LogFAQs > #971060143

You want every unit you are considering using to have some sort of ring on at all times, even if it's just a C rank bond ring, so they can generate SP. Beyond that Engage Rings give 4 things:

1. Stat Boost
2. The in map Engage Effects.
3. Weapon profiencies
4. Inheritble skills.

I'm of the opinion that the first two are most important than the latter two. Because you can buy bond rankings at least through level 5 really cheaply. So not having a unit that can use Warp Ragnarok well on a map where you need it isn't worth it just so you can raise the Celica Bond on another unit.

As your units start to approach level 10 start thinking about what class you want to promote them in and what profiencies you need for that. Let's say you have Chloe and would want to make her a Wyvern Knight to patch up her strength. She'll need to pick up either a Axe or Sword profiency to make that possible. On the Emblem Ring menu you can hit ZR to see who teaches what profiencies when.

Finally skills at least through the midgame are pretty last focus. SP is scarce and there aren't a ton of impactful, affordable skills initially*. So like look through the skill list Emblems give, start thinking about the ones you want and working towards that rank. Odds are you'll hit the bond rank long before you have the SP for it.

*Sigurd's canter is probably the big exception to this. At 1,000 SP it's probably the best combination of reasonably affordable and incredibly impactful. There isn't a single character that wouldn't benefit from Canter. So when in doubt snag that.

I'm sure the meta around skills in particular will shift as people actually learn the most efficient/effective ways to get and use SP, but for the time being, skills just don't seem that big a deal.

Also if you have the DLC, the Three Houses characters give an incredibly cheap (150 sp) skill that increases exp by 20%. That's obviously really good, but might also shift the balance of the game so use at your own discretion.

Tiki gives a 1,500 sp skill that increases growth rates, but I'm not sure people have confirmed the amount. If it's just like an Afa's Drops, as it's theorized, then it probably isn't worth the price.