Why Fire Emblem: Three Houses Fans Need to Play Dietrich in Fortune’s Weave

Are you currently diving into Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave? Do you appreciate the deep lore of Three Houses? What about digital phantom pachyderms, deeply flawed characters with aggressive tendencies, or flamboyant figures like Fabio? If you answered yes to any of these, transitioning to Dietrich’s campaign for your next playthrough might be the absolute right move.

Perhaps it is merely a reflection of my social circle, but nearly everyone I know began their Fortune’s Weave journey on Leda’s path. Not that I hold it against them; a compelling tale of retribution featuring an unhinged protagonist backed by an endearing assembly of eccentrics is undeniably hard to resist. However, as an ardent fan of Dietrich, it feels somewhat melancholic knowing players might skip a second route and inadvertently bypass one of the title’s most robust narrative threads.

For starters, Dietrich’s route serves as the primary repository for overarching Three Houses connections. While subtle references appear across Parts 2 and 3, they largely revolve around grander, progenitor-deity concepts. If you, like myself, chose the Golden Deer path in Three Houses and felt the sudden introduction of the Agarthans—alongside the abrupt celestial mention of Sothis—came entirely out of left field with zero opportunity for closure, Dietrich’s route was tailor-made for you. It offers an entirely fresh perspective on the primordial conflict between humanity and the Nabateans, while unpacking a wealth of lore regarding the Agarthans (or “Those Who Slither in the Dark,” for those who experienced the Black Eagle or Blue Lions campaigns).

Crucially, this is handled with the same refined subtlety found throughout the rest of Fortune’s Weave. You won’t find any obnoxious, fourth-wall-breaking nods or heavy-handed exposition designed to ensure you’re paying attention. The inclusions feel completely organic, requiring no encyclopedic memorization of past titles. Dietrich’s perspective stands firmly on its own merit while enriching the broader mythology of Fortune’s Weave, shedding light on regional mysteries like Anatolia and unearthing darker chapters in the Dagdan empire’s history.

This path also pulls back the curtain on contemporary internal affairs within the Dagdan empire. It is uniquely singular in bringing the three primary antagonists together on screen to conspire, debate, and pull the strings of global politics. It acts as a shadowy, pragmatic counterpart to Cai’s comparatively optimistic portrayal of the Dagdan pantheon, elevating the standard “resurrecting a dormant evil deity” trope into something far more intimate and character-driven.

Free sign-up

Get Polygon’s Wishlister newsletter

A weekly cheat sheet to what you’ll eventually love to play. No buying, no commitment — just saving for later.

Sign up free

Free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Beyond all this, Dietrich proves to be an exceptionally written individual, even if his initial impression borders on one-note. His personal arc engages with found-family tropes, refreshingly sidestepping the idealized depiction where adopted kin are endlessly wholesome and flawless. This is far from a conventional household; nearly everyone involved carries deep emotional scars (which, to be fair, might actually make them entirely realistic). The real takeaway focuses on recognizing the humanity in those you live alongside and choosing devotion in spite of their worst qualities. It is a wonderfully orchestrated dynamic. Furthermore, this route stands proudly as the most unapologetically queer storyline in the franchise—a monumental step forward for a series that historically relied on veiled innuendo and tired stereotypes before gradually embracing genuine inclusivity over the past decade.

As for the computerized ghost elephant in question? A stellar inquiry indeed. You will simply have to experience Dietrich’s route yourself to uncover the truth.