How To Duel Enemies in Dynasty Warriors: Origins

In the whirlwind of battling countless enemies in Dynasty Warriors: Origins, a compelling gameplay element shines through: duels. A feature returning from earlier installments, these intense one-on-one showdowns add a strategic layer to the chaotic battles. Here's how they work.

What Are Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?

Making their comeback after a hiatus, duels, first introduced in Dynasty Warriors 4, reappear in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. While not immediately available, you'll unlock the ability to duel in Chapter 2. However, not every enemy is worthy of a duel. You can only challenge high-ranking and prominent enemy officers. When the opportunity arises, press R1 and L1 simultaneously to initiate the duel – but act quickly, as this window is limited.

The duel commences in a designated arena surrounded by soldiers. This one-on-one clash differs from standard battles. A progress bar at the top of the screen tracks both your and your opponent's success. Each successful hit on your opponent advances your meter, while conversely, their hits fill theirs.

Victory requires completely filling your meter by inflicting sufficient damage on your opponent. Your starting position in a duel isn't determined by your health, but rather your overall morale. A winning streak fills your meter faster, while losing causes your opponent's meter to fill more rapidly. An even match results in equally balanced meters. Given the one-on-one nature, mastering your opponent's moves, employing dodges and parries, and maintaining a safe distance (especially against Battle Arts) is crucial. Remember, time is limited, but reckless abandon is rarely rewarded.

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Winning a duel in Dynasty Warriors: Origins delivers a significant advantage: massive damage to your opponent and a substantial morale boost for your army. Conversely, defeat results in heavy damage to you and a significant morale drop for your forces, potentially jeopardizing your position in a battle. However, if neither party achieves a clear victory, the duel ends without penalty, and the battle resumes normally. While some duels are inescapable, failure in these mandatory duels results in immediate mission failure; conversely, victory guarantees a battle win. Therefore, while duels offer the potential for a decisive battlefield advantage, underestimating your opponent can lead to catastrophic consequences.

This concludes your guide to duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is available now on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.