“Among men, Lu Bu. Among horses, Red Hare.” “Do not pursue Lu Bu.” These warnings, scattered throughout Dynasty Warriors: Origins, aren't mere suggestions. They're stark reminders of the challenge ahead. But what if you dare to defy them? Here's how to conquer the seemingly unconquerable.
Let's be clear: Confronting Lu Bu isn't a casual stroll in the park. My own playthrough took over an hour. However, there are compelling reasons to take on this legendary warrior.
First, the ultimate bragging rights. Defeating Lu Bu is a feat that earns serious respect. Second, you might not have a choice. Siding with Shu or Wei in Chapter 4 forces the Battle of Xiapi and a showdown with Lu Bu. Finally, victory at the Battle of Hulao Gate unlocks "The Strongest" trophy. Best of all, post-game victory earns you the game's ultimate weapon, the halberd—a powerful incentive indeed.
Before engaging Lu Bu, strategic preparation is key. Equip a multi-hit sword to stagger him effectively. Battle Arts with low Bravery requirements, quick activation, and wide range are crucial. My loadout included Falcon Flurry, Mad Blade Rush, Absconding Slash, and Flying Dragon Slash. Boost your survivability with health and defense-enhancing accessories like Divine Bird's Wing and Divine Turtle's Shell. Lu Bu hits hard; staying alive requires careful planning. Finally, a weapon granting Bravery per Perfect Evade is invaluable, as evading will be your primary Bravery source.
Initially, Lu Bu rides Red Hare. This phase is relatively straightforward. He charges, occasionally pausing. Exploit these pauses to unleash your Battle Arts, then retreat. His attacks, excluding Red Hare's devastating jump attack, have limited area of effect, making evasion manageable. Once his health reaches 80%, he dismounts, and the real fight begins.
On foot, Lu Bu's ferocity intensifies. His attacks are rapid, and he moves with lightning speed. A red aura signals an unstoppable combo. Evade his charges—he typically attacks in sets of three. If he charges without his spear, he's attempting a devastating grab; evade promptly.
His most dangerous attack is signaled by an orange glow. He unleashes a triple volley of arrows from a distance, capable of instantly decimating your health. Absconding Slash is your counter; close-range Battle Arts are suicide. Keep your Musou gauge charged for emergency invincibility—a lifesaver during critical moments.
Lu Bu is surprisingly susceptible to juggling during this phase. Continuous attacks rapidly charge your Battle Arts, breaking his Fortitude meter faster. Maintain close proximity for better reaction time, but remember: evasion is paramount.
Upon depleting his health sufficiently, Lu Bu enters Musou Rage, initiating the final phase. He becomes unstaggerable, unleashing relentless attacks. Your goal: deplete his Fortitude before he unleashes his Musou attack. Since staggering is impossible, utilize all available resources: Musou attacks, Battle Arts, and rapid, powerful strikes. Failing to break his Fortitude before his Musou attack will force a restart. Success here brings victory over this formidable foe.
And there you have it—conquering Lu Bu in Dynasty Warriors: Origins! Dynasty Warriors: Origins is available now for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.