In *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*, while you'll spend much of your time battling hordes of enemies, one of the most intriguing gameplay mechanics making a return from earlier titles is the dueling system. Here's a detailed look at how duels work in this latest installment.
What Are Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?
Duels, a feature that first appeared in *Dynasty Warriors 4*, have made a comeback after over two decades in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*. Initially, you won't have access to duels until you reach Chapter 2 of the game. Not just anyone can be challenged to a duel; only high-ranking and prominent enemy officers are eligible. When you spot one, you have a brief window to initiate a duel by pressing both the R1 and L1 buttons simultaneously.
Once a duel begins, an arena of soldiers will encircle you, setting the stage for a one-on-one confrontation with the enemy officer. Unlike regular combat, duels come with a unique mechanic: a bar at the top of the screen that represents both your and your opponent's progress. Each successful hit you land on your opponent advances your portion of the bar, while their hits on you do the same for them.
The objective is to fill the meter completely by dealing enough damage to your opponent. Your starting position on this meter is influenced not by your health, but by your overall morale. If you're winning, your bar will be larger; if you're losing, your opponent's will dominate. In evenly matched battles, the bars will be equal. During the duel, it's crucial to observe your opponent's moves, dodge and parry effectively, and maintain a safe distance if they use a Battle Art. Time is limited, but rushing in recklessly is not advisable.
Winning a duel in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* grants you the ability to inflict massive damage on your opponent and significantly boosts your morale. Conversely, losing a duel results in substantial damage to you and a severe morale drop for your army, which can be detrimental, especially in the later stages of a battle. If neither side wins, there's no penalty; you'll simply disengage and continue the game as usual. However, some duels are inescapable, and losing these results in an automatic mission failure, while winning them guarantees victory in the battle. Thus, initiating a duel can be a game-changer, but underestimating your opponent can lead to your downfall.
And that's the essence of dueling in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*.
*Dynasty Warriors: Origins* is now available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.
