Fortitude and How to Break It in Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Hack and Slash

Jan 22

*Image Credit: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.*

Ah, Fortitude—your enemy’s little safety blanket in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. It’s the yellow (and sometimes red) shields over an enemy officer’s head that scream, “You’re going to have to work for this win.” But don’t worry, breaking it down isn’t rocket science. Let’s keep it simple.

What Is Fortitude?

Fortitude is your enemy’s defense level. The shields tell you how much they can take before crumpling like a paper bag. Here’s the breakdown:

Yellow Shields: Standard issue. Break them to make the enemy vulnerable.
Red Shields: These show up when enemies have high Courage, usually because their buddies hyped them up. They're harder to crack, but not impossible.

When you deplete these shields, you can hit them with an Assault attack—a fancy move that deals big damage and feels pretty satisfying.

How to Break Down Fortitude

Think of Fortitude like a piñata. It takes a few good whacks before it spills its goodies. Here’s how to smash it:

1. Use Special Battle Arts

Special Battle Arts are the quickest way to wreck Fortitude. Look for an enemy about to unleash a Dangerous Attack (you’ll see a glowing orange circle). Interrupt them with your Battle Art, and watch their shields drop faster than a bad karaoke performance.

2. Mix Combos Like a Pro

String together normal attacks, strong attacks, and Battle Arts. Add a parry here and there for flair. When you stagger the enemy, don’t stop—keep attacking to drain their Fortitude. Think of it as a rhythm game: the better you flow, the faster you win.

3. Go All In When Fortitude Is Low

When those shields turn gray, it’s your time to shine. Hit the Assault prompt that pops up to deal massive damage. Pro tip: don’t miss the prompt, or you’ll look silly swinging at nothing.

Dealing with Red Shields

Red shields mean the enemy has had their morning coffee and a pep talk from their troops. They’re tougher than yellow shields, but the methods to deplete them are the same:

Special Battle Arts? Check.
Combos? Check.
A little persistence? Absolutely.

Final Blurb

Breaking Fortitude might sound fancy, but it boils down to two things: hit them hard and don’t let up. Yellow, red, or otherwise, shields are just another obstacle between you and sweet victory. Now, get out there, shatter some Fortitude, and show those officers who’s boss.

Andrew has spent over five years writing about video games and is the primary contributor/editor for GamerBlurb. With a background in creative writing and past experience in the industry, he’s mastered the art of turning hours of gaming into something that sounds like work. When he’s not writing he’s either getting distracted by various sidequests or occasionally pretending he’s good at League of Legends (#iron).