So many choices, so little time. How do I decide?
A commoner with an iron sword in hand. Your dad is next to you, fighting with you against bandits as you help three strange students from a military academy.
So, you’re starting your first journey through Fodlan, but you don’t know which house to pick. Do you pick your favorite leader? Or maybe you just like the names (Blue Lion does sound rather majestic). But if you want a deep dive into why you should pick one house over the other, search no further.
1. The Black Eagles
Students of the Black Eagle house.
Leader: Edelgard von Hresvelg
As the only female-led house in the game, the Black Eagles are certainly an excellent choice. Not only does Edelgard have fabulous hair, but she wields a strong axe to boot. With her on your team, you will be a force to be reckoned with. If you do not pick the Black Eagles, you will not be able to recruit her.
The Black Eagles group begins its journey as the house with the highest number of mages in the game: Hubert, Dorthea and Linhardt. My personal favorite healer, Linhardt has excellent range with his white magic. He is the perfect person to have on your team when you’re in a pinch.
Like Edelgard, Hubert is only available if you play as the Black Eagles. He is one of few naturally inclined black magic playable characters.
While the Black Eagles certainly have the highest number of magically-inclined students, they suffer from a lack of a strong tank, depending on the path you choose. There is also only one character that tends to trend towards being a mounted unit.
Perhaps one of my favorite units in the entire game, Ferdinand von Aegir makes his home in the eagle’s nest. What comes across as a cocky attitude is backed up with confidence. Seriously. Possibly one of the strongest abilities in the game, his Confidence personal ability increases Ferdinand’s hit and avoid while at full health. Pair that with the plus 10 avoid you get as a Wyvern Lord and this guy seems unstoppable.
Unlike the other two houses, the Black Eagles has a reason for you to play its route twice. Without any spoilers, you can unlock a secret route with a different ending. This also means the characters you are allowed to use will change. Known as the “Crimson Flower” route, the secret route is the shortest story in the game. However, the route tells the story of one character’s fall to madness.
In short:
- Only female leader
- Most magically-inclined students
- Fun “hidden” story
- You are able to use Edelgard and Hubert (depending on your choices)
- You automatically get Ferdinand, dodge tank extraordinaire
More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Eagles
2. The Blue Lions
Students of the Blue Lions house.
Leader: Dimitri Blaiddyd
At the helm of the Blue Lions crew is the noble 17-year-old prince from the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. Arguably the strongest lance wielder in all of the land, Dimitri is only playable if you choose the Blue Lions route. Dimitri has strengths in swords, lances, and authority. He also has a strong battalion that players can unlock later in the route. Like Dimitri, his retainer Dedue will not be playable if you pick a different house.
As a whole, the Blue Lions house has a strong preference for characters with boons in swords and lances. The Blue Lions are a cavalry-based house but seem to lack long-ranged attack units.
You will find many students with preferences towards knight classes in this house.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to change things around. I find myself dragging Felix around to every house I play. He has boons in swords, but I prefer pairing his crest with a set of gauntlets and sending him on a path of destruction as a War Master.
If you prefer a group of lance-wielding knights that like to play with their swords a little too much, pick the Blue Lion’s house. If you are purely looking for a story, I recommend the Blue Lions for the best story to start your journey. The twist moment just isn’t the same on the other routes. I started my journey with the lions and didn’t regret it.
It should also be mentioned that Sylvain Gautier is a unit that players can automatically obtain if they play as female Byleth. As Sylvain is already a member of the Blue Lions, he will automatically be in your house. Still, Sylvain gets a damage boost when next to a female unit. So keep his womanizing heart happy and stick him next to your female units.
In short:
- Great story to start with
- Has the most calvary-based units
- Can use Dimitri and Dedue
- You automatically get Felix, who can fit into almost any class
More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Blue_Lions
3. The Golden Deer
Students of the Golden Deer house.
Leader: Claude von Riegan
The golden boy himself, Claude von Riegan, is the leader of the Golden Deer House. Despite his jokes, he’s a calculated tactician at heart. He wields the bow-and-arrow and gets access to his own special flying unit later in the game. A strange mix of students, the Golden Deer have both some of my favorite and least favorite units.
Easily the strongest mage in the entire game, young Lysithea von Ordelia will Avada Kedavra you without looking back. Outclassing Dorthea and Annette by a country mile, she has the highest magic, speed, and dexterity growths of the three mages. Protect her at all costs! No, not because she’s cute. She is a typical glass cannon, who will die if looked at wrong but will come in like a wrecking ball on Death itself.
The Golden Deer house has the most long-ranged units of all three houses. This may help early game, giving players advantages during battles mainly against melee units. However, as the game progresses, you may find yourself needing to strategize a bit more.
Still, you have great options if you want a close-range unit. Despite her laziness and constantly trying to get others to do her work, Hilda excels as a damage dealer. With high damage and decent speed, she can often attack twice. She is a great choice as a natural axe wielder, making her an excellent tank or wyvern lord.
As for the story, the Golden Deer are rather interesting. While the Blue Lions and the Black Eagles tend to make up the central aspect of the story, the Golden Deer focus on a more background approach. The story involves more of a political aspect, while fleshing out the world of Fodlan and nearby countries.
In short:
- Has the most long-ranged units
- The story involves politics and history
- Can use Claude
- You automatically get Lysithea, who is one of the best mages in the game
More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Golden_Deer
The leaders of the three houses.
But keep in mind, the game is about having fun. And anyone can become anything. I do not regret making Sylvain my dancer during my first Three Houses run. Seeing the skirt chaser in a, well, skirt was the highlight of my run. He has since made several appearances in a skirt in my following runs.
Let us know which house you pick in the comments!
