Should you skip the War Arc in Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave?
Yes, you can skip the War Arc, but first-time players should usually play it. Act 2 connects the opening Flame Lords campaigns with Act 3, and its battles provide useful preparation for the substantially tougher challenges ahead.
The choice becomes available after completing Act 1 as any Flame Lord. Interact with the Strife Obelisk to bypass the War Arc, or head through the door instead. Be aware that choosing the door means you cannot take your other units into the final campaign.
For more gaming and arcade coverage, browse RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog or explore the latest arcade videos.


What happens when you skip Act 2?
Skipping the War Arc automatically raises every character to level 45. That is the minimum recommended level for beginning Act 3, making the shortcut useful when you want to prepare several armies quickly.
It can also suit a replay-focused run. If you have returned to Act 1 to alter character builds, improve existing units or recruit new characters, bypassing Act 2 lets you move those changes towards the final act sooner.
The decision is not permanent. You may skip the War Arc at any stage during Act 2 and return later to continue from where you stopped.

Why play through the War Arc?
Act 2 uses the same maps and story for every character, apart from a distinct scene at the beginning and another at the conclusion. Therefore, skipping does not remove much character-specific content.
However, playing the battles manually gives your main characters opportunities to reach around level 50 by defeating enemies and reinforcements. Those extra levels can provide a stronger starting position for Act 3 and create more chances for character growth.
Manual play also gives you time to change classes and complete drills that raise your army’s skill ranks. Skipping removes those development opportunities, leaving you with more preparation and management to handle once Act 3 begins.

Who should skip the War Arc?
- First-time players: Play Act 2 so you can understand the transition into Act 3 and prepare for its more demanding battles.
- Players in a hurry: Skip it if reaching the final act quickly matters more than additional levels and skill development.
- Players rebuilding an army: The shortcut is reasonable after revisiting Act 1, especially when you have changed characters or recruited new units.
- Players who want maximum control: Complete the War Arc to manage classes, drills, levels and army growth yourself.
If you are deciding how to set up a dedicated gaming space for longer strategy sessions, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide may help you compare options. Compact setups can also benefit from bartop arcades.

The verdict
Do not skip the War Arc on your first playthrough. It is an important bridge to Act 3 and helps develop an army before the difficulty rises.
On later runs, skipping is a sensible convenience when you are testing changes from Act 1, building multiple armies or simply want to reach the final campaign faster. You can always return to Act 2, but you cannot gain its manual levelling, class changes and drills while bypassing it.
Fortune’s Weave is a large game, so planning your route matters. Early on, focus on recruiting more characters, unlocking Boons of Salvation and using free time effectively. Remember to visit the Perch for a Bird Time session as you progress through the initial Heroic Games matches.




Leave a Reply