Fire Emblem Engage's Maddening Mode represents one of the most technically intricate challenges in modern tactical RPGs. Unlike previous titles, its "Fixed Growth" system eliminates RNG variance through deterministic stat progression—a design choice that demands mathematical precision from players.

Article illustration 1

The Engine of Certainty: Fixed Growth System

At its core, the game tracks hidden points for every 1% growth rate. When a unit's stat reservoir accumulates 100 points, that stat increases by exactly 1 point. This transforms character development into a solvable equation:

Stat Increase = ⌊(Growth Rate % × Level Gains) / 100⌋

This system demands meticulous planning, especially when combined with class-specific growth modifiers. For example:
- Anna's 50% magic growth becomes non-negotiable for magical nuking
- Jean's Expertise skill doubles class growth rates, enabling hyper-specialization

Speed Thresholds: The Combat Imperative

Article illustration 2

The most critical calculation governs doubling attacks:

Attack Speed (AS) = Spd - max(Weapon Weight - Build, 0)
Doubling Condition: AS ≥ Enemy AS + 5

Failure to hit specific benchmarks has cascading consequences:
- Ivy requires 32+ AS to avoid being doubled by Paladins
- Chloé demands 38+ AS to double mid-game foes
- Merrin thrives with 40+ AS for consistent poison applications

Low-Build mages face severe penalties from heavy tomes, making Leif's Build+ inheritance essential for preserving combat viability.

Advanced Combat Algorithms

Maddening Mode's true challenge lies in its layered combat math:

Avoid Calculation
Avo = (AS × 2) + ⌊Luck ÷ 2⌋ + Terrain
Explains why pure Luck investment fails—AS contributes 4x more per point than Luck.

Critical Hit Formula
Crit = Weapon Crit + ⌊Dex ÷ 2⌋ + Skills
Dexterity's poor scaling (0.5 Crit per point) makes Panette's Wrath+Killer Axe combo essential for achieving 100% crit.

Magical Damage Survival
Dmg = Mag Atk - Res
Tanks like Louis become vulnerable as Pure Water becomes mandatory against late-game mages.

Emblem Synergy and Class Optimization

The DLC Fell Xenologue characters introduce game-changing variables:
- Nel/Rafal's dragon typing enables unique Corrin/Soren synergies
- Madeline's General class alters physical tanking calculus

Class selection directly enables tactical roles:

Mystical → Neutralizes terrain avoidance
Covert → Doubles terrain bonuses (Yunaka dodge-tanking)
Backup → Enables chain attacks

SP Allocation: The Resource Meta

Skill Point management separates elite runs:
- Tier 1 (1000 SP): Canter (mobility) > Speed+3
- Tier 2 (2000 SP): Dual Assist+ > Wrath
- Tier 3 (3000 SP): Lunar Brace > Staff Mastery 5

This hierarchy reflects Maddening's escalating demands—early mobility enables positioning that later-game damage amplification exploits.

Source: Fire Emblem Engage Tactical Lab (feengage.com)