A list of notable non-playable characters in the Dynasty Warriors series.
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Cao Bao
- The Quisling: Towards Lu Bu's forces when they attempt to conquer Xia Pi.
- The Resenter: Towards Zhang Fei.
Gan Ji
- Affably Evil: In 5, he seemingly wants to test Sun Ce's strength, more than everything else. This is some sort of Character Development, because his debut in 4:XL made him nothing more than just a Smug Snake. Recent games have turned him into Manipulative and
Magnificent Bastard, though. - Combat Hand Fan: He wielded one in 7.
- Cool Sword: He wielded a broadsword prior to 7.
- Death Dealer: He Uses Paper Talismans in 8.
- Hero Killer:He's the mastermind behind Sun Ce's death in 7 and 8.
- Historical Villain Upgrade: Historical records make little mention if he's outright evil. Most material source, instead, stated that it's just Sun Ce who suspects his teachings of Taoism and accuses him as a sorcerer.
- Manipulative Bastard: In 7, he mind rapes Sun Ce and uses apparitions to lure him into an archer ambush, leading to Sun Ce's death.
- Non-Standard Character Design: Is given a unique costume as well as Zuo Ci's weapon in 8.
- Spell My Name With An S: Until 8, he was named "Yu Ji". Historically, he was named Gan Jinote .
- What the Hell, Hero?: His apparitions (of various dead people, including Sun Jian) do this a lot to Sun Ce, such as forcing Sun Ce to fight his own soldiers and then calling him out on it.
Gongsun Zan
- Arch-Enemy: His is Yuan Shao.
- Cool Horse: He's usually seen riding a white horse.
- Heroes Prefer Swords: Ruler, but same difference.
- Small Name, Big Ego: After Hu Lao Gate in Zhao Yun's Musou Mode in DW6, he states that Zhao Yun fought "almost" as well as he did.
He Jin
A Han general who, despite only being made a general due to his relation to the Emperor, proved himself to be a capable commander when he led the Han forces against the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Unfortunately, he was slain during the Ten Eunuchs' Rebellion.
- Adaptational Wimp: In Advance, he's depicted as a comically incompetent coward that pissed Cao Cao off.
- A Death in the Limelight: He's usually seen in the Yellow Turban Rebellion stage. But in 5:XL, there's a Legend stage dedicated for his death by the Ten Eunuchs. In this stage, it's up to you whether you want to keep him alive or not until the end of the stage because this time, losing him won't cause you to lose the battle. This stage makes a reappearance in 8:XL and it's the first stage for Lu Bu's musou mode.
- Dies Differently in Adaptation: Historically, he's assassinated by the Ten Eunuchs after they falsely invited him for a truce. In the games, he's killed in the battle during their rebellion.
- Nepotism: He become a general just because his sister is Emperor Ling's consort.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Usually only appear once as the Han Army commander in Yellow Turban Rebellion.
Liu Zhang
Governor of Yi Province until it was seized by Liu Bei.
- Adaptational Wimp: He was actually a competent administrator; it's the novel (and by extension the games) which made him incompetent just to make Liu Bei look good. note
- Know When to Fold 'Em: In 3 and 4, he surrenders to Liu Bei if you meet certain conditions.
- Et Tu, Brute?: Feels betrayed after Liu Bei, whom he called for help, conquers the land of Shu.
- 0% Approval Rating: Considering that everyone wants Liu Bei to take over the land of Shu (To the point where even Zhang's own men defect to his army), with one soldier in DW7 even stating that Zhang's "the very picture of incompetence."
Ma Teng
Ma Chao's father.
- Ascended Extra: Was voted to be the recipient of the pre-made "Ruler" design for 7: Empires.
- Badass Army: Xiliang cavalry.
- Cool Horse: He is from Xiliang, so it's self-explanatory.
- Demoted to Extra: In 5, he is the commander of the Liang forces. In 7 and 8, the commander is Bian Zhang, Ma Teng is just one of Bian Zhang's lieutenants. It's accurate to history, however.
- Historical Hero Upgrade: In 5, the narration made it looks like Dong Zhuo is the one who invaded his homeland in Liang during the Battle of Liang Province. In real history, which is beginning to avert this trope since 7, his Liang forces are the rebels to the Han and Dong Zhuo is under the banner of the Han Imperial Forces.
- Historical Villain Upgrade: Historically, he surrendered to Cao Cao and became his official until Ma Chao and Han Sui rebelled and Ma Teng was executed as punishment for the two rebels. In the games, which adapted the Three Kingdoms novel, Ma Teng is killed/executed when he was conspiring to assassinate Cao Cao.
- Meaningful Name: His surname means "horse" and he leads one of the, if not THE, strongest cavalry force in all of China.
Wang Yun
Diaochan's adoptive father and the mastermind in a plot to kill Dong Zhuo.
- Spared by the Adaptation: In Lu Bu's hypothetical route of 8 XL, he can be saved, allowing Diaochan to help Lu Bu in the future.
Wen Chou & Yan Liang
- And This Is for...: Courtesy of Wen Chou in 3, which was delivered in a hilarious way and became his last words... for that game anyway.Wen Chou: "FOR YAN LIAAAAANNNG!"
- Bash Brothers: Yan Liang and Wen Chou are basically a duo fighter and Yuan Shao's main musclemen, they're rarely seen without each other while kicking ass. And they were killed in almost the same time too by the same person.
- Covered with Scars: Wen Chou's face.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: On the receiving end of one from Guan Yu.
- Dumb Muscle: They're not at all strategically inclined, but are fearsome in combat, enough to repel some of Cao Cao's mighty generals, which unfortunately made Yuan Shao a bit too cocky about the lack of strategies in his forces. Everything started going downhill once Guan Yu offed them both.
- Historical Badass Upgrade: The Romance novel that made them famous to give Guan Yu worthy opponents to fight and kill, and it's transferred in-game, where they're always a pair of souped up generals until Guan Yu kills them, usually in cutscenes. Historically, Yan Liang was beaten by Guan Yu by a surprise attack and only became known of "the victim of Guan Yu's strength getting beheaded in a showcase of strength" (a rarity in the battlefield back in those days, which made Guan Yu stand out). Wen Chou wasn't even doing something any of note. He's routed and killed in battle without Guan Yu being involved.
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge: When Yan Liang was killed, usually Wen Chou enters a state of rampage and becomes a lot fiercer, slaying more Wei soldiers and driving away its reputed generals to honor his friend's death. He's also very pissed at the killer, but unfortunately, said killer put an end to his rampage permanently.
- Weapon Specialization:
- Heroes Prefer Swords: Yan Liang's.
- The Worf Effect: Their defeat often serves to show how awesome Guan Yu is.
King Wutugu
- Ascended Extra: In one of the previews of 9's Empires expansion, the devs uses him as example with the edit character replacement system- and shows a story about him.
- Badass Army: His mooks are usually always wearing his signature Nanman Armor.
- Cool Sword:
- Improvised Armour: His Nanman Armor.
- Kill It with Fire: His Nanman Armor is weak against fire.
- Non-Standard Character Design: Of all NPCs in DW8, he is the tallest. Fitting, as he was described to be very tall in the novel.
Yuan Brothers
Yuan Shao's three sons.
- Sibling Team/Princeling Rivalry: When Yuan Shao is alive, they fight together under his command; when he dies, they start fighting each other for his throne, mostly because Tan and Xi are dissatisfied as Shao named Shang as his successor despite him being the youngest of the 3.
- We ARE Struggling Together: They don't get along with each other. Yuan Tan and Shang especially despise each other. They're forced to team-up against Cao Cao, but they're terrible in working together. Upon being cornered, they call out each other to attack first while panicking.
Yuan Tan
Yuan Shao's eldest son.- Enemy Mine: In 4 during Battle of Ji Province, if the player chooses, Yuan Tan can temporarily defect to Cao Cao's side until Yuan Shang is killed.
- The Resenter: To Yuan Shang. Their father favours Shang more despite Tan being the eldest.
Yuan Xi
Yuan Shao's middle son.- Character Exaggeration: Yuan Xi might not be the most mighty officer in the era, but in the games, his indecisiveness or incompetence tends to be put on more focus to the point that Zhenji is disgusted at his display of weakness and eventually ditched him for the more competent and confident Cao Pi. In 6, his forces could actually stand a chance because Zhenji was the one doing the commanding. Once Cao Pi won her over, his army crumbles.
- Disposable Fiancé:
- His wife Zhenji usually leaves him immediately after being defeated by Cao Pi at Guandu.
- To add insult to the injury, in Battle of Mt. Bailang (that happens after Guandu) for 8, Zhenji is always among allied officers who attack Yuan Xi. In story mode, she's not playable, so her AI will always direct her to Yuan Xi's position sooner or later.
- Historical Downgrade: Not much is known regarding his relationship with Zhenji in history. But it's known that Zhenji was close to Yuan Xi's mother. So it can be assumed that they were quite Happily Married.
- Weapon Specialization:
- Cool Sword: In 5
- What the Hell, Hero?: In Cao Pi's first Legend stage, he calls out everyone for trying to steal his wife.
Yuan Shang
Yuan Shao's youngest son.- Enemy Mine: In 4 during Battle of Ji Province, if the player chooses, Yuan Shang can temporarily defect to Cao Cao's side until Yuan Tan is killed.
- Parental Favouritism: Yuan Shao favours him more over Yuan Tan despite Tan being the eldest.
Zhang Bao
The second of the three Zhang brothers of the Yellow Turban Army.
- Dishing Out Dirt: Causes landslides / drops boulders in the Yellow Turbans Stage.
- Chewing the Scenery: His voice in 3 is... rather loud.
- One-Steve Limit: Averted — he has no relation to Zhang Fei's son of the same name.
- Religion is Magic
- Sibling Team: With his brothers Jiao and Liang.
- We Hardly Knew Ye:
- Weapon Specialization: Depends on the game, varies between Cool Sword or Magic Staff.
Zhang Liang
The youngest of the three Zhang brothers of the Yellow Turban Army.
- Blow You Away: Responsible for the Tornados/Strong Winds in the Yellow Turbans Stage.
- Religion is Magic
- Sibling Team: With his brothers Jiao and Bao.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: He is killed in the first chapter in nearly every game.
- Weapon Specialization: Depends on the game, varies between Cool Sword and Magic Staff.
Huche'er
- Combat Pragmatist: He is said to stole Dian Wei's weapon in some games. True to history, although not very useful because Dian Wei is still able to fight barehanded.
- Cool Mask: Being a ninja and all.
- Gratuitous Ninja: By appearance in 7 and 8, at least. Perhaps a nod that historically, he stole Dian Wei's weapon.
- Non-Standard Character Design: Well, you know, he's a ninja. In 7 and 8, so far.
- Weapon Specialization:
- Cool Sword: In 7.
- BFS: In 8, contrasting his appearance as ninja.
Emperor Xian (Liu Xie)
The last emperor of the Han Dynasty.
- Abdicate the Throne: He was forced by Cao Pi to abdicate which led to the end of the Han Dynasty. This also happens in Lu Bu's hypothetical route in 8:XL only because he's scared of him.
- Authority in Name Only: His real power is all but gone, and he is bitterly aware of it.
- Distressed Dude: In 5:XL and 8, where he gets passed around from lord to lord, each eager to use him to establish the legitimacy of their rule, before finally ending up under Cao Cao's protection.
- Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": Often simply referred as The Emperor. In some games, however, he is sometimes referred as Emperor Xian. note His real name is Liu Xie.
- Justified as even mentioning the Emperor's real name is a huge taboo in ancient China and an offense punishable by death.
- The Ghost / He Who Must Not Be Seen: He is never seen in the Legend Modes that include him in 5:XL, only his carriage. Averted since 6, where he is finally given a unique design.
- Living MacGuffin: Having him in your country is an important source of prestige, despite his personal weakness, and whoever is in control of him controls the country.
- Non-Action Guy: Averted in 8, where he carries a broadsword to defend himself while Cao Cao helps him escape Chang'an, but otherwise played pretty straight.
- Non-Standard Character Design: Since 6.
- Puppet Emperor: Played pretty straight in 7, which even Cao Cao admitted openly. However, this is subverted in 8, where he wittingly supports Cao Cao as his regent.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Though weak and ineffectual, he is not malevolent.
Guo Si and Li Jue
Dong Zhuo's loyal generals and retainers. Following Dong Zhuo's death at Lu Bu's hands, the two of them took command over the remnants of their master's army and took over Chang'an, using the Emperor as a political puppet to consummate their power.
- Co-Dragons: To Dong Zhuo.
- Dragon Ascendant: They both become this after Dong Zhuo's death.
- Crutch Character: For Dong Bai in her story for 9. They join her early on and are responsibly for leading her army and planning her battles, but it becomes apparent that the two of them alone aren't going to cut it against Lu Bu, and the two of them become quickly outclassed by Zhou Yu and Sun Ce. Downplayed however, as they both remain an integral part of the army and Li Jue's strategies are still used in combination with Zhou Yu's, whilst Guo Si actively helps you complete certain quests if you take too long.
- Gameplay and Story Integration: Gameplay wise, they aren't as strong as the playable characters, but them being the very few officers early on for Dong Bai's army makes them decent back up regardless.
- Final Boss: Of Lu Bu's Hypothetical route in 8:XL.
- Kick the Dog: In Shu's Hypothetical path, Guo Si insults Liu Bei for aiding peasants instead of focusing solely on Zhang Jiao.
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: Despite you clearly killing them in Lu Bu's hypothetical route, their defeat quotes are the standard "routed" lines. Possibly justified by the fact that generics don't have "slain" lines.
- Li Jue uses a greatsword in-game, but his death cutscene at Lu Bu's story shows him with a standard Jian.
- Wake-Up Call Boss: Story-wise. The fact that they, just like in history, were able to kick Lu Bu out of Chang'an shows that Lu Bu will never make it on his own out there despite his massive physical strength. note
- Weapon Specialization: Guo Si wields a spear, while Li Jue uses a greatsword.
The Ten Eunuchs
Led by Zhang Rang, the Ten Eunuchs originally served as trusted retainers and advisers to the Han Dynasty. However, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, they rebelled against the Emperor and took power for themselves. He Jin and Yuan Shao raised an army to combat them and restore the Emperor to power, but in the end it was Lu Bu and Dong Zhou who defeated the Eunuchs, which began Dong Zhou's tyrannical reign.
- Almighty Janitor: Officially, they're only servants who works in the inner palace where the Emperor and his family resides. By the time of Emperor Ling, they become one of the most powerful factions in all of China, even more powerful than many high-ranking ministers and officials, thanks to their close relationship with the Emperor. note
- Eunuchs Are Evil: Ten of them.
- Final Boss: Of the revamped Ambition Mode in 8:XL.
- Older Than They Look: Zhang Rang gets the "young advisor" model despite being 54 at the time of He Jin and Co.'s "eunuch-purging".
- Starter Villain: For Lu Bu's story mode in 8:XL.
- Smug Snake: Zhang Rang is incredibly arrogant.
- Took a Level in Badass: In Lu Bu's story, they're essentially cannon fodder meant to showcase just how powerful Lu Bu is. In the final battle of the revamped Ambition Mode, they're arguably the most powerful bosses in the game.
- Weapon Specialization: Throwing knives.
Yuan Yao
Yuan Shu's son who almost married Lu Lingqi. Almost.
- Amazon Chaser: He will stop at nothing to marry Lingqi.
- Hopeless Suitor: To Lu Lingqi, who doesn't want to marry anyone weaker than her father.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: More like "I want my beloved to stay alive". In Lu Bu's final stage in the historical route, Yuan Yao and his father can appear as reinforcements to help Lu Bu (more like lessened casualties among Lu Bu's other retainers, really, since Lu Bu and Chen Gong still end up being executed) if you fulfill certain hypothetical condition. And if he met Lu Lingqi, he will encourage her to survive the battle and stay alive. This happened after she coldly rejects him in the previous stage.
Han Xuan
The Prefect of Changsha who served under Liu Biao, Governor of Jing Province. When Liu Biao's successor, Liu Cong, surrendered Jing Province to Cao Cao before Battle of Chang Ban, Han Xuan also surrendered to Cao Cao. When Cao Cao lost at Chibi and Nanjun, he lost control over much of Jing Province, giving Liu Bei a chance to attack many under-manned regions in Jing Province, including Han Xuan's Changsha. He was the former superior of Huang Zhong and Wei Yannote .
- Historical Villain Upgrade: Historically, he's a Benevolent Boss who is loved by his people and listened to Huang Zhong's advice to surrender peacefully to Liu Bei. In the games, he's a Bad Boss who attempted to execute Huang Zhong for his defeat against Liu Bei's forces. He's also implied to be hated by his people. Justified that this characterization is taken from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel.
- Killed Offscreen: In 7, Wei Yan killed him off-screen.
- You Have Failed Me: In 4, he attempted to execute Huang Zhong for his defeat.
