What is War Game in Danmachi? Everything to know about Freya's challenge to Hestia

One of the major highlights of the latest Danmachi season 5 episode was Freya challenging Hestia to a War Game after the Virgin Goddess freed everyone in Orario from her charm. Although Freya's plans failed, she wasn't willing to let go of Bell whom she desired more than anything

That's why, she resorted to her final trump card. However, what is a War Game in Danmachi? According to the light novels, a War Game is a type of contest played among the Familia/s over an objective. There's no fixed rule for a War Game, as they can be decided with mutual discussion, with other Gods and Goddesses as witnesses.

In the War Game between Freya and Hestia, which came to be known as the Great Faction War, the Hestia Familia led an alliance force of 47 Familia against their challenger, Freya Familia. A hide-and-seek game was chosen for the war, with plenty of rules set in motion.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Danmachi light novels.

Exploring the rules of the War Game between Freya and Hestia in Danmachi

In Fujino Omori's Danmachi, War Game isn't a new concept. Previously, Apollo Familia waged a War Game against Hestia Familia, when God Apollo couldn't get Bell to his side. However, Apollo lost the contest, which led to the disbandment of his Familia, and his eventual exile from Orario. However, it wasn't the only War Game the Hestia Familia was part of.

After realizing her plan to charm Bell Cranel and brainwash others to believe the boy belonged to her Familia had failed, Freya decided to challenge Hestia to a War Game in Danmachi. The Goddess of Beauty told Hestia that she could have anything she wanted if she won the war.

Freya, as seen in season 5 episode 9 (Image via J.C.Staff)

On the contrary, if she (Freya) were to win, she would keep Bell Cranel to herself. Hestia retorted back, saying Freya wasn't in any position to make such demands. However, the Goddess of Beauty reminded her of her Familia's position in Orario, and how she could get away with only minor penalties. Freya also informed Hestia that she could gather any help she wanted to face them.

That's when Bell stepped in and told Freya that if they won the contest, she would have to listen to one of his requests. Before accepting the terms, Freya asked Bell more about his request. The boy wanted the Goddess to tell him more about her actual self. While Freya accepted the terms, she was unsure about the true version Bell wanted to know.

Bell Cranel confronts Freya in season 5 episode 9 (Image via J.C.Staff)

As Hestia Familia accepted Freya's challenge, the word spread around Orario quickly. The War game between Freya and Hestia later came to be known as Orario's largest "Great Faction War." To keep the contest fair, Hestia Familia joined an alliance force with 46 other Familia from Orario.

Unfortunately, the Loki Familia wasn't allowed to join Bell and the Allied Force, as the Guild couldn't risk Orario's two strongest Familia destroying each other over the War Game.

After much deliberation, a Hide and Seek War Game was decided between Freya Familia and the allied forces led by Hestia Familia. Liliruca, the Hestia Familia's strategist, led the command over the entire force, while Hedin Selland handled the tactics for Freya Familia.

Hedin Selland, as seen in season 5 episode 9 (Image via J.C.Staff)

The War Game between the two forces took place in Orza City ruins, a vast ruin built on a lake in Beol Mountains, near the Northwest side of Orario. According to the rules, Freya Familia needed to locate all Gods/Goddesses of the allied forces, while the allied forces only needed to find Freya.

Due to the nature of the War Game's format, Asfi wasn't allowed to participate since she could fly. Goddess Freya hid on the west side of the ruins, while the other Gods of the allied forces rested near the east side. In between these two spots was a temple at the center.

Loki from her Familia as seen in season 5 episode 9 (Image via J.C.Staff)

According to volume 18 of Danmachi light novels, over 800 adventurers from 47 Familia participated in the War Game, except Dian Cecht Familia, who couldn't participate as they were stationed at the ruins' exit to treat injured ones. Besides them, Loki Familia was also not allowed to enter the field.

Like many other ceremonies, Ganesha Familia hosted and managed the event. Notably, each God wore a flower. According to the War Game's rules in Danmachi, if an enemy group took the flower from a God, the respective deity's Familia would have been disqualified. Moreover, no one was allowed to injure a God, as it would have resulted in direct disqualification.

Hestia, as seen in the anime (Image via J.C.Staff)

Besides, Gods and Goddesses could combat to resist the attacks. Given how the rules were set, the Freya Familia had to hunt down the Gods of the allied forces and take the flower from them, while the allied force only had to find Freya and snatch the flower she wore.

Even though the War Game between the Freya Familia and the allied force led by Hesita Familia was dubbed a Hide and Seek game in Danmachi, it soon turned into a siege battle where the allied force had no other choice but to go full throttle against the fearsome Freya Familia members.

Ottar, as seen in the anime (Image via J.C.Staff)

Undoubtedly, the event was a sheer spectacle, where Bell and the others had to push themselves to their absolute limits. The War Game brought out the pinnacle of Ryu's strength and showcased an astonishing plot twist, involving Hedin Selland's decisions.

Besides, the War Game in the Light novels finally saw Bell Cranel engaged in a battle against Ottar, arguably the strongest adventurer of Freya Familia if not Orario. Additionally, the event marked a major shift in Haruhime's character, who made a huge impact.

Conclusion

The Great Faction War in Danmachi marked a significant moment in Orario's history. Freya wagered everything she had to try and ensure she could keep Bell to herself. She refused to give up when the effects of her charms broke apart.

On the other hand, Hestia Familia and Bell desperately wanted to win to regain their freedom. The other Familia, who aided Hestia, simply resisted Freya's attempts because they couldn't forgive them for what she did to Orario.