Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Expansion Pass Adds Cut Protagonist Stories and Divine Allies for $35

Key points

• Wave 1 of the Expansion Pass is available now, adding four prototype weapons modeled after Heroes' Relics from Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
• Wave 2, scheduled for winter 2026, will introduce playable gods including Aurora, Smyrnos, Jurah, and Mars, along with new outfits for characters.
• Wave 3, set for 2027, will add narrative content for Anatolia, Talimunn, Bertand, and Orchel, four characters originally planned as main protagonists but cut to reduce the total from eight to four.
• The Expansion Pass costs $34.99, while the base game is $69.99, making the complete bundle $104.99.
• The DLC cannot be purchased in individual waves; the full pass is required to access all content.

Background

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave launched on September 17, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2. Prior to release, Nintendo confirmed the game originally planned for eight main characters but reduced the number to four to ensure narrative cohesion, adding a fifth character, Eshmel, to unify the storylines. Early reviews praised the tactical combat but criticized the game's time-management mechanics and repetitive side quests, noting that the scope can feel overwhelming for players.

How outlets are covering it

Kotaku highlights the narrative implications of Wave 3, noting that the added stories likely stem from the original eight-protagonist design, but criticizes the $35 price tag as steep given the base game's already large scope. GameSpot focuses on gameplay efficiency, suggesting players skip tedious side quests and training to enjoy the core tactical combat, implying the DLC may add to the game's already extensive content without addressing its pacing issues. Nintendo's official announcement presents the DLC neutrally, emphasizing the addition of divine allies and new outfits, while Final Weapon's review was not accessible for analysis due to technical errors in the source text.

Why it matters

The Expansion Pass addresses a key narrative gap by reintroducing content for characters cut from the base game, potentially satisfying fans who felt the four-protagonist structure was incomplete. However, the high cost and additional content may exacerbate existing criticisms of the game's overwhelming scope and time-consuming mechanics, raising questions about the value of post-launch support for a title already criticized for its repetitive free-time activities.

What to watch

Wave 2 is expected in winter 2026, introducing playable gods and new outfits. Wave 3 is scheduled for 2027, adding stories for the four cut protagonists. Players can purchase the Expansion Pass now or wait for future waves, though individual waves cannot be bought separately.