What kingdom should you choose in Dynasty Warriors: Origins? In this Dynasty Warriors: Origins guide, we're going to weigh up the three choices available to you between Shu, Wei and Wu. The faction you side with determines your perspective on the story, which characters you can develop bonds with, and which major battles you partake in.
What Kingdom Should You Choose in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?
When you reach Chapter 3 in Dynasty Warriors: Origins, the game will soon present you with a key choice: you'll need to decide on which kingdom you want to support going forwards.
Your options are:
- Liu Bei's Forces (Shu)
- Cao Cao's Forces (Wei)
- Sun Ce's Forces (Wu)
Effectively, this decision splits the game into three parts. Once you decide on a faction, you cannot go back unless you reload an old save.
The game will tell you when you've reached the point of no return. In Chapter 3 itself, you'll be given an opportunity to fight for all three factions across various battles.
There'll come a point, however, where two of the three main factions will fight one another — and whoever you side against will become a permanent enemy. So choose wisely!
But don't worry too much about your decision. Upon completing the campaign, and unlocking New Game+, you gain the ability to replay any part of the game that you've already seen. This means that you can choose to start over from Chapter 3, and select a different kingdom to the one that you first completed the campaign with.
Still, one playthrough of Dynasty Warriors: Origins takes around 30 hours to complete, and some players may not have time to play through the campaign from all three perspectives. With that in mind, we're going to cover everything that each kingdom offers.
Liu Bei's Forces (Shu)
If you decide to pledge your support to Liu Bei, you'll become part of the eventual kingdom of Shu.
Liu Bei's story is one of struggle, as he and his sworn brothers — Guan Yu and Zhang Fei — try to find their rightful place in such a chaotic time. As the protagonist, you help guide Liu Bei on his journey, tipping the balance in conflicts against much larger armies in a bid to survive.
Playable Characters (Shu)
If you join Shu, the following characters are available as companions, who you can temporarily switch to in battle:
- Guan Yu (Weapon: Crescent Blade)
- Zhang Fei (Weapon: Lance)
- Zhao Yun (Weapon: Spear)
Bond Characters (Shu)
If you join Shu, you can establish bonds with the following characters:
- Liu Bei
- Guan Yu
- Zhang Fei
- Zhao Yun
- Zhuge Liang
- Yueying
- Xu Shu
- Zhou Cang
Story Battles (Shu)
These are all of the unique story battles that you'll take part in if you decide to join Shu from Chapter 3 onwards.
Chapter 3
Rescue of Lu Bu
Liu Bei & Lu Bu's Forces vs. Yuan Shao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 31
Available Companions: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei
Chapter 4
Xiapi Counterattack
Liu Bei's Forces vs. Yuan Shu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 34
Available Companions: Guan Yu
Subjugation of Yuan Shu
Expeditionary Forces vs. Yuan Shu's Forces
Recommended Rank : 35
Available Companions: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei
Escape from Xiaopei
Coalition Forces vs. Lu Bu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 36
Available Companions: N/A
Battle of Xiapi
Coalition Forces vs. Lu Bu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 37
Available Companions: Guan Yu, Zhang Fel
Defense of Xiapi
Liu Bei's Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 38
Available Companions: N/A
Battle of Baima & Yanjin
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Yuan Shao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 38
Available Companions: Guan Yu
1,000-Li March of Guan Yu
Liu Bei's Forces vs. Guan Yu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 41
Available Companions: Guan Yu (mandatory)
Chapter 5
Battle of Runan
Liu Bei's Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 41
Available Companions: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun
Battle of Xinye
Liu Bei's Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 42
Available Companions: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun
Battle of Bowangpo
Liu Bei's Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 43
Available Companions: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun
Battle of Changban
Liu Bei's Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 44
Available Companions: Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun (both are mandatory)
Battle of Chibi
Coalition Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 45
Available Companions: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun
Battle of Huarong Path
Liu Bei's Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 47
Available Companions: N/A
Cao Cao's Forces (Wei)
Should you decide to join Cao Cao's army, you'll fight to establish the kingdom of Wei.
Cao Cao's campaign revolves around conquest. He's already one of the land's strongest warlords when you join up, and your goal is to solidify that strength by conquering anyone and everyone who would stand against Cao Cao's reasoning.
Playable Characters (Wei)
If you join Wei, the following characters are available as companions, who you can temporarily switch to in battle:
- Xiahou Dun (Weapon: Podao)
- Guo Jia (Weapon: Sword)
- Zhang Liao (Weapon: Twin Pikes)
Bond Characters (Wei)
If you join Wei, you can establish bonds with the following characters:
- Cao Cao
- Xiahou Dun
- Xiahou Yuan
- Guo Jia
- Xun You
- Xun Yu
- Yu Jin
- Dian Wei
- Yue Jin
- Li Dian
- Xu Zhu
- Jia Xu
- Zhang He
- Xu Huang
- Zhang Liao
- Zhenji
- Chen Gong
Story Battles (Wei)
These are all of the unique story battles that you'll take part in if you decide to join Wei from Chapter 3 onwards.
Chapter 3
Rescue of Emperor Xian
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Li Jue & Guo Si's Forces
Recommended Rank: 31
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia
Chapter 4
Escape from Wan Castle
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Zhang Xiu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 34
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia
Escape from Xiaopei
Coalition Forces vs. Lu Bu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 35
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia
Battle of Xiapi
Coalition Forces vs. Lu Bu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 36
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia
Assault on Xiapi
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Liu Bei's Forces
Recommended Rank: 37
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia, Zhang Liao
Battle of Baima & Yanjin
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Yuan Shao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 38
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia, Zhang Liao
Battle of Guandu
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Yuan Shao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 41
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia, Zhang Liao
Chapter 5
Battle of Ye
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Yuan Shang's Forces
Recommended Rank: 41
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia, Zhang Liao
Battle of Mt. Bailang
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Yuan Shang's Forces
Recommended Rank: 42
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia, Zhang Liao
Battle of Bowangpo
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Liu Bei's Forces
Recommended Rank: 43
Available Companions: Zhang Liao
Battle of Changban
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Liu Bei's Forces
Recommended Rank: 44
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Zhang Liao
Battle of Chibi
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Coalition Forces
Recommended Rank: 45
Available Companions: Xiahou Dun, Zhang Liao
Battle of Huarong Path
Cao Cao's Forces vs. Coalition Forces
Recommended Rank: 47
Available Companions: N/A
Sun Ce's Forces (Wu)
If you decide to back Sun Ce, you'll help establish the kingdom of Wu.
This side of the story is all about family bonds, and growing the strength of the Sun clan. Wu's campaign is largely removed from the battles between Shu and Wei until later on, as Sun Jian and his children contend with neighbouring lords in Southern China.
Playable Characters (Wu)
If you join Wu, the following characters are available as companions, who you can temporarily switch to in battle:
- Huang Gai (Weapon: Gauntlets)
- Sun Shangxiang (Weapon: Wheels)
- Zhou Yu (Weapon: Staff)
Bond Characters (Wu)
If you join Wu, you can establish bonds with the following characters:
- Sun Jian
- Sun Ce
- Sun Quan
- Huang Gai
- Hang Dang
- Cheng Pu
- Sun Shangxiang
- Zhou Yu
- Lu Su
- Gan Ning
- Taishi Ci
- Lu Meng
- Zhou Tai
- Ling Tong
Story Battles (Wu)
These are all of the unique story battles that you'll take part in if you decide to join Wu from Chapter 3 onwards.
Chapter 3
Battle of Lujiang
Sun Ce's Forces vs. Lu Kang's Forces
Recommended Rank: 29
Available Companions: Sun Shangxiang
Escape from Danyang
Sun Ce's Forces vs. Yuan Shu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 31
Available Companions: Zhou Yu
Chapter 4
Battle of Niuzhu
Sun Ce's Forces vs. Liu Yao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 34
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Battle of Shenting
Sun Ce's Forces vs. Liu Yao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 35
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Conquest of Wu
Sun Ce's Forces vs. Coalition Forces
Recommended Rank: 36
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Subjugation of Yuan Shu
Sun Ce's Forces vs. Yuan Shu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 37
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Battle of Mt. Xisai
Sun Ce's Forces vs. Coalition Forces
Recommended Rank: 38
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Suppression of Wu
Sun Ce's Forces vs. Rebel Forces
Recommended Rank: 41
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Chapter 5
Subjugation of Lujiang
Sun Quan's Forces vs. Li Shu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 41
Available Companions: Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Subjugation of Huang Zu
Sun Quan's Forces vs. Huang Zu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 42
Available Companions: Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Subjugation of Kuaiji
Sun Quan's Forces vs. Rebel Forces
Recommended Rank: 43
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Final Battle at Xiakou
Sun Quan's Forces vs. Huang Zu's Forces
Recommended Rank: 44
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Battle of Sanjiangkou
Sun Quan's Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 45
Available Companions: Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, Sun Shangxiang
Battle of Chibi
Coalition Forces vs. Cao Cao's Forces
Recommended Rank: 47
Available Companions: Sun Shangxiang
Did you find this guide to kingdoms in Dynasty Warriors: Origins useful? Check out our Dynasty Warriors: Origins guide for more help with the game, and then make your final decision in the comments section below.
Comments 0
Wow, no comments yet... why not be the first?
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...