Yo, commanders! Let's talk about the hidden gems scattered across Elyos in Fire Emblem: Engage. These aren't your average, run-of-the-mill recruits you get handed in the story. Nah, these six optional characters are like secret boss-level additions to your army, and some of them can straight-up carry your entire playthrough. Three of them can join your squad super early, and let me tell you, two of those are absolute S-tier units that can fit into almost any team comp you dream up. The other three? Don't sleep on them either—they become game-changers for your mid-game grind. Knowing when and where to scoop them up is the difference between a decent team and a legendary, unstoppable force. So, grab your Emblem Rings, and let's dive in!

🎯 The Early Game Powerhouses

These are the units you want to grab ASAP to supercharge your team's development from the jump.

Jean: The Growth Monster

Jean is, hands down, the first optional recruit you should be gunning for. This guy is the definition of 'Aptitude Villager' energy. He pops up in an optional paralogue right after you wrap up Chapter 5. The cool part? You don't have to talk to him to win the map... but you absolutely should! If Alear has a little chat with him during the fight, Jean will join your ranks on the spot. His personal skill, Expertise, is cracked—it gives him boosted stat growth every time he levels up. Talk about investment potential!

Jean's Vital Stats at a Glance:

Dude's growth rates are just... wow. That 100% HP growth is no joke. If you nurture him right, he becomes an unstoppable stat ball. An absolute must-recruit for any player.

Anna: The Money-Making Mage

Right on Jean's heels is everyone's favorite merchant, Anna! Her paralogue unlocks after Chapter 6. She's playing a little game of hide-and-seek, chilling inside the central treasure chest on her map. To get her, you gotta send Alear over for a talk. Finishing the map gets her too, but why wait? Recruit her mid-battle and put her to work immediately! Her deal? She's your early-game ticket to a magic powerhouse... and a rich one at that.

Her personal skill, Make a Killing, has a chance to drop 500 gold every time she defeats an enemy. The trigger rate? It's based on her Luck stat. Cha-ching! While she starts as an Axe Fighter, her real potential lies in her magic growth. Reclass her into a Mage or Mage Knight, and watch her nuke enemies into oblivion.

Anna's Quick Profile:

• Recruitment Chapter: After Ch. 6 (Paralogue)

• Starting Class: Axe Fighter (Lvl 5)

• Key Growth: 50% Magic Growth. Yep, you read that right.

• Best Friend: Your wallet, thanks to Make a Killing.

⚔️ The Mid-Game Game Changers

These units join the party a bit later but bring unique and powerful tools to the table.

Jade: The Unbreakable Wall

Alright, listen up, because Jade is the first optional character you can permanently miss. She shows up in Chapter 9. She's hanging out in the middle of the map, labeled as an Ally unit. She'll fight for you during the map regardless, but to keep her forever, you MUST have either Alear or Prince Diamant talk to her. And for the love of the Divine Dragon, keep her alive! If an enemy takes her down, she's gone for good that playthrough.

She's a classic Armor Knight—a walking fortress with sky-high Defense. Her personal skill, Meditation, grants her +2 Res if she waits a turn without acting, making her even tankier against mages. She's your go-to unit for holding chokepoints and laughing off physical attacks.

Seadall: The Dancer You NEED

Okay, this is non-negotiable. You must recruit Seadall. He appears in Chapter 15. He is the game's only Dancer. His whole job is to use his turn to let another unit act again. This is arguably the most powerful ability in any Fire Emblem game. The catch? Like Jade, you can miss him. You must have Alear speak to him during the chapter. If you clear the map without talking to him, he vanishes, and your only option is to reload a save. Don't do that to yourself. Just talk to the man!

His stats aren't the point. His utility is. He enables your best units to attack twice, heal twice, or move twice in a single turn. He's the ultimate force multiplier.

• Pro-Tip: His skill Curious Dance also provides passive healing to nearby allies at the start of each turn. Bonus!

🔮 The Late-Blooming Specialists

These veterans join near the tail-end of the mid-game, offering unique skills and high base stats.

Lindon: The Wise Old Sage

Lindon is a trip. He's the only optional recruit who starts as a full-on "Enemy Unit." You'll find him in Chapter 18, and he will not hesitate to blast your units with powerful magic. To turn this grumpy old sage into an ally, you need to have a specific character talk to him. Your options are: Alear, Ivy, Hortensia, or Saphir (if you recruited her first).

He comes as a ready-made Sage with great Magic and Resistance stats. His personal skill, Weapon Insight, is a niche but powerful tool—it grants him +20 Critical if his weapon rank is lower than his foe's. Perfect for those clutch, underdog moments.

Saphir: The Veteran Warrior

Last but not least, we have Saphir, the battle-hardened warrior. You'll find her at the very start of Chapter 19, fighting a desperate battle against Mauvier's forces. She's marked as an Ally Unit. To recruit her, you need to push forward quickly and have Alear or Diamant talk to her.

She's a pre-promoted Warrior with fantastic base Strength, Dexterity, and HP. She doesn't have the growth potential of your younger units, but she hits the ground running. Her skill Will to Win gives her a massive +20 Hit/Avoid when she's at half HP or below, making her deceptively durable and accurate in a pinch. She's the perfect plug-and-play unit when you need immediate frontline power.

🏆 Final Thoughts & Pro-Tips

So, there you have it—the complete guide to the six secret weapons of Fire Emblem: Engage. Missing any of them, especially Jean, Anna, or Seadall, is like playing with one hand tied behind your back. Here's a quick cheat sheet to keep on your second screen:

1. Post-Ch.5: Do Jean's Paralogue. TALK TO HIM.

2. Post-Ch.6: Do Anna's Paralogue. OPEN THE CHEST, TALK TO HER.

3. Ch.9: Find Jade in the center. SEND DIAMANT OR ALEAR. KEEP HER ALIVE.

4. Ch.15: Locate Seadall. SEND ALEAR. DO NOT FINISH MAP WITHOUT TALKING.

5. Ch.18: Approach Lindon carefully. TALK WITH ALEAR/IVY/HORTENSIA/SAPHIR.

6. Ch.19: Rush to Saphir at the start. TALK WITH ALEAR OR DIAMANT.

Building your dream team in Elyos is all about knowing where to look. These six characters offer flexibility, raw power, and unique utility that can define your entire playthrough. Go out there and recruit 'em all! Your future, unstoppable army will thank you. 😉