Dynasty Warriors 7/Weapon Movesets

Weapons in Dynasty Warriors 7 behave in a different manner than previous iterations of the series. Like the Strikeforce titles, characters can simultaneously equip two weapons at once and can switch between them at will. During battle, players can hold more than one weapon in their inventory and can switch the weapons they're using to change to another in reserve. This can be done during the middle of battle or even when the character is still in the air.

A quick switch between the two weapons triggers a "Switch Attack". Depending on the weapon, the motions for the attack motion will vary.

An "EX Attack" becomes available when a character is equipped with their personal weapon of choice (colloquially known as "EX Weapon"). The method for inputting these attacks are shown to the player through the weapon's action listing in the game's pause menu. A simple way of spotting the EX Attack or a character's weapon of choice is by noting the letters "EX" with the weapon icon. When it's selected, the golden letters will notify the player. There is one "EX Attack" available per character.

Even if characters have a preferred weapon of choice, however, the producer stresses that any weapon can be freely equipped for any character. A character's preferred weapon may not always be the best one for each character since it may not cover all of the character's weakspots. For an example, he compared Guan Yu and his trademark Green Dragon Crescent Blade. The weapon may cover a wide range but it's also slow and leaves Guan Yu open to attacks. To counter this, the producer suggested equipping Guan Yu with a speedier weapon type to make him more flexible. The weapon system strives to grant players the freedom to counteract these type of imbalanced traits at their own will and preferences.

Since the movesets themselves are ingrained with the weapon and not the character, all of the characters in this title will have similar movesets. This means anyone using a set of gauntlets, for example, will act in the same manner as Ding Feng or Meng Huo, the EX users of the weapon type. The known traits to separate EX users from the rest of the cast are their EX Attacks and specialized musou attacks. Musou attacks for all of the characters will switch to their preferred weapon, regardless of whatever weapon they are currently using. Even if he doesn't have it within his inventory, Zhao Yun will automatically switch to his spear for his musou attacks. The producer remarked that players can make any type of joke they want about how this is even possible. Gender may play a part in deciding on which weapons a character may be able to use.

"Unique" weapons also exist in the game. For instance, both Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi have feather fans as their weapon of choice. Zhuge Liang will have a white and green fan while Sima Yi's will turn black and purple. Wang Yuanji's throwing daggers for her downloadable costume will change their look but they will act the same. These "unique" effects are purely cosmetic.

Weapons can be earned by defeating enemy generals in battle or by purchasing them at a weapons store in Story or Conquest Mode. There are weapons that will be exclusive for the player in one mode and not the other (i.e: there are weapons available in Story Mode that can't be found in Conquest Mode).

Weapons

 * Weapon Affiliations
 * Sword - Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, Sun Jian, Sun Quan, Sima Zhao
 * Rapier - Liu Shan, Sima Shi, Yuan Shao
 * War Fan - Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, Zhuge Dan
 * Twin swords - Cao Pi, Lu Xun, Liu Bei
 * Spear - Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, Jiang Wei
 * Pike - Xu Huang, Lu Meng, Guan Yu
 * Double Voulge - Zhang Fei, Wei Yan
 * Great Sword - Guan Ping, Xiahou Ba
 * Throwing Knives - Wang Yuanji, Zhu Rong
 * Chain and sickle - Jia Xu, Gan Ning
 * Flail - Cao Ren, Dong Zhuo
 * Club - Xu Zhu, Huang Gai
 * Nunchaku - Ling Tong, Guan Suo
 * Staff - Zhou Yu, Yue Ying
 * Gloves - Ding Feng, Meng Huo
 * Bow - Xiahou Yuan, Huang Zhong
 * Shaman Rod - Pang Tong, Zhang Jiao
 * Iron Fan - Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao
 * Sword and Shield - Xing Cai
 * Flying swords - Zhong Hui
 * Halberd - Lu Bu
 * Twin Axes - Zhang Liao
 * Lance - Deng Ai
 * Twin Rods - Taishi Ci
 * Axe - Dian Wei
 * Curved Sword - Zhou Tai
 * Claws - Zhang He
 * Tonfa - Sun Ce
 * Crossbow - Lian Shi
 * Wheels - Sun Shang Xiang
 * Whip - Diao Chan
 * Spinner - Bao Sanniang
 * Arm Cannon - Guo Huai
 * Brush - Ma Dai
 * Flute - Zhen Ji
 * Harp - Cai Wenji

These weapons only appear in Conquest Mode.
 * Downloadable weapons


 * Dagger-axe - Yue Ying's first weapon of choice in the series
 * Bombs - Huang Gai's secondary weapon throughout the series
 * Short-handled Halberd - weapon historically used by Dian Wei to fight Lu Bu's army
 * Wolf fang pole - Xiahou Dun's weapon in Dynasty Warriors 6
 * Great axe - Xu Huang's first weapon of choice in the series
 * Sai - martial arts weapon with two prongs at the base of its hilt; called by its Chinese name, Bijiacha (筆架叉), in Japanese

Individual Character Proficiencies
Each character can use some weapons better than others. When the player wants to equip a certain weapon type with their character, the will see a number of stars to mark their character's personal proficiency with each available weapon. Three stars is the highest, one star is the lowest.

This table lists characters in their default order for this game. The sequence for the character listings is Wei, Wu, Shu, Jin, and Other.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Hits the enemy with the haft of the sword.
 * , undefined: Slashes the enemy in the air, jumps after him and strikes him down.
 * ,, undefined: Slashes a few times horizontally, paralyzing the opponent.
 * ,, , undefined: Sends forth an air wave horizontally.
 * ,, , , undefined: Smashes with the sword on the ground.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Spins around while circular swinging the sword.


 * Dashing : Jumps forward while slashing the opponent.
 * , : Strikes down one time.


 * Switch Attack: Sends forth a diagonal air wave.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Grabs the enemy and pushes him forward. This moves does very little damage, but is useful to break the enemy guard.
 * , undefined: A quick lunge followed by an upward slash.
 * ,, undefined: A very quick series of diagonal slashes. Notice that enemies who are hit by the first will be unable to escape the full combo.
 * ,, , undefined: An horizontal slash which sends the enemies flying.
 * ,, , , undefined: Three quick lunges foward.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Sends an energy wave foward. This attack can break the enemy guard.
 * ,, , , , : A quick combo made of lunges and slashes.


 * Dashing : Dashes foward.
 * , : Does a quick lunge in mid-air.


 * Switch Attack: Sends foward countless energy lunges.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined: Does one lunge to the left.
 * ,, , , , : Does five lunges to the left and ends with other three lunges, only more powerful.

Fighting Style
A fighting style comprised mostly of lunges, the rapier one of the least accurate movesets in the game. It is useful in crowd fights because the player doesn't have to focus on precision, but is very ineffective against officers due its weak attacks. However, its speed is useful when cornered as it covers all areas around the player.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Emits a little tornado.
 * , undefined: Causes a fire explosion on the ground.
 * ,, undefined: Summons lightnings in a small area.
 * ,, , undefined: Sends forth a thin energy beam.
 * ,, , , undefined: Sends forth a wind swirl.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Sends forth three big energy beams.
 * ,, , , , : Sends forth six whirlwinds.


 * Dashing : Dashes forward causing a wind swirl.
 * , : Emits a few energy beams which explode on the ground.


 * Switch Attack: Sends forth a little tornado.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:
 * ,, , , , : Leans to the left, and sends six whirlwinds down.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: Emits a shockwave.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Spins spear around 360 degrees finishing with a pose on the left knee, breaking the oppenent's guard. Can be held down to deal more damage. Will not be phased by attacks (with the exception of Musou attacks) when executing the held down version of this move. Deals little damage.
 * , undefined: . User strikes up with the blunt of the spear, if it connects, the user will continue to spin around the opponent, strike their legs and send them flying to the air. The player will then smash the oppenent down with the head of the spear. Invincible if the grapple animation is triggered. Grapple will only occur if the target is on the ground meaning players cannot juggle with the grapple.
 * ,, undefined (undefined): The user will stab very quickly three times and then end with a dashing strike to the right. The user will stab an additional two for a total of five if undefined is pushed again.
 * ,, , undefined: Pulls back and shoots a narrow energy wave across the ground. If undefined is held down, the user will send a wider arced energy wave instead.
 * ,, , , undefined: Will swiftly charge the spear up and down, emitting a large ground explosion and send opponents into the air.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Executes a 180 degree strike from right to left and also emits a small shock wave around the user. If undefined is held down, the user will instead spead to their right, and swing their spear to the right. This version is more powerful and emits a larger shockwave.
 * ,, , , , : Strikes to the left while simultaneously crossing the right foot between the left. Player crosses their legs back to normal while striking to the right, from here, the user directly swings the spear back to the left, back to the right, and then strikes forward.


 * Dashing : Dashes forward and strikes to the right.
 * , : Jumps and sweeps from right to left in the air.


 * Switch Attack: Player will grab the nearest opponent with their feet to use as an anchor, extend themselves full length to spin around once to hit a wide radius and then slam their victim into the ground. It vaguely resembles Zhao Yun's attack during the Dynasty Warriors 5 introduction movie.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Fighting Style
Most of this moveset is a slightly modified version of Zhao Yun's moveset from Dynasty Warriors 6 and shares many of the same strengths and weaknesses. A good overall style for beginning players to use, it is highly mobile with good crowd clearing attacks and decent speed and range.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Smashes on the ground causing a weak explosion.
 * , undefined: Kicks the opponent in the air.
 * ,, undefined: Throws three fans of daggers onto the opponent which paralyzes him.
 * ,, , undefined: Kicks the opponent away.
 * ,, , , undefined: Smashes on the ground.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Throws two fans of daggers onto the opponent which are stronger than the normal ones.


 * Dashing : Throws knives in the air, kicks them when falling down onto the opponent.
 * , : Throws two fans of knives down to the opponent.


 * Switch Attack: Sends a fan of daggers which will daze any nearby enemies.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:
 * ,, , , , : Throws daggers down at opponents from the left side of the horse.

Fighting Style
The throwing knives moveset is quick and strong at mid range and short range combat. It's not good to use if the player is surrounded as it lacks strong knock back attacks and generally only hits enemies in the front. This leaves users of this moveset highly vulnerable to attacks from behind. This moveset also has a hard time breaking blocks and guards but can easily juggle opponents if they are already airborne.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Rolls forward dashing the enemies in the way away.
 * , undefined: Hits the opponent in the air.
 * ,, undefined: Spins and swings the club circular.
 * ,, , undefined: Dashes the enemies with a strong blow away.
 * ,, , , undefined: Grabs an enemy, throws him in the air and dashes him away when falling down.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Smashes onto the ground.


 * Dashing :
 * , : Jumps on the ground while smashing the club on the ground.


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Swift kick to knock down enemy guard
 * , undefined: Fires an arrow on the ground which explodes and dashes the enemy in the air.
 * ,, undefined: Fires a directed arrow onto the opponent which paralyzes them.
 * ,, , undefined: Fires a row of arrows from left to right.
 * ,, , , undefined: Jumps up and fires an exploding arrow on the ground.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Shots two fans of strong arrows in the air, one coming down above the opponent, one above the player.


 * Dashing : Slams the opponent with the bow.
 * , : Jumps around while firing a row of arrows onto the ground.


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:
 * ,, , , , : Fires exploding arrows from the left side of the horse.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Conjure a quick, unblockable whirlwind, leaving the enemy stunned for several seconds.
 * , undefined: Thrust the fan upward, swinging the target upward along with it
 * ,, undefined: Throw the fan outwards and low to the ground, stunning the target. After stunning, the fan returns after spinning around the player, hitting surrounding enemies.
 * ,, , undefined: "Boomerangs" the fan around the player, knocking away any surrounding enemies
 * ,, , , undefined: Conjure a massive whirlwind, sending enemies, as well as the player (without damage) into the air.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Stuns and grabs the target with an unblockable attack, spins around the target with showering flower petals, then knocking the target in the back of the head with the now closed fan.
 * NOTE: If the attack misses a target, the fan slimply flashes closed, and then opens again, dealing no damage.
 * ,, , , , : Repeated swipes with the edge of the fan in a dancing motion until the 6th attack knocks the enemy down.


 * Dashing : Throws the fan a short distance ahead of the character, knocking any enemies in the way.
 * , : A short, swift attack aimed at an enemy on the ground.


 * Switch Attack: Throws the fan a short distance away; it will spin in place to create a temporary whirlwind which will juggle any enemies caught in it.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined: Throw the fan downwards to the right, where it will spin on the ground and return to the player, where it will again descend to the ground to the player's left
 * ,, , , , : Attack with quick, repeated swipes off the right side of the horse

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: A quick foward slash with all the swords.
 * , undefined: An uppercut which sends the enemies flying.
 * ,, undefined: Tries to stab an enemy with one sword. If the attack succedes, the other swords will quickly stab the enemy as well, doing major damage.
 * ,, , undefined: Does a sideward slash from both left and right, using two swords for each side.
 * ,, , , undefined: Jumps foward surrounded by the swords.
 * ,, , , , undefined: The swords charge foward, then, while returning to the user, also hit the enemies behind him/her.
 * ,, , , , : A quick combo that ends with five lunges at the same time.


 * Dashing : A quick diagonal slash.
 * , : The user nosedives, surrounded by the swords.


 * Switch Attack: Swords rotate while flying forward slashing those near.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined: The swords rotate around the horse.
 * ,, , , , : A quick succession of diagonal slashes.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: Slashes both halberds at once to send a large shockwave.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: Slams the ground in front of the player.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: Throws the axe which swirls a few times around the character.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined: Shoots a large bolt to the right, then another one to the left.
 * ,, , , , : Shoots six groups of arrows consecutively to the right side.

Fighting Style
The crossbow moveset is highly immobile and vulnerable to crowds and back attacks as much of the time the player stands in place shooting their weapon. Users of this weapon should avoid crowds when possible and utilize the fighting style's long ranged attacks. A secondary weapon with strong knockbacks would be good to use with this moveset to gain a comfortable shooting distance.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
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 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: Throws the wheels a short distance away where they will spin in place and slice any enemies nearby.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: Player will sit on the ground and send the whip forth stunning the opponent in front of them.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: A short-ranged swing which will knock any nearby enemies into the air.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Fighting Style
This moveset tends to use short ranged attacks using the cannon as a blunt weapon with only a few moves utilizing long ranged shots. It has several knockback attacks for both short and long range distances, but it's slow and leaves the player's back vulnerable. Players should preemptively try to plan their attacks ahead while using this weapon.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Creates a soundwave which dazes nearby opponents.
 * , undefined: Kicks the opponent in the air.
 * ,, undefined: Creates a stronger soundwave which dazes nearby opponents.
 * ,, , undefined: Slides foward creating a strong soundwave.
 * ,, , , undefined: Emits a small tornado.
 * ,, , , , undefined:Creates two soundwaves followed by a soundwave-ball dashed into the opponent.


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: A powerful soundwave will surround the player dazing any opponents hit by it.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack: A powerful soundwave will surround the player dazing any opponents hit by it.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Fighting Style
The harp moveset is strong at close range as players can easily juggle opponents. There is some slight lag time between attacks and can leave players vulnerable to back attacks. So long as players aren't too heavily surrounded from behind it is a moveset good for crowd clearing nearby opponents. The moveset also incorporates some mobility and players can easily keep their distance and hit from afar.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
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 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined:

Ground Moveset

 * undefined:
 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:
 * ,, , , undefined:
 * ,, , , , undefined:


 * Dashing :


 * Switch Attack:

Horse Moveset

 * undefined: