"Strategies to Overcome Zhang Jiao in Dynasty Warriors: Origins"

One of the first real challenges that players will encounter in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* is the battle against Zhang Jiao, the head of the Yellow Turbans. Here's a detailed guide on how to defeat him effectively.

How to Fight Zhang Jiao's First Phase

The first phase of the battle takes place in a large wasteland, pitting you against Zhang Jiao in a one-on-one duel. He employs sorcery to hurl stones at you across the arena. If you're close to him, he'll summon four stones, necessitating quick evasion. From a distance, he'll double the number of stones, launching them in sets of two; you can dodge these by circling around him. Staying too close when he summons a large batch of stones can result in significant damage, so maintaining a safe distance is crucial.

While Zhang Jiao's attacks are primarily designed to keep you at bay, he does have some close-range moves. These include simple combos that you can parry and an Area of Effect (AOE) attack that repels you. Watch for him glowing white, signaling an impending AOE; retreat to avoid taking damage.

As the fight progresses, Zhang Jiao will employ moves that emit a red aura, indicating unblockable attacks. These involve summoning numerous rocks to fall around him and creating several clones. The best strategy here is to retreat and wait for the attack to finish before resuming your offensive. Equip a sword during this phase for better damage output compared to spears or gauntlets.

Keep a close eye on your health throughout the battle. You'll likely have four healing opportunities, depending on your skill upgrades. Remember, there are jars near the arena's entrance containing meat buns, which you can grab to heal when you retreat from Zhang Jiao's assaults.

How to Fight Zhang Jiao's Second Phase

Upon unlocking Musou Rage, the second phase begins with the Yellow Turbans joining Zhang Jiao. Fortunately, your army also arrives to assist, providing some relief. This is an ideal time to heal by dashing to the entrance and grabbing the meat buns. Be cautious of the tornados Zhang Jiao summons, as they can disrupt your position while you're engaged with his soldiers.

After thinning out his forces, Zhang Jiao will initiate a Grand Tactic, challenging you to defeat 300 soldiers within a tight timeframe to prevent a devastating attack. Additionally, he'll summon lightning strikes across the arena. Watch for rings forming at your feet and evade when they flash to avoid the strikes. To efficiently clear the Yellow Turbans within the time limit, utilize Musou Mode, which can eliminate dozens of enemies at once. Although Musou Rage Mode is unlocked, sticking to the basic Musou Mode may be more effective given the urgency.

Once you've thwarted Zhang Jiao's Grand Tactic twice, he'll re-enter the battlefield using the same tactics from the first phase. With your army's support, it should be relatively straightforward to deplete his remaining health, concluding Chapter 1.

And that's how you can successfully beat Zhang Jiao in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*.

*Dynasty Warriors: Origins* is now available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.