Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon | Final prologue through Chapter 1: the Normal decoy and recruiting Wrys

The four prologue maps are exclusive to Normal. Hard begins at Chapter 1, so a difference between your roster and the prologue article is not a bug. Do not bring assumptions about allies returning in New Mystery of the Emblem's Casual mode into this game, either.

In the final prologue map, have Marth talk to Gordin in the prison. The Iron Bow obtained from a nearby archer is a candidate to give him afterward. The convoy is unavailable during the prologue, so avoid filling Marth's inventory with the Door Key and spoils; make space through trading as you go.

Powerful pursuers appear after Gordin joins. Instead of trying to wipe them out like ordinary enemies, read the event instructions and send a decoy to the designated fort.

Place an ally other than Marth on the designated fort and select Wait to confirm the decoy. That ally cannot be used for the rest of the game, even through the late-game Aum staff. Decide which allies you like or want to train before choosing. You cannot proceed on the assumption that whoever you select will return later.

This article does not prescribe a single decoy. Keeping Jagen lets him assist early on, while keeping a younger knight lets you continue their training, so prioritize the roster you want to retain. Norne is an additional recruit with a roster-size condition at map completion, but ordinary progression with only one decoy does not recruit her. You do not need to lose more allies for Norne on a first playthrough.

Marth is the one who can enter villages. The final prologue village gives a Steel Bow, so stop there before heading to seize. Leave inventory space to receive it without difficulty. Draug joins after clearing the map, and you advance to Chapter 1.

Caeda joins at the start of Chapter 1. First handle the thief heading toward the villages, then use Marth to collect 10,000G from the eastern village and recruit Wrys in the western one. Wrys is a healer: after recruitment, keep him behind the front line where enemies cannot reach him after moving.

Advance the fighting force gradually west, using forts as footholds. Despite Caeda's broad movement range, do not send her alone near enemies carrying bows. Clear the enemies ahead before engaging the next group, so Marth on his village visits does not fall too far behind the army.

Rather than fighting only with Caeda's Wing Spear, buy everyday weapons such as Iron Lances at the armory. If buying a Javelin, check that the recipient's weapon rank allows them to equip it. The convoy becomes available in Chapter 1, making spare weapons easier to organize.

Bows and Javelins allow ranged attacks against Gazzak. Clear the surroundings first, then check damage and hit rate in the combat forecast before attacking. If you can safely leave a finishing blow, give Marth or an ally you want to train the opportunity. Use support from strong allies such as Jagen if you kept him, and avoid forcing weak allies into repeated combat.

Chapter 1 does not end just by defeating the commander; Marth must seize. Check both villages, Wrys's recruitment, necessary purchases, and remaining weapon uses first. Prioritize carrying your healer and the allies you want to train into the next chapter over sharing experience evenly with everyone.

• Final prologue: Marth talked to Gordin
• You understood the decoy's permanent departure before selecting Wait
• You collected the Steel Bow from the prologue village
• Chapter 1: you secured 10,000G in the east and Wrys in the west
• You kept Caeda outside bow range and organized items before seizing