Guide to Breaking the Eight Gates Formation (Battle of Xinye) in Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Hack and Slash

Jan 22

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

The Battle of Xinye throws you into Chapter 5 with one job: break the Eight Gates Formation. If you’re imagining some mystical puzzle, you’re not wrong—it’s a maze with bad guys who would rather you stayed lost. Here’s a quick walkthrough/guide on how to tackle it without losing your cool.

Mission Goals

Win by: Defeating Xiahou Yuan. He’s the big boss, and you’ll find him in the middle of the formation once it’s broken.
Lose if: Liu Bei or Xu Shu decides to bail. Don’t worry—they usually stick around unless something truly awful happens (like you ignoring them).

Step 1: Conquer the Northern Bases

First, head to the bases in the north and northeast parts of the map. Take them down, and you’ll trigger a cutscene where Xu Shu spills the beans on the formation’s weak spots. Good news: this means you’re ready for the maze. Bad news: the maze is full of enemies who don’t want you solving it.

Step 2: Breaking the Eight Gates Formation

The Eight Gates Formation isn’t just a name; it’s a full-blown headache unless you know the secret. Here’s the cheat code: enter the gates in this exact order.

1. Gate of View (West)

Head west and use the Eyes of the Sacred Bird to spot the right gate. Look for white flags and listen for the wind—apparently, even gates need ambiance.
Inside, Han Hao will try to stop you. Beat him, and then take down Mao Jie, who shows up as backup. Exit the formation when you’re done.

2. Gate of Life (East)

Travel to the eastern gate. Same drill: use the Eyes of the Sacred Bird and find the gate with the wind. It’s like being a weather reporter, but with swords.
Jia Kui will appear to defend this gate. Defeat him, then face Du Xi, who arrives for round two. Once you’re done, exit and get ready for the final gate.

3. Gate of Opening (South)

Head south and find the gate closest to the west. Again, use the Sacred Bird trick—flags, wind, the whole deal.
Li Dian will show up to block your way. Take him out, and Jia Xu will follow. Beat Jia Xu to officially break the formation.

Step 3: Defeat Xiahou Yuan

With the formation broken, Xiahou Yuan finally shows up in the center of the map. This is your chance to finish the mission. Bring your best moves and take him down to claim victory.

After the battle, your weapon proficiency increases based on what you used.

Final Blurb

Breaking the Eight Gates Formation isn’t as complicated as it sounds—it’s just about following the right path and teaching a few officers that mazes won’t save them. Use your Sacred Bird, listen for the wind, and try not to let Liu Bei get too emotional. You’ve got this!

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).