Dynasty Warriors Origins has a lot of complex undertones the deeper into the game you go. While it looks like any other action game, you also need to learn how to form bonds and gather companions by helping them out in their missions and requests. There are three factions that you can join to unlock more quests and help them be more successful. Each faction offers something different when it comes to the storyline, so you need to make a conscious decision to mark your path in the game. In this guide we help you decide which faction to pick in Dynasty Warriors Origins.
How To Join Factions & All Factions Explained In Dynasty Warriors Origins
The first time you run into this choice of picking a faction is in Chapter 3. After the collapse of the Coalition that came after the death of Dong Zhuo, you will find new objectives from the three factions on your screen. These objectives are fixed with particular factions, namely from Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian. Each of them will send you an invitation to join their faction when you read their letters while in the Inn.
Faction Contributions Explained
To join any of the factions, simply pick up their related quests and help them in battle. Each time you contribute to their cause, a star gets added to their faction. You can check which battle contributes to which faction before you pick them. The number of contributions each faction requires plus the name of the battle is listed below.
- Cao Cao: 1 Contribution – Suppression of Yan Province.
- Liu Bei: 2 Contributions – Battle of Jieqiao, Battle of Beihai.
- Sun Jian: 3 Contributions – Assault on Nanyang, Battle of Xiangyang, Siege of Fan Castle.
Luckily, these battles don’t clash with each other, so it is possible to complete all Contributions for all factions. Once completed, talk to the faction leaders after they appear on the map to advance through the questline. If you don’t complete all the Contributions of a particular faction, you will not be able to progress on that faction’s questline.
Major Faction Choice
The Battle of Xu Province takes place during the second half of Chapter 3, and in this battle Cao Cao’s forces are up against Tao Qian and Liu Bei. It is here where you need to pick a side, and whichever side you don’t pick, will be your enemy for the rest of the Chapter. But fret not, as there is another major choice to make once you near the end of Chapter 3, and that will determine which faction you eventually end up with.
Once you reach the final “Time is Passing” message towards the end of Chapter 3, you will be tasked with completing a certain amount of battles to contribute to the factions. Below are the battle requirements for each faction.
- Cao Cao: 5 battles.
- Liu Bei: 4 battles.
- Sun Jian: 5 battles.
Unlike the first time you contributed to the factions, this time you cannot complete the battles for all factions. So this is the time to think and fix your faction for the game. Once you complete the objective, talk to the faction leader to cement your decision.
Faction Choice Outcomes For Chapter 4 And Chapter 5
Depending on which faction you have picked in Chapter 3, your storyline will be altered when you play Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. Below are all the major changes you can see for each faction.
| Faction | Chapter 4 Outcome | Chapter 5 Outcome |
| Cao Cao | Battle against Yuan Shao, Lu Bu, and Liu Bei | Pursue the fleeing Liu Bei, ending the Battle of Huarong Path |
| Liu Bei | Battle against Cao Cao and Lu Bu. | Fight Cao Cao from the north while fleeing, ending the Battle of Huarong Path. |
| Sun Jian | Focus more on conquering the South. | Complete the Battle of Chibi against Liu Biao and Huang Zu. |
Which Faction Should You Pick In Dynasty Warriors Origins?
Each faction in Dynasty Warriors Origins has its pros and cons. We will list out all the details for each faction leader below
Cao Cao
- Strongest of all heroes and offers a powerful military and strategic outlook while in battle.
- Also has a great grip on the Central Plains.
- Has better support from the Imperial Government.
- Main objective is to bring peace to China while uniting them, but will fall into conflict with Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, and Lu Bu.
- Strives to achieve the impossible.
- Choose this faction to get the Wei ending.
Liu Bei
- Is the most righteous leader and depends on the bonds of brotherhood over everything else.
- An underdog in the story, but will always stand up for what is right.
- Great pick for players who enjoy the heroic journey of Guan Yu.
- Will also fight for the right to rule the Central Plains, thus being the rival of Cao Cao.
- Also offers fewer missions to complete.
- Choose this faction to get the Shu ending.
Sun Jian
- A passionate and loyal hero whose main focus is on conquering the south.
- Offers a more unique playthrough away from the conflict of the northern and central plains.
- Focuses more on naval battles and gives a balanced experience.
- The leader’s trust depends on familial bonds, and will seek out the strength within family and friends during times of need.
- Choose this faction to get the Wu ending.
Depending on what sort of gameplay experience you are looking for, you can choose to side with any of the factions above. If you wish to change factions, you can do so if you have made a previous save file before making your major choices. Or you can complete the game and replay the chapter you wish so you can go back and change your decision. Besides picking a faction, you also need to learn how to get Companions in Dynasty Warriors Origins, and our handy guide will explain everything there is to know about that.
