[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

I feel like it's more likely that we'll get faction-locked weapons as opposed to faction-locked classes. Like, Nohr has the traditional sword/lance/axe combo, since they're more European based like most other FE games, while Hoshido gets katanas/naginata/maces? (whatever Linca had) as functional substitutes.

Well yes, that too, but I doubt that Nohr will have the Oni class... xD

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

I really hope that Hoshido has some form of light magic...

That would be kinda cool :3

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

So with Famitsu giving us even more info, it appears that Sorcerers are Nohr-specific as well - meanwhile Hoshido has Oni(which would explain Rinka/Linca's headgear/mask) a unit with high strength and defence.

With Oni being so obviously related to Japan, what are everyone's thoughts about new Hoshido-specific classes? (Seeing how Nohr has gotten all horse-mounted units and now sorcerers and Brave Heroes)

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

Kamui's Dark Prince/Princess is written in Katakana, while Aqua's Songstress is written in Kanji.

The latter is why a lot of people erroneously call her a "Song Princess". Her class name is made of two kanji, which should be read together to make "Songstress". It's like reading "Sand Wich" instead of Sandwich.

In recent games, yeah, but Radiant Dawn had class names using both simultaneously (I thought that was neat, eg. Light Priestess was "Shaman" in Katakana and "Miko" in Kanji) and the older games had some classes in hiragana, I'm sure.

Huh, that's actually pretty interesting.

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

This seems to back-up the idea that you may factions are indeeed faction-locked but that you can still get thoe classes despite what route you choose, they'll just have origins in the other side.

I'm honestly wondering how Hoshido is supposed to be the easy path if you've got a bunch of foot soldiers and pegasi facing off against an army of horse-riders and wyverns lol.

Armorslayers, Wyrmslayers, and Rapiers. Case closed. (lol)

Edit: and Beastkillers xD

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

I doubt any class will be completely faction locked. If reclassing is back then its likely you wont get any that are default a class from the other side but instead reclass to that class. But possibly alternate names for the same class based off of the different roots for example samurai could be a name for a swordsmaster on Hoshido side

That's a distinct possibility, and if I'm honest, the most likely scenario. Still, I do enjoy the idea that some classes are not available for one faction or the other.

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

I think, and mind you, I don't have anything to back this up, but I think that Orochi might be a mage, and it's just that Hoshido mages look different. Like, Nohr mages use traditional western magic, and Hoshido mages use... taoist style?

Most likely. I'm just optimistic. Still, I don't mind if there's no faction-locked classes (but they better make sure a Hoshido paladin for example looks eastern) but it would be interesting since it not only further shows the differences between the two nations, it'll add new strategies to each side.

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

I'm pretty sure they will have faction locked classes, which would be interesting.

I'm glad to see stuff getting gender unlocked, female fighters are awesome.

Still, it looks like Nohr is getting the cooler classes. Wyvern riders as opposed to pegasus knights, dark knights, etc.

Hoshido's got.... ninjas?

Ninjas, Swordmasters, Pegasus Knights, and whatever class Orochi is - if her spell is of any indication, I'm guessing she's a new class. I'm probably wrong, though. Sure, Nohr get "more" class choices, but I'm sure there'll be 1 or 2 new classes in Hoshido.

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

Apart from the fact that this theory has indeed been voiced by quite a few people in the past, I don't see why anyone would bash you. Actually, some people went a little bit further and theorized that most exclusive classes were supposed to be the equivalent of another one from the other side.

In any case, archers might be Hoshido exclusive, while Nohr gets bow-using thieves. Upon looking at Sakura's map sprite, we can also see that she looks different from the clerics seen in Nohr, not to mention the TGC revealed that she'd use bows - probably upon promotion - which is unlike anything we've seen before. In general it seems like horses are more of a Nohr thing, so most if not all the classes that ride one would come from there; cavaliers, dark knights, but also troubadours, maybe more. We can see a blond axe user on Nohr, which may or may not be from a different class than Rinka. His sprite doesn't look like anything from Awakening, though obviously Rinca's doesn't either, since female axe users on foot were barely a thing. And then you have a mercenary in Nohr, and Hoshido sure has a lot of myrmidons around. These two classes and their promotion have been opposed several times throughout the series, so mercenaries may very well be tied to Nohr as well.

Then you have the more complicated issue of magic users. Dark magic might be exclusive to Nohr along with dark mages, but even anima was only seen from Nohr at this point, except for that one icy-rat spell from Orochi, which may very well be something completely different.

Finally, the assasins looking guys from Hoshido do have a similar map sprite, but their model is new, as is their very ninja-esque attack animation, and the only weapon we see them use looks like a throwing star. Basically I'm pretty sure they're specifically from a new class called ninja, which is indeed most likely Hoshido exclusive.

But alas, none of this proves that you won't get some of these classes on their opposite version. It's too early to tell. This was more about background than gameplay.

You raise some fine points, mate.

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

While I do believe certain classes will be native to certain countries (which isn't all that unusual; mymidons/swordmasters, Pegasus Knights and Wyvern Riders all tend to come from soecific countries) I don't think this necessarily means they'll be locked to certain factions. There's probably be a few characters who join Kamui regardless of which side they join, a few characters that are just wandering mercenaries, a few characters that desert the countries for moral reasons, etc.

Yeah, of course you'll be able to get those classes by the examples you just gave - I meant that, initially, your side won't have certain classes in their ranks (like, we won't see pegasus knights amongst the Nohr army) but certain characters will be recruitable. However, I don't think, for example, that pure Hoshido characters will be able to change cinto Nohr-themes classes, such as knights and cavaliers. It'll be bound to those few that you recruit.

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

It's been speculated that this is the same cavalier you get on the Nohr side, in which case he's probably a Nohr soldier who defects if you side with Hoshido. It still means cavaliers are a phenomenon that stems from Nohr.

I absolutely agree.

Edit: That's possibly how it's going to be - some classes aren't available on your faction, but you can recruit one or two from the opposite one, giving you access to all classes but keeping it limited.

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

I would prefer this to Gender-locked classes, but we do see a Cavalier on the Hoshido side so I doubt we will get a class entirely locked out of a certain route unless it is a special class.

Hmm, true. That sprite however appears as an enemy as well, so maybe factions can recruit characters from the opposite one? He looks Nohrian to me and it's possible we have already seen him in-game; I have yet to see a Hoshido style cavalier and a Nohrian styled swordmaster.

[How long a wait for EU fans?]

I would like to add my two cents and simply say; I understand what shadowofchaos is saying - I really do, despite butting heads earlier. But in the end, it does suck that Europe has to wait months extra, especially when I - who lives in Scandinavia - don't need the french, spanish, or german languages. As long as it's english, I could play it. I really hope it's not a repeat of Awakening's release gaps this time, rather the release of both N.A and EU are the same.

It's not the best example, but Hyrule Warriors for examlpe came out in Europe first - 1 week before N.A. And it was translated to French and German as well, and there's a lot of text in that game. It's not impossible.
But oh well. We still have to play the waiting game; I doubt they talk about western release during this year's E3.

[Faction-locked Classes instead of gender-locked?]

Hi, Kagehoshi here again - you might remember me as the one who ranted on a different topic about the release date gap.

Anywho, I'm not here to rant, I just wish to talk about something I picked up on after having watched the trailers/screenshot a lot, and I want to hear everyone's thoughts. My apologies for the lengthy post. Screenshots I'm mentioning can be found on this site under "Images and Videos."

Something I would like to point out (and I'm most likely not the first to think of it) is that there might not be any gender-locked classes in FE:if, but rather, faction-locked;

Amongst Hoshido's forces (seen in screenshots etc.) we see mymidons and swordmasters,

based on their battle stance (same as Awakening) which fits with how someone would wield a katana.

We also see assassins on the Hoshido side, as they share the same sprites from Awakening again, but

we don't see any cavaliers at all. Ryoma himself looks like a swordmaster, same stance and all.

On the Nohr side, however (screenshots, again) we see that there are no assassins/swordmasters/myrmidons around - only knights and cavaliers. My theory/speculation is that the myrmidons/assassins/swordmasters will be for Hoshido only since they're more reminiscent to samurais and ninjas, which goes with the "feudal Japan" feel on Hoshido, while cavaliers, knights, great knights, and paladins will be exclusive to Nohr as they traditionally look more western/european in appearance, which goes with the western influence of Nohr.

We don't see any of these classes on the opposite sides at all so far - so if certain classes are faction-locked, it could explain why we might see male pegasus knights and female warriors (Rinka, the horned-masked girl seen in trailers, screenshots, and next toRyoma as he tells Kamui about being his brother, appears to be a warrior with a kanabo - the eastern version of an axe - her attack animation is just like warriors/berserkers in Awakening); it would still give your forces more class options despite that some are exlcusive to the opposite faction.

It does makes sense, in the way that a knight, with it's western-inspired armour, would look outlandish on Hoshido's side, while a ninja/assassin (Saizou being an example, appearance wise) would look strange in the Nohr army.

Again, before people bash me, remember that we don't see any of these classes in the opposite faction; all screenshots show these classes fighting the other side, such as knights and cavaliers agains myrmidons/swordmasters, and the only assassin sprites are shown with other Hoshido characters. Hell, maybe even Dark Knights will only be for Nohr as well? We know that Leon is a Dark Knight, and we've seen (appearance wise, at least) Dark Knights being the enemy in screenshot and the first trailer, at least.

Your thoughts?

EDIT: Someone pointed out that perhaps it was just showcased to look like there were faction-locked classes, but in the second trailer (speficially, when both your families beckons you to their side) you can see Hoshido's and Nohr's armies in the background - Nohr has soldiers similar to Awakening with their western style, complese with lances, while Hoshido show katana-wielding myrmidons as their main force, further supporting my theory.

However, there's a possibility that you can recruit units from the opposite faction, as seen on these screenshots:
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/fireemblem/images/7/70/Saizou_sprite.png/revision/latest?cb=20150410071751
http://serenesforest.net/wp-content/gallery/january-2015-nintendo-direct/Jan_006.jpg

Notice how the sprite is the same - first, a Nohrian marked as red, the standard colour of enemies in the series, and in the next, blue - he's with you. It's not a stretch to say that the only way you could get your faction's missing classes is by recruiting them from the opposite side?

[Release Date Gap]

To answer topic question, I understand the relese gap but don't like it.

I live in the uk btw.

I get that they have to translate it to British English, German, French French (as in not Canadian french), Spanish, and everything else, but it still annoys me that eu gets it released after everyone else...

You and me both, man.

[Release Date Gap]

That was me venting my frustration on tumblr. Forgive me if I seem like a jerk... but your sass of "Anywho, no" got under my skin when I spent an hour of my time translating that just for you to throw it back at me with a misinterpretation.

All I'm saying is you shouldn't be so sure with your information when someone else is doing the translation for you.

Whatever, mate. It wasn't my intention to be sassy either. Water under the bridge and all that. As long as I'll be able to buy all 3 paths (whenever the game comes out in Europe...) I'll be happy.

[Release Date Gap]

The page before stated for the DLC "will be released at a later day".

The Special Edition's release date is "June 25th 2015".

What can you deduce about this situation and what you said that I was trying to correct?

Your attitude there rubbed me the wrong way.

Alright, alright. Fine, I admit, I was wrong. I was under the impression that the third path would be available immediately as well. You're right, I'm dead-wrong. Happy now?

So, what? No third path for special editon (or however they arrange it in the west) when it comes to N.A/EU? Because they're going to take that long to add it? I don't even know or care anymore. I've been declared an idiot/ignorant prick too much for one session as it is.

[Release Date Gap]

Did you read the page before that?

Did you also read the name of the person who uploaded that video?

What "page"? "A downloadable version that will let you choose your path at the beginning..." ? Again, not sure what you're on about. And I see now, same name, so you translated and uploaded it, huh? That's swell. So, again... what are you on about? Nowhere in the video do they state that the third path won't be on the special edition.

[Release Date Gap]

Kagehoshi... Did you not listen to the Japanese Direct?

The Special Edition does not have the third path on cartridge. It will be released the same day as everything else.

And the third path DLC will be released at a later date. The special edition "prepays" for it.

As I don't know Japanese, I can't say I have, so NO.

All I could find is a translated version on youtube, where they state, and I quote; "and a Special Pack contains Byakuya, Anya, the third DLC path, and bonuses will be available." So I don't know what you're on about.

That doesn't change, however, that the third path will be out before this year ends. So here in the west, we'll be able to get all 3 paths upon launch.

[Release Date Gap]

You're remembering it wrong.

They have a special edition with a cartridge with both paths and "prepays" for the third DLC.

The thing I bought.

The thing you bought? Wat.

Anywho, no. They'll have a special edition with all 3 paths at launch, or shortly after that. My point is that the special edition with all 3 will have been out in Japan long before this year is over, and I'm sure we'll get it over here as well.

[The Dark Prince/Princess Class]

Or that the Hoshido leaders somehow made Kamui the vessel for some dragon to defend themselves in case Nohr would attack

That, too!

[The Dark Prince/Princess Class]

With risk of changing the subject, I just wanted to point out (which many of you might already know) that the Dark Prince class was Julius' class in "Genealogy of the Holy War" - it could just be a coincidence, but Julius was a vessel to an evil earth dragon, no? Maybe Kamui's dragon form is linked to that, somehow...?

Either way, I'm inclined to agree that Kamui is a manakete - people have already pointed it out, but Kamui does have pointed ears for a reason.

[Release Date Gap]

Two paths is believable. But they're not going to give us all three paths for the price of one. The third path hasn't even been officially announced outside Japan.

Not yet, no. But given the gap, the special edition bundle with all 3 paths that will be out in Japan on June 25 will most likely be carried over to the west. Not for the price of one, no, I don't believe that, but they've stated that the 3 path edition will come out at least shortly after Japan's launch.

[Release Date Gap]

Nah, I totally get it. It's hard enough being in NA and having to wait for months after Japan gets the game, I'd be annoyed too if I had to wait even longer than other English-speaking regions. Just try not to focus on it too much because that won't make it come any faster and will only make you suffer. :P You could use the wait time to play or replay some other FEs!

Well, I do have the two FE games from eshop still lingering around on my wiiu...

[Release Date Gap]

These things take a lot of time, especially with all the text in FE games. It's not just translation, either, but QC for errors like bad line breaks on top of obvious things like grammar.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be all for simultaneous releases, but there are reasons for release gaps, and likely more than just translation into multiple languages.

You know, the more replies I get, the more I start to feel like a jerk for complaining.