Dynasty Warriors: Origins Duel Strategy Guide

Although Dynasty Warriors: Origins largely revolves around battling countless anonymous soldiers, one of the most compelling returning features from earlier games is the duel system. Here's how duels function.

What Are Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?

Duels first debuted in Dynasty Warriors 4. After more than two decades, they return in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. While dueling isn't available in the early stages of the game, this ability is unlocked in Chapter 2. You cannot, however, challenge any random soldier. Duels are reserved for high-ranking and notable enemy officers. Upon their appearance, a brief window opens where you can initiate a duel by pressing both the R1 and L1 buttons simultaneously.

Once initiated, a ring of soldiers will encircle you, setting the stage for an intense one-on-one battle against the officer. The mechanics of this fight differ from standard combat. A meter will appear at the top of the screen, representing both you and your opponent. Each successful hit you land will push the meter in your favor, while successful attacks from your opponent will shift it towards them.

Your objective in a duel is to land enough blows to completely fill your side of the meter. Your starting position in this gauge is influenced by your army's overall morale, not your individual health. A winning streak gives you a larger portion of the bar, while falling behind shrinks it. An even battle means an evenly divided meter. Focus on your opponent's attack patterns, dodging and parrying effectively to avoid damage. Maintain distance if they unleash a powerful Battle Art. While time is a factor, there's no need to act recklessly.

Related: Marvel Rivals Rank Reset Explained

Winning a duel in Dynasty Warriors: Origins inflicts significant damage on the officer and provides a massive morale boost for your forces. Losing, however, results in heavy damage and a severe drop in army morale, which can be disastrous during the later stages of a battle. If neither side wins, the duel ends with no penalties; you simply disengage and the main battle resumes. However, some duels are inescapable. Losing these results in immediate mission failure, while victory grants an automatic win for the entire battle. Although initiating a duel can dramatically turn the tide of battle, underestimating your opponent and failing can lead to catastrophic defeat.

That covers everything you need to know about dueling in Dynasty Warriors: Origins.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is available now on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.