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Weapon experience

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.

Weapon experience (commonly abbreviated WEx or WEXP) is a form of experience specific to a unit's weapon level, accrued through the continued use of weapons, magic or staves. Once a unit reaches a certain threshold of weapon experience in a weapon type, the matching weapon level increases and allows them to use a wider and more powerful selection of weapons. Weapon experience was first implemented in Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and is present in all subsequent titles except Echoes: Shadows of Valentia and Engage. In Three Houses, it is known as skill experience.

Overview

In almost all uses of the system, WEx is gained through the use of weapons, with the unit's weapon level increasing by one after their weapon experience reaches a certain threshold. In the games from The Blazing Blade to Radiant Dawn, the amount of WEx gained varies depending on the weapon or staff used, while the WEx gained is constant regardless of the weapon or staff used in all other games. Thracia 776 has one exception to this, being staves; while all other weapons give a constant 1 WEx per hit, staves instead give a varying amount depending on the staff's weapon level: 1 for E-level, 2 for D-level, 3 for C-level, 4 for B-level, 5 for A-level, and 10 for ★-level. From Shadow Dragon through Awakening, 2 WEx is gained from all weapons and staves. In Fates, 1 WEx is gained from all weapons and staves. In Three Houses, 2 skill experience is gained from all weapons and spells, while also giving an additional +1 for units with a strength in the relevant skill level, or -1 for units with a weakness.

In games up to and including Radiant Dawn, WEx is gained on a per-hit basis; for example, a 2 WEx weapon will grant a total of four WEx to the matching weapon level if the wielder performs a follow-up attack. From Shadow Dragon onward, WEx is gained on a per-round of combat basis.

In the Game Boy Advance trilogy of games, a kill bonus is in effect in which the amount of WEx gained for a single blow is doubled if the unit successfully kills the enemy with said blow. For example, if a unit with a 2 WEx weapon attacks twice and kills an enemy, the unit actually gains 6 WEx in total: 2 from the first hit, and 4 from the second, fatal hit. In The Blazing Blade and The Sacred Stones, weapons and staves do not give any WEx if they break after use. For weapons, this means that even if the unit attacked multiple times during combat, no WEx is gained if the weapon breaks.

Weapon experience requirements by game

Upon gaining certain thresholds of weapon experience, a unit's weapon level in the matching weapon type will increase.

Weapon experience requirements for level increase by game
Game Level progression (total weapon experience)
Base E D C B A S SS
Thracia 776 50 100 150 200 250 -- --
The Binding Blade 1 51 101 151 201 251 --
The Blazing Blade 1 31 71 121 181 251 --
The Sacred Stones 1 31 71 121 181 251 --
Path of Radiance 1 31 71 121 181 251 --
Radiant Dawn 1 31 71 121 181 251 331
Shadow Dragon 1 31 76 136 196 -- --
New Mystery of the Emblem 1 31 76 136 196 -- --
Awakening 1 31 71 121 181 -- --
Fates 1 21 51 96 161 251 --

Three Houses adds additional "+" skill levels that are not featured in previous games. The skill level progression for Three Houses is as follows:

Skill experience requirements for level increase in Three Houses
Game Level progression (total skill experience)
Base E E+ D D+ C C+ B B+ A A+ S S+
Three Houses 0 40 100 180 300 460 680 960 1320 1760 2520 3600

Items and skills affecting weapon experience

Items and skills affecting weapon experience
Item Effect Games
Is 3ds01 arms scroll.png Arms Scroll Boosts all*/the current equipped weapon's level(s) by 1. Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn, Shadow Dragon, New Mystery of the Emblem, Awakening, Fates
Is 3ds01 discipline.png Discipline Doubles the user's WEx gain when equipped. Radiant Dawn, Awakening
Is ns01 mastermind.png Mastermind User gains +100% skill experience in combat when equipped. Three Houses
Is ns01 gem.png Knowledge Gem User gains +100% skill experience in combat when equipped. Three Houses

See also

Game mechanics
Out-of-battle management Base (BarracksBase CampBase conversationEveryone's ConditionsExpeditionGarreg Mach Monastery (Abyss) • My CastleSomniel) • Bonus experienceDungeonsGameplay modes (DifficultyCreature CampaignNew Game +) • GoldLessonsMila ShrinesPeddlerPreparationsRenownShopping (ArmoryBargainsForgeItem shopMerchantOnline shopSecret shop) • Supply convoyWorld map
Battles and chapters ArenaBattle saveBossCastleChapter (Alternate routeParalogueSide quest) • ChestCombat forecastEvent tilesHidden treasureObjectivesReinforcementSkirmishTerrain (Hazards) • Turn (Turn rewind) • Weather (Fog of war) • Village
Stats Units ActionAffinityAuthorityBiorhythmCharmClass (Class masteryClass relative powerUnit type) • Constitution (Aid) • DefenseExperienceFollow-up critical multiplierGrowth rateHit pointHoly BloodInventoryLevelLuckMagicMovementProficiencyResistanceSkillSpeedStrengthWeapon levelWeight
Weapons Brave weaponCritical rateDurabilityHitKill bonusMightPersonal weaponsRangeWeapon experienceWeapon levelWeightWorth
Unit mechanics and commands AdjutantAttack (Counterattack) • Auto-BattleBattalion (Gambit) • CantoChain attackChain GuardClass change (Reclass) • Combat artCrestsDance (GaldrarPlaySing) • Death (Decoy) • DismountDragon VeinEmblem RingsFatigueInventoryLaguz transformationLove (JealousyInheritance) • Pair UpRallyRecruitmentRescue (Capture) • Skills (Offensive skill) • SmashStaggering BlowStatus effectsSupportTalkTradeUnit (AvatarBond unitsBonus unitEinherjarLoan unitPrisonerReplacement unitSubstitute character) • Visit
Calculations AttackAttack speedAvoidBonus damageCritical hit (Combination bonusDodgeTriangle Attack) • Hit rate (True hit) • Random number generatorWeapon triangle (Trinity of magic)
Connectivity amiiboData transferDouble DuelDownloadable contentLink ArenaMultiplayer battleOnline shopSpotPassStreetPass
Other BarrierBirthdayClass rollGlitchesMultiple endingsRankingsSound RoomTactician bonus