Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires Guide: How to Get Started

Empire Mode Gives You All the Choices

Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires Tips

Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires is basically a combination of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Dynasty Warriors 8. Clearly, it’s perfect. So right from the beginning, decide what role you’re going to want to play. You should be sticking to it (even though you don’t really have to) to really get the most out of your playthrough. Maybe make your first empire mode a test run to decide which way you prefer. Are you better off as a ruler? Maybe you’d rather be a subordinate? Or perhaps a wandering vagabond? The choice is yours in this non-linear addition to the Dynasty Warriors series.

Charm Up a Storm

Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires Tips

Regardless of which playstyle you choose, you’re going to want to make friends. It’s how you’ll get recruited into a kingdom of your choice or gain followers of your very own. Not to mention that getting a relationship high enough with someone grants the options to become sworn siblings or to confess your love to them. All close relationships get you periodic items and stratagems randomly, but marriage leads to you having kids that have stats according to both parents. They’re instant subordinates as well as possible heirs to your kingdom. Oh, and having a kingdom filled with just your sworn siblings and children gets you an achievement/trophy.

Construct Facilities!

Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires Tips

In Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires, the easiest way to get new items, weapons, and stratagems is by buying them. The only way to unlock more and more of these in the stores is by building the respective facilities. If you want more items to choose from, look into constructing the maximum item shops. Want stronger weapons? Get six weapon forges up. Looking for the powerful stratagems for battle? Build up your academies. The faster you get these, the easier your battles will become!

Keep in Mind Titles

Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires Tips

In Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires, you’re awarded titles depending on your play style. You’ll gain awards for doing specific things and accomplishing milestones through your playthrough, leading to the game picking a title that reflects all of that at the end. If you choose to tie the title you receive to the character you play, whenever they’re an NPC in your next game, they’ll act according to that title. There are plenty of achievements/trophies tied to this, and you’re able to be a benevolent warrior or a ruthless scoundrel. It’s all up to you. (Unmatched Under Heaven for the win! Suck it, everyone else!)

Upgrading Bases Is Useless

At least, if you’re playing on normal or easier difficulty. It’s entirely a waste of materials that can be spent on hosting banquets to gain favors from your subordinates or for donations to keep your people happy. Materials are also crucial for constructing facilities, so be mindful of wasting them on the upgrades. Chances are you’ll be strong enough to finish battles quickly and even if you aren’t, the AI isn’t that smart anyway. Save the upgrading for if you’re on harder difficulties and going against tougher armies.

Don’t Forget Strategems!

It’s so easy to forget that you have these ultra powerful moves to turn the tides of battle. Get your academy production up to purchase all the stratagems you can get and you’ll find taking over bases to be a piece of cake. Fire Attack is one of the first you’ll get that’s specifically useful for bases. You should definitely be on the lookout for stratagems like those, as they’re the most bang for your buck and make battles easy. Taking down enemy bases is crucial.