Dragon Vein

“The blood of dragons flows in your veins, as it does in all royals. You must learn to harness this draconic power wherever you may find it.”
—Xander, to Corrin.

Camilla uses the power of Dragon Vein to dry up a river.

Dragon Vein (竜脈 Ryūmyaku) is a special ability in Fire Emblem Fates.

Description

The power to use Dragon Veins is said to have been inherited from dragon ancestors. Those who possess this ability can alter the outcome of the battle, as effects vary from creating new paths, drying up rivers to create more terrain, creating regeneration spots, freezing enemies, or consuming their weapons.

Areas that can be manipulated by Dragon Vein are highlighted by glowing orbs of various colors on the battlefield. This power originates from the First Dragons, such as Anankos, who has the power to terraform an entire world through a similar method. He most notably does this to the future world the children of Awakening come from, by restoring life to it along with creating graves for all those that died including their parents.

In small doses this power can stay in a person for a few years, which is the case for the Awakening children. In large doses it can last for decades. The power is passed on and likely permanent in any children they conceive regardless of dose, as the children still retain the power years after its used on their parents. Even though Odin, Laslow and Selena were given this power by Anankos, they are unable to use it in the main storyline. This of course, is most likely because they have stayed in Nohr long enough for the powers to dissipate.

Dragon Veins are only operational during main chapters and paralogues and are not active during Skirmishes in Birthright and Revelation routes. Some maps, such as the Opera House and Bottomless Canyon retain the appearance they would have if all Dragon Vein points are active.

Dragon Vein Users

Units who can utilize Dragon Veins are marked with a crown icon to the left of their names on their stat profiles.

Playable Characters

There are sixteen playable characters who will always have the ability able to access Dragon Veins:

• Corrin
• Azura
• Camilla
• Elise
• Hinoka
• Leo
• Xander
• Ryoma
• Sakura
• Takumi
• Kana
• Shiro
• Kiragi
• Siegbert
• Forrest
• Shigure
• Any additional child of Azura or Corrin.
• Any child of Hinoka, Sakura, Camilla, and Elise.

Note: All units not listed above or do not apply with the latter two points are able to utilize a First Blood, granting them the ability to use Dragon Veins. Additionally, any child of a First Blood user will inherit the ability if they are recruited after the parent has consumed the item.

Non-Playable Characters

There are also several enemy characters that have Dragon Vein access. Their utilization of the ability is generally restricted to scripted events, or on specific turns during a chapter.

• Garon
• Mikoto
• Sumeragi
• Arete

Other Appearances

Fire Emblem Warriors

In the action game spin-off Fire Emblem Warriors, some maps feature bases housing Dragon Veins that can be accessed if the base is taken by the player's forces. When used, they alter the landscape and make paths in hazardous or impassible terrain. Unlike in Fates, there is no restriction on which characters can or can't activate a Dragon Vein.

Trivia

• The four dragon symbols are based on the Four Symbols.
  • The Fire Symbol represents Zhu Que/Suzaku.
  • The Earth Symbol represents Bai Hu/Byakko.
  • The Water Symbol represents Xuan Wu/Genbu
  • The Wind Symbol represents Qing Long/Seiryu.

• The US version of the limited edition Fire Emblem Fates New Nintendo 3DS XL console features the four Dragon Vein figures on its shell.

Gallery

Fire Dragon

Ground Dragon

Water Dragon

Wind Dragon