Why is Pair Up back????

[Eveangaline]

I admit one thing I liked about pair ups was how much easier it made supports. A lot less "Ok I killed everyone but the boss. Time for 50 turns of nothing over and over so I can get these two to support."

[Ownagepuffs]

It fine as it is, it the best way to gain supports without putting squishy units in damage.

The FEDS/Tellius support systems were way better. Units just had to be fielded in the same map.

[Hong]

I think Pair Up is a great concept. It really helps to illustrate one of the distinct features of Fire Emblem, the support system, more directly in battle. The problem is it is too volatile. Each engagement already has enough dice rolls. Hits, crits, and eventually skill activation, come to mind. A Dual Strike or two can effectively double your damage, which is a little silly.

Now if they make it so:

Dual Strike happens 100% of the time when Paired Up

Dual Strike only works once per engagement

Dual Strike damage is halved

Support ranking increases damage by a flat amount (like 1 per rank) instead of increasing the chance

... it's suddenly not that ridiculous. Especially if Pair Up stops giving stat bonuses.

As for Dual Guard, have it calculate based on the defending units defensive stat (Def vs Str, Mag vs Res), and have it take place only when the main unit is actually going to take damage. No more blocking 0 damage attacks with a 0% chance of hitting.

While not related to gameplay, I think the Pair Up system can be better presented. Supporting characters should have lines and animations that respond to what is happening to the active character instead of just waddling around all the time.