I know the topics moved away from this but I was thinking about why the whole "lance/axe would make FE characters so much more unique" argument bugged me so much. It's because, outside of echoes, no FE characters actually play the same.


![Marth :ultmarth: :ultmarth:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![Lucina :ultlucina: :ultlucina:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
- Marth rewards patient yet skillful play by making a sort of figuritive bubble around himself with his sword.

![Roy :ultroy: :ultroy:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![Chrom :ultchrom: :ultchrom:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
- Unlike other swordies, Roy lacks in defensive capabilities but has incredible speed and power for a much less careful rushdown playstyle.
![Ike :ultike: :ultike:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
- Probably the most basic of the swordies, Ike's moveset is meant to be straightforward and simple to match his no-nonsense personality. Incredible range and power makes him more of a bruiser.
![Robin :ultrobin: :ultrobin:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
- Robin uses projectile play to zone out foes and create openings for powerful Levin Sword attacks.
![Corrin :ultcorrin: :ultcorrin:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
- Corrin's incredible range on moves like Dragon Lunge, Dragon Fang Shot, and F-Smash makes him great trapping foes. He's an all around well balanced character with a lot of tools at his disposal.
When arguing for a character's "uniqueness" when it comes to gameplay, don't just think about their weapon choice, think about their playstyle. This doesn't mean everyone has to have a gimmick, it just means they have to have some sort of different approach to combat strategy. Roy and Marth may have similar animations, but in practive, they are
way different in design.