Opinions. The future of Fire Emblem Characters in Smash Bros?

Good Morning/Evening/Afternoon

This had being an incredible week for the Fire Emblem Fans; with the annoucement of Summer's Dawn Micaiah (her first alternative version) in Fire Emblem Heroes despite she only having half-year in the game; and the confirmation of Chrom as a playable character in Smash Bros after 4 years of memes.

This time we'll talk about the Smash-side of the things as you would expect for the title; we'll talk about Summer's Dawn Micaiah another day.

Fire Emblem got their 7th Character; which is also the 2nd Echo Fighter (being mostly a clone of Roy's moveset) from this franchise and the 4th Character based in Marth's basics; Chrom is probably the character the most talked about in relationship with Smash Bros that isn't already playable (with Lyn usually considered the close second one), and it's very obvious that Chrom's apperance in Smash was a direct product of popularity alone (like pretty much all the characters revealed so far; except Inkling that also was a product of the success of the brand).

Chrom is an anomaly.

This however, is a very strange situation in the hindsight; Fire Emblem, like Pokémon (at a less extreme degree) gets their new character choices as product of relevancy and good timing; this applies with Roy, Ike, Robin, Lucina and Corrin; and the only exception so far has been done with the original Main Character Marth (and former most popular in the series)... Until now... Fire Emblem had always being in the obligation to represent what is new; but after Smash Ultimate change of focus; this isn't longer necessary; and the desire of the fans are having effect in the series more than ever...

Fire Emblem is a series that right now is probably the strangest moment of their whole existence in Smash Bros; the years between the release of Fire Emblem Fates and the things that would be relevant for Sakurai and his bunch (Late 2016?/Early 2017?) are pretty much the revival of the Fire Emblem's Past in the form of Cipher, Gaiden/SoV and Fire Emblem Heroes (and TMS#FE at a less extent).

The franchise lacked a obvious relevant choice in the moment of Smash Ultimate's development compared with previous years; this combine with the change of the character's selection focus; it had made possible one of most wanted desires of the whole fanbase; a Fire Emblem character that isn't a sword user.

Maybe isn't something we had thought that much before; but it would make sense in this new context; now, the problem would select one specific character that would fit the criteria.

To answer this question; I thought in a time where I was analizing the potential of the old-ish Fire Emblem Characters (it was done in Mid-2015; where I already knew the Fates characters would have the advantage in DLC obvious reasons, and many were already analizing their chances; so I didn't).

These were the comments I did to the non-sword users.


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Tiki

What exactly can she offer?

A Manakete is a recurrent aspect in Fire Emblem don’t already used. She can use powers related with her Manakete form, like flames, flame orbs attacks (like the one that uses in Awakening) and other dragon-like attacks. The manakete form could be used as a summon or as an actual transformation during her attacks.

Pros

• She is the playable character with more apparences story-related in the series: Three (Five if you count the Remakes, Six if you count Genei Ibun Roku #FE), this make her one of the few Fire Emblem characters that actually has “likeable future” in the series.
• She is a fan favorite, one of the most popular characters in the overall series, even was capable to get a good place in the Awakening’s Popularity Contest.
• She isn’t a sword-user.
• She is a female character… this always is an advantage.

Cons

• Her Ballot Support was Small.
• Possible issues with transformations (it depends on how exactly this works).
• She could overlap with other dragon-like characters (Bowser/Charizard) in some moves.
• The Awakening version Tiki could have a design too “sexy” for the game, because she has a big noticeable cleavage and use garter straps (in the 3DS Trophy model isn’t really notable any of these aspects).
• The Akanea/Ylisse games already has 2 characters (3 if you count Lucina).

Hector

What exactly he can offer?

He is a Armor Knight-like Lord and an Axe User (one of the few lords that doesn’t have as his main weapon swords). As a curious fact, many games in the franchise has “bumeran-like” axes (Hand Axes).

Pros

• Hector is a popular character in the Fire Emblem Franchises for similar reasons that Lyn
• He could perfectly be a Heavyweight character.
• He isn’t a Sword-User

Cons

• He is overshadowed for Lyn’s popularity
• Ike already fills a similar niche in the game.
• Niche Smash Support, but probably better than other characters because his high popularity.

Ephraim

What exactly he can offer?

A complete Spear-User Character (and the horse if you want)

Pros

• Completely unique moveset guaranteed with the spear.
• Like Eirika, he comes from a different Continent without representation (Magvel).
• Ephraim is a popular Fire Emblem Lord (for reasons usually related with characters like Hector).
• He isn’t a Sword-user

Cons

• Niche Smash Support, but probably better than other characters because his high popularity.
• Overlap with Bandana Dee as a Spear-User, one of most wanted characters in the Japanese Smash Fanbase, and also popular in some western communities.

Micaiah

What exactly she can offer?

Micaiah is an full magician character (unlike Robin that also uses swords in his/her moveset), with access to light magic and staffs, this latter is one of the most common elements in the Fire Emblem Series unused in Smash.

Pros

• Micaiah is confirmed as the Fire Emblem character with the loudest (and likeably biggest) Smash Ballot Support in Japanese Media. In Western Communities she is more a niche choice, but still one of the most popular between Fire Emblem Characters.
• Staffs are interesting options to a moveset, and magic isn’t still used in it’s full potential in Smash Bros.
• She isn’t a Sword-user
• She is a female character
• She was formerly controversial character in the Western Communities, that includes Fire Emblem Discussions and Brawl’s Days Predictions (even if her game doesn’t sell a lot, this helps her popularity in some way), and also one of the few Fire Emblem Characters in the Pre-Smash 4 with some actual support (because Chrom took all of the attention in the actual Speculation).

Cons

• Her game is one of the worst sellers in the series (even if ironically it’s main characters are popular, especially Ike).
• Micaiah is one of these character that formerly had a mixed reception with the Fire Emblem’s fanbase (already mentioned her “controversial” side in the Pros); with many lovers and many haters (nowadays the hate against her is more like indifference in many cases).

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How did you think these thoughts translate nowadays? I would happy to see your opinions.

(There would also exist the possibility of new Echo Fighters; but these are harder to predict outside of Chrom)

- Troykv (The Dawn's Historian and Micaiah4Smash Main Admin)

Opinions. Micaiah "Rate the Character" Post.

Disclaimer: This article was created with the intention to post my opinions about Micaiah's posibilities in Smash in the "Rate the Character" Thread in Smash Boards

Link: https://smashboards.com/threads/rate-their-chances-switch-edition-day-53-micaiah.453357/page-132#post-22037729

Let's begin

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The Chances.

Micaiah is a character in a hard position for a playable spot because she doesn't have the same recency that a character like (nowadays) Celica has, but Micaiah has some stuff on her side I would like to post some of them.

Micaiah is filled with niches and gimmicks that hadn't be replicate together, and she of course, is one of the Fire Emblem Main Characters.

1.- Micaiah is a user of Magic (Light Magic)

In the Fire Emblem Series exists different Light Magic Tomes, and like the anima tomes there exists tomes with different functions like being highly powerful but make you vulnerable (Aura), Long-Range Magic (Purge) and of course there are the ol'reliable ones that doesn't have particular disadvantages or advantages...

"But Robin alredy does the magic stuff"

Robin is more like a Mystical Knight, or whatever you think is the main focus in the moveset, the magic is a part of important of their gimmick, but they are essencially sword-user in most of their animations; Micaiah is a complete magic user that doesn't use swords, and she doesn't need them anyway; in fact, the lack of a sword make Micaiah more flexible in the way she can use the animations of her attacks to create some unusual hitboxes not possible with a weapon that is attached to the user.

But Magic isn't limited just to flashy movements, Micaiah also has in her side other way of using her power.

2.- Micaiah is a user of the Utility-Based Magical Staves.

The staves are one of the most useful tools you can find in a Fire Emblem because of their special uses. There are some very straighforward like the ones that heals HP or Status Ailments. But there are also some that offer many possibilities; Warping and Rescuing Units can be used to move units at positions that would otherwise being impossible, making them key to create powerful strategies to beat even the hardest maps.

Micaiah is the only lord that is actually associated (but not as much as the Light Magic) with Staves, and they're one of the key elements in the franchise (the Staves and their strategies are as old as FE1) that would be represented in some way.

3.- Micaiah's signature abilities.

Alongside the more well known use of Magic and Staves that appear across the series; Micaiah has her own abilities beyond these. Micaiah has Corona (also know as: Dawn Light), that is the name of the Micaiah's Proc Skill that does additional damage (more specifically, ignores the enemy's Magic Resistence) and can blind the enemies affected; in her game she isn't the only character that uses this skill, but unless you're very unlucky (getting Corona'd by Lekain or Sephiran), it's unlikely you ended up seeing someone using the ability that isn't her. 

When casting Corona, Micaiah creates a light sphere above her.

Micaiah also has another abilitiy, and this one is completely unique to her: Sacrifice (also known as: Healing Hands), this is a tricky skill, it's effect (as their names would indicate), is a healing skill that gives HP to other units; quite interesting

Also, Micaiah has her own personal magic tome: Thani, which would be an important element of how Micaiah would work in Smash Bros.

I did for Source Gaming a moveset exploring many of these ideas: http://sourcegaming.info/2016/12/22/ds-micaiah/

After explaining the gameplay stuff, the things that would interest Sakurai for a new character, it's time to explore other points; the things that helps or damages her chances.

Let's start with the negatives.

Micaiah hasn't have a new appearance in a Main Game since Awakening, and that was essencially a cameo; Micaiah most notable appearance in the last years was in the Fire Emblem Heroes some months ago (January 2018) and her moment as a Main Character being in Radiant Dawn 11 years ago (February 2007)

She is evidently behind some other people for a spot in the next Smash Bros; whoever is the New Fire Emblem Character from that Switch Game, and there would be another choices to consider too.

These are quite heavy problems, but Micaiah still has some things in her side.

Now the positives.

Something important for a character selection, it's stand out in the roster; Micaiah has a similar anime aesthetic to the rest of the Fire Emblem Character, so, isn't hard to see a which franchises she belongs, but the rest of her design makes her feel completely different from the usual Fire Emblem protags.

Also, related with her design, being a original female character kind of helps I guess.

Micaiah surprisingly got some support during the ballot time, as it was show for the Source Gaming Posts about it... Nothing super special, but the support actually exists.

And the last thing to consider... it's the Smash Bros Switch Weird timing; that ended ups hurting heavily the Fire Emblem Switch Protag, we don't even know if the game will still be released in 2018 (as DLC is practically is likely if the character is unique enough)

And so, I decided to give her a 15% Chance rate... she is definitely unlikely, but she just can't be ignored, the potential is here, waiting to be found.

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The Want

Micaiah is very important to me, she is the light that guided me to don't be a lazy person all the time; after knowing her, I start feeling a special attachment to her, even before I played her game, and I was already thinking how she would work as a Smash Character, and then... when I finally played her game; against my own fears of ended up don't like her; essencially signed for life my love for Micaiah. Now I dedicate to write and share stuff to show how Micaiah would work in Smash Bros, to help other people understand her character, and in general share Micaiah Love.

Maybe in the past I would have give 100% to other characters, but nowadays the only character I want with a burning passion is her. I love Micaiah in every way possible, I love her simple but extremely stylish and beautiful design, I love her character, I found her quite a charming person with many interesting aspects to see when you read the story, and of course, I love the fact she is a spellcaster unlike most of the Main Characters, I love my magic-based stuff in every single game I played.

- Troykv (The Dawn's Historian and Micaiah4Smash Main Admin)

(Special) Radiant Dawn 10th Anniversary Article

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening people.

Original Picture here

Today, February 22^nd, we're celebrating a special day: the Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn's 10th anniversary (from its original release in Japan), and I thought it would be a interesting idea talk about this game; how is this game, its legacy and other influences in the Fire Emblem Series (for good or bad reasons), etc.

The Story

Let's begin with what happened before the release; Radiant Dawn is (as we know) the tenth entry of the main series, developed since May 2005, (the same year it were announced the “Nintendo Revolution” and the development of Super Smash Bros Brawl) this game begin its developed soon after the Path of Radiance release, sequel for their previous release; they wanted to take advantage of the Revolution's release, this made Radiant Dawn the first attempt to release a Fire Emblem game in the Earliest Days of a console lifetime.

Radiant Dawn got its official announcement the next year during the Pre-E3 Nintendo Conference (May 9^th, 2006), the Revolution had already changed its codename to the official “Wii” some days ago; Radiant Dawn was briefly showed that day, with most of the content in the teaser being the first two CG cut scenes; a extremely weak presentation if you ask me; but it doesn't surprise me, Fire Emblem don't have anything those days to try to give it a proper presentation; the game was then showed again in some Japanese events and Videogame-dedicated magazines before the eventual release.

When the game was finally released, even with good scores from Famitsu, it got .. underwhelming results, it got 160k sales, only a small improve compared with the PoR's Sales. (Radiant Dawn has the “honor” to be the Fire Emblem Game with the forth weakest first-week sales and the third lowest total sales in Japan), personally I find the fault in the extremely weak advertising (including a weak presentation, boring ads and be overshadowed for other games).

Only Path of Radiance and TMS #FE have overall worse sales in Japan.

As some interesting fun facts about the game pre-release and release; the game confirmed the presence of two main groups and details about the first two parts, with the only element from other Parts confirmed being “The Crossing” fragment of the Part 3 that appears in the intro; the game completely lacked any kind of representation for Ike, something that in the hindsight I find hilarious, specially when you see how the plot is handle after his appearance.

The advertising before the western release (during November 11^st, 2007) in the other hand, was a lot more Ike-centric, even if this was still small and weak; probably the changes in the focus was with the intention to show perfectly this game is a sequel, thing that I'm not completely sure if was or wasn't a good idea.

The Story wasn't that much better in America (and specially in Europe) sales-wise, with a weak performance, only getting roughly 300k~ in the West.

Without a doubt, Ike has a interesting story in the franchise

Before we pass to the next part, there is something important to point that happened during 2005 related with the Radiant Dawn: It's unknown how it affected the game's development, but during a moment after July 7h (when the roster was “essencially” done), Masahiro Sakurai was in the search of a “burly swordsman” and a “new Fire Emblem Character” for the already mentioned Super Smash Bros Brawl; apparently a suggestion from one of the member from the Fire Emblem's Staff ended mixing both ideas in the form of Ike, eventually his suggestion become a reality, as one of the members of Brawl's Starter Roster, officially revealed in August 1st, 2007. Ike is probably the luckiest example of a Fire Emblem character in Smash Bros, we was essentially selected to fit a criteria and gimmick instead of his character of what he would represent from Fire Emblem... and this decision changed his life forever even if didn't affected Radiant Dawn's development (something I'm going to explain later)

What happened next

After the last two games flopping; as a intent to test the waters and know what direction would the franchise go in future, Intelligent System decided (a little after Radiant Dawn's development was complete) to create a special project that would make the franchise less niche, the known details about the game suggest that this game had more RPG elements than the usual Fire Emblem Game; but this idea had a problem; the project was unable to find a proper objective and focus in its development; and as we know, it was cancelled.

It's unknown if there were other reasons to cancel this game, I ask myself this because just a bit after this game was cancelled, Fire Emblem enter in a Era where not only abandoned completely the Home Console Market, the franchise tried to milk the Marth's Popularity a lot, remaking his two games (Fire Emblem Dark Dragon and Fire Emblem Mystery of Emblem, the last one, the Fire Emblem's best seller) and making him a key aspect of Fire Emblem Awakening merchandise in the form of “Masked Marth” (aka Completely-no-Lucina), one of the most heavily advertised characters in the game (and actually lived his.. I mean, her hype, but that is topic for another day.)

Sometimes I think the Lucina's existence is a product of Smash.

Why I mention Marth's Popularity right now? Because this character has a very special reason to be popular: Smash Bros., even if Anna is officially the Fire Emblem's Mascot, for most of the people, Marth it's considered as such; and he wasn't the only character benefited for the Smash Bros presence... that is right, Ike, even if he was incorporated in the Smash Bros for COMPLETELY arbitrary reasons, he was able to gain tons of love, and even some times been considered the most beloved lord in the franchise; the Ike's love would have existed before, during the post-PoR days, but the Smash Bros establish him as a Fire Emblem Icon; in the Ike's case, Awakening decided to dedicate him a “cameo” with a character based in his design and personality; Paris/Priam, and, according with him, the Ike's descendant, apparently connecting his world somehow with the Akanea/Judgrall/Valentia Universe; also, while not as evident as Priam, Chrom looks in my eyes designed as mix between Marth and Ike, and it's extremely likely this isn't a coincidence.

Ike and the release of Fire Emblem Awakening, awakened (hehe) the interest for these games again, but it was already too late, the games are in most of the places sold out, and their prices increased... a lot, I remember how I found a Radiant Dawn copy in 50 Dollars during 2008, and now is practically impossible to find it cheaper than 90 dollars... How the times change eh?

The future

The recent success of Fire Emblem and Ike becoming even bigger and bigger as a Fire Emblem Icon, makes me wonder... What would happen if IS decided to release again Path of Radiance and/or Radiant Dawn? What would they change? The game's design was already to focused on benefit Ike when we didn't know if his confirmation in Smash Bros affected or not the development... but now, the Ike bias is complete real, and would have actual known consequences.

I mean, it would sounds weird nowadays because Ike is established as the main icon of both Fire Emblem Tellius Games; but he went so far in expense of complete destroy the possibilities of the original main character from Radiant Dawn, that isn't other that the maiden we have dedicated this small blog: Micaiah, to get her proper exposure in the story and complete successfully her character arc, a phenomenon it hadn't happened before; a game with a different lord but with the plot complete in the side of the older one unless is completely necessary.

I would now been a little bit pessimist right now, specially for a great day like this, but I'm some times afraid and what would happen if my fears are correct and the remakes of the Tellius became even bigger Ike's fests? Isn't unjust for the new characters that tried to gain a place in the fanbase, only to be completely defeat for Ike and his elite?

The structure of the game's story gave it a unique feeling compared with other FEs ... but at what cost?

Sometimes I think about what would had happened if IS decided to give completely the protagonism to Micaiah like they did with other games where the main character was changed and the story's focus (being the most similar case Thracia 776)... What would happen if we would have the opportunity to control most of the game the new lord? A story more focused in the Micaiah's side of the story, with more room to development and such... This kind of story doesn't need to invalidate Ike, but his presence and personality fit more for a legendary hero than a main character (some kind of Late-Game Character); he has already been developed and ended his character arc. He should already give an opportunity to another character to shine".

That is of course my opinion, but I invite you to think about it and then post your own thoughts.

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And that's it, it has been ten years of really interesting stuff, some good things happened, some bad things happened; I would have liked to see some changes in the aspects of these stories, but I'm glad I was able to share some of my thoughts and knowledge of the topic; and I hope that your enjoy this day as much as I.

Happy Anniversary everyone!!

We're still waiting for Micaiah in FEH.

- Troykv (The Dawn's Historian and Micaiah4Smash Main Admin)

Micaiah for Smash. Why she is unique? Explanations and opinions.

Hello Smash and Fire Emblem Fans! There is a new article to talk about Micaiah's possible content for Smash.

This time I'm going to talk about something that is (in my opinion) an incredibly important thing when in comes to thinking about a new character in the next Smash Games. What exactly this character can offer?.  Which gimmicks would they have?

Micaiah is an interesting case between the Fire Emblem Main Characters, and while she may be overshadowed for the already represented Ike, Micaiah is likely the Fire Emblem character not already present in Smash that can offer more diversity with her introduction as a playable character.

A Light Magic User

Micaiah is a Magician, and her main weapon are Light Magic Tomes, She is able to perform a lot of interesting tricks when use them. Some Light Magic Tomes are known for their high power (like many versions of Aura Tome), their incredible high accuracy (like the Light Tome) or be magic weapons with high Critical hit ratio (like the FE7 and FE8 Versions Divine and Aura Tomes). There also exists a Light Magic Tome able to do Long-Range Attacks (Purge).

At this point someone probably will say: "But we already have Robin for all this magic thing stuff". And that's partially true, Robin can also use magic like Micaiah, but unlike Micaiah, she/he still depends of his/her main weapon: The Bronce (or Levin if you still have it) Sword. Micaiah can expand the use of the magic to her whole moveset.

Micaiah even has a book completely associated with her: Thani, the book mostly known for be the Rapier-like Magic.

A unique element that only she can represent: Staves.

In her original game, Radiant Dawn, Micaiah has as relatively early access to her second weapon of her class: the Staves. 

Staves are one of the earliest elements in the Fire Emblem Series (they're as old as the first game itself) able to give a lot of utilities to the user... In fact, many of the Staff-Users are considered Key Characters to many incredible strategies... Talking about them; instead of wondering what can staves exactly do, the really question is... what can't they do?

This include healing (Heal, Mend, Physic, etc.), rescue an ally (Rescue), teleport a ally (Warp), teleport the user (Rewarp), inflict status-effects (Silence, Sleep, Berseker), apply buffs (Ward), apply debuffs (Hexing Rod) and other miscellaneous utilities (Restore, Unlock, Torch), there a lot of things to work and they help to increase even more the differences between Micaiah and the other magic-based characters.

What about her other skills?

Micaiah has two skills associated with her. One of them only she can use it (Sacrifice) and the other one only the Light-Magic Class can learn in their last promotion (Corona).

Sacrifice is a interesting case for a skill that can work if some creative liberties are taken. The original Sacrifice works like it's expected: Micaiah use her own Hit Points to heal another character (this can also be used to cure Status-Effects without drawbacks). How could work the skill? Perhaps as a buff ability with a back-firing efffect?

Corona on the other hand is a skill that denies the enemies's resistence. Like Ike's Aether this is Micaiah's Ultimate Skill. And would work perfectly as a Final Smash.

Here is a example of how would work the Micaiah Final Smash using Corona's and RexAura's Animation:

Micaiah summons a small light ball that knocks enemies upwards if they touch it, then a brief moment, a bigger light magic sphere appears above Micaiah and it start to fall in a diagonal trayectory, if oponents are hit by the sphere, they will be pulled inside until it hits the ground, then explodes and sends them flying.

Other Miscellaneous aspects

Micaiah's unique atributes extend to other areas beyond the superficial.

An unique female character: Micaiah is very appealing for being a female character, and unlike the other Fire Emblem Female Characters (F!Robin, F!Corrin and Lucina) she isn't a Clone or a Glorified Skinswap; Micaiah'd be her own character.

Micaiah's clothing: She has a very interesting set of clothes that differ from the other FE characters already in the game, having three different class (the outfits in the picture above) to chose from her own game.

Stats

Micaiah in her game is considered a "Glass Cannon". This being carried over Smash would make for an interesting character with high magical power but low weight and decent speed.

Also her Magic Traits can make her a very floaty character like Zelda or Ness

- Troykv (The Dawn's Historian and Micaiah4Smash Main Admin)

Micaiah & the Character Selection in Brawl (from the original Twitter's Version)

Hi Dawn Brigade! After I know about the Sakurai's Criteria about how he selected characters in Super Smash Bros Brawl (the selection was finished in late-2005). I started thinking about how this theorically affect Micaiah's Chances.

Reference link: http://www.sourcegaming.info/2015/07/11/gdc-2008-translation/

The criteria for choosing a character is as follows:

The character must have a personality in their game.

She is passionate and visionary, is also a good-hearted girl, will do anything to help their people and achieve what she proposes.

It's important to have something a character can do.

This is simple. Micaiah have access to various spells (their animations for both movements and the magic itself from her game and other Fire Emblems) and Staffs.

Development issues.

Micaiah doesn't need transformations or other overly complex mechanics (like the Ice Climbers's Gimmick) to be true to her character in Smash Bros.

Franchises distribution taken into consideration

Of the four points this is the most problematic. Fire Emblem has two Veteran Character (Marth, Ike), a Normal Newcomer (Robin), a Veteran DLC (Roy), and Newcomer DLC (Corrin) and a filler (Lucina). 

This makes a total of five characters (and a filler would not consider his own character by the negligible development time used in Lucina).

Fire Emblem is the third most represented franchise in Smash Bros Character-wise.

However, I don't know the latter point continue to implement since Smash Bros. Wii U / 3DS introduced two new characters Mario considerably extending the limits for original characters... Or at least no completely if the character is original enough (Sakurai himself would be opposed to put Corrin in Smash 4 if she/he doesn't have unique traits like happen before with Chrom) 

Moreover, while Fire Emblem sales haven't Mario or Pokemon level is a franchise full of characters with very different styles and personalities of each other, and incredible world with a lot of possibles ideas, and I think that even with all the representation problems Micaiah is a good choice... in fact, the best choice between everything Fire Emblem has to offer.

Thank for your attention.

- Troykv (The Dawn's Historian and Micaiah4Smash Main Admin)