Defeating Zhang Jiao in Dynasty Warriors: Origins: Strategy Guide

One of the initial significant challenges that players will encounter in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* is the battle against Zhang Jiao, the leader of the Yellow Turbans. Here’s a detailed guide on how to defeat him effectively.

How To Fight Zhang Jiao’s First Phase

The first phase of the battle takes place in a vast wasteland, where you'll face Zhang Jiao one-on-one. He employs sorcery to hurl stones at you across the arena. When you're near him, he'll summon four stones that you need to quickly evade. If you maintain a distance, he'll summon twice as many stones and throw them in sets of two, which you can dodge by simply running around him. If you're close when he summons a large number of stones, it's crucial to gain some distance to avoid significant damage from the barrage.

While most of his attacks are designed to keep you at bay, Zhang Jiao also has several close-range moves. These include basic combos that you can parry and an AOE attack meant to push you away. If you see him glowing white, he's preparing for his AOE, so it's wise to back off to avoid taking damage.

As the fight progresses, Zhang Jiao will use moves that give him a red aura, indicating uncancellable attacks. These include summoning a massive amount of rocks to drop around him and creating several clones. The best strategy is to retreat and wait out these attacks before resuming your assault. Ensure you have a sword equipped, as it will allow you to deal substantial damage compared to other weapons like spears or gauntlets.

It's essential to monitor your health throughout the fight. You'll likely have the opportunity to heal four times, depending on your upgraded skills. Remember, there are jars near the arena's entrance containing meat buns. When you need to heal, retreat to the entrance and grab some buns to restore your health.

How To Fight Zhang Jiao’s Second Phase

Once you unlock Musou Rage, the second phase begins, and the Yellow Turbans will appear to assist Zhang Jiao. Fortunately, your army will also join the fray, providing some much-needed support. This is an ideal time to heal by running back to the entrance for those meat buns. During this phase, Zhang Jiao will summon tornados that can throw you around, so stay alert to the wind while you're dealing with his soldiers.

After defeating a sufficient number of his soldiers, Zhang Jiao will attempt a Grand Tactic. You'll need to defeat 300 soldiers within a tight timeframe to prevent a devastating attack that could lead to your defeat. To complicate matters, Zhang Jiao will summon lightning to strike the arena. Keep an eye on the ground for closing rings and evade when they flash. The most effective way to handle this situation is by using Musou Mode, which, if timed correctly, can eliminate several dozen soldiers at once. Although you may have unlocked Musou Rage Mode, sticking to the basic Musou mode is advisable due to the time constraints.

After thwarting Zhang Jiao's Grand Tactic twice, he will re-enter the battlefield with tactics similar to those used in the first phase. With the support of your army, it should be relatively straightforward to deplete his remaining health, concluding Chapter 1.

And that's how you can conquer Zhang Jiao in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*.

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