“Among men, Lu Bu. Among horses, Red Hare.” “Do not pursue Lu Bu.” These recurring lines in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* make one thing perfectly clear – engaging Lu Bu in battle is a daunting challenge. But what if you're determined to face the so-called "God of War"? Here's everything you need to know to take him down.
Should You Fight Lu Bu in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?
Make no mistake—fighting Lu Bu is no ordinary encounter. During my playthrough of *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*, it took over an hour to finally claim victory over this legendary warrior. So why even bother? There are several compelling reasons.
First, there’s the prestige factor. Beating Lu Bu earns you serious bragging rights among players and serves as a testament to your skill. Second, depending on your story path, you may have no choice—if you align with Shu or Wei, you’ll confront Lu Bu in Chapter 4 during the Battle of Xiapi. Lastly, defeating him at the Battle of Hulao Gate grants you the trophy “The Strongest,” and if you manage to beat him in the post-game content, you'll unlock the game’s final weapon: the halberd. Clearly, the rewards are well worth the effort.
Lu Bu’s First Phase
Before stepping into battle, proper preparation is essential. Equip a fast-hitting weapon like a sword that can stagger Lu Bu effectively. Choose Battle Arts that require minimal Bravery, activate quickly, and offer wide area coverage. During my fight, I used Falcon Flurry, Mad Blade Rush, Absconding Slash, and Flying Dragon Slash. Additionally, equip accessories such as Divine Bird’s Wing and Divine Turtle’s Shell to boost health and defense—crucial for surviving his punishing strikes. Finally, use a weapon with a skill that grants Bravery upon performing Perfect Evades, as this will be your primary source of Bravery throughout the fight.
Most encounters with Lu Bu begin with him mounted on his trusted steed, Red Hare. This phase is relatively straightforward—Lu Bu charges across the battlefield at high speed but occasionally stops to rest. When he pauses, unleash your strongest Battle Art and retreat immediately. While his attacks lack significant AoE (except when Red Hare leaps into the air and slams back down), they’re still dangerous. Once his health drops to 80%, he dismounts, signaling the start of the real challenge.
Lu Bu’s Second Phase
Once off Red Hare, Lu Bu becomes significantly more aggressive. He dashes around the battlefield rapidly, often glowing red before launching unbreakable combos. If he charges toward you, evade swiftly—he usually does so in sets of three. Watch out for his grab attempt, which deals massive damage; however, it can be evaded just like his regular charge attacks.
His most dangerous move occurs when he glows orange. With little warning, he fires three volleys of massive arrows from afar, juggling you and draining your health instantly. To counter this, use a long-range Battle Art like Absconding Slash. Attempting to close the gap with short-range moves like Palm Strike will almost certainly result in death. Always keep your Musou gauge charged—it offers temporary invincibility, potentially saving you from a fatal combo.
Fortunately, Lu Bu is vulnerable to juggling in this phase. Landing rapid hits allows you to build up your Battle Arts and break his Fortitude meter faster. Stay close to anticipate his movements and react accordingly. Master the art of evasion—your survival depends on it.
Lu Bu’s Final Phase
When Lu Bu enters his Musou Rage, the final phase begins. Now immune to staggering, he unleashes relentless attacks without pause. Your goal is to deplete his Fortitude bar before he completes his full Musou attack sequence. If he succeeds, he will chain another Musou attack, forcing you to restart the phase.
Use every resource at your disposal—activate Musou attacks when he approaches, spam Battle Arts, and strike with precision and intensity. Breaking his Fortitude is crucial to ending the fight and claiming victory over this seemingly unstoppable force.
And that’s how you defeat Lu Bu in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*. The game is now available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.
