Note: As you unlock more characters, your lineup will change during replays, so only allies who are always present in each stage will be listed. Generals and officers whose appearance is determinant are marked with asterisks. The narrations shown for the first and second stages are those which appear if you played the stage second, while those for the final stage of each chapter appear if you played both the previous stages.
Chapter 1: A Hero of Chaos[]
- The Han Dynasty, long the center of power, suffers from internal strife and corruption. In response to this oppression, numerous uprisings began to surface across the land.
- Led by their leader Zhang Jiao, the followers of the religious sect known as The Way of Peace rise up in protest to the corruption besieging the land. This revolt came to be known as the Yellow Turban Rebellion, due to the yellow scarves worn around the heads of Zhang's followers.
- In response to this dire situation, the Imperial Court sends out a call to arms across the land, raising an army under the command of General He Jin to combat the Yellow Turban threat. Amongst these brave warriors, the face of the talented and ambitious Cao Cao could be seen...
Yellow Turban Menace: Han Forces Vs. Yellow Turbans[]
"The Yellow Turbans have surrounded Xia Pi Castle. Defeat their commander Zhang Liang!"
- Cao Cao's forces succeed in foiling Zhang Bao's sorcery, and capture the Yellow Turban fortress. Thanks to this victory, Cao Cao's name spreads throughout the land, and he is referred to by his peers as a "Hero of Chaos".
- With their base of operations lost, the Yellow Turbans, led by Zhang Liang, attempt a surprise attack on the Han forces in hopes of creating confusion. Meanwhile, the leader of the Yellow Turbans, Zhang Jiao, continues to gather his forces for the final battle...
Commanders: Huangfu Song Vs. Zhang Liang
Han Forces | Yellow Turbans |
---|---|
Huangfu Song Cao Cao (+2 playables) Sun Jian (+Sun Shang Xiang and 1 playable) Liu Bei (+2 playables) |
Zhang Liang (+ Han Xian) Zhang Man Cheng Huang Shao Deng Mao Liu Pi Guan Hai Gao Sheng He Yi Yan Zheng |
As Wei, players start at the western position of the map, engaging Deng Mao and Huang Shao. Although the player can help Liu Bei out with Gao Sheng, it is recommended to watch out for the rain storm that comes after Zhang Liang summons it. This will cause Huangfu Song to advance through the stream in the castle only to be met by He Yi leading an ambush party out of the rain. Give the commander a hand and continue marching forward. Sun Jian and Liu Bei can take care of themselves throughout the battle. After Huangfu Song exits the castle, Yan Zheng will appear as a second ambush party. Upon reaching Zhang Liang's location, he will activate the geysers which behave as an environmental hazard. Walk pass those springs and put Zhang Liang down. By clearing this stage and defeating him before he escapes, he will not appear in the last battle.
Yellow Turban Fortress: Han Forces Vs. Yellow Turbans[]
"Dispel Zhang Bao's sorcery and take down the Yellow Turban Fortress!"
- Cao Cao's army defeats Zhang Liang, thereby driving back the Yellow Turban Forces. Thanks to this victory, Cao Cao's name spreads throughout the land, and he is referred to by his peers as a "Hero of Chaos".
- In response, the Yellow Turban forces take up a defensive position within Zhang Bao's fortress in hopes of repelling any further attacks by the Imperial Army. Meanwhile, the leader of the Yellow Turbans, Zhang Jiao, continues to gather his forces for the final battle...
Commanders: Zhu Jun Vs. Zhang Bao
Han Forces | Yellow Turbans |
---|---|
Zhu Jun Cao Cao (+2 playables) Sun Jian (+2 playables) Liu Bei (+2 playables) |
Zhang Bao Cheng Yuanzhi Pei Yaun Shao Zhou Cang Bo Zhang He Yi |
Cao Cao and Liu Bei will attack from the east while Sun Jian will march from the west. Attack He Yi and defeat him to pass through the circular path. Go closer to the south and Pei Yuan Shao will use strong winds to slow you down. Upon entering the bottom path, destroy the 3 windmills to make the winds die down. You can go around the back and defeat the guard captain at the west fort to access it. Once inside, you will be ambushed by a phantom army, and you will also notice there are 2 cauldrons, one on each side. Destroy the cauldrons and defeat Zhou Cang to clear the way for Sun Jian. Finally, defeat Cheng Yuanzhi to open the main fortress gate and eliminate Zhang Bao. By clearing this stage and defeating Zhang Bao before his escape, he will not appear in the final battle of this chapter.
Yellow Turban Rebellion: Han Forces Vs. Yellow Turbans[]
"Defeat Yellow Turban leader Zhang Jiao and bring an end to their rebellion!"
- Cao Cao's forces thwart the oncoming attacks of the Yellow Turbans, and succeed in capturing their fortress. After these victories, Cao Cao is considered a central figure within the Imperial Army.
- Forced to retreat, Zhang Jiao gathers his troops in a final attempt at resistance against the Han forces. Will the Yellow Turban Rebellion be quelled? Will Cao Cao gain a foothold on his path to greatness? Everything depends on this one battle...
Commanders: He Jin Vs. Zhang Jiao
Han Forces | Yellow Turbans |
---|---|
He Jin Cao Cao (+2 playables) Sun Jian (+2 playables) Liu Bei (+2 playables) |
Zhang Jiao (+ Huang Shao, Liu Pi, Han Xian & Zhou Cang) Zhang Bao* Zhang Liang* Zhang Man Cheng (+ Guan Hai) Bo Zhang (+ Deng Mao) Pei Yuan Shao (+ He Yi & Yan Zheng) Cheng Yuanzhi (+ Gao Sheng) |
Cao Cao will march from the east while Sun Jian will advance in the west. Liu Bei will attack the center and join the other two forces, usually meeting up with Sun Jian and his forces. If Zhang Liao or Zhang Bao escaped the previous battles, they will use their magic to hinder the player from reaching Zhang Jiao. Assisting Sun Jian or Liu Bei is not mandatory, though the additional experience may prove useful in future battles to come.
Chapter 2: The Alliance Against Dong Zhuo[]
- The Yellow Turban Rebellion is finally brought to an end, thanks to the efforts of the brave heroes of the Han Forces. Due to his extraordinary feats in battle, Cao Cao becomes known throughout the land as a "Hero of Chaos".
- Following the rebellion, it is Dong Zhuo who seizes control of the Imperial Court. With the mighty Lu Bu by his side, Dong Zhuo's power knows no limits as he rules the capital with an iron fist.
- Unable to bear Dong Zhuo's tyranny any longer, regional leaders across the land answer Cao Cao's call to arms and an allied force is formed under Yuan Shao in an attempt to overthrow the evil dictator. Cao Cao and the newly formed Allied Force begin their march on the capital of Luo Yang...
Battle of Si Shui Gate: Allied Forces Vs. Dong Zhuo's Forces[]
"Attack Luo Yang's defensive stronghold at Si Shui Gate and defeat Li Jue!"
Commanders: Yuan Shao Vs. Li Jue
Allied Forces | Dong Zhuo's Forces |
---|---|
Yuan Shao (+ Zhang He) Yuan Shu Gongsun Zan Cao Cao (+1 playable) Sun Jian (+1 playable) Liu Bei (+1 playable) |
Li Jue (+ Li Meng & Yang Feng) Hua Xiong (+ Zhao Cen & Hu Zhen) Fan Chou (+ Wang Fang) Guo Si Li Ru Li Su Niou Fu Gao Shun Zhang Liao/Dong Min |
The player starts the battle near Cao Cao and the first three generals of Dong Zhuo's army: Li Su, Niu Fu, and Gao Shun. Go ahead and take them out so that Cao Cao can join Sun Jian's assault at Si Shui Gate. As you know, Sun Jian will request for supplies to be sent to his army. Yuan Shu will not do so and hold the supply cargo unit back. Having no choice you must help out Cao Cao and Sun Jian since they are both camped at Si Shui Gate. If you got a horse, haul your butt to Liu Bei's position where the back road is. Since you are at Liu Bei's area, help him out and take the back road into the enemy supply depot. Defeat Fan Chou and Sun Jian will be ready to assault Si Shui Gate. After you arrive at the gate, join in the fighting and defeat Hua Xiong. Later on, Zhang Liao (if he is not unlocked yet Dong Min will take his place otherwise) will appear to take Yuan Shao's head so put him down before that happens. Defeat Li Jue or allow him to retreat.
The Battle of Hu Lao Gate: Allied Forces Vs. Dong Zhuo's Forces[]
"Break through Hu Lao Gate, evade Lu Bu and defeat Dong Zhuo!"
- The Allied Forces' first objective is to take out Luo Yang's defenses at Si Shui Gate. After defeating Hua Xiong, Cao Cao and the others successfully overpower Li Jue and break through the first gate.
- The Allied Forces reach Hu Lao Gate, the only obstacle left between them and Dong Zhuo. But guarding the gate is the mighty Lu Bu. Will the Allied Forces be able to bring an end to the evil reign of Dong Zhuo?
Commanders: Yuan Shao Vs. Dong Zhuo
Allied Forces | Dong Zhuo's Forces |
---|---|
Yuan Shao (+ Yan Liang & Wen Chou) Yuan Shu Gongsun Zan Cao Cao (+1 playable) Sun Jian (+1 playable) Liu Bei (+1 playable) |
Dong Zhuo (+ Fan Chou, Niou Fu & Wang Fang) Li Jue (+ Jia Xu) Diao Chan Zhang Liao/Dong Min (+ Gao Shun) Guo Si (+ Li Meng) Li Ru (+ Xu Rong) Lu Bu Hua Xiong* (+ Zhao Cen* & Hu Zhen*) |
At the start of the battle, Cao Cao will assault from Zhu Qiao Gate while Liu Bei will attack from Xuan Wu Gate, though Li Ru will spring an archer ambush to stall Cao Cao from reaching him. However, if Si Shui Gate was done first, the Allies get a morale boost at the start of the stage. After you managed to break through the gate, a siege ram will appear to destroy Hu Lao Gate. Head for Hu Lao Gate and eliminate the Guard Captains there to increase the chance of survival for the ram. Once the gate falls, the allied army will rush in to meet Lu Bu guarding the inside. You can fight him as he will always challenge you to a duel or you can run pass him towards Diao Chan. Once you gained entrance into the last area, Dong Zhuo will set the city on fire. At that time, Yuan Shao will advance the main army. Defeat Dong Zhuo or make him retreat to seize victory.
Wei Tales: Return of the Yellow Turbans[]
- Fleeing to Han Zhong, Zhang Jiao allies himself with Zhang Lu, another mystical leader. Together with the remaining Yellow Turbans, he attempts to start another rebellion. Determined to eliminate the Yellow Turbans once and for all, Cao Cao moves in to attack...
Eliminate Zhang Jiao: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Yellow Turbans[]
"Defeat Zhang Jiao before he joins with Zhang Lu's forces!"
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Zhang Jiao
How to get it: Skip the Yellow Turban Menace in Chapter 1 and allow Zhang Jiao to escape in the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
Cao Cao's Forces | Yellow Turbans |
---|---|
Cao Cao Xiahou Dun Xu Huang |
Zhang Jiao (+ Zhang Bao & Zhang Liang) Pei Yuan Shao Bo Zhang He Yi Zhang Lu |
A common misconception is that you have to play the Yellow Turban Fortress and Yellow Turban Rebellion in order to unlock this stage, but in reality, the former stage is optional. Anyway, Xu Huang will try to stall Zhang Lu's army while Xiahou Dun will take over the fortress to keep him from advancing (Yes, this is why this battle happens after Ch 2 for Wei instead of Ch 1 like the other two kingdoms, because Xiahou Yuan, the last initial character, is replaced by Xu Huang, who is unlocked after Ch 2). Assist them both as best you can because Zhang Lu will arrive real quick. Once you've done that, rush to the fortress up top and take out the generals guarding the area. Do not even bother trying to reach Zhang Jiao because strong winds will keep you from getting to him.
The main objective here is to beat Zhang Lu's soldiers to cause the real Zhang Lu to appear so do not bother even trying to beat him. If Zhang Lu reaches Zhang Jiao then they both will cast a spell on your army to cause everyone (Including Xiahou Dun and Xu Huang) to turn against Cao Cao, and the spell can't be broken. Once Zhang Lu's army is defeated, the real Zhang Lu (not the illusion) will appear at the second fortress in the north. Once Zhang Lu is defeated, Zhang Jiao will use a spell that causes the soldiers to revolt (but not the generals). Cao Cao and his generals will struggle, but they will not be routed if you break the spell. Once the strong winds have stopped, get to Zhang Jiao's position as quick as you can and destroy the 3 large cauldrons. With the spell gone, Zhang Jiao will be easy for you to beat and this will be the end of the Yellow Turbans forever.
Chapter 3: The Rise of Cao Cao[]
- The Allied Forces succeed in foiling the evil ambition of Dong Zhuo. However, this is only the beginning of an age of unrest. The numerous leaders of the Allied Forces return to their territories, and begin their personal quests to take over the land.
- Cao Cao himself returns to He Nan, where he welcomes the Emperor and begins a mass military build-up. But the esteemed Yuan Shao, whose enormous army commands the entire He Bei region, would become an immediate obstacle for Cao Cao.
- Furthermore, with Lu Bu in the east at Xia Pi, and Zhang Xiu in the south at Wan Castle, Cao Cao is trapped within a wall of enemies. If Cao Cao could turn these threats into opportunity, the dream of absolute conquest would come closer to fruition...
Battle of Xia Pi: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Lu Bu's Forces[]
"Surround Xia Pi Castle, and isolate Lu Bu as he tries to break through!"
- Before his confrontation with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao heads south to deal with Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu initially surrenders, but immediately revolts and launches a sneak attack on Cao Cao at Wan Castle. Cao Cao is taken by surprise.
- After a successful counter-attack against Zhang Xiu, a victorious Cao Cao leads his men back to Xu Chang and regroups. Yuan Shao's army has finally mobilized, but Lu Bu, holed up inside Xia Pi Castle, must also be dealt with...
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Lu Bu
Cao Cao's Forces | Lu Bu's Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Guo Jia) Xiahou Dun Liu Bei (+ Guan Yu & Zhang Fei) 1 other playable |
Lu Bu Chen Gong Diao Chan Zhang Liao/Gao Shun Zang Ba Song Xian Wei Xu Hou Cheng Yuan Shu* (+ Ji Ling*, Lei Bo* & Chen Lan*) |
Right from the beginning, Zang Ba will attack the main camp from the north west while Zhang Liao will launch a surprise attack on Xiahou Dun near the east gate. Go over there and bail Xiahou Dun out and Zhang Liao will join Cao Cao's forces, convincing many of Lu Bu's men to desert him (You can also unlock Zhang Liao with Lu Bu after you clear any main campaign once. Also, if you replay this stage on Musou Mode, he will be replaced by Gao Shun). Return back to the north and eliminate Zang Ba. Some time later, Xiahou Dun will have a cut scene where he takes an arrow to his eye, but despite his wounds, he will still keep on fighting. Next, Lu Bu will slowly realize that he is out-numbered and try to send a carriage to the west territory to ally with Yuan Shu. You can stop the carriage or if you love a challenge, or need the experience, then allow the carriage safe passage. Around the land, there are three generals who will surrender when their life is low: Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng. Go ahead and get rid of them to cause Lu Bu's morale to drop. Once the three generals have surrendered, Chen Gong will automatically surrender as well, though you'll need to approach him to trigger a cutscene of him surrendering to your character.
In case you did not notice, the north gate in the west area is open so head on in to notice the stream going through the castle. Take this moment to either defeat Diao Chan and make Lu Bu go on a rampage or return to the large rock that was located north near the enemy gate captain. Once the rocks have slowed down the stream, you can easily pass through with little difficulty. Also, the Red Hare horse will cause Lu Bu's morale to be low so get it before him, but that does not mean you actually get the horse. After some time passes in the battle, Yuan Shu will appear to reinforce Lu Bu if you let the carriage go or not. Defeat Yuan Shu and his officers to take a lot of trouble off your back and put Lu Bu in his place; however, you can end this battle quickly if you:
- A.) Defeat all the generals on the outside of the castle.
- B.) Stop the carriage from passing through the west gate captain or defeat Yuan Shu
- C.) Allow Chen Gong to surrender.
If those things are done then Lu Bu and Diao Chan will retreat (If you can defeat Diao Chan before she or Lu Bu escapes, then Lu Bu will not retreat). Should that happen, Lu Bu will appear as reinforcements for Zhang Xiu in Wan Castle. Clearing this stage will prevent Lu Bu from appearing in the last battle. If you happen to be playing as Xiahou Dun, you can earn his level 10 weapon by taking out Diao Chan after getting shot in the eye.
Battle of Wan Castle: Cao Cao's Focres Vs. Zhang Xiu's Forces[]
"Hold off Zhang Xiu's ambush and rescue the isolated Cao Cao!"
- Before his confrontation with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao heads east. Leaving Lu Bu unchecked could prove disastrous. Using his cunning, Cao Cao attacks Xia Pi Castle and defeats the mighty Lu Bu.
- If Yuan Shao had attacked from behind during the last battle, all would have been lost. But as Cao Cao predicts, the indecisive Yuan Shao does not act. If Cao Cao takes the initiative here, defeating Yuan Shao's massive army would not be as difficult as it seemed.
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Zhang Xiu
Cao Cao's Forces | Zhang Xiu's Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Xu Zhu*) Dian Wei Cao Ang Cao An Min |
Zhang Xiu (+ Fan Chou) Hu Che Er (+ Zhao Cen) Jia Xu (+ Hu Zhen) Lu Bu* |
All you have to do here is make sure Cao Cao gets away. The only problem here is you got to back track a lot. Start off by eliminating the officer and gate captain near you. Next, move south to the next officer and put him out of the way. Later, Dian Wei will have a cut scene as he helps Cao Cao to safety. After you cleared out the generals and officers in the area, Cao Cao will be stalled by the fires within the castle. Although he is trapped, Dian Wei (Xu Zhu will replace him if the player uses Dian Wei) will provide Cao Cao with a way out. Defeat Zhang Xiu one last time and make sure Cao Cao has a clear shot for the exit. Completing this stage before Xia Pi gives you a small advantage, however if Lu Bu escaped from Xia Pi, then he will be here to stop Cao Cao, so you have to put him out of the way. If you happen to be playing as Dian Wei, you can earn his level 10 weapon, and for that you have to clear out the generals and trigger the two cutscenes mentioned above (you have to time the second cutscene right in order to get the weapon).
Battle of Guan Du: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Yuan Shao's Forces[]
"Destroy Yuan Shao's vast army by hitting its weak spot!"
- Before dealing with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao rids himself of Lu Bu in the east and Zhang Xiu in the south, thereby removing any concerns of being flanked from the rear. Cao Cao is now able to concentrate solely on his upcoming battle with Yuan Shao.
- Crossing the Yellow River, Yuan Shao's massive army is met by Cao Cao's army at Guan Du. The two forces clash in a battle that is to determine who would control the Central Plains of China. A time of reckoning had arrived for Cao Cao.
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Yuan Shao
Cao Cao's Forces | Yuan Shao's Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Jia Xu & Cheng Yu) Xun You Man Chong (+ Cao Hong) Li Dian Xun Yu Yu Jin (+ Wang Lang, Song Xian & Wei Xu) Guan Yu Playable 1 (+ Yue Jin) Playable 2 (+ Guo Jia) Dian Wei* |
Yuan Shao (+ Yuan Tan, Xun Chen & Ju Shou) Yuan Xi (+ Guo Tu & Han Meng) Yuan Shang Yan Liang Wen Chou Zhang He (+ Gao Lan) Liu Bei (+ Zhang Fei) Chunyu Qiong Lu Wei Kuang Lu Bu* |
As the battle starts off, players may choose to win the short way or the long way. The short way is by defending Bai Ma and Yan Jin and not letting them fall. The long way involves piercing through the enemy's assaults. Yan Liang will attack near Bai Ma and after slaying two officers, those officers being Lu Bu's former officers Wei Xu and Song Xian, Guan Yu will come out to attack. You can keep Guan Yu in this battle by defeating Liu Bei before he meets him. Guan Yu will attack and defeat Yan Liang and Wen Chou. You'll notice that Guan Yu is powered up for this battle as he is surrounded by orange lightning. Yan Liang and Wen Chou are as well, but lose theirs once Guan Yu announces he's come for their heads. After a couple of minutes have passed (or once you defeat those two), Yuan Shao will appear and launch a full-scale assault on both Bai Ma and Yan Jin. If you want to ensure the fall of Bai Ma or Yan Jin then you must lure enemy generals to your comrades. Once Bai Ma or Yan Jin falls, head for the castle Guan Du as you mount up a strong defense. If you choose to help them, be warned that around when you defeat Yuan Xi while he's attacking Yu Jin in Bai Ma, if you skipped the Battle of Xia Pi and went straight to this stage, Lu Bu will then appear to reinforce Yuan Shao. Strangely enough, he has a unit of Lady Guards with him, but Diao Chan did not join him for this battle.
Do not worry about the other generals that were routed, just stay on defense and wait for the opposing army to come. Once they arrive, 3 siege rams will appear to destroy the walls of Guan Du. At that time, Wu Chao's location will be marked on the map. Cao Cao himself shall go assault Wu Chao and you can either join him or stay on defense at Guan Du. Once you destroy the rams, nothing can stop you from that point on, but destroying Wu Chao will give you a bonus. As the assault on Wu Chao begins, Yuan Shao will send reinforcements to the location. After you successfully destroyed Wu Chao, you will be on your way to win the battle. Also, Zhang He will want to serve only the most beautiful general, and defect to Cao Cao's forces (unless he's already unlocked, then he won't appear in the battle at all). If you didn't unlock Zhang He here, you will have to clear 11 stages to unlock him. With Wu Chao burning, Cao Cao's Army's morale will rise up and start beating back the enemy. After all enemy officers have been defeated, Yuan Shao himself will retreat in shock that he was beaten by Cao Cao.
You can earn Xu Huang's level 10 weapon here, and for that you have to destroy Wu Chao while allowing Guan Du to be demolished by the rams (The crucial part is the cutscene showing the castle wall collapsing, the same cutscene required for Yuan Shao's level 10 weapon, so you can afford to destroy two rams, the one bashing the gates and the one at the western wall. The ram that will trigger the cutscene is the one in between, next to the gates).
Wei Tales: Guan Yu's Escape[]
- Guan Yu Had been serving under Cao Cao as a guest general, but upon learning the whereabouts of Liu Bei, he immediately leaves his ranks. Cao Cao respected Guan Yu, but also knew he was too dangerous to be made into an enemy once more. Cao Cao sends a force to prevent Guan Yu from escaping.
Guan Yu's Escape: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Guan Yu's Forces[]
"Chase down Guan Yu and the carriage and dispatch any enemies in the way!"
Commanders: Xiahou Dun Vs. Guan Yu
How to get it: Skip the Yellow Turban Fortress in Chapter 1, then clear both stages in Chapter 2.
Cao Cao's Forces | Liu Bei's Forces |
---|---|
Xiahou Dun | Guan Yu Sun Qian Zhou Cang Liao Hua Guan Ping Liu Bei Zhang Fei |
A common misconception is that to unlock this stage, you have to go straight to the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Chapter 1, but that's not necessary. It is highly recommended to obtain a good horse like Red Hare or Shadow Rider to clear this battle. Although players can eliminate all the enemy officers blocking the way, they run the risk of letting Guan Yu or the carriage reach the escape point. Moreover, defeating Guan Yu is a much easier task than simply clearing the map of enemies. However, if you decide to attack the carriage, Guan Yu will reveal the first one to be a decoy. You'll need to wreck the second one if you decide to avoid Guan Yu to win the stage before either of them escape. Also, you may want to get past the final gate, as that will cause a supply unit to appear at the fourth gate. Defeat the supply captain to obtain the Way of Musou.
Wei Tales: The Yuan Family's Pride[]
- Following the Battle of Guan Du, Yuan Shao flees to the north and begins plotting his revenge. To the proud Yuan Shao, his only goal now is to regain his honor. Will Cao Cao be able to survive his wreath?
Battle of Ji Province: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Yuan Shao's Forces[]
"Drive a wedge between the three brothers and destroy the Yuan Family!"
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Yuan Shao
How to get it: Go straight to Hu Lao Gate in Ch 2, then in Ch 3 let Yuan Shao retreat in the Battle of Guan Du.
Cao Cao's Forces | Yuan Shao's Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao Zhang He Yue Jin Li Dian 2 other playables |
Yuan Shao Yuan Tan (+ Guo Tu, Xin Ping & Xin Pi) Yuan Shang (+ Feng Ji, Shen Pei & Lu Xiang) Yuan Xi Gao Gan Lu Kuang |
A common misconception is that to unlock this stage, you have to defeat Lu Bu at Hu Lao Gate, but you don't have to. Defeat the three generals outside of the two fortresses in the north. Once you knock off one of the officers under Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan, you will see that the Yuan brothers are at each others throat, especially once you take out their other brother, Yuan Xi, the lynchpin. Time to talk one of them over. Yuan Shang is on the left while Yuan Tan waits in the right. Take your pick and either Yuan Shang or Yuan Tan will join you with their surviving troops and officers. After the other brother is defeated in battle, Yuan Shao will arrive to see his family in such a mess. Once the other brother is caught in his own anger, he will quickly rejoin Yuan Shao, but it won't matter at that point. Defeat the last two members of the Yuan family to clear the battle.
Chapter 4: The War Against Liu Bei[]
- Having defeated his nemesis Yuan Shao at Guan Du, Cao Cao takes control over the northern territories that once belonged to his long-time rival. As the ruler of the Central Plains, Cao Cao had become one of, if not the most powerful leader in the land.
- There is one man whom Cao Cao considered to be a hero, and therefore a great threat. That man's name is Liu Bei. However, Liu Bei currently controls no land, and is serving as a guest general under Liu Biao of the Jing Province.
- Cao Cao advances his army towards Jing. Facing certain defeat, Liu Bei decides to flee. If Liu Bei is to reach the Kingdom of Wu, and an alliance is formed, it would mean trouble, even for an army as formidable as Cao Cao's. Liu Bei must be stopped!
Battle of Bo Wan Po: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Liu Bei's Forces[]
"Be wary of Zhuge Liang's schemes and defeat Liu Bei quickly!"
- Moving south, Cao Cao's army catches up to Liu Bei at Chang Ban. Liu Bei's men fight valiantly, but are no match for Cao Cao's well-trained troops. They are scattered and forced to retreat.
- Liu Bei's remaining forces led by Zhuge Liang attempt to shake off Cao Cao's pursuit by changing direction and heading to Bo Wan Po. Meanwhile, Liu Bei himself prepares a fleet to escape into Wu Territory...
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Liu Bei
Cao Cao's Forces | Liu Bei's Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Xu Shu) Li Dian Yu Jin Han Hao 2 other playables |
Liu Bei Zhuge Liang Jian Yong Zhao Yun Liu Feng Guan Ping Guan Yu Zhang Fei |
As the soldiers start their march into the woods, Zhao Yun will be seen at the first cross path and will retreat when the soldiers attack. The only two ways to prevent the fire attack is by either knocking Zhao Yun away from his destination (he will keep fleeing until he lures you to Guan Ping's ambush) or challenge him to a duel which is done by letting him attack the soldiers first before you make your advance on him. Once you have defeated Zhao Yun, let your allies discover the traps and ambushes throughout the land. Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei will eventually disappear from the front line and appear later on. As your soldiers advance further into the forests, Guan Yu will later on appear to begin his attack, but he won't be as tough as he should be when his ambush is successful. Close to the end of the battle, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang will appear next to your supply depot. If you managed to prevent all the traps in the forest, Zhang Fei will not burn the supply depot. Moreover, a fast horse will be needed for this level. Also, by clearing this stage, Zhuge Liang will be weaker in the final battle.
Battle of Chang Ban: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Liu Bei's Forces[]
"Chase the fleeing Liu Bei. Eliminate everyone who stands in the way!"
- As Cao Cao's army heads south, it is met by a force led by Liu Bei's strategist, Zhuge Liang. True to his reputation as a genius, Zhuge Liang utilizes various intricate schemes and tactics against them, but in the end it would be Cao Cao's cunning and the might of his officers that would prevail.
- Defeated, Liu Bei's army flees south to Chang Ban. It is apparent that Liu Bei means to propose an alliance to the Sun Family of Wu. For that, Liu Bei would need to travel by ship down the Chang Jiang...
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Liu Bei
Cao Cao's Forces | Liu Bei's Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Xiahou En) Zhu Ling 4 other playables |
Liu Bei Zhao Yun Zhang Fei (+ Liao Hua) Zhuge Liang (+ Sun Qian) Zhou Cang Mi Zhu Ma Su Liu Qi Guan Yu |
The very famous battle that made Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei very famous. As Liu Bei flees from Cao Cao, it is your objective to prevent him from reaching the Chang Jiang river. Although it can be tough, there is a way to make it a lot easier. As you rush down towards the south, Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei will be along the way to stop you. Once you get near Liu Bei, perform the taunt and lure him back towards the north so your allies can keep him busy. It may be a lot of work, but it will save you the time you need to get rid of the other generals. Although Liu Bei's escape boat may arrive, it won't matter much if he is trapped behind your lines. Defeat the remaining generals on the field and claim yourself another victory! Also, clearing this level will deplete Liu Bei's forces in the final battle.
Still, Liu Bei won't advance unless you've managed to close distance with him. Once he crosses the Chang Ban Bridge guarded by Zhang Fei, he stops until you catch up, which is usually once you engage Zhang Fei at the bridge, or Zhuge Liang in the central fortress, then he'll move towards Mi Zhu and the southern fortress gates to await the arrival of Liu Qi, which happens once you reach the narrow path above said gates he passes through to reach the escape ship. This can buy you some time to go after all of his officers for experience if your character needs it as the longer you can keep Liu Bei from moving closer to his escape point until you can engage him, the better, especially if you can catch him in the narrow path between the two gates as if your allies can catch him in a pincer move there, he'll have no way to reach the escape point and lose you the stage. Also, it helps if you can defeat Zhang Fei in a duel when confronting him at the Chang Ban Bridge as it will provide a major morale boost to Cao Cao's forces, helping to ensure Liu Bei does not get away at all.
Liu Bei can escape one of two ways:
1. If you decide to ignore Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei, especially if your character is under-powered or their weapon is too weak, Liu Bei will advance until he reaches Mi Zhu's position at the southeastern gate blocking access to the escape point, where once Liu Qi's ship arrives, the gate will open and Liu Bei will make a run for it. Also, by avoiding the officers guarding Liu Bei's rear and going after Zhou Cang and then Zhuge Liang and his sub-officer, Sun Qian, this will be nothing but borrowed time as the gate will remain closed for only a short while once Liu Bei reaches Mi Zhu, so make the most of it with getting through the central fortress and catching up to Liu Bei before he can make a run for Liu Qi's escape ship.
2. If you went after Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei, while doubling back to get Zhang Fei's sub-officer Liao Hua, who had guarded the northwest entrance into the central fortress first before Zhang Fei, Liu Bei will abandon meeting up with Mi Zhu and attempt to escape via the already open southwestern gate, with Ma Su launching an ambush to slow down Cao Cao's pursuing forces from catching up, but he will hold position midway along the narrow path between the gate Mi Zhu guards and the open one until the cutscene of Liu Qi's ships arriving occurs, then make his move to escape while Ma Su keeps the enemy busy.
Either way, if you can get Liu Bei to be distracted by your bodyguards by placing them in their Hold Position stance once they engage him, they will keep him busy, buying you time to go after everyone else for the experience, if your character needs it, and to allow your allies to catch up to Liu Bei and take some pressure off of your bodyguards, so make good use of the time they buy you.
You can earn Zhen Ji's level 10 weapon here, and for that your targets are all the playable officers (Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei will always challenge you to duels, and you have to beat them in those duels).
Battle of Chi Bi: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Allied Forces[]
"A naval showdown. Take out the Wu commander, and the Alliance will fall!"
- Cao Cao sees through Zhuge Liang's ploys and defeats him at Bo Wan Po. He then goes on to crush Liu Bei's army at Chang Ban. Liu Bei's depleted forces are no longer able to face Cao Cao without support.
- Liu Bei heads east to join Wu, wagering his very survival on an alliance with the Sun Family. Cao Cao leads his massive fleet down the Chang Jiang to face both enemies. The showdown is to be at Chi Bi...
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Sun Jian
Cao Cao's Forces | Allied Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Jia Xu & Cheng Yu) 1 other playable (+ Zhu Ling) Cao Hong (+ Xun You) Xun Yu Yu Jin Man Chong Cao Pi (+ Cai Mao & Xu Shu) Yue Jin Li Dian |
Sun Jian (+ Lu Su, Zhu Huan & Jiang Qin) Zhou Yu (+ Pan Zhang & Ling Tong) Zhu Ran (+ Zhuge Jin) Gan Ning (+ Han Dang) Lu Meng Cheng Pu (+ Xu Sheng) Zhuge Liang (+ Pang Tong) Huang Gai Zhao Yun Guan Yu* |
As the battle starts, a message indicating Pang Tong's strange behavior in the northwest will be triggered. As you fight the allied army of Wu and Liu Bei, you will receive various messages from soldiers. The second message will say a strange altar is set up near the Wu camp. Moreover, you got lots of ground to cover. Although Pang Tong's ploy is not real important (Unless you are aiming for Wei's 4th ending and Cao Cao's level 10 weapon, which require you to stop Pang Tong in addition to stopping the wind prayer and fire attack. For Cao Cao's level 10 weapon, you also have to dispatch Lu Meng and Gan Ning before Huang Gai even arrives), you can still surprise him by going over to the area, forcing him to give up on his ploy and defect back to the Allies and retreat from the battlefield.
Upon your arrival near the altar, enemy reinforcements will appear, but Zhuge Liang won't have much protection. Defeating Zhuge Liang will determine which kingdom you will face for the next chapter. If you cleared out Bo Wan Po, then Zhuge Liang won't be fully healed during this battle as he and his bodyguards will have very low health bars; furthermore, if you also went through the Chang Ban battle, then reinforcements will be little, otherwise, Guan Yu will be leading the Shu reinforcements for the Allies. Defeat Zhuge Liang and he will not be able to summon the South-East Winds. Two down and one to go. You will receive word that Huang Gai is ready to join Cao Cao so head over to his position and defeat him upon his arrival. Once you prevented the plots against your army, it is a walk through the land from there on out. Take out Sun Jian and the alliance will fall before you.
Wei Tales: The Stalwart Ma Chao[]
- Liu Bei, after years of wandering the land, had finally gained a base of operations in Shu. Cao Cao, hoping to eliminate Liu Bei's new regime quickly, leads his forces towards Han Zhong. However, laying in wait there is the vengeful Ma Chao, seeking the revenge he had long waited for...
Battle of Tong Gate: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Allied Forces[]
"The vengeful Ma Chao is defending Tong Gate. Destroy him!"
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Ma Chao
How to get it: In Ch 4 skip Chang Ban.
Cao Cao's Forces | Allied Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Jia Xu & Xu Zhu) Xu Huang (+ Yu Jin) Cao Ren 2 other playables |
Ma Chao (+ Pang De & Ma Dai) Han Sui (+ Li Kan, Hou Xuan & Yang Qiu) Cheng Yin Cheng Yi Wei Yan (+ Meng Da) |
This battle is rather straightforward, though Han Sui's defection makes it much easier. Eliminate the generals in the south area and prepare to deal with Ma Chao's officers Ma Dai and Pang De. In order to get Han Sui to defect, take out all the generals on the field, leaving only Ma Chao and Han Sui. Make sure Han Sui does not have any officers under his command. After Cao Cao meets with Han Sui, he will immediately defect. Defeat Ma Chao to end the battle. You can earn Xu Zhu's level 10 weapon here by eliminating Ma Chao's sub-officers and getting Han Sui to defect.
Wei Tales: Lu Bu's Revenge[]
- Lu Bu manages to elude being captured by Cao Cao, and very quickly rebuilds his forces for a counter-attack. Will Cao Cao be able to finally put an end to the legend of Lu Bu?
Lu Bu's Offensive: Cao Cao's Forces Vs. Lu Bu's Forces[]
"Lu Bu is invading Xiao Pei. Lure him into the castle and destroy him!"
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Lu Bu
How to get it: Defeat Lu Bu at Hu Lao Gate and Guan Du, then in Chapter 4, play Chang Ban.
Cao Cao's Forces | Lu Bu's Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Xun Yu) Zhang Liao Xiahou Dun 1 other playable |
Lu Bu Diao Chan Gao Shun Zang Ba* |
First off, eliminate either Diao Chan or Gao Shun (or both if you have a horse). Lu Bu will enter the castle at some point during the battle and you will be instructed to ring each gong so the gates will close (you may want to wait for Zhang Liao to leave from the north gate and Xiahou Dun to leave from the west gate). Cao Cao will eventually leave the castle some time later and so will a few of your allies if they decide not to stay on the inside of the castle. Once you closed all the gates, a fire attack will be used on Lu Bu, but it ain't over yet. (Too easy huh?) After you enter back into the castle, you will find Lu Bu still very much alive and not in a good mood. Although the fire attack did lower his life, he is no longer a threat to you. Defeat him now and end his rage once and for all (if you need the experience, you can refuse the duel, at which point Zang Ba will arrive).
Chapter 5 (Ideal Route): The Fall of Wu[]
If you did prevent the wind from blowing in the Battle of Chi Bi, then Wu will be the kingdom you face first. (Note: If playing Fan Castle or Shi Ting as Cao Cao, he will be commander instead of Cao Ren or Sima Yi. Also, you can only achieve Wei's 4th ending by going down the ideal route.)
- Wei prepares for the final battle against Wu. The victory at Chi Bi was meant to be definitive, but the Wu forces are proving more resilient than expected. They are in fact waiting for a chance to redeem themselves after the last defeat.
- Just then, a defector from Wu emerges, offering to lead the attack into Wu territory. Furthermore, Wu spies are frequently being spotted around Fan Castle. Tensions ran high as the time for battle drew near.
- Cao Cao decides upon He Fei as the site for his main camp, and leads a large army out of Xu Chang. However, the possibility of a counter-attack could not be ignored. While keeping an eye on the Wu Forces, they head towards He Fei. A slight air of apprehension had permeated Cao Cao's ranks.
Siege of Fan Castle: Wei Forces Vs. Wu Forces[]
"Defend Fan Castle against the Wu Army. Destroy their siege weapons!"
- The Wei forces had entered Wu territory, and led by the Wu defector, they advance to Shi Ting. However this had been Lu Xun's plan all along, to lure them into a trap. But thanks to Sima Yi's quick thinking, and the courageous efforts of their officers, the Wei forces emerge victorious.
- The use of such trickery only made it clearer that Wu lacked the manpower for a direct conflict. The Wei forces grew larger daily at He Fei, and a cornered Wu Army now launches a desperate offensive against Fan Castle...
Commanders: Cao Ren Vs. Sun Quan
Wei Forces | Wu Forces |
---|---|
Cao Ren (+ Man Chong) Sima Yi Xu Zhu Zhen Ji 1 other playable Cao Xiu* |
Sun Quan (+ Cheng Pu) Lu Meng (+ Jiang Qin) Lu Xun (+ Ding Feng) Sun Shang Xiang (+ Ling Tong) Taishi Ci (+ Zhu Ran) Zhou Tai (+ Xu Sheng) Zhou Fang* |
The player's primary objective is to destroy the siege ramps and catapults. Since the siege ramps give the Wu army entrance into the castle, go after them first. The best horse to have for this stage is the Red Hare for speed or the Shadow Rider so you don't get knocked off. One of the siege ramps will move from the south while the other moves from the northeast. Not to mention, the Wu generals will try to stop you before you can eliminate their equipment. Also, you will want to have a character for this battle who uses a charge attack projectile and vorpal so you can destroy the ramps quickly. Once the ramps are gone or not, take out the catapults next and you will have stopped the siege assault. Lu Meng will launch his assault on you so go ahead and put him out of the way along with any other general on the field.
(HINT: During the destruction of the siege weapons, there are two strategy plots here that Sima Yi will use on Wu. First, there is a supply line across from Zhou Tai's gate captain in the south west of the castle. Defeat the supply captain and the gate captain to give Zhou Tai a morale drop. Second, Sima Yi's task unit will infiltrate the forest near Taishi Ci. Once they have completed the fire attack, lure Taishi Ci's unit in the forest and he will have less troops on the field.) Overall, once you destroy the siege equipment, head for Sun Quan and put the Sun kid down. If you completed Shi Ting before the Siege of Fan Castle then Cao Xiu will appear here as reinforcements. Also, completing this stage will give you a catapult in the next battle, but only if you didn't destroy all the catapults.
If you are playing as Cao Ren, you can earn his level 10 weapon, and for that you have to take out all the siege weapons and dispatch Lu Meng when he comes charging out. The crucial part is Cao Ren saying all the siege weapons are destroyed, so don't take out too many generals, otherwise Lu Meng will come out early (needless to say, two players are recommended).
Battle of Shi Ting: Wei Forces Vs. Wu Forces[]
"Evade the Wu Army's traps and defeat the mastermind, Lu Xun!"
- Aware of the Wei Army's movements, Wu decides to make the first move and sends their forces to attack the Wei stronghold, Fan Castle. However, Wei's generals mount a counterattack and manage to repel the Wu offensive.
- The Wu forces had faltered, and with a defector leading an enemy force into their territory, their internal problems had become apparent to all. Meanwhile, Wei's invasion force continues to gather at He Fei...
Commanders: Sima Yi Vs. Lu Xun
Wei Forces | Wu Forces |
---|---|
Sima Yi (+ Xin Pi) Cao Xiu (+ Zhang Pu) Jia Kui (+ Hu Zhi) Zhou Fang 1 other playable |
Lu Xun (+ Zhuge Jin) Huang Gai Zhu Huan Ding Feng Quan Zong Zhu Zhi (+ Xu Sheng) |
Although players may choose to accompany Cao Xiu, it is better to discover the enemy's plot first. Rush over to Ding Feng and defeat him to see through Lu Xun's ruse. Join up with Cao Xiu to prevent him from being ambushed. Even with the ploy foiled, Lu Xun will still use the ambush parties against you, so help out your Wei comrades. (HINT: If you completed Fan Castle beforehand, a Wei catapult will appear in the north east outside of the castle. It will head for the south gate and tear it down.) Once the gate opens, Sima Yi will order the final charge at Wu, but Lu Xun is not done yet. In one final attempt, ambush parties appear just ahead of Sima Yi's unit. Defeat Huang Gai and rush back down south to bail out Sima Yi. Once you cleared a safe path for Sima Yi, defeat the little Lu Xun and show him the way out. Also, regardless if you complete this stage or not, Lu Xun will appear in the final battle.
If you completed this stage before Fan Castle and foiled the ploy, then Cao Xiu will show up there, whereas if the ploy succeeds, it is Zhou Fang who will show up as enemy reinforcements.
Battle of He Fei: Wei Forces Vs. Wu Forces[]
"Lure Sun Jian into a trap at He Fei and eliminate him!"
- Wei shows no mercy in dealing with the Wu Forces. With their strong defense of Fan Castle, they no longer are in danger of being flanked. By foiling the Wu ploy at Shi Ting, the Wei Army manages to gather plenty of men and supplies at He Fei.
- With their plan foiled, the Wu Forces have no choice but to withdraw. Sun Jian decides to put his efforts into one decisive battle and marches from Jian Ye. Crossing the Chang Jiang, the Wu Army approaches the castle at He Fei...
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Sun Jian
Wei Forces | Wu Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Xun You) Sima Yi (+ Cao Pi & Cao Hong) Zhang Liao (+ Yue Jin) Cao Zhang (+ Pang De) 2 other playables Li Dian |
Sun Jian (+ Han Dang, Jiang Qin & Ling Tong) Lu Su (+ Ding Feng) Pan Zhang (+ Xu Sheng) Cheng Pu Zhu Ran (+ Dong Xi) Taishi Ci Lu Xun Gan Ning Sun Shang Xiang* |
At the beginning of the stage, Zhang Liao will attempt to cross the bridge and lure Sun Jian to the other side. As Wu generals and officers attack the far side paths on the left and right, if you are playing as Zhang Liao then do not cross the bridge and head for the far side paths on both the left and right. (HINT: if you play as Zhang Liao, you can attack Sun Jian later after you defeated all the generals on the field, and he will challenge you to a duel once you approach him. A huge advantage.) Once Sun Jian crosses the bridge, Sima Yi will have the bridge destroyed and Li Dian will appear as reinforcements. Although you can defeat Sun Jian before he jumps back across the bridge, it won't matter since reinforcements will come after a while. Lu Xun will reinforce in the west while Gan Ning appears in the east. To make it more fun, Taishi Ci will arrive in the middle near the bridge with additional officers under Sun Jian right with him. At this point, it is a general slug-fest. Help out where you can, but keep an eye out for which Wu general that is close to Cao Cao. After you eliminated the threats on the field, head for the tiger of Wu himself and end their fight.
Note: Just like in the Wu campaign, if you completed Fan Castle and the enemies manage to open one of He Fei's side gates (or if Cao Zhang or Pang De is routed), Sun Shang Xiang will appear with a catapult to break down the front gate, but only if you didn't destroy all the catapults in Fan Castle.
Wei Tales: Dong Zhuo Lives[]
- After barely surviving the attack by the Allied Forces, Dong Zhuo manages to escape to the Ji Province and begins to rebuild his power. It would again be Cao Cao, the architect of the first allied attack on Dong Zhuo, that rises to defeat the evil tyrant once and for all.
Dong Zhuo In Ji: Wei Forces Vs. Dong Zhuo's Forces[]
"Dong Zhuo lives! Defeat his men and drag him out into the battlefield!"
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Dong Zhuo
How to get it: In Chapter 2 let Dong Zhuo escape, then in Chapter 3 skip Wan Castle.
Wei Forces | Dong Zhuo's Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao 3 other playables |
Dong Zhuo (+ Xu Rong, Niou Fu & Hu Zhen) Dong Min Zhang Ji Zhao Cen Wang Fang Guo Si Fan Chou Li Ru Li Jue Li Meng |
Dong Zhuo has not yet arrived so defeating his generals becomes the player's top priority. While the endless enemies try to attack you and Cao Cao, put them in their place and keep defeating enemy generals before they cause trouble. Once Dong Zhuo arrives, crush him one last time.
Chapter 5 (Default Route): The Fall of Shu[]
If you did not defeat Zhuge Liang in the Battle of Chi Bi (or clear the stage before the wind prayer happens) then Shu will be the kingdom you face first. (Note: If playing Jie Ting and Wu Zhang Plains as Cao Cao, he will be commander instead of Sima Yi.)
- Wei is fresh off their victory over the combined forces of Wu and Shu at Chi Bi, but Cao Cao regrets letting Liu Bei escape. Before long, Cao Cao begins preparations for a strike against Liu Bei.
- Liu Bei sets out west from Chi Bi and takes the Shu capital of Cheng Du for his own. Furthermore, Liu Bei prepares his troops so that they are ready to march north and attack Wei, should the opportunity arise.
- Cao Cao, giving this matter his full attention, appoints his top strategist Sima Yi to deal with the Shu threat. Upon hearing this news, Shu gives the order to begin the campaign north. The Shu Army slowly approaches the border territory between Shu and Wei...
Battle of Mt. Ding Jun: Wei Forces Vs. Shu Forces[]
"Defend Mt. Ding Jun from the attacking Shu officers!"
- The Shu Forces head to Jie Ting, a key strategic point for invading Wei territory. However, going against the orders of Zhuge Liang, a Shu general lays camp at the apex of the mountain. Seeing the Shu forces' disadvantageous position, the Wei Army immediately surrounds the mountain and annihilates them.
- Having lost Jie Ting, a panicked Shu sends reinforcements to Wu Zhang Plains, west of Chang An. Sensing the perfect opportunity to destroy Shu once and for all, Wei moves in to attack...
Commanders: Xiahou Yuan and Cao Cao Vs. Liu Bei
Wei Forces | Shu Forces |
---|---|
Xiahou Yuan (+ Xiahou Shang) Yang Xiu Zhang He (+ Han Hao) Xiahou De Cao Cao |
Liu Bei (+ Fa Zheng & Chen Shi) Zhuge Liang Zhang Fei Huang Zhong (+ Yan Yan) Zhao Yun Ma Su* |
As you begin, you can chase down and defeat Chen Shi, but be wary of the archers who are waiting for you on the other side of the gate. Once you you done that, head for Xiahou De to help him against Huang Zhong. After the short cut scene, defeat the old veteran and Zhao Yun will appear later on. Put Zhao Yun to the side and head for Liu Bei. After a while, Cao Cao will show up with reinforcements so make the most of your advantage and this battle will be yours without much work. Also, if you defeat Chen Shi before he can return to Shu's main camp, Huang Zhong will appear in the final battle. If you happen to be playing as Xiahou Yuan, you can earn his level 10 weapon by eliminating Chen Shi before he makes it to the enemy base, then dispatching Huang Zhong before Cao Cao arrives.
Battle of Jie Ting: Wei Forces Vs. Shu Forces[]
"Surround the Shu Army camped at Jie Ting!"
- For Wei, Mt. Ding Jun serves as not only the frontline of the attack against Shu, but the lifeline for controlling Han Zhong as well. The Shu Forces rush the Wei troops in an attempt to take the mountain fortress, but are met with strong resistance and driven back.
- Unable to take Mt. Ding Jun, the Shu Forces begin to panic. In response, Zhuge Liang sends reinforcements from Cheng Du, who head towards Wu Zhang Plains, near Jie Ting and Chang An...
Commanders: Sima Yi Vs. Ma Su and Zhuge Liang
Wei Forces | Shu Forces |
---|---|
Sima Yi (+ Sima Zhao) Cao Zhen Zhang He 1 other playable (+ Jia Kui) Xiahou Yuan |
Ma Su (+ Wang Ping, Liao Hua & Gao Xiang) Zhuge Liang (+ Yue Ying) Zhao Yun Wei Yan |
If you act quickly enough then you won't have to deal with the enemy reinforcements that appear once Ma Su is trapped. Start off by attacking the officers around the summit. Once they are dealt with, a cut scene will occur with Zhang He. After Ma Su is trapped, if you can defeat him quick enough then you will win the battle, but Zhuge Liang will show up if you are not quick to eliminate Ma Su. (HINT: Just like in the Shu campaign, Xiahou Yuan will arrive in this battle as reinforcements later on, about 13 to 14 minutes in) Overall, the quicker you beat Ma Su, the better. Also, Ma Su will show up in the final battle, but Sima Yi will easily get rid of him on his own. If you have Cao Cao in this stage, he shall assume command.
If you did not seal all the passages in time, Ma Su will send out a smoke signal, and Zhuge Liang and company will arrive. Should that happen, Ma Su will show up at Mt Ding Jun if you completed this stage first. If you happen to be playing as Zhang He, you can obtain his level 10 weapon, however you have to defeat every last general, including Zhuge Liang and company, so after surrounding Ma Su, don't kill him yet, otherwise you won't get the weapon.
Battle of Wu Zhang Plains: Wei Forces Vs. Shu Forces[]
"Showdown with Shu. Defeat all enemy officers!"
- The Wei Forces succeed in both defending Mt. Ding Jun and taking Jie Ting. Since most of Shu is treacherous mountain terrain, once key supply routes and roads are taken over, it becomes difficult for their forces to mobilize.
- Zhuge Liang wagers the fate of Shu on one final battle. By way of a forced march through the mountains, the Shu forces reach Wu Zhang Plains. From there, it is just a short distance to the capital of Chang An to the east...
Commanders: Sima Yi Vs. Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei
Wei Forces | Shu Forces |
---|---|
Sima Yi Xiahou Yuan (+ Xiahou He & Xiahou Hui) Cao Zhen (+ Xin Pi) Cao Zhang (+ Xiahou Ba) Xu Huang (+ Sima Zhao & Xiahou Wei) |
Zhuge Liang (+ Zhang Bao & Yue Ying*) Jiang Wei Zhao Yun Ma Dai (+ Gao Xiang) Wei Yan (+ Zhang Yi) Ma Chao (+ Guan Xing) Liao Hua Ma Su Huang Zhong* Liu Bei |
This stage will be easier if you have Cao Cao here. Start off by defeating Ma Chao and advance towards the south. If you take over the supply depot then you won't have to worry much for the rest of the battle. Head for Wei Yan's area and put him down and continue your march. Some time later, Zhuge Liang will die (Yeah Right.) and Shu will begin retreating. As Sima Yi advances from the north, attack Jiang Wei at the north gate of the Shu camp to stop the arbalest attacks. Upon Sima Yi's arrival near the bridge ramp, Ma Su will appear for some pay back, but that is unlikely. Some time later, Huang Zhong will appear to assist and get some of his own pay back, but only if you defeated Chen Shi in Mt Ding Jun. (HINT: A small enemy supply convey will appear in the west and head for the supply depot. Destroying all the Wood Oxen before they escape will put a major dent in Shu morale.) Once Sima Yi reaches the north gate of the Shu camp, he will see Zhuge Liang still alive and retreat. Liu Bei will appear shortly after that (again, to be expected, and before he appears, you would have noticed that the gate troops are Liu Bei's troops). If you defeated Jiang Wei earlier, Yue Ying will appear in his place. At this point in the battle, defeat all the remaining generals left on the field and head for Liu Bei. You can earn Sima Yi's level 10 weapon here, and for that your targets are Ma Chao and Wei Yan.
Final Chapter: The End of the Three Kingdoms[]
The final battle will only appear on the last chapter and will be different depending on which kingdom is fought last.
Battle of Cheng Du: Wei Forces Vs. Shu Forces (Ideal Route)[]
"Break through Shu's lines and defeat Liu Bei at Cheng Du!"
- The Battle of Wu Zhang Plains ends in victory for Wei. The Shu forces manage to escape however, thanks to Zhuge Liang's efforts. The Shu forces no longer had the manpower or resources to attack Wei. Defending Cheng Du is about the most they could do now.
- Having secured a frontline base at the border, the Wei forces are ready for their campaign against Shu. Their target is Cheng Du. Cao Cao's dreams of total conquest are now within his grasp...
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. Liu Bei
Wei Forces | Shu Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Sima Zhao, Xiahou Ba & Xiahou Wei) Sima Yi (+ Deng Ai, Xiahou He & Xiahou Hui) Cao Pi Cao Zhen Cao Zhang (+ Jia Kui) Cao Hong (+ Man Chong) 1 other playable |
Liu Bei (+ Ma Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Yi & Guan Ping) Zhuge Liang (+ Jiang Wei) Yue Ying (+ Li Yan) Ma Su (+ Guan Xing & Guan Suo) Ma Dai (+ Mi Zhu) Wang Ping (+ Liao Hua & Gao Xiang) Wei Yan Zhang Bao Ma Chao |
Begin the battle by eliminating Wang Ping. Wei Yan will want to attack the Wei soldiers, but he is warned by Yue Ying and Zhuge Liang. (Remember this and do not approach Wei Yan till later.) Just south of Luo castle, Zhang Bao will appear to stall the Wei army from advancing. Go to him and knock him out the way. As the Wei army approaches Luo Castle, Zhuge Liang will use the arbalests to begin their attack. Once that happens, several rams will appear in the east and south of the castle. Protect the rams and they will crush the gates of Luo Castle. Once you are on the inside, take care of Ma Su and get ready to march for the final areas of Cheng Du; furthermore, Sima Yi will convince Wei Yan to join your side.
Head for the south area, where Xiahou He and Xiahou Hui will arrive, and a secret passage will be uncovered, allowing you to bypass Yue Ying and her raging Juggernauts (of course, you may as well get rid of her to prevent the juggernauts from wreaking havoc on your forces). Next, head up to the forest and prepare to meet the ambush parties lying in wait. Liu Bei and the main camp will appear once you trigger the ambush of one of his sub-officers (Guan Ping in the north, Zhang Yi in the center or Guan Yu in the south). Also, some time later, Ma Chao will appear in Luo Castle where Ma Su was at. Go ahead and send him to the grave. Once you approach Liu Bei near the capital, a peasant militia will appear to stop you. Defeat the peasant militia and take out any general left on the field. Put Liu Bei down and Cao Cao will reign supreme over China.
Battle of Jian Ye: Wei Forces Vs. Wu Forces (Default Route)[]
"Attack the Wu capital of Jian Ye and bring ruin to the Sun Family!"
- After gathering its forces at He Fei Castle, the Wei forces are attacked by Sun Jian, in an effort to prevent Wei from invading Wu territory. However, the Wei Forces rout the desperate Wu troops and force them to retreat.
- Sun Jian and his troops retreat behind the walls of their capital, Jian Ye, and await the inevitable invasion by the Wei forces. Meanwhile, the Wei Army crosses the Chang Jiang and arrives at Jiang Dong. If the Wu forces can be defeated here, Cao Cao's total conquest would almost be at hand...
Commanders: Cao Cao Vs. the Sun Family
Wei Forces | Wu Forces |
---|---|
Cao Cao (+ Deng Ai) 1 other playable (+ Cao Zhang) Cao Pi (+ Cao Hong & Jia Kui) Zhang Liao (+ Man Chong & Hu Zhi) |
Sun Jian Sun Ce Sun Quan Sun Shang Xiang Taishi Ci (+ Zhu Ran & Ding Feng) Zhou Tai (+ Xu Sheng & Sun Shao) Huang Gai (+ Jiang Qin) Zhuge Jin |
There is no real strategy here. Go out there and crush the army of Wu before they can gain an advantage. The best thing to do first is eliminate all the officers on the field before attacking the Sun Jian clones. (By doing this, you will take a lot of pressure off the backs of your Wei comrades.) After a few minutes (or once you defeat the first clone), Zhuge Jin will appear near the main camp with another clone. Kick him out the battle with a beating from your own hands. Afterwards, defeat the rest of the clones around the area and you will breathe a little easier. Once you defeat any general (Huang Gai, Taishi Ci, or Zhou Tai), the Sun Family will make their appearance. With the Sun Family all attacking, you have to remember one thing. Sun Ce, Sun Quan, and Sun Shang Xiang will reappear over and over again, bolstering Wu morale until you start defeating the Sun Family in the right order (you may receive a message telling you to defeat the enemy commander). So go after the head tiger himself, Sun Jian. With him gone, Sun Ce will take over so show him how it is done. Two down and two to go. Sun Quan will assume command over the army so put that kid out before he thrashes your army. And finally, Sun Shang Xiang will be the last member of the family to take charge of the army. Put her down to end the battle and the campaign.
Ending Summaries[]
Includes summaries for full run (playing all stages) and speedrun (playing the last stages of each chapter only)
Full Ideal Run[]
- Zhang Jiao, the founder of the Way of Peace, led his Yellow Turbans in an armed rebellion against the Han Dynasty that would spread across the land.
- The ambitious Cao Cao joined the task force against the Yellow Turbans, and by quelling numerous uprisings throughout the land, he was quickly revered as a hero.
- In the wake of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the heinous Dong Zhuo seized power over the weakened Imperial Court. Soon thereafter, Cao Cao joined an allied force to depose this villain.
- The Allied Forces penetrated Si Shui Gate, and after effectively foiling Lu Bu's attacks at Hu Lao Gate, Cao Cao and the others succeeded in thwarting Dong Zhuo's evil ambition.
- Cao Cao gained tremendous power after becoming the Protectorate of the Han Emperor. However, formidable enemies such as Yuan Shao still loomed heavily over him.
- Cao Cao first secured his rear guard, then faced off against Yuan Shao at Guan Du. Though heavily outnumbered, Cao Cao used his cunning to defeat his long-time rival, and at last became the greatest power in the Central Plains.
- With many talented officers under his command, Cao Cao was now at the peak of his power. Seeking even further expansion, he began his campaign to the south.
- Cao Cao decimated Liu Bei's forces and advanced his massive fleet down the Chang Jiang. The Kingdom of Wu, together with Liu Bei, put up a bold resistance, but were easily overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the Wei Forces.
- With the victory at Chi Bi, Wei's dominance was now unquestionable. But Wu had not given up. Sun Jian led a large force up the Chang Jiang for a showdown at He Fei.
- The Wu Forces surrounded He Fei Castle, but thanks to the efforts of the defending force and Cao Cao's reinforcements, the enemy was routed. The end had arrived for the Sun Family.
- With Wu gone, only Liu Bei's Shu stood in the way of Cao Cao's absolute conquest. Zhuge Liang led the Shu Forces north for a final showdown.
- Cao Cao sent Sima Yi to intercept the Shu Forces, and after a grueling strategic battle, Wei emerged victorious. Cao Cao then marched on Cheng Du, and crushed Liu Bei's dreams to dust.
- So it was that Cao Cao unified the land with the help of his brave officers. Their tales of valor would later come to be known as "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
Ideal Speedrun[]
- Zhang Jiao, the founder of the Way of Peace, led his Yellow Turbans in an armed rebellion against the Han Dynasty that would spread across the land.
- The ambitious Cao Cao joined the task force against the Yellow Turbans, and by defeating the leader Zhang Jiao, he was quickly revered as a hero.
- In the wake of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the heinous Dong Zhuo seized power over the weakened Imperial Court. Soon thereafter, Cao Cao joined an allied force to depose this villain.
- The Allied Forces outmaneuvered the enemy, and after effectively foiling Lu Bu's attacks at Hu Lao Gate, Cao Cao and the others succeeded in thwarting Dong Zhuo's evil ambition.
- Cao Cao gained tremendous power after becoming the Protectorate of the Han Emperor. However, formidable enemies such as Yuan Shao still loomed heavily over him.
- Cao Cao focused all of his attention on Yuan Shao and met his forces at Guan Du. Though heavily outnumbered, Cao Cao used his cunning to defeat his long-time rival, and at last became the greatest power in the Central Plains.
- With many talented officers under his command, Cao Cao was now at the peak of his power. Seeking even further expansion, he began his campaign to the south.
- Cao Cao ignored Liu Bei's forces and advanced his massive fleet down the Chang Jiang. The Kingdom of Wu, together with Liu Bei, put up a bold resistance, but were easily overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the Wei Forces.
- With the victory at Chi Bi, Wei's dominance was now unquestionable. But Wu had not given up. Sun Jian led a large force up the Chang Jiang for a showdown at He Fei.
- The Wu Forces surrounded He Fei Castle, but thanks to the efforts of the defending force and Cao Cao's reinforcements, the enemy was routed. The end had arrived for the Sun Family.
- With Wu gone, only Liu Bei's Shu stood in the way of Cao Cao's absolute conquest. Zhuge Liang led the Shu Forces north for a final showdown.
- Cao Cao sent Sima Yi to intercept the Shu Forces, and after a grueling strategic battle, Wei emerged victorious. Cao Cao then marched on Cheng Du, and crushed Liu Bei's dreams to dust.
- So it was that Cao Cao unified the land with the help of his brave officers. Their tales of valor would later come to be known as "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
Full Default Run[]
- Zhang Jiao, the founder of the Way of Peace, led his Yellow Turbans in an armed rebellion against the Han Dynasty that would spread across the land.
- The ambitious Cao Cao joined the task force against the Yellow Turbans, and by quelling numerous uprisings throughout the land, he was quickly revered as a hero.
- In the wake of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the heinous Dong Zhuo seized power over the weakened Imperial Court. Soon thereafter, Cao Cao joined an allied force to depose this villain.
- The Allied Forces penetrated Si Shui Gate, and after effectively foiling Lu Bu's attacks at Hu Lao Gate, Cao Cao and the others succeeded in thwarting Dong Zhuo's evil ambition.
- Cao Cao gained tremendous power after becoming the Protectorate of the Han Emperor. However, formidable enemies such as Yuan Shao still loomed heavily over him.
- Cao Cao first secured his rear guard, then faced off against Yuan Shao at Guan Du. Though heavily outnumbered, Cao Cao used his cunning to defeat his long-time rival, and at last became the greatest power in the Central Plains.
- With many talented officers under his command, Cao Cao was now at the peak of his power. Seeking even further expansion, he began his campaign to the south.
- Cao Cao decimated Liu Bei's forces and advanced his massive fleet down the Chang Jiang. The Kingdom of Wu, together with Liu Bei, put up a bold resistance, but were easily overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the Wei Forces.
- With the victory at Chi Bi, Wei's dominance was now unquestionable. But Liu Bei had not given up. The Shu Army led by Zhuge Liang was fast approaching Han Zhong and Chang An.
- Wei sent Sima Yi to intercept the Shu Army, and the two forces faced off at Wu Zhang Plains. After a furoius battle, Wei emerged victorious, and Liu Bei's dreams crumbled to dust.
- With Liu Bei gone, only Wu stood in the way of Cao Cao's absolute conquest. Sun Jian led a large force up the Chang Jiang for a showdown at He Fei.
- Both sides fought bravely, but Wei had the advantage of personnel, and prevailed. Cao Cao then marched on Jian Ye, and sealed the fate of the Sun Family.
- So it was that Cao Cao unified the land with the help of his brave officers. Their tales of valor would later come to be known as "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
Default Speedrun[]
- Zhang Jiao, the founder of the Way of Peace, led his Yellow Turbans in an armed rebellion against the Han Dynasty that would spread across the land.
- The ambitious Cao Cao joined the task force against the Yellow Turbans, and by defeating the leader Zhang Jiao, he was quickly revered as a hero.
- In the wake of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the heinous Dong Zhuo seized power over the weakened Imperial Court. Soon thereafter, Cao Cao joined an allied force to depose this villain.
- The Allied Forces outmaneuvered the enemy, and after effectively foiling Lu Bu's attacks at Hu Lao Gate, Cao Cao and the others succeeded in thwarting Dong Zhuo's evil ambition.
- Cao Cao gained tremendous power after becoming the Protectorate of the Han Emperor. However, formidable enemies such as Yuan Shao still loomed heavily over him.
- Cao Cao focused all of his attention on Yuan Shao and met his forces at Guan Du. Though heavily outnumbered, Cao Cao used his cunning to defeat his long-time rival, and at last became the greatest power in the Central Plains.
- With many talented officers under his command, Cao Cao was now at the peak of his power. Seeking even further expansion, he began his campaign to the south.
- Cao Cao ignored Liu Bei's forces and advanced his massive fleet down the Chang Jiang. The Kingdom of Wu, together with Liu Bei, put up a bold resistance, but were easily overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the Wei Forces.
- With the victory at Chi Bi, Wei's dominance was now unquestionable. But Liu Bei had not given up. The Shu Army led by Zhuge Liang was fast approaching Han Zhong and Chang An.
- Wei sent Sima Yi to intercept the Shu Army, and the two forces faced off at Wu Zhang Plains. After a furoius battle, Wei emerged victorious, and Liu Bei's dreams crumbled to dust.
- With Liu Bei gone, only Wu stood in the way of Cao Cao's absolute conquest. Sun Jian led a large force up the Chang Jiang for a showdown at He Fei.
- Both sides fought bravely, but Wei had the advantage of personnel, and prevailed. Cao Cao then marched on Jian Ye, and sealed the fate of the Sun Family.
- So it was that Cao Cao unified the land with the help of his brave officers. Their tales of valor would later come to be known as "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms".