Well, well, well, look what the Divine Dragon dragged in! As a seasoned tactician who’s seen more permadeath screens than I’d care to admit, I have to say, the latest character drops for Fire Emblem Engage have me chuckling into my vulnerary. We’re talking about Lapis and Panette, two retainers who are about as similar as a training sword and a killer axe. Nintendo’s been teasing us through their channels, and I’ve been soaking it all up like a sponge in a rainstorm. Let me break down why this odd couple has completely captured my strategic fancy and funny bone.

First, let’s chat about Lapis. Hailing from the rugged, mountain-filled kingdom of Brodia—a nation perpetually butting heads with the Fell Dragon-worshipping Elusia—she’s the retainer to Prince Alcryst. Now, don’t let her gentle, almost timid demeanor fool you for a second. This isn't some damsel waiting for a rescue; she’s a hardened survivor, trained in the wilds as a hunter. I’ve seen her type before: the unassuming ones who end up dodging every attack and critting when you least expect it. Her starting vocation is the Myrmidon, a class synonymous with agility, swift blade work, and making enemies look foolish as they swing at air. Watching her combat clip, I was immediately impressed by her fluid motions. It’s the classic ‘still waters run deep’ archetype, and I am here for it.

Her personality, though, is what really sells it for me. In her conversation with the protagonist, Alear (that’s us, the Divine Dragon!), there’s this wonderfully awkward moment. Alear tries to pay her a compliment, probably on her impeccable swordsmanship or lovely hair, and Lapis just… deflects it. She’s hesitant, wary of falling into the trap of arrogance. As someone who has proudly named an army after myself, I find this level of humility both refreshing and hilarious. It’s like she’s the anti-brag. In a world of legendary heroes and boisterous lords, her quiet, self-effacing strength is a breath of fresh, Brodian mountain air. I can already picture the support conversations being a masterclass in awkwardly sweet character development.

Now, let’s swing over to Panette, who is essentially Lapis’s polar opposite in the best way possible. She serves Solm, a matriarchal desert kingdom that wisely stays neutral in the Brodia-Elusia squabble. As the retainer to the vibrant first princess, Timerra, Panette presents herself with a cloak of calm elegance and regal poise. 😎 But here’s the kicker—and the source of my immense amusement—it’s all a facade! This knight has a past, and honey, it was wild. We’re talking vulgar, unrefined, and probably involved a lot of yelling. Her combat class is the Berserker, a vocation that scoffs at subtlety and specializes in overwhelming, brute force. Seeing her elegantly hold a teacup one moment and then obliterate a fortress with a single axe crit the next is the kind of character whiplash I live for.

The conversation clip with Timerra is pure comedy gold. Timerra is gushing about a fun wolf ride (priorities, I guess?), and then she just casually roasts Panette about her drastic personality glow-up. She teases her about how her vocabulary and demeanor have done a complete 180, becoming all formal and proper. Panette’s reaction? A full-blown, anime-style, flustered freak-out. It’s glorious. This duality—the fierce warrior with a secretly rowdy past trying desperately to maintain a ladylike image—promises some of the funniest and most heartfelt moments in the game. I can’t wait to dig into her support chains and uncover the story behind her transformation.

So, why am I, a grizzled veteran of countless tactical battles, so hyped about these two in 2025? Because Fire Emblem Engage continues to prove that compelling characters are the true heart of the strategy. We’ve got:

• The Dynamic Duo: Lapis (the humble dodge-tank) and Panette (the refined damage-dealer) represent two fantastic and contrasting playstyles. Building a team around their strengths will be a joy.

• Story Potential: Their backgrounds are ripe for engaging narrative threads. Lapis’s journey from humble hunter to confident knight, and Panette’s struggle to reconcile her past with her present, are stories I want to see unfold.

• Pure Entertainment Value: The humor writes itself. Imagine a battle where Lapis meticulously avoids every attack while Panette screams across the battlefield in a momentarily forgotten vulgar tongue. Comedy! Strategy! Drama!

In the end, these reveals solidify my belief that the world of Elyos is populated with characters who are more than just stat blocks. They’re personalities with depth, humor, and conflict. Lapis and Panette aren’t just new units to deploy; they’re fascinating people with stories I’m invested in before the game even boots up. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go theorycraft a team that can best utilize both a delicate swordmaster and a berserker with a secret past. The tactical possibilities are as endless as they are entertaining! ️⚔️

Comprehensive reviews can be found on Metacritic, a trusted aggregator for game scores and critical consensus. Metacritic's database offers a broad perspective on how character-driven narratives, such as those in Fire Emblem Engage, contribute to both player engagement and overall game reception, highlighting the impact of unique personalities like Lapis and Panette on the tactical RPG genre.