Conquer Hulao Gate: Dynasty Warriors: Origins Strategy

The Battle of Hulao Gate stands out as one of the most iconic and challenging battles in the *Dynasty Warriors* series, and *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* does not disappoint. Serving as the climactic finale of Chapter 2, this mission tasks you with the ultimate goal of defeating Dong Zhuo. However, reaching him will require considerable effort and may demand several attempts due to its complexity.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Battle of Hulao Gate Guide

As you start the mission, your first objective is to navigate through the four enemy bases located in the bottom right corner of the map. After securing control of two of these bases, a dramatic cutscene will trigger, showing a mounted cavalry led by Zhang Liao charging towards you. Continue your strategy without letting this distract you; you'll naturally encounter and defeat the cavalry as you progress through the bases. Defeating Zhang Liao will reward you with the twin pike weapon, a valuable addition to your arsenal.

Once all four bases are under your control, you can initiate an assault on Hulao Gate, which marks the beginning of your first major confrontation with Dong Zhuo's forces. This battle is chaotic, but your primary focus should be on protecting Cao Cao until he executes his Grand Tactic. Once Cao Cao's tactic is in play, it will weaken the enemy's defenses, allowing you to advance further towards the gate.

Lu Bu Appears

At this critical juncture, Dong Zhuo will deploy Lu Bu to the front lines. A key strategy here is to avoid direct combat with Lu Bu at all costs. Engaging him in a one-on-one fight is suicidal; instead, focus on taking out enemy officers on the outskirts of the battle to maintain your morale, which Lu Bu's presence severely undermines.

Lu Bu will eventually move towards your main base to confront Yuan Shao. While the instinct might be to chase after him, remember the cardinal rule of *Dynasty Warriors*: do not pursue Lu Bu. Liu Bei's forces will engage him, buying you precious time to focus on defeating Dong Zhuo. This creates a ticking clock for the mission; Liu Bei's army can't hold Lu Bu off indefinitely, and once they retreat, you need to be on the verge of defeating Dong Zhuo, or Lu Bu will end the mission by defeating Yuan Shao.

Go After Dong Zhuo

With Lu Bu distracted, quickly replenish your health with meat buns at any of your conquered bases if necessary, then return to the gate. While Cao Cao prepares his charge, divert your attention to the northern and western bases and capture them. Once you have all three squads ready and fully healed, enter the commander's circle closest to you and launch your attack on Dong Zhuo.

You'll face a massive army, and Dong Zhuo will unleash his first Grand Tactic, bombarding you with fireballs. Your immediate goal is to destroy the two front catapults. If you can, activate Musou Rage to break through the wall of soldiers guarding the catapults. Clear the path by defeating the soldiers and officers around them, allowing your troops to demolish the catapults and end Dong Zhuo's tactic.

As you advance, Dong Zhuo will initiate another Grand Tactic, again using fireballs. To stop this, you must defeat one of his officers. Head up the stairs on the right to confront the officer, but be prepared for an ambush by Diaochan, who has sided with Dong Zhuo. If possible, duel her; defeating her will make the subsequent fight with the officer more manageable.

With the second Grand Tactic thwarted, the path to Dong Zhuo becomes clearer. By this point, your forces should have sufficient morale to overwhelm his remaining troops, and Lu Bu should still be occupied with Liu Bei. Additionally, Dian Wei might launch a supportive Grand Tactic, further easing your advance. While it might be tempting to duel Dong Zhuo, a regular attack will suffice as his forces will be significantly weakened.

Successfully completing the Battle of Hulao Gate in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* marks a significant achievement. The game is now available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S, offering players the chance to relive this epic battle.