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Traits are a gameplay mechanic present in all main series Fire Emblem titles, though the direct player selection for units was first introduced in Fire Emblem Awakening.

Prior to the naming of the mechanic in Fire Emblem Heroes, this mechanic was called Asset and Flaw by the fanbase for its usage in Fire Emblem Awakening and Fire Emblem Heroes while in Fire Emblem Fates it was called a Boon and Bane.

Profile[]

Traits are an inherent, invisible set of stat modifiers for every character present throughout the Fire Emblem franchise starting from Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. These modifiers affect the character's inherent growth rates and the maximum stats they can have in each stat. As such, all characters have inherent strengths and weaknesses that allow them to differentiate themselves in terms of gameplay performance against each others, especially noticeable against other characters who share the same class line as them. The developers of each game determines the growths of each game with no method for the player to directly change these except in three separate instances.

Awakening[]

Awakening is the first title in which the player is freely allowed to select the traits for a Robin, the player's Avatar. Robin's Traits are determined by an Asset in which the selected stat has increased growth and caps and a Flaw in which the selected stat has decreased growth and caps. These selected Traits can also affect other stats, though to a lesser degree. Robin cannot have the same stat for an Asset and a Flaw. Once set, the player cannot change these traits, though a different Avatar created by the player can have different selected Traits.

Fates[]

Known in this game as a Boon and Bane, they are functionally the same as an Asset and Flaw respectively for Corrin, the player's Avatar for Fates. Like in Awakening these are chosen at the start of the game, cannot be changed once chosen, and cannot have the same stat as a Boon and Bane.

Rather than choosing the stats directly, the player chooses from a bank of words for both Boon and Bane categories. The chosen word corresponds to a specific stat for the Boon or Bane. Like Awakening, the Boon stat grows exceptionally well while the Bane is hindered while other auxiliary stats are affected in a minor manner.

Focused Stat Boon Word Bane Word
HP Robust Sickly
Strength Strong Weak
Magic Clever Dull
Skill Deft Clumsy
Speed Quick Slow
Luck Lucky Unlucky
Defense Sturdy Fragile
Resistance Calm Excitable

Heroes[]

In Heroes all summonable Heroes have the possibility to have their stats modified by Traits. If a hero has Traits, one stat is an Asset, highlighted in Blue, and has either 3 or 4 additional points in that stat's default maximum value at Level 40. Another stat will have a Flaw, highlighted in Red, and has either 3 or 4 reduced points to that stat's maximum value at Level 40. Most units when summoned are randomly subjected to a Trait and will have a random combination of the Traits, but some may be summoned without a Trait.

Some units are always exempt from having an Asset or Flaw when summoned:

  • Alfonse, Sharena, and Anna.
  • Any unit who is a Grand Hero Battle/Tempest Trials reward.
  • Any unit summoned via Heroic Grails.
  • A unit gifted through a story chapter such as Fjorm and Eir.
  • A Brave Hero summoned for free.
  • The free 5 star hero summoned after 40 summons on an eligible banner.
  • A unit rewarded for completing a Quest.
  • A Forma Hero.
  • A unit gifted through an in-game purchase or promotional event.

Later updates to heroes expanded upon this feature. A Hero that has a Trait and gains a Merge Level will instantly lose their Flaw penalty, while retaining their Asset boost. An item called the Trait Fruit allows the player to freely modify a character's Traits while an Ascendant Floret grants an additional Asset to a Hero.

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