All classes and unlock requirements in Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave
Including how to get Fortune's Weave's secret classes
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave classes work a bit differently than you might be used to if you played Three Houses. They come in several tiers, similar to Three Houses, but some of the intermediate classes only unlock if you meet certain conditions. Master-rank classes are locked behind completing certain quests in Act 3, and the final class tier is hidden away in shrines you can only access very late in the game.
Below, we list Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave's classes and how to unlock them, including Divine classes.
Update (Oct. 12): We've updated the Blacksmith unlock requirements.
[Ed. note: If you're viewing this guide on a mobile device, you may have to swipe left and right to see all the information on the tables below.]
Changing classes in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Every character starts in a beginner class, either commoner or noble, and gets a helpful little class mastery skill. After that, it's time to change to something more specialized. A new tier of classes unlocks when you reach certain renown thresholds, and you'll need to purchase certifications to take that class' exam. The game autosaves before you see the exam result, so there's no chance of cheesing it and retaking the exam until you pass.
The better option is to just hold off taking an exam until your character has at least a 75% chance of passing or higher. Skill rank matters here, but level matters even more. If you need to be level 35, for example, but you take the exam at level 32 with the right skill ranks, you'll still end up with a low chance of passing.
Is there a best class for each character?
Probably, but it depends on a lot of factors. You'll see characters you haven't recruited change classes as the story progresses, and it gives you a solid idea of what Intelligent Systems thinks is best for them. Consider it a guide more than a hard optimization requirement, though. For example, Esmeralda ends up as an armored knight for much of the game if you don't recruit her. However, we made her a wing soldier, and the more well-rounded set of stats that class offers suited her perfectly.
The only time you want to avoid experimenting is if you've got a character who clearly doesn't excel in a specific role. Take Majide as an example. You might want to make him a myrmidon to help with his tragic dexterity stat growth, but you absolutely wouldn't want to make him a shaman. He's just not built for magic.
Should you master a class before changing?
It depends on what you're using that class for. If you think the mastery skill is useful for the build you want, definitely wait to change classes until you master that one. But if a new class has a better set of abilities or stat growth potential, don't worry about swapping to take advantage of it. You can always come back to the other class at any time and max it out.
Alternatively, it's fine to stay in a class you've mastered if no others have stat or skill benefits you want.
Beginner classes in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Beginner classes unlock automatically as you progress each Flame Lord's story, though you'll still need certification licenses to take their respective exams.
Class
Skill rank
Mastery skill
Gladiator
Gauntlets: D
Axes: D
Swords: D
Attack basics (strength +1)
Hunter
Bows: D
Swords: D
Hunting basics (dex/speed +1)
Soldier
Axes: D
Spears: D
Soldier (defense +1)
Ornius Rider
Riding: E+
Axes: D
Spears: D
Offense basics (strength/magic +1)
Diviner
White magic: D
Black magic: D
Magic basics (magic/resistance +1)
Specialty classes in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
This tier unlocks once you reach renown level four, and the ideal level for each is 20. There are no secret classes in this tier, so you don't have to worry about missing anything.
Class
Skill rank
Mastery skill
Myrmidon
Swords: C
Ravaging arts (Deal +6 damage with critical hits)
Brigand
Axes: C
Swords: C
Regroup (Grant avoid +20 to unit when foe avoids an attack)
Pugilist
Gauntlets: C
Attack, get back (Grant avoid +10 when using a combat art)
Archer
Bows: C
Crescendo (Grant hit +3 after defeating a foe for the rest of the battle. Max 30)
Rogue
Bows: C
Swords: C
In shadow (Grants avoid +10 after defeating a foe until the next combat instance)
Armored Knight
Armor: E+
Axes: C
Spears: C
Great counter (Grants attack +3 to unit for combat if foe attacks first)
Light Cavalry
Riding: D
Spears: C
Swords: C
Bolster health (Grants max HP+3)
Charioteer
Riding: D
Bows: C
Charger (When using charge, grants protect +10 until next phase)
Armored Ornius Rider
Riding: D
Axes: C
Spears: C
Sense threat (Grants avoid +20 during combat if foe is effective against this unit)
Wing Soldier (women only)
Flying: D
Spears: C
Swords: C
Protecting wings (Grants resistance +3)
Shaman
Black magic: C
Bind dexterity (Inflicts -3 dexterity on target)
Priest
White magic: C
Piety (Grants luck +3)
Advanced classes in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Advanced classes unlock at renown level eight and have an ideal level of 35. This is where things get a bit trickier. Each route has several classes you can unlock by completing specific requirements, including one unique to that route. Unlocking it makes it available in all other routes, too.
Class
Unlock requirement
Skill rank
Mastery skill
Shido
Automatic
Swords: B
Ever vigilant (Restores HP to unit after defeating a foe with a critical hit)
Dancer
Complete the "Great Dancer's Successor" request as Leda (unlocks in Chapter 9)
Bows: B
Swords: B
Special dance (Grants target ally speed and dexterity +3 after using dance)
Warrior
Automatic
Gauntlets: B
Axes: B
Swords: B
Practiced art (Grants hit +10 when attacking with a combat art)
Blacksmith
Upgrade combat arts 10 times (Dietrich only)
Black magic: D
Axes: C
Makeshift (10% chance to reduce durability cost to 0 when using a combat art)
Sniper
Automatic
Bows: B
Marksmanship (Grant hit +15 when equipped with a bow)
Forest Knight
Automatic
Riding: D
Bows: B
Hunter's eye (Grants attack +3 when making a follow-up attack with a bow)
Ranger
Complete the "Elegant Drink Recipes" request (Leda only)
Bows: B
Swords: B
Countershot (50% chance for unit to counter adjacent foes when equipped with a bow)
Guardian
Complete the Il-Lara headhunting contract as Dietrich or the "Send supplies: Roca" and "Send supplies: Kotha Gar" requests in Theodora's Chapter 9
Spears: B (can also use healing magic, but only if the unit has learned it by raising their white magic skill)
Brace (Grants protect +3 until the unit's next phase after defeating a foe)
Cataphract
Complete "Send Supplies: Landon Loach" and "Send Supplies: Steel Fish" (Theodora only, Chapter 9)
Armor: E+
Riding: D
Axes: B
Spears: B
Pavise (20% chance to take half damage from physical attacks)
Dreadnought
Automatic
Armor: D
Axes: B
Spears: B
Focused counter (Grants hit +10 during combat if foe attacks first)
Bardinger
Automatic
Riding: C
Spears: B
Swords: B
Aegis (20% chance for unit to take half damage when attacked with magic)
Caldarius
Complete Castor's mentoring (Cai's route only)
Riding: D
Black magic: B
Overtake (Grants movement +1 through end of next turn after defeating a foe. Max +3)
Dragoon
Complete Aurora's mentoring as Cai or the "Send supplies: Lir Fish" and "Send supplies: Sea-Star Stone" quests in Theodora's Chapter 11
Flying: C
Axes: B
Spears: B
Besieger (Grants hit +20 to unit if foe is on favorable terrain)
Ovate
Automatic
Black magic: B
Bind speed (Inflict -3 speed on target)
Bishop
Automatic
White magic: B
Barrier (Grants resistance +3 to adjacent allies)
Troubadour
Complete Bertrand's mentoring as Cai or the "Elegant Drink Recipes" request as Leda
Riding: D
Black magic: B
White magic: B
Song of courage (Grants dexterity and speed +3 to allies in range until unit's next phase)
Elephant Rider
Unlocks automatically when you begin Part 3 and requires an Elephant License
Riding: C
Elephant vanguard (Cavalry: If unit is an Elephant Rider, grant hit +10)
Master classes in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Master classes unlock when you begin Part 3, though they work much differently compared to the previous class tiers. 45 is the recommended level, which is where all your characters automatically start if you skip the War Arc. However, you have to complete quests to unlock Master-tier classes. These appear as you work your way through Part 3 and involve completing quests for certain gods and rebuilding their temples. Clearing these quests and unlocking Master classes is optional, but it's definitely worth your time for the better stats and skills they offer.
Class
Unlock requirement
Skill rank
Mastery skill
Swordmaster
Rebuild Mars' temple, and complete his request
Sword: A
Astra (Combat art that strikes five times at 50% damage)
High Savant
Rebuild Smyrnos' temple, and complete his request
Riding: D
Black magic: D
Swords: B
Dark moon (10% chance to halve foe's shield stat when attacking)
Battlemaster
Unlocks automatically
Gauntlets: A
Axes: A
Swords: A
War master's strike (Combat art that multiplies damage dealt by 1.5)
Bow Adept
Unlocks automatically
Bows: A
Sky hunter (Grants hit +50 if foe is flying)
Bow Knight
Rebuild Kalla's temple, and complete her request
Riding: D
Bows: A
Hunter's cross (Combat art with high crit rate and hit rate)
Shadow Seeker
Unlocks automatically
Bows: A
Swords: A
Dropshadow blade (Combat art that ignores terrain effects if foe is on favorable terrain)
Sentinel
Unlocks automatically
Spears: A
Resolute stance (If unit's HP = 100%, unit gains shield +5)
Castle Knight
Unlocks automatically
Armor: C
Axes: A
Spears: A
Intercept (Reduces damage taken by 5)
Orichaldia
Unlocks automatically
Riding: B
Spears: A
Swords: A
Fierce spear (Combat art that prevents a follow-up attack during that combat instance)
Great Knight
Rebuild Credna's temple, and complete his request
Armor: D
Riding: D
Axes A:
Spears A
Fierce shield (50% chance to take half damage during combat when unit attacks first)
Celestial Trooper (women only)
Unlocks automatically
Flying: C
Swords: A
Spears: A
Lightning reflexes (If unit attacks first, and attack speed is greater than foe's attack speed +10, unit's follow-up attack occurs before the foe's counter)
Bau Lord
Unlocks automatically
Flying: C
Axes: A
Spears: A
Ambush (Unit gets attack +4 while on inaccessible terrain)
Druid
Unlocks automatically
Black magic: A
Bind resistance (Combat art that reduces target's resistance by 3)
Wiseman
Unlocks automatically
White magic: A
Dominate magic (10% chance to nullify foe's counter if foe uses magic)
Valkyrium
Rebuild Jurah's temple, and complete her request
Riding: D
Black magic: A
White magic: A
Song of calm (Combat art that grants resistance +2 to all allies within range until unit's next turn)
War Monk
Rebuild Aurora's temple, and complete her request
Gauntlets: B
White magic: D
Strike and heal (Combat art that lets unit use healing magic after attacking)
Divine classes in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Divine is the highest class tier in Fortune's Weave, and it also functions differently from the rest. Unlocking Divine classes requires you to find a corresponding item, and once unlocked, these classes function similarly to the Dancer class. Only one character can be in each Divine class at a time. However, you can remove the item that grants the class from them and give it to someone else. Your choice isn't permanent, and changing your mind is totally OK.
The way you find the items is a bit involved. In Part 3 Section 4, you gain access to the Diadem Temple. Inside the temple are statues depicting each Divine class, and behind the statue is a door. You need a diadem (found in specific dungeons) to unlock each door, and inside, you'll find the item that confers the Divine class advertised on the statue outside that door.
Class
Unlock requirement
Skill rank
Mastery skill
The Blade
Demonic Swordguard item
Sword: S
Divine insight (grants speed +10)
The Apsara
Muses' Necklace item
Bows: C
Swords: A
Divine dance (grants charm +10)
The Eternal
Scale of Judgment item
Gauntlets: S
Axes: S
Swords: S
Divine might (grants strength +10)
The Godhand
Emperor's Sash item
Gauntlets: S
White magic: C
Divine adornment (grants resistance +10)
The Calamity
Crystal of Darkness item
Bows: S
Swords: S
Divine will (grants luck +10)
The Trident
Trident item
Spears: S
Divine wall (grants defense +10)
The Cavalier
Divinium Saddle item
Riding: A
Axes: S
Swords: S
Spears: S
Divine dexterity (grants dexterity +10)
The Avatar
Lotus of Reincarnation item
White magic or black magic: S
Divine law (grants magic +10)
If you're new to Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, we can help you navigate the complex paths of causality. We have put together explainers on which character you should pick first, how to change heroes, and if you should play in casual or classic mode, so you can set up the campaign according to your preferences.
Fortune's Weave is a massive game, that's why we explain how long it will take for you to finish it. As you progress through the initial Heroic Games matches, you should focus on recruiting more characters, unlocking Boons of Salvation, and spending free time in the best way possible. Just don't forget to visit the Perch and have a quick Bird Time session.