Taka-kun

Heh, I like how Corrin's first thought is "They make a good pair" instead of some weird misunderstanding. Good going, onii-chan!

So, with almost two weeks left, the Europeans can finally jump on the Fates bandwagon. Has anybody been deterred from the game after all the negativity it has received in these forums? My interest has actually increased because the supposed "negativity" highlights the features of the game, gave me more insight and made me anticipate it more. Despite all the criticism the story has been given, I still feel fresh of mind and can go in without prejudices. Of course, that doesn't mean I won't be dissapointed but at least now I can make my own judgement.

Funnily, Hinoka calls her steed "horse" all the time. You might not be that far off. Otherwise, seems there is no symbolic meaning at all. It's just "knights in the sky".

I still feel your reasoning of Corrin's personality still weak, since I don't Garon's visits are as traumatic as your car accident and people in general tend to gravitate more towards those showing love and affection, like her family. If anything, I think's it's more plausible Corrin would have a vengeful attitude from Camilla because Camilla can be ruthless and merciless towards her enemies but shows nothing but love for siblings and retainers. Moreover, what is the driving force behind Corrin's yearning for Garon's love? Is it because she is just Daddy's girl? Or because she wants to be useful? I think it's the latter since the latest chapter shows she wants to be a model knight but I am not sure how it's related to Garon. My opinions aside, your characterization is still plausible but you should focus on concentrating and experssing it more, which could make Corrin more sympathetic if we got bit more detail about her past and upbringing and desires. Monologues are a great way for that, either from the character itself or someone close. It doesn't need to be much, just small bits here and there like: "Corrin felt confused and dazed by her siblings' reactions but a part of her was not surprised. Even if her mind had staunchly stayed on the path of retribution against the hateful Hoshidans, her heart still ached over the thought of dissapointing the people that had showered her with unconditional love. Maybe she should re-think her values if even Camilla reprimanded her. Or maybe not, judging from her father's pleased look". Not really sure if it was OOC of Corrin but it would give more ground for her to change if the reader is aware that she has thoughts of changes and is capable to, by eliminating the root of her racism. Glad to hear you are taking this well, mate.

One thing that buggers me is the change from Pegasus Knight to Sky Knight in the localization. Why did they feel the need to change it at all? I know the localization has done a lot of questionable stuffs but let's leave that for now. IIRC, the japanese version changed so "knight" would only be presented in Nohr (going with the European equivalent) while Hoshido had "warriors". The idea seems to be dropped entirely in the localization since now there are knights on both sides. But for some ungodly reason, Pegasus Knights were changed to Sky Knights with no apparent explanation nor a need at all. Falcon Knights were still kept as they are for example. And this is not consistent either. Reading through some of the supports, I only find Corrin/Hinoka B-support mentioning Hinoka training to become a sky knight. Hinoka/Subaki C and Shigure/Caeldori S instead uses the term pegasus knights. Feels like some in the localization team were not notified of the naming change.

Looking forward this. Ms. Strober's voice is heavenly as Azura, both singing and talking and I can find no better fit.

Very impressive. Guess despite all the criticism, IntSys's marketing strategy seems to be correct.

I feel your writing has improved, since there is more variation in the choice of words and you don't repeat any word to much to make it overused. Some dialogues are golden. I guffawed with "Peri is Your Glory!" despite the serious situation. The flow can be improved upon, since there is still the sense that you are deliberately making sections rather than weaving everything into one narrative, the split-up "master meets retainers" being quite evident of this. IMO, you lessen the "and yes, before you say anything, I..." and so on. Garon shouldn't need to do it and Xander is no idiot (I hope). An inner or unspoken dialogue conveyed via atmosphere shifts and/or facial messages would be better suited. Provide some more introspection with the characters, rather than let them blurt out everything. I believe you are trying to make Corrin be like that, since her thoughts show that she is insincere. On the characters themselves, you don't do them much justice, as they have yet to shape distinct character traits (except for Corrin, but I come back to her later). All the Nohrian siblings seem like a faceless blob of lecturing Corrin, especially when even Camilla is lecturing Corrin on her mercilessness, when it's clear Camilla is capable of worse and has zero sympathy for her enemies (case in point, in Camilla/Elise supports, Camilla flat out says no mercy to the enemies, to her youngest sister) and Leo, while not unnecessarily cruel, has less scruples than the honorable Xander, who should be the one to be appalled due to his dedication to chivalry. Elise is the only one so far of the siblings I feel being distinct, as she is naïve and innocent, failing to understand the cruelties of war and that's fine, since that is how she should be. I know this is your story but your characters can only be great if they have their own gimmick, instead of being a monolith. I am pleased with Garon though. You do him much more justice in his speech patterns than the overtly hammy villain in the game. Aside from the "and yes,..." to Xander, he is commanding and resolute and his looming presence can be felt. Although I don't know if it was intentional, his choice to sit beside Xander like any common man makes me feel he doesn't need a high throne to make it clear he is the authority in the room. He also shows less proneness towards unwanton cruelty and more of necessary ruthlessness. And lord Shakespeare? Geez, it makes me feel Iago is somebody who pulls string behind the scenes only to watch tragedy unfold because there is nothing more beautiful in the world. Now I am sorry to say this, but I cannot understand Corrin's racism. There is nothing substantial about it since it's fostered through tales. And worse, Garon was sparesly with her, as you wrote, so she must have heard it from her siblings and I cannot fathom that they would phrase it to shift all the blame on Hoshido. To me, it feels like Corrin thinks Hoshido has an obligation to help the Nohrians, who by all means should be traitors for fleeing from their country. Why should Hoshido help the Nohrians when Nohr itself cannot? Her wish to improve Nohr does not need to be incompatible with the need to be merciful against foreigners. Why don't she show hostility towards other city-states in the vicinity, who probably does the same thing as Hoshido? Apologies for the strong criticism, but your portrayal of her is too alien for me to comprehend. I am sorry to end this on such a note but do know that I feel you are improving and listening, hence why I dare to lay it out. I wouldn't keep on returning to this fic if I didn't feel that it's interesting and that you are doing a great work as an author, by taking in feedback and improving your writing.

Though I really like both classes in terms of aesthetics (for M!Corrin that is. Battle panties not my thing) I prefer the Nohr Noble, with the tattered cape and gold lined over black.

Man, Corrin & Kana is just adorable. I wish there were more material about Fates emphasizing on the family aspect cuz the game sure as hell didn't

I just realized, there are no unique models for Blacksmith and Basara. So those got shafted?

You are completely in the right. The only advantage Cao Cao had was numerical advantage, while losing out on everyone else, not to mention he went up against the best admiral of the time, who incidentially, had prepared for the battle since a long time due to the natural geography and the strategic situation. All I am saying, fire attacks are quite viable (there is a whole chapter dedicated to it in Sun Tzu's Art of War) but it would have been far more realistic if Robin had prepared for two years rather than "hmm, yeah this works". I would be willing to accept it if Robin had lulled the Valmese into complacency, read the wind and tide ahead and had a complete grasp of the Valmese fleet's formation. For a game centered around strategy, there is very little in-plot that actually discusses viable strategies, even if there are half-assed attempts. You are not a military genius if your opponent is an idiot. You are a genius if you know your opponent is an idiot and uses the knowledge. One viable explanation is that the Valmese fleet is packed together for ease of communication, due to the huge number of ships and men. Ignatius claimed himself to be a man of the sea but the rest of Valm seems to be horse people, so capable captains might be in shortage. Moreover, hunkering and perhaps stabilizing the ships via chaining reduces sea-sickness. Considering that Valm had yet to establish a beachhead in Plegia/Ferox (maybe that was Dalton's intent), they would need to be able to conduct an invasion as soon as they landed. If Robin had predicted the winds and tides correctly, it would indeed be impossible for the Valmese fleet to make a swift turn. While I too am fond of ingenuity, Conan works because he unravels mysteries and sometimes lay simple traps to expose the culprit, but that only requires him and a few people. Sora also follows a set of rules, disassemble and analyze them and then take advantage of loopholes and other tricks to turn the tables in his favor (as well as some old-fashioned pleading for your life). An operation on the scale of Robin's plan requires at least months of preparation, since you have to prep the ships, organize the command orders and study the weather. Not to mention to your captains that"well, I am basically going to burn all of your precious ships and deprive you of your livelihood". Well, unless you've got Deus Ex Machina on your side, which completely removes the point of having ingenious strategies. Now back to reading the Art of War so I can pretend being a master tactician.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Red_Cliffs That said, it could have been executed much much better than just being hand-waved as "working", but the thought is not wrong.

Much obliged. I am pleased to the variety of units.

Does anybody have a list of unique models for each character? I am bit of a purist so I appreciate it somebody knows which promotions or even second class I promote my characters into to perserve their uniqueness.

I for one would have wanted a set pairing and have it play in the story, like Sigurd/Deidre. It would allow for some drama in the story, if IS didn't have to keep it all ambigious because of fans.

I think I am the only one but I actually want (spoilers about Corrin's heritage)

Jesus, I thought we Swedes had it difficult since nobody really likes Nintendo over here but at least we have a bunch of electronic stores and online game stores that buy in limited editions because why not. If I had to go to GameStop for every game purchase, I would probably be broke by now.

I have not played Fates so Corrin gets the short end of the stick. But for now I have to say Robin. Why? Because he is not chosen by some magic sword or has supernatural abilities (that come to play) or is some amazing fighter (as seen in M!RobinXKjelle convo). He uses tactics and strategy of war, which is kinda vital in a WAR. When he went all Sun Tzu on the Valmese fleet is when I liked him the best (though not the aftermath of "damn, that was so great bro". You know how difficult it is to pull a fire attack?) and generally his support convos are great since they showed a maturation over time (compare his 1st gen supports with his 2nd gen supports). And then there is this hidden chessmastery of his when he deceives Validar and even Chrom (should you choose to have Robin sacrifice himself). So yes, definitely Robin.

I nerded about tactics games to a friend of mine, and she told me about FE: Awakening. The rest is history.

As a villain, I would prefer someone who goes against all the perceived morals of the FE series, namely that only the righteous lord chosen by a magic blade can save the world. I want someone like Walhart, who says damn traditions and just go on a conquest with might and steel. What makes him a villain? He has no legitimate cause, no divine rights of kings but simply his will and wish for a better world, even if via brutal methods. Have him play the old "greater good" trope, kill one to save ten. Righteousness and kindness is for governance and administration in peacetime. In war, steel and fire reigns supreme and all FE lords have done the same, it's just their actions are sanctioned by whatever dragon god they revere. As a hero against this villain, I would want a noble lord chosen by a magic blade. But he himself is ambitious warmonger who wants to restore order to the world, but on HIS terms (which doesn't need to be bad). And he is so selfishly driven by this single-minded goal of that he ignores any suffering he might bring, to intent on his "black-and-white morality" that he fails to understand that it's not good vs evil, it's good vs another good. There you have it and I am sure it will never happen in FE. That's why I will go back to reading Three Kingdoms where it happens.

Nah, not really. I enjoyed Sugita and Mercer voicing him but otherwise his personality didn't click with me at all. He is supposed to be charismatic but it's not shown at all and it feels people follow him mainly because he wields the Falchion and is proactive. The latter is good, the former is meh.

Is GameStop and Amazon the only available retailers? What about electronic stores or even toy stores? I dunno, like Media Markt and Toys' R'Us? I hate buying at game stores because hot damn are the prices inflated.

I am quite happy that Corrin is more revenge-driven in Birthright to differentiate from Conquest and as you say, it would have been better if it was actually acknowledged in-story. So driven by their quest for vengeance, they are blind to the suffering they bring, whether it's massacring Nohrians or squeezing Hoshido of its resources.

Wanna say that you are not alone. I too enjoyed Awakening's Valm arc, even if it could have been expanded upon much more. And yes, I love the tactician genius trope as well, a very underused concept in FE which relies more on noble princes with magic swords, rather than using tactics and strategy, despite the whole series being about it. EDIT: I forgot to mention that I am surprised of Leif's more positive look on Conquest, considering the massive trash Conquest has gotten storywise in these forums. As somebody who has yet to play Fates (or even find detailed information), I am quite happy to hear other opinions to give me a chance on the games (not that I wouldn't anyway but I don't want to be bogged down by all the negativity).