Understanding the Build Stat and Attack Speed

The Build stat (Bld) has an effect on your attack speed in Fire Emblem Engage (FE Engage). Learn about the Build stat, how it affects attack speed, and how to increase the Build stat.

What is the Build (Bld) Stat?

Determines Speed Penalties Based on Weapon Weight

Build is a stat that determines the capability of units to use heavy weapons. A high build stat means they can wield heavier weapons without being slowed down. Units using strong weapons with low build tend to get a speed penalty, causing them to get hit more often and perform fewer follow-up attacks.

▶︎ Dodge vs Avoid Explained

How Build Affects Attack Speed

Build Reduces Weight Penalty

Attack speed is the unit's speed after bonuses and penalties, and it determines if a unit can perform a follow-up attack. Build determines the penalty based on the equipped weapon weight. If a unit has higher Build than the weight, there is no penalty or bonus. However, if Build is lower than the weight, the difference is taken as the penalty.

Sample Calculation

In the example above, Chloe has a Bld stat of 10 while the equipped Spear has a Wt of 15. This causes her Speed to drop by 5 since that's the difference.

▶︎ Follow-Up Attack Guide: How to Trigger a Double Attack

How to Increase Build

Level Up Characters

Most characters have a Build growth, which gives them a chance to gain Build with every level up. This isn't reliable since the growth rates are very low, meaning you're unlikely to see an increase in Bld for several levels. Units can also Class Change into one with higher Build once they can use Master Seals or Second Seals.

▶︎ Where to Get Master Seals

Sync with Leif or Sigurd

While a unit is synced with Leif, they can gain up to +5 Build, depending on their bond level with him. Leif's Build skills can also be inherited.

Sigurd also provides Build, but there's no way to inherit his Build increase.

▶︎ Leif Engage Skills, Abilities, and Engage Weapon

Use Tiki's Draconic Form

If you've purchased the DLC, engaging with Tiki and using Draconic Form gives +5 Bld to that unit.

▶︎ Tiki's Engage Skills, Abilities, and Engage Weapon

Refine or Engrave Weapons

Because there are only a few ways to directly increase Build, it's usually better to decrease weapon weight instead to minimize the attack speed penalties. This can be done with weapon forging or engraving them with Emblems such as Blazing.

▶︎ How to Engrave Weapons With Emblems

Fire Emblem Engage Related Guides

▶︎ Beginner's Guide to Fire Emblem Engage

All Tips and Tricks