Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Should You Pick Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Or Sun Jian In Chapter 3?

Some might think that Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a linear game... and it is for the most part. However, at a certain point, you need to make crucial decisions, which then lead to branching paths. Here's our guide on which faction to choose during Chapter 3 in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. We answer the question: Should you pick Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Jian? Oh, and just a quick reminder: This article contains minor spoilers.

Should you pick Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Jian in Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Chapter 3 choice guide

Our Dynasty Warriors: Origins Chapter 3 choice guide aims to help you when you reach this part of the game, as this can be quite a doozy if you're unprepared. We talk about the general mechanics/features at this stage, as well as what happens when you "advance time"--i.e. the "time is passing" prompt and your overall contributions. We then discuss moments when your decision is fully locked in, and what transpires later in the campaign.

Choose the force you wish to aid: Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Jian

At the start of Chapter 3 in Dynasty Warriors: Origins, you should see a notification telling you about the rise of warlords, such as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian. Their names will appear in the top-left corner of your screen, along with small pips/diamonds.
These pips represent your "contributions"--i.e. the number of story battles that you participated in as part of their force. If you advance further and you lack the necessary contributions, you won't be able to join that faction permanently later in the game.
Here's what you need to know for this early section:
Cao Cao only needs one contribution, and that's the Suppression of Yan Province.
Liu Bei needs two: Battle of Jieqiao and Battle of Beihai.
Sun Jian needs three: Assault on Nanyang, Siege of Fan Castle, and Battle of Xiangyang.

Time is passing and making sufficient contributions

After completing a certain number of battles to max out your contribution, the leader of the faction should appear on the world map. If you talk to them, you will advance time. Again, going back to what we mentioned earlier: You will not be able to join a certain faction permanently if you lack the necessary contributions/battles when you advance further.
In the image you see above, we meet the requirements for all three forces. So, if we progress now, we'd still have the option to join them down the line (with some caveats).
However, let's say we have just two contributions/battles for Sun Jian instead of the three that are required. This issue will prevent us from selecting the Sun family as an option later in the campaign.

Battle of Xu Province: Cao Cao versus Liu Bei and Tao Qian

Your decision to join either Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Jian in Dynasty Warriors: Origins will have its first true test when you advance the time. This kickstarts the Battle of Xu Province. Now, you must choose to side with either Cao or Liu.
The force that you side with will remain an option later on.
The force that you don't choose will no longer be selectable. You might still see them in cutscenes/coalition battles, but you won't be able to (a) bond with their officers and (b) participate in their own battles.

Time is passing (again) and locking-in your choice at the end of Chapter 3

The second "time is passing" moment happens a bit later in Chapter 3. Here are the contribution requirements:
Cao Cao: Five battles in total.
Sun Ce: Five battles in total.
Liu Bei: Four battles in total.
Regardless of what happens, a cutscene will play involving any remaining faction that you can still side with. Their officers will attempt to convince you to join their army. You can tell them that "you'll think about it" if you're still doing battles for another force.
Later, when you feel that you're ready, you really have to make a choice. This decision locks you in for the remainder of the campaign, and you will be part of the army that you select.

What happens in Chapters 4 and 5?

Your decision to join Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Jian has major ramifications on how the campaign plays out in the last two chapters. Here's a quick summary of Chapter 4:
Sun family - Focus primarily on the conquest of the Southlands, far removed from the rivalries in the Central Plains.
Cao Cao - Take on Liu Bei, Lu Bu, and Yuan Shao.
Liu Bei - Battle Cao Cao and Lu Bu; experience Guan Yu's 1,000-li march to be reunited with his sworn brothers.
As for Chapter 5:
Sun family - Face off against Liu Biao/Huang Zu. The campaign ends at the Battle of Chibi.
Cao Cao and Liu Bei - Both sides oppose each other. Cao Cao's force comes sweeping from the north, while Liu Bei desperately flees to the Southlands. The campaign ends at the Battle of Huarong Path (on opposing sides).
One last thing: Finishing the campaign unlocks the Story Replay mode where you can restart from various points. In our playthrough, we initially focused on both Cao Cao and the Sun family (i.e. we sided with Cao Cao against Liu Bei in the Battle of Xu Province). Because of our decisions, we had more restart points for the Sun clan and Cao Cao.
Since Liu Bei was no longer an option early on, we had no restart points for his force later in the campaign. If we wanted to experience his remaining battles, we'd have to replay Chapter 3.
That does it for our guide on this important decision in Chapter 3 of Dynasty Warriors: Origins. We hope this article helps you make your choice when siding with Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Jian.
From the mountainous regions of the north to the great rivers of the south, you're bound to face numerous foes as you travel across China in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. If you need more help, you can visit our guides hub.

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