Special Maps (Japanese:スペシャルマップSpecial Map) are a collection of game modes inFire Emblem Heroes that encompasses a number of types of battles that take place outside of the game's chapter system. These maps typically offer various rewards for their completion on certain difficulties, which vary based on the type of Special Map. The difficulty of these maps varies greatly based on type, individual map, and the difficulty level ch osen. Special Maps are made available for limited periods of time, with certain Persistent Special Maps kept on pre-set schedules.

Types of Special Maps

Hero Battle

Main article:Hero Battle

A type of Persistent Special Maps. Twelve somewhat easy character-themed maps that rotate each day offered on two difficulties, Normal and Hard. Offers characters of one- and two-star difficulty for completion on Normal and Hard, respectively.

Grand Hero Battle

Main article:Grand Hero Battle

Somewhat difficult character-themed maps featuring one central character, more often than not antagonistic, offered on either three or four difficulties—Normal, Hard, Infernal, and in some cases Abyssal. The first two battles of this type offer two-star characters on Normal difficulty and three-star characters on Hard difficulty; subsequent battles of this type offer three-star characters on Normal difficulty and four-star characters on Hard difficulty. All battles offer four-star characters as well asHero Feathers on Infernal difficulty, and those battles with an Abyssal difficulty offer goldenaccessories upon completion. The second through ninth battles hadsummoning events associated with them. The first fourteen battles have become part of two daily rotations as one type of Persistent Special Maps.

Infernal difficulty was not available to first-run battles untilLegion and not available to repeat battles untilLloyd's first rerun. The first seven battles to become available in persistent rotation are the only ones to include Abyssal difficulty.

Bound Hero Battle

Main article:Bound Hero Battle

Somewhat difficult maps themed to two central characters, more often than not with some sort of pre-existing connection. OffersOrbs proportional to difficulty upon completion. All Bound Hero Battles to date offer Normal, Hard, and Infernal difficulties and have had an associated summoning event.

Legendary Hero Battle

Main article:Legendary Hero Battle

Somewhat difficult maps usually themed to one central character termed a Legendary Hero, offered on five difficulties: Normal, Hard, Lunatic, Infernal, and Abyssal. OffersBlessings on Normal difficulty,Orbs on difficulties in between, and golden accessories on Abyssal difficulty.

Notably the first defined Special Maps type to include a Lunatic difficulty. The Abyssal difficulty was not part of first-run battles untilMarth and not part of repeat battles untilRobin's first rerun.

Mythic Hero Battle

Main article:Mythic Hero Battle

Somewhat difficult maps usually themed to one central character termed a Mythic Hero, offered on five difficulties: Normal, Hard, Lunatic, Infernal, and Abyssal. OffersBlessings on Normal difficulty,Orbs on difficulties in between, and golden accessories on Abyssal difficulty.

Limited Hero Battle

Main article:Limited Hero Battle

Maps from Grand, Bound, Legendary, and Mythic Hero Battle maps with added deployment limits, restricting characters to specific games of origin and placing additional restrictions on certain types of skills. Maps offer their normal array of difficulties, with Normal difficulty offeringHero Feathers and higher difficulties offeringDivine Code: Part items.

The first two Legendary Hero Battles offered in this mode did not state offering a Normal difficulty, but in reality dropped Abyssal difficulty and shifted difficulty names down one difficulty; in these instances, Hard offered the Hero Feathers.

Event Maps

Main article:Event Maps

Collections of maps of varying types and mechanics, with varying numbers of maps per event (to date, as few as one and as many as twenty-five) which typically offer Orbs for their first completion on a difficulty, although some types of events may offer some different rewards.

Trial Maps

Main article:Trial Maps (Heroes)

Collections of difficult maps themed to the game's artists and developers, rewarding Orbs for their completion. Artist-themed sets devote all of their maps to one particular artist, while developer-themed sets theme around five different members of the development staff.

Special Training Maps

Main article:Special Training Maps

A type of Persistent Special Maps. Five somewhat easy maps rotate each day, four of which are designed to train specific types of units and a fifth a harder "workout" map. Maps offer two varieties of Normal and Hard difficulties as well as a single Lunatic difficulty.

Rival Domains

Main article:Rival Domains

Maps are bigger than in normal gameplay and offer larger deployment limits, with the goal being to capture the enemy's fortress while protecting your own; unlike other types of Special Maps, enemies are randomized in Rival Domains. Offers four difficulties: Normal, Hard, Lunatic, and Infernal. Maps initially rotated weekly but now appear less often intertwined withRelay Defense maps.

Relay Defense

Main article:Relay Defense

Maps are bigger than in normal gameplay and offer larger deployment limits, with the goal being defending your fortress while forced character rotations occur. Maps offer eight unnamed difficulties, each one requiring completion of the previous to unlock. Individual events run for two weeks, and its schedule intertwines with Rival Domains.

Etymology and other languages