As with any long running game series, Fire Emblem has its own unique conventions. Of course, very few of these are applicable to every game, especially since Fire Emblem Gaiden breaks several of the most noticable conventions.

• The main character, or lord unit, almost always wields a sword.
• There is usually what fans call a Jeigan character, who is usually a paladin. He or she starts off as a strong unit, but because of poor growth rates, is quickly outshined by other characters. Jeigans are part of your team early in the game.
• In response to the Jeigan convention, some fans will argue there is a similar category which they call the Oifaye. The difference between an Oifaye and Jeigan is that an Oifaye is considered good enough to keep using throughout the whole game.
• A red and green social knight/cavalier appear in most games. They usually appear simultaneously and early in the campaign.
• In the early chapters, bad guys are usually axe wielding bandits.
• Wyvern riders, even ones that are recruitable, seem to be in the service of the nation that the main character is trying to defeat.
• There are always three playable pegasus knights. In later installments, the three can be used to perform the devastating triange attack.
• There is always what fans call a Gato character, someone who shows up at the last battle and is extremely powerful. In Path of Radiance, players have a choice of three different Gato characters.
• The main character usually is the only one that can equip the one weapon that can significantly harm the final boss. Usually, the Gato character is effective against the final boss as well.
• Players can earn items and recruit new characters by visiting villages before bandits destroy them. Some of the better items and units are earned in this manner.
• With the exception of Gaiden and Sacred Stones, there is a limited amount of experience points that can be earned, unless you want to gamble by trying the areana. Therefore, deciding who should gain experience by defeating enemy units plays into the strategy.