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Weapon effectiveness is a damage modifier associated with certain weapons that grant them the ability to deal bonus damage against units or objects with certain attributes (e.g., armored, flying). The bonus damage formula is different for each game and in some English releases.

Description[]

In general, attacks with weapon effectiveness are treated as normal hits with increased weapon might. This means that they can miss, activate critical hits, or trigger skills like any regular attack. There is usually no penalty for using weapons with weapon effectiveness against units who lack any relevant attribute.
Exceptions can occur in two games:

Weapon effectiveness does not gain increased damage if the defending unit has more than one attribute that the attacker can exploit, and it does not stack with skills. As a general rule, games will prioritize the damage modifier from weapons over any other factor that an attacking unit may have.

  • Consider this example from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. An attacking unit, [A], is equipped with a Laguz Bow. The Laguz Bow deals effective damage against flying and Laguz units. The defending unit, [B], is a Bird Laguz. [B] is vulnerable to any weapon that would exploit his flying weakness or his Laguz weakness. When [A] attacks [B], the battle forecast will show an attack strength whose value indicates that only one of [B]'s weaknesses is being exploited. This value will be treated as [A]'s base attack strength for this battle.
  • Consider yet another example from Fire Emblem Fates. An attacking unit, [X], has Golembane and is equipped with a Wyrmslayer. Golembane grants [X] the ability to deal effective damage against Stoneborn, Puppets, and Mechanists. The Wyrmslayer deals effective damage against dragon units. The defending unit is a Mechanist Corrin. As a Mechanist, he is vulnerable to Golembane holders. He also possesses the dragon attribute because of his parentage, so he is vulnerable to Wyrmslayer. When [X] attacks the Avatar, the battle forecast will show an attack strength that factors in only the bonus from Wyrmslayer—this value will be treated as [X]'s base attack strength for this battle.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples the weapon's might.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axe Hammer Armored
Bow Bowgun Flying
Bow
Partia
Silver Bow
Steel Bow
Dragonstone Divine Dragonstone Manakete
Firearm Quick Rain Flying
Thunderbolt Ballistician
Lance Knight Killer Horseback
Swords Armor Killer Armored
Dragon Killer Dracoknight, Manakete
Falchion Earth Dragon
Rapier Armored, Horseback

Fire Emblem Gaiden[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples the weapon's might.

The Falcon Knight class possesses an innate skill that allows its members to deal effective damage with any weapon against monsters.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Black Magic Angel Monster
Bow Blessed Bow Monster, Flying
Silver Bow Flying
Steel Bow
Lance Blessed Lance Monster
Horseslayer Horseback
Sword Falchion Monster
Blessed Sword

Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples the weapon's might.

The Iote's Shield negates all of the holder's weaknesses.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Ballista FE3 Quick RainArrowspate Flying
FireGunHoistflamme Flying, Ice Dragon
Bow Broken bow iconBroken Bow Flying
Iron bow iconIron Bow
Killer bow iconKiller Bow
Parthia iconParthia
Silver bow iconSilver Bow
Steel bow iconSteel Bow
Breath Fire breath iconFire Breath Ice Dragon
Ice breath iconIce Breath Fire Dragon
Mist breath iconMist Breath Dragon (bar Earth & Dark Dragons)
Lance Knight killer iconHorseslayer Horseback
Magic Blizzard iconBlizzard Fire Dragon
FE3bolganoneBolganone Ice Dragon
Elfire iconElfire
Excalibur iconExcalibur Flying
Fire (FE3)Fire Ice Dragon
FE3ShaverShaver Flying
Sword Armor Killer FE3Armorslayer Armored
Falchion FE3Falchion Dragon
LadyswordLadyblade Barbarian, Brigand, Hunter, Pirate, Thief
RapierFE3Rapier Armored, Horseback
SwordkillerFE3Sword Killer Berserker, Hero, Mercenary
FE3WyrmslayerWyrmslayer Dragon (bar Earth & Dark Dragons)

Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War[]

In this game, rather than having increased weapon might, attacks with weapon effectiveness always score a critical hit (unless the defending unit possesses Nihil). Essentially, this means that weapon effectiveness doubles a weapon’s attack.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Arch Great arch iconGreat Arch Flying
Iron arch iconIron Arch
FE4killerarchKiller Arch
FE4longarchLong Arch
Bow FE4brokenbowBroken Bow Flying
FE4herobowHero Bow
FE4IronbowIron Bow
FE4killerbowKiller Bow
FE4SilverbowSilver Bow
FE4SteelbowSteel Bow
Ichii-balYewfelle
Lance FE4HorseslayerKnight Killer Horseback
Sword Armour cutterArmor Cutter Armored
WingclipperWing Clipper Flying

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples the weapon’s attack.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Arch Iron arch iconIron Arch Flying
FE5longarchLong Arch
FE5poisonarchPoison Arch
Axe FE5hammerHammer Armored
FE5poleaxePoleaxe Horseback
Bow FE5herobowBrave Bow Flying
FE5brokenbowBroken Bow
Great BowGreat Bow
FE5ironbowIron Bow
FE5killerbowKiller Bow
FE5longbowLong Bow
MasterbowMaster Bow
FE5poisonbowPoison Bow
FE5shortbowShort Bow
FE5silverbowSilver Bow
FE5steelbowSteel Bow
Lance FE5knightkillerKnight Killer Horseback
Sword FE5armorslayerArmorslayer Armored
FE5blaggiswordBragi Sword
FE5holyswordBlessed Sword Horseback
FE5rapierRapier Armored, Horseback
Wind Magic FE5holsetyForseti Flying
FE5grafcaliburGrafcalibur
FE5tornadoTornado
FE5windWind

TearRing Saga: Utna Heroes Saga[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples the weapon’s power.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axe DragonaxeTRSDragon Axe Monster
HammerTRSHammer Armored
PoleaxeTRSPole Axe Horseback
Bow ArvanrestTRSArvanrest Flying
BowgunTRSBowgun
DragonArrowTRSDragon Arrow Flying, Monster
GatlingBowTRSGatling Bow Flying
Hand BowHand Bow
Harpy Rod★Harpy Rod
IronBowTRSIron Bow
LongBowTRSLong Bow
MasterBowTRSMaster Bow
QuickRainTRSQuick Rain
RepeaterBowTRSRepeater Bow
SilverBowTRSSilver Bow
SpinningBowTRSSpinning Bow
SteelBowTRSSteel Bow
StonehedgeTRSStonehenge
Fire Magic Sunflame☆Sunflame Monster
Lance TRS DragonSpearDragon Spear Monster
Leda Lance Icon☆Leda Lance
Light Magic Aura Rain☆Aura Rain Monster
Moonlight TSMoonlight
Prelude☆Prelude
Starlight☆Starlight
Sword TS Armor KillerArmorslayer Armored
EstocEstoc
Mainstar Icon☆Mainstar Monster
Rukuud Icon☆Rukuud
TRSRapierRapier Armored, Horseback
Shramm Icon☆Shramm Monster
Sol SwordSol Sword

Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples a weapon’s might.

The Delphi Shield negates the holder's flying type weaknesses whenever applicable.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Anima Tome AircaliburAircalibur Flying
ForblazeForblaze Dragon
Axe ArmadsArmads Dragon
HalberdHalberd Horseback
HammerHammer Armored
Ballista BallistaBallista Flying
KillerballistaKiller Ballista
IronballistaLong Ballista
Bow BravebowBrave Bow Flying
IronbowIron Bow
KillerbowKiller Bow
LongbowLong Bow
MiugreMulagir Dragon
PoisonbowPoison Bow Flying
ShortbowShort Bow
SilverbowSilver Bow
SteelbowSteel Bow
Dark Tome FE6ApocalypseApocalypse Dragon
Lance HorseslayerHorseslayer Horseback
MalteMaltet Dragon
Light Tome AureolaAureola Dragon
Sword ArmourslayerArmorslayer Armored
DurandalDurandal Dragon
SwordofsealsBinding Blade Demon Dragon, Manakete
RapierRapier Armored, Horseback
WyrmslayerWyrmslayer Dragon (bar Demon Dragon)

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade[]

In the international versions of this game, the bonus for bonus damage is to double (2×) the weapon's might. In the Japanese version, bonus is to triple (3×) the equipped weapon's might, except for anti-dragon weapons (other than Aureola), which double (2×) the weapon's might.

The Delphi Shield negates the holder's flying type weaknesses whenever applicable.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Anima Tome ForblazeForblaze Dragon
Axe ArmadsArmads Dragon
DragonaxeDragon Axe Dragon (bar Fire Dragon)
HalberdHalberd Horseback
HammerHammer Armored
SwordslayerSwordslayer Hero, Mercenary, Myrmidon, Swordmaster
WolfbeilWolf Beil Armored, Horseback
Ballista BallistaBallista Flying
IronballistaIron Ballista
KillerballistaKiller Ballista
Bow BravebowBrave Bow Flying
EmblembowEmblem Bow
IronbowIron Bow
KillerbowKiller Bow
LongbowLongbow
PoisonbowPoison Bow
RienflecheRienfleche
ShortbowShort Bow
SilverbowSilver Bow
SteelbowSteel Bow
Lance HeavyspearHeavy Spear Armored
HorseslayerHorseslayer Horseback
Light Tome AureolaAureola Dragon, Dark Druid
Sword ArmourslayerArmorslayer Armored
DurandalDurandal Dragon
LongswordLongsword Horseback
ManikattiMani Katti Armored, Horseback
RapierRapier Armored, Horseback
SolkattiSol Katti Dragon
WindswordWind Sword Flying
WyrmslayerWyrmslayer Dragon (bar Fire Dragon)

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness generally triples a weapon’s might.
Weapons indicated with an asterisk (*) double in might when they have weapon effectiveness.

The Bishop's Slayer skill allows him/her to deal effective damage against monsters.

The Fili Shield negates the holder's flying type weaknesses whenever applicable.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Anima Tomes Killerballista/AircaliburAlacalibur Flying
ExcaliburExcalibur* Monster
Axe DragonaxeDragon Axe Dragon
EmblemaxeFiendcleaver Monster
GarmGarm*
HalberdHalberd Horseback
HammerHammer Armored
SwordslayerSwordslayer Eirika, Mercenary, Myrmidon, Thief,
Hero, Swordmaster, Assassin, Rogue
Ballista BallistaBallista Flying
IronballistaIron Ballista
KillerballistaKiller Ballista
Bow EmblembowBeacon Bow Flying
BravebowBrave Bow
IronbowIron Bow
KillerbowKiller Bow
LongbowLongbow
NidhoggNidhogg* Flying, Monster
PoisonbowPoison Bow Flying
ShortbowShort Bow
SilverbowSilver Bow
SteelbowSteel Bow
Lance EmblemLanceBright Lance Monster
DragonspearDragonspear Dragon
HeavyspearHeavy Spear Armored
HorseslayerHorseslayer Horseback
ReginleifReginleif Armored, Horseback
SiegmundSiegmund* Monster
VidofnirVidofnir*
Light Tome IvaldiIvaldi* Monster
Sword ArmourslayerArmorslayer Armored
Audhulma IconAudhulma Monster
RapierRapier Armored, Horseback
EmblembladeShadowkiller Monster
SieglindeSieglinde*
WindswordWind Sword Flying
WyrmslayerWyrmslayer Dragon
LongswordZanbato Horseback

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness doubles a weapon's might.

All weapons that are effective against Laguz only deal effective damage when the Laguz are transformed.

The Full Guard negates all of the holder's weaknesses.
The Beorcguard negates the holder's Laguz weakness. Holders remain vulnerable to weapons that would exploit their Beast Laguz, Dragon Laguz, or flying type weaknesses.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axe BoltaxeBolt Axe Dragon Laguz
FE9hammerHammer Armored
LaguzaxeLaguz Axe Laguz
FE9poleaxPoleax Horseback
Ballista FE9BallistaBallista Flying
KillerballistaFE9Killer Ballista
FE9IronBallistaLong Ballista
Bow FE9bravebowBrave Bow Flying
FE9brightbowBright Bow
FE9doublebowDouble Bow
FE9ironbowIron Bow
FE9killerbowKiller Bow
FE9laguzbowLaguz Bow Flying, Laguz
FE9longbowLongbow Flying
FE9rolfsbowRolf's Bow
FE9silverbowSilver Bow
FE9steelbowSteel Bow
FE9veninbowVenin Bow
Fire Magic FE9bolganoneBolganone Beast Laguz
FE9elfireElfire
FE9fireFire
FE9meteorMeteor
FE9rexflameRexflame
Knife FE9stilettoStiletto Armored
Lance FlameLanceFlame Lance Beast Laguz
FE9HeavySpearHeavy Spear Armored
FE9KnightKillerKnight Killer Horseback
LaguzLanceLaguz Lance Laguz
Thunder Magic FE9boltingBolting Dragon Laguz
FE9elthunderElthunder
FE9rexboltRexbolt
FE9thoronThoron
FE9thunderThunder
Sword FE9ArmorslayerArmorslayer Armored
FE9laguzslayerLaguzslayer Laguz
FE9LongSwordLongsword Horseback
Regal SwordRegal Sword Armored, Horseback
FE9SonicSwordSonic Sword Flying
Wind Magic FE9blizzardBlizzard Flying
FE9elwindElwind
FE9rexcaliburRexcalibur
FE9tornadoTornado
FE9vortexVortex
FE9windWind

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples a weapon's might.

All weapons effective against Laguz only deal effective damage when Laguz are transformed.

The Beastfoe, Birdfoe, and Dragonfoe skills allow the users to deal effective damage against (respectively) Beast, Bird, and Dragon Laguz.

The Nullify skill negates all of its user's weaknesses.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axe FE10braveaxeBrave Axe Door
Bronze AxeBronze Axe
FE10hammerHammer Armored, Door
FE10handaxeHand Axe Door
FE10ironaxeIron Axe
FE10ironpoleaxIron Poleax
FE10killeraxeKiller Axe
FE10shortaxeShort Axe
FE10silveraxeSilver Axe
FE10silverpoleaxSilver Poleax
FE10steelaxeSteel Axe
FE10steelpoleaxSteel Poleax
TarvosTarvos
FE10tomahawkTomahawk
UrvanUrvan
FE10veninaxeVenin Axe
Ballista FE10ballistaBallista Bird Laguz, Pegasi
FE10ironballistaIron Ballista
FE10killerballistaKiller Ballista
Bow FE10bravebowBrave Bow Bird Laguz, Pegasi
FE10bronzebowBronze Bow
DoublebowDouble Bow
FE10ironbowIron Bow
IronlongbowIron Longbow
FE10killerbowKiller Bow
LughnasadhLughnasadh
RolfsbowRolf's Bow
FE10silencerSilencer
FE10silverbowSilver Bow
SilverlongbowSilver Longbow
FE10steelbowSteel Bow
SteellongbowSteel Longbow
FE10veninbowVenin Bow
Crossbow ArbalestArbalest Bird Laguz, Pegasi
AqqarAqqar
BowgunBowgun
CrossbowCrossbow
TakshTaksh
Fire Magic FE10arcfireArcfire Beast Laguz
BolganoneBolganone
CymbelineCymbeline
FE10elfireElfire
FE10fireFire
MeteorMeteor
RexflameRexflame
Knife BeastkillerBeast Killer Beast Laguz
Lance FE10horseslayerHorseslayer Horseback
Light Magic ThaniThani Armored, Horseback
Thunder Magic FE10arcthunderArcthunder Dragon
BoltingBolting
FE10elthunderElthunder
RexboltRexbolt
FE10thoronThoron
FE10thunderThunder
Sword FE10wyrmslayerWyrmslayer Dragon
Wind Magic FE10arcwindArcwind Bird Laguz, Pegasi
FE10blizzardBlizzard
FE10elwindElwind
RexcaliburRexcalibur
TornadoTornado
FE10windWind

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples a weapon's might.

Iote's Shield negates the holder's flying type weakness whenever applicable.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axes FE11hammerHammer Armored
FE11poleaxPoleax Horseback
Ballista ArrowspateArrowspate Flying
ThunderboltThunderbolt Ballistician
Bow FE11bravebowBrave Bow Flying
FE11ironbowIron Bow
FE11killerbowKiller Bow
FE11longbowLongbow
PartiaParthia
FE11silverbowSilver Bow
FE11steelbowSteel Bow
Lance FE11ridersbaneRidersbane Horseback
WingspearWing Spear Armored, Horseback
DragonpikeDragonpike Manakete
Dragonstone DivinedragonstoneDivinestone Earth Dragon, Manakete
Sword FE11armorslayerArmorslayer Armored
FalchionFalchion Earth Dragon, Manakete
FE11rapierRapier Armored, Horseback
FE11wyrmslayerWyrmslayer Manakete
Tome FE11excaliburExcalibur Flying

Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples a weapon's might.

The Iote's Shield negates the holder's flying type weakness whenever applicable.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axe FE11hammerHammer Armored
FE11poleaxPoleax Horseback
Ballista ArrowspateArrowspate Flying
ThunderboltThunderbolt Ballistician
Bows FE11bravebowBrave Bow Flying
Cleave BowCleave Bow Armored
Glass BowGlass Bow Flying
Gordin's BowGordin's Bow
FE11ironbowIron Bow
FE11killerbowKiller Bow
Kleine's BowClarisse's Bow
FE11longbowLongbow
PartiaParthia
Quick BowQuick Bow
Ryan's BowRyan's Bow
FE11silverbowSilver Bow
FE11steelbowSteel Bow
Toy BowToy Bow
Dragonstone DivinedragonstoneDivinestone Dragon (bar Dark Dragon)
Lance DragonpikeDragonpike Dragon (bar Dark Dragon)
FlycatcherFlycatcher Flying
FE11ridersbaneRidersbane Horseback
WingspearWing Spear Armored, Horseback
Sword FE11armorslayerArmorslayer Armored
FalchionFalchion Dragon
FE11rapierRapier Armored, Horseback
SwordKillerFE12Swordslayer Mercenary, Myrmidon,
Hero, Swordmaster
FE11wyrmslayerWyrmslayer Dragon (bar Dark Dragon)
Tome FE11excaliburExcalibur Flying
Merric's BookMerric's Book
FE12ShaverShaver

Fire Emblem Awakening[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples weapon might.

Units with the Taguel base class possess the beast attribute regardless of whatever class they occupy.
Units with the Manakete base class possess the dragon attribute regardless of whatever class they occupy.

The Beastbane skill allows the user to deal effective damage against beast units when s/he is in the Taguel form.
The Wyrmsbane skill allows the user to deal effective damage against beast units when s/he is in the Dragon form.

The Iote's Shield skill negates the holder's flying type weaknesses whenever applicable.
The Conquest skill negates the holder's armored and beast type weaknesses whenever applicable.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axe Hammer FE13 IconHammer Armored
Volant Axe FE13Volant Axe Flying
Bows Astra FE13 IconAstra Flying
Blessed Bow FE13Blessed Bow Flying, Monster
Brave Bow FE13 IconBrave Bow Flying
Bronze Bow FE13 IconBronze Bow
Double Bow FE13 IconDouble Bow
Glass Bow FE13Glass Bow
Innes' Bow FE13Innes' Bow
Iron Bow FE13 IconIron Bow
Killer Bow FE13 IconKiller Bow
Longbow FE13Longbow
Nidhogg FE13 IconNidhogg
Parthia FE13 IconParthia
Silver Bow FE13 IconSilver Bow
Slack Bow FE13 IconSlack Bow
Steel Bow FE13 IconSteel Bow
Superior Bow FE13Superior Bow
Towering Bow FE13Towering Bow
Underdog Bow FE13Underdog Bow
Wolt's Bow FE13Wolt's Bow
Ichii-bal FE13 IconYewfelle
Lance Beast Killer FE13Beast Killer Beast
Blessed Lance FE13Blessed Lance Monster
Sword Armorslayer FE13Armorslayer Armored
Exalted Falchion FE13Exalted Falchion Dragon
Binding Falchion iconFalchion Dragon (bar Grima)
Noble Rapier FE13 IconNoble Rapier Armored, Beast
Hidden Falchion FE13 IconParallel Falchion Dragon
Rapier FE13 IconRapier Armored, Beast
Wyrmslayer FE13Wyrmslayer Dragon (bar Grima)
Tome Arcwind FE13Arcwind Flying
Naga FE13 IconBook of Naga Dragon (bar Grima)
Elwind FE13Elwind Flying
Excalibur FE13 IconExcalibur
Holsety FE13 IconForseti
Rexcalibur FE13Rexcalibur
Wilderwind FE13Wilderwind
Wind FE13 IconWind

Fire Emblem Fates[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples weapon might.
Certain weapons will penalize the user with a 4-point reduction in damage output and a 10-point reduction in hit rate when used against units who lack any relevant attributes. These weapons are indicated with an asterisk (*) in the table below.

Corrin and any of his/her children possess the dragon attribute regardless of whatever class they occupy.
Units with the Kitsune or Wolfskin base class possess the beast attribute regardless of whatever class they occupy.

The Golembane skill doubles the user's weapon might against Stoneborn, Puppets, or Mechanists.
The Beastbane skill doubles the user's weapon might beast units when s/he is in the beast form.
The Ballista's Fire command or the Ballistician's Cannon command double in weapon might against flying units.

The Wing Shield skill negates the holder's flying type weaknesses whenever applicable.

Here is a table of applicable weapons with their effects:

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axe FE14AxeHammer* Armored
Bow FE14BowAnna's Bow Flying
FE14BowBlessed Bow Flying, Monster
FE14BowBronze Bow Flying
FE14BowCrescent Bow
FE14BowCupid Bow
FE14BowHunter's Bow* Beast
FE14BowIron Bow Flying
FE14BowIron Shortbow
FE14BowKiller Bow
FE14BowMini Bow
FE14BowNiles' Bow
FE14BowRubber Bow
FE14BowShining Bow
FE14BowSilver Bow
FE14BowSilver Shortbow
FE14BowSteel Bow
FE14BowSteel Shortbow
FE14BowViolin Bow
Club FE14Club Pike-Ruin Club* Units equipped with
lances or naginata
Dagger FE14DaggerHunter's Knife* Beast
FE14DaggerKris Knife Monster
Katana FE14KatanaAxe Splitter* Units equipped with
axes or clubs
FE14KatanaSpirit Katana Monster
Lance FE14LanceBeast Killer* Beast
FE14LanceBlessed Lance Monster
Naginata FE14NaginataSwordcatcher* Units equipped with
swords or katana
Scrolls FE14ScrollDragon Spirit Dragon
Shuriken FE14ShurikenSting Shuriken* Armored
Sword FE14SwordArmorslayer* Armored
FE14SwordFalchion Dragon
FE14SwordParallel Falchion Dragon
FE14SwordWyrmslayer* Dragon
Tome FE14TomeExcalibur Flying
Yumi FE14YumiBamboo Yumi Flying
FE14YumiBrass Yumi
FE14YumiDual Yumi
FE14YumiFujin Yumi
FE14YumiHarp Yumi
FE14YumiIllusory Yumi
FE14YumiIron Hankyu
FE14YumiIron Yumi
FE14YumiMikoto's Yumi
FE14YumiPursuer
FE14YumiRaider Yumi
FE14YumiSetsuna's Yumi
FE14YumiSidelong Yumi
FE14YumiSilver Hankyu
FE14YumiSilver Yumi
FE14YumiSkadi
FE14YumiSpellbane Yumi* Units equipped with
tomes or scrolls
FE14YumiSpy's Yumi Flying
FE14YumiSteel Hankyu
FE14YumiSteel Yumi
FE14YumiSurefire Yumi

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples weapon might.

Archers, Snipers, and Bow Knights need to have a bow equipped to do effective damage to fliers.

Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Bow
Echoes blessed bow iconBlessed Bow Flying & Monster
Echoes iron bow iconIron Bow Flying
Echoes killer bow iconKiller Bow
Echoes luna iconLuna
Echoes longbow iconLongbow
Mila's bow iconMila's Bow
Echoes parthia iconParthia
Echoes iron bow iconPython's Bow
Echoes shining bow iconRadiant Bow
Echoes silver bow iconSilver Bow
Echoes steel bow iconSteel Bow
Lance Echoes ridersbane iconRidersbane* Horseback
Echoes blessed lance iconBlessed Lance Monster
Echoes blessed lance iconClair's Lance Monster
Romfire iconRhomphaia Armored & Horseback
Sword Echoes blessed sword iconBlessed Sword Monster
Echoes falchion iconFalchion Monster
Echoes rapier iconRapier Armored & Horseback
Black Magic Echoes black magic iconSeraphim Monster

Fire Emblem: Three Houses[]

In this game, not all sources of weapon effectiveness are treated equally. Effective weapons (such as the Horseslayer) will triple their might when used against the correct enemy type; this includes offensive Gambits, which when effective, triple the gambit's might. Certain Combat Arts have effectiveness against certain unit types - these only double the weapon's might before might bonuses from the combat art. Using an effective combat art with an effective weapon uses the weapon's tripled might and then grants the combat art bonus.

For example, imagine attacking a Paladin with a Short Spear and a Horseslayer, both of which have 8 base might.

Comparing Short Spear to Horseslayer against a Paladin
Situation Total Weapon Might Combat Art Bonus Total Damage Dealt
Short Spear: Attack 8 0 8
Horseslayer: Attack 8 * 3 = 24 0 24
Short Spear: Knightkneeler 8 * 2 = 16 5 21
Horseslayer: Knightkneeler 8 * 3 = 24 5 29

Against Monster barriers, weapons, spells and combat arts that are effective against monsters will fully destroy a barrier in a single round of combat, as opposed to other attacks requiring two rounds to destroy. Similar principles hold true against dragons.

Mounted units only possess cavalry or flying weaknesses (whichever is applicable) if they are mounted. When dismounted, the relevant effectiveness does not apply.

The Armored Effect Null, Cavalry Effect Null and Flying Effect Null abilities, learned by all units who reach S+ in heavy armor, riding and flying respectively, cancels effectiveness against armored, cavalry and flying units respectively. Alternatively, the Kadmos, Lampos and Aurora Shields negate effective damage against armored, cavalry and flying units respectively when equipped on a unit. The Rafail Gem and Chalice of Beginnings both nullify all effective damage against the unit equipping them.

Below is a list of weapons, spells and gambits that do effective damage:

Attack Type Weapon/Gambit Name Relevant Unit Type
Sword Rapier Armored and Cavalry
Armorslayer Armored
Lance Horseslayer Cavalry
Spear of Assal
Blessed Lance Monsters
Axe Mace Armored
Hammer
Axe of Zoltan
Axe of Ukonvasara
Bow Training Bow Flying
Iron Bow
Steel Bow
Silver Bow
Longbow
Killer Bow
Venin Bow
Brave Bow
Magic Bow
Bow of Zoltan
Parthia
Tathlum Bow
The Inexhaustible
Failnaught
Blessed Bow Flying and Monsters
Gauntlet Dragon Claws Dragons
Spell Excalibur Flying
Dark Spikes Τ Cavalry
Seraphim Monsters
Gambit Wave Attack Armored
Ashes and Dust Flying
Flash-Fire Arrows
Fusillade
Poisoned Arrows
Line of Lances Cavalry
Other Ballista Flying
Units with Monstrous Appeal Monsters

Below is a list of combat arts that deal effective damage:

Weapon Combat Art Relevant Unit Type Notes
Any Sword Grounder Flying
Bane of Monsters Monsters
Thunderbrand Foudroyant Strike Armored and Dragons Requires Crest of Charon.
Blutgang Beast Fang Cavalry and Dragons Requires Crest of the Beast.
Sword of the Creator Ruptured Heaven Dragons Byleth only.
Sublime Creator Sword Sublime Heaven
Any Lance Knightkneeler Cavalry
Monster Piercer Monsters
Lance of Ruin Ruined Sky Flying and Dragons Requires Crest of Gautier.
Areadbhar Atrocity All Requires Crest of Blaiddyd.
Lúin Burning Quake Dragons Requires Crest of Daphnel.
Any Axe Helm Splitter Armored
Monster Breaker Monsters
War Master's Strike All War Master only.
Freikugel Apocalyptic Flame Dragons Requires Crest of Goneril.
Crusher Dust Requires Crest of Dominic.
Aymr Raging Storm Requires Crest of Seiros.
Any Bow Monster Blast Monsters
Failnaught Fallen Star Dragons Requires Crest of Riegan.
Any Gauntlet Monster Crusher Monsters

Fire Emblem Warriors[]

In this game, weapon effectiveness triples weapon might.
Certain weapons will penalize the user with a sharp reduction in damage output when used against units who lack any relevant attributes and even further when they go up against a unit with a weapon effectiveness designed to counter them. These weapons are indicated with an asterisk (*) in the table below.

Weapons with the True Power and Divine Favor weapon attributes will negate the damage penalty from forging weapon effectiveness traits into their weapons.
Weapons that have a natural weapon effectiveness within their seventh slot also ignore the normal damage reduction penalty but limits the player to reforge only one foreign Slayer-type attribute.

The Iote's Shield Skill Crest will negate all forms of weapon effectiveness targeted against the playable Units, though it's tied to Minerva, a Unit exclusive to DLC. Other units can create this Crest for themselves by maxing Support Levels with Minerva to access the required materials.

In History Mode, there is a type of battle restriction which neutralizes weapon effectiveness damage.

As the game is a Warriors-styled game, random weapon drops from both post-battle and from Amiibo gifts have the chance to roll up having one or two weapon effectiveness traits in their weapon attributes, but after obtaining said traits for that specific weapon variety as prizes for S-rank Clears for specific battles in History Mode.


Weapon Type Weapon Name Relevant Unit Type
Axe
Blessed Axe* Monster
Brave Axe* Random
Bronze Axe* Random
Dragon Axe* Dragon
Hammer* Armored
Hero Axe* Random
Iron Axe* Random
Poleaxe* Mounted
Silver Axe* Random
Steel Axe* Random
Volant Axe* Flying
Bow
Anna's Bow Flying
Blessed Bow* Flying, Monster
Brave Bow Flying, Random
Bronze Bow Flying
Cleave Bow* Flying, Armored
Dragonkiller Bow* Flying, Dragon
Fujin Yumi Flying
Hero Bow* Flying, Random
Hunter's Bow* Flying, Horseback
Iron Bow* Flying, Random
Niles's Bow Flying
Silver Bow* Flying, Random
Steel Bow* Flying, Random
Spellbane Yumi Flying
Dragonstone
Blessedstone* Monster
Bravestone* Random
Bronzestone* Random
Divinestone Dragon
Herostone* Random
Ironbanestone* Armored
Ironstone* Random
Piked Dragonstone* Mounted
Risestone* Flying
Silverstone* Random
Steelstone* Random
Undragonstone* Dragon
Lance
Azura's Blessed Lance Monster
Blessed Lance* Monster
Brave Lance* Random
Bronze Lance* Random
Dragonpike* Dragon
Flycatcher* Flying
Heavy Spear* Armored
Horseslayer* Mounted
Hero Lance* Random
Iron Lance* Random
Silver Lance* Random
Steel Lance* Random
Wing Spear Armored, Mounted
Sword
Armorslayer* Armored
Brave Sword* Random
Bronze Sword* Random
Enliron Monster
Exalted Falchion Dragon
Facinna Monster
Falchion Dragon
Hero Sword* Random
Iron Sword* Random
Parallel Falchion Dragon
Silver Sword* Random
Sol Katti Dragon
Spirit Katana* Monster
Steel Sword* Random
Wing Clipper* Flying
Wyrmslayer* Dragon
Zanbato* Mounted
Tome
Blessed Tome* Monster
Brave Tome* Random
Bronze Tome* Random
Condragon Tome* Dragon
Hero Tome* Random
Iron Tome* Random
Piercing Tome* Armored
Silver Tome* Random
Steel Tome* Random
Unsaddler Tome* Mounted
Wingbane Tome* Flying

Trivia[]

  • Despite Longswords and Armorslayers not actually being items in Radiant Dawn, they are mentioned in the bonus damage tutorial in the English version of the game. In the Japanese version of Radiant Dawn, Horseslayers and Hammers are mentioned instead of Longswords and Armorslayers.
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