Tactics

Learn how to effectively use Tactics in Dynasty Warriors: Origins, including unlocking new abilities, maximizing their effects, and strategies for tough encounters like Lu Bu.

Tactics are a powerful new mechanic in Dynasty Warriors: Origins, offering significant advantages if used correctly. While they have long cooldowns, items can reduce this. New Tactics are unlocked as you progress and increase your bodyguard count, which can be further expanded through Ultimate Challenges.

Many Tactics have an additional benefit called Dramatic Success, triggered under specific conditions or, in some cases, simply by using the Tactic (like Battle Roar). Tactics can also interrupt enemy attacks, which is crucial for staggering powerful foes like Lu Bu out of his dangerous Red attacks.

Useful Tactics:

• Ceaseless Fury: Effective against Lu Bu at Xia Pi to interrupt his Red Attacks, such as his grab.
• Stone Throw (29): Deals 3 Fortitude damage and unlocks at 29 guards. Excellent for destroying enemy Fortitude and remains useful for a long time.
• Cavalry Charge (auto): The first Tactic that lowers enemy morale. To achieve its Dramatic Success, it must hit an officer near the end of their charge, so use it from a distance.
• Battle Roar (38): The second Tactic to lower enemy morale, though its effect is short-lived. Use it until you unlock more advanced Tactics.
• Catapult Barrage (44) and Chariot Charge (47): These are the strongest Tactics available and should be equipped as soon as they are unlocked.
• Volley/Fire Volley/Charge: Decent until better Tactics are available. Their Dramatic Success is highly map-dependent, so don't focus on triggering it.

Other Tactics are suitable as backups or for specific situations, such as Order to Defend/Protect.

Personal Setup Example:

• Stone Throw (later replaced by Catapult Barrage)
• Battle Roar (later replaced by Chariot Charge)
• Cavalry Charge
• Charge and Ceaseless Fury (specifically for Lu Bu)

How to maximize their effects:

Tactics that reduce enemy morale or courage are the most effective. For timed Ultimate Challenges, use Treatise of Tactics at the start of the stage so your Tactics are ready by the time you face the boss. First, use Tactics to lower enemy morale, then unleash your strongest battle arts, activate Musou Rage, and continue combos. After this, use a Panacea, redeploy Tactics, and repeat the process.

Note: If using Musou Bond instead of Panacea, deploy Tactics before switching to your partner, as you cannot use Tactics after switching.

With the right items and Tactics, most Ultimate Challenges can be overcome. An exception is the fight against Lu Bu at Xia Pi, where items are disallowed, but Tactics can still be used. Refer to the Lu Bu section for more details.