Guide to Fate/Grand Order Anime in 2023

As one of the most popular mobile RPGs from Japan, Fate/Grand Order (FGO) has caught on worldwide thanks to its deep storyline crossing multiple timelines, complex lore from the Fate anime series, and strategic turn-based combat utilizing famous historical and mythological Heroes and Servants.

But with so much to catch up on over 5+ years since launch, is Fate/Grand Order still worth getting into during 2023? Can new players realistically progress without wasting money or endless grinding? This guide will cover everything you need to know starting out along with tips to efficiently experience this ever-expanding franchise entry.

Introduction to Fate/Grand Order

First launched in 2015, Fate/Grand Order brings together various plotlines and characters from previous Fate anime series, novels, and games into one mobile RPG. It also adds plenty of new Servants and original story arcs expanding the Nasuverse lore.

As a new Master, you summon powerful Heroic Spirits from history and myth as Servants to fight deadly enemies across time and space to correct altered fate through seven distinct story arcs.

Downloading and Getting Started with Fate/Grand Order

Currently, Fate/Grand Order is available globally on iOS and Android devices either through the Apple App Store or sites like APKPure.

When downloading, be sure to get the NA server version if playing from the US. Once installed, just make a new player account and complete the interactive tutorial introducing basic combat mechanics.

Fate/Grand Order Gameplay Tutorial

FGO’s actual gameplay loop is fairly simple with turn-based combat relying on the strategy of party composition. The built-in tutorial has you place Servants in different formations, attack using basic commands and noble phantasms, plus try out master skill support.

If anything still seems unclear, you can replay any tutorial section from Main Menu > Help. With that foundation set, let’s examine some key combat and progression systems next.

Gameplay Mechanics and Battle System Fundamentals

Command Cards and NP Gauge

During the battle, Servants are dealt a set of 5 Command Cards each turn. These have different effects and also charge Noble Phantasm gauge when used. This gauge then can unleash super moves for massive damage. Understanding card efficiency is vital to tougher fights.

Servant Classes and Team Building

There are seven core Servant classes (Saber, Lancer, Archer, Caster, Assassin, Berserker, Rider) plus Extra Classes. Each has attack/defense strengths and weaknesses in rock paper scissor style. Building optimal 3-servant parties is important for both progression and events.

Summoning Heroes & Servants

Acquiring new Servants is handled via Saint Quartz to perform Summons. There is no guarantee of rarity though rate-ups during limited events or banners can improve odds. Here is a quick Servant Tier List from easiest to hardest to unlock:

While higher tiers take luck (or money), even starter 1-3★ Servants can progress quite far with strategy and developed craft essences. Speaking of which…

Using Craft Essences Effectively in Fate/Grand Order

Equipping special Craft Essences offers big skill bonuses. Matching effects like starting NP gauge charge or attack boosts based on Servant class is key:

Level up best Craft Essences first using duplicates drawn over time. Remember to swap them around your roster based on team needs!

Master Progression in Fate/Grand Order- What to Focus On

Masters have a separate progression from any one Servant. Focus on constantly increasing your overall Master level by completing story and event quests to unlock additional support abilities:

• Master Level Milestones — Every 10 levels net 1x free Saint Quartz for performing more Summons
• Unlock Extra Servant Slots — This lets you field more team combinations
• Increase AP gauge refill rate – Explore more quests per day

Without strengthening your Master abilities over time, advancing far into FGO becomes quite hard.

Completing the Main Story and Special Events in FGO

FGO’s lengthy main campaign spans 7 singularities across different time periods where you’ll meet various Servants to recruit. From Babylonia to Camelot, always tackle the highest AP quests you can handle to maximize Master XP and item drops.

Occasional limited events and crossovers provide rare materials and opportunities to obtain signature Servants so be sure to check the rotating banners under Summon frequently. Some can even enhance critical story allies like Mash Kyrielight through new Noble Phantasm upgrades.

Now that you understand the basics around optimizing your party, utilizing Craft Essences smartly and focusing on Master progression — next comes creating an efficient plan around completing FGO’s many story chapters and special events successfully as a newer player.

Recommended Fate Watch and Play Order for 2023

With Fate/Grand Order essentially combining various Fate timelines and lore threads into one expanded narrative, getting background on relevant series, shows and films can enrich the experience:

• Fate/Zero — Prequel covering the Fourth Holy Grail War
• Fate/Stay Night — The Fifth Holy Grail War
• Fate/Stay Night Movie Trilogy — Condensed adaptation bringing essential worldbuilding
• Fate/Grand Order First Order – FGO’s prologue story
• Fate/Grand Order Camelot Films – The pivotal Camelot arc

I recommend this watch order either before playing or alongside early singularities as every little bit of lore unlocks a critical backstory that deepens FGO events.

Tips and Tricks for New Masters

Here are some top tips I wish I knew starting Fate/Grand Order to accelerate progression:

• Prioritize completing every Daily Quest without exception — These provide steady XP, Mana Prisms, and Ascension materials you badly need
• Take advantage of 1/2 AP campaigns on Main Story quests to quickly blaze through more singularities
• Save your Servant level-up cards from events to quickly raise newly acquired heroes
• Participate in every seasonal event as rewards carry forward versus time-limited stories that leave you behind
• Only spend paid Saint Quartz on guaranteed SSR rate up Summon days to avoid frustration
• Use free friend point Summons to unlock new craft essences for passive skill boosts across your roster
• Redeem 30 Mana Prisms each month for 5 Summon Tickets via Da Vinci’s Workshop

Follow the right optimization steps upfront, learn from free in-game items/summons first, and complete the personal mission goals presented — you can experience years of acclaimed Fate/Grand Order content without overspending time or money.

Exploring Common Tropes and Notable Characters in Fate/Grand Order

As a long-running gacha RPG building off extensive Type Moon Universe lore, Fate/Grand Order incorporates many common anime and JRPG tropes through some rather colorful heroes indeed.

Tsundere Heroines

This personality trope combines a prickly exterior that eventually gives way to a softer, more vulnerable interior once earned. Two FGO favorites matching this include:

Ishtar

The Mesopotamian goddess inhabiting Rin Tohsaka’s body initially thinks very little of the protagonist Fujimaru Ritsuka’s achievements. But after being saved on numerous occasions, she warms up considerably while still keeping up a harsh mouth.

Ereshkigal

Younger sister to Ishtar, Ereshkigal rules Irkalla, the Sumerian Underworld. Despite maintaining a colder outward personality befitting her status administering spirits of the deceased, Ereshkigal also shows more dere vulnerability during events in Babylon and when feeling threatened by her sister’s popularity with the protagonist.

Overpowered Ally

What JRPG would be complete without someone excessively overpowered arriving to help turn the tide? A cunning Caster easily claims this mantle:

Merlin

The son of a cambion and mortal woman, Merlin enjoys immense magical power thanks to his half-Incubus bloodline. Beyond casting illusions and seeing across time, Merlin “shapeshifts” between corporeal and spiritual forms while providing Chaldea critical information at opportune times. When accessible during battles, his Garden of Avalon Noble Phantasm almost guarantees party survival.

Moe Mascot

No Fate story feels quite complete without silly comic relief plus an adorable dosage of moe. Fou (otherwise known as Primate Murder) helps keep spirits up around Chaldea.

Fou

Appearing as an adorable cross between squirrel and koala, Fou was originally the Beast IV whose sole purpose meant eliminating humankind. But sealed by Merlin into a harmless form, this creature now assists Mash, nitpicks others, gorges on pancakes, and reminds heroes not to lose hope when singularities seem bleak.

Beyond these examples, Fate/Grand Order contains many familiar tropes from a Boy Meets Girl storyline to humanity constantly facing magical extinction-level scenarios. Yet fresh Servants breathing new life into old tropes keep the Gacha games train rolling.

Now hopefully you’ve got a deeper flavor for the entertainment stew FGO serves up beyond just addictive turn-based combat! Let me know in the comments what tropes catch your fancy or any favorite Servants matching one.

Is Fate/Grand Order Still Worth Playing in 2023?

For fans of strategic turn-based RPGs overflowing with lore, countless heroes to collect, and well-produced stories to enjoy, Fate/Grand Order absolutely still warrants jumping in during 2023 despite its age. With quality-of-life upgrades, condensed early singularities and so many free SQ rewards these days — there has hardly been a more newcomer-friendly period since launch.

Is It Too Late to Start Fate/Grand Order in 2023?

While the main story spans hundreds of hours already, there are options to blaze through earlier singularities plus regular events keeping things fresh. With plenty of chances left this year to summon top-rank Servants, it’s definitely not too late to start provided you learn efficiently.

Veteran Masters will have established rosters but by picking top-tier starter Servants, progressing smartly, and utilizing free in-game items from login bonuses/events — new players can experience FGO’s full appeal without needing to whale out.

Hopefully, this guide gave you a headstart on keys to efficiently explore the ever-expanding Fate universe through FGO for years to come! Let me know which Servants you hope to add to your roster first or what story arcs interest you most in the comments below!