Dynasty Warriors Origins: Factions That Define the Battlefield
Step onto the war-torn plains of ancient China, where honor clashes with ambition and legendary warriors rise to carve their names into history. Welcome to Dynasty Warriors Origins — a bold reimagining of Koei Tecmo’s iconic hack-and-slash saga, where the heart of the experience beats strongest within its meticulously crafted factions.
For veterans and newcomers alike, understanding the factions in Dynasty Warriors Origins isn’t just about choosing a side — it’s about embracing a philosophy, a legacy, and a unique path to dominance. Each faction offers distinct advantages, signature characters, battlefield tactics, and narrative arcs that deeply influence gameplay. Whether you’re drawn to the righteous might of Shu, the disciplined ambition of Wei, or the cunning resilience of Wu, your faction choice reshapes your journey through the Three Kingdoms era.
The Pillars of Power: Shu, Wei, and Wu Reborn
At the core of Dynasty Warriors Origins factions lie the three great kingdoms — each rebalanced and reimagined for a modern audience while honoring their historical and literary roots.
Shu Han — The Virtuous Vanguard
Led by the benevolent Liu Bei and his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Shu embodies loyalty, righteousness, and the dream of restoring peace to a fractured land. In Dynasty Warriors Origins, Shu’s gameplay emphasizes team synergy and morale-based mechanics. Units fight harder when commanders are nearby, and combo chains between allied officers yield devastating battlefield effects.
Case in point: During the Battle of Changban, Shu players can trigger the “Oath of Brotherhood” ability — temporarily boosting defense and attack for all nearby allies when Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei are simultaneously on the field. This isn’t just flavor — it’s strategy. Choosing Shu means mastering unit cohesion and exploiting emotional momentum on the battlefield.
Cao Wei — The Iron Will of Order
Under the calculating gaze of Cao Cao, Wei represents structure, ambition, and ruthless efficiency. Their faction in Dynasty Warriors Origins excels in resource control and tactical suppression. Players who align with Wei gain access to elite siege units, battlefield traps, and officer abilities that debuff enemy formations.
What sets Wei apart is its Command Chain system — a mechanic where defeating enemy officers in a specific sequence unlocks temporary battlefield dominance zones, slowing enemy movement and boosting ally damage. In the Battle of Guandu, for example, eliminating Yuan Shao’s key lieutenants in the right order can turn a desperate defense into a crushing counteroffensive.
Eastern Wu — Masters of Adaptation
Wu, ruled by the Sun family, thrives on flexibility and terrain mastery. Their faction mechanics revolve around environmental manipulation and hit-and-run tactics. Rivers, forests, and choke points become weapons in Wu’s hands — slowing enemies, triggering ambushes, or even flooding lowland battlefields during monsoon events.
Sun Ce and Sun Quan aren’t just leaders — they’re force multipliers. Activating “Tiger of Jiangdong” (Sun Ce) grants nearby units increased mobility and evasion, while “Dragon of Wu” (Sun Quan) enhances ranged unit accuracy and reload speed. In multiplayer skirmishes, Wu players often control the pace — forcing opponents into disadvantageous engagements.
Beyond the Big Three: Minor Factions with Major Impact
Dynasty Warriors Origins doesn’t stop at the traditional trio. New and returning minor factions — such as the Yellow Turbans, Dong Zhuo’s Tyranny, and the Nanman Tribes — offer alternative playstyles and unlockable storylines that challenge conventional strategies.
The Yellow Turbans, for instance, rely on swarm tactics and corruption mechanics. Their units are weaker individually but overwhelm through sheer numbers and morale-draining chants. Defeating their leaders doesn’t always end the battle — it may trigger a fanatical last stand that buffs remaining troops.
Dong Zhuo’s forces emphasize brute strength and fear. Officers under his banner gain damage resistance when surrounded, and their presence lowers enemy morale passively. Choosing this faction means embracing chaos — and winning through intimidation.
These factions aren’t mere side content. Completing their campaigns unlocks unique weapons, alternate costumes, and even faction-specific mounts and siege engines — rewarding players who dare to walk the darker paths of the Three Kingdoms.
Faction Synergy and Multiplayer Dynamics
One of Dynasty Warriors Origins’ most compelling innovations is how factions interact in co-op and versus modes. In 4-player co-op, combining Shu’s morale boosts with Wu’s terrain control can create near-impenetrable defensive lines. Meanwhile, in 1v1 duels, Wei’s suppression abilities counter Shu’s combo-heavy offense — creating a rock-paper-scissors dynamic that rewards deep faction knowledge.
Leaderboards reflect faction popularity and win rates — and as of Season 1, Wu holds a narrow lead in ranked matches, thanks to its adaptability in randomized battlefields. But patch notes hint at upcoming buffs for Shu’s late-game scaling — keeping the meta fluid and competitive.
Choosing Your Legacy: What Your Faction Says About You
Your choice of faction in Dynasty Warriors Origins isn’t just tactical — it’s personal.
- Are you a strategist who thrives on control and calculated dominance? Wei awaits.
- A loyalist who believes in unity and righteous fury? Raise the banner of Shu.
- Or perhaps you’re a guerrilla tactician, bending the battlefield to your will? Then