Rokka Seiken Senki -Legend of the Holy Prince of Light- (Free SRPG) Introduction, Impressions, and Strategy Notes

I played "Rikka Seiken Senki," a game created with SRPG Studio by Itsuki Nishiyama.
I had been waiting for the completion of this work for some time, and when I found out it was finished on Twitter, I had the chance to play it.

I haven't played it myself, but it incorporates unique elements such as a rock-paper-scissors system based on different unit types that pays homage to the "Langrisser" series, and romantic elements through interactions with the heroine, which makes for a fresh gameplay experience.
The completion time was approximately 12 hours.

Game Overview

"Rokka Seiken Senki -Hikari no Sei Ouji Densetsu-" is a simulation RPG featuring Cecil, the prince of the Kingdom of Aldia, as the main character.
The story begins with Cecil, who escaped his homeland after the invasion of the Zanos Empire, seeking cooperation from neighboring countries while fighting against the empire.
While the scenes of him flirting with older women are eye-catching, the serious and substantial war stories are also incredibly engaging.

This game incorporates several unique systems, offering a different gameplay experience compared to previous SRPG Studio titles.
This section will introduce several points regarding that.

Interaction with the heroines

The main story is a compelling, classic war chronicle, but its most distinctive feature is the romantic adventure-style interaction events between Cecil and the heroines.
On the base screen between stages, you can choose which of your favorite companions you want to talk to.
Since you can only talk to one person at a time, you'll probably find yourself struggling to decide who to talk to each time.
Depending on who you interact with, you may discover new aspects of them or see your status improve.
One approach is to decide early on who you want to spend the ending with.

Number of weapon uses

In this game, weapon uses are restored after each stage.
Standard weapons such as swords and spears have unlimited uses, but other weapons have a set number of uses.
Since the number of uses is restored after each stage, it's better to use them actively rather than saving them.

Furthermore, staves and magic can be activated by consuming the "EP" set for each unit.
EP recovers a little each turn, so you can use it freely as long as you have enough.
Classes that use magic or healing staves need to be mindful of their remaining EP.

Unit type compatibility (important)

In this game, there are no weapon-based compatibility systems; instead, there are compatibility systems based on troop type.
Unlike other SRPGs, there is no so-called "sword, axe, spear" rock-paper-scissors system.
The basic rock-paper-scissors dynamic is:Infantry > Spearmen > Cavalry > Infantry...but there are otherFlying Soldier > Assassin Soldier > Archer/Skill Soldier > Flying Soldier...Such compatibility also exists.
You don't need to memorize this now, as it will be explained in the game as the story progresses.
We strongly recommend reading the included readme file before playing.

The compatibility between different unit types has a very large bonus.
Therefore, it is extremely difficult to overcome a disadvantage with a disadvantageous troop type.
Conversely, by using units with an advantage against your opponent, you can make battles considerably easier.
Rather than focusing solely on the sheer strength of individual units, it's more prudent to select units to deploy while considering the balance of troop types.

Change of troop type

In this game, you can change the unit's class on the deployment preparation screen.
Since it can be easily changed at no cost, let's actively utilize it.
The types of troops that can be changed vary depending on the unit.

As explained in the previous section, the combat modifiers based on troop type compatibility are very significant in this game.
Try to deploy your troops in a way that gives you the best possible advantage in battle.
If there are many enemies of a unit type that your unit is weak against, it might be wise to simply refrain from deploying that unit.

Review (no spoilers)

I was able to clear all 25 maps in about 12 hours.
The maps weren't particularly small or large, but the time it took to complete each map seemed relatively short.
Each stage had some kind of theme to focus on, so it never felt repetitive, and I was able to play without getting bored.

The compatibility effects between different troop types are significant, and being able to easily defeat enemies by using advantageous troop types was very satisfying.
If the enemy has an uneven distribution of troop types, deploying a larger number of your own advantageous troop types will give you a sense of satisfaction from having fought effectively.
The ease of switching unit types made it fun to utilize many allied units.

The weapon usage system in this game was more convenient and less stressful than I initially expected.
Standard weapons have unlimited uses, so you don't need to worry about them running out. Powerful weapons have limited uses, but they regenerate after the map ends, so you can use them without worry.
In other works, valuable weapons tend to be conserved, so I thought this was an interesting mechanism to solve that problem.

Similarly, I personally found the system of using EP with wands and magic to be quite comfortable.
As mentioned earlier, I'm glad that I can use even precious wands and magic without hesitation.
In particular, right at the start when your EP is full, it's fun to unleash powerful spells one after another, feeling like it would be a waste not to use them.
Another interesting aspect was the cycle of using up all your EP to defeat an enemy, then recharging your EP for the next battle, when you felt like "if I just defeat this enemy, I'll have time until the next battle."
In SRPGs, it feels like a waste to just wait around doing nothing, but even just waiting has a purpose—waiting for EP to recover naturally—so it's not stressful.

I felt the overall difficulty level was just right.
While there's no character loss, trying to clear the game without any allied units being incapacitated will provide a decent challenge.
I felt that the difficulty level suddenly jumped when I tried to fight without considering the strengths and weaknesses of different unit types.

The story itself follows a fairly standard formula, but the writing is so captivating that I found myself completely engrossed in it.
The conversations between the characters, in particular, are very detailed and of a high quality, almost like reading a novel.
I was impressed by how much the characters' presence changed through the text, even though they were the same familiar characters from "SRPG Studio."
I was particularly impressed by the detailed descriptions of the conversations between the enemy's leaders and the character development, which made it feel like a very carefully crafted work.
While the enemy camp is having a serious meeting, the friendly camp is flirting with busty ladies, creating such a stark contrast that you can't help but worry, "Is this really okay?"
However, I think this playful interaction is important because it balances the frequency of easing the tension in serious scenes.

Players unfamiliar with SRPGs might find it a bit challenging, but I think SRPG fans will find it a refreshing and enjoyable experience.

Strategy Notes (Contains Spoilers)

This section will mainly contain strategy notes for each stage.
This is more of a record of how I played the game, so I'm sure I've missed a lot of hidden treasures and other things.
I hope this helps you in your gameplay.

First, I'll write about the overall strategy information.
Before playing the game, be sure to read the file titled "◆Read◆" that is included with the game.

- About the ending
The number of times you interact with the female characters available at your base will determine who Cecil ultimately ends up with.
If a certain number of criteria are met, it seems you can choose any woman from among those who meet the criteria.
I think the heroines are Alicia, Karen, Sasha, Tania, Heidmarie, and Natasha—these six.

Furthermore, it appears that there are three different endings (epilogues) for units other than the heroine, depending on the number of victories and defeats.
The number of times you are incapacitated in battle during a stage equals your number of defeats, and a high number of defeats will lead to a tragic ending.
If the number of wins is below a certain number, you get the normal ending; if it's above a certain number, you get the good ending.

Always consider the compatibility between different troop types.
In this game, the compatibility between different unit types is extremely important and has a significant impact.
Look at the types of enemy troops deployed and send out as many troops with an advantage against them as possible.
It's also important to actively utilize the ability to change troop types.
If you're struggling, a drastic change in troop type can dramatically ease the situation.

Keeping in mind the rock-paper-scissors relationship between archers, flying units, and assassins will make things easier, but you don't need to adjust your deployed units to that extent.
This bonus increases hit rate, damage, and critical hit rate when attacking, so it doesn't give you any advantage in terms of defense.
However, if you don't properly understand these compatibility factors, you may suffer unexpectedly large amounts of damage from your enemies, so be careful.

- Give special attack weapons to units with an advantage.
Some weapons have a special effect that makes them particularly effective against certain types of troops.
It's recommended to equip such weapons to unit types that have an inherent advantage against them.
For example, even if you equip infantry with weapons designed to be effective against cavalry, infantry themselves are at a disadvantage against cavalry, so the overall effect will be mediocre.
Having infantry engage cavalry is a tactical failure in terms of matchup, so it's best to avoid this kind of tactic.

Stage 1

It's the first stage, but if you let your guard down, you'll get surrounded by enemies and have a tough time.
Quickly recruit Sasha and position your other units to protect her.
If you pay attention to Sasha and Cecil's positioning during the fight, I think there will be few dangerous situations.

You can get 2000G in the village.

Stage 2

Use Donovan, a spearman who is well-suited to dealing with enemy cavalry pursuing you.
It would be safer if they were positioned to block the bridge.
The other members should be fine as long as they keep compatibility in mind.
The enemies blocking the final southern end are spearmen, so you can easily fight them with Cecil.

You can obtain the Hundred-Hit Sword Ishtos in the village.

Stage 3

Protecting the nuns is a rather challenging task.
Let's have Alicia face the nun in the left room, Karen face the one on the right, and have Cecil and Donovan confront the enemy straight ahead.
On the right side, where Alicia will be facing off against the enemy, since the enemy consists of cavalry and infantry, I think she can manage on her own if she can just take down the cavalry.
The right side will be tough for Karen alone, so don't attack aggressively from here. Instead, make good use of the winged spear Nephra to withstand the attack.
Once everyone has settled into their respective roles, I'll have Karen cover for one of the three of them.

If you stock up on axes, bows, and other weapons from the shop after clearing the game, you'll find it easier to utilize the troop type change feature on the battle preparation screen in the future.

Stage 4

Since the enemy mainly consists of infantry and archers, you'll have an advantage if you change Karen to a cavalry unit like a joust knight or cavalry archer, and Donovan to an infantry unit like an axe butler.
The scattered spearmen should be dealt with by the infantry.

Nasher should go alone to the forest on the left to take out the enemies, while Guy should deal with the surrounding enemies and try to rejoin our main force.

You can get a hunter's bow in the village in the upper right.
If you wait on the pebble in the forest in the lower right, you can obtain a Defense Fragment.

When Cecil visits the cabin, enemy reinforcements will appear from the south after the event, and the victory condition will change to eliminating all enemies.
Before visiting, make sure your troops are in formation.
The boss, Dagma, has high attack power and is dangerous, so you'll want to defeat him quickly with Alicia's Shine Bright.

Stage 5

This is an interesting map where you have to escape from pursuing Imperial soldiers while luring the boss, Craig, into the range of your ballista's attack.
If you change Alicia, Donovan, and the Iron Knights into different classes and have them act as the rearguard on a two-tile wide bridge, you should be able to retreat relatively safely.
If you change Nasher to an Archer, it will be easier to fight against flying units.

The group of Wyvern Knights approaches us, but they maintain a constant distance until we enter their attack range.
The Wing Knights will approach aggressively and launch attacks, so it's best to deal with them first and leave the Wyvern Knights for later.

You can obtain a fragment of magic by waiting on a flower on a remote island.

Added in January 2026 (information provided by Sophia): "A forest surrounded by cliffs, standing alone in a single square... An orb of magic."

Stage 6

This map features many undead soldiers.
Since the enemy has few cavalry, I think it's fine for us to focus on infantry and cavalry.

First, aim to talk to Natasha with Cecil. You will be able to control her once you talk to her.

On turn 7, enemy reinforcements will suddenly appear from the graveyard.
Since it will take the enemy time to pass through the forest, place a defensive unit along the path and be careful not to take on too many at once.

You can get 3000G in the village.
Also, if Guy waits by the lake to the left of the village with a hand axe, an event will occur where you receive a holy axe instead of the hand axe.
It's effective against undead soldiers, so it can be put to good use right away.

Added on September 26, 2021"Stage 6: Stone in the Forest (5 squares above the leftmost square) will yield a Soul Fragment." (Information provided anonymously)

Stage 7

This map involves fighting while protecting elves.
Since the enemy has no cavalry, it would be best to form an army primarily with infantry.
Having two or more units with attacks that have a range of 3 or more is reassuring when dealing with Oswald.

First, we will focus on eliminating the enemies on all four sides.
Soon, reinforcements from the cult will appear from across the river, so we will not lower the drawbridge and will intercept them from across the river.

To prevent the elves from being attacked, prioritize eliminating the enemies located on the left side.
Only the assassins will cross the river, so let's intercept them when they try to come over to our side.
Since Heidmarie is a flying unit, she has an advantage against assassins, so let's have her attack aggressively.
To make the most of the "Blitzkrieg" skill, you should aim to finish off enemies with Heidmarie for an efficient strategy.

Oswald is a formidable opponent because he has HP absorption.
Once you've defeated all the assassins, first weaken them with attacks that have a range of 3 or more (such as Natasha's Blastwind or Tania's bow), then finish them off with Heidmarie's greatsword.
Once we've eliminated the enemies on the other side of the river, we'll lower the drawbridge and evacuate the elves.

I think enemy reinforcements will appear from the castle around the time you've defeated all the assassins and are fighting Oswald.
The elves waiting in front of the drawbridge are in danger, so let's block their path from the south and stop them.
The goal is to eliminate all enemies to clear the stage.

You can obtain the secret technique manual for stealth in the village on the right.
If you wait on the flower above the village in the upper right corner, you can obtain a Speed Fragment.

Stage 8

Since this map has a lot of forests and many assassins, be sure to prepare plenty of flying units.
The strategy is for everyone to gather near the village that is being defended, and then calmly engage the enemy as they approach from different directions.
Joshua, take control of the forest to the upper left of the fort while holding off the pursuing enemies.
Boss Theodore can be defeated in one hit by Heidmarie, so there's no need to be too afraid of him.

If you wait at the fort near Joshua, you can find 3000G.
You can obtain the magic sword Zefar by visiting the village near the defense point.
In the deep forest on the right side of the map, in a single isolated square, you can obtain skill fragments.

Stage 9

Since the enemy doesn't have any regular infantry, we don't need to deploy our cavalry.
Let's make Alicia a spearman and have her and Donovan prepare to deal with the enemy cavalry.
Also, since there are a fair number of flying enemy units, it will be easier if you prepare archers as well.
The enemy is divided into those actively advancing and those waiting in place, so it's important to advance without panicking.

To deal with enemy ballistas, if there's only one, you can easily defeat it by dodging with Karen's Winged Spear Nephrate and then getting close to it.
Where two enemies are positioned, charge in, prepared to take damage.

You can get the Magic-Sealing Shield in the village north of your starting position, and the Armor-Eating Greatsword in the village to the lower right.
Additionally, there is a fragment of magic in the center of the forest to the left of the boss.

Stage 10

This map requires you to divide your troops into two groups and advance.
Since the enemy has no cavalry, there is no need to deploy spearmen.

The troops on the right flank will be fighting Dain, so make sure to prepare units with adequate offensive capabilities.
They are easier to defeat if you use Sasha's Shine Bright, Natasha with Plasmoid Flare, or other weapons that are effective against spearmen.
Since the battle will take place in a narrow corridor, be sure to provide support with long-range healing staffs and Tania's songs.

If you defeat Leilaina, she will revive as a lich.
It has a high HP of 99 and uses the magic spell Death Grim, which has a decent attack power.
Attacks that are effective against undead soldiers, such as Cecil's Holy Sword Rompire, Sasha's Shine Bright, and the Holy Axe, can deal damage efficiently.
Attacking safely with a bow or other weapon with a range of 3 or more is also an effective form of support.

The treasure chest on the left contains 3000G.
When Tania visits the stairs in the upper left, you can obtain the Spirit Wood Bow Ferneel.

Stage 11

Since the enemy has a good balance of infantry, cavalry, and spearmen, it's easier if you deploy at least one of each on your side.
You don't need to deploy assassins or flying units.
It's best for Xenon to stay in his initial position until the main force gets close.
The enemy's endless reinforcements include various unit types such as infantry, cavalry, and flying units, so it's easier to deal with them if everyone advances together as a group.

The Bone Warrior positioned in front of the temple is a formidable opponent with pursuit capabilities.
This is a dangerous opponent, so let's prepare to defeat them in one go.

If you have Donovan wait on the dead tree in the upper left, you will obtain the Ice Spear Flotia.

Stage 12

Initially, there are only a few enemies, but after Cecil visits the house with the blue roof, reinforcements will appear from the left side of the map.
The reinforcements will mainly consist of cavalry and infantry, so you'll want to prepare spearmen and cavalry.

It would be best to intercept the reinforcements around the area shown in the image above.
Natasha should stay in her current position, shoot down the flying units with the Stormbringer, and then provide cover fire.
Despite his seemingly insignificant appearance, the boss Alonzo is a formidable opponent with high defense.
Save Alicia's blazing sword Granatia and other weapons effective against cavalry to be able to defeat them.

If you wait by the flower in the upper right corner of the mansion where the boss appears, you can obtain a Fragment of Life.
Given the location, it would be best to have an assassin or flying soldier who can jump over cliffs retrieve it.

Stage 13

You're up against a formidable opponent, General Elgar, but he won't be moving, so there's no need to be too afraid.
If you advance little by little, this map isn't difficult.

Once you cross the central bridge, four Wyvern Knights will appear directly south of the bridge.
Since it's difficult to engage in combat when the formation is stretched out on the bridge, either retreat from the bridge or intercept them once they've crossed.
The enemies around General Elgar will move once you enter their attack range, so lure them in and defeat them.

General Elgar's Death Blaze is extremely powerful.
The safest way to defeat it is to whittle it down with attacks that have a range of 3 or more, without incurring any counterattacks.

You can get 2000G by visiting the village in the upper right corner.
Visiting the village in the lower left will reward you with a Magic Orb (which grants +5 EP if you possess it).
If you wait on the flower north of the village in the lower left, you can obtain a Fragment of Power.

Stage 14

By waiting in the mountains or forests, you can approach the enemy without being detected.
However, on your fourth turn, three more transport vehicles and an escort unit will appear from behind the enemy lines.
If those two units merge, it will become difficult to fight, so waiting too long is dangerous.

It would probably be best to start combat around the fifth turn, in the area shown in the image above.

After that, on the enemy's 7th turn, reinforcements including Craig and his air force will appear from the bottom left of the map.
Immediately afterward, Rufus and reinforcements appear on the mountain between Craig and the main force of the allies.
Our reinforcements are quite strong, so let's wait in the mountains and intercept Craig and his men.
Craig is a tough opponent, but defeating him will complete the game.
Focus your attacks on Rufus, using bows and magic to defeat him.

If you visit the village, you will receive the giant sword Granbuster.

Added in September 2021"I obtained the 'Secret Technique of Consecutive Attacks' after wiping out the entire convoy before Craig arrived in Stage 14." (Information provided anonymously)

Stage 15

Since this map has many enemy cavalry, you can advance much more easily by using Alicia, Clovis, Flos, and Donovan as spearmen and creating a wall to push forward.
You can choose to go up or left from your starting position, but it's recommended to go counter-clockwise towards the watchtower.

As you advance, there will be times when you are ambushed by cavalry from both the front and the back. Focus your efforts on one side at a time to avoid being attacked simultaneously.

If you wait at the watchtower in the lower left, you can discover five Wing Knights hiding in the forest area in the center of the map.
If they aren't discovered here, it seems they'll appear and ambush you when you make contact with Saias.
They won't attack you even if you get close, so take care of them before you engage Saias in combat.

Saias isn't that tough of an opponent.
You should be able to defeat it easily by using Natasha and Sasha's powerful magic to whittle it down.

You can get a teleportation staff in the village in the upper right.
If you're going counter-clockwise, it would be a good idea to visit with flying units just before engaging Saias.

Stage 16

Since the enemy units are well-balanced, it's best to deploy infantry, spearmen, and cavalry in a balanced manner.

If you have Donovan wait in the bushes slightly to the left of his starting position, an event will occur where he helps a lost girl home.
After the event occurs, you will receive the Shield of Absolute Defense after escorting Donovan to the red house in the north.

Dain has a range of 1-2, but since he doesn't move at all, he should be easy to defeat if everyone works together.
It's also easy to gain experience points by repeatedly attacking enemies.

Stage 17

First, let's aim to reunite with Rufus, who is currently isolated.
If we leave things as they are, Craig and Rufus will end up fighting, and there's no way we can win.
Let's split up into two groups: one to deal with Elgar's troops and the other to go and help Rufus.
Elgar won't move unless you're within range, so use Sasha or another character with high magic defense to lure him out and counterattack with Shine Bright.

Once we've defeated Craig and Elgar and things have calmed down, we'll head to Saias and the Emperor.
I think it's fine to collect items from each area once the reinforcements have subsided to some extent.
Be careful, as Emperor Granbald will start moving once you enter his attack range.
Only Rufus's holy sword, Rompia, can inflict damage, but Rufus should be able to defeat him.

Reinforcements will appear from the stairs on the left side of the map on turns 7 and 13.

If you stand in front of the sword hanging on the wall in the lower right, you will obtain the Demon-Resistant Sword.
However, four cavalry units appeared from the lower right passage on turn 10, so be careful when collecting them.

If you wait on the flower in the garden in the upper left, you will obtain a Fragment of Life.
However, be careful as flying unit reinforcements will appear from here on turn 17.

The treasure chest in the upper right contains the Staff of Salvation and the Secret Scroll of Charge.

Stage 18

The enemy's initial deployment may seem to have few cavalry units, but many will appear as reinforcements, so make sure to deploy a balanced mix of each unit type.
Having two healers makes things much more stable.

First, we'll go to help Elgar, and then we'll go to rescue Craig.
Craig won't be defeated so easily, but he could be in trouble if he comes under concentrated enemy fire.
Enemies coming from the left can be easily dealt with by luring them towards Saias and Elgar and fighting them together.
I felt that Elgar and Craig's AI were designed to avoid reckless actions.

On turn 6, reinforcements will mainly appear from the left side of the map.
On turn 9, reinforcements, mainly cavalry, will appear from the right side of the map.

After 12 turns, an event will occur, and reinforcements will appear in the upper left corner.
The two bosses have a lot of HP and are tough opponents.
Use powerful magic, Shine Bright, and Alicia's guaranteed special attack to defeat them as quickly as possible.

If you wait on the flower in the upper left of the map, you can obtain a Fragment of Life.

Stage 19

This map is most efficient when you split your forces into two groups, one heading right and the other left.
The path to the boss's room leads directly to the left, but the lever to open it is at the very back of the right-hand route.
By using the Teleportation Staff, you can send your allies to the boss's room, making it easy to defeat the boss.
Let's definitely make use of it.

Operating the lever at the top center of the map will open the door to the boss's room.

The treasure chest in the bottom left contains a Fragment of Power, the treasure chest in the bottom right contains a Holy Bow, the treasure chest in the top right contains an Orb of Magic, the treasure chest slightly off-center in the top left contains a Talisman (EP recovery amount +1), and the treasure chest in the top left contains a Holy Spear.

Stage 20

This map requires you to fight through with guest units, except for Cecil.
Both allies and enemies are fairly strong, so proceed while paying attention to the strengths and weaknesses of each unit type.

First, let's use Kirk as the rearguard and advance the troops while holding off the cavalry.
Be careful of enemies with powerful weapons, and advance steadily with the tough Aldo leading the way.
If you're not aiming to collect the treasure chests, the experience points gained by anyone other than Cecil are meaningless, so you might as well have them wait at the destination and clear the stage as quickly as possible.
If you hesitate, reinforcements will appear and it will get tough.

On turn 6, reinforcements will appear from the bottom right and top left.
On turn 10, reinforcements will appear from the entrance in the lower left.

The central treasure chest contains a fragment of magic.

Stage 21

This battle takes place on a ship, a relatively common scenario in SRPGs, but it only appears towards the end of the game.
Since there are no enemy cavalry units on this map, we don't need to deploy spearmen.

The primary objective will be to figure out how to eliminate the Buster Arch's immense range.
Use long-range magic to quickly approach and eliminate them.
As long as you make sure that one unit doesn't get within range of multiple units, it's not that much of a threat.
The isolated Buster Arch in the lower right will be eliminated by a flying unit equipped with the Book of Foresight.

It's unclear whether it's due to the passage of time or entering a specific area, but after a while, reinforcements including Gerald of Buster Arch will appear in the upper left, and reinforcements including flying units will appear in the lower left.
There aren't many flying units, so let's deal with them calmly.

A fragment of power has fallen onto the flower on the small island in the upper right.

After clearing the map, you'll have the option to choose who you want to spend your life with.
It seems that the female characters you've interacted with most so far will appear as options.
Choose carefully.

Stage 22

The enemy has a balanced mix of troop types, so make sure you also have a balanced mix of troop types to deploy.
When Cecil and his partner reach the altar, they will obtain the Holy Sword Heidelmachia.
At the same time, enemy reinforcements will appear on all sides, and the objective will become the complete annihilation of the enemy, so be careful.
The enemies arrive at the altar at different times, so try to eliminate them one by one.

Added in September 2021：
It seems that the name and additional effects of the holy sword you obtain in the later stages of the game change depending on the heroine you choose.
In Karen's case, it was the "Holy Sword Calendula".
The effect is to reliably evade an enemy attack once per turn.
"Perhaps the effects of the heroine's weapons and skills will be added." (Information provided anonymously)

Added in October 2021:
"Sasha wields the holy sword Sanctusa, which halves damage from undead demons."
(Information provided anonymously)

Stage 23

This map involves rescuing fleeing Imperial transport troops.
Trying to save everyone requires a fairly tight timing.
Equip your flying units with healing items and deploy them to quickly intercept the enemy.
Using the Teleportation Staff to take a shortcut from the cliff before the suspension bridge is also an effective strategy.

The mid-boss enemies, such as the Dullahan Knight and Bone Warrior, are difficult to distinguish from regular enemies, but they possess powerful weapons and skills, so engaging them carelessly can easily lead to your defeat.
Be careful.

On turn 6, cavalry reinforcements will appear from the north.
On turn 9, three Wraiths will appear from the right-center of the map.

If you keep all the Imperial transport soldiers alive, you will receive 3000G, a Fragment of Life, and a Fragment of Power.
I think there are probably survival rewards set for each of the three units.

Stage 24

First, let's slowly advance towards the house with the blue roof.
The visiting unit will obtain the key to the Imperial City.
Since you cannot send items to your inventory, be mindful of the number of items you possess.
If you visit as Elgar, you will see special dialogue.
Immediately after obtaining the key, magic circles will appear throughout the town, and enemy reinforcements will start to appear.
Be careful, because if the unit holding the key is defeated, it's game over.

After unlocking the door to the royal capital and entering the area on the cliff above, Dain will appear near the south of the door.
In my case, it appeared when I entered using a flying unit before unlocking the door.
Since they are an assassin-type unit, be aware that they may move by crossing cliffs.

Once you've defeated Dain, all you need to do is place a shield at the base of the cliff and secure Cecil's advance route.
There's a formidable Bone Warrior on top of the cliff, so be careful not to miss it.

Added in October 2021:
"In Chapter 24, there is a fragment of the soul in the flower in the upper right corner." (Information provided anonymously)

Stage 25

This is the final map.
Since enemies will appear endlessly from the magic circle, let's go and secure the magic circle first.
Only Cecil can damage the boss, Mardgirus.
To prevent accidents, it's a good idea to have items that prevent critical hits, such as a book of evasion, and items that increase EP recovery speed.

Reinforcements will appear from the magic circle once every few turns.
There are a total of eight magic circles, so if you block them one by one, the last five members will be able to move freely.
It's a good idea to advance powerful members like Heidmarie and Elgar, who can fight enemies regardless of their troop type.

Mardgills will move and attack if you enter its attack range.
Before engaging in battle, make sure you are fully prepared by sealing off magic circles, eliminating other enemies, and restoring Cecil's EP.
If Cecil is within Mardgirus's attack range, it will only attack Cecil.
The healer can approach Cecil.
When Cecil attacks, use the command skill "Radiance."
I think you can defeat it in 3 or 4 attacks.
If Cecil's EP is below 6, he will not be able to equip the Holy Sword Heidelmachia, and his magic defense will drop significantly.
Let's keep our score at 6 or higher while fighting.

Character impressions (contains spoilers)

I will write about my impressions and thoughts on using each character.
This game has a system for changing unit types, so it seems like different people will use it in various ways.
I'd like to see how other people are managing their investments as well.

Cecil

As the main character, they will steadily become stronger if you raise them.
In the early stages, his abilities are average, making him somewhat unreliable, but I actively used him against spearmen where he had an advantage.
Thanks to the Zephyr Sword of Reason that I obtained along the way, my damage output increased slightly, making things a bit easier.
After obtaining the Holy Sword Heidelmachia, the combination of its anti-zombie effect and the blitzkrieg skill allowed me to mow down enemies one after another, which was incredibly satisfying.

He gets flirted with by every older female character who appears in the story, which is incredibly enviable.
As he gains more experience, he becomes less likely to be teased in the later stages of the story, and his reliable side is often seen.
I found it endearing to see the older girls teasing him, so I thought this kind of cute protagonist is nice.
Initially, I wanted to pair Alicia with him, but halfway through, I switched my allegiance to Heidmarie.
I'm sorry...

Alicia

As a cavalry unit, it played a crucial role in the attack.
The guaranteed critical hit with the Blazing Sword Granatia was extremely powerful and remained useful until the very end.
Because of its high attack power, it pairs well with the Charge Technique Scroll, allowing it to defeat enemies one after another.
Another point worth noting is that stats directly related to combat ability, such as strength and defense, will increase.

I liked her character, so I wanted to pair her with Cecil, but I ended up liking Heidmarie even more.
Even in the good ending, it seems they spent their entire lives without getting married, which made me feel sorry for them.

Karen

A valuable flying unit in the early game, and it has the Pursuit ability.
Although its attack power isn't high, it proved useful in various situations, such as visiting villages and collecting items.
If you equip the Winged Lance Nephrathia, you can use it as an evasion shield to draw the attention of at least one enemy, as long as its usage count isn't reduced by counterattacks.
Its attack power is somewhat lacking and it's not very durable, so you'll want to equip it with items like the Secret Technique Scroll to minimize the chances of it taking counterattacks.

Sasha

While important as a healer, she was also useful as a powerful enemy killer thanks to her Shine Bright ability.
It can be hectic when you only have one unit that can heal, but when you have the resources, it's a powerful unit for reducing the enemy's numbers, as it can eliminate one enemy at a time with a high probability.
With many useful staves such as the Staff of Teleportation and the Staff of Salvation, this unit can be effective until the very end.

Donovan

He was a valuable asset as a spearman, and he repeatedly thwarted cavalry attacks.
However, its attack power growth was somewhat lacking, and it was underwhelming when it came to attacking cavalry.
It's a good match for maps where enemy cavalry actively advance towards you, but on maps where that's not the case, its low movement speed is a major drawback.

Guy

Thanks to its high HP, the risk is relatively low even if the charge skill is activated.
However, while it boasts high offensive power, it also lacks certainty.
Both the balanced Xenon and the offensive Guy can be adjusted by the weapons they are equipped with, so you can use whichever one you prefer.
Ultimately, I think the guy with the best growth rate will be the strongest.

Nasher

The ability to move around relatively freely, even in terrain like forests and cliffs, is very convenient.
This card is particularly useful on maps with many squares that enhance terrain effects.
When attacking archers or magic users with the Killer Sword, you can almost always land a critical hit in 1001 TP3T, making it very powerful against advantageous opponents.
However, due to their low strength and defensive capabilities, they seem to struggle against any opponent with above-average defensive skills.

Tania

This archer is useful because their ability to perform an extra action through singing is a great advantage.
From a certain point onward, I used him more as a unit to provide extra turns rather than as an archer.
In stages where there were few allies with an advantage against enemy unit types, it was convenient to fully utilize the extra action ability and control the units that were needed for each specific role.

Natasha

This unit was extremely useful from its first appearance to its final appearance.
Depending on the attribute, you can fight with weapons that are advantageous to each troop type, and the long-range Stormbringer is very powerful.
Stormbringer was often able to take down flying units approaching from a distance in a single hit, and its long range made it very useful in other situations as well.
This unit presents a dilemma: should you strengthen its EP (Energy Point) capabilities, or give it a wide variety of magic spells?

Heidmarie

This is a highly offensive flying unit attacker.
Their main weapons are greatswords and axes, which inherently have high attack power, and their Blitzkrieg skill, which allows them to act again after defeating an enemy, is also very powerful.
By equipping the character with the "Evasion Technique Scroll," which allows them to nullify special attacks, it becomes easier for them to act alone.

When she first appeared, she was prickly towards Cecil, but it's really nice to see that she secretly thinks he's cute.

Floss

I rarely deploy them in battle, only using them as Iron Knights on maps with many cavalry units.
Looking at the growth rate, his strength growth rate is among the best, so he may have become a good power attacker.

Schmidt

This is a lightly armored cavalry unit with high speed.
Because its strength and defense were somewhat lacking, I found that using it with Joust Knight or Grand Knight instead of Free Knight provided more stability.
I think this character can perform well if you give them a weapon with high attack power and give them some kind of advantage.

Joshua

A high priest who can both heal and cast spells is very useful.
While she's always useful when deployed, I wanted to train other units as well, so I kept her deployment frequency low.
The blessing skill is incredibly useful because it allows me to increase the defense of my surrounding allies.
This unit is positioned slightly behind the front line to provide support.

Zenon

Although it's quite strong when it first appears, it doesn't seem to grow much in strength, so I didn't deploy it very often.
When considering the balance of my army's unit types, I often used Guy as a second unit because I always deployed Cecil, who is an infantryman.
There were hardly any stages where three infantry units were deployed, and as a result, the deployment of Xenon was also kept to a minimum.

Clovis

While its growth rate is modest, its powerful general skills allow it to excel in various stages.
Bow weapons aren't very effective, so I think making him a Fortress Knight and putting him on the front lines will allow his Great General skill to be more effective.

Having shot down Craig, one of the Four Pillars of Justice, upon his first appearance, he exudes an aura of being an extraordinary and powerful character.
I liked the fight against Craig, which was early in the game but was exciting because even Clovis, who is known as a great general, was only able to defeat him by using a one-time-only new weapon as his trump card.
This depiction made the strength of both Clovis and the Four Pillars of Justice believable, which was great.

Elgar

This is a powerful cavalry unit with nearly perfected stats.
Above all, the attacks using Death Blaze are powerful, capable of defeating or leaving most enemies critically injured in a single hit.
I think it will be more useful if you equip it with longer-range magic spells with a range of 2 to 4.

He was one of the Four Pillars of the Empire who joined our side at the end, and he was a great character with a presence that felt like the protagonist of the Empire's side.
His interactions with Craig and Syas were interesting, and he played a role in delving deeper into the Empire's storyline, making him a very memorable and favorite character of mine.