Difficulty Level Differences and How to Change

Fire Emblem Engage has the Normal, Hard, and Maddening difficulties. Learn about the difficulty settings and how to change difficulty in game.

Difficulty Level Differences

Difficulty List
Normal	For new and intermediate players.
Hard	For experienced players.
Maddening	For those who seek a true challenge.

Normal Features

Normal difficulty allows you to experience the story without the hindrance of overly challenging or complex gameplay features. If you are new to the Fire Emblem series or want to progress through the story smoothly, Normal difficulty is recommended.

Hard Features

Number of enemies increases. Enemy stats increase. Only 10 rewind charges available per battle.

Hard difficulty puts an emphasis on tougher combat than Normal difficulty. The number of enemies increases, their stats also increases, and the use of their abilities becomes more complex. This level of difficulty is for those who are already familiar with the Fire Emblem series and those who are looking for a more exciting and challenging playthrough.

Increased number of enemies

Differences Between Normal and Hard Difficulty
Empty tile	New enemy!

On Hard difficulty, more enemies spawn in each battle than in Normal difficulty. In Chapter 1, the number of Corrupted that spawn on Hard difficulty is 4, while it's only 3 on Normal difficulty.

Increased enemy stats

Differences Between Normal and Hard Difficulty

Aside from quantity, enemies also get a stat buff when going from Normal to Hard difficulty. In Chapter 1, the physical attack of the Corrupted on Hard difficulty is 13, while it's only 12 on Normal difficulty.

Maddening Features

Certain tutorials are skipped. You cannot save progress during battle anymore. Number of enemies increases from Hard. Enemy stats increase from Hard. Some enemies receive skills.

In the Maddening difficulty, the enemies are also tougher to beat (even moreso than in the Hard difficulty) and it also becomes more difficult to gain experience and level up. As its name suggests, this difficulty is for the advanced players who have already beat the game and want to experience its most tense and nerve-wracking version. As the hardest difficulty, you'll need to be efficient with your unit choices to ensure that you'll be able to progress smoothly (or at all) in Maddening.

Best Units for Maddening Run

Number of enemies increases from Hard

Differences Between Hard and Maddening Difficulty
Empty tile	New enemy!

Maddening difficulty adds even more enemies to the battlefield. In Chapter 1, the number of Corrupted that spawn on Maddening difficulty is 5, while it's only 4 on Hard difficulty.

Enemy stats increases from Hard

Differences Between Hard and Maddening Difficulty

Maddening difficulty features enemies with the strongest stats yet! In Chapter 2, the physical attack of the Corrupted on Maddening difficulty is 20, while it's only 19 on Hard difficulty.

Some enemies get skills

Additionally, some enemies get skills in Maddening that they did not possess in easier difficulties. In Chapter 2, Lumera gets the Unbreakable skill.

▶︎ Maddening Difficulty Guide: Differences and Tips

Best Difficulty to Choose

Choose Normal Casual for New Players

Normal Casual is the best way to introduce yourself to Fire Emblem Engage. You won't have to think about every unit placement to ensure no units will fall during the enemy turn and there will also be less enemies and reinforcements to make sure your team don't get overwhelmed too much.

Hard Classic for Experienced Players

Classic mode has always been the standard mode for Fire Emblems and permadeath is a non-negotiable part of the game. Newer entries have added classic for people that do not prefer this feature. Hard also makes enemy units stronger and there will also be more units in every stage of the game. If you want the standard Fire Emblem experience, going for a hard classic is the way to go.

Maddening Mode to test Your Fire Emblem Skills

Maddening Mode is truly honest with its name being called maddening as this difficulty mode is truly the hardest mode of the game. You will be recieving less resources while enemies will also appear in greater droves than hard difficulty. Maximizing your unit's specialties, stat leveling and growth, as well as learning the best skills and emblems to use is not just recommended, it is crucial to do.

Difficulty Differences of Modes

Game Modes in Past Games

Casual Mode	Fallen units return in the next battle.
Classic Mode	Fallen units are lost forever. Every decision counts.

There are two game modes you can choose that determine whether unit permadeath is disabled or not. If a unit dies in battle during a Casual Mode playthrough, then the unit simply retreats for that battle and you can use them in a future battle. If a unit dies in Classic Mode, then they'll be a dead unit that you can never use again.

If the thought of permanently losing units in battle is too stressful for you, there's no shame in taking on Casual Mode and just enjoy each battle one at a time. Otherwise, take on Classic Mode and test your mettle and prowess as a commander of troops.

▶︎ Permadeath Explained

How to Change Difficulty

Visit Your Bed at The Somniel

In the Somniel home base, head to your room and interact with your bed. There, you'll have the option to change the difficulty settings in the middle of that game's progression.

You can only decrease the Difficulty Level and not increase it. Be very sure before you confirm the decision to lower the difficulty.

▶︎ Missable Items, Characters, and Points of No Return

Fire Emblem Engage Related Guides

▶︎ Beginner's Guide to Fire Emblem Engage

All Tips and Tricks

Tier Lists and Builds
Best Units	Best Classes for Each Unit
Best Emblem Ring Pairings	Class Tier List
Best Party Composition	Best Units for Maddening Run
How to Build Characters	Emblem Tier List
Unit Guides
How to Recruit Units	Class Change: When to Promote Units
Best Gifts for All Characters	Growth Rates and Stat Caps
Every Stat Explained	How to Increase Weapon Proficiency
How to Get the Pact Ring	All Paired Endings
Romance Options	What Happens on Your Birthday?
How to Get S Rank Support	Should you Gift the Horse Manure?
Valuable Items/Farming Guides
SP Farming	EXP Farming
Gold Farming	Where to Get Master Seals
Where to Get Second Seals	How to Get the Silver Card
How to Farm Iron, Steel, and Silver Ingots	How to Farm Bane Books
Emblem Guides
Skill Inheritance	How to Farm Bond Fragments
All Synchro Skills	How to Reach Level 20 Bond Level
How to Use Emblem Rings	Bond Effects
Engage Mechanic Explained	-
Battle and Combat Guides
How to Reroll Skirmishes	How to Reroll Stats on Level Up
Should You Optimize?	Poison Mechanic Explained
Permadeath Explained	How to Open Treasure Chests and Doors
Dodge vs Avoid Explained	What Does Luck Affect?
Build Stat and Attack Speed	Follow-Up Attack Guide
How to Rewind	Exploration Guide
How to Use Auto-Battle	Break Mechanic Explained
Battle Symbols Explained	Weapon Durability
Spirits of the Fallen	Weapon Triangle Explained
How to Navigate Dark Maps	Terrains Explained
Other Guides/FAQs
Missable Items	Post Game Content
How to Unlock DLC	Lookout Ridge
Difficulty Level Differences	Maddening Difficulty Guide
Lost Items	Are There Dark Seals?
Fell Xenologue Unlock Guide	-