Alcryst is Fire Emblem Engage’s Most Relatable Character
Ava Robinson
Updated on April 01, 2026
When I was a boy, I always felt like it was easier to deal with heartache and anxiety by blending into my surroundings. I hated compliments and whenever I received one, I shot it down with the incisive efficiency of an archer. While I’ve grown to become a fairly confident and out-and-proud queer male, I still notice myself falling back into that younger version of myself and relating to characters who exude intense self-consciousness and self-loathing. That's why I find Prince Alcryst of Fire Emblem Engage so relatable.
Prince Alcryst is the second son of King Morion of Brodia and younger brother to Crown Prince Diamant. Engage’s main protagonist Alear meets Alcryst after his father sends him and his retainers to meet them at the border of Brodia. The neighboring country of Elysian began its war against the king’s land and therefore Alcryst is on high alert. His introduction to Alear is via an arrow shot at their face (which barely misses). After realizing his mistake, Alcryst grovels in front of Alear and their allies in a deep and comical fashion.
Alcryst’s introduction perfectly captures the type of character he is. He apologizes for everything and compares himself to his extraordinary older brother in unflattering ways. His personality is quite negative, and he suffers from low self-esteem. And yet, when it comes to his family, he will hurl himself into danger without hesitation. He reveals that he would fight with his all to keep his brother and father from dying.
His selfless but negative personality and imbalanced relationship with his brother reminds me of how I was with my sister - always the slimmer and more popular one. I had an unhealthy habit of comparing myself to her and therefore feeling like I was failing at all aspects of my life. Much like Alcryst, I used to put her on a pedestal and always downplayed my own achievements. My favorite saying was “she could eat a whole bag of chips and still look good, but I just look at a bag of them, and I gain weight.”
RELATED: Fire Emblem Engage Review
Of all the conversations Alcryst has with other characters, the ones that stand out the most are those with his brother Diamant. Fire Emblem Engage features C, B, and A-rank support conversations. Alcryst and Diamant’s interactions begin with the two training. Alcryst is happy that his big brother has offered to train with him, but quickly tells him that he won’t make a good sparring partner due to his inferior qualities. Diamant is supportive, and counters by pointing out that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Try as he might, Diamant can’t keep Alcryst from countering all of his compliments with self-deprecation, and eventually chastises Alcryst for being so self-loathing and says that it’s a weakness he can’t afford to have on the battlefield. It could cost him his life.
“Do you have any flaws?” Alcryst asks Diamant. Through the support conversations, you find out that Diamant isn’t as flawless as his brother believes him to be. The next time the two talk, Diamant is out of breath and tells himself that his performance wasn’t good enough. Drenched in sweat, he reveals that he has a major fear of magic. A traumatic experience as a child left Diamant terrified, and he trains with court mages to overcome it every day.
Alcryst learns from his brother that in order to grow stronger, he must recognize the growing strength within himself. In their final support conversation, the two brothers have an archery competition, and Alcryst loses. He recognizes the event as an opportunity to grow stronger and even surpass his brother. That moment reveals that Alcryst is capable of seeing beyond his insecurities and growing in his own way.
Alcryst’s ending reveals that he becomes instrumental in bringing about trust and trade between Brodia and Elusia once again. People praised him as a “brilliant yet humble strategist who kept his brother, the new king, safe.” It was a promise he made to his father who passed away during the main storyline. At the end of his story, he was able to be himself but also not allow his insecurities to keep him from greatness. Alcryst is not only the most relatable characters in Engage, but also one of the best.
