How To Duel Enemies in Dynasty Warriors: Origins

While *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* might immerse you in the thrill of battling countless nameless foes, one of the most engaging gameplay elements making a comeback from previous entries is the dueling system. Here's how duels work in this latest installment.

What Are Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?

Duels, a feature that first debuted in *Dynasty Warriors 4*, have returned after over two decades in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*. You won't be able to engage in duels right away; this ability becomes available starting from Chapter 2. However, duels aren't available against just any enemy. You can only challenge high-ranking and prominent enemy officers. When these officers appear on the battlefield, you'll have a brief window to initiate a duel by pressing both the R1 and L1 buttons simultaneously.

Once you start a duel, an arena of soldiers will encircle you, setting the stage for a one-on-one showdown with the enemy officer. Unlike standard combat, duels have a unique mechanic: a bar at the top of the screen tracks the progress of both duelists. Each hit you land on your opponent will fill your portion of the meter, while their hits will do the same for them.

The objective of a duel is to damage your opponent enough to completely fill your side of the meter. Your starting position on the meter isn't influenced by your health but by your overall morale. If you're winning, your bar will start more filled; if you're losing, your opponent's will be more advanced. If the battle is evenly matched, both bars will be equal. During a 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. Remember, time is limited, but there's no need for recklessness.

Winning a duel in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* grants you the ability to deal a significant amount of damage to your opponent and boosts your morale considerably. Losing, however, results in heavy damage to yourself and a severe morale drop for your army, which can be disastrous late in a battle. If neither side wins, both duelists simply disengage and the game continues as normal, with no penalties. However, in certain "inescapable duels," losing means automatic mission failure, while winning ensures victory in the battle. Thus, initiating a duel can be a strategic move, but underestimating your opponent can lead to dire consequences.

And that's how you duel in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*.

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