History Characters / DynastyWarriorsWeiKingdom

* BadassFamily - The leader of the Cao family, with his son Cao Pi, daughter-in-law Zhen Ji, cousin Cao Ren; since his father was originally a member of the Xiahou, his cousins Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan and nephew Xiahou Ba could fit as well.

* DepravedHomosexual - Averted; despite being a CampGay hired killer working for the nastiest of the Three Kingdoms, he is, at heart, a decent guy who legitimately cares for his comrades. [[spoiler: Like other Wei officers, he mourns for the slain Xiahou Yuan]].
* DudeLooksLikeALady - If you squint, it's hard to tell him and Zhen Ji apart.

[[folder:Zhen Ji]]

Zhen Ji first served under Yuan Shao and was married to one of his sons. Cao Cao's son Cao Pi was taken by her great beauty and pursued her to be his wife after the Yuans' defeat.

Zhen Ji is a slightly arrogant woman who knows her status in society and isn't afraid to say it. She can sometimes come off as cold and aloof, even to her own husband. But she is loyal to Wei and she supports her father-in-law Cao Cao in his quest to unite the land.

* DragonLady, FemmeFatale - The bad girl of this series... so far. Subverted since Zhen is capable of acting decent among her allies and gets along well with Cai Wenji.

** Though before Cai Wenji made her debut in ''7'', Lady Zhen was Wei's answer to TheSmurfettePrinciple.

* DoppelgangerAttack - Can produce short-lived clones to attack at a distance in ''8''. The last part of his awakening Musou lets his clone do the rest of the chopping and carving.

** Though before Cai Wenji made her debut in ''7'', Zhen was Wei's answer to TheSmurfettePrinciple.

* TokenWholesome - Compared to the other female characters in the series. Ironically, this has made her very popular with many fans.

-->Voiced by: NobutoshiCanna (Japanese), DougErholtz (English)

* DoppelgangerAttack - Can produce short-lived clones to attack at a distance in ''8''.

* TheDreaded - Mothers in Wu used him as a bogeyman to frighten their children after his victories at He Fei. Leads to some rather useful GameplayAndStoryIntegration, as his very presence in certain missions terrifies enemy troops and reduces their fighting ability.

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors''

-->Voiced by: KazuyaNakai (Japanese), KirkThornton (English)

** BadassLonghair - [=DW4=] and 5

* {{BFS}} - Beginning since [=DW3=] with his trademark [[SinisterScimitar Scimitar]]. However, subsequent reappearances shrank it and somewhat {{nerf}}ed his attack speed.
** CarryABigStick - Exclusively in [=DW6=], his weapon is a cudgel.
** In [=DW7=], he gets a smaller sword.
*** In [[=DW7XL=]] he gets his {{BFS}} back in the form of a Podao.
* DavidKaye - [=DW3=]
* [[spoiler: DefeatingTheUndefeatable - He brings down Lu Bu in 7. Yes, that's right: '''Lu Bu.''' Granted, Bu hadn't been in the greatest shape historically, but still: '''''Lu Bu.''''']]
** In Wei's version of this battle... in Shu's version it's [[spoiler:Guan Yu]].
* TheDragon - Technically, as far as {{Designated Villain}}y goes. He's Cao Cao's right-hand man after all.
* EvenEvilHasStandards - In [=DW5=], he states his displeasure of killing peasants even if it's for Cao Cao's sake.

* GreenEyedMonster - He wasn't a fan of Cao Cao letting Guan Yu temporarily join Wei; Cao Cao made no secret in how much he admired Guan Yu and the games portray Dun as being somewhat jealous of his presence among Wei's generals.
** With Guan Yu making no secret of it being a temporary arrangement, can you blame Dun?

* UndyingLoyalty - To Cao Cao. The novel and eventually ''[=DW7=]'' make it clear they were actually cousins (Cao Cao's father having been adopted into the Cao family).

* AnAxeToGrind - In [=DW2=]-5 and 7
** EpicFlail - In [=DW6=], he wields a ball-and-chain.
* BaldOfAwesome / BaldOfEvil - His canon nickname ''is'' "The Coming Evil", afterall.

* BoisterousBruiser - Japanese-wise, Dian Wei sounds much more boisterous, HotBlooded and joyful while being a badass bodyguard (in contrast to the more stoic, [[TalkingToHimself same-]][[KazuyaNakai voiced]] Xiahou Dun). This is partially averted in the localization, where Billingslea tends to use a more deeper, scarier vocal emphasis on his "Coming Evil" persona. He's still {{Badass}} either way.

* HiddenDepths - His Musou Mode in [=DW6=] establishes him as being a GentleGiant underneath it all.

* SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan - The Manly Man to Xu Zhu

* UnstoppableRage - At Wan Castle he takes on an entire army trying to kill Cao Cao.
** Also present in ''WarriorsOrochi'' ''3'', when he sees some [[SamuraiWarriors Oda]] soldiers killing some innocent villagers who took care of him.

* BareYourMidriff - In [=DW7=] for some [[FanDisservice inconceivable reason]].
** He probably just couldn't find anything that fit him.

* BigEater - Somewhat lampshaded by Cao Pi in the first ''VideoGame/WarriorsOrochi'' after recruiting him:

* SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan - The Sensitive Guy to Dian Wei

* UndyingLoyalty - Between him and Dian Wei up there, you ''really'' shouldn't fuck with Cao Cao. And not even removing Dian Wei would decrease that threat level.

* AmbitionIsEvil - In [=DW2=]-5
** AntiVillain / DesignatedVillain - From [=DW6=] on, in the Shu and Wu campaigns.
* AmericanDream: Mentioned in [=DW7=], part of Cao Cao's goal is to make a land where a man would be recognized for his talent, rather than heritage. Funny, because he's ''Chinese''.
* AnIcePerson - His EX and Musou attacks in [=DW7=]

* BadassFamily - The leader of the Cao family, with his son Cao Pi, daughter-in-law Zhenji, cousin Cao Ren; since his father was originally a member of the Xiahou, his cousins Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan and nephew Xiahou Ba could fit as well.

** {{BFS}} - Dynasty warriors 7's Sword of Heaven is massive.
* DirtyOldMan - It was said he lusted after both of the Qiao sisters and wanted to add them to his harem. A ''[=DW4=]: Xtreme Legends'' stage (Tong Qiao Tai) has the two Qiaos escaping from his horny clutches.
** That said, the odd moment like the above-mentioned Legend Mode stage aside, it's usually averted in the games where Cao Cao's characterization tends to revolve [[TheUnfettered entirely]] around [[TakeOverTheWorld taking over China]].
* DishingOutDirt - His Tome Special in [=DW6=] is to drop boulders.
* DoppelgangerAttack - Can produce short-lived clones to attack at a distance in [=DW8=].
* {{Expy}} - Of [[SamuraiWarriors Nobunaga Oda]] in [=DW7=], since he covers his sword in a dark aura similar to Nobunaga. And in [[spoiler: Wu]]'s ''[=DW8=]'' what-if ending, [[spoiler: he commits suicide in a similar manner to what happened to Nobunaga in history.]]

* PlayingWithFire - His Elemental Orb attack in [=DW5=]

* TemptingFate - During his escape from the Battle of Chibi in most of the games, he criticizes Shu's pursuit of him, mentioning he would've place an ambush at particular points on the map. Guess what happens?

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors 2''

-->Voiced by: Yasuhiko Tokuyama (Japanese), TonyOliver (English)

* {{BFS}} - [=DW6=]
* BowAndSwordInAccord - Uses a variant in [=DW4=] and 5, one of two officers to use a bow outside the tacky {{FPS}} bow mode, along with his...
** CarryABigStick - A war club in [=DW2=]-5
* BumblingDad - Plays this to some extent in [=DW7=] and [=WO3=] with Xiahou Ba, who he treats more like a friend than his child.

* FatAndSkinny - With Zhang He.
* RainOfArrows - His Tome Special in [=DW6=] and second Musou attack in [=DW7=].

* SteveBlum - [=DW4=]-5

* WaveMotionGun - His 1st musou in [=DW7=]

-->Voiced by: Hirofumi Tanaka (Japanese), RogerCraigSmith (English)

* AnAxeToGrind - [[DualWielding Two of them]] in [=DW6=].
** BladeOnAStick - A ''guan dao'' in all appearances pre-[=DW7=].

* BadassCrew - The leader of the Five Wei Generals.
* BigDamnHeroes (and BigDamnVillains if you decide to portray the Wei forces as villains) - Most notably at He Fei.
* CompositeCharacter - Because Pang De was removed in [=DW6=], Zhang Liao absorbed parts of his attributes (appearance, his "path of the warrior" speech and even his weapons).

* [[spoiler: DefeatingTheUndefeatable - Dear God, he brings down the combination of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and Liu Bei in Wei [=DW7=] story mode]].

* TheDreaded - Mothers in Wu used him as a bogeyman to frighten their children after his victories at Hefei. Leads to some rather useful GameplayAndStoryIntegration, as his very presence in certain missions terrifies enemy troops and reduces their fighting ability.
* Creator/{{Michael McConnohie}} - [=DW4=]-5
* FriendlyEnemy - Guan Yu; in the novel Guan Yu begged Cao Cao to spare Zhang Liao's life (considering him a good man who had simply been on Lu Bu's side) and in return Zhang Liao later talked Guan Yu into temporary capitulation instead of dying in vain.

* OneManArmy - Even by the standards of playable characters in Dynasty Warriors, this guy is a beast. He's TheDreaded for a reason.
* TheWorfBarrage - Played with in Wei's story in [=DW7=] at Chang Ban where he uses an attack that would normally kill a normal opponent against Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
* WorthyOpponent - To Guan Yu
** The novel has Guan Yu beg Cao Cao to spare Zhang Liao's life after the Battle of Xia Pi; Liao later served as the middleman who convinced Guan Yu to (temporarily) surrender and ally with Cao Cao, and in one of the earlier DW games the Guan Yu's Escape stage opens with a cutscene where the departing Guan Yu bids farewell to Zhang Liao due to this cordiality.

Was formerly treated as a Wei character until ''7'', upon which he got [[Characters/DynastyWarriorsJinKingdom his own "kingdom"]], although he makes an appearance for Wei in ''7'' during the Hanzhong campaign and in Wang Yi's story in ''[=DW7=]: Xtreme Legends'' expansion.

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors 3''

-->Voiced by: Keichiro Yamamoto (Japanese), TravisWillingham (English)

* AnAxeToGrind - All appearances until [=DW6=], and again in [=DWNext=].
* SinisterScythe in [=DW6=] Cloned or not thats what she be.
** BladeOnAStick - In [=DW7=]
** He gets his [[AnAxeToGrind Great Axe]] back in [=DW7E=]

* BloodKnight - Positive version. While he's seeking fights here and there, Xu Huang regardless prefers [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen fair fights]]

* PaulStPeter - [=DW4=]
* WorthyOpponent - To Guan Yu.

* AnimalMotifs - Runs with the butterfly motif since [=DW4=], appearing in some of his attacks as representation of his obsession with beauty. [=DW4=] gave him an alternate costume with butterfly wings, [=DW5=] added energy butterflies to some of his attacks, and [=DW7=] goes as far as giving him a butterfly attack that looks like ([[ShoutOut and is named after]]) the [[Anime/TurnAGundam Moonlight Butterfly]].
* BadassCrew - Among the Five Wei Generals.
* BareYourMidriff - Well, until [=DW8=].

* CharacterExaggeration - In [=DW6=], to the point where he actually wears ''high heels''. He seems to come back to his [=DW3=] baseline level in [=DW7=] and even lower in [=DW8=] where he's fully clothed.

* DepravedHomosexual - Surprisingly enough, averts this. Despite being a CampGay hired killer working for the nastiest of the Three Kingdoms, he is, at heart, a decent guy who legitimately cares for his comrades [[spoiler:and like other Wei officers mourns the slain Xiahou Yuan]].
* DudeLooksLikeALady - If you squint, it's hard to tell him and Zhenji apart.
* {{Expy}} - Of [[StreetFighter Vega]], at least with his debut for [=DW3=]. Reappearances in installments slightly avert this, until [=DW7=] was released.

* EvenEvilHasStandards - In [=DW7=] he expresses to Zhao Yun his distaste over having to attack a man carrying an infant.

* {{Pride}}- Very much in love with himself. Though if you marry him in ''6 Empires'', he will tell you not to work too hard and spoil your beauty.
* SissyVillain - If you consider Wei the bad guy you have a guy who loves wearing fabulous clothes, using beautiful words, and performing elegant dance.
* TrialByCombat - [[spoiler:[[DudeLooksLikeALady To find out who is the most beautiful in all the land.]]]] [[SamuraiWarriors Ah...]] [[FemmeFatale Nohime]] [[TheFightingNarcissist would be proud.]]

** [=DW7=] especially averts this in many cases as there are a few unique quotes used by allies and enemies alike involving his sheer fruitiness.
* WolverineClaws - All appearances except [=DW6=], but he gets them back in the PlayStation2 version and in [=DW6=]: Empires.

[[folder:Zhenji]]

-->Voiced by: Yuko Sumitomo (Japanese), WendeeLee (English)

Zhenji first served under Yuan Shao and was married to one of his sons. Cao Cao's son Cao Pi was taken by her great beauty and pursued her to be his wife after the Yuans' defeat.

Zhenji is a slightly arrogant woman who knows her status in society and isn't afraid to say it. She can sometimes come off as cold and aloof, even to her own husband. But she is loyal to Wei and she supports her father-in-law Cao Cao in his quest to unite the land.

* AnIcePerson - Her primary Musou attack in [=DW7=].

* BareYourMidriff - [=DW3=], 5 & 7

* CherryTapping - Jump canceling her EX attack in [=DW7=] allows her to do this by walking into enemies.
* DesignatedGirlFight - When there's one in a Dynasty Warriors game, she's usually in it.
* DragonLady - The bad girl of DW... so far. Though subverted that Zhen is capable of acting decent amongst her allies and gets along well with Cai Wenji.
* FemmeFatale - If ''Dynasty Warriors'' has a bad girl, it's her.
* {{Flanderization}}: has been becoming less of an independent character ever since Cao Pi was introduced. Given her almost complete lack of storyline involvement in DW& and WO3, she starts to become a SatelliteCharacter for her husband, losing a lot of her cruel RichBitch characterisation.
** Though before Cai Wenji in DW7, she was Wei's answer to TheSmurfettePrinciple.

* MichelleRuff - [=DW4=]-5
* PlayingWithFire - Her Tome Special in [=DW6=]

* SparedByTheAdaptation: Historically and in the novel, she was made to commit suicide when Cao Pi found a new favourite; this is never mentioned in the games, and said new favorite never appeared, so the two of them remain HappilyMarried to the end.
* TookALevelInJerkass - Has notably become more crueler beginning in [=DW5=]. Then again, given her husband made his debut in that game, and considering how he's portrayed, this isn't such a stretch.
** TookALevelInKindness: A small one but noticable in [=DW8=] as she gets along well with Cai Wenji and acts nicer also
* WhipItGood - Only in [=DW6=]

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors 4''

* EpicFlail - [=DW7=] gives him a [=ball-and-chain/morning star=] as a weapon
** LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe - His pre-[=DW6=] weapon was a buckler blade, and he gets it back in DW7E.
** ProngsOfPoseidon - His cloned polearm moveset in [=DW6=].
* LifeDrain: His DW7 and XL Ex Attack
* MightyGlacier - In [=DW4=] and 5, he was considerably slow and more oriented towards defense compared to others.
* ReluctantWarrior - [[CrapsackWorld This is what happens when a]] ActualPacifist forces himself to become a TechnicalPacifist.

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors 5''

Cao Pi is the 2nd eldest son of Cao Cao and husband of Zhenji. He becomes the first emperor of Wei and strives to even surpass the dreams of his father. Though a loyal and respectful son, Cao Pi is also determined to surpass his father's image and realize his own goals.

* AnIcePerson - His Elemental Orb attack in [=DW5=] and EX and Musou attacks in [=DW7=].
* BifurcatedWeapon - His dual swords connect to each other in 5. He is stated to get this weapon back in DW8.
** DualWielding - Twin broadswords in [=DW7=]
** CoolSword in [=DW6=]

* DeadpanSnarker - Especially in ''WarriorsOrochi''
* FanNickname - "Bovine Urine," due to his name being pronounced in [=DW5=] exactly how it's spelled.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold - He is very sweet and gentle with Zhenji. A stark contrast from [[BastardBoyfriend his behavior]] in [[RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms the books.]]
* RainOfArrows - His Tome Special in [=DW6=].

-->Voiced by: MasakazuMorita (Japanese), KeithSilverstein (English)

* AscendedExtra - Was in many games as a generic officer, but became a playable character in [=DW5=] and its spin-offs.
* BadassArmy - He can summon the Xiliang cavalry to charge with him during his 2nd Musou.

** CarryABigStick - In [=DW:NEXT=], his weapon is changed to a cudgel/mace, and he retains this in WO3 and [=DW7E=]

* DaranNorris
* FanNickname - Indonesian fans often call him "Pakde", a play on his name and a reference to his mature appearance (Pakde is Javanese word for parents' older brother).

* MasakazuMorita
* WhatCouldHaveBeen - According to WordOfGod, he was supposed to return in [=DW7=] but in the middle of the development process he ended up not getting too featured in the storyline, thus was axed, most noticeably when it's Cao Ren and Xu Huang leading the defense at Fan Castle but Xiahou Dun is the playable character.
** The excuse is pretty strange since there are many characters don't appear in Story Mode at all.

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors Strikeforce 2''

* ActorAllusion: Erin Fitzgerald voices another melancholy songstress with a blue color scheme in LeagueOfLegends.
* AscendedExtra - Her debut was an in-game custom created officer in [=DW6=]: Empires. ''Strikeforce 2'' gave her a unique character design, while 7 fully entered her into the Wei Kingdom's character lineup.
** She appeared earlier in ''KessenII'' as "Cai Wengi" and was portrayed much as an AxCrazy barbarian witch.

* DisproportionateRetribution - In [=DW6=]: Empires, one would hope so...otherwise, what could she have done that was so bad that every single soldier and ''nature itself'' wants her dead?
* LoveInterest - Notable as the only female character in the cast that averts being one. She pursues none as a love interest after her introduction and her relationship with Cao Cao lacks even the mildest hints of being anything other than platonic. Justified because she married another man after Cao Cao rescued her.

* MusicalAssassin - Prior to [=DW7=], her weapon is a chinese violin. She currently uses a harp.
* RescueRomance - Averted. Cao Cao rescues her from enemies, but they seem to be more like friends and she marries a different man afterwards.

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors 7''

* AscendedExtra - Like many officers, he was featured in previous installments of the series with a generic character model; [=DW7=] introduced him so that Wei would have a playable strategist, since Sima Yi is part of the new Jin storyline.

* EpicFlail - Wields a weapon similar to [[SamuraiWarriors Hanzo Hattori's]].
** Qualifies as a SinisterScythe, really.

* ManipulativeBastard - As shown as he basically places Han Sui and Pang De in a SadisticChoice at Tong and Yangping Gate respectively. [[hottip:*:Serve Wei or be labeled as a traitor by your allies.]]

* OlderThanTheyLook - He may look a bit of above-middle age person, but it's worth noting he's historically one year older than ''[[CoolOldGuy Huang Zhong]]''.

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors 7: Xtreme Legends''

* AscendedExtra - After a Famitsu poll had him topping the list of characters "the fans" would most want to see become playable/unique (post-[=DW7=]), Tecmo Koei came up with [[http://koeiwarriors.co.uk/news/upload/comments.php?fn_id=436 a pair of concept art for him]]. He then made his debut in ''[=DW7=]: Xtreme Legends''.

* TheHedonist - A positive example. He's the type of 'live and let live' and always seek to get his enjoyment as long as he lives (knowing that he's going to die soon). Which includes drinking and hitting on ladies.
* HeroicSacrifice - In ''Dynasty Tactics'' at Chibi he boards a burning ship and crashes into Zhou Yu's ship killing them both.

** Hell, his first Musou [[ShoutOut looks similar]] to Venom's multi-hit orb super 'Dark Angel'.

* SadisticChoice - Pulls one on Guan Yu, threatening harm to Liu Bei's family if he doesn't serve Wei. (This is exclusive to XL and did not happen in the novel, where it was entirely a negotiation between Cao Cao and Guan Yu with Zhang Liao as the middleman.)
* ShipTease - Has one with Ina in [[WarriorsOrochi WO3]].

* TheSmartGuy - Considered one of the best from the Three Kingdoms era.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen - Died at the age of 37. Cao Cao certainly thought he would have made a huge difference in Wei's coming battles, in particular remarking that the Battle of Chi Bi would never have gone [[CurbStompBattle the way it did]] had Guo Jia been there (which ''Tactics'' chose to reflect: see HeroicSacrifice above).

* ActionGirl - Or leering to DarkActionGirl since her 2nd Musou got her a little bit on the sadistic side, pinning the enemy on the ground and stabbing the enemy's throat while doing an EvilLaugh.

* BoobsOfSteel - Almost literally, given that metal bustier she wears. She's also the only physical-oriented lady in Wei.

* DrowningMySorrows - In her XL ending
* DualWielding - She wields a pair of trishula, which are essentially large bladed sais.

* RevengeBeforeReason: In WarriorsOrochi 3, Wang Yi appears to be controlled by Orochi, but when she breaks free of it, she still wants revenge on Ma Chao and attempts to kill him until Noh, Oichi, and Sima Yi stop her. And let's not get into some of her quotes form Dynasty Warriors 7 XL.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge - more than half of her voice clips revolve around '''vengeance.''' Some even veer into RevengeBeforeReason territory, despite her insistence of the contrary. Her death quote if slain by Ma Chao, in particular, can show how far she can fall; it's delivered in a delusional, despairing tone:

* ShipTease - With Sima Yi in WarriorsOrochi 3

!Debuting in ''DynastyWarriors 8''

* {{Expy}} - Bare a similar look to Takatora Toudou of [[SamuraiWarriors Samurai Warriors]]. Also, earlier impression compare him with a less-self absorbed, more laid back Zhong Hui (must be the hair)
* ImprobableWeaponUser - It's more or less [[SamuraiWarriors Hanbei]]'s Battle Sundial or Bao Sanniang's Spinner [[XOnAStick on a stick]].
** DoubleWeapon - Said spinning part is just one end of his weapon. The other end has a rather normal-looking halberd head.

* MagnificentBastard

* HoYay - With Lu Bu, Guan Yu and Xu Huang.

* TheDragon - Only if you portray Cao Cao and Wei as villains.

** The novel has him state the eye belongs to his family; he simply couldn't discard it:
-->"''Essence of my father, blood of my mother; I cannot throw this away''."

*** It gets worse when you read the novel and find out Cao Cao had no real intent of actually ''using'' Guan Yu as a warrior thanks to Guan Yu declaring his intent to repay Cao Cao with battlefield service before leaving -- so Cao Cao was essentially paying him/showering him with gifts to keep him off of the battlefield! Then again, [=DW7=] has Dun dismissing Guan Yu's value as soon as his first appearance at Si Shui Gate via slaying Hua Xiong.
*** Guan Yu also killed one of his direct subordinates when he left Cao Cao in the novel. Their grudge was probably inspired by the part that Xiahou Dun chased after Guan Yu and demanded his death until Zhang Liao stopped them -- only for Cao Cao to pardon Guan Yu for the killing.

* DiedStandingUp

* SimpletonVoice - Much less than with Xu Zhu, but it's there.

* AmericanDream: Mentioned in [=DW7=], part of Cao Cao's goal is to make a land where a man would be recognized for his talent, rather than heritage.

** Most importantly, the claim of this was used in the novel by Zhuge Liang to convince Zhou Yu to support a war against Cao Cao.

* BloodKnight

* ButtMonkey - Earlier when Koei released the promotional video for Wei, he was the only character that got cut out. Luckily, Koei re-released a clip with him and apologized.

* DragonLady

* BoobsOfSteel - Almost literally, given that metal bustier she wears.

-->'''Lu Xun:''' Oh, very well done! Master Dian Wei of Wei... Your strength and bravery are renowned. Your skill in battle, your mind and brilliance, you're the reason we defeated Guan Yu.
-->'''Dian Wei:''' That'll be enough of that. Some day I'll be facing you on the battlefield as well. Making friend with you will make it harder.
-->'''Lu Xun:''' Now I see. Beneath your warrior's manner, you're actually a very simple and gentleman.

* FriendlyEnemy - Guan Yu.

* AnAxeToGrind - [[DualWielding Two of them]] in [=DW7=]
** BladeOnAStick - A ''guan dao'' in all appearances pre-[=DW7=]; [=DW6=] gives him two Ji halberds.

** He gets his [[AnAxeToGrind Great Axe]] back in DW7XL.

** CarryABigStick - In [=DW:NEXT=], his weapon is changed to a cudgel/mace, and he retains this in WO3.

* DrowningMySorrows - In her ending

* GreenEyedMonster - He wasn't a fan of Cao Cao letting Guan Yu temporarily join Wei. Cao Cao made no secret in how much he admired Guan Yu and the games portray Dun as being somewhat jealous of his presence among Wei's generals.

*** It gets worse when you read the novel and find out Cao Cao had no real intent of actually ''using'' Guan Yu as a warrior after Guan Yu declared his intent to repay Cao Cao with battlefield service before leaving. Then again, [=DW7=] has Dun dismissing Guan Yu's value as soon as his first appearance at Si Shui Gate via slaying Hua Xiong.
*** Guan also killed one of his direct subordinates when he left Cao Cao in the novel. Their grudge was probably inspired by the part that Dun chased after Guan Yu and demanded his death until Zhang Liao stopped them -- only for Cao Cao to pardon Guan Yu for this.

* UndyingLoyalty - To Cao Cao. The novel makes it clear they were actually cousins, Cao Cao's father having been adopted into the Cao family.
* WhatTheHellHero - Calls Cao Cao out for his [[NoSympathy lack of sympathy]] over [[spoiler: the deaths of Dian Wei and Xiahou Yuan]].

* AffablyEvil - Even the heinous acts he commits are done [[WellIntentionedExtremist with the intention of bringing order and safety to a chaotic world]]; the games do ignore quite a few of his uglier moments in this respect (for example, the details of how he dealt with a conspiracy against him secretly backed by the Emperor).

** AntiVillain / DesignatedVillain - From [=DW6=] on

* BadassFamily - The leader of the Cao family, with his son Cao Pi, daughter-in-law Zhenji, cousin Cao Ren, and since his father was originally a member of the Xiahou, so his cousins Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan and nephew Xiahou Ba could fit as well.

* DirtyOldMan - It was said he lusted after both of the Qiao sisters and wanted to add them to his harem. A [=DW4=]: Xtreme Legends stage has the two Qiaos escaping from his horny clutches.

** That said, the odd moment like the above-mentioned legend mode aside, it's usually averted in the games, where Cao's characterization tends to revolve [[TheUnfettered entirely]] around [[TakeOverTheWorld taking over China]].

* {{Expy}} - Of [[SamuraiWarriors Nobunaga Oda]] in [=DW7=], since he covers his sword in a dark aura similar to Nobunaga. And in [[spoiler: Wu]]'s what if ending, [[spoiler: he commits suicide in a similar manner to what happened to Nobunaga in history.]]

* TheDreaded - Mothers in Ancient China used him as a bogeyman to frighten their children. Leads to some rather useful GameplayAndStoryIntegration, as his very presence in certain missions terrifies enemy troops and reduces their fighting ability.

See [[Characters/DynastyWarriorsJinKingdom the Jin character page for more details]]. Sima Yi was once listed as a member of Wei before getting his own kingdom.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen - Died at the age of 37. Cao Cao certainly thought he would have made a huge difference in Wei's coming battles, in particular remarking that the Battle of Chi Bi would never have gone [[CurbStompBattle the way it did]] had Guo Jia been there (which ''Tactics'' chose to reflect: see HeroicSacrifice above) and a ''[=DW8=]'' Wei "What-If" stage has him surviving to be involved at Chibi.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen - Died at the age of 37. Cao Cao certainly thought he would have made a huge difference in Wei's coming battles, in particular remarking that the Battle of Chi Bi would never have gone [[CurbStompBattle the way it did]] had Guo Jia been there (which ''Tactics'' chose to reflect: see HeroicSacrifice above).

* TheDragon - Only if you portray Cao Cao and Wei as villains.

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* {{Expy}} - Bare a similar look to Takatora Toudou of [[SamuraiWarriors Samurai Warriors]].

* HeroicSacrifice - In ''Dynasty Warriors Tactics'' at Chibi he boards a burning ship and crashes into Zhou Yu's ship killing them both.

* TheNapoleon - Vertically challenged and has issues about it, kind of like [[FullMetalAlchemist Edward Elric]]

* BareYourMidriff

* CharacterExaggeration - In [=DW6=], to the point where he actually wears ''high heels''. He seems to come back to his [=DW3=] baseline level in [=DW7=].

* SimpletonVoice: Much less than with Xu Zhu, but it's there.