One of the initial challenges players encounter in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* is the battle against Zhang Jiao, the leader of the Yellow Turbans. Here's a detailed guide on how to conquer this formidable foe.
How to Fight Zhang Jiao's First Phase
In the first phase, you'll face Zhang Jiao in a one-on-one duel within a vast wasteland. He employs sorcery to hurl stones at you across the arena. When you're close, he'll summon four stones, which you must quickly evade. From a distance, he'll throw twice as many stones in sets of two, which you can dodge by simply running around him. If you're near him when he summons a large number of stones, it's crucial to create some distance to avoid taking substantial damage.
While most of his attacks are designed to keep you at bay, Zhang Jiao also has some close-range moves. These include simple combos that you can parry and an Area of Effect (AOE) attack meant to push you away. If you see him glowing white, he's charging his AOE, so it's wise to back off to avoid damage.
As the fight progresses, Zhang Jiao will begin using moves that give him a red aura, indicating uncancellable attacks. These involve summoning a massive number of rocks to drop around him and creating several clones. The best strategy here is to retreat until his attack finishes, then resume your offensive. Ensure you're equipped with a sword, as it deals more damage compared to spears or gauntlets.
It's vital to monitor your health throughout the battle. You'll likely have the opportunity to heal only four times, depending on your upgraded skills. Remember, there are jars near the arena entrance containing meat buns, which you can grab to heal whenever you need to retreat from Zhang Jiao's onslaught.
How to Fight Zhang Jiao's Second Phase
Upon unlocking Musou Rage, the second phase kicks off with the arrival of the Yellow Turbans to assist Zhang Jiao. Fortunately, your own army will also appear, providing you with some support. This is an ideal time to heal by running to the entrance and grabbing those meat buns. Be mindful of the tornados Zhang Jiao summons, as they can throw you off course while you're battling his soldiers.
After taking down enough of his troops, Zhang Jiao will launch a Grand Tactic, requiring you to defeat 300 soldiers within a tight timeframe to prevent a devastating attack. To complicate matters, he'll also summon lightning to rain down on the arena. Keep an eye on the ground for closing rings, and evade when they flash. The most effective way to clear the Yellow Turbans quickly is by using Musou Mode, which, if timed correctly, can eliminate dozens at once. Although you may have unlocked Musou Rage Mode, sticking to the basic Musou mode is likely more beneficial given the time constraints.
Successfully thwarting Zhang Jiao's Grand Tactic twice will bring him back to the battlefield, employing the same tactics from Phase 1. With your army's assistance, defeating him and depleting his remaining health should be manageable, thus concluding Chapter 1.
This is the strategy to triumph over Zhang Jiao in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*.
*Dynasty Warriors: Origins* is now available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.
