Not reading OP, since I am considering getting Fates, but I wanted to ask
Since I haven't played a Fire Emblem game (closest I have played is Advance Wars 2, which has similar gameplay but is fundamentally very different), should I spring for Bloodlines (which I would then play through and purchase Conquest and Revelations as the DLC, playing those in that order), or pick up Awakening and play through that first?
You claim that Fates is the best. Is that solely for story reasons or are there reasons you could give me without spoiling anything?
The story is very good and of course each path has its own distinct story, essentially making it a distinct collection of three games. You do not have to pick up fire emblem awakening first to enjoy this game unless you want to understand the ending of the free DLC. As for which one you should probably pick? I'd go with Birthright first because it is much more new comer friendly and frankly more explorable than Conquest. And when you get the chance, play the Revelations path and make that your main save because it is the ultimate Fire Emblem Fates experience