DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered offers a sprawling roster of over 40 playable officers, each bringing unique strengths to the battlefield. Unlocking these characters is pivotal for diversifying your army and experiencing every facet of the game’s tactical depth. As you progress, certain unlocks hinge on completing Musou Mode or hitting key battle objectives, making these requirements essential knowledge for any dedicated player.
Every character in DYNASTY WARRIORS 3 is tied to specific criteria predominantly based around Musou Mode completion with particular officers. Unlocks cannot be earned in Free Mode, but the difficulty level won’t impact character availability, allowing you to confidently breeze through on easier settings if preferred.
The Shu faction begins with several officers available immediately, such as Zhao Yun , Guan Yu , and Zhang Fei . To access the rest, you need to fulfill various Musou Mode milestones or special conditions tied to pivotal battles. Character Unlock Requirement Zhao Yun Available from the start. Guan Yu Available from the start. Zhang Fei Available from the start. Zhuge Liang Finish Musou Mode once with any Shu character except Zhang Fei or Pang Tong. Liu Bei Complete Musou Mode twice using Shu characters. Ma Chao Complete Musou Mode once with a Shu character. Huang Zhong Complete Musou Mode twice with Shu characters. Jiang Wei Complete Musou Mode using Zhuge Liang. Wei Yan Complete Musou Mode once with a Shu character. Pang Tong Complete Assault on Cheng Du by defeating Zhang Ren while keeping Pang Tong alive.
| Character | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|
| Zhao Yun | Unlocked by default from the start. |
| Guan Yu | Unlocked by default from the start. |
| Zhang Fei | Unlocked by default from the start. |
| Zhuge Liang | Complete Musou Mode once with a Shu character other than Zhang Fei or Pang Tong. |
| Liu Bei | Complete Musou Mode twice with a Shu character. |
| Ma Chao | Complete Musou Mode once with a Shu character. |
| Huang Zhong | Complete Musou Mode twice with a Shu character. |
| Jiang Wei | Complete Musou Mode with Zhuge Liang. |
| Wei Yan | Complete Musou Mode once with a Shu character. |
| Pang Tong | Keep Pang Tong alive during Assault on Cheng Du by defeating Zhang Ren. |
Pang Tong is unlocked through a battle-specific condition rather than Musou Mode completions.
During the Assault on Cheng Du scenario, ensure you keep Pang Tong alive by defeating Zhang Ren. This prevents Pang Tong's demise and grants you access to him as a playable officer.
Successfully executing this event requires awareness of battlefield objectives and protecting key units, often requiring swift enemy focus and positioning.
Unlocking Zhuge Liang demands you complete Musou Mode once with any Shu officer except Zhang Fei or Pang Tong. This encourages players to explore other Shu characters to meet this criterion.
This restriction prevents shortcutting the unlock by using default officers and pushes you to diversify your gameplay experience.
How to Unlock Wei Characters
The Wei faction unlocks follow a similar structure, with some officers available immediately and others needing specific Musou Mode achievements or battle accomplishments.
| Character | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|
| Xiahou Dun | Unlocked from the start. |
| Dian Wei | Unlocked from the start. |
| Xu Zhu | Complete Musou Mode once as a Wei character. |
| Cao Cao | Complete Musou Mode twice as a Wei character. |
| Xiahou Yuan | Defeat him during the Battle of Mt. Ding Jun while playing Shu Musou Mode. |
| Zhang Liao | Defeat him during Battle of He Fei in Wu Musou Mode. |
| Sima Yi | Complete Musou Mode once with a Wei character excluding Dian Wei, Zhang Liao, and Zhen Ji. |
| Xu Huang | Complete Musou Mode twice with a Wei character. |
| Zhang He | Available from the start. |
| Zhen Ji | Complete Musou Mode once with a Wei character. |
Sima Yi’s unlock specifically mandates using a Wei character. Attempts to unlock him with Shu or Wu characters will not succeed, underscoring the game’s attention to faction loyalty in its unlock system.
Wei officers typically require multiple Musou Mode completions or pivotal battle victories. Watch for key encounters like the Battle of Mt. Ding Jun and Battle of He Fei for unlocking special characters linked to those events.
The Wu faction also starts with a core set of readily accessible officers, but many powerful characters require you to complete Musou Mode or specific battle goals.
| Character | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|
| Zhou Yu | Unlocked from the start. |
| Lu Xun | Complete Musou Mode once as a Wu character. |
| Taishi Ci | Make him surrender during Assault on Wu Territory by defeating Liu Yong. |
| Sun Shangxiang | Unlocked from the start. |
| Sun Jian | Complete Musou Mode twice as a Wu character. |
| Sun Quan | Trigger his retreat during Battle of He Fei. |
| Lu Meng | Complete Battle of Fan Castle with Lu Meng alive. |
| Gan Ning | Activate and defeat his surprise attack during Battle of He Fei in Wei Musou Mode. |
| Huang Gai | Unlocked from the start. |
| Sun Ce | Complete Musou Mode twice with Wu characters. |
| Da Qiao | Complete Musou Mode once using a Wu character. |
| Xiao Qiao | Complete Musou Mode with either Zhou Yu or Da Qiao. |
The unlock for Sun Quan is more nuanced, relying on battlefield events rather than just Musou Mode completions.
During the Battle of He Fei, allow Taishi Ci to be defeated. This causes Sun Quan to retreat. Approach Sun Quan's position afterward to trigger a cutscene where you leap across the river with him.
Following this, Zhang Liao temporarily vanishes but returns near Sun Quan. Defeat Zhang Liao here, then clear out all of Cao Cao’s officers. Once no officers remain on the battlefield, Cao Cao will retreat and Sun Quan unlocks.
This multi-step sequence demands timing, battlefield awareness, and patience but rewards players with one of Wu's key figures.
Precise execution during these battles will ensure you do not miss unlocking Sun Quan, which opens up further strategic diversity.
Beyond faction-based officers, DYNASTY WARRIORS 3 features several unique characters triggered by battle conditions or multiple Musou Mode completions.
| Character | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|
| Zhang Jiao | Defeat Zhang Bao, Zhang Liang, and Zhang Jiao during the Yellow Turban Rebellion. |
| Diao Chan | Defeat her during the Battle at Hu Lao Gate. |
| Lu Bu | Earn 1,000 kills during the Battle at Hu Lao Gate. |
| Dong Zhou | Defeat both Diao Chan and Lu Bu during the Battle at Hu Lao Gate. |
| Yuan Shao | Defeat Yan Liang and Wen Chou before Guan Yu does during the Battle of Guan Du. |
| Meng Huo | Defeat Meng Huo at all seven locations during the Nanman Campaign. |
| Zhurong | Defeat her during the Nanman Campaign. |
| Fuxi | Complete Musou Mode as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian. |
| Nuwa | Complete Musou Mode with Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, Sun Shangxiang, and Zhen Ji. |
| Ziluan | Complete Musou Mode once. |
| Character | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|
| Zhang Jiao | Defeat Zhang Bao, Zhang Liang, and Zhang Jiao during Yellow Turban Rebellion. |
| Diao Chan | Defeat her during the Battle at Hu Lao Gate. |
| Lu Bu | Get 1,000 kills during Battle at Hu Lao Gate. |
| Dong Zhou | Defeat both Diao Chan and Lu Bu during Battle at Hu Lao Gate. |
| Yuan Shao | Defeat Yan Liang and Wen Chou before Guan Yu can defeat them during the Battle of Guan Du. |
| Meng Huo | Defeat him at all seven locations during the Nanman Campaign. |
| Zhurong | Defeat her during Nanman Campaign. |
| Fuxi | Complete the Musou Modes of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian. |
| Nuwa | Complete Musou Mode with Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, Sun Shangxiang, and Zhen Ji. |
| Ziluan | Complete Musou Mode once. |
Achieving 1,000 kills during the Battle at Hu Lao Gate unlocks Lu Bu . This is a demanding task that might require some grinding but is a significant milestone to unlock one of the game’s most iconic warriors.
Meng Huo demands persistence across the Nanman Campaign, requiring victory over him at every one of seven distinct locations, rewarding your thoroughness and skill.
Fuxi requires a well-rounded progression, completing Musou Mode specifically with Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian , representing a trifecta of faction leaders.
Nuwa is unlocked by finishing Musou Mode with these four versatile officers: Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, Sun Shangxiang, and Zhen Ji. This encourages exploring different playstyles and factions.
How to Unlock Fuxi and Nuwa
Fuxi requires three Musou Mode completions:
- Cao Cao
- Liu Bei
- Sun Jian
For Nuwa, complete Musou Mode with these four characters:
- Da Qiao
- Xiao Qiao
- Sun Shangxiang
- Zhen Ji