Dynasty Warriors 4 / Shin Sangoku Musou 3 - Xu Huang
By Akumu X

(Copyright 2003) This guide was made entirely on the experiences of Akumu X.
This guide will not be altered in any way without my consent,
and may not be distributed without my name as author on. This
FAQ may be distributed, but not sold.

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Table of Contents:

1) Guide History
2) About Xu Huang
3) Orbs
4) Moves, 10th Weapon Acquiration
5) Character Strategy, Item Use
6) What Xu Huang says
7) Final Words
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1) Guide History – None yet. First edition. April 9th 2003

1.01 A few errors cleared up. Added "What Xu Huang says"
1.02 Eh...a few more oversites fixed.
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2) About Xu Huang

Place of Birth: Yang County, Hedong Commandery 
(Presently Hongdong County in Shanxi Province) 
Lifespan: AD 169 – 227 (58 Years)
Titles: General of the Right, Lord of Yangping, Courageous Lord 
Family: None

Throughout his life, Xu Huang handled all matters with caution and great care.
He relied on discipline and order. He started his career as an official in
Hedong, where he was a courier between offices and was responsible for the
daily order of business. Later on, Gongming followed Yang Feng and was 
promoted to Cavalry Commander for his outstanding achievements in battle, and
was also titled as Lord of the Capital Precinct under the Han rule. When Lord
Cao set out to move the Emperor Xian from Chang An to Xu Chang, Yang Feng and
Han Xuan opposed him. Xu Huang rode forth and challenged Lord Cao’s forces,
wielding his trademark axe. Xu Chu was sent out to duel with him, but neither
man could get the advantage. Unwilling to fight against Xu Huang, Lord Cao 
used Gongming’s old friend Man Chong to try and recruit Xu Huang into his army.
After much consideration, he left Yang Feng and helped Lord Cao establish the
new capital in Xu Chang. Xu Huang was successively appointed as Deputy General
and Auxiliary General. Gongming was a good friend of Zhang Liao, and also of
Guan Yu while the latter served Lord Cao. Together with Cao Hong, Xu Huang was
ordered to defend Tong Gate against the attack of Ma Chao. When Cao Hong fell
into Ma Chao’s trap, Xu Huang immediately rode forth to save his Lord’s nephew.
After the defeat of Ma Chao, Xu Huang chased Guan Yu and his son Guan Ping at
Yencheng. Guan Yu tried to appeal to Xu Huang by using their relationship, 
however Gongming would not falter in his duties towards his Lord. For this,
Lord Cao admired him greatly. Under Emperor Cao Pi, Xu Huang was elevated to 
the rank of General of the Right, and was titled Lord of Luxiang. Later after
defeating Liu Bei, he received the title of Lord of Yangping. In the year AD
227, Xu Huang joined Sima Yi in the campaign against Shu. When faced with Meng
Da, a general of Shu who agreed to defect to Wei, Xu Huang lost his temper
and riled at him, calling him a traitor. Meng Da answered with a volley of
arrows, and Gongming was critically injured. He died of wounds on his way back
to the capital, at the age of fifty-seven. Cao Pi posthumously titled him 
Courageous Lord.


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3) Orbs

Orbs are a fun new feature in Dynasty Warriors 4, allowing any character
to make use of any Element in the game. You must have full Musou to make
use of an Orb, unless you have a 10th Weapon which removes this
requirement.

1. Fire Orb
Sets the enemy on fire. Those on fire will receive extra “burn” damage.
2. Lightning Orb
Adds lightning to your attacks. Enemies hit by lightning will hurt other
nearby enemies when they hit the ground.
3. Vorpal Orb
Instantly kills enemy soldiers and does a set amount of damage against
enemy generals.
4. Ice Orb
Freezes the enemy. Enemies will be frozen if hit for a time. While frozen
enemies receive more damage from your attacks.
5. Blast Orb
Deals out more damage, and enemies will still take damage even when they
are blocking.
6. Poison Orb
Enemies have a blue-purplish haze around them. When enemies are poisoned
with this Orb, they will take more damage when you attack them rather than
if they were not poisoned.

For Xu Huang I recommend the Ice Orb primarily and if not Ice
then a high level Death orb.
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4) Moves, 10th Weapon Acquiration

Moves Key:
S = Square
T = Triangle

SSSSSS: His moveset from DW3/XL. He covers MUCH area with this move set
and I actually recommend his standard SSSSSS here over his Charge 6 on
generals. Reason being generals LOVE to block his charge 6 (I think 
KOEI made it so they could because of the element on the 6th charge)

T: Xu Huang reaches to grab the enemy. If successful he'll life the enemy
in the air and hit them with his axe once to the side and lastly back
down to the ground. Not to be used against playable generals. Cool looking
though.  

ST: Your standard knock them into the air Charge 1. I'm not sure who uses 
these things. Element activates.  

SST: His charge rush is kinda like his musou 'cept that it covers more 
of a direct area, that is to say, his front. Very effective. Element and
enemy dizzy on the last hit (I use his throw after this...it's the most
damaging thing you can do since after you hit a dizzied person they take
less damage from being in the air.) 

SSST: His crowd clearer, he takes on big swing with his pole axe and clears
out his whole front and side area. It sends people flying also. Element
activates. 

SSSST: This attack knocks someone into the air and if you hit T again
you will knock them back down to the ground. Pretty standard. Element
activates. 

SSSSST: His shockwave. Though IMO it has less of a charge time than
it did in DW3. It doesn't connect against enemy generals unless they
are slow to block or you're fighting them in the back. It works great
for everyone else though and you get and element activation. If that
element is ice I always lead into a musou. Really strong combo. 

Running Attack: He slides a bit and the slashes kinda half-heartedly
with his axe. It works...it just won't win him any prizes.

Jumping Attack: Your standard jumping attack. Effective, I guess. 

Jumping Charge: Xu jumps up in the air and smashes his axe into the ground.
About the same as all other jump charges. Will get hit out of it if abused,
though. 

Musou Attack: He continually snaps his axe with his wrist swinging it
around and around. He covers practically a 360 degree radius with this
thing. All enemies stay on the ground and thus take good damage. And 
no more generals that will start a weapon clash with you after 4 hits.

True Musou: Same as above but with fire effects. He also lifts his
enemies into the air. I'd stick with his regular musou. 

Horse regular attack: Swings his axe from side to side.  

Horse charge attack: Swings his axe from side to side with force. 

Horse Musou: Same attack on normal horse attack except quicker, more 
damaging and has utmost priority.

10th How to and Weapon Information:
Put it to hard difficulty, and make sure you have his level 9 weapon.


Name: Marauder
Attack +57
Stage: Battle of Guan Du
Side: Wei Force's
Howto: Kill Yan Liang and Wen Chou. Yuan Shao's troops will appear.
Wait for Guan Yu to meet Liu Bei and they will both retreat. Let the two
north forts fall to Yuan Shao. Cao Cao will retreat into Guan Du (bottom)
Castle Guan Du Castle gates will close. Wait for enemies to reach Guan Du
Castle. The enemy's ramming machines appear event. The enemy food supply 
will be discovered in a message. The enemy food supply is in Wu Chao message.
Cao Cao will run toward the enemy food supply. Follow Cao Cao and guard him.
Clear a path for him (kill all enemies on the road he goes on) Enter enemy
food supply fort after Cao Cao enters. Defeat Chun Yu Qiong. His back-up
Lu Wei Kuan will appear right next to the fort. After bottom castle wall falls
defeat Lu Wei Kuan. Enemy food supply fort falls event. Zhang He joins the 
most beautiful side. (Yours). Xu Huang earns Marauder. Clear the stage. 

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5) Item Usage and Breakdown

These items are what I use.

My preference
1) Peacock Urn
2) Tortoise Amulet
3) Tiger Amulet
4) Dragon Amulet


So basically the pros and cons of Xu Huang are as follows:

Pros: He's better than he was in DW3/XL!
- Devastating Musou (still)
- Good Stats
- Fast mover for such a powerhouse
- Great Range

Cons: Some of his move's take a bit long to charge or gain 
composure from.

Breakdown: 

6) What Xu Huang says:
His guard crush (R3 button): He tilts his head to his opponent
and says "Accept my challenge."
His musou: "Eat this!"
His true musou: "I'll show you strength!"


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7) Final Words

Thanks to:
The www.kongming.net peeps, for their opinions and ideas.
Muni Shinobu, LordKarasuman, and all the others at GameFAQs Message Boards
for providing so much info, and KOEI/W-Force for making a great game!
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