Tian Kai

Tian Kai (田楷, onyomi Denkai) was an official and military general who served under Gongsun Zan during the Eastern Han dynasty. He fought several battles against Yuan Shao, before dying in action at Yijing alongside his master.

Roles in Games
In Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires, Tian Kai appears as a default member of Gongsun Zan's faction based in Beiping.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms presents Tian Kai as Gongsun Zan's best general besides Zhao Yun and Tian Yu. He is a decent commander with balanced stats, ranging from the high 50s to high 60s with leadership and war being his best traits. Overall, he is a good supporting general and can be used offensively and defensively.

Historical Information
Few info was recorded about Tian Kai. What was noted was that he began his career as a subordinate of Gongsun Zan. During the year 191, when Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao engaged in conflict. Tian Kai was sent to gain control of Qing province, which was under Yuan Shao's jurisdiction at the time, Tian Kai fought several battles against Yuan Shao's eldest son Yuan Tan and was appointed as the Inspector of Qing province in 192, he managed to seize Northern Qing while Southern Qing remained under Yuan Shao's control. The following year however he was driven out of Northern Qing.

In 194, when Xu province was attacked by Cao Cao, Tian Kai along with Liu Bei, the Chancellor of Pingyuan at the time, were sent by Gongsun Zan to aid Tao Qian in the defense of Xu. After the retreat of Cao Cao, Liu Bei remained in Xu province and broke from Gongsun Zan. Tian Kai then subsequently returned north.

In the year 198, the Battle of Yijing broke out between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. Tian Kai fought by his Master's side in the battle and like many of Gongsun Zan's officials was slain in action.