While *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* may be known for its large-scale battles against hordes of enemies, one of the most engaging gameplay features making a return from earlier titles is duels. Here’s an in-depth look at how they work in this latest installment.

What Are Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Origins?

Duels, a thrilling feature first introduced in *Dynasty Warriors 4*, make a comeback in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* after over two decades. Players won't have immediate access to this feature; it becomes available in Chapter 2. However, duels aren't open to just any enemy. You can only challenge high-ranking and prominent enemy officers. When the opportunity arises, indicated by the appearance of such an officer, you can initiate a duel by pressing both the R1 and L1 buttons at the same time, but you must act quickly as the window for this action is brief.

Once a duel begins, a circle of soldiers forms around you, setting the stage for a one-on-one confrontation. This isn't your typical combat scenario; a duel meter at the top of the screen displays both your and your opponent’s status. Each successful hit you land on your adversary advances your portion of the meter. Conversely, if your opponent hits you repeatedly, their part of the meter grows. The objective is to fill the entire meter with your bar by inflicting enough damage on your opponent.

Your health at the start of a duel doesn't determine your initial position on the meter; instead, your overall morale plays a crucial role. If you're on a winning streak, your bar will be larger. If you're losing, your opponent's bar will dominate. Should the battle be evenly matched, the bars will be equal. In these one-on-one encounters, it's vital to observe your opponent's moves, dodge and parry effectively to minimize damage, and maintain a safe distance if they're wielding a Battle Art. Time is of the essence, but recklessness should be avoided.

Winning a duel in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* grants you the ability to deal significant damage to your opponent and boosts your morale considerably. However, losing a duel results in substantial damage to yourself and a severe morale hit for your army, which can be detrimental in the later stages of a battle. If neither side wins, both combatants simply disengage, and the game continues without any penalties. Yet, there are critical duels where losing means automatic mission failure, while winning leads to an immediate victory. Thus, initiating a duel can dramatically influence the battle's outcome, but underestimating your opponent can lead to your downfall.

And that's the essence of dueling in *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*.

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