For the better part of a decade I have been playing a game series put out by Koei called Dynasty Warriors.
It’s a pretty basic hack-and-slash game set during the Three Kingdoms era of China. Though Koei takes liberties with Chinese history from 180-260 AD.
It’s given me hours of mindless button mashing, and an introduction to one of the more famous times — albeit tumultuous — in ancient China. When I play, I typically choose the speedier characters with ranged weapons. So, you won’t see a lot of brawny folk in this list a la Dian Wei or Wei Yan. Except Lu Bu — for obvious reasons.
Additionally, I’ve always been a supporter of the Kingdom of Wu, so you’ll see a lot of red on this list. And given there are 80 playable characters, as of Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, here are my Top 25. Xièxie.
| 25. |  |
Character: Diao Chan Kingdom: Other Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (1997) |
|---|---|---|
| 24. |  |
Character: Xiaohou Dun Kingdom: Wei Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (1997) |
| 23. |  |
Character: Zuo Ci Kingdom: Other Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 5 (2005) |
| 22. |  |
Character: Wang Yuanji Kingdom: Jin Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 7 (2011) |
| 21. |  |
Character: Pang Tong Kingdom: Shu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 3 (2001) |
| 20. |  |
Character: Zhang Liao Kingdom: Wei Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 2 (2000) |
| 19. |  |
Character: Zhu Rong Kingdom: Other Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 3 (2001) |
| 18. |  |
Character: Zhuge Liang Kingdom: Shu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (1997) |
| 17. |  |
Character: Jia Chong Kingdom: Jin Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (2011) |
| 16. |  |
Character: Zhao Yun Kingdom: Shu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (1997) |
| 15. |  |
Character: Zhong Hui Kingdom: Jin Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 7 (2011) |
| 14. |  |
Character: Zhang Chunhua Kingdom: Jin Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 7 (2011) |
| 13. |  |
Character: Yue Ying Kingdom: Shu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 4 (2003) |
| 12. |  |
Character: Cao Pi Kingdom: Wei Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 5 (2005) |
| 11. |  |
Character: Guan Yu Kingdom: Shu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (1997) |
| 10. |  |
Character: Lianshi Kingdom: Wu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (2011) |
| 9. |  |
Character: Lu Meng Kingdom: Wu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 2 (2000) |
| 8. |  |
Character: Gan Ning Kingdom: Wu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 2 (2000) |
| 7. |  |
Character: Ma Chao Kingdom: Shu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 2 (2000) |
| 6. |  |
Character: Zhou Yu Kingdom: Wu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (1997) |
| 5. |  |
Character: Wang Yi Kingdom: Wei Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 7 (2011) |
| 4. |  |
Character: Sun Ce Kingdom: Wu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 3 (2002) |
| 3. |  |
Character: Zhenji Kingdom: Wei Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 3 (2002) |
| 2. |  |
Character: Lu Bu Kingdom: Other Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors (1997) |
| 1. |  |
Character: Ling Tong Kingdom: Wu Year Introduced: Dynasty Warriors 5 (2005) |