Zhao Yun

Zhao Yun is a Shu general and one of the Five Tiger Generals. Playable since the original Dynasty Warriors, Zhao Yun is a prominent Shu character, appearing on the Shu side of every battle in earlier games and in most battles in later ones. He is also the focus of the games' manuals and introductory movies, as well as the character that the character-select cursor starts on in most games. His consistent traits in the Dynasty Warriors series are his victory pose and the white steed he rides with into battle. He sometimes shares the spotlight with the series' other iconic character, Lu Bu.

In the Dynasty Warriors series, he is 24 years old.

Role in Games

 * "Your spear, I almost cannot trace its movements!"
 * ―Yukimura Sanada; Warriors Orochi 2

Dynasty Warriors
Zhao Yun originally serves Gongsun Zan, an early ally of Liu Bei. Often after Gongsun Zan's death, he entered the service of Liu Bei as he was drawn to the man's character and ideals. Depending on the title, he may appear as early as the Yellow Turban Rebellion or the Battle of Hu Lao Gate by Liu Bei's side. He continues to join Shu in their late campaigns against Wu and Wei, such as Yi Ling and Wu Zhang Plains. Prior to the former battle, Zhao Yun is usually the general who openly protests seeking revenge for Guan Yu's death but his pleas fall on deaf ears.

In Dynasty Warriors 3, he is one of Liu Bei's fierce defenders at Chang Ban. He is one of the three possible Shu officers to reinforce Sun Quan's army at Chi Bi, the other two being Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. He is also one of the generals who assist Pang Tong in his successful campaign to take over the kingdom of Shu from Liu Zhang at Cheng Du. Later, when Liu Bei invades Han Zhong, he provides reinforcements at Mt. Ding Jun and leads a crucial victory against Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He. He tries to convince his lord to put aside his rage but is angrily pushed aside. Obligated to follow his lord, he joins following battle with Sun Quan's army and contributes to unifying the land under Shu. Like many other characters, he also participates in the southern campaign against the Nanman tribe.

Zhao Yun's Legend Mode in Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends has him charging alone through enemy troops to rescue Liu Bei's infant son, Liu Chan, at Chang Ban. Liu Bei is fleeing to reunite with Zhuge Liang's reinforcements and they can't spare Zhao Yun with any assistance. Once he finds the young heir hiding in one of the town's crates, Cao Cao eventually notices his bravery and orders his army to capture him. Zhuge Liang bids Zhao Yun to escape and during his flight, he is forced to defeat many of Wei's key generals. When he reaches Liu Bei, his lord is more pleased by Zhao Yun's safety than his son's.

His Musou Mode in Dynasty Warriors 5 depicts a different scenario for Zhao Yun. He starts serving Gongsun Zan yet is disappointed that he can't sympathize with his lord's ideals. Due to their alliance, he acts as a part of Yuan Shao's army to suppress the Yellow Turbans at Ji Province. He joins Liu Bei's army shortly before Chang Ban and boldly rushes through enemy troops to retrieve his lord's infant son, Liu Chan. He asks Zhang Fei to cover their escape and boosts ally morale when they safely reach Liu Bei. In his ending, they defeat Wu and Zhao Yun continues to stay by Liu Chan's side after his lord's passing.

For his Legend Mode in Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends, he and Huang Zhong fend off Cao Cao's army from invading Han Shui. Zhao Yun's mission is to prevent any enemy from crossing the bridge where he is stationed. Cao Cao responds by trying to overwhelm the warrior with his vast numbers. Reinforced by Zhuge Liang's arrival and Huang Zhong's sneak attack, the Shu army defend their territory and drive off Wei's army. It marks their first victory since the creation of the Three Kingdoms.

In Dynasty Warriors 6, he starts as the calm aid to the hot-headed Gongsun Zan. His chance meeting with Liu Bei changes his desires for the future and, after claiming victory at Hu Lao Gate, Zhao Yun deserts his liege to join the kind and fair general. He joins during the escape from Chang Ban and acts as the last defense when the army sails away from the docks. As he spends more time in the newly found kingdom, he becomes one of Shu's honorable zealots and one of his lord's empathetic supporters. He assures that his liege's decisions are just, even when Liu Bei doubts himself. When Shu unites the land, Zhao Yun is named as the land's new Commander, a rank that he humbly accepts when Liu Bei asserts his peaceful desires for the new land.

Warriors Orochi
During Orochi's scenario, Zhao Yun acts as Liu Bei's personal bodyguard during their flight from Orochi's troops. Half way to the escape point, he parts from his lord to stop their pursuers and bide them more time. Unfortunately, he's defeated and his lord is captured.

In Warriors Orochi, Zhao Yun is imprisoned in Ueda Castle, thinking that Liu Bei is dead. A trio kills the soldiers who were guarding is jail cell, and reveal themselves as Yoshihiro Shimazu, Zuo Ci, and Xing Cai. Zuo Ci states that Liu Bei is in fact alive, which lifts the young man's spirits. Zhao Yun later becomes the leader for the Shu Coalition forces to seek Liu Bei and continues to lead them in battle until they defeat Orochi.

In Warriors Orochi 2, Zhao Yun is not seen until the second battle in the Shu story mode. At the Battle of Saika Village, Zhao Yun arrives as reinforcements for Ieyasu Tokugawa along with Wei Yan. During this battle, he fights alongside Wei Yan to prepare for the fire attack on the central garrison. At the Battle of Koshi Castle, Zhao Yun is the commander of the forces attacking Kiyomori Taira. However, when he reaches and defeats Kiyomori, he finds that he is too late to stop the resurrection of Orochi.

Kessen
Zhao Yun appears as a general for Shu in Kessen II. He is a loyal captain for the Han empire and knows that Liu Bei is the last Han descendant. He helps the lord escape from Cao Cao and accompanies him when they meet Zhuge Liang. In a desperate outburst to recruit the strategist, Liu Bei shouts that he only cares about getting back Diao Chan. Once he realizes that Liu Bei only cares about a woman and not the revitalization of the empire, Zhao Yun leaves in disgust.

During his lonesome journey across the country, he overhears the townsfolk favoring Liu Bei's leadership. After some consideration, Zhao Yun raises a peasant army and recruits Jiang Wei. With this army, he returns to Shu, convinced that it's more important to serve a lord that makes the people happy.

Personality
Zhao Yun is usually one of Liu Bei's right-hand men, faithfully serving him for the good of the land as a calm yet valiant general. He is always courageous and heroic, facing impossible odds in stride. He has the utmost faith in his lord and, though he may not agree with all of his decisions, he believes in his lord's integrity. A compassionate and trustworthy man, he is also on good terms with the rest of Shu's men.

He particularly befriends Ma Chao as they both believe in justice and virtue. When she is introduced, he also acts as a kind mentor for Xing Cai and worries for her safety.

Appearance
Zhao Yun's appearance has changed from game to game since Dynasty Warriors 3. In the original Dynasty Warriors, Zhao Yun was clad in blue and gold outlined armor and wore a white garb underneath. His hair was slicked back into a ponytail and he wore a circlet around his forehead. In Dynasty Warriors 2 and 3, he was a young, lightly built man wearing light armor of a blue-green tint. In Dynasty Warriors 4, his face appeared much older and stockier, but his appearance was changed back the its Dynasty Warriors 3 style for Dynasty Warriors 5. In Dynasty Warriors 6 however, Zhao Yun receives the most drastic of his costume changes. He now wears entirely silver armor, with even his hands being a part of the armor. He also has a light blue scarf that is supposedly clamped from the shoulder part of his armor.

In Warriors Orochi, his alternate costume uses Yukimura's color palette.

Voice Actors

 * Terrence Stone - Dynasty Warriors 4~6, Dynasty Tactics 2, Kessen II, Warriors Orochi series (English)
 * Masaya Onosaka - Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi series (Japanese)
 * Hideo Ishikawa - Dynasty Tactics (Japanese)
 * Masaya Takatsuka - Dynasty Tactics 2 (Japanese)
 * Takeshi Kusao - Kessen II (Japanese), Romance of the Three Kingdoms drama CD series

Quotes

 * See also: Zhao Yun (Quotes)


 * "Victory is mine!"
 * "For the good of the land!"
 * "Thank you! I was about to despair, but you have given me fresh hope!
 * "Only the loss of your lord will bring true despair, you must seek him out quickly. I must take my leave, but if ever you need me, I will be in your aid."
 * Zhao Yun and Zuo Ci; Warriors Orochi


 * "These natural disasters are not caused by Liu Bei! Cao Cao built a government against the will of the people! That's the cause!"
 * Zhao Yun returning to Liu Bei; Kessen II

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Sliding charge with spear point outwards.
 * , undefined: Zhao Yun knocks his opponent up in the air with the blunt of the spear.
 * ,, undefined (undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined): Swings spear up and down repeatedly, followed by an attacking spin.
 * ,, , undefined: Three hundred sixty degree swing.
 * ,, , , undefined: Zhao Yun spins and brings his spearhead down with massive force, causing a small earthquake.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Jumps in the air and swings spear for 180 degree coverage.
 * Yun spins with his spear extended, slashing upwards, followed by a great spin with knockback abilities.
 * , : Attacking spin.
 * , undefined (undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined): Jump, then sweeps up enemies on the ground into the air, for continuous aerial hits.

Differences between games

 * The undefined, when as it was a normal rush with a spear in Dynasty Warriors 4, gained an aura extending it's width and range in Dynasty Warriors 4 and the Warriors Orochi series.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined: Zhao Yun leans to each side, and swings is spear to each side.
 * ,, , , , : Quick alternating swings to each side.
 * Continuous swings to each side.

Dynasty Warriors
Zhao Yun fights with a spear, like several other Shu characters. He is a quick and nimble fighter of average strength. His battle cries are high-pitched and energetic, and his footwork is active. He attacks opponents with sweeping strikes and short jabs, and his Musou attack is a downward diagonally-spinning attack followed by a horizontal swing of the spear to clear out enemies. In Dynasty Warriors 6, he gains a few attacks that resemble his actions during the Dynasty Warriors 5 intro.

Zhao Yun is one of 13 playable characters to appear in Dynasty Warriors Advance for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance and can wield a halberd, a scythe, or a spear. He is one of the stronger Shu generals.

Dynasty Warriors 3

 * Element: Fire
 * Basic +43, HP +74, Att +25, Def +52, Musou Gauge +80
 * Stage: Chang Ban (Liu Bei’s Forces)
 * Supply Team (starts: entry point by Zhang He, moves: Northeast).
 * Requirements: Defeat Xiahou Dun, Zhang Liao, and Zhang He. In addition to this you must also wait for Cao Cao’s reinforcements to arrive (Cao Cao arrives at the 80 minute mark) and for Liu Bei to say, “Cao Cao, so you want to end it here at Chang Ban?” (occurs at the 78 minute mark); after this happens fight anyone around Liu Bei with Zhao Yun, causing a cut scene in which Yun tells the enemy soldiers not to harm his lord. (This event can not be triggered by all characters, only Zhao Yun and some other Shu officers and cannot be triggered if Liu Bei has already reached his destination by Liu Qi’s ships). You must finish everything before Liu Qi arrives with reinforcements and the requirements may be fulfilled in any order (the supply team arrives after completion). It is suggested that you defeat Zhang He last (so you are close to the supply team).

Requirements for Obtaining Fierce Dragon

 * Stage: Battle of Bo Wan Po
 * Requirements: Follow Zhuge Liang's instructions for this battle as Zhao Yun and make sure the Shu strategist enters the castle where Cao Cao is.
 * Strategy: It is important that Zhao Yun defeats all the generals of each trap Zhuge Liang has. Also, if you wish to make sure he gets the weapon, defeat the generals on the inside of the castle.

Requirements for Obtaining Raging Dragon

 * Stage: The Chang Ban Run
 * Restrictions: No bodyguards.
 * Requirements:
 * 1) Find Liu Chan within 2 minutes. It's best to use the save/load trick so that you find Liu Chan in the first box you open in order to save time.
 * 2) Kill Xu Huang, then Cao Ren to open the castle door.
 * 3) After the castle gate opens, run straight to Liu Bei, ignoring everything in between. Liu Bei should have yelled for help quite a few times already.
 * 4) Protect Liu Bei for the rest of the game. Yue Jin, Yu Jin, Xu Zhu, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cheng Yu and Xun Yu will all be coming for Liu Bei's head. Kill them all.
 * 5) After killing the enemy officers, Liu Bei will retreat.
 * 6) Get 300 KOs within 13 minutes.
 * 7) Level 11 message after you beat the stage.
 * Strategy: It is recommended to wear the Shadow Saddle! And there's a marking scheme: You lose 20 points if you did not rescue Liu Chan within 2 minutes, -10 points if you did not get 300 KOs, -20 if you did not complete the stage within 13 minutes, -10 for each of Yue Jin, Yu Jin, Xu Zhu, Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun who you did not kill.

Requirements for Obtaining Fierce Dragon

 * Stage: Battle of Cheng Du
 * Requirement: Defeat Liu Xun's three sub-generals then defeat Liu Xun himself. Take the southern garrison.

Historical information
Zhao Yun was born in the year 168 AD as an officer of Gongsun Zan, a friend of Liu Bei. After Gongsun Zan's death, he joins Liu Bei.

Zhao Yun originally served Gongsun Zan, he joins Liu Bei when he died. At the Battle of Chang Ban, he successfully saved Liu Bei's wife and son. He continued to fight for the Shu army from then on. He died in the year 229 AD. He was sixty-one years old.

Due to the limited historical records, many facts about Zhao Yun's life remain unclear or unknown. The original records in Chen Shou's Records of Three Kingdoms are only a couple of hundred words long. Pei Songzhi's annotations provide a relatively clear, though still incomplete picture of Zhao Yun's life.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Zhao Yun was a major military general during the civil wars of the late Han Dynasty and during the Three Kingdoms era of China. For most of his career, Zhao Yun served the warlord Liu Bei, playing a part in the establishment of Shu Han. In literature and folklore he is lauded as the third member of the Five Tiger Generals.