Orbs

Orbs are a concept that started in Dynasty Warriors 4. Rather than elements activating in weapons they are found as an Item. Dynasty Warriors 4 had them as Items you would randomly pick up with a level of 1-4, but Dynasty Warriors 5 had them as special Items you had to do certain requirements for on hard or chaos mode. Dynasty Warriors 6 did not include orbs and like the early games just had the elements activating in the weapons. The orbs are as follows:

Dynasty warriors 4
Fire Orb-gradual damage as foes are in the air

Lighting Orb-Immediate damage that knock foes to the ground, also spreads.

Poison Orb-Lower's defence of enemies

Blast Orb-Hurts guarding foes(does not make them flinch)

Ice Orb-Has a chance of freezing enemies. They take more damage.

Vorpal Orb-Has a chance of killing peons and extra damage to generals

Dynasty Warriors 5
Fire Orb- Same as above

Ice Orb-Same as above

Shadow Orb- Instantly kills peons at the cost of musou bar

Light Orb- Breaks guard and damages