Deng Ai

Deng Ai is a new character who is introduced in Dynasty Warriors 7. Before his playable appearance, he was an NPC Wei general since Dynasty Warriors 3. He was talented general of Wei with a famed ability to be able to instantly analyze a battlefield for the best places to store grain and position troops. He was discovered by Sima Yi and contributed to fighting off Shu's northern campaigns led by Jiang Wei.

His height in the Dynasty Warriors series is 200 cm (6'7"). His height in Kessen II is 185 cm (close to 6'1")

Dynasty Warriors
In the Dynasty Warriors series, Deng Ai appears at the Battle of Wu Zhang Plains under the forces of Sima Yi and Wei. In the Wei version of the stage, Deng Ai appears as an officer under Zhong Hui, who sets up the catapults in order to repel the Shu forces. In the Shu version of the stage, it is Deng Ai who sets up the catapults, not Zhong Hui, who instead appears as reinforcements later in the stage.

For his playable appearance, Deng Ai is a Wei general who once acted as a minster in office. After witnessing Sima Yi's intellect, however, he decided to return to the battlefront and watch over the troops during the campaigns against Shu. He has a hobby of looking at maps and, to preserve their accuracy, he is cautious of the war changing the geography.

Deng Ai is first seen in Cao Shuang's attempt to conquer Shu. Here, he meets Sima Zhao, and the two of them don't get along with Cao Shuang because of the lack of provisions. When Ma Dai launches a wave of surprise attacks, the Wei army is force to retreat. Deng Ai is truly amazed with Sima Zhao who fights off the Shu forces and leads the Wei soldiers to escape by the safest route. The general concludes that the Sima family is the only one who can reunite Wei, and he gives them his respect and support. He shows his loyalty as he helps them in suppressing Jiang Wei and the Shu forces.

Even after Sima Yi dies and Sima Shi takes over, Deng Ai continues to support them as they fight for power over Wei. Then Jiang Wei launches another campaign at Tianshui, and Deng Ai is sent with Sima Zhao and Guo Huai to stop them. When Guo Huai is about to take Xiahou Ba's life, he is unfortunately killed by Jiang Wei's archers. Deng Ai later discovers the dead body and furiously defeats Jiang Wei and the Shu army to avenge Guo Huai. Later, he and other officers aid Sima Shi in suppressing the rebellion of Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin. However, after the battle, Sima Shi collapses from his injured eye and later dies.

When Sima Zhao becomes leader and leads his army against another Shu invasion at Taoshui, Deng Ai and the others faithfully fight by his side as they achieve another victory. However, Jiang Wei launches yet another attack at Duangu, and Deng Ai and Zhong Hui are sent by Sima Zhao to stop them. When Zhong Hui arrogantly leads the troops and gets himself caught in a trap, Deng Ai quickly heads into battle and defeats the Shu ambush, saving Zhong Hui. When facing Jiang Wei himself, Deng Ai is impressed by the young commander's devotion to the will of his forbearers, but wonders if that devotion will ever bring a future. Deng Ai defeats Jiang Wei and brings the Wei army yet another victory.

Later, Deng Ai and Zhong Hui follow Sima Zhao as he heads for Yangping Gate to end their battle with Shu once and for all. While Sima Zhao and Zhong Hui fight their way through the only road to the gate, Deng Ai takes off on his own and heads for the mountains to reach Chengdu. However, as vision is reduced with a fog, phantoms of Zhuge Liang appear before the soldiers and frighten them. But Deng Ai remains calm and destroys the phantoms, regaining the morale of the troops. Catching up with the others, they march together and defeat Shu's last defenders. Deng Ai is last seen with Sima Zhao as they watch Liu Shan surrender.

In his first Legendary Mode, Deng Ai fights Sun Quan and the Wu forces with only a few allies as the main forces are busy with Shu. His second Legendary Mode is Zhong Hui's rebellion, and Deng Ai protects Sima Zhao from the traitor and Jiang Wei.

Deng Ai, although a Non-playable character, also has some significance and mention after the Battle of Cheng Du as Sima Yi's sub-general in Dynasty Warriors 4.

Kessen
If the player chooses to fight Cai Wengi during Wei's story, he will appear as her subordinate general in Kessen II. If Cao Cao rides alone to greet him, he will be touched by the conqueror's trust in him. After locating the real Cai Wengi, he joins Wei.

Development
Deng Ai was created to be seen as a chiseled general of many years of experience. To emphasize his years on the battlefield, he was given a buff physique to toughen his body. The selective usage of metal for his outfit is to emphasize his role as the muscle power for Jin. Since his bandanna conceals his eyebrows, it makes it intentionally difficult to perceive his emotions. The producer believes it lets him be a taciturn and persuasive character. Deng Ai is meant to be a brash looking yet sincere character for Jin.

Voice Actors

 * Steve Blum - Kessen II (English-uncredited)
 * Christopher Sabat- Dynasty Warriors 7 (English-uncredited)
 * Masato Obara - Dynasty Warriors 7 (Japanese)
 * Takehiko Watanabe - Kessen II (Japanese)

Dynasty Warriors 7
Deng Ai is affiliated with the lance in this appearance. When he is equipped with it, he can perform a unique attack exclusive to him. When he performs his musous, he will automatically use the weapon in his attacks.


 * EX Attack: ,,,,,undefined,undefined: Charges forward with his lance.
 * Musou 1: : Throws a bomb down in front of him then drills his lance into the ground.
 * Musou 2: R1 + : Grapples his opponent, puts them into an armbar and breaks their arm.

Historical Information
In 263, he took part in the war to conquer Shu Han with Zhong Hui. Jiang Wei fended them off somewhere south of Hanzhong. Deng Ai suggested to pass troops through Yinping but Zhong Hui rejected the idea. Deng Ai then carried out his own plan with his son and troops and it turned out to be a great success. They eventually managed to enter Chengdu, and the Shu emperor Liu Shan surrendered.

Jiang Wei, however, did not want the Kingdom of Shu to fall. He was determined that Zhong Hui wanted to rebel against Wei. They united, defamed Deng Ai, and ordered the officer Wei Guan to capture him. Jiang Wei's plan failed and the Army killed Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei. These soldiers tried to rescue Deng Ai, but Wei Guan feared that they might take vengeance on him so he killed Deng Ai.

Deng Ai, prior to his appointment, was often harassed because of his stuttering problem, a fault which he used to his advantage in speaking with his superiors, who often regarded his curious stuttering as jokes or witty expressions.