Short answer: a maximum-content single playthrough contains 31 story maps in FE6, up to 39 in FE7’s Lyn-to-Eliwood path or 43 in its Lyn-to-Hector path, and 23 chapter entries in FE8. These are not three directly comparable “chapter numbers”: gaidens, mode-exclusive maps, route variants, final chapters, and repeatable dungeons all need separate treatment.
Applies to: FE6, FE7, and FE8. The table counts a battle or chapter screen once when the player enters it; it does not count the two phases of one Final chapter as two separate chapters.
| Game | Numbering on screen | Maximum in one run | All distinct story entries | Optional or repeatable content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FE6 · The Binding Blade | Chapters 1–24 plus Final on the extended-ending path | 31 story maps: one route at each split, six gaidens, and the extended ending | 38 when both Western Isles variants and both Sacae/Ilia variants are counted | Six gaidens can be entered in one run; Tutorial is separate; no repeatable campaign maps |
| FE7 · The Blazing Blade | Lyn Prologue–10; Eliwood 11–30; Hector 11–32; then Final | 39 for Lyn→Eliwood or 43 for Lyn→Hector, including every accessible x chapter | 47 named/map variants when shared mode maps count once and A/B maps count separately | Gaidens depend on turn, survival, EXP, and conversation conditions; no repeatable campaign maps |
| FE8 · The Sacred Stones | Prologue, Chapters 1–20, Chapter 5x, and Final | 23 chapter entries on either Eirika or Ephraim route | 29 when both versions of route Chapters 9–14 are counted | Tower of Valni: 8 floors; Lagdou Ruins: 10 floors; world-map skirmishes; all excluded from story total |
Why One Number Is Misleading
There are three useful counting methods:
- Single playthrough: count only the maps one save can actually enter.
- All mutually exclusive branches: add alternative route or mode maps for a completion checklist, but do not pretend one run contains them all.
- Repeatable maps: list dungeons, skirmishes, trial maps, or arenas separately from the story.
Printed numbering alone fails because an “x” chapter is still a playable chapter, two branches may use the same number, and a Final chapter may follow the highest number. This guide therefore reports chapter entries, not only the last numeral visible on screen.
FE6: 22-Map Ending or 31-Map Extended Run
FE6 has Chapters 1–22 on every route. If the extended-ending requirements are not met, Chapter 22 ends the campaign, producing a 22-map run when no gaidens were entered.
A maximum run adds six divine-weapon gaidens—8x, 12x, 14x, 16x, one version of 20x, and 21x—then continues through Chapters 23 and 24 and Final. That produces 31 maps:
- 22 numbered maps through Chapter 22.
- 6 gaidens.
- 3 extended-ending maps: Chapter 23, Chapter 24, and Final.
Across separate saves, the early Western Isles branch changes Chapters 10 and 11, while the later Sacae/Ilia branch changes Chapters 17–20 and its version of 20x. Counting every alternative produces 38 distinct route-labeled story entries, plus the separate Tutorial option.
minor spoilersReveal why an FE6 run can stop at Chapter 22
Reaching Chapter 23 requires keeping the Binding Blade and all Divine Weapons in the army’s possession through Chapter 22, each with at least one use remaining. The route not taken supplies its counterpart Divine Weapon later, so one save can still meet the condition. Exact gaiden requirements belong in the secrets guide.
FE7: Lyn, Eliwood, and Hector Use Different Numbering
Lyn Mode contains Prologue plus Chapters 1–10, and its 7x side chapter raises the maximum from 11 to 12 entries.
Eliwood Mode then uses Chapters 11–30, several x chapters, and Final. With every accessible side chapter, it contributes 27 entries, so a continuous Lyn-to-Eliwood run reaches 39.
Hector Mode is an unlocked retelling with exclusive maps, shifted chapter numbers, one deeper hidden chapter, and a late 32x. Its maximum is 31 entries after Lyn Mode, or 43 for a Lyn-to-Hector run that reaches every optional map.
Not every “A/B” is a simple renamed chapter. Four-Fanged Offense and Pale Flower of Darkness each have mutually exclusive map/boss variants selected by roster experience or lord levels. For an archive-wide completion list, we count those variants separately while counting genuinely shared Eliwood/Hector map identities once; that method yields 47 named or map variants across all three modes.
On a first international playthrough, Lyn Mode normally leads to Eliwood Mode. Hector Mode is replay content, so “43 in one run” describes a later unlocked save path, not the first new game.
FE8: 23 in One Route, 29 Across Both Routes
FE8 presents Prologue, Chapters 1–20, Chapter 5x, and Final. A single save enters one version of Chapters 9–14, then the routes rejoin for Chapter 15. Count each entered chapter screen and the result is 23.
The arithmetic is:
- Prologue and Chapters 1–8, including 5x: 10 entries.
- One route’s Chapters 9–14: 6 entries.
- Chapters 15–20 and Final: 7 entries.
Across Eirika and Ephraim saves, the other six route maps raise the all-variants total to 29. The two routes share the chapter numbers but not the same sequence of maps and events.
Repeatable Maps Do Not Increase the Story Count
FE8 unlocks the Tower of Valni during the campaign and later supports the Lagdou Ruins and world-map monster encounters. The Tower has eight floors and the Ruins ten, but they can be revisited; adding every visit would make the total infinite. We list their layouts separately and keep them out of the 23-story-entry total.
FE6 Trial Maps and FE7’s Link Arena or in-chapter arenas are also separate modes or activities, not additional campaign chapters. An arena battle can be repeated while its host chapter remains one chapter.
Which Total Should You Use?
- For time planning, use the single-run maximum and subtract optional chapters you know you will skip.
- For a 100% route checklist, use the all-distinct total and expect multiple saves.
- For a speedrun or challenge ruleset, define whether zero-combat preparation chapters, Final phases, and gaidens count before comparing results.
- For leveling, keep repeatable FE8 maps separate; see the leveling guide.
The walkthrough hub organizes preparation by campaign rather than pretending these counts are interchangeable. If you want to reach every conditional map, read the secrets and side-chapter guide before starting the relevant chapter.
Counting Notes and Evidence
The totals were reconstructed from the labeled English FE6, FE7, and FE8 chapter archives and cross-checked against the FE7 route guide. “Maximum” means every compatible optional entry on one save, not every map stored in the game. Recommendations about which total to use are editorial; the numbered sequences and route exclusions are source-backed facts.