School life
Once the player has decided which house to join, they begin the daily activities to become a combined teacher / strategist. The game works on a calendar system. During the week, students study and train to become better soldiers. On the weekend, the player can choose between exploring the school, attending a guest lesson or going into battle.
Byleth can explore the monastery freely, completing missions for students and teachers and taking advantage of the school’s services. Having lunch with a student or finding the lost glove increases their bond with Byleth and increases their motivation to learn.
The noose
While the student sections offer fun on their own, the attraction of the game lies in how your school activities affect the combat. For example, singing in the choir or studying an ancient sacred text with Mercedes gives her the motivation to learn. Byleth can then use that motivation to teach Mercedes and upgrade her skills, unlocking new spells and abilities. Once students’ skills reach a high enough letter mark, they can take tests to upgrade their class.
Spending time with students makes them improve faster as a unit. Of course, the students you enjoy talking to the most will gain experience and become an integral part of your combat success. Here lies the basic game cycle.
Spend time with students to make them stronger, which builds your bond. You soon end up learning their backstories, what they like and what they don’t like and help them grow as individuals and as soldiers. Eventually, you fell in love with each of them. It takes a horrible death to remember that tea parties aren’t the bulk of the game’s content.
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