
One of the most iconic parts of any *Dynasty Warriors* game is the legendary Battle of Hulao Gate, and you better believe it's included in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*. This battle serves as a major test and might require several attempts to complete successfully. Here’s a detailed guide on how to conquer it.
Table of contents
Dynasty Warriors: Origins Battle of Hulao Gate Guide
Lu Bu Appears
Go After Dong Zhuo
Dynasty Warriors: Origins Battle of Hulao Gate Guide
The Battle of Hulao Gate is the final stage in Chapter 2 of *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*, with the ultimate objective being to defeat Dong Zhuo. Reaching him requires significant effort and will likely take longer than any previous mission in the game.
When the mission starts, navigate to the four enemy bases located in the bottom right of the map. After capturing two of them, a cutscene will trigger, showing a mounted cavalry charging towards the bases. Don't let this distract you from your strategy. You'll naturally encounter and defeat this cavalry as you continue to conquer the bases. If you manage to defeat their commander, Zhang Liao, you'll earn the twin pike weapon, a valuable addition to your arsenal.
Once all bases are secured, you can launch an assault on the gate, leading to your first major confrontation with Dong Zhuo’s forces. The battle will be chaotic, but your primary focus should be on protecting Cao Cao until he executes his Grand Tactic. Once activated, this tactic will weaken the defenses, allowing you to push further towards Hulao Gate.
Lu Bu Appears
At this stage, Dong Zhuo will deploy Lu Bu to the frontline. It's crucial not to engage Lu Bu in combat; a one-on-one fight with him will lead to your demise. Instead, keep your distance and focus on defeating enemy officers around the edges of the battlefield to maintain your morale, which Lu Bu's presence will severely diminish.
Lu Bu will eventually move to attack your main base and attempt to defeat Yuan Shao. Resist the urge to chase after him, adhering to a key principle of *Dynasty Warriors* games: do not pursue Lu Bu. Liu Bei and his forces will try to hold him off, giving you the time needed to focus on defeating Dong Zhuo. This scenario sets a timer for the mission; Liu Bei’s army can't hold Lu Bu indefinitely, so ensure you're close to defeating Dong Zhuo by the time Liu Bei’s forces retreat, or else Lu Bu will destroy Yuan Shao, ending the mission.
Go After Dong Zhuo
With Lu Bu distracted, if you need to replenish your health with meat buns, quickly visit any of your conquered bases. Then, return to the gate. While Cao Cao prepares for a charge, you should capture the bases to the north and west. Once you have all three squads ready and are fully healed, enter the closest commander’s circle and charge into battle.
You'll face a massive army, and Dong Zhuo will deploy his Grand Tactic, launching fireballs at you. To counter this, destroy the front two catapults. If available, activate Musou Rage to break through the lines of soldiers blocking the catapults. Focus on eliminating the surrounding soldiers and officers to clear a path for your troops to destroy the catapults, thus ending Dong Zhuo's Grand Tactic.
As you advance, Dong Zhuo will initiate another Grand Tactic, again using fireballs. To stop it, you must defeat one of his officers. Take the stairs on the right to confront the officer, but be prepared for an ambush by Diaochan, who has defected to Dong Zhuo’s side. If possible, challenge her to a duel; defeating her will simplify the fight against the officer.
Once you've thwarted the second Grand Tactic, the path to Dong Zhuo should be clear. Your forces, bolstered by high morale, should be able to decimate his remaining troops without your direct involvement. Meanwhile, Lu Bu should still be engaged with Liu Bei’s forces. Additionally, if Dian Wei initiates a Grand Tactic, it will further ease your path to victory. Although it might be tempting to duel Dong Zhuo, simply defeating him normally will suffice, as by this point, his forces will be significantly weakened.
And that's how you successfully complete the Battle of Hulao Gate in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*! The game is now available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.