Shadow Runner

Shadow Runner (絶影, Juéyǐng) is a horse from the Three Kingdoms period. It was said to have run so quick that it would cast no shadow during its sprint. In the Dynasty Warriors series, it is a black steed but there is no definite description regarding its color. It is named in the Record of the Three Kingdoms and Book of Wei but not in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

The horse is famous for carrying Cao Cao to safety during his flight from Wan Castle. Historical records state that it was wounded in the foot and its fate remains unknown. In the novel, it received three arrow wounds -one located in its eye- and perished after it saved its rider. Later Cao Cao would offer it tribute in memory along with Dian Wei.

In the games, while you are on it, it prevents you from getting knocked off the horse. In Dynasty Warriors 6, you won't get knocked off even if you get hit by a charge attack (only charge attacks can knock off a character off a horse).

Background Info
Shadow Runner is mentioned in the Records of the Three Kingdoms when Lu Bu first appears in Dong Zhuo's castle where Cao Cao pay visit to them. Cao Cao apologize for the coming late because of his horses. Since Dong Zhuo spend his time resting in his room, Cao Cao serve Dong Zhuo for a fan until Dong Zhuo fall asleep, Cao Cao draw his sword to assassinate Dong Zhuo. But failed, the sword reflects on Dong Zhuo's eyes causes him awake. Cao Cao was hesitate, he pretend not to kill and act as he gave a suprise to Dong Zhuo with his sword. Cao Cao said that the sword wasn't ordinary and he demonstrate to Dong Zhuo that it could cut on any silver and bronze. Dong Zhuo was proud of Cao Cao, but Cao Cao still worried of his failure act and walk away from that Castle. Suddenly, Lu Bu appears and exchange Cao Cao's horses with another new horses that was ordered by Dong Zhuo to gave him a better horses that can run better, and the horses called Shadow Runner. Lu Bu pass Shadow Runner to Cao Cao, and flee from Dong Zhuo's domain. In a few minutes later, Dong Zhuo suspected that Cao Cao was trying to cut down Dong Zhuo's head. And so he call Lu Bu and gave him the sword that was gifted by Cao Cao in order to cut down Cao Cao's head. Lu Bu failed search Cao Cao and he slain every innocent people in Cao Cao's domain. Cao Cao manage to escape, he later met Chen Gong Tai during the court.

How to Unlock

 * Dynasty Warriors 4
 * Stage: Battle of Tong Gate (Shu)
 * Convince Han Sui to avoid defecting to Cao Cao.


 * Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires
 * No definite way of getting this: the player must get lucky with the "Change Production" tactic. There are reports that having Lu Bu as grand general helps, however this is unconfirmed.


 * Dynasty Warriors 5
 * Stage: Battle of Liang Province (Allied Forces)
 * Defeat Zhang Ji and Hu Zhen in less than 45 seconds after their arrival.


 * Strategy
 * Select easy mode and equip Red Hare. First destroy the south-western supply base and the two attack bases in the top-left and bottom-right corners. Then camp out in one corner. When Dong Zhou arrives, he will say "Ha! Do you think I came without a plan!?" after about 1~2 mins. This is the point the reinforcements come. Quickly kill off the newly spawned reinforcement officer (ignore their troops), then quickly head to the other without stopping.
 * Select easy mode and equip Red Hare. First destroy the south-western supply base and the two attack bases in the top-left and bottom-right corners. Then camp out in one corner. When Dong Zhou arrives, he will say "Ha! Do you think I came without a plan!?" after about 1~2 mins. This is the point the reinforcements come. Quickly kill off the newly spawned reinforcement officer (ignore their troops), then quickly head to the other without stopping.


 * Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires
 * Produced in the northwest most land Liang Province or Xi Liang?. Develop it until you cannot do so any more. After you are done developing, go to "Assign" and do "Western Trade". Repeat this until you get the Shadow Harness.


 * Dynasty Warriors 6
 * Raise a black colored horse with "eyes that consider the world" and "possesses a heavenly physique" in its description.


 * Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires
 * Buy it for 22,000 gold in a county with a stable.


 * Dynasty Warriors 7
 * Clear the Conquest stage, Ransei Gunrou Ikusa (乱世群狼戦).