimage.org/cortf6k0r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s7.postimage.org/47sb49fbv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ogfopzemz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png
http://s7.postimage.org/6drnvvp3v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_52.png

Some cavaliers spawn from the left but they don't have anything special. Of the two knights, one has a steel lance and the other an iron lance. Lute doubles both, so she kills the one with a steel lance to mitigate damage incoming.

http://s7.postimage.org/u60z7er4r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s7.postimage.org/mrbnf1597/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png
http://s7.postimage.org/fpdpsu1nf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_55.png
http://s7.postimage.org/yiziptzvf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
http://s7.postimage.org/7mfjhih23/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_57.png
http://s7.postimage.org/5vwig0ziz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png
http://s7.postimage.org/4i4vkq09n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png

I clear out the cavaliers; both Lords have weapons effective against them, so it's not difficult at all.

http://s7.postimage.org/84aoxd6mz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_60.png
http://s7.postimage.org/uuef43f8b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ely6um6e3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_63.png
http://s7.postimage.org/seclq8x5n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_62.png
http://s7.postimage.org/6uhgw228r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_64.png

Lute finally picks up a level without MAG increasing. Erika has some dialogue with Ephraim as well and Forde and Kyle are relegated to taxi duty. I have Colm open up that Chest and get an Angelic Robe out of it.

http://s7.postimage.org/41o9c11wb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png
http://s7.postimage.org/on313xjh7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_66.png
http://s7.postimage.org/qg5xs94nv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_67.png
http://s7.postimage.org/p2eawy5ej/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_68.png
http://s7.postimage.org/gy66s7izf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_69.png

A mage spawns in a faraway corner and a thief spawns significantly closer - he has 14SPD, so Colm is slower than he is. Natasha takes Vanessa's vulneraries so that the pegasus knight can pen in the thief without losing any valuables. Joshua baits out a defending soldier.

http://s7.postimage.org/go39mltqz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png
http://s7.postimage.org/lb9bodh3v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s7.postimage.org/9nf9ttryz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_73.png
http://s7.postimage.org/6um29srmj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png

Artur's level-ups are a bit disappointing.

http://s7.postimage.org/atj9smg9n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png
http://s7.postimage.org/9frmxbh0b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png
http://s7.postimage.org/820020hqz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_78.png
http://s7.postimage.org/46wlzfyl7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_79.png
http://s7.postimage.org/t1g3tijff/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png
http://s7.postimage.org/hqi1iw1y3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_81.png
http://s7.postimage.org/3y3mn9b6j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_82.png

I advance up a bit, killing some more guys.

http://s7.postimage.org/pyjz3vtuj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png

Here I screw up and leave Forde in bowman (longbow...) range, but he only has 12att (Forde has 5HP and 8DEF) so he won't die. I've already moved all my other units, so if he 'were' going to die, there's nothing I could do to stop it from happening.

http://s7.postimage.org/utdo25s63/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png

Yup, 1hp away from another death.

http://s7.postimage.org/5sgh4zy6z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ks8tsuf2z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ykn8oh5uj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png
http://s7.postimage.org/6abmkunrv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png
http://s7.postimage.org/5m2s1wp23/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.png

Not much else happens on the enemy turn. The mages get some shots off, but they're nowhere near strong enough to kill anyone.

http://s7.postimage.org/c2gc5qmzf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.png
http://s7.postimage.org/7uljwzljv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_92.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ukkopz4rf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_93.png
http://s7.postimage.org/oxobsi28r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_94.png

I clear out the area.

http://s7.postimage.org/8b6rjf9az/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_95.png
http://s7.postimage.org/4surn18ez/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_96.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ca3z28xy3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_97.png
http://s7.postimage.org/od9apt90b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_98.png
http://s7.postimage.org/5m7dfnefv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_100.png

Forde and Kyle are going to sit in their corner for the rest of the map. The party gets ready to join up, but the wall has 50HP so it takes a bit of doing.

http://s7.postimage.org/exy0qcgd7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_103.png
http://s7.postimage.org/uxgo9wcez/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_104.png

The two enemy mages come out and die.

http://s7.postimage.org/nzck3yeaj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_108.png
http://s7.postimage.org/xp4je90bf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_111.png
http://s7.postimage.org/h2mz567dn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_112.png
http://s7.postimage.org/cus6wf5y3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_113.png
http://s7.postimage.org/n64jp2xnf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_114.png

Lute goes to force Tirado to change to the Javelin (20ATT). Ephraim then finishes him.

http://s7.postimage.org/vj5n607h7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_110.png
http://s7.postimage.org/5u473n463/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_115.png
http://s7.postimage.org/4t3yein6j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_116.png

Colm opens the door to the left treasury and Roland kills the defending shaman so that Colm can safely get the loot inside.

http://s7.postimage.org/xws6arba3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_117.png

Ephraim Erika then seizes the throne and ends the map.

http://s7.postimage.org/aju4s8v6j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_118.png
http://s7.postimage.org/x9t9l8ee3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_119.png










Nah just kidding, we all know that it's going to be Ephraim's route.

http://s7.postimage.org/ju68vs5wb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_120.png

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: -

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 9: We invade a country. I actually forget what's next.

[Illven]

Wow you're Franz is a high level compared to the rest of your team.

[Penguinator]

@Penguinator
I was thinking about phasing her out for Tana. I'll have to see how their level-ups go though.

I guessed as much after the post.

[Sairyu]

@Illven
He's been doing well, so I've been using him to get through situations that might otherwise need to be finessed. He's the hammer that I use to put the square peg into the round hole. Excellence rewards excellence and all that, right?

----------

-= Chapter 9: Fort Rigwald =-

http://s10.postimage.org/45yc86ueh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png
http://s10.postimage.org/qj62uzvc9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png

Today on Let's Play: FE8, we invade a fort! But first, we're put back onto the world map. As you can see, two new locations have opened up. The first, with the charming little red flag, is where we're supposed to go (Fort Rigwald) and the second is the Tower of Valni. The Tower of Valni is a 10-level dungeon with increasingly difficult monsters/levels that can be repeated ad infinitum. You can use it to grind EXP at any point in the game if you're feeling underleveled and overwhelmed. As mentioned before, I will not be using the Tower. If people are interested, I may run it after finishing the game proper.

http://s10.postimage.org/d3j25jmuh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png

But anyways, on to Fort Rigwald. This level seems to exist for the sole purpose of establishing that all (the new) Grado commanders (in this case, Gheb) are huge *****. It's a seize-throne map, so I can mess around as much as I want after I finish playing Exterminatus.

http://s10.postimage.org/9nvj9qezt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s10.postimage.org/4dqkifuqx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png

Gheb has 19STR. He has an Iron Axe and a Killer Axe and will switch to the Killer Axe if you give him half a chance, meaning that if you kill him after that point you get an Iron Axe. He has 5RES and doesn't move, so just bombard him at your leisure until he croaks.

We're also introduced to Amelia as the bright-eyed not-evil-guy in the evil-army. She's the second of the trainee characters.

http://s10.postimage.org/lafnav2ax/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png
http://s10.postimage.org/9zczmhvft/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|60
STR|35
SKL|40
SPD|40
LCK|50
DEF|30
RES|15[/table]
270% growth [235%]

Like Ross, she's weak when she starts off and has poorer than usual growth rates, but makes up for it by having an extra 10 (9, actually) levels to grow. She also gains the benefit of a set of job-promotion bonuses when reaching lv.10 as a Recruit. She comes with a Slim Lance, a Speed Wing (+2SPD), and a Vulnerary. Another myrmidon in disguise, she's speedy but not very strong.

http://s10.postimage.org/8qp40v3hl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png
http://s10.postimage.org/ny53l7vc9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png
http://s10.postimage.org/qus4li161/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png
http://s10.postimage.org/usfeawnzd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_12.png
http://s10.postimage.org/dgf1pgui1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_13.png

There's a lot of enemies on this map and this corridor is especially full. The highlighted archer has a Red Gem to steal, the Cavalier at the bottom right drops a Heavy Spear (good vs Knights), the soldier in front of the gate drops a door key, the mage drops a Chest Key, and the knight in front of the throne room drops an Axereaver.

http://s10.postimage.org/6rd3n6yjt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_14.png
http://s10.postimage.org/jwsltasfd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_15.png
http://s10.postimage.org/adiwzu4x5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_16.png

Otherwise, the highlighted mymidon has a Killer Edge, th knight has a Horse Slayer, the mercenary has an Armor Slayer, and all priests on this map have Sleep staves. Guess who didn't buy a Restore staff?

http://s10.postimage.org/jaz1jg7zd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png

I may have forgotten to go shopping before starting this map, so Neimi is stuck with a 12-use Iron Bow and will be hiding once it breaks. I set up my units so that the faster ones are at the back and the slower ones are in front, so that the group has the option to stays somewhat together as I advance.

http://s18.postimage.org/mro8pwcvt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png

I move up, having Ross attack with a hand-axe to start the map off. There's a pegasus rider in the upper right corner of the screen; that's Tana, and she's safe from the nearby mage unless she moves.

http://s13.postimage.org/5mnem38if/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_174.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|65
STR|45
SKL|40
SPD|65
LCK|60
DEF|20
RES|25[/table]
320% growths [287.5%]

Tana is pretty much an improvement on Vanessa, with superior growths in every category except for SKL (-15%) and RES (-5%), both of which aren't really the most important. She starts 3 levels higher than Vanessa but has improved stats to make up for it (+3HP, +2STR, +2SKL, +2SPD, +4LCK, -DEF, +2RES). She comes with no items.

http://s18.postimage.org/41w995k55/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png
http://s18.postimage.org/y7unnxr21/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png

WELL. That could have gone worse. Jeez, first round in and Joshua almost bites it already.

http://s18.postimage.org/44g4vznsp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png
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http://s18.postimage.org/y1ljyl7ax/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png

Uhh, anyways. I wall Neimi off with swords and hard units.

Ross gets sent to sleep on a 30% shot and I bite my tongue a little. He's out cold for my next 5 turns. No SS because I didn't hit screencap fast enough.

http://s18.postimage.org/9avvkrry1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png
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http://s18.postimage.org/5ng4epjqx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_19.png

Colm gets hit back on 33% but Neimi finishes the job. I send Vanessa to kill the other Cavalier, which puts her into archer range, so I get Joshua to rescue her.

http://s18.postimage.org/uuvlspc8p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_20.png

Good!

http://s18.postimage.org/iua5rz4u1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_21.png

Mr. Heavy Spear starts to head left and a few more cavaliers armed with javelins and iron swords spawn from where he came from.

http://s12.postimage.org/55ej9whkt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png
http://s12.postimage.org/auuru7nr1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_24.png

Colm and Artur team up to kill the archer that I was protecting Vanessa from and everyone else moves forwards.

http://s12.postimage.org/tbp6l13p9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_25.png

GOOD!

http://s12.postimage.org/tpqikmnst/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_26.png

A shaman with flux walks up the stairs, so I sent Lute and Artur to block it off. Roland holds the pass with an iron lance in hand.

http://s12.postimage.org/hp52jwge5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_27.png
http://s12.postimage.org/5bwtqqg3h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_28.png

It suicides against Lute and another one spawns.

http://s12.postimage.org/v8qi3cjr1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png
http://s12.postimage.org/b2n04go3h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png
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http://s12.postimage.org/tnb8bj9j1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png


I have Artur weaken it so that Vanessa can finish it off. Lute kills the heavy-spear cavalier from over the wall and Neimi kills off the cavalier that Roland wounded.

http://s12.postimage.org/w5wxc7v99/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_35.png
http://s12.postimage.org/akruolyil/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png
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http://s12.postimage.org/8vncua871/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_39.png

I send Ephraim up to do what he does best and kill horses while Roland weakens another cavalier - nothing but gold with these levels.

http://s12.postimage.org/wb59zmry5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png
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http://s12.postimage.org/4euzvltz1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_44.png

Oh, Artur...

http://s12.postimage.org/qs2qieuwt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_46.png
http://s12.postimage.org/8qjlkm0vx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_47.png
http://s12.postimage.org/wmrbq4xrx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png

Ross wakes up from his nice nap and rejoins the party. Roland claims a key from its holder, stepping into range of the knight with the horse-slayer, which is intentional, because he has 35HP/8DEF, as opposed to 31 = 7*3+10 ATT. Because Ross was left so far behind after his nap, I actually feel safest putting Roland into that spot. Ephraim could substitute, but he's another round that I'd rather not take away.

http://s12.postimage.org/efzu4x725/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_48.png
http://s12.postimage.org/71aicjl6l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s12.postimage.org/j4fu03w8t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png

Joshua weakens the remaining cavalier so that Vanessa can finish it. It'd be nice if her STR went up at some point.

http://s12.postimage.org/pkte3xu65/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_52.png

And that's why a horse slayer is no problem.

http://s12.postimage.org/pm3bxcvzx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s12.postimage.org/538fsai2l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png

I park Gilliam on that Shaman stairwell, just in case and send everyone else up to head into the room of many enemies. Both knights have javelins, so I need to stand a bit further up to protect Colm.

http://s12.postimage.org/pbvte0hdp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_55.png
http://s12.postimage.org/4g9j2rl6l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
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http://s12.postimage.org/yaqh4sbnh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png

Okay, Amelia is now in attacking range, which means that I need to be a little careful with how I'm doing things.

http://s12.postimage.org/snu47b94t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png
http://s12.postimage.org/vvylkcvel/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_60.png
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I use Ephraim to kill a Knight, Neimi to finish the mercenary, and Lute to kill the other knight. Roland then puts all of his stuff in storage, takes all of Ephraim's stuff, and then puts that into storage too. Amelia now can't kill herself.

http://s11.postimage.org/cmge2u603/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/9ku76mi8z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_69.png

Amelia gets recruited, Roland kills a mage, and I move Colm up so that Neimi can benefit from their support and get the +2 damage that she needs (per attack) to have her double down an archer. The Longbow archer has a Red Gem, so I'm going to try and pen him in with Roland so that Colm can come over and steal it.

http://s7.postimage.org/5mwqcaz17/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_70.png
http://s11.postimage.org/ntttoowrn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png

There're some cavaliers and a shaman with luna, but they're not very threatening. If this were FE7, I'd be more concerned, but Luna's had a huge base hit% nerf (to 50%) and is actually pretty bad now.

http://s11.postimage.org/xfne4znxf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s11.postimage.org/lt3a3v0mb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/sm3n04rfn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png

I send Roland and Ross up to screen the incoming cavaliers. Arthur gets hit and needs to head back for healing.

http://s11.postimage.org/sndktjt9f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_78.png
http://s11.postimage.org/gzjiz044j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_79.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/x30lcjv1f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png

The cavaliers are pushovers. I'd normally have Lute kill the remaining Javelin cavalier, but he has a 44% chance to deal 11 damage to her and I'm not planning on killing the longbow archer before robbing him, so I can't really take the risk of getting hit on the retaliate and then dying to the bowman.

http://s11.postimage.org/5gxtrvboj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_85.png

See this is why we don't fear Luna anymore.

http://s11.postimage.org/n89g6br37/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png
http://s11.postimage.org/fgsq7rmxv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png
http://s11.postimage.org/wvcyg1k2r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png

I clear the area and start to pen in the archer. I make double sure that Vanessa and Amelia are out of its range. I push Artur up a bit to see if I can't provoke the archer into attacking a softer target.

http://s11.postimage.org/j2yjketb7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.png
http://s11.postimage.org/u3topflk3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png
http://s11.postimage.org/h12njwkpv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.png

Artur gets hit again, and healed again. The priest misses their sleep attempt against Ephraim.

http://s11.postimage.org/abw43vzdv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_92.png
http://s11.postimage.org/s37qicesj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_93.png
http://s11.postimage.org/qdyna9z37/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_95.png

Success.

http://s11.postimage.org/j9gu18rtv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_94.png
http://s11.postimage.org/y7z8vo6w3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_96.png
http://s11.postimage.org/x6z06jpwj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_97.png

The staff user misses another sleep attempt, so I send Ephraim up to provoke the knight and get his key.

http://s11.postimage.org/827zt4qg3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_98.png
http://s11.postimage.org/fnfm2caub/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_102.png

He doesn't take the bait, but at least the staff misses its final charge. A cavalier spawns in the top corridor. Also, some down below the throne room.

http://s11.postimage.org/4wne2x7tv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_99.png
http://s11.postimage.org/ndhstqns3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_100.png
http://s11.postimage.org/i3hfg6swz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_101.png

I have Ephraim go kill the knight, but that unfortunately puts him into range of the killing edge myrmidon. To circumvent this, I have Vanessa rescue him, Ross drop him, and Roland go over to get ready to tank.

http://s11.postimage.org/l3leu8xyb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_103.png
http://s11.postimage.org/ly7yga5sz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_108.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/aojtz2q5f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_110.png

More reinforcements. I have Vanessa finish the killing edge myrmidon and Neimi breaks her bow killing a cavalier. I have Ross and Ephraim wall off the south sector, because they're good against lances and horses.

http://s11.postimage.org/lcnkxx04j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_111.png
http://s11.postimage.org/c65aamuw3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_112.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/6r15nespv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_120.png

More reinforcements. I kill the top cavalier before SS-ing it.

http://s11.postimage.org/3lgjx7a3n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_121.png
http://s11.postimage.org/dwswpv1sz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_122.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/m4uuautpf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_124.png

No new reinforcements, so I can push through. Ross almost dies, but doesn't, so I'm happy. I send Amelia west to kill the priest.

http://s11.postimage.org/m7epxoxcz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_126.png
http://s11.postimage.org/94j3ef74z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_127.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/7x9qzy6eb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_133.png

I clear out the area and Neimi switches off with Colm for archer suppressant duty. I then send Ross up to kill the shaman.

http://s11.postimage.org/6foaoe1nn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_131.png
http://s11.postimage.org/adbkdsogz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_132.png
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Amelia slowly kills the priest and heads towards the archer.

http://s11.postimage.org/5xt58jc2r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_137.png

Vanessa opens a chest and what's this? There is a Restore staff.

http://s11.postimage.org/it5q91gpv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_141.png
http://s11.postimage.org/5qa3prqhv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_142.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/d8t8yehur/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_144.png

Ephraim baits out the axereaver knight while I open chests. The archer comes along for the ride, but dies too.

http://s11.postimage.org/mumtep90j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_145.png
http://s11.postimage.org/p9jacven7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_153.png
http://s11.postimage.org/nf6fv4rmr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_151.png

Colm finishes opening the chests. Roland kills the final mercenary and Tana can talk to Ephraim.

http://s11.postimage.org/pd8ifduqr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_146.png
http://s11.postimage.org/gw904gq1v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_147.png
http://s11.postimage.org/53fsdzizn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_154.png
http://s11.postimage.org/x9xl1cvkz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_159.png

I then proceed to grind down the archer and priests with Amelia.

http://s11.postimage.org/5mbovrvmr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_138.png
http://s11.postimage.org/xayc3ain7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_139.png
http://s11.postimage.org/bm41d65sz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_148.png
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http://s11.postimage.org/iye2wgder/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_155.png
http://s11.postimage.org/lgzrx4z4z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_156.png

Along the way, all of the support-pairs gain a level of their respective supports.

http://s11.postimage.org/8s5hdgt0j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_158.png
http://s11.postimage.org/spbemfbvn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_160.png

I make a little rescue chain to make the travel time a little shorter...

http://s11.postimage.org/di00ft9er/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_161.png
http://s11.postimage.org/9zo0jf8ir/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_162.png
http://s11.postimage.org/dkjw2nd2b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_163.png
http://s11.postimage.org/l1t3hv2lf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_164.png

Have Amelia kill the last priest...

http://s11.postimage.org/pssyzvvfn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_168.png
http://s11.postimage.org/5mph0zzs3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_169.png
http://s11.postimage.org/ammx8y5er/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_170.png
http://s11.postimage.org/bdk8sgx5v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_171.png

And that done, I have Lute go kill Gheb. She misses a strangely high number of shots for having 78% accuracy, but Gheb's lack of RES and inability to move is his downfall.

http://s11.postimage.org/xqrzf9y3n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_172.png

Ephraim claims the throne and the day is won.


http://s11.postimage.org/6u806yfab/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_173.png

I played this through pretty sloppily. It's probably only going to get worse in the later levels when I stop to type up bits of the LP and forget what I was about to do in-game. Well, we'll see next map, which I can vaguely remember as sucking.

I'm leaning very much towards benching Vanessa right now since she's only +1HP, +1SPD, +1RES on Tana despite a two level advantage and is actually behind on STR (-2) and LCK (-1). Still, I'll take both of them to lv.10 before deciding for good.

Otherwise, I guess that I'll use those stat-items sometime soon. Right before the ghost ship seems like a good point.

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: -

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 10: We invade Bethroen.

[Illven]

Best of luck on Ghost ship. I hate that map.

[Penguinator]

Eh, I wouldn't bother with Vanessa any more.

Also, FranzxAmelia. And EphraimxTana.

[Sairyu]

Oh right, any votes on what to make Amelia? I was going to go Recruit->Cavalier->Paladin, but I can try Recruit->Knight->General or whichever path to Great Knight.

Otherwise, I'm going to turn Ewan into a Shaman, because why would I make him a mage when there's Lute (who has fantastic MAG growth) and Saleh (who is actually pretty decent) competing for the role?

[Illven]

Oh right, any votes on what to make Amelia? I was going to go Recruit->Cavalier->Paladin, but I can try Recruit->Knight->General or whichever path to Great Knight.

Otherwise, I'm going to turn Ewan into a Shaman, because why would I make him a mage when there's Lute (who has fantastic MAG growth) and Saleh (who is actually pretty decent) competing for the role?

I prefer General, I hate the female Paladin's strength caps.

[ZeltArruin]

Wow you're Franz is a high level compared to the rest of your team.

Who is this Franz? I see only Roland.

[Penguinator]

I prefer General, I hate the female Paladin's strength caps.

Amelia is a great general, at least for my rolls, and seeing as you only get two possible generals, you might as well make her one. ('Sides, Generals get wondrous stat caps)

[Dusk Eclipse]

Personally I prefer Great Knights (I am a big fan of mobility); but I agree that Generals are awesome in Sacred Stones. Having said that I don´t know jack about the mechanical aspects of Fire Emblem so maybe I am just plain wrong.

For supports I vote EmphraimXTana, ErikaxIness, AmeliaXEwan.

[Sairyu]

@Illven
I'm actually going to be happy if she breaks 20STR during the playthrough. 35% growth isn't the most reliable thing.

@Dusk Eclipse
Well, it looks like she's going to get turned into a Knight in either case, so we can decide between General/Great Knight when the time comes ~20 levels from now.

----------

-= Chapter 10: Turning Traitor =-


http://s18.postimage.org/9qckd5cx5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png

Before I go over to Bethroen, I go shopping and restock. In Map #11, we find out that general Duessel has defected from the Grado army. We coincidentally run into him as he's being attacked by their army.

http://s18.postimage.org/atwop3xk9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png

Here's the team that I'll be taking in. I drop Vanessa for Tana and Gilliam (with his 3SPD) for Amelia.

http://s18.postimage.org/n9teiuqw9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png
http://s18.postimage.org/cbi50o2ax/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png
http://s18.postimage.org/ho6zesq7d/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png

This ballista drops a Secret Book and is on a boat, which is a neat map feature. The cavalier next to the boss drops horse slayer, the one 2 tiles under it drops a killing edge, and the myrmidon just to its left drops a lancereaver.

http://s18.postimage.org/adg2gez6x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png

The archer in that area has a killer bow and there's another ballista-boat lurking on the bottom row next to Cormag. Something important to note about the ballista-boats is that they have 25CON and so aren't weighted down by their 20WT ballistae. The upper ballista has 7SPD, so this means that it will double anyone with 3 or less SPD (ex. Gilliam). The bottom one only has 6SPD, so you don't need to worry about it as much. But anyways, there're two new characters this map, Duessel and Cormag (who needs to be recruited by Tana, I think).

http://s18.postimage.org/gd3tk2jzd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png
{table]stat|growwth
HP|85
STR|55
SKL|40
SPD|30
LCK|20
DEF|45
RES|30[/table]
305% growths [262.5%]

Duessel's a Great Knight; the class, not a knight who's great. He has middling stats in most areas except for DEF and STR, which are both 17. He's got a good amount of growths but, being a lv.8 pre-promote, doesn't have enough space to really get use out of them. If you're losing a lot of characters, he could potentially make it to your end-game, but really he isn't particularly good. He comes with a Silver Axe, a Steel Lance, and a Vulnerary.

http://s18.postimage.org/d3kszv6i1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s18.postimage.org/aaw6tkvjd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png
{table]stat|growwth
HP|85
STR|55
SKL|40
SPD|45
LCK|35
DEF|25
RES|15[/table]
300% growths [257.5%]

Cormag is good offensively, but has poor defensive growths. Like many other physical characters in FE8, he's focused on doing a lot of damage, but not on taking it back. He does start with a high DEF value (12) though, so he has some wiggle room to not have it increase for a while. Otherwise, he's a solid character who comes with an Iron Lance, a Killer Lance, and an Elysian Whip.

http://s12.postimage.org/w6ixcijzh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png
http://s12.postimage.org/zenepk699/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png

I start off the map by having Roland kill a soldier and Tana move into visiting range of that town, staying well out of archer/ballista-boat range. On the enemy phase, Roland gets kills everything that attacks him. The boss also changes from Selena, who would have wrecked me, to a much more manageable (and stationary) Beran.

http://s12.postimage.org/c1pd71q5p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png

Beran has pretty strong stats and has the equipment (lancereaver, killer bow, longbow) to back them up. I won't be fighting him unless things go superbly well.

http://s12.postimage.org/gp00mk2wd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png
http://s12.postimage.org/x1a2cah7x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png
http://s12.postimage.org/s3whr6f8t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s12.postimage.org/f10v7wp0t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png
http://s12.postimage.org/q1w0cxh9p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png

I have Artur and Lute double team down the nearest fighter then have Ross kill the steel axe fighter at range. Roland makes quick work of the last iron axe fighter and Tana gets a Torch staff from the village.

http://s12.postimage.org/q35y6cj3h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_17.png
http://s12.postimage.org/5x2g7gnfx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_18.png
http://s12.postimage.org/eglu57vsd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_19.png
http://s12.postimage.org/fk5yh6gfh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_20.png
http://s12.postimage.org/splgnaab1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_21.png
http://s12.postimage.org/hddx2m7xp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_22.png

I have Colm take down the Fighter and have Neimi soften up the lancereaver myrmidon a bit so that it doesn't waste a charge hitting Roland back.

http://s12.postimage.org/hrf927s19/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png
http://s12.postimage.org/hfxspgbl9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_24.png

I have Lute and Artur knock the mercenary down to 1HP so that Amelia can kill it.

http://s12.postimage.org/5s3quwmgd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_25.png
http://s12.postimage.org/gu8ttcgj1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_27.png

Amelia is in range of the stationary ballista-boat, so she's going to start getting shot at.

http://s12.postimage.org/ricks6qi5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png
http://s12.postimage.org/efgy8x0a5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png

Heralded by a small cutscene, Cormag will start to move this enemy phase. I use Ross to shield Roland from the horseslayer. Luckily, it turns out that the special-weapon enemies don't seem to want to come out and fight. Up top, the ballista continues to fire on Amelia.

http://s12.postimage.org/ljyrhy7jh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_31.png
http://s12.postimage.org/y2jyc9twt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png
http://s12.postimage.org/6t8kxrstp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_35.png
http://s12.postimage.org/t17yx5x2l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_32.png
http://s12.postimage.org/hdiigcxbh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png

I send Roland down south to clean out the pirates and make sure that I end the turn just out of Cormag's reach, so that I can recruit him.

http://s12.postimage.org/89k3fwvql/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_36.png
http://s12.postimage.org/4egpdcckt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png

Oh ****, I don't remember this. Run Amelia, run!

http://s12.postimage.org/4fqn6reel/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_38.png
http://s12.postimage.org/escxsu7xp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png
http://s12.postimage.org/46t2gu1m5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_41.png

I recruit Cormag, who rescues Tana and heads west. Colm takes and drops her and I have Ephraim recruit Duessel.

http://s12.postimage.org/f7o7lutv1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_42.png
http://s12.postimage.org/mcam8mqi5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png
http://s12.postimage.org/jw8sus8fh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_44.png
http://s12.postimage.org/sfs6sjgrx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_45.png
http://s12.postimage.org/wfzc4s78t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_48.png

I spend a bit of time clearing out the area and then send Cormag west to go eat a ballista bolt and get me that secret book. The incoming cavalry is a bit worrying, but I should be able to manage with Ross and a lot of ranged damage.

http://s12.postimage.org/upgb3appp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s12.postimage.org/od15tgmnh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png
http://s12.postimage.org/9ickfad2l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png
http://s12.postimage.org/6pjcv9cq5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_52.png

Stop spawning, so I can get at those green weapons!

http://s12.postimage.org/61f3q23e5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s12.postimage.org/8ws6wx7e5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png
http://s12.postimage.org/kn64eb06l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_55.png
http://s12.postimage.org/l17gdwka5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
http://s12.postimage.org/a2w6vpvot/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_57.png
http://s12.postimage.org/e0jgl4ii5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png
http://s12.postimage.org/l519u5prh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png
http://s12.postimage.org/qx1e1azl9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_62.png
http://s12.postimage.org/hzgo3y759/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_60.png
http://s12.postimage.org/715elrijx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png

I clear out a large portion of the cavaliers and then have Duessel rescue the cavalier on the town so that I can visit it. Tana gets a Hero Crest for the trouble.

http://s12.postimage.org/qa72pis31/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_64.png
http://s12.postimage.org/kajblv7al/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png
http://s12.postimage.org/3o1rcsect/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_66.png
http://s12.postimage.org/rgb2obgdp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_67.png
http://s12.postimage.org/xmciv2ab1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png
http://s12.postimage.org/t1qcg4qlp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s12.postimage.org/868nimjsd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_73.png

They waste their shots trying to hit Colm so I have no problems with the rest of the cavaliers. I leave the troubadour alive so that Tana can get some EXP, but an allied cavalier jacks the EXP

http://s12.postimage.org/9mk60rmp9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png
http://s12.postimage.org/7w14za565/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_75.png
http://s12.postimage.org/kop8z7grx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png
http://s12.postimage.org/i8nflcyp9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png
http://s12.postimage.org/gi4ejvh65/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_78.png

I'm too late, but at least I get the Killer Edge

http://s12.postimage.org/7bm3wlbxp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_79.png
http://s12.postimage.org/d12cgwi3x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png

I get a Knight Crest at the end of the stage, but I'm holding down space to speed up the cutscenes and I miss the SS.


http://s12.postimage.org/sb27o3dm5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_81.png

About this map... well, it would have been a lot worse if the special-weaponed units ever moved and it was difficult to get EXP for Tana/Amelia due to the time constraint and the threat of ballista-boats 1-shotting her (Tana). Sadly, I don't think that next map will be much better.

On the plus side, it's time to use some stat-items!

http://s11.postimage.org/y4r0q7fur/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_82.png
http://s11.postimage.org/af1l1ihhf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png
http://s11.postimage.org/q1suevv9f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png
http://s11.postimage.org/m6pgcbc3n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_85.png
http://s11.postimage.org/s8x32t0jn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png

Low-SKL-begone, and some much-needed durability for Roland.

http://s11.postimage.org/70jeldm2r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png

I'm not sure what to do with the rest, so I'll let the thread decide.

Character Stats
http://s13.postimage.org/nkot1z6xj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.pnghttp://s13.postimage.org/6b8c3dh3r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.png
http://s13.postimage.org/yybcd6hg7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.pnghttp://s13.postimage.org/47xwvphav/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_92.png
http://s13.postimage.org/a6bq5y09j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.pnghttp://s13.postimage.org/5bmmlerbr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_93.png



Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: -

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 11: We invade Taizel. Okay no, we get invaded by pirates - "ghost" pirates.

[Illven]

Give Lute the Robe and wing. She has alot of magic. She just needs durability and speed.

[Penguinator]

Lute for the Robe and Speedwing, yes.

The Ring... there are a lot of choices.

[Sairyu]

-= Chapter 11: Phantom Ship =-

http://s9.postimage.org/y9qs3sg33/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png

Plotwise, Ephraim heads towards Taizel to continue his invasion of Grado. He's waylaid along the way by some undead pirates, or something. I'm really not sure what relevance this chapter has to the overall plot, but I'm leaning towards "none".

http://s9.postimage.org/z87562tf3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png
http://s9.postimage.org/dztgoney7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png
http://s9.postimage.org/92fw3jcz3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png

First things first, I use up those stat-boosters.

http://s9.postimage.org/ljmjqp84v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png

This is the team that I'm taking in. I could replace Roland with Cormag, but... nah, I didn't just use a Dragon Shield on him to leave him behind. Otherwise, Amelia really wants to hit lv.10 this map and Tana is hurting for EXP. Cormag, who's lv.8 can wait until next map, when I (probably) cycle Roland out.

http://s9.postimage.org/ycanqmjqn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s9.postimage.org/wlrmp527j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png
http://s9.postimage.org/wzxk2hbov/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png
http://s9.postimage.org/4bklz99in/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png

I... don't see any enemies, but there's a boat to the right that's going to pull up and send guys over to board my decks.

http://s9.postimage.org/4035mht2n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png
http://s9.postimage.org/r2tolnujz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png

I'm going to clump up and wait then, with my weaker characters in the middle.

http://s9.postimage.org/at3iirjvz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_12.png

Oh there you are.

http://s9.postimage.org/n908cid7z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_13.png

... okay. I can deal with this.

http://s9.postimage.org/tb7v301nz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_14.png
http://s9.postimage.org/6nslwum3z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_16.png
http://s9.postimage.org/sbhk7ami7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_18.png
http://s9.postimage.org/5bawuyoof/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_19.png
http://s9.postimage.org/s055rncdr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_20.png
http://s9.postimage.org/8jkg54h9r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_21.png

There we g- Oh Jesus. There's an Entombed and a Wight mixed into the normal monsters, so I'll have to watch out for them.

http://s9.postimage.org/9ad6awjn3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_22.png
http://s9.postimage.org/tj0jwmiy7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png
http://s9.postimage.org/tkahq1krz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_24.png
http://s9.postimage.org/w2w6qq6i7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_25.png
http://s9.postimage.org/68me0y6i7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_26.png

Yup, they're boarding me. Also a shameful not-beholder appears and something spawns from the top and bottom edges.

http://s9.postimage.org/m851ki2jz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_27.png
http://s9.postimage.org/r82hsg86n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png

Remember what I said earlier about physical units being good against casters? Yup.

http://s9.postimage.org/g9r8a9jlb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png
http://s9.postimage.org/otf7lrhbj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_31.png

Regardless, I wall off and wait. With vision from a torch, a torch staff, and Colm, I'm feeling pretty confident that I won't be surprised soon.

http://s9.postimage.org/klkfd0fvz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_32.png
http://s9.postimage.org/51d1mh5rj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png
http://s9.postimage.org/sguyrtpin/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png
http://s9.postimage.org/pbad1m6wf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_35.png
http://s9.postimage.org/cl64oiyy7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_36.png
http://s9.postimage.org/aun3n1hf3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png
http://s9.postimage.org/rwfxp4wa7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_38.png

The enemy turn goes well and I take absolutely no damage.

http://s15.postimage.org/4dmnxsfe3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_39.png
http://s15.postimage.org/tkxjy1ii3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png

I press the advantage by attacking, rather than sandbagging, on my turn. My strategy on the top walkway is to spam ranged attacks to avoid retaliates while the "strategy" on the bottom walkway is to let Roland kill everything. Artur and Amelia team up and kill a zombie, pushing Amelia to lv.10.

http://s11.postimage.org/cpz6mbbb7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_41.png
http://s11.postimage.org/60sn6apz7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_42.png
http://s11.postimage.org/8jixkq137/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png

If I remember correctly... that guy with a short spear spawns soon.

http://s11.postimage.org/b24mlemtf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_44.png
http://s11.postimage.org/g222tcsg3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_45.png
http://s11.postimage.org/arx422877/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_46.png
http://s11.postimage.org/6wtpzhp1f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_48.png

Okay, that was a bit faster than I thought, but same strategy: turtle and pray.

http://s11.postimage.org/dd2opkxkz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png
http://s11.postimage.org/x8yo54emb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_52.png

Aww... no, I see where this is going. But wait, he doesn't finish the job.

http://s11.postimage.org/v5o8xgetf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s11.postimage.org/8i8zraz9f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png
http://s11.postimage.org/s045e5pmr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_55.png
http://s11.postimage.org/ky67rym0z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
http://s11.postimage.org/gqbfj7klf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png
http://s11.postimage.org/89bx8afwj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png
http://s11.postimage.org/fql4ni5fn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_60.png

Aww yeah.

http://s11.postimage.org/s6huh8yrn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png
http://s11.postimage.org/q37f9kyyr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_62.png
http://s11.postimage.org/etepemtxf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_64.png
http://s11.postimage.org/xn0ibms5f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png

I kill some units.

http://s11.postimage.org/fydcxr5s3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_66.png
http://s11.postimage.org/e7ubw9o8z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_67.png
http://s11.postimage.org/thu73gjr7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_68.png

Oh God, why did I bring Amelia again?

http://s11.postimage.org/64w5ky3nn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_69.png
http://s11.postimage.org/eofjipc03/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_70.png

Colm dies to a combination 31% sword and 41% javelin. Then Tana dies, after being hit by 4 60% not-beholders in a row.

http://s11.postimage.org/qeth034sj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png
http://s11.postimage.org/nyrnm8mpv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s11.postimage.org/45fjtj9c3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_73.png
http://s11.postimage.org/q5vwa5s03/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png
http://s11.postimage.org/wxmbd0gzn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_75.png
http://s11.postimage.org/616xifnk3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png
http://s11.postimage.org/s1n9z2683/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png
http://s11.postimage.org/m1zivelfn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_78.png

There are so, so many. It seems like I can't kill them fast enough.

http://s11.postimage.org/ena730zk3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_79.png
http://s11.postimage.org/8nmfzdern/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png
http://s11.postimage.org/fs498em0z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_81.png
http://s11.postimage.org/zb8uhrksj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_82.png
http://s11.postimage.org/mxw0auv43/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png

Then Joshua dies, because I couldn't find a safe spot for him to stand.

http://s11.postimage.org/70x8e52pv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png
http://s11.postimage.org/9862fsxdv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png
http://s11.postimage.org/ttku7peyr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png
http://s11.postimage.org/ow79mlczn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.png
http://s11.postimage.org/enesgroxv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png

Welll...

http://s11.postimage.org/umxg0bkzn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.png
http://s11.postimage.org/jom6i4web/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_92.png

Wellllll....

http://s11.postimage.org/3rnelf403/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_93.png

Okay, that could have been worse. At least Ephraim didn't die. There was a fourth not-beholder that came over that could have potentially killed him after those three all hit their 60% attacks. It didn't though, so I don't need to start from 0 again.

http://s11.postimage.org/liz0zvjer/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_94.png
http://s11.postimage.org/deqwv4wzn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_95.png
http://s11.postimage.org/cqi2c6y9v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_96.png
http://s11.postimage.org/tfo3luk8z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_97.png
http://s11.postimage.org/cgf56l91f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_98.png
http://s11.postimage.org/6tis946ir/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_99.png

Some cleanup and...

http://s10.postimage.org/lpgt9ltkp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_101.png

Thank goodness.

http://s10.postimage.org/rrog03i0p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_102.png

Then We're immediately thrust into the next map.

http://s10.postimage.org/ec1fan9ix/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_103.png
http://s7.postimage.org/t1c0mn5gr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_104.png
http://s7.postimage.org/uhs4iixrf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_105.png

But first... Knight me!

That went... kind of badly, though I didn't lose anyone that I normally use, so I'm a little ambivalent about the results. Instead of taking Tana and Amelia, I should have brought Cormag and either Seth or Duezzel. That was not a map that I wanted to be protecting units on.

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: Joshua, Colm, Tana

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 12: We invade Taizel, for real this time.

[Illven]

Yeah.... that map's a bitch to deal with. Thankfully the next map is much easier.

[Sairyu]

-= Chapter 12: Landing at Taizel =-

http://s10.postimage.org/rrog03i0p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_102.png
http://s15.postimage.org/d5n3802qz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png
http://s15.postimage.org/ow10pdvjf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png

Okay, so last map went poorly, evidenced by my now-depleted character roster. I'll be taking Seth with me, because why not.

http://s15.postimage.org/64z3f80yz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png
http://s15.postimage.org/as55gzobv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png
http://s15.postimage.org/q250o6ju3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png
http://s15.postimage.org/5xbgipq0b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png

Final roster.

http://s15.postimage.org/zdr2l4wdn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png
http://s15.postimage.org/7ewwu9uqz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png
http://s15.postimage.org/aaelevo4r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_12.png

There're a lot of enemies this map. Notable ones... well, the archer in the bottom right drops a short bow, the mage next to the tavern drops Elfire, and the shaman in the upper right has a guiding ring. The mercenary just south of the elfire mage has a zanbato and the cavalier next to him is holding a lancereaver. There're no stealable items, which is good, because Colm died..

Before we start though, L'Arachel and Dolza joined us last map, so I'm going to go over their stats.

http://s15.postimage.org/jjgrozx0r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_13.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|45
MAG|50
SKL|45
SPD|45
LCK|65
DEF|15
RES|50[/table]
315% growths [292.5%]

L'Arachel is a troubadour, or in short, a healer. If you aren't going to use Natasha, use her. She starts at a low level though, so if you've been using Moulder (and not Natasha) to a decent level it may not be worth switching healers. She comes with a white gem, so you can refinance your treasury.

http://s15.postimage.org/s305mr5d7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_14.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|85
STR|50
SKL|35
SPD|40
LCK|30
DEF|30
RES|25[/table]
295% growths [252.5%]

Dolza's got okay growths all-around, but his starting stats are rather lacklustre. He's got decent starting SKL and STR, but everything else is pretty sad for a promoted unit. Unless you've lost a ton of units and are absolutely hurting for an axe-user, he shouldn't be on your team. He comes with a Battle Axe and an Elixir.

http://s12.postimage.org/x6b5uqvxp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_15.png
http://s12.postimage.org/bxxhdbhgt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_16.png

Alright, my game plan is to have Ross kill the lance cavaliers and then have Lute crush the enemy shamans because her MAG is nuts right now.

http://s12.postimage.org/rkoqqov8t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_17.png

And then many monsters spawn, the story of FE8 in a nutshell.

http://s12.postimage.org/3uzb1zwvh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_18.png
http://s12.postimage.org/qnndexq25/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png
http://s12.postimage.org/6itt9gw8d/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_25.png
http://s12.postimage.org/mv3uz7ajx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_26.png
http://s12.postimage.org/h87i1q819/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_27.png
http://s12.postimage.org/zcaimd5pp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_28.png

After a bit of fighting, I retreat a bit on the west front because of an incoming lancereaver and zanbato and clear the east front a little.

http://s12.postimage.org/cov9g7q5p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png
http://s12.postimage.org/lxxfqbz1p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png
http://s12.postimage.org/hdfup54q5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_31.png
http://s12.postimage.org/yta0qu3ot/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png
http://s12.postimage.org/6vpste3vx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_35.png
http://s12.postimage.org/dng7w8svh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_36.png
http://s12.postimage.org/qg4bw64h9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png

Roland gets hit a lot, so he takes some healing and I kill some more enemies. I send some people over from the west front because the fighting isn't so hot over there.

http://s12.postimage.org/5ki1kx8a5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_38.png
http://s12.postimage.org/507lvz4fh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_42.png
http://s12.postimage.org/6gj4e47cd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png
http://s12.postimage.org/ciqr4lvsd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_44.png
http://s12.postimage.org/n6ui3g5rh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_45.png
http://s12.postimage.org/4316n3sx9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_46.png
http://s12.postimage.org/pqq4xjtbh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_47.png

I clear out the enemies, making sure to keep Vanessa out of spider range, clear out the mages with angry physical weapon users (Seth gets to make his first non-scripted attack of the game here), and send Neimi over, because more enemies seem to be spawning from that end of the map.

http://s12.postimage.org/u2eqmk08d/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s12.postimage.org/v5yuyikvh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png
http://s12.postimage.org/nty06ps19/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s12.postimage.org/retvpxwkt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png
http://s12.postimage.org/fs9rot99p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
http://s12.postimage.org/ai4sxip0t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_57.png

Nothing much happens on the enemy phase, so I'm free to patch up and finish cleaning up.

http://s12.postimage.org/ba7gwpt7x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png

I slowly advance up both sides, putting Ross in range of both archers so that he can provoke them out.

http://s12.postimage.org/p55rf6nn1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_60.png
http://s7.postimage.org/wznmuvq0b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png

The archer doesn't die on the retaliate, so I go and kill him. I didn't see it at first, but the mercenary in this corridor has a Killing Edge

http://s7.postimage.org/7w6kavsdn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_63.png
http://s7.postimage.org/cjcmcnfqj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_64.png
http://s7.postimage.org/tz6secep7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_66.png
http://s7.postimage.org/6jov8zuy3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png
http://s7.postimage.org/io44pz7u3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_67.png

The archer that was on the stairs has a killer bow as well, which I missed.

http://s7.postimage.org/6niop90ff/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_68.png
http://s7.postimage.org/q6n9ylz6z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_69.png

Well, anyways. Seth pens in the killer edge mercenary and Roland kills the killer bow archer. That puts him in range of 2 shamans, which is ok.

http://s7.postimage.org/irxy68dbf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_70.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ysv4wy0kr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s7.postimage.org/lnfmqu6p7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png
http://s7.postimage.org/bsohkm2qz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_73.png

Skeletons start to spawn from the boss area; I send Neimi to kill the killer edge mercenary. Cormag goes north and recruits Ewan from the red house.

http://s7.postimage.org/kc7vidb3f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png
http://s7.postimage.org/xuerunn8r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_75.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|50
MAG|45
SKL|40
SPD|35
LCK|50
DEF|15
RES|40[/table]
375% growths [250.5%]

Ewan is a pupil, who can become a mage or a shaman, and is the third and last of the pupil-class characters in FE8. I'm going to turn him into a shaman because he can't compete with Lute's ludicrous MAG growth and dark magic is a category with no competitors for a long time. He's got decent growths everywhere except for DEF, which is somewhat standard for characters in this game, and is slightly lacking in SPD growth. If all else fails, you can always turn him into a summoner and have him phantom-slave forever. He comes with a Fire Tome, a Vulnerary, and a Dragon Shield. He can recruit Marisa, who starts as an enemy unit on this map.

http://s7.postimage.org/m6kq03y3v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png
http://s7.postimage.org/6mdc9knzf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|70
STR|30
SKL|55
SPD|60
LCK|50
DEF|15
RES|25[/table]
310% growths [275%]

Marisa is a myrmidon built like a standard myrmidon: high SKL/SPD/LCK and growths in those areas and lacking in all other areas. If she gets STR growths, she's fantastic, but if not, then she's deadweight. She comes with an Elixir and a Shamshir, which is a more crity Killer Edge. With Joshua dead, she can take his place on a roster given a few decent levels.

http://s7.postimage.org/b9jebcbcb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_78.png
http://s7.postimage.org/p5rmn87l7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png

Artur finishes his Support with Lute, sitting in range of the Shaman. He has 9RES and WTA though, so the Shaman's 15ATT can't kill him.

http://s7.postimage.org/e7kyis8dn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_81.png
http://s7.postimage.org/y60tl5t2j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png
http://s7.postimage.org/f3hfy8i23/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png
http://s7.postimage.org/cao8e7hpn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png

Not too much happens on the enemy phase, so I get Ross healed, strip then strip Cormag and send him to tank for Ewan.

http://s7.postimage.org/halom5ncb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png
http://s7.postimage.org/7eklmihkb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.png
http://s7.postimage.org/wymvsy2y3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png
http://s7.postimage.org/romife82z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.png
http://s7.postimage.org/6ispksx9n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_94.png
http://s7.postimage.org/vasbs1egb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_93.png
http://s7.postimage.org/dnaitu4iz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_95.png

Ewan grinds down the skeleton and Roland hits lv.20.

http://s7.postimage.org/bwrhscmzv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_96.png
http://s7.postimage.org/69v4uvkh7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_97.png
http://s16.postimage.org/hmcqlua39/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_98.png

I send Ross to provoke the archer skeleton and it happily obliges and dies.

http://s16.postimage.org/ybe6hr6ol/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_99.png
http://s16.postimage.org/47znpt3f9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_100.png
http://s16.postimage.org/d4f17hjf9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_101.png
http://s16.postimage.org/9m31b3ij9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_102.png

Roland promotes to a Paladin!

http://s16.postimage.org/j7wlre9p1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_103.png
http://s16.postimage.org/f2lp5hbx1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_106.png
http://s16.postimage.org/urwu5otcl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_109.png
http://s16.postimage.org/xxhfvwbyt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_108.png
http://s16.postimage.org/jd0d12h05/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_107.png
http://s16.postimage.org/4ma6gw2ad/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_111.png

I start to kill the stuff around Marisa so that it'll be easier to recruit her. It takes a few turns.

http://s16.postimage.org/nfvzdw0id/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_112.png
http://s16.postimage.org/7ix7h6845/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_113.png
http://s16.postimage.org/5se6foql1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_114.png
http://s16.postimage.org/6vyarnb85/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_115.png

The last one is a little trickier, but he can be provoked with Cormac. Cormac is still naked so that he doesn't provoke WTA, even though I guess that it doesn't matter since he can't die to this fighter anyways.

http://s16.postimage.org/on9x63qmt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_116.png
http://s16.postimage.org/uphjwlf2t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_117.png

Well, with that guy out of the way, Roland takes off his weapons goes and gets ready to be crit'd.

http://s16.postimage.org/kgp2qrr11/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_118.png
http://s16.postimage.org/us1fjfiqd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_119.png

Recruited and the last enemy baited out.

http://s16.postimage.org/fxcu5995h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_120.png
http://s16.postimage.org/bpmna8x3p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_121.png
http://s16.postimage.org/7hrv1hvo5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_122.png

And with that out of the way, I go and crush the boss. Not shown, Ephraim landing a crit and Roland doubling with an iron sword.

http://s16.postimage.org/x1u57xh1x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_123.png

And an easy map with an arena (if you want to abuse it) after the phantom ship. It's pretty straightforward, so I don't have anything else to say about it.

If anyone wants to suggest new supports or characters, I can try for those.

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: Joshua, Colm, Tana

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 13: We invade zala... we invade z'ala... we... I can't even type that. We invade Grado some more.

[ZeltArruin]

Chapter 12: The One Where Ross Gets a Bunch of Skill

Also, energy ring for Marisa? If her first few levels are good, or something?

[Sairyu]

@ZeltArruin
Yeah, if she gets some good gains elsewhere then probably. I'll probably wind up trying to take her to lv.10-12 before deciding on it though.

----------

-= Chapter 13: Fluorspar's Oath =-
http://s7.postimage.org/iqan3d6mj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png

Chapter 13, in which Myrrh plays hooky and we run face-first into Selena the Fluorspar's lightning bolts.

http://s7.postimage.org/o2zhhhuiz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png

The boss of this map is Selena. Her stats are all decent, though nothing special for a lv.11 promoted unit. She has a bolting tome and an elfire tome for when that runs dry, so the first few rounds are going to suck quite a bit.

http://s7.postimage.org/isz43xznv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png

As for enemies, there's a speedwing (the highlighted mage) and a red gem to steal (the great knight just north of it), but Colm died and it's not happening.

http://s7.postimage.org/th2v2s9mz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png
http://s7.postimage.org/77oxw8e6j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s7.postimage.org/un6v1kxxn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png
http://s7.postimage.org/izct718sr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png

The highlighted mercenary drops a zanbato, the troubadour an energy ring, the cavalier a dragon spear, and the fighter a halberd.

http://s7.postimage.org/811jouk7f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png

I drop Roland because he's too strong (lol?) and I want to train up some of my weaker units, leaving me with a somewhat anemic lineup.

http://s7.postimage.org/k46vcev9n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png

Selena has a huge range but doesn't move, so she'll only shoot as far as the highlighted tile. I'm going to put Lute there and have her suck up damage.

Gerrik and Tethys spawn and join us at the start of the first player phase.

http://s7.postimage.org/kuzli6xmz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|90
STR|45
SKL|40
SPD|30
LCK|30
DEF|35
RES|25[/table]
300% growths [255%]

Gerrik's got decent STR and SKL gains and substandard growths everywhere else, but just look at those starting stats. They're high enough that his growths, which are only a little substandard, have room to work with. It's unlikely that he'll turn out poorly, given how much wriggle room he has before starting to suck. He comes with a Steel Blade, a Vulnerary, and a Hero Crest.

http://s7.postimage.org/cqrhdgb7v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_12.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|85
STR|5
SKL|10
SPD|70
LCK|80
DEF|30
RES|75[/table]
355% growths [312.5%]

Next up is Tethys, a dancer. She has an absurd growth total, but doesn't promote. Or fight. She's good for making your offensive units get more killy on your turn. I like the bard/dancer class, but I'm not sure I'll be using them in FE8 given how much the game likes to spam units at you. She comes with a Goddess Icon and an Elixir.

http://s15.postimage.org/y2hntbizv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_14.png
http://s15.postimage.org/uud6g9wq3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_13.png

I send Gerik west to help Marisa deal with the immediate axe-threat and pull all my weak, squishy, units out of axing range.

http://s15.postimage.org/lp4tmetbf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_15.png
http://s15.postimage.org/rel26pzhn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_16.png
http://s15.postimage.org/vozq2b4kr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_17.png

She doesn't get hit so I'm free to have her attack. Gerik can talk to Ephraim.

http://s15.postimage.org/3q5kbg2y3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_18.png
http://s15.postimage.org/aundkha7f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_19.png
http://s15.postimage.org/by7hwfuuj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_20.png

Cormag finds a sweet spot to throw his Javelin at people from.

http://s15.postimage.org/ieggmj3e3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_22.png
http://s15.postimage.org/6187td33f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png
http://s15.postimage.org/7hjqbi60b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_24.png
http://s15.postimage.org/hwpwkf36z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_28.png

A brigand spawns at the bottom edge, which is my cue to start hurrying towards the towns. Gerrik can talk to Marisa.

http://s15.postimage.org/ulk7439bf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_26.png
http://s15.postimage.org/5gt6qo9uz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_27.png
http://s15.postimage.org/5jd2didij/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png
http://s15.postimage.org/9h0c2x0bv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png
http://s15.postimage.org/t04xc9z3f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_31.png

There we go, I clear out some more enemies, and more pegasai spawn.

http://s15.postimage.org/ofiqxcfe3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_32.png
http://s15.postimage.org/5pvcucc17/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png
http://s15.postimage.org/la2qkvm5n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png
http://s15.postimage.org/ti4o5ve23/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_35.png
http://s15.postimage.org/mhgod3ca3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png
http://s15.postimage.org/nxs6v8f6z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_38.png

A bit of slow and careful killing.

http://s15.postimage.org/4tyvew2cr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_39.png
http://s15.postimage.org/823crxomj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png

So many pegasai.

http://s15.postimage.org/jfpw34z57/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_41.png
http://s15.postimage.org/qydmpifvv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png

I use Cormag to shield Natasha and Tethys from the marauding pegasus rider.

http://s15.postimage.org/ygwry578r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_45.png
http://s15.postimage.org/qcontektn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_46.png
http://s15.postimage.org/5h2di5omj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_47.png

And that's the final bolting charge. Lute can now go kill things on the west side of the map.

http://s15.postimage.org/6xdw0arjf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_48.png
http://s15.postimage.org/wu7kcwv6z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s15.postimage.org/fuylxnjzf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png
http://s15.postimage.org/td5i9xw4r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png
http://s11.postimage.org/epb56jwv7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_52.png
http://s11.postimage.org/uc2ejxan7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s11.postimage.org/cnansayw3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png

Ross hits lv.20 and promotes

http://s11.postimage.org/jrsh1c65f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_55.png
http://s11.postimage.org/qjiw46v4z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
http://s11.postimage.org/4lmfaeg4j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_57.png
http://s13.postimage.org/itr9w3g1z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png

I make a little wall on the east front to keep Natasha alive and try to push forwards a bit on the west.

http://s11.postimage.org/5cjqtx7vn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png

Pirate.

[img]http://s13.postimage.org/z7b9f8w7b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png
http://s13.postimage.org/7l8hukcuf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_62.png
http://s13.postimage.org/bivrjyznr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_63.png
http://s13.postimage.org/u10447hfr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png
http://s13.postimage.org/v4k8g622v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_66.png
http://s13.postimage.org/9w6jyqnlz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_67.png

East front: clear. Pegasus is in range of Ewan, but only because it has a javelin, which would reduce its atspd to 5 from 11 and make it unable to double.

http://s13.postimage.org/chgq002dj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_70.png
http://s13.postimage.org/9bw49sjrb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png
http://s13.postimage.org/f1ccu3pxj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s13.postimage.org/81yauqpzb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_75.png

Yeahh... gonna lose whatever's in that town. I send Cormag to pick up whatever's in the East town and get a Talisman (+2RES).

http://s13.postimage.org/cccyqbv2f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png

Yup. Oh well.

http://s13.postimage.org/6qv500jrb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_78.png
http://s13.postimage.org/sslfa2493/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png
http://s13.postimage.org/4dd7905c7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_81.png
http://s13.postimage.org/m4otngkqv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_82.png

I finish cleaning up.

http://s13.postimage.org/3qeajh8g7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png
http://s13.postimage.org/sxp6jqbk7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png
http://s13.postimage.org/5xij7edqf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_85.png
http://s13.postimage.org/5ysh0tfk7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png
http://s13.postimage.org/9l2vr7bbb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png

Now I can take my time clearing the rest of the map. I try toto feed kills to Ewan.

http://s13.postimage.org/fkm1h46pz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png
http://s13.postimage.org/ad5jqefif/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png
http://s13.postimage.org/62qvutafb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.png
http://s13.postimage.org/4q96sxczr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.png
http://s13.postimage.org/pofcr0cuf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_92.png
http://s13.postimage.org/wg5rtv1tz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_93.png

I almost forget that pirates can walk on water, which would have led to Ewan dying. I don't though and Neimi and Gerik team up to pre-emptively save Ewan's life.

http://s13.postimage.org/6ynda9k3r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_94.png
http://s13.postimage.org/iqb8l2epz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_96.png

I then promptly forget that you can walk on ruins.

http://s15.postimage.org/b6o4iyi23/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_98.png
http://s15.postimage.org/c2p7c5h4b/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_103.png
http://s15.postimage.org/47a2jli3v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_101.png
http://s15.postimage.org/9zes4hhbf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_104.png
http://s15.postimage.org/eqenmia5n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_108.png
http://s15.postimage.org/zbtfeerqj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_109.png

I grind Ewan up to lv.10.

http://s15.postimage.org/3un9r5p7v/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_111.png
http://s15.postimage.org/bm3zpptd7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_110.png
http://s15.postimage.org/ju5xapl9n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_112.png
http://s15.postimage.org/3xbqrqi97/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_113.png
http://s15.postimage.org/gpzurntuz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_114.png

Clear out the rest of the enemies.

http://s15.postimage.org/dkf91gb8r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_115.png
http://s15.postimage.org/5syj2w73f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_116.png
http://s15.postimage.org/hw3uqgi5n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_117.png

Selena falls not much later. The shaman isn't even a road bump as I end the map afterwards.

http://s15.postimage.org/v1jcwkc17/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_118.png

A straightforward kill'em'all map made more complicated by my insistence on bringing weak characters along. It's not very difficult so long as you have a unit with high RES and/or dodge to tank through Selena's lightning bolts.

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: Joshua, Colm, Tana

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 14: We invade Grado Keep.

[Rising Phoenix]

I've never played ephraim's route. It looks a whole more interesting than Erikas.

[Illven]

Damn, Your Ephraim is good! He never turns out like that for me...

[Sairyu]

Hi to all my followers and lurkers (yes, all five or six or so of you); not an update, but this thread is going to be on hiatus for the weekend so that I can do some stuff with the family.

I'll still be on, but I'm not going to have the time to sit down for 1-2 hours straight to bang out updates for this thread like I've been doing up to now.

Thanks for understanding, and I should be back on track come Monday (03/12/12).

----------

@Illven
I know, he's fantastic eh? All those natural 20s would make a paladin swoon.

@Rising Phoenix
I'm going to come clean, I don't remember how Erika's route goes. So... that means that you're probably right.

[Penguinator]

Eirika's route is just so much easier. I didn't realize Cormag existed until I played Ephraim's route. I always won the map where he appeared before he got there.

[Illven]

Hi to all my followers and lurkers (yes, all five or six or so of you); not an update, but this thread is going to be on hiatus for the weekend so that I can do some stuff with the family.

I'll still be on, but I'm not going to have the time to sit down for 1-2 hours straight to bang out updates for this thread like I've been doing up to now.

Thanks for understanding, and I should be back on track come Monday (03/12/12).

----------

@Illven
I know, he's fantastic eh? All those natural 20s would make a paladin swoon.

Don't worry I understand. And stop stealing my Ephraim's stats.

[Sairyu]

I am terrible at figuring out how long a hiatus is going to be.

----------

-= Chapter 14: Father and Son =-


http://s8.postimage.org/3v3hjrclh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png

Before starting, I pay a visit to the Shop in Taizel and buy a Restore staff for L'Arachel and a flux tome for Ewan. The Restore staff because the next map has berserk and sleep staves and is kind of annoying and the dark tomes because Ewan hit lv.10 last map and I want to class him up to Shaman, meaning that he can't use that fire tome of his any longer. But anyways, today on Let's Play FE8: we finish invading Grado. Maybe we knock off their (false) Emperor while we're at it.

http://s8.postimage.org/gnw6xfdl1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png
http://s8.postimage.org/fmvy8awlh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png
http://s8.postimage.org/iv0flciv9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png

Ewan says he wants to be a Sage, but I have other, better, ideas for his life. I turn him into a shaman.

http://s8.postimage.org/pmquo77ut/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png

Here's my team. I want to take my stronger units because there's a bit of a rush trying to get through the lower half of the map at the start and I feel that I'm bringing enough low level units (Amelia, L'Arachel, Ewan, Marisa) already.

http://s8.postimage.org/5gncpbc79/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png

The boss is Emperor Vigarde, equipped with a Spear and dropping a Knight Crest. He hits like a brick with 34ATT (because the Spear has 12MT) and is pretty accurate. Because it's a 'seize' map, he's sitting on a throne which makes his 21DEF and 54HP even more impressive. Like normal enemy generals, Vigarde has low SPD and (relatively) low RES, so you can kill him that way or with effective weapons to get through his shell.

http://s8.postimage.org/jod1dyow5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png
http://s8.postimage.org/5j78c5fut/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png

Now onto the 'gimmick' of this map: berserk staves, equipped by 18MAG (so 9 range) Druids that will reach just past the mid-map gates. The 13MAG (6 range) bishops hiding just behind those gates are equipped with sleep staves. The archers, and lone sniper, in the middle area are equipped with longbows.

http://s8.postimage.org/m88o82cg5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png

There're a bunch of dropped items, but this archer over here has a body ring that needs to be stolen.

http://s16.postimage.org/w2182w79h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png
http://s16.postimage.org/3nvsj0jph/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png
http://s16.postimage.org/clgigdc5h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png
http://s16.postimage.org/6lsrcprd1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png
http://s16.postimage.org/xxo0e1w3p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png
http://s16.postimage.org/novj8881x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s16.postimage.org/r9rergclh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png
http://s16.postimage.org/fm1yancud/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png

I split the group into two groups, with a healer equipped with a restore staff in either. My goal is to get the two groups into one force and move up the map in that fashion. I start by clearing out the reachable enemies and have Roland aggro some enemies.

http://s16.postimage.org/gcuogff7p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png

The enemies are kind enough to kill themselves on my promoted units, so I start heading west with L'Arachel while Roland stays on the east flank and butchers everything in sight. Rennac appears on the enemy phase.

http://s16.postimage.org/gqw0g0zb9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png
http://s16.postimage.org/65c540szp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png

Some reinforcements spawn at the end of the enemy phase. While the usually have some units mixed in with ranged attacks, there aren't any this time. On the west end is a fighter with a hammer though, and the left mercenary on the west flank has an Armorslayer. Regardless, I continue my advance. Additionally, this fighter on the east side has a Swordreaver, so Roland's going in with an iron lance.

http://s16.postimage.org/5h3al2u9x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_13.png
http://s16.postimage.org/av22smk05/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_15.png

Nothing special though, so I'm free to clean up.

http://s16.postimage.org/g7qx6r7wl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_16.png
http://s16.postimage.org/a9d3wioxx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_19.png
http://s16.postimage.org/o1ris5fph/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_17.png
http://s16.postimage.org/cfc04rhs5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_20.png
http://s16.postimage.org/7571dgxj9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_21.png

The enemies continue to die ineffectually and Rennac takes a Spear from a chest.

http://s16.postimage.org/r2cymfged/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png
http://s16.postimage.org/nhh337but/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_22.png

Anyways, some more reinforcements at the end of the enemy phase. The top soldier on the west flank has a javelin.

http://s16.postimage.org/s5x2ye11h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_24.png
http://s16.postimage.org/f31gf4ath/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_25.png
http://s16.postimage.org/sxzqxl58l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_26.png
http://s16.postimage.org/oq4you3t1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_28.png
http://s16.postimage.org/9vgdanu85/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png
http://s16.postimage.org/bbrvssx51/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_31.png

I clear out the west area and force the javelin soldier into a no-win situation. Ephraim softens up an armor knight for Cormag's consumption.

http://s16.postimage.org/t4i1ef3r9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png
http://s16.postimage.org/ivpk8lfph/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png
http://s16.postimage.org/rgivzrpvp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png
http://s16.postimage.org/qcyrnt58l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_36.png

Enemies continue to die fruitlessly and the soldier chooses to die to Lute. A few more reinforcements spawn, but they'll be dying very quickly.

http://s16.postimage.org/jp2617lqd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_38.png
http://s16.postimage.org/4hm6gutvp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_39.png
http://s16.postimage.org/m8xsvb9ad/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png
http://s16.postimage.org/e4poqkmv9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_41.png
http://s16.postimage.org/j4n4yishx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_42.png
http://s16.postimage.org/gbyis8hj9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png
http://s16.postimage.org/the0ycbet/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_44.png

I try to feed a kill to Marisa but she misses both attacks and I have Amelia pick it up instead. Meanwhile on the east flank Roland continues to be unstoppable.

http://s16.postimage.org/6jr98uh8l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_47.png
http://s16.postimage.org/dlp6v1kud/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_46.png

I go ahead and move Neimi into the highlighted spot because the knight and the archer have a combined ATT of 31 and Neimi has 7DEF, so she can't die there and, by drawing fire, will bait the longbow archer into a killable position.

http://s16.postimage.org/802rqzk5h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s16.postimage.org/9gea94n2d/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png
http://s16.postimage.org/vgumpr5qd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png

Neimi gets hit by everything despite the odds, so I have to have Ross deal with the longbow archer instead.

http://s16.postimage.org/qw8gatm11/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_52.png
http://s10.postimage.org/3sm9ubit5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s10.postimage.org/4w6e6a3g9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png
http://s10.postimage.org/wkt1dsqgp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_55.png

Restore staff! Look at that SPD grow... I mess up and have Ephraim kill the other armor knight (oops), but whatever. Roland heads west to join the party.

http://s10.postimage.org/nr6qafsvt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_56.png
http://s10.postimage.org/waq487189/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_57.png
http://s10.postimage.org/4bvyhbzll/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png
http://s10.postimage.org/grsob2sxl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png

Oh Luna, that's why we're not scared of you anymore.

http://s10.postimage.org/53ymgj3sp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_60.png

Ross dodges the Sleep staff.

http://s10.postimage.org/qrnkqz46x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png
http://s10.postimage.org/g63peyxvd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_62.png

Alright this is going to seem a little weird, but I'm going to use Natasha to tank the sniper's next shot.

http://s10.postimage.org/7ccsxvawp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_63.png
http://s10.postimage.org/dekfoczcp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_64.png
http://s10.postimage.org/3vaquwbuh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png
http://s10.postimage.org/q8n2vg261/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_66.png

Okay Ross missed, so my plan of killing the knight with Lute is out. I have Artur rescue Natasha instead.

http://s10.postimage.org/3xz7vh4vt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_67.png

Ross, beyond my expectations, manages to dodge the Berserk staff. That stroke of luck has me pretty much set for the remainder of the map.

http://s10.postimage.org/8oz3dhxq1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png
http://s10.postimage.org/mwos25aex/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s10.postimage.org/o08we3v21/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_73.png
http://s10.postimage.org/aklvonmk9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png

I make a little RES-wall with Lute and Artur because Rennac doesn't want to die and won't attack your units. The shaman can attack Natasha, but it's Luna.

http://s10.postimage.org/8u2un6515/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_75.png
http://s10.postimage.org/cf3bk4yyh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png
http://s10.postimage.org/qa1m2ltdl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png

Case in point. Marisa gets 'zerked but I have two fully charged Restore staves. There're some more reinforcements but they aren't really bothersome at this point.

http://s10.postimage.org/r24a1sxkp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_79.png
http://s10.postimage.org/jney9fbp5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png
http://s18.postimage.org/six95zas9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_82.png

That's pretty much why.

http://s18.postimage.org/t9pzbrd5l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png
http://s18.postimage.org/fhbkg4me1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png

Roland gets 'zerked and more reinforcements show up.

http://s18.postimage.org/kh90o2s0p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_85.png
http://s18.postimage.org/6oulsg195/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png
http://s18.postimage.org/yq8n656jd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png
http://s18.postimage.org/rofaxosbd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png

I blast my way through the knights and recruit Rennac. The Druid on the left is out of staff charges and is now EXP fodder. Speaking of Rennac...

http://s12.postimage.org/9urnj86zx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_151.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|65
STR|25
SKL|45
SPD|60
LCK|25
DEF|25
RES|30[/table]
275% growths [242.5%]

Rennac is a pre-promoted Rogue, which means that you don't need to worry about promoting your thief with an Ocean Seal if you made Ross into a Berserker or trying to find a Master Seal to substitute for it. He has good SPD and SKL and reasonable DEF and RES values. His LCK is really low for a thief-type unit, but, being a Rogue, you don't really want him in combat too much anyways. He's the only alternative to Colm, so if Colm gets RNG screwed or dies (like in my run), Rennac is your fallback. He comes with a Steel Sword, Elixir, Member Card, and Spear (because you can't legitimately stop him from opening that first chest). I personally like him, even though he isn't very good.

http://s18.postimage.org/tvjjllxll/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png
http://s18.postimage.org/bh90hmlax/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.png
http://s18.postimage.org/o9x4hjwwp/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_92.png
http://s18.postimage.org/ksv2ekxuh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_94.png

Ewan gets 'zerked but Restore staff. I have Ross try to bait out the archer with a Body Ring. Artur presents an impenetrable obstacle for the unfortunate Shamans trickling in from the East front.

http://s18.postimage.org/rxcvnm53t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_95.png
http://s18.postimage.org/e4ygrzec9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_96.png
http://s18.postimage.org/eizsrkyft/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_97.png

The archer takes the bait and dies for it after losing the ring. I start heading towards the bottom treasury and Artur continues to turtle.

http://s18.postimage.org/624vuej4p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_98.png
http://s18.postimage.org/xe04vqnvd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_99.png

Another SS mocking Luna. The druid hits its last 'zerk charge on Marisa, but I'm still in good condition so it's no problem.

http://s18.postimage.org/grikmnuxl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_100.png
http://s18.postimage.org/788vt77fd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_101.png
http://s18.postimage.org/slqbkat7d/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_104.png

Roland gains more power.

http://s18.postimage.org/w2sdn9s9l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_102.png
http://s18.postimage.org/slqbkat7d/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_104.png
http://s18.postimage.org/fiup112zd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_105.png

The other bishop comes out to fight for some reason, so I get Neimi to finish it off and pick up some nice EXP. Rennac grabs an Angelic Robe.

http://s18.postimage.org/7fwippie1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_107.png
http://s18.postimage.org/8ywyrsva1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_111.png
http://s18.postimage.org/tt9b9mpnd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_109.png
http://s18.postimage.org/k9zmg6255/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_110.png

Roland duels with the Sniper for a while and eventually picks up the kill. An important thing to note is that the archers can actually reach over the walls here.

http://s18.postimage.org/4tm25vxi1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_115.png
http://s18.postimage.org/4efdqm0yh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_124.png
http://s18.postimage.org/rxr4c7q6x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_128.png

There we go. Anyways, some shamans spawn from those stairs; the one on the left has Nosferatu and the one on the right has Luna. I use the opportunity to grind out some EXP.

http://s18.postimage.org/r6tssoyft/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_116.png

Meanwhile, the upper group bursts into the throne room and chop down the solitary accessible shaman.

http://s18.postimage.org/3tvra6ic9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_117.png

Okay. I don't remember that.

http://s18.postimage.org/sof94936h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_118.png

So I run away a bit.

http://s18.postimage.org/sof94936h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_118.png
http://s18.postimage.org/m5r052gd5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_125.png
http://s18.postimage.org/jymrh5b2x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_122.png
http://s18.postimage.org/6yb0kpoih/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_126.png

The enemies come to me and die for their trouble.

http://s18.postimage.org/nncggml3t/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_127.png

With the ambush taken care of...

http://s18.postimage.org/nd4xxa6hl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_129.png
http://s18.postimage.org/8axb0cbbt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_134.png
http://s18.postimage.org/im9nt0315/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_135.png

Rennac opens up the chests and...

http://s18.postimage.org/85tjqo40p/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_130.png

Lute thinks about attacking Vigarde but decides against it.

http://s18.postimage.org/89nd6x9i1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_133.png

However, With her A support's bonus, acceptable.

http://s18.postimage.org/nnh1udahl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_137.png
http://s18.postimage.org/ypm4st4k9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_139.png

Neimi can't hurt Vigarde, so I'm going to send her off to the east to kill some knights while Lute gets some EXP and softens Vigarde up for Roy. Not pictured: Vigarde's "Great Shield" skill activating three times in a row.

http://s18.postimage.org/b7kc0mh5l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_136.png
http://s18.postimage.org/x9amao1nd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_138.png

Level 20 for both; they'll be promoting post-map.

http://s18.postimage.org/uhvxxssih/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_140.png
http://s18.postimage.org/qo2honb6h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_142.png
http://s18.postimage.org/xfswri061/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_143.png
http://s18.postimage.org/66hjczz2x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_144.png
http://s18.postimage.org/xicsec3tl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_145.png

Vigarde dies to Ross and Ephraim seizes the throne.

http://s17.postimage.org/hou3g578f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_146.png
http://s17.postimage.org/ntq777opr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_149.png
http://s17.postimage.org/5od8t5p7j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_147.png
http://s17.postimage.org/7u7jnnsnz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_148.png

We get some swag, Grado's 'sacred twins', for our little bout of regicide.


http://s17.postimage.org/64ygflcyn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_150.png

It's not a difficult map as one that'll punish you if you're underleveled and ambitious. Reinforcements only spawn once you enter the area that they trigger from, so it's better to take it slowly once you've penned Rennac in. I like the pseudo party split and I expect the map would be far more challenging had I actually played it like I assume it was designed to be played (in two smaller groups).

I'll be promoting Neimi to a Sniper and Lute to a Sage for Chapter 15 unless people have objections.

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: Joshua, Colm, Tana

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 15: We go to Jehenna and rescue Erika.

[Illven]

Lute to Sage! How can you say no to that 30 Magic cap.


Also would it be possible for L'archel to fight Riev in chapter 20? I know it's a ways off, but still.

[Sairyu]

Edit: Double-post.

[Sairyu]

@Illven
I can certainly try. Natasha's close to promotion so I'm going to be focusing on her for a bit, but I can certainly sandbag to grind EXP out for L'Arachel.

----------

-= Chapter 15: Scorched Sand =-
http://s15.postimage.org/lh3ekeqzf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_08.png

Today we head to Jehenna to rescue Erika. It's a the game's find-items-in-the-desert map so I'll be walking on every single tile with Rennac. Or, since this is an LP, I'm going to cheat and use an actual map to tell me where the items are (http://serenesforest.net/fe8/desert.htm)

http://s18.postimage.org/4qdne5pvt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png
http://s18.postimage.org/dmofi3gi1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png
http://s18.postimage.org/43eqomszt/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png
http://s18.postimage.org/s8fg6cdah/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png
http://s18.postimage.org/k47c1lqvd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s18.postimage.org/9veuvs2tl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png

First things first though, promotions.

http://s15.postimage.org/syclzmgij/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png

There're a few special items mixed in, but nothing that's a real problem. The highlighted Shaman has a Guiding Ring to steal.

http://s15.postimage.org/7pyxi721n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png

I drop Amelia for Rennac because she moves super slow and sand makes her move 1-tile/turn.

http://s15.postimage.org/mn7ej7fa3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png
http://s15.postimage.org/7sit515p7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_12.png

The bosses for this map are Caellach and Valter, two more of Grado's new generals (the Tigerstone and the Moonstone, I think). They've got an Iron Rune and a Delphi Shield, respectively, so you can't cheese them out. I don't think that they move though, so you can just plink them to death if need be.

http://s15.postimage.org/yrr9dxhjv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_13.png

At the very start of the player phase, Eirika (??? - I've been spelling it Erika the whole time...), Saleh, and Innes appear. Erika has whatever you left on her when you parted ways and is the same level as back then. Enough about her, lets talk about our new pre-promotes.

http://s15.postimage.org/8xhgo5hjv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_14.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|50
MAG|30
SKL|25
SPD|40
LCK|40
DEF|30
RES|35[/table]
250% growths [225%]

Saleh isn't very good. He comes out reasonably strong, with 18MAG/18SKL/15SPD, but has poor overall growths and will be quickly outstripped by your other characters if he hasn't already. His 'saving grace' is his 8CON, which means that he can use Anima tomes without taking a SPD hit.

http://s15.postimage.org/emxp8gnq3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_15.png
{table]stat|growth
HP|75
STR|40
SKL|40
SPD|45
LCK|45
DEF|20
RES|25[/table]
290% growths [252.5%]

Innes, like Saleh, isn't particularly good, though he has normal growths. Innes is essentially a character that promoted at lv.15. He's not bad though, so if Neimi isn't doing well and you want a sniper, he's a valid alternative.

http://s7.postimage.org/6mykbehzv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_02.png
http://s7.postimage.org/lhn5pkrkr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_01.png
http://s7.postimage.org/l7fn68cyj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_03.png

Anyways, I send Ross over to kill everything while Neimi picks up a Master Seal. I have Erika and co. flee south to rejoin the party while I'm at it.

http://s7.postimage.org/i1v1g0ucb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_04.png
http://s7.postimage.org/5bvegobrv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_05.png
http://s7.postimage.org/4av5rjusb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_06.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ht223u6xn/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_07.png

Not much happens on the enemy phase, so I keep killing things on the south end of the map.

http://s7.postimage.org/8ntp9z3iz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_09.png
http://s7.postimage.org/cy8d5k8m3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_10.png
http://s7.postimage.org/691tpjna3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_11.png
http://s7.postimage.org/8ew4k1qqj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_12.png
http://s7.postimage.org/kusudsk2j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_13.png

Aparantly there's an enemy with a Berserk staff here, which could have been bad, because I think I took the restore staves off of my healers. Luckily it didn't hit, so Cormag just skewers the troubadour. Roland takes a beating and I miss the screencap on his level because I'm holding down the turbo button. Some pegasai reinforce at the end of the enemy turn. They'll be doing this for a while.

http://s7.postimage.org/xapk7jdej/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_14.png

Erika takes some javelin damage and some more flying horses spawn.

http://s7.postimage.org/5bzzuf15n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_15.png
http://s7.postimage.org/4azr5ak63/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_16.png
http://s7.postimage.org/rrrm425qz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_18.png

I don't know where this guy came from, but here's there (but not for long). Feeding EXP to Ewan is a chore, but phantoms are really good, so I probably shouldn't complain too much.

http://s7.postimage.org/7lo456a3f/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_19.png

Anyways, the group links up and I head east to stomp out valter.

http://s7.postimage.org/jotfsql5n/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_20.png

More reinforcements.

http://s7.postimage.org/erfv7mj6j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_21.png

I remember to have Rennac steal the Energy Ring.

http://s7.postimage.org/nnqnbk9sr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_22.png
http://s7.postimage.org/bzwlh0knv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_23.png

The Berserker has a Devil Axe, so I don't want him anywhere near the weaker members of the group. Ewan and Saleh can talk, as befitting their backstory.

http://s7.postimage.org/5c4l85qjf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_25.png
http://s7.postimage.org/vvskwk1p7/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_24.png

That's a lot of potential damage there, Mr. Berserker, given that it's Ross you're attacking.

http://s7.postimage.org/vlpnqycgr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_26.png
http://s7.postimage.org/wcidwqeu3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_27.png
http://s7.postimage.org/65h70rwkb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_28.png
http://s7.postimage.org/o9k7leu8r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_29.png
http://s7.postimage.org/bjfz8bmaj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_30.png

I clean up the reachable pegasai and brace myself for an oncoming rush that never actually happens.

http://s7.postimage.org/dpaa2tpqz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_31.png
http://s7.postimage.org/ze966oryz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_33.png
http://s7.postimage.org/kwbyyp0nv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_34.png
http://s7.postimage.org/m1amhtcij/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_36.png

Some more reinforcements appear, Natasha picks up a killer bow, and I clean up a bit more.

http://s7.postimage.org/qbpadehln/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_37.png
http://s7.postimage.org/qe9608l97/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_39.png
http://s7.postimage.org/9rrlr5sbf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_40.png
http://s7.postimage.org/3s3uni7iz/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_41.png
http://s7.postimage.org/qi2zghqqj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_42.png
http://s7.postimage.org/hbkot7li3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_43.png

It only takes a turn, which is good, because the northern mages will arrive next turn. Roland gets into a duel with Valter.

http://s7.postimage.org/w8t5u7yqj/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_44.png
http://s7.postimage.org/vkowp0pej/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_45.png
http://s7.postimage.org/3zw2xr7vf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_47.png
http://s7.postimage.org/um8jmqc2j/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_48.png
http://s7.postimage.org/vd19siefv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_49.png
http://s7.postimage.org/43pwe0dcr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_50.png

Then again, the mages aren't particularly strong. Roland proves himself to be the superior jouster. That's one boss down and one to go.

http://s11.postimage.org/bjuv2eclf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_51.png
http://s11.postimage.org/jqmutz2o3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_52.png
http://s11.postimage.org/vts6hjdqb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_53.png
http://s11.postimage.org/qau8e262r/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_59.png
http://s11.postimage.org/ni10u15qb/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_60.png
http://s11.postimage.org/kdqcx8oxv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_62.png

I go item hunting before progressing any further.

http://s11.postimage.org/u395g1w77/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_54.png
http://s11.postimage.org/pimz14chv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_57.png
http://s11.postimage.org/3xmhr954z/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_58.png
http://s11.postimage.org/7xtn3hvlv/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_61.png

Roland gets a Dragon Axe from a Berserker and Ross gets a Luna from an enterprising Shaman. I actually forget that I'd picked up the Wyrmslayer already and spend several turns moving units over its spawn area. Erika and Ephraim can talk to each other.

http://s11.postimage.org/w5e881jk3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_64.png
http://s11.postimage.org/xyh4wd4qr/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_65.png
http://s11.postimage.org/71x5o1lxf/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_71.png
http://s11.postimage.org/5o5isqmo3/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_72.png
http://s11.postimage.org/piwmbz877/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_73.png

I take the next while to grind Ewan up a little bit. There's nothing interesting in the shop. I miss a screenshot of Ewan's 8th level (+1 SKL) and mash f12 a few times out of frustration and then my f12 key decides not to work for a while after that, so I miss some more screencaps.

http://s2.postimage.org/470ncknw9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_74.png
http://s2.postimage.org/84nx1zapl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_75.png
http://s2.postimage.org/qlmx6jg1l/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_76.png

I grab the last two items and send Neimi to 1v1 Caellach.

http://s2.postimage.org/be6xm6o6x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_77.png

Neimi slowly grinds him down, managing to resist the temptation to land two hits in a single combat for about four combats.

http://s2.postimage.org/bti7f7a49/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_79.png
http://s2.postimage.org/ygxglcpo9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_78.png
http://s2.postimage.org/a2z6dpsl5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_80.png
http://s2.postimage.org/6kn6hbrp5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_81.png

Nevertheless, he dies, and I pick up his Hoplon Guard Iron Rune.

http://s2.postimage.org/7bfwn3u2h/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_82.png
http://s2.postimage.org/l7o4yzqbd/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_84.png
http://s2.postimage.org/rk3a8ttdl/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_83.png
http://s2.postimage.org/3vnsdjwu1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_85.png

The end of battle sees us with Audhulma and Excalibur, Jehanna's Sacred Twins (S-Rank weapons).

http://s2.postimage.org/sdkhf6os9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_86.png

It's an easy but annoying map due to desert terrain, item hunting, and a multitude of reinforcing enemy units. I dislike desert levels so I'm glad to be through it.

http://s12.postimage.org/dcsmiq53x/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_87.png
http://s12.postimage.org/tp2o8gjfh/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_88.png

Before we go though, I've accumulated a few more stat boosting items. I have, in all: Angelic Robe x1, Energy Ring x2, Goddess Icon x1, Dragon Shield x1, Talisman x1, Swiftsole x1, Body Ring x2. I also have a Metis's tome which... uh... which serenesforest tells me "Permanently raises all of the user's growth rates by 5".

http://s12.postimage.org/wx75li5p9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_89.pnghttp://s12.postimage.org/k72x8exr1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_90.png
http://s12.postimage.org/i3x3ehnbx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_91.pnghttp://s12.postimage.org/ujtt88gnx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_92.png
http://s12.postimage.org/hgy6oyqfx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_93.pnghttp://s12.postimage.org/41b5zihy5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_94.png
http://s12.postimage.org/tldg5y3bx/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_95.pnghttp://s12.postimage.org/cyvvwvae5/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_96.png
http://s12.postimage.org/4unrs4nz1/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_97.pnghttp://s12.postimage.org/k4nmzbjh9/Fire_Emblem_the_Sacred_Stones_98.png

Some unit stats to help you decide.

Wall of Shame
"Dead" Characters: Forde

Dead Characters: Joshua, Colm, Tana

Game Over Count: 2

Next Update: Chapter 16: We come full circle and head to Renais.

[Penguinator]

The bosses for this map are Caellach and Valter, two more of Grado's new generals (the Tigerstone and the Moonstone, I think). They've got an Iron Rune and a Delphi Shield, respectively, so you can't cheese them out. I don't think that they move though, so you can just plink them to death if need be.

I think it's Tiger's Eye, actually. Also, I'm pretty sure that if you set it up right, you can steal the boss's items. (I think I've done it before)


(??? - I've been spelling it Erika the whole time...)

I noticed that, but I managed to forget about it after a while.


Before we go though, I've accumulated a few more stat boosting items. I have, in all: Angelic Robe x1, Energy Ring x2, Goddess Icon x1, Dragon Shield x1, Talisman x1, Swiftsole x1, Body Ring x2. I also have a Metis's tome which... uh... which serenesforest tells me "Permanently raises all of the user's growth rates by 5".


Metis's Tome... I'm torn between Ewan and Cormag. On the one hand, Ewan has another level and has gotten some a few one-point level-ups, but on the other hand, Cormag is just a badass.

Edit: Probably just go Ewan. For some reason, I misread Cormag as being a lower level than he is. Ewan will have six more levels to get out of it.

Swiftsole for Amelia, I think the votes are 2 for General and 1 for Great Knight, but I could be wrong; it was a long time ago. If she goes General, she's going to have the worst Mov of all your units, since you're not using Gilliam.

One Energy Ring for Eirika, one for Marisa. Maybe a Body Ring for Lute, if you ever want her using more than a Fire tome without a penalty.

[Illven]

If Eirika is below level 15 when you split off from her, she gets up to 6 levels off-screen or until she reaches level 15.

Yours gained 5 levels and managed +5 Hp, +0 Str, +2Skl, +3Spd, +3 Luck, +2 Def, +1 Res

[Penguinator]

Yours gained 5 levels and managed +0 Str

Of course she did.

[Illven]

Of course she did.

Yeah Eirika ends up strength screwed alot, and Ephraim just ends up all around gimped for me.

[Sairyu]

Yeah I've had runs where Erika Eirika (I swear, that's not even a name...) ends up with 5-6STR at lv20.

A lot of the time I just have her hiding in a corner for the entirety of a map, regardless of how plot-mandated her appearance might be.

@Penguinator
Hm, I didn't actually check. It makes sense that you'd be able to steal items, so maybe on another run then.

[RagingKrikkit]

Yeah I've had runs where Erika Eirika (I swear, that's not even a name...)

Well, neither is Erk (Erik) Lyn (Lynn) Artur (Arthur), Serra (Sarah), and so on.

[Illven]

Well, neither is Erk (Erik) Lyn (Lynn) Artur (Arthur), Serra (Sarah), and so on.

Lyn's a nickname not the same case, Lyndis is her real name.

[Penguinator]

@Penguinator
Hm, I didn't actually check. It makes sense that you'd be able to steal items, so maybe on another run then.

I can see why you wouldn't. I learned last night that assassins can't steal in FE7. (Dammit, Legault! You were supposed to be useful!)


Yeah Eirika ends up strength screwed alot, and Ephraim just ends up all around gimped for me.

Hector hit level 20 on map... around 20. Stuck there until his plot-promotion. With capped Str and 19 defense making him one of my best units. (Oswin hit level 20 with all of 15 Def.) Lyn, who can always promote much sooner than the other two (because she's never the main lord at promotion time) is now a level 5 or 6 promoted unit who can't kill things with a Silver Sword and both her supports standing in range. Thanks, Nintendo.

[Illven]

I can see why you wouldn't. I learned last night that assassins can't steal in FE7. (Dammit, Legault! You were supposed to be useful!)



Hector hit level 20 on map... around 20. Stuck there until his plot-promotion. With capped Str and 19 defense making him one of my best units. (Oswin hit level 20 with all of 15 Def.) Lyn, who can always promote much sooner than the other two (because she's never the main lord at promotion time) is now a level 5 or 6 promoted unit who can't kill things with a Silver Sword and both her supports standing in range. Thanks, Nintendo.

I had Guy to kill things with Silver swords, and typically only an Iron sword.

[Penguinator]

I had Guy to kill things with Silver swords, and typically only an Iron sword.

That's what Eliwood is for. My Guy had awful level-ups, and his only available support was Rath. I stopped using Guy before I had Rath.

[Illven]

That's what Eliwood is for. My Guy had awful level-ups, and his only available support was Rath. I stopped using Guy before I had Rath.

Eh my Eliwood was only okay.

[Sairyu]

I gave the Metis Tome to Amelia, because I honestly do not care where Ewan's stats end up as he is going to phantom slave forever (also she's lower level). Also I didn't give the energy ring to either Eirikia (who will never see combat if I can help it) or Marisa (because I haven't decided to keep her yet). Lute got the Body Ring, at any rate.

[Penguinator]

Eh my Eliwood was only okay.

Mine has 18 Str versus Lyn's 11.


I gave the Metis Tome to Amelia, because I honestly do not care where Ewan's stats end up as he is going to phantom slave forever (also she's lower level). Also I didn't give the energy ring to either Eirikia (who will never see combat if I can help it) or Marisa (because I haven't decided to keep her yet). Lute got the Body Ring, at any rate.

Actually, if you just want to spam phantoms, Knoll has better phantoms than Ewan does.

Give Natasha an Energy ring, she'll want all the Mag she can get.

Also, I can't tell if you added a third "i" to Eirika to be funny, or...