How to Duel (and Win) in Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Hack and Slash

Jan 20

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

Sure, Dynasty Warriors is mostly about mowing down endless waves of faceless grunts, but duels are where things get personal. This one-on-one feature makes a triumphant return in Dynasty Warriors: Origins, and if you’re wondering how to master it, here’s your guide.

What Are Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?

Think of duels as the game’s way of saying, “Put down that Musou attack and prove you’ve actually got some skills.” First introduced in Dynasty Warriors 4, duels are one-on-one battles against high-ranking enemy officers. It’s a chance to prove your worth—or embarrass yourself in front of a crowd of NPCs.

When and How Can You Duel?

You won’t unlock duels right away. They first become available in Chapter 2. Here’s the deal:

Who Can You Duel?
Only prominent enemy officers. Sorry, random grunt #563, you’re safe (kind of..?) for now.
How to Start a Duel
When an eligible officer shows up, you’ll get the option to challenge them. Hit R1 + L1 (or the keyboard equivalent) to initiate the duel, but act fast—it’s a limited-time offer!
What Happens Next?
Cue the dramatic arena. Your armies will conveniently stop fighting and form up to watch the showdown. No pressure.

How Do Duels Work?

When the duel starts, a bar appears at the top of the screen, showing both your and your opponent’s progress. The rules are simple:

Land hits to fill your side of the bar.
Take hits, and your opponent fills theirs.
Whoever fills the bar first wins.

Your starting position on the bar depends on your morale, not your health.

If your morale is high, you’ll have the upper hand.
If your morale is low… good luck, buddy.

Tips for Winning Duels

1. Read Your Opponent

This isn’t a mindless hack-and-slash; you’ll need to pay attention to your enemy’s moves.

Dodge: Perfect for avoiding attacks.
Parry: Great for showing off and gaining the upper hand.
Battle Arts: If your opponent uses one, keep your distance or risk eating dirt.

2. Be Aggressive, but Smart

You’re on the clock here, but don’t get reckless. Charge in swinging blindly, and you’ll likely end up as cannon fodder for the enemy troops.

3. Use Morale to Your Advantage

High morale means you’ll start the duel with a leg up. Keep your army’s spirits high by dominating the battlefield before you start throwing down in a duel.

What Happens If You Win (or Lose)?

Winning a Duel

Deal massive damage to your opponent.
Get a huge morale boost for your army.
Walk away feeling like an absolute legend.

Losing a Duel

Take a ton of damage yourself.
Watch your army’s morale plummet faster than your ego.
Question all your life choices leading up to this moment.

No Winner? No Problem!

If neither side wins, you both back away, and the game resumes like nothing happened. It’s the duel equivalent of an awkward high-five that misses.

High-Stakes Duels

Some duels have no middle ground:

If you win: You instantly win the battle.
If you lose: Mission failed, back to the drawing board.

These duels are game-changers, so don’t start one unless you’re ready to bring your A-game.

Final Blurb

Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins are thrilling, high-stakes encounters that can turn the tide of battle—if you know what you’re doing. Be smart, don’t panic, and maybe practice those parries a bit.

Just remember, when that arena forms around you, all eyes are on your moves. Win, and you’re a hero. Lose, and you’re… well, probably someone’s campfire story now.

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).