Dynasty Warriors 8/Weapons

The weapon system in Dynasty Warriors 8 is relatively the same as Dynasty Warriors 7's system with several tweaks and new features for its presentation.

In Story Mode, weapons can be bought during pre-battle camp segments and may vary in quality depending on the level of difficulty chosen. Generic officers now drop weapon boxes containing types already owned by the player whereas unique characters leave behind their signature weapon upon being defeated. Some have rare variations that share the same appearance but come with fixed attributes. Final weapons have returned and can only be obtained in higher difficulty levels such as "Hard" or "Chaos".

Weapon seals from the previous title are replaced with a tempering system similar to the Warriors Orochi series. Players can use this system to modify their weapons with 40 different weapon attributes. There are two main forms of tempering: Strengthening (which fuses two weapons of the same type together) and Trading (exchanges three weapons and materials to create two stronger weapons).

The resulting attribute change is randomized and players must weigh their customization options carefully. The 1.03 patch update in the Japanese version alleviates this problem somewhat by allowing other attributes to help increase existing ones. Tempering can only be done in Ambition Mode once the blacksmith shop has been appropriately expanded.

A new weapon affinity system is in place with three properties: Heaven (天 ), Earth (地 ), and Man (人 ). They have a triangular relationship for their affinity with one another and are randomly assigned to weapons. Disadvantageous weapons will cause an opponent to receive less damage and immunity to interrupts from attacks while an advantageous one has the opposite effect.
 * Heaven trumps Man.
 * Man is superior to Earth.
 * Earth has an advantage over Heaven.

New weapon affinities provide different effects depending on the weapon type used by the player and their opponents.
 * Storm Rush - Enables player to break enemy guard and attack rapidly. Hits as long as the opponent's weapon affinity is worse and their spirit gauge (represented by a small blue polygon divided into sections) is depleted.
 * Switch Counter - Also known as Variable Counter in the Japanese version. When facing an opponent with an advantageous weapon affinity (symbolized by a red danger mark), the player can perform a counterattack to blow surrounding enemies away whilst switching weapons.
 * Rage - Known in the Japanese version as Awakening Musou. Activated by tapping the R3 button once the Rage bar is filled up, this effect greatly increases the player's stats and allows them to perform an Rage attack. If the attack is used to defeat multiple enemies and exceeds more than 100 hits, it will turn into a True Rage attack which causes the fallen to drop better stat-increasing items. During this state, the player's Musou stacks will merge into a single gauge reminiscent to those seen in past titles.

Universal weapon mastery is affected by the levels of a character using it as an EX weapon. Once obtained and equipped, characters can activate weapon proficiency skills regardless of the character's proficiency.

A few other changes include:
 * There are no gender restrictions for this game.
 * Players can no longer equip different weapons during battle.
 * Jump charges from Warriors Orochi 3 are used in this title.

Weapon Types
Every weapon type is divided into four different action skills introduced in Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends. It also contains the names of their respective EX wielders for this game.

Whirlwind Weapons

 * Spear - Ma Chao
 * Pike - Lu Meng
 * Double Voulge - Wei Yan
 * Great Sword - Guan Ping
 * Club - Xu Zhu
 * Gloves - Meng Huo
 * Halberd - Lu Bu
 * Twin Axes - Zhang Liao
 * Lance - Deng Ai
 * Twin Rods - Taishi Ci
 * Axe - Dian Wei
 * Tonfa - Sun Ce
 * Crossbow - Lianshi
 * Arm Cannon - Guo Huai
 * Brush - Ma Dai
 * Dagger Axe - Yueying
 * Bomb - Dong Zhuo
 * Short Pike - Han Dang
 * Great Axe - Xu Huang
 * Mace - Pang De
 * Spiked Shield - Cao Ren
 * Arm Blade - Huang Gai
 * Circle Blade - Ding Feng
 * Siege Spear - Xiahou Ba
 * Bow &amp; Rod - Xiahou Yuan
 * Wheeled Halberd - Li Dian
 * Rake - Lu Su
 * Dual-Headed Mace - Guan Yinping

Dash Weapons

 * Sword - Sun Quan
 * Rapier - Liu Shan
 * War Fan - Zhuge Liang
 * Twin Swords - Liu Bei
 * Throwing Knives - Wang Yuanji
 * Chain &amp; Sickle - Jia Xu
 * Nunchaku - Guan Suo
 * Staff - Zhou Yu
 * Bow - Huang Zhong
 * Shaman Rod - Zhang Jiao
 * Iron Fan - Xiaoqiao
 * Sword &amp; Shield - Xingcai
 * Flying Swords - Zhong Hui
 * Curved Sword - Zhou Tai
 * Claws - Zhang He
 * Wheels - Sun Shangxiang
 * Whip - Diaochan
 * Spinner - Bao Sanniang
 * Flute - Zhenji
 * Harp - Cai Wenji
 * Orb &amp; Scepter - Guo Jia
 * Trishula - Wang Yi
 * Pugil Stick - Daqiao
 * Lightning Sword - Sima Shi
 * Boomerang - Zhurong
 * Sword &amp; Hook - Xu Shu
 * Swallow Swords - Lu Xun
 * Sanjiegun - Ling Tong
 * Flabellum - Pang Tong
 * Stretch Rapier - Yuan Shao
 * Dual Hookblades - Yue Jin
 * Wingblades - Guan Xing
 * Throwing Axes - Jia Chong
 * Wired Gloves - Zhang Chunhua

Shadow Sprint Weapons

 * Flail - Gan Ning
 * Podao - Xiahou Dun
 * Twin Pike - Zhang Fei
 * General's Sword - Cao Cao
 * Nine Rings Blade - Sun Jian
 * Double-Edged Trident - Jiang Wei
 * Short Iron Rod - Zhuge Dan
 * Javelin - Wen Yang

Dive Weapons

 * Dragon Spear - Zhao Yun
 * Crescent Blade - Guan Yu
 * Dual Blade - Cao Pi
 * Horsehair Whip - Sima Yi
 * Striking Sword - Sima Zhao
 * Paper Talismans - Zuo Ci
 * Flail Sword - Zhang Bao

Weapon Compatibility
This chart is a list of every character's compatibility rating with specific types of weaponry. The more stars they have, the better they can handle a particular weapon. By reaching Level 27, characters can innately perform an action skill related to their preferred weapon type (indicated by a 4 star ranking).

Weapon Attributes
This is a list of attributes found in the game. With a maximum of 10 levels per attribute, up to 6 can be attached to a non-rare weapon.


 * * indicates attributes with no level capacity.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Liang Province
 * Requirements: Defeat Ma Chao, Ma Dai, and Han Sui while keeping all Wu generals alive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Conquest of Wei
 * Requirements: Defeat Zhang Liao, Li Dian, and Yue Jin within 10 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Chibi (Shu)
 * Requirements: Prevent all enemy generals from entering the altar until the prayer succeeds.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Defense of Xu Province
 * Requirements: Prevent the fire attack while keeping Zhang Liao and Xu Huang away from the castle.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Assault on Chang'an
 * Requirements: Find the maidservant's sister within 5 minutes of the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Fan Castle (Wu)
 * Requirements: Defeat Guan Yu for the first time within 3 minutes of the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Wuzhang Plains
 * Requirements: Defeat Sima Shi and Sima Zhao within 12 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Pacification of Nanzhong
 * Requirements: Defeat Yang Feng and occupy the catapult base within 5 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Jianye
 * Requirements: Reach Sun Xiu within 8 minutes after the gates of Jianye Castle open.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Xiapi
 * Requirements: Defeat Chen Gong while keeping all Wei generals alive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Hefei (Wu)
 * Requirements: Defeat Li Dian and Yue Jin before the seige ram is destroyed.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Chibi (Wei)
 * Requirements: Defeat Gan Ning within 7 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Fan Castle (Shu)
 * Requirements: Defeat all Wu officers within 5 minutes of their arrival.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Nanjun
 * Requirements: Rescue Gan Ning within 5 minutes of the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Rescue at Baidi Castle
 * Requirements: Within 8 minutes at the start of the battle, use the ballista to defeat 3 of the following generals: Chen Jiao, Chen Qun, Cao Zhang, and Wang Shuang.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Mt. Dingjun
 * Requirements: Reach Mt. Tiandang while defeating Cao Zhen, Wang Yi, Xu Huang, Cao Zhang, and Du Xi along the way. All this must be done before the main forces of Wei arrive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Yellow Turban Assembly
 * Requirements: Defeat Huangfu Song while keeping all allied generals alive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Breakthrough of Xinye
 * Requirements: Rescue the trapped panda before Sun Quan goes through the nearest gate.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Tianshui
 * Requirements: Take over Anding and Nanan before Jiang Wei.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Taoyang
 * Requirements: Defeat Hu Ji, Liao Hua, and Zhang Yu within 5 minutes of Xiahou Ba's retreat.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Defense of Xiapi
 * Requirements: Rescue Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, and Song Xian before they defect.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Hefei
 * Requirements: Defeat Zhou Tai and Lu Meng within 12 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Jiange
 * Requirements: Within 8 minutes, succeed in luring the enemy and defeat Jiang Wei.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Pursuit at Shouchun
 * Requirements: Defeat Jia Xu before he enters the Wu main camp.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Wan Castle
 * Requirements: Escape Wan Castle within 8 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Shiting
 * Requirements: Successfully spring the ambush within 2 minutes and 30 seconds, then defeat Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Mt. Dingjun (Wei)
 * Requirements: Defeat Zhao Yun, Ma Dai, and Zhang Bao within 8 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Conquest of Wujun
 * Requirements: Defeat Taishi Ci twice within 5 minutes from start of the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Hefei Castle
 * Requirements: Defeat Man Chong before he reaches the main camp.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Xiangyang
 * Requirements: Defeat Lu Gong within 2 minutes after Sun Jian gives out the order to breach the castle.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: The Assassination of Dong Zhuo
 * Requirements: Defeat Zhang Liao within 8 minutes of the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Pacification of Nanzhong
 * Requirements: Defeat Meng Huo at the center within 8 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Xiahou Ba's Escape
 * Requirements: Under 8 minutes, succeed in delaying Xiahou Ba's escape while defeating all Shu generals.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Wuzhang Plains
 * Requirements: Ensure the success of the retreat while keeping all Shu generals alive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Defense of Xuchang
 * Requirements: Meet Zuo Ci for the second time within 8 minutes after he appears.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Invasion of Jianye
 * Requirements: Defeat Lu Xun and Lu Meng's special task force before they reach the main camp.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Xinye
 * Requirements: Defeat Xu Shu within 8 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Tong Gate
 * Requirements: After Ma Chao's raid at the main camp, enter the Allied Forces' own headquarters within 8 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Fan Castle (Wei)
 * Requirements: Rescue Yu Jin, Hu Xiu, and Fu Fang before they defect.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Yiling (Shu)
 * Requirements: Prevent the fire attack while defeating Ling Tong, Gan Ning, and Zhou Tai within 9 minutes of the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Hulao Gate (Shu)
 * Requirements: Defeat Hua Xiong and Lu Bu within 14 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Changban
 * Requirements: Defeat Jia Xu while keeping all peasants alive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Jieting (Shu)
 * Requirements: Defeat 300 enemies while allowing Xiang Lang, Gao Xiang, and Liao Hua to retreat towards the Shu camp within 5 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Pursuit at Hulao Gate
 * Requirements: Extinguish the fire at Luoyang within 7 minutes while keeping all allied generals alive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Defense of Jiangxia
 * Requirements: Break through the 2 eastern forts and make sure the defense succeeds.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Pursuit at Nanjun
 * Requirements: Defeat Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun within 8 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: The Rescue of the Emperor
 * Requirements: Lock Yuan Shu's barricade within 5 minutes while breaking through the Emperor's.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Assault on Yu Ji
 * Requirements: Defeat Yu Ji twice within 8 minutes from the start of the battle.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Xu Province
 * Requirements: Capture the catapult base before it attacks the main camp. Afterwards, prevent Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun from reaching the camp by defeating them.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Wen Qin's Rebellion
 * Requirements: Return to the main camp within 1 minute after Wen Yang's raid.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Chibi (Wu)
 * Requirements: Defeat Wei's 8 frontline generals before they enter Wu's main camp.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Rescue at Nanzhong
 * Requirements: Save King Mulu and Meng Huo.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Guanling
 * Requirements: Within 9 minutes of the stage, ensure the success of the ambush and defeat Sima Yi.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Assault on Chengdu
 * Requirements: Defeat Guan Suo and Guan Yinping before they reach the main camp.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Xinye (Shu)
 * Requirements: Defeat Cao Ren, Yue Jin, Li Dian, and Zhang He within 8 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Baidi Castle
 * Requirements: Open the castle gates within 14 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Escape from Luoyang
 * Requirements: Arrive at the weapons testing grounds before Lu Bu breaks through a single gate.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Guandu
 * Requirements: Prevent every allied general from being defeated during the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Xuchang
 * Requirements: The fire attack must be successful within 12 minutes at the start of the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Yiling
 * Requirements: Defeat Liu Bei within 5 minutes after his sudden charge.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Ruxukou
 * Requirements: Capture the base Lu Meng indicated within 5 minutes and 40 seconds, then capture all Wei bases afterwards.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Invasion of Luoyang
 * Requirements: Escape Luoyang within 10 minutes of the gate closing.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Chengdu
 * Requirements: Succeed in sneak attack and take over Luo Castle within 5 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Pursuit at Wuzhang Plains
 * Requirements: Defeat 300 enemies including Zhao Zhi, Zhang Yi, and She Du.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Chengdu (Jin)
 * Requirements: After Liu Shan retreats, defeat Jiang Wei and Guan Suo within 7 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Hefei Castle (Jin)
 * Requirements: Lure Zhuge Ke out of the enemy camp within 5 minutes after the gates open.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Patrol at Guan Du
 * Requirements: Prevent Liu Bei and Zhang Fei's escape while keeping Zhang He and Zhenji from defecting.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Phantoms at Xuchang
 * Requirements: Complete all three necessary steps for the ritual, then defeat Sima Yi while keeping all phantom generals alive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Hulao Gate (Wei)
 * Requirements: Breach Hulao Gate while keeping all allied generals alive.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Yan Province (Wei)
 * Requirements: Arrive at the bank of the northern river within 5 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Runan
 * Requirements: Defeat Wang Yuanji and Zhang Chunhua within 8 minutes from the start of the stage.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Lukou
 * Requirements: Prevent all enemy fire attacks from happening within 7 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Chencang
 * Requirements: Defeat Xiahou Wei before the other enemy generals are aware of the infiltration.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Fan Castle
 * Requirements: Defeat all Wu officers within 4 minutes of their arrival.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Showdown at Chibi
 * Requirements: Seize all ballistas before they defeat any allied general.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Expedition Against Usurpers
 * Requirements: Defeat Zhong Chan and Zhong Yao within 5 minutes.

Fifth Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Defense of Chengdu
 * Requirements: Defeat Meng Huo without implementing the fire attack.