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Not to be confused with Xun Yu. Not to be confused with Xu You.

Xun You
Dynasty Warriors 9 artwork
Character Information
Force(s): Han
Dong Zhuo's Forces
Wei
Height:
170 cm (5'7")
Weapon Type: Urumi
Significant Battle(s):
Playable Debut: Dynasty Warriors 9
Historical Information
Real name:
Xún Yōu
Chinese name:
荀攸
Style name:
Gōngdá
Chinese name:
公達
Born:
157
Died:
214

Xun You (onyomi: Jun Yū) is an advisor of Wei and a skilled strategist comparable to Xun Yu and Sima Yi, enough to be well trusted by Cao Cao. Despite his skills, he was said to have refused a number of high rewards and titles during his career. Historical records indicate that Xun You, though older, is Xun Yu's second-cousin nephew.

Before his playable Dynasty Warriors appearance, he was a generic NPC since its second installment.

Role in Games[]

Dynasty Warriors[]

Xun You is a constant Wei generic in Dynasty Warriors. He frequently appears in their early battles up to Chibi since the game's second entry and serves as a sub-officer most of the time.

Dynasty Warriors 6 has him aid Liu Bei in the campaign against Yuan Shu alongside fellow Wei officers Zhu Ling and Han Hao.

In Dynasty Warriors 8, he is constantly featured in Wei's ranks during the hypothetical scenarios of Wu and Shu.

Xun You, a new recruit, assists Cao Cao in capturing Xu Province, despite Lu Bu's presence. He serves as a strategist, particularly at battles like Xiapi and Guandu, and assists in the retreat at Chibi. After their victory over Wu at Ruxukou, Xun You retires from providing strategies and focuses on Wei's domestic affairs. He suggests Cao Cao's future heir to continue his presence on the front line. In the ending, Xun You is asked by Jia Xu to return to the battlefield, surprising him.

During Guo Jia's personal DLC, Xun You plays a supporting role in the campaigns against Sun Quan and Liu Bei. In the latter, Xun You and Jia Xu are able to predict Xu Shu's betrayal and they ambush him when he frees Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Realizing that Guo Jia will fall to illness soon, Xun You and the other strategists work to quickly end the final battle at Chengdu. After conquering Shu, Xun You and his peers hold a celebratory banquet as a content Guo Jia quietly passes, away from their watch.

In Dynasty Warriors 9, Xun You is recruited alongside Man Chong by his relative Xun Yu to join Cao Cao's forces shortly before he begins his campaign against Tao Qian to capture Xu Province. However, the invasion is called off when word comes of Lu Bu attacking Yan Province, forcing Cao Cao to return to recapture his territory. When word then comes that Emperor Xian has escaped the remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces, Xun You aids in the evacuation of the Emperor to Xuchang to serve as the new Han imperial capital.

Cao Cao soon begins dealing with any threats to his power, such as taking down Lu Bu at Xiapi, with Xun You suggesting using the rivers flowing around Xiapi to flood the castle, leading to Lu Bu being captured and executed. Yuan Shu then declares himself Emperor, and Xun You aids in the assault on Shouchun to punish Yuan Shu for high treason. With Yuan Shu and Lu Bu gone, Cao Cao turns his attention to capturing Hebei and defeats Yuan Shao at Guandu.

With the north secured, Cao Cao turns his attention south to attack Liu Biao's Jing Province to eliminate a potential threat in Liu Bei, and battle Sun Quan's forces at Wulin to test their military strength in Wei's first naval clash against the better-trained naval forces of Wu. From there, Cao Cao prepares for a climatic battle at Chibi against the Liu-Sun allied forces, but Xun You has his concerns over the formation of the Wei fleet for the battle. His concerns are justified when the fleet is decimated by a fire attack from Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, forcing Cao Cao to withdraw to Xuchang to regroup.

Despite the setback, Xun You aids in the defense of Nanjun before surrendering it to Guan Yu in the hopes of driving a wedge into the unsteady alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan over Jing Province.

Warriors Orochi[]

In Warriors Orochi 2, Xun You is a constant general for Wei, first fighting at Shizugatake, where he serves as a guard for the main camp, then helping make Zhang He's plan a success by convincing Yuan Tan to turn against his father. At Komaki-Nagakute, he escorts Cao Cao for a rendezvous with the trapped Cao Pi, and at Guan Du, Xun You is a northern front line officer.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms games give Xun You well-rounded stats. His intelligence, politics, and charisma are usually among the top stats in the game, somewhat mirroring the stats of Xun Yu. His skill in the eleventh game reduces the cost of any battle strategies to one will, making him an excellent officer for units that are mainly used to disable enemy units. His decent leadership stat additionally allows him to lead units by himself without the danger of suffering too many casualties in battle. Just as in history, he serves He Jin, Dong Zhuo, and finally Cao Cao.

Character Information[]

Development[]

Suzuki said that Xun You's Dynasty Warriors design is themed to Cao Cao's historical commentary of his looks contrasting his capable intelligence, which is meant to be reflected in his stubble beard, unkempt hair, and ethnic clothing. His clothing is meant to be easy to move in as a homage to the multiple times he was sent to the frontlines.

Personality[]

Xun You is a humble, skilled individual with a calm exterior, but also struggles to give himself enough credit. He feels his capabilities are undervalued compared to others like Jia Xu and Xun Yu. Despite his solid deeds, Xun You is loyal to those who use his strengths. His plans are more safe than risk-versus-reward, adding diversity to Wei's strategists.

Although not seen interacting much with others, his biggest relationships seem to be with his relative and his master. He is often shown being friendly and sociable with these two in particular. Other than this, Xun You prefers to be alone.

Voice Actors[]

  • Matt Shuster - Dynasty Warriors 9 (English)
  • Tong Yin - Dynasty Warriors 9 (Chinese)
  • Jeong Jaeheon - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (Korean)
  • Kenji Hamada - Dynasty Warriors 9 (Japanese)
  • Itaru Yamamoto - Sangokushi Legion
  • Naoki Bandō - Youkai Sangokushi (Japanese)
  • Tatsuhisa Suzuki - Sangokushi Hadou (Japanese)

Live Action Performers[]

  • Rin Matsubara - Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Sekiheki no Tatakai IF

Gameplay[]

See also: Xun You/Movesets

Dynasty Warriors 9[]

『真・三國無双8』荀攸アクション動画

『真・三國無双8』荀攸アクション動画

Keys: Square Flow Attack • Triangle Reactive Attack • Circle Musou X Jump/Mount

Xun You is affiliated with the steel whip sword in this title. When equipped with it, Xun You can perform the following unique attacks listed below.

Unique Attacks
Unique Flow Attack Finisher: Enemy Stunned + Square Square Square Square: Xun You's finisher has him jump up to do a circular swipe done vertically followed by a slanted swing that produces a radial shockwave. If Xun You uses this flow attack after activating his unique stun trigger move, the rest of his hits including the shockwave will be imbued with the fire element.
Unique Trigger Attack: R1 + Square: Imbues weapon with fire, then lashes it diagonally to the right and left before triggering a flaming radial shockwave to burn and stun foes at the same time.
Special Technique: R1 + Circle: Spins around as weapon briefly entwines Xun You's body, then swings it to unleash a powerful tornado moving at a steady pace before dissipating.
Musou Attack: Circle: Whips weapon around in a looping motion while walking forward. Xun You then unleashes even faster whipping motions to the front that freeze foes solid before unleashing a massive ice wave forward.
Aerial Musou Attack: X Circle: Lashes blade downward in a wide yet slanted manner back and forth, then extends it towards the ground before landing. Can inflict slash-based damage, making it more effective against strong enemy officers.
Horse Maneuvers
Summon Horse: L2: Summon horse to the battlefield. Holding L2 as the horse approaches will allow the character to automatically mount them.
Auto-Run: Riding Mode + L2: Automatically runs towards a specified destination. If a destination has not been set, the horse will instead run towards the location of the player's currently selected mission.
Sprint: Riding Mode + Direction + R1: Causes horse to run at a faster pace. Doing so depletes their stamina each time.
Jump: Riding Mode + Direction + R2: Causes horse to jump high while running.
Horse Fast Attack: Riding Mode + Square: Performs a fast and seamless attack while mounted. The attack itself varies depending on what type of weapon is equipped and whether the enemy is grounded or airborne.
Horse Trigger Attack: Riding Mode + Triangle: Performs an attack that sends enemies flying into the air. May vary depending on what type of weapon is equipped.
Horse Musou Attack: Riding Mode + Circle: Causes horse to sprint by consuming Musou instead of stamina.
Dismount Horse: Riding Mode + X: Dismounts from horse and resumes default fighting stance.
Bow Maneuvers
Shooting Mode: 🡻: Pulls out bow and assumes archery stance. Can be cancelled by tapping 🡻 again.
Switch Arrows: 🡸 or 🡺: Switches between different types of arrows.
Bow Attack: Shooting Mode + Square: Fires current arrow at a target. Can lock on targets by tapping R3.
Lower Bow: Shooting Mode + X: Lowers bow while squatting down.


Historical Information[]

Xun You, born in Yingchuan, was part of the Xun family and was known for his frugal, wise, and humble nature. He was recruited as an adviser to He Jin in 189, ensuring his command in the imperial palace. After He Jin's assassination by the eunuchs, control over the capital and emperor fell to Dong Zhuo, who appointed Xun You as his service. Xun You and two officials planned to assassinate Dong Zhuo, but were discovered and imprisoned. After Dong Zhuo was killed by Lu Bu, Xun You was released and sought refuge in Jing Province.

In 196, Xun You was recommended to serve Cao Cao, who promoted him to Master of the Army. He advised Cao Cao to hold back a large-scale assault on Zhang Xiu, who had allied with Liu Biao after his victory at Wan Castle. Cao Cao took the advice and besieged Zhang Xiu only at Rang, but had to withdraw when Yuan Shao began mobilizing troops against Cao Cao.

When Lu Bu allied himself with Yuan Shu, Xun You urged Cao Cao to attack him. He served Cao Cao as a military advisor during the campaign against Lu Bu. Lu Bu suffered numerous defeats and retreated to Xiapi castle. Cao Cao wanted to retreat, but Xun You and Guo Jia persuaded him to keep up the attack. By the end of 198, Lu Bu surrendered. Two years later, Cao Cao began to engage Yuan Shao in battle. Cao Cao set out to help Liu Yan at Baima, who was attacked by Yan Liang. Xun You advised Cao Cao to send out a decoy unit to lure Yan Liang away from the main unit and take him by surprise. Cao Cao followed his advice and conducted a successful surprise attack on Yan Liang, who was killed by Guan Yu. Xun You then served as Cao Cao's chief adviser during the campaign and advised him to send Xu Huang to assault Han Meng's barrage train, depriving Yuan Shao of a large portion of his supplies. While Cao Cao carried out a surprise attack on Wuchao, Xun You guarded his main camp with Cao Hong and advised the latter to accept Zhang He's surrender after they defeated him.

After the death of Yuan Shao, his sons Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang fought for power. Xun You served as one of Cao Cao's advisers during the campaign against them. In 203, Yuan Tan sent Xin Pi to form an alliance with Cao Cao. Xun You convinced Cao Cao to accept the alliance and side with Yuan Tan. This allowed Cao Cao to focus on the conquest of Ye and drive Yuan Shang out of Ji Province. Later, Yuan Tan broke his alliance with Cao Cao and was defeated and killed at Nanpi in 205. Cao Cao went on to conquer the rest of Yuan Shao's former territory by 207. Cao Cao wanted to enfeoff many of his subjects after the unification of Hebei, including Xun Yu. Xun Yu, however, sent Xun You to inform Cao Cao that he would refuse any accolades, which included the building of a big estate for him, which was going to be as great as those of the Three Excellencies.

Xun You went on to serve Cao Cao as a civil administrator in the subsequent years. In 213, Cao Cao was made Duke of Wei and Xun You was promoted to the Prefect of Masters of Writing of the state of Wei, which was basically one of the rewards for longtime supporters in order to create a copy of the central Han government to ease the transition from Han to Wei. Xun You eventually died in 214.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

Xun You's actions in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms remain consistent. After defeating the Yuan Shao family, Cao Cao discovered a golden beam and bronze bird, which he interpreted as an auspicious sign. He advised Cao Cao to offer Sun Quan the southern half of Jing Province for Liu Bei's destruction. He later objected to Cao Cao becoming King of Wei, and was so worried about Cao Cao's retaliation that he fell ill and died. Cao Cao had him honorably buried and postponed becoming King of Wei.

Gallery[]

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