The Complete Summoning Guide in Fire Emblem Heroes

When it comes to summoning in Fire Emblem Heroes (FEH), there's more than meets the eye.

With various changes and strategies developed over the years, you'll often find yourself not knowing the best methods to summon.

This guide aims to demystify the process and help you get the knowledge you need to make the most of your orbs.

Let's dive in!

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Unveiling the Mysteries of Summoning in FEH

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The Evolution of Summoning in FEH

As with most games, FEH has seen its summoning mechanics undergo various changes over time.

Let's dive into some of the most significant developments:

• The Golden Era: The time when summoning rates were relatively generous and players could easily summon their desired heroes, such as Mikaya.
• The Four-Person New Heroes Banner: Introduced in 2019, this change drastically affected summoning rates, requiring players to spend more orbs to get their desired units.
• The Sparking System: Introduced in 2021, this system guaranteed players a specific hero after a certain number of summons, proving to be a game-changer, especially for collectors.

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The Importance of Color in Summoning

When summoning in Fire Emblem Heroes, the color of the unit matters.

It's not merely an aesthetic choice but a strategic one:

• Variability in Rates: The probability of landing a hero is deeply affected by the color you choose. This is mainly due to the number of heroes available in a particular color category. If there's an influx of new blue units, for example, the chances of pulling a blue hero might decrease compared to other colors.
• Recent Additions: Game updates can tilt the balance in favor of certain colors. For example, if no new green units are introduced in a recent update, the odds of pulling a green hero might increase, offering more value for your orbs.

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Identifying the Best Banners

1. Hero Fest and Hero Rises Banners: These banners are among the top-tier choices for players, primarily because they offer increased summoning rates for 5-star heroes. Additionally, "A Hero Rises" banner allows players to 'spark' or guarantee a hero after a specific number of summons, adding a layer of security.
2. Legendary and Mythic Banners: These banners feature some of the most powerful units in the game. However, they typically come with 12 focus units, which can dilute the chances of pulling a specific hero. They're great for players looking to obtain strong units, but they may not be the best choice for those targeting a particular character.
3. New Heroes and Special Heroes Banners: New Heroes banners introduce fresh characters to the game, while Special Heroes banners offer seasonal or themed variations of existing characters. Both banners usually have a 'spark' feature, making them valuable for players seeking specific units.
4. 3-Star and 4-Star Focus Banners: These banners are excellent for players looking to quickly merge and promote lower rarity units. They offer a higher summoning rate for the featured 3-star and 4-star heroes.

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Understanding Unit Types

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1. Legendary and Mythic Units: These units come with unique skills and blessings that can boost a team's performance in various game modes, especially Aether Raids and Arena. They are typically powerful and versatile, making them a top pick for many players.
2. Duo and Harmonized Units: Duo units feature two characters from the same game, while Harmonized units showcase characters from different FE titles. Both types come with a unique Duo or Harmonized skill, which can be activated during battles for various effects. They're often strong picks in both PvE and PvP content.
3. Brave Units: Released annually, Brave units are versions of characters voted on by the FEH community. They come with unique and powerful skill sets, making them valuable additions to many teams.
4. Refined and Resplendent Units: As FEH evolves, older units sometimes receive weapon refinements or resplendent versions to enhance their viability. These units can become unexpectedly powerful, offering great value for players who've kept them in their barracks.

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Color Sharing: A Double-Edged Sword

In FEH, color sharing happens when two or more focus units on a banner share the same color. This has its pros and cons:

Pros:

• Higher Overall 5-Star Pull Rate: When multiple focus units share the same color, the combined chance of pulling any 5-star hero from that color increases.
• Options: If you're indifferent between the focus units of the same color, color sharing can be beneficial. It provides a higher chance to get a 5-star, even if it's not the specific one you were initially aiming for.

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Cons:

• Diluted Specific Hero Chances: If you're targeting a particular hero, color sharing can be a pain. The chances of getting that specific hero are effectively halved, making it harder to pull them.
• Orb Efficiency: While the overall 5-star pull rate for a shared color might be higher, you might end up spending more orbs than desired to get the specific hero you want.

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Demystifying the Pity Rate

The pity rate is a term that has intrigued FEH summoners.

Here's a breakdown:

• The Basics: As you continue summoning without getting a 5-star hero, the game slowly increases your chances of pulling one. This increase is what's referred to as the pity rate.
• Misconceptions: A higher pity rate doesn't guarantee a 5-star hero in your next pull. Even if your rate is at an impressive 15%, the odds of the next orb being the hero you want might still be quite low. For example, if you're aiming for a specific colorless hero, the chance might only be around 5% or less.
• The Reality: Pity rates can be misleading. A high pity rate can give the illusion of imminent success when in reality, the odds may still be stacked against you. It's essential to approach this feature with a grain of salt and not let it dictate your summoning strategy entirely.
• Regressing to the Mean: A common misconception is that after a series of bad luck, good luck is right around the corner. In reality, each summon is independent of the previous one. Over time, your results might average out, but there's no guarantee that a streak of bad luck will be immediately followed by good luck.

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Strategies to Maximize Your Orbs

The following are tried-and-tested strategies to get the most out of your orbs:

1. Fewer Focus Heroes, Better Rates: The fewer the focus units on a banner, the higher the chances of getting the unit you desire. This is because the 3% focus rate is divided among all the focus units.
2. Harness the Power of Sparking: A guaranteed hero after a set number of summons is rare in gacha games. By spreading your spending across sparkable banners, you can significantly reduce your costs.
3. Embrace the Focus Charge: This feature is especially beneficial for those looking at high merges. On average, using focus charges can save you about 157 orbs.

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Strategies for Summon Success

1. Diversify Your Team: While it's tempting to chase after the latest powerful unit, it's crucial to have a balanced team. Ensure you have a mix of unit types, including tanks, healers, mages, and physical attackers.
2. Set Limits: Given the unpredictable nature of gacha summoning, it's wise to set a limit on how many orbs you're willing to spend on a particular banner or session. This will prevent overspending and potential disappointment.
3. Understand the Odds: Familiarize yourself with the odds of each banner. This knowledge will allow you to make informed decisions and strategize effectively.
4. Stay Updated: The game frequently introduces new heroes and mechanics. By staying updated, you can adjust your summoning strategy accordingly.

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Making the Most of A Hero Rises Event

The "A Hero Rises" event is a goldmine for summoners. It's an annual event in FEH where players vote for their favorite heroes.

The winning heroes are then featured in a special summoning banner.

Here's why this event is significant:

• The heroes featured in "A Hero Rises" are usually among the top-tier units in the game. This means that players are guaranteed high value for their orbs.
• It's sparkable, ensuring players can secure a specific hero after a set number of summons.
• Unlike legendary banners that can have up to 12 focus units, "A Hero Rises" typically features only four, enhancing the chances of pulling a desired hero.
• Incorporates the focus charge system, which can lessen the impact of bad luck by ensuring a 5-star pull after a set number of non-5-star pulls.

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For those aiming for competitive units, this event provides excellent value.

However, always remember to prioritize your favorite characters!

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Strategies for "A Hero Rises"

1. Plan Ahead: Since "A Hero Rises" is an annual event, keep track of potential candidates and plan your orb savings accordingly.
2. Use the Spark System: Even if you're lucky enough to pull your desired hero early, consider continuing to summon until you reach the spark threshold. This guarantees another copy or a different focus hero, offering great value for your orbs.
3. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on community discussions and predictions for "A Hero Rises". This can help you see which heroes have a good chance of being featured, allowing you to strategize accordingly.

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Conclusion

Summoning in FEH is both an art and a science.

With the right strategies, you can ensure that you not only get the heroes you desire but also make the most of your resources to build formidable teams to tackle any challenge the game throws at you.