Mastering Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins

In the world of *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*, where you're tasked with cutting through hordes of enemies, one of the most thrilling features making a comeback from earlier titles is the dueling system. Here’s a detailed look at how duels work in this latest installment.

What Are Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?

Duels, a feature that first graced the series in *Dynasty Warriors 4*, make their return after more than two decades in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*. Initially, you won't have the opportunity to engage in duels until you reach Chapter 2. However, these aren't just casual challenges; you can only duel high-ranking and prominent enemy officers. When such an officer appears on the battlefield, you'll have a brief window to initiate a duel by simultaneously pressing the R1 and L1 buttons.

Once the duel begins, an arena of soldiers forms around you, setting the stage for a tense one-on-one battle. Unlike regular combat, duels feature a unique mechanic: a bar at the top of the screen that tracks the progress of both fighters. Each successful hit you land on your opponent advances your portion of the meter, while their hits do the same for them.

The objective is to fill the meter completely by damaging your opponent. Your starting position on the meter is influenced not by your health, but by your overall morale. If you're on a winning streak, your bar starts larger; if you're losing, your opponent's bar will be more significant. In a balanced fight, the meter starts evenly split. During the duel, it's crucial to observe your opponent's moves, dodge, parry, and maintain a safe distance, especially if they're using a Battle Art. Time is limited, but rushing in recklessly can be your downfall.

Winning a duel in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* grants you the ability to deal massive damage to your opponent and significantly boosts your morale. Conversely, losing a duel results in substantial damage to you and a severe morale drop for your army, which can be catastrophic in the later stages of a battle. If neither side wins, the duel ends without consequences, and both parties retreat to resume the battle. However, some duels are inescapable; losing these results in an automatic mission failure, while winning them guarantees victory in the battle. Thus, initiating a duel can be a game-changer, but underestimating your opponent can lead to your downfall.

And that's the essence of dueling in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*.

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