Cao Cao/Movesets

All the movesets for Cao Cao in the Warriors franchise.

Ground Moveset

 * undefined: Spins around then slashes to the right outward.
 * , undefined: Cao Cao brings his weight and shoulder back, then brings up the face of his sword up in the air via a flick.
 * ,, undefined: Chops downward in an inward motion to stun his target.
 * ,, , undefined: Quickly steps forward after waiting and slashes to the right.
 * ,, , : An inward slapping slash, outward strike, upward-inward sweep, then an outward slash.


 * Spins around continuously, with a complicated sword movement, ends with a powerful slash.


 * , : Jump, then swipe.


 * R1, : Shoots a normal arrow.
 * R1, undefined: Shoots a paralyzing bolt.
 * R1, : Unleashes a barrage of arrows.


 * L1, : Counterattack.

Ground Moveset
Remains the same with the following additions/changes:
 * ,, , , undefined: Cao Cao slashes with a pointing motion upward, if undefined is tapped again, he follows with two midair meteor slashes.
 * ,, , , , undefined, (undefined), (undefined), (undefined): Bends one knee and lunges forward with one leg planted firmly behind him and sword back, then proceeds to lunge forward, bringing his sword to the side with each lunge. Crumples his targets per hit.
 * ,, , , , : An inward slapping slash, outward strike, upward-inward sweep, low aimed outward slash, inward covering cut, then an outward slash similar to his C4.


 * Dashing : A stunning elbow attack.

Horse Moveset

 * undefined: Cao Cao leans to each side, and swings his weapon to each side.
 * ,, , , , : Three attacks to the right side, three to the left.

Dynasty Warriors 4

 * R3: Releases wisps of light that stun enemies within range. Aura may change color in Free Mode to match the user's chosen side.

Ground Moveset
Removes power guards to replace with counterattacks. Remains the same with the following additions/changes:
 * undefined: An elemental shot fired from his sword pointed forward; can fire three shots at once if a Vorpal Orb is equipped.
 * ,, undefined, (undefined), (undefined), (undefined): A series of moving horizontal zigzag slashes while holding his sword straight. Ends with a downward cut to the left that stuns.


 * , undefined: Stabs his sword onto the ground to create a quake.


 * L1, undefined: Counterattacks with C4.

Horse Moveset

 * Repeating swings to all sides until the Musou gauge empties.

Ground Moveset
Removes bow moveset from previous games. Remains the same with the following additions/changes:
 * undefined: Same as before, but instead sends out a single fire orb which later explodes.
 * ,, , , undefined: Slams the point of his sword to the ground in reverse grip, producing a large purple misty explosion that launches.
 * ,, , , , , , , : After the fifth blow, he restarts his chain from the third blow.


 * (True): Ends in a powerful wide slash with a blue tremor.
 * , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Cao Cao jumps, then swipes his sword twice while lunging mid-air, ends with a spinning slash that releases a sonicboom.


 * Warriors Orochi
 * , : An airdash that makes him temporarily invincible. Cao Cao leans forward slightly for his dash.
 * R1: Holds his sword and places his free hand on the blunt side as his runs his hand slowly across it, creating a buff for him and his party members. The motion can damage nearby foes. Temporarily increases the team's attack and defense power. Uses a bit of musou. The quote he yells is "Bow to me!".
 * Direction + R1: Raises an arm to order for a backup volley. Tracks his movements and randomly hits foes in front of him. Uses a bit of musou. Mitsunari Ishida shares a similar special.


 * Warriors Orochi 2
 * Triple Attack 1: Thrusts a violent air gust flying at mid-range.
 * Triple Attack 2: Sends a large current of air traveling forward.
 * Triple Attack 3: Crushes the vicinity with a surge of dark energy.

Fighting Style
His C3 in the fourth and fifth games can be a difficult task in directing properly. Cao Cao is often associated with death elements, and can thus be a powerful bruiser who can K.O. foes with ease, especially with his 4th weapon in the third game, and the Vorpal Orb from the fourth title. Note that his 4th weapon in Dynasty Warriors 5 gives no defense stat bonuses, making Cao Cao defensively weak to balance out his power as a result. Some of his charge attacks can also be a bit slow, such as his C6 for instance. Regardless, Cao Cao has a very solid moveset and has decent crowd control. His movements are similar to a very elegant style of sword fighting.

Ground Moveset

 * string (Renbu ∞): Three slices and a stab. Slashes three more times before he pierces his foe while in a squatting position. Three more slashes before he follows with a series of airwave enhanced cuts.
 * undefined string (Renbu ∞): Four horizontal slashes before he thrusts his sword to send an airwave forward. Surrounds himself with an energy wave on the last hit.
 * undefined (held): Plunges his sword into the ground, emitting an burst of energy that knocks away nearby foes. At maximum Renbu, the blast radius of this move is greatly enhanced, roughly 3 times as large, allowing Cao Cao to easily clear away weak foes.
 * Several attacks that depend on Renbu levels. Hurls two airwaves as his finale.
 * , : Overhead chop.
 * , undefined: Hovers in the air and plunges his sword into the ground, creating an energy shockwave on impact.
 * Dashing : Quick horizontal cut.
 * Dashing undefined: Strong diagonal slash.
 * Grapple attack : Short swing to his front. If it connects, he rams the bottom end of his weapon once, then stabs his sword clean through his foe.
 * Grapple attack undefined: Spins a step forward with a delayed sword swing. If it connects, he spins around his opponent and cuts them down twice.
 * Deadlock attack: Knocks his foe flat on the ground and stabs them with his sword.
 * Special attack: Rockfall: lets loose giant boulders of land on the enemy and, when used near a cliff or an area with elevation differences, the rocks fall down and slide on the ground.

Horse Moveset

 * string: swings to his right with both swords. Number of attacks depends on Renbu level.
 * undefined: anticipated swing to his right.
 * faster version of the string that ends with a undefined attack.

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce
Cao Cao mainly uses his version of the sword moveset in this title.

Dynasty Warriors 7
Cao Cao is affiliated with the sword in this appearance. When he is equipped with it, he can perform a unique attack exclusive to him. Upon performing his Musou techniques, he will automatically use the weapon in his attacks.


 * EX Attack: undefined, undefined: Summons a volley of ice arrows.
 * Musou - Conquest (覇道): : Sends several large ice shards forward.
 * Aerial Musou - Arctic Storm (氷嵐):, : Sends several large ice shards downward.

His moveset has been changed in Warriors Orochi 3.
 * Warriors Orochi


 * , undefined: Does an upper right slash.
 * ,, undefined: Slashes in a zigzag formation multiple times.
 * ,, , undefined: Hurls an energy wave forward.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Slams the ground with fist before doing a round slash forward.


 * , undefined: Flips in mid-air before slamming weapon unto the ground to produce a minor impact.


 * R1: Draws dark energy from the ground.

Dynasty Warriors 8
Cao Cao is affiliated with the general's sword in this appearance. When he is equipped with it, he can perform a unique attack exclusive to him. Upon performing his Musou techniques, he will automatically use the weapon in his attacks.


 * Alternate Musou - (鳳皇剣舞): R1 + : Stabs enemy before initiating several slashes, ending the attack with a wide cut across the screen.
 * Awakening Musou: Spins around repeatedly with sword in hand. It ends with the user's shadow performing a single swipe that sends nearby opponents flying away. The extension causes the user to run around while sending out shadows to slash back and forth, adding in a few extra swings after moving.