Unlocking the Truth: How Many Endings Are There in Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes?
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes offers a compelling narrative experience, drawing players into a world of political intrigue and intense battles. A question that often arises, especially for those new to the game, is: How many endings are there in Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes? The answer is that there are two distinct endings for each of the three main routes, making a total of six possible endings. Each route—Scarlet Blaze, Azure Gleam, and Golden Wildfire—has a “normal” ending and a “true” ending. These endings are not just cosmetic variations, but rather reflect the key decisions made by the player throughout the campaign, especially during Chapter 10. Achieving the true ending requires a counterintuitive choice, specifically choosing to not pursue an optional objective related to Byleth, the “Ashen Demon.” This system means that multiple playthroughs are necessary to see all the conclusions.
Understanding the Route Structure
The game’s story is divided into three distinct paths, each centered on one of the three houses from Fire Emblem: Three Houses:
- Scarlet Blaze: This route focuses on the Black Eagles and their leader, Edelgard. Players will experience the events from the perspective of the Adrestian Empire.
- Azure Gleam: Following the Blue Lions and Dimitri, this path explores the Kingdom of Faerghus and its struggles.
- Golden Wildfire: This route centers around the Golden Deer and Claude, offering the perspective of the Leicester Alliance.
These routes diverge after the first two prologue chapters, allowing players to immerse themselves in the unique storylines and character interactions tied to each faction. Each of these routes contains the capacity for a “normal” and “true” ending, determined by a specific choice in Chapter 10.
The Significance of Chapter 10: The Fork in the Road
Chapter 10 holds the key to unlocking the true endings. During the main battle, Arval, a mysterious character, will trigger an optional objective through dialogue, offering Shez (the protagonist) the opportunity to take revenge on Byleth, the Ashen Demon. This is a classic “revenge” scenario that might tempt players to pursue it. However, to unlock the true ending, players must choose to ignore this objective and focus on the main mission. This counterintuitive choice is the defining factor between the normal and true endings for all three routes. Failing to ignore this optional objective will lead you to the “normal” ending, skipping over the necessary conditions to reach the “true” ending.
The “Normal” vs. “True” Ending
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Normal Endings: These endings result from choosing to complete the revenge objective against Byleth in Chapter 10. These are often less satisfying conclusions to the story of each route and are considered the less desirable option.
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True Endings: These endings are obtained by consciously choosing to ignore the optional revenge objective in Chapter 10. The “true” endings provide a more satisfying and cohesive conclusion to the narrative arc, showcasing a more developed resolution and usually revealing more of the game’s lore.
How To See All Endings
To experience all six endings of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, players must complete the game at least three times. During each playthrough, a different route must be chosen. Each run will require two end-game choices in Chapter 10:
1. Complete the optional Byleth objective for the “Normal” Ending
2. Do not complete the optional Byleth objective for the “True” Ending
After completing all three paths the ability to choose to take over after the “normal” ending will be available. This allows for a single save to have the ability to get all possible outcomes.
New Game+ and Replayability
Once a route is completed, the New Game+ option is unlocked. This feature allows players to begin a new game using the selected route while carrying over unlocked characters and classes, encouraging multiple playthroughs to see all possible endings and experience each faction’s story to its fullest. This mechanic is what creates the high replayability that the Fire Emblem Warriors series is known for.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes – Frequently Asked Questions
To further clarify the game’s complex narrative and ending system, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Is there romance in Three Hopes?
Unfortunately, no. Despite dialogue hinting at romantic connections, Shez, the main protagonist, cannot actively pursue a romance with any characters.
2. How many routes does Three Hopes have?
There are three distinct routes: Scarlet Blaze, Azure Gleam, and Golden Wildfire, each focusing on one of the three houses from Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
3. What happens when you beat Three Hopes?
Beating the game unlocks the New Game+ mode, allowing you to restart with previously earned characters and classes.
4. Is Three Hopes a prequel to Three Houses?
No, Three Hopes is not a prequel. It’s set in an alternate timeline, where Byleth is an antagonist, and Shez is the main protagonist.
5. How is Three Hopes connected to Three Houses?
Three Hopes tells an alternate story set in the same world as Three Houses, diverging in plot and character roles.
6. What happens if you don’t recruit Byleth?
Failing to recruit Byleth will drastically alter Chapter 14 and lead to a rushed conclusion, skipping chapters 15 and 16. It is important to recruit Byleth if you wish to achieve the “True” ending.
7. Are there secret units in Three Hopes?
Yes, there are several secret units to unlock, including Byleth, Jeralt, Arval, Rhea, and Sothis.
8. Which is the best house to choose?
Each house has its advantages. The Black Eagles tend to have more magic specialists, which is something to consider when you are deciding your main faction.
9. How long does it take to beat Three Hopes?
A normal playthrough focused on the main objectives is approximately 41.5 hours. Completing everything could take up to 131 hours.
10. Who is the best character in Three Hopes?
Arguably, Shez is considered the best unit, followed closely by Byleth and the house leaders, Edelgard, Claude, and Dimitri.
11. Can you recruit Manuela in Three Hopes?
Yes, but only on the Scarlet Blaze route.
12. How old is Dimitri in Three Hopes?
Dimitri is 17 at the start of the game and 23 after the time skip. He shares his age with Edelgard and Claude.
13. Why is Byleth the villain in Three Hopes?
Byleth is the antagonist to explore conflicts arising from the clashing beliefs of different characters. This also helps to explore the lore of the game.
14. Can you date Byleth in Three Hopes?
No, you cannot romance Byleth or any other character.
15. Is Anna playable in Three Hopes?
No, Anna is not a playable character in Three Hopes. She appears as a merchant.
Conclusion
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes presents a complex narrative with multiple paths and endings. There are two endings for each route for a total of 6 endings. The “true” endings are obtained by making the decision to not pursue the Byleth objective in Chapter 10. With a vast cast of characters, multiple routes, and hidden units, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a game that encourages exploration and replayability. The need to choose to not do something to get the “True” ending is just a small example of how this game deviates from other traditional Warriors titles and rewards players who are willing to explore all aspects of the story.