In *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*, as with many games in the series, you'll find yourself immersed in ancient China, wielding your weapon alongside various warlords. A pivotal moment in your journey will be the decision of which faction to align with. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand the faction selection process in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins Factions Explained
*Dynasty Warriors: Origins* unfolds across multiple chapters, but it's not until Chapter 3 that you, as the Wanderer, are required to commit to a side. Initially, you'll navigate freely between the factions led by Sun Jian, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei, participating in significant historical events like the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Battle of Hulao Gate.
The game will notify you at the start of Chapter 3 that you must select a faction by the end of this chapter. By this point, you should have a good understanding of each faction, but if you're still undecided, the game offers additional battles to help you make your choice.
To advance, you'll need to fulfill specific mission requirements for each faction: three battles for Sun Jian, two for Liu Bei, and just one for Cao Cao. Once you've completed the necessary missions, a new mission will unlock, forcing you to pick a side. For instance, if you finish Cao Cao's mission first, you'll have the option to ally with him or Liu Bei in the subsequent battle, with Liu Bei's option unavailable if his missions remain incomplete. However, you can always return to complete missions for other factions before making your final decision.
Screenshot captured by The Escapist
Once you choose a faction, the others become inaccessible for the remainder of the game. You'll no longer be able to engage in sidequests with their officers or increase your bond with them, potentially making your chosen path more challenging. For example, aligning with Liu Bei means fewer opportunities to earn skill points due to his faction's limited number of commanding officers.
Each route features unique missions, so to experience all that *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* has to offer, consider creating a separate save file before choosing your faction. This allows you to explore different alliances by reloading your save later.
That's how faction selection works in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*. The game is currently available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.