Clarification on Heart Seals?

[The Royal Red]

So I recently viewed a video from Nintendo, stating that "Heart Seals allowed you to reclass based on the units personality". I had believed that it was a replacement for the second seal (which it pretty much is except...), but for the player character, what determines the "personality"? Do you just simply pick the class or something other like a quiz similar to the older Mystery Dungeon games?

Edited February 13, 2016 by SilentSavior

[Byleth]

So I recently viewed a video from Nintendo, stating that "Heart Seals allowed you to reclass based on the units personality". I had believed that it was a replacement for the second seal (which it pretty much is except...), but for the player character, what determines the "personality"? Do you just simply pick the class or something other like a quiz similar to the older Mystery Dungeon games?

You can pick your secondary class during avatar creation in "Talent" option.

[The Royal Red]

You can pick your secondary class during avatar creation in "Talent" option.

Thanks for the clarification!

[stahl_gaius_fan]

So only the avatar can use heart seals?

[Mango Giamatti]

So only the avatar can use heart seals?

Nope. Anyone can use them to change into their alternate class. The avatar is the only first-gen unit with a variable alternate class.

[Leif]

So only the avatar can use heart seals?

Nope. Anyone can use them to change into their alternate class. The avatar is the only first-gen unit with a variable alternate class.

^ This.

Expanding on this notion, the avatar can get access to a partner's primary class once he/she reaches A support rank with them. The avatar cannot A+ other male/female allies, only A rank them (unless you include Niles or Rhajat).

Not being able to A+ anyone allows the avatar to get all same-gendered units' primary classes.

Edited February 14, 2016 by Leif

[gayserbeam]

To be a little more straightforward, every unit has one or two "Secondary" classes that they can switch to at any time with a Heart Seal. Corrin can choose his Secondary Class during character creation.

Also, after promotion, a unit can use a Heart Seal to switch between the promotion options. For example, Silas is a Cavalier whose Secondary Class is Mercenary. Before he promotes, he can use the Heart Seal to switch between the Cavalier and Mercenary classes. After promotion, he can use the Heart Seal to switch between Paladin, Great Knight, Hero and Bow Knight.

Unlike Second Seals in Awakening, Heart Seals can be used at any level, and they don't change the level of your unit. You also can't use it to switch between a promoted class and an unpremoted class or vice versa.

[Zelgius]

For their secondary class, do units have a unique design for that class as they would with their primary class tree?

[Azz]

For their secondary class, do units have a unique design for that class as they would with their primary class tree?

Sadly no, only their base class and 'canon' promotion perse. Like Silas has a custom Paladin palette, but not a custom Great Knight pallete. And again, we do have some Gregor-like characters who have no custom promotion palette once promoted, like Peri.

[paladin21]

Sadly no, only their base class and 'canon' promotion perse. Like Silas has a custom Paladin palette, but not a custom Great Knight pallete. And again, we do have some Gregor-like characters who have no custom promotion palette once promoted, like Peri.

Some characters actually do have special designs for not base classes (Odin being one of them with his samurai/swordmaster classes).

[Byleth]

Takumi has custom palette for Samurai class though he doesn't have it naturally.

Midori has custom palette for Ninja.