Nintendo, Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo revealed new details on the Fire Emblem Three Houses Cindered Shadows DLC. We most notably got official confirmation it'll feature brand new Classes, that's it's harder than the main game, and were introduced to a new character. As always, all the info is on the Japanese Fire Emblem twitter, as the western promotion for the DLC is minimalistic. You're used to this by now. And luckily we're here to translate everything.

In her latest tweets, Fire Emblem True Final Boss Anna first explained how all playable characters in the side story DLC have specific, fixed classes they come with, and you'll have to make up with these. This is different from the main game where you can upgrade a character's Skill Levels, make them pass an exam, and unlock a new class. However, the DLC will include new classes not found in the main game, and we'll hear more about that later. These classes will definitely become available in the main game too after we clear the DLC.

As a reminder, the DLC has 11 playable characters: Byleth, Edelgard, Dimitri, Claude, Linhardt, Ashe, Hilda. Yuris, Balthazar, Constance, and Hapi.

Anna then explained that each character's Skill Levels are fixed, so players will have to make do with each character's predetermined Abilities and Combat Arts. The DLC's maps include many different gimmicks and are "slightly more difficult" than the main game, so you should think and plan how to use each unit carefully.

Next, Anna explained that there are also shops and a blacksmith accessible in the Abyss. However, there's a limit to the funds, materials, and items you'll get in this side story DLC, so you should think twice before spending anything and avoid wasting durability on your weapons. Just like in the main game, you'll get rare ore and materials after winning a battle or by armor breaking giant enemies.

Lastly, we heard from Anna that in Cindered Shadows, Byleth's Creator Sword will get 20 durability points back each time you progress through certain "story milestones". It's unclear where those story milestones are but it's probably at the beginning of each chapter. This would mean at the beginning of each battle unless certain chapters feature consecutive battles (I hope so, I really like that in Fire Emblem). Anna mentioned this will let players use the Creator Sword a bit more without worrying about being wasteful. Some might think this will make things too easy, but Intelligent Systems probably knows what they're doing, and the DLC's maps will be hard enough to warrant this. Hopefully.

We also got introduced to one of the new NPCs in the DLC. This is Alphard, voiced by Daisuke Hirakawa. Alphard is from the Seiros Church and was ordered by the Church to supervise the Abyss. He felt grief when first seeing the state of the Abyss, full of crime and poverty, and somehow managed to lead the Abyss to its current state of order. Calm and compassionate, Alphard is deeply trusted by the inhabitants of the Abyss despite most of them disliking the Seiros faith. He's also the one who suggested creating the Ashen Wolves class.

In the short gameplay excerpt above, Alphard asks Byleth to take care of the Ashen Wolves and guide them as they are currently a class in name only.

You can read more on the Three Houses DLC and check its trailer with our previous coverage. Fire Emblem Three Houses is also getting a Drama CD in Japan.

Masahiro Sakurai also spoke about Fire Emblem characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in his latest Famitsu magazine column.

Fire Emblem Three Houses, available on Nintendo Switch since July 26, is the best selling FE game ever. You can read our review here. We'll probably learn more about Fire Emblem Three Houses Cindered Shadows DLC and see things like its exclusive classes before its launch on February 13.