Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave: Which Hero Should You Pick First?

So you've booted up Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and you're staring at four different Flame Lords, each with their own story. Which one do you pick first? It's a bigger decision than it looks, because your choice shapes how your whole first playthrough unfolds.

The game hands you four playable protagonist routes, all under the Flame Lord banner. That's a lot of story to commit to, and if you pick the wrong one to start with, you might bounce off before you ever see what the game is really capable of. The good news? There's a clear best answer for most players.

Ranking these four routes is really about one thing: how well each one works as an entry point. Some Flame Lords ease you into the mechanics and world at a friendly pace, while others assume you already know the ropes and hit the ground running. That difference matters way more on a first run than on a replay.

If you're brand new to the game, the smart move is to start with the route that's most welcoming rather than the one with the coolest-sounding premise. A gentler opening lets you learn the systems, get comfortable with the cast, and actually enjoy the story instead of scrambling to keep up. Save the spicier picks for round two.

Here's the thing about Fortune's Weave: with four separate protagonist stories, you're almost certainly going to replay it. So don't stress about missing out. Treat your first Flame Lord as a tutorial in disguise, and you'll have a much better time when you circle back for the others.

Which route you save for last is its own kind of strategy, too. Some players like to end on the most complex story, while others prefer to knock out the toughest one early while their skills are sharp. Either way, the order you play in genuinely changes how the whole game feels.

Our full ranking breaks down all four Flame Lord protagonists and explains exactly why each one lands where it does, plus who each route is best suited for. If you're torn between two of them, that breakdown should settle it fast.

So which Flame Lord are you starting with? Let us know in the comments, and tell us whether you're the type to follow the recommended order or just pick whoever looks coolest on the box art.