Mechanic · combat · tactical role-playing game

Weapon triangle

A cycle of three weapon types in which each has the edge over one and is at a disadvantage against the other.

stubAlso: weapon triangle, weapon-triangle advantage, trinity of magic, magic triangle, rock-paper-scissors weaponsUpdated 2026-10-21
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A weapon triangle makes three weapon types a cycle: each beats one and loses to the other, so a matchup shifts the odds before any stat is read. In Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, swords beat axes, axes beat lances, and lances beat swords, and anima, light, and dark magic form a second cycle; the side with the edge gains 15 hit and 1 damage, and the other loses the same1. A reaver weapon on one side reverses the triangle and doubles it2.

See also

Games

GameYearHowNote
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones2004Hit and damage15 hit and 1 damage each way, for swords, axes, and lances and for anima, light, and dark
Every claim about this mechanic, by game (2)
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones 2004In the North American build, the weapon triangle gives 15 hit and 1 damage to the side whose weapon type has the edge and takes the same from the other; swords beat axes, axes lances, and lances swords, and anima beats light, light dark, and dark anima.Code
In the North American build, a reaver weapon on one side only reverses the weapon triangle and doubles it, to 30 hit and 2 damage.Code

References

  1. ^ abIn the North American build, the weapon triangle gives 15 hit and 1 damage to the side whose weapon type has the edge and takes the same from the other; swords beat axes, axes lances, and lances swords, and anima beats light, light dark, and dark anima.Codefireemblem8u
    How we know
    39    { ITYPE_SWORD, ITYPE_LANCE, -15, -1 },
40    { ITYPE_SWORD, ITYPE_AXE,   +15, +1 },
⋮
48    { ITYPE_ANIMA, ITYPE_DARK,  -15, -1 },
49    { ITYPE_ANIMA, ITYPE_LIGHT, +15, +1 },
⋮
55    { ITYPE_DARK,  ITYPE_ANIMA, +15, +1 },
    src/bmbattle.c lines 39–55 at 04d1edb · upstream ↗
    1911    for (it = sWeaponTriangleRules; it->attackerWeaponType >= 0; ++it) {
1912        if ((attacker->weaponType == it->attackerWeaponType) && (defender->weaponType == it->defenderWeaponType)) {
1913            attacker->wTriangleHitBonus = it->hitBonus;
1914            attacker->wTriangleDmgBonus = it->atkBonus;
⋮
1916            defender->wTriangleHitBonus = -it->hitBonus;
1917            defender->wTriangleDmgBonus = -it->atkBonus;
    src/bmbattle.c lines 1911–1917 at 04d1edb · upstream ↗
    527    attacker->battleAttack = GetItemMight(attacker->weapon) + attacker->wTriangleDmgBonus;
    src/bmbattle.c line 527 at 04d1edb · upstream ↗

    Checked against the evidence by its author, an AI model, 2026-10-21.

    Checked by a second AI model, 2026-10-21.

    In the claim ledger

  2. ^ abIn the North American build, a reaver weapon on one side only reverses the weapon triangle and doubles it, to 30 hit and 2 damage.Codefireemblem8u
    How we know
    1899void BattleApplyReaverEffect(struct BattleUnit* attacker, struct BattleUnit* defender) {
1900    if (!(attacker->weaponAttributes & IA_REVERTTRIANGLE) || !(defender->weaponAttributes & IA_REVERTTRIANGLE)) {
1901        attacker->wTriangleHitBonus = -(attacker->wTriangleHitBonus * 2);
1902        attacker->wTriangleDmgBonus = -(attacker->wTriangleDmgBonus * 2);
    src/bmbattle.c lines 1899–1904 at 04d1edb · upstream ↗
    1923    if (attacker->weaponAttributes & IA_REVERTTRIANGLE)
1924        BattleApplyReaverEffect(attacker, defender);
⋮
1926    if (defender->weaponAttributes & IA_REVERTTRIANGLE)
1927        BattleApplyReaverEffect(attacker, defender);
    src/bmbattle.c lines 1923–1927 at 04d1edb · upstream ↗

    Checked against the evidence by its author, an AI model, 2026-10-21.

    Checked by a second AI model, 2026-10-21.

    In the claim ledger

Sources

Code