In Dynasty Warriors: Origins, like its predecessors, you'll battle across ancient China alongside various warlords before ultimately pledging allegiance to one. Here's a breakdown of faction selection:
Understanding Factions in Dynasty Warriors: Origins
The game unfolds in chapters. Initially, as the Wanderer, you'll assist Sun Jian, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei, participating in key events like the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Battle of Hulao Gate, without committing to a specific faction.
Chapter 3 presents the crucial decision: choosing a faction. Before this point, the game provides additional battles to familiarize you with each warlord's style and objectives.
The Selection Process
To ally with a faction, you must complete a specific number of missions: three for Sun Jian, two for Liu Bei, and one for Cao Cao. Upon completion, a mission triggering the faction choice will appear. Only factions with completed missions will be selectable. For instance, completing Cao Cao's missions first will present a choice between Cao Cao and Liu Bei (with Liu Bei unavailable if his missions are incomplete). You can complete all missions before making your final choice.
The Consequences of Your Choice
Your decision is permanent. The unchosen faction becomes inaccessible for the remainder of the game; you can no longer accept side quests from their officers, hindering your bond growth and potentially impacting gameplay difficulty. For example, allying with Liu Bei, who initially has fewer commanding officers, may limit skill point acquisition opportunities from side quests.
Each faction offers unique missions. To experience all content, create a save file before choosing a faction, allowing you to replay the game with different allegiances.
In summary, selecting a faction in Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a strategic decision with lasting consequences. The game is currently available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.
