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Lu Bu
Dynasty Warriors 9 artwork
Character Information
Force(s): Ding Yuan's Forces
Dong Zhuo's Forces
Yuan Shao's Forces
Liu Bei's Forces
Lu Bu's Forces
Age:
29
Height:
208 cm (6'10")
Weapon Type: Qinglong ji (1~5, 7~9)
Bifurcating cross-bladed voulge (6)
Significant Battle(s):
Playable Debut: Dynasty Warriors
Historical Information
Real name:
Lü Bu
Chinese name:
呂布 - 吕布
Style name:
Fèngxiān
Chinese name:
奉先
Born:
?
Died:
February 7, 199
Lu Bu's birthyear is unknown; Yingxiong ji states that Lu Bu called Liu Bei (born 161) his "younger brother", so presumably Lu Bu had been born in or before 160. Listed to have died in 198 in the Dynasty Warriors series.
Warriors Orochi Info
Force:
Stage:
Character Type:
Personal Item:
Hero's Armor
Sacred Treasure:
Mjölnir

Lü Bu (onyomi: Ryo Fu) is a general of the late Han Dynasty who is infamous for his many betrayals in the central plains. Like many warlords of the era, he attempted to establish himself as an independent power before he met his end against Cao Cao's forces. Romance of the Three Kingdoms famously dubs him to be the mightiest warrior of his time, though both versions of him were equally known for his fickle personality and his lacking forte in tactics. His daughter is Lü Lingqi.

His trademarks in the Dynasty Warriors series are his high stats, his vastly superior moveset, his unique horse, and his theme song which doubles as the musical motif for several of the games' opening sequences. The exclamation "Do not pursue Lu Bu!" (呂布を深追いするな! Ryo Fu wo fukaoi suru na!) is fondly remembered by fans. He sometimes shares the spotlight with the series's other iconic character, Zhao Yun. Lu Bu reached twenty-first place with fans in Gamecity's Dynasty Warriors 7 and Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends character popularity polls. The latest poll for the eighth installment puts him in thirty-third. The character poll for overseas fans puts him in first place for the Other division, second in the semi-finals, and first in the final round. He also ranked sixth in the first survey for most popular general in Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z.

This counterpart also has a character image song titled KING OF DESTROYER and a duet with Diaochan called REASON TO FIGHT.

Role in Games[]

"A legend of your age, and yet you side with the devil. I suppose you thought that feeding off his scraps would provide you sufficient prey!"
"And I was right. He has led me to the greatest prey of all! Hunting time!"
~~Tadakatsu and Lu Bu; Warriors Orochi

Dynasty Warriors[]

Lu Bu is a warrior who wants to prove his strength to all. First serving his adopted father, Dong Zhuo, he defies the Allied Forces at Hu Lao and Si Shui Gates. Known for his ferocity in the former battle, Yuan Shao warns his officers to steer clear of him in every game. In most titles, he has a special duel with Liu Bei and his brothers during the conflict. Not one to trust Dong Zhuo, he often gives into Diaochan's deception and rebels against his former master in their story modes. In other characters' scenarios, he wanders the land after his benefactor's death and steals Xia Pi away from Liu Bei. Facing Cao Cao and Liu Bei's armies at the castle, Lu Bu dies after his defeat.

His story in Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends has him start as an obedient subject to Dong Zhuo. Lu Bu doesn't care for the portly one's ambitions and only desires to fight. After their victory at Hu Lao Gate, Dong Zhuo's influence grows and he has a portion of the alliance submit to him. Lu Bu continues to aid Dong Zhuo by killing Cao Cao at Guan Du and rescuing his lord from Liu Bei at Wan Castle. While Liu Bei's army tries to flee from capture, his forces are stopped by Lu Bu at Chang Ban. Upset at the turn of events and seeing no reason for them to continue fighting, Diao Chan and Zhang Liao desert Dong Zhuo. Lu Bu, who wants them to help him, retrieves their loyalty after he catches them at the Five Passes. The trio work together to rebel against Dong Zhuo, putting an end to the tyrant at Chi Bi and making Lu Bu the land's new leader.

Lu Bu only serves Dong Zhuo until they defeat the Allied Forces in Dynasty Warriors 4. Soon after their victory over Yuan Shao, he slays his former liege. He is labeled a threat to the rest of the regional lords and survives their siege against him at Xia Pi. Cao Cao, Sun Jian and Liu Bei try to stop him, but his forces prevail over all others. Lu Bu becomes the land's great unifier in the new time of peace.

His Legend Mode in the Xtreme Legends expansion details his indomitable defense at Hu Lao Gate. After slaying many soldiers, Sun Jian and Cao Cao challenge him. Once they fall, the three oath brothers face him. When the trio are cut down, Yuan Shao declares that taking the gate is a lost cause and orders his army to retreat.

In Dynasty Warriors Advance, Lu Bu leads a campaign against the Yellow Turban Rebellion, eliminating Zhang Jiao and his followers. He betrays Dong Zhuo and usurps his position, only to be defeated by Cao Cao. Years later, he avenges himself by defeating Cao Cao, turning on Wu, and defeating Sun Jian and Liu Bei. Lu Bu slays Sun Jian and Liu Bei, overshadowing their exploits in history. He defeats Sun Jian and Liu Bei, leaving Wei as his final opponent.

In Dynasty Warriors 5, Lu Bu defends Si Shui Gate and kills Dong Zhuo, but his adopted father's followers chase him out. He briefly helps Yuan Shao in the battle against Gongsun Zan at Chang Shan, but Yuan Shao fears him due to his past treachery. Liu Bei shelters Lu Bu at Xia Pi, but he steals the position and faces the army. Alone and disappointed, Lu Bu rides off on Red Hare to find a land worthy of him. Diao Chan and Zhang Liao follow him, and he shares his Legend Mode in the Xtreme Legends expansion.

Lu Bu's ending scene in Dynasty Warriors: Online has him watch the land with Red Hare. Dissatisfied by a land with no battles or conflict, he decides to ride out in search of new challenges while allowing the player to accompany him.

Lu Bu has already killed Dong Zhuo when his story starts in Dynasty Warriors 6. Driven from the capital, Chen Gong gives his lord an interesting alternative: make a new path for himself in the chaos and take the land. He gains a new base for his forces by forcing Liu Bei's forces away from Xia Pi. Though it has no business with him, he dives straight into the battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao at Guan Du, defeating both parties with his army. Hearing the petty ambitions of Liu Yong, Yan Baihu, Wang Lang, and other individuals from Jiang Dong, he deals with them personally at Shi Ting. When Sun Quan joins forces with Liu Bei to end Cao Cao at Chi Bi, Lu Bu is fascinated by the battle at sea, routing both leaders. This angered Dian Wei and Zhou Yu, who then attempt to avenge their fallen masters, uniting their talents to end Lu Bu.

Upon their defeat, the armies from the battle are scattered and Lu Bu's army heads towards Mt. Ding Jun. Opposing them are the resurrected Dong Zhuo and Zhang Jiao, both who are spiteful towards Lu Bu. They escape from death a second time and unite with Lu Bu's previous opponents in an attempt to eradicate the warrior. Undeterred, he faces them at Hu Lao Gate. Slaying his entire opposition in the battle, he becomes the land's new ruler. The wars don't end, however, as several other forces march against him during his ending. Even so, Lu Bu is pleased to have ample opportunities to fight someone.

In Chapter 2 for every kingdom in Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce, Lu Bu can be seen above the weapon Dong Zhuo placed at Hu Lao Gate, Bi Xie. Similar to previous games, he will betray Dong Zhuo and start a campaign of his own to conquer the land. He is killed at Bai Men Tower but raises from his grave in Chapter 6, causing the three kingdoms to form another alliance to bring his reign of chaos to an end. Lu Bu's otherworldly strength corrupts the land's spiritual guardians, the kingdoms' respective animal avatars. The Allied Forces manage to seal them all and kill Lu Bu once more at Xia Pi Castle. During the second chapter of the Conqueror's Arc in Shin Sangoku Musou Multi Raid 2, Lu Bu rises from the dead once more to save Diao Chan from Xiang Yu's assault. Eager to face his new rival in a proper battle, he willingly joins forces with his former enemies to make this happen.

In Dynasty Warriors 7, Lu Bu briefly appears in the Story Modes of three kingdoms. He attempts to capture Cao Cao, but fails due to Chen Gong's intervention. He becomes a landless wanderer and enters the Battle of Xu Province. Lu Bu offers his arm to Liu Bei, who accepts him. However, he steals Xu Province. Liu Bei joins forces with Cao Cao at Xiapi. When captured, Lu Bu arrogantly offers his service to Cao Cao, but the warlord orders his death.

His first Legendary Battle lets players control him at Hulao Gate. A reenactment of Dong Zhuo's death occurs for his second Legendary Battle due to Diao Chan's influences. Lu Bu's third Legendary Battle lets him fight against Cao Cao and Liu Bei's coalition at Xiapi.

The Xtreme Legends expansion adds a Hero Scenario regarding his path of treachery after Dong Zhuo's death. This particular betrayal details his mutiny against Liu Bei during the latter's absence at Xiapi. The invaders first antagonize the defenders' camps before heading north. Lu Bu and company then free an imprisoned Cao Bao to spread confusing rumors amongst the castle's guards. Once Zhang Fei is chased out of the castle, Lu Bu then faces an enraged Liu Bei and Guan Yu.

Victory comes easily to the warrior, and he prides himself on his accomplishment. Of course, the feeling is short-lived when Cao Cao's army surrounds and captures the castle. When his own men turn traitor, Lu Bu loses his life.

In Dynasty Warriors Next, Lu Bu makes his appearance in the second chapter where he eventually betrays his lord at Chang'an alongside Diaochan. During the fourth chapter, his theft of Xu Province leads to his defeat by Xiahou Yuan whose lord executes him. His personal chapter begins right after Dong Zhuo's death. To soothe Diaochan's sorrow, he vows to end the wars for her sake. His conquest of Puyang forces the other warlords to unite against him, though their lands end up falling to the warrior's own might.

But as Lu Bu's rampage continues, his followers begin to doubt his methods. Things come to a head when Wang Yun conspires with the remaining leaders to isolate him. For her part, Diaochan turns against her lover and condemns him for perpetuating the chaos with his strength. Unwilling to abandon his warmongering nature, Lu Bu harbors no doubts in winning as he single-handedly annihilates the coalition at Luoyang. When Diaochan surrenders, he opts to leave the dancing maiden in peace if it means not hurting her with his presence. This kind act catalyzes the couple's reconciliation with one another, leading to their resumed travels across the land. As Lu Bu's campaigns prolong the turmoil of the land, they also end up attracting like-minded individuals who share his desire to end the conflict.

Dynasty Warriors 8 has Lu Bu mainly reprising his role from the previous installments. His personal scenario is a fictional account of the battle at Xiapi which has him win against all odds through sheer might.

In Wei's hypothetical route, Lu Bu's spirit is summoned alongside those of Zhang Jiao, Dong Zhuo, and Yuan Shao by Zuo Ci as part of his rebellion against Wei in Xuchang. Lu Bu attempts to stop Cao Pi and his allies from approaching the palace courtyard where Zuo Ci dwells, but is defeated and banished back to the afterlife.

The Xtreme Legends expansion gives him an in-depth Story Mode beginning him serving Ding Yuan to slay the Ten Eunuchs. Proving his might, he later betrays Ding Yuan and chooses to serve Dong Zhuo. Together with both Zhang Liao and Diaochan, they manage to cut through the allied forces assembled at Hulao Gate and escape with the emperor. During this battle, Chen Gong is awed by Lu Bu's might and begins to favor him over his current master, Cao Cao. As he becomes sympathetic to Diaochan and slays Dong Zhuo at Chang'an, he additionally wins Zhang Liao's loyalty. Jia Xu rallies Dong Zhuo's remaining forces to overthrow Lu Bu. Lu Bu is forced to escape without Diaochan.

At Changshan, Lu Bu fights for Yuan Shao against the Heishan bandits led by Zhang Yan. When the battle is over, he leaves Yuan Shao.

He is now independent and decides to obtain his own base. Chen Gong defects at Puyang in order to assist Lu Bu's charge. Although they were able to defeat Xun Yu, they are forced to flee from Cao Cao's massive army and seek refuge under Liu Bei at Xiapi. Lu Bu deems his caretaker weak and repels Zhang Fei who had been guarding the place in his brothers' absence. Yuan Shu barters with Lu Bu to attack Liu Bei's rear in exchange for supplies. Unfortunately, Yuan Shu turns his back on his word, prompting Lu Bu to ally himself once again with Liu Bei. Together, they easily defeat Yuan Shu's forces at Shouchun. Rather than slaughter Yuan Shu's forces, Lu Bu uses his strength to intimidate both sides to call for a truce –by throwing his halberd and hitting it with an arrow– before returning to Xiapi.

Liu Bei allies with Cao Cao and attacks Lu Bu. His initial failure at Xiaopei prompts the two cohorts to corner Lu Bu at Xiapi. During the battle, Lu Bu's strategy after the flood is break the castle walls to allow the water to seep out. Lu Bu seemingly defeats Cao Cao but is deceived into an ambush. He, Zhang Liao, and Chen Gong are captured by Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun. Lu Lingqi arrives to their rescue, but Lu Bu doesn't wish for his daughter to share their fate and yells for her to leave them.

The captured trio are brought before Liu Bei and Cao Cao; the latter asks them if he's through struggling. Lu Bu is then asked if he would like to serve Cao Cao, but the defeated general quickly rebuffs the offer. When asked by Cao Cao if he'd like to shelter Lu Bu again, Liu Bei states the general should be executed. Lu Bu thrashes wildly against the guards holding him before being pinned by Xu Zhu's flail and killed by Cao Cao.

His hypothetical route has him triumph over Cao Cao at Dingtao with the help of Yuan Shao and Liu Bei. He then begins his conquest throughout the land, defeating Cao Cao at Xu Province, Yuan Shu and Sun Ce at Wu territory, and finally Yuan Shao at Guandu. Now turning his attention to Chang'an, Lu Bu moves out to attack both Li Jue and Guo Si who had earlier chased the general out of the capital. Despite meeting resistance from his previous allies and enemies, Lu Bu slays them all and immediately meets Emperor Xian. Intimidating the man and calling him useless for allowing people like Dong Zhuo to cause strife, Lu Bu takes the throne. Upon exiting the palace, he declares to his men that the chaos has finally been conquered.

Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed has Lu Bu appear as a recurring adversary for the player during the first three story campaigns. While fought as a mid-boss in the Luoyang campaign, he becomes an allied unit after relenting to Diaochan's appeal.

Lu Bu's bond story recounts his betrayal of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo. Not content to simply work as a lowly inspector in Yu Province, he agrees to join forces with Yuan Shu only to be bested by the combined might of Liu Bei and Cao Cao. With no one left to trust him, Lu Bu gets beheaded just like Ding Yuan.

Lu Bu's story in Dynasty Warriors 9 begins during his service with Ding Yuan. Having missed both the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Ten Eunuchs' Rebellion, Lu Bu grows increasingly irritated by the lack of large-scale battles. Accepting Dong Zhuo's promise for entertaining battles and Red Hare in exchange for Ding Yuan's head, Lu Bu becomes the man's adoptive son.

Though he rescues his new father from Cao Cao's assassination attempt, Dong Zhuo shouts at his son for allowing the assailants to escape, but Lu Bu angrily responds that killing fleeing opponents would provide him with no sport. Finally allowed to leave for open battle, Lu Bu crushes Yuan Shao's alliance and defeats the nobleman at his own camp. While victorious against Yuan Shao, some coalition soldiers slipped past Hulao Gate, causing Dong Zhuo to relocate the capital. Infuriated at being forced to retreat after a major victory, Lu Bu is goaded by Diaochan into rebellion, and the pair slay their lord at Chang'an.

Lu Bu, dissatisfied with Wang Yun's idea of peaceful land without battles, leaves the capital to join battles between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao. However, Yuan Shu refuses to give troops, and Yuan Shao fights a small group of bandits led by Zhang Yan. Lu Bu steals Yan Province and defeats Cao Cao at Dingtao, but the warlord prepares troops to retake his cities. He steals Liu Bei's land at Xu Province, but is denied immediate battle. Lu Bu acts as a mediator between Liu Bei and Yuan Shu to forge an alliance. Liu Bei turns on Lu Bu and advances on Xu Province with Cao Cao's men. Lu Bu's men face repeated defeats until they reach Xiapi Castle, flooded by Cao Cao's men. Finally, facing insurmountable odds, Lu Bu charges in straight to face the insurmountable odds.

His capture and execution remain largely unchanged with him offering his services to Cao Cao and join his army, but Liu Bei dissuades Cao Cao from accepting the offer, infuriating Lu Bu as he condemns Liu Bei for sealing his fate. Cao Cao then takes his sword from Xiahou Yuan, who was going to be Lu Bu's executioner, and with some final parting words to the beast Lu Bu, he personally slays the general.

Warriors Orochi[]

In Warriors Orochi, Lu Bu becomes one of the Serpent King's top officers. Unlike other generals, little is indulged on how or when this occurs. He only serves Orochi out of respect of the demon's incredible power; he is biding his time until he is powerful enough to slay Orochi himself and claim the title of the strongest. Until then, Lu Bu serves the Orochi Army, realizing the most powerful warriors of both China and Japan will oppose the Serpent King. Aside from Orochi, he finds that the only ones strong enough to provide him with a challenge are Keiji and Tadakatsu. Also, Lu Bu is one of the only two characters in the game to make appearances for all four factions opposing Orochi, if he is impressed by each faction's capabilities and may defect to them, and also one of the two that have unique dialogues with Orochi when encountered in the final stages. The only other character to have this trait is his Samurai Warriors counterpart, Tadakatsu Honda.

Lu Bu continues serving the remnants of Orochi's army in the sequel. Unimpressed by Kiyomori's methods, he rebels against him late in Wu's story with his band of loyal officers. After dealing with Kiyomori, he decides to prove himself as the greatest by taking on Orochi X. Sun Jian takes advantage of Lu Bu's momentum and uses it to end the serpent king. It is unknown what happened to Lu Bu after Orochi's death though Yoshitsune briefly spots Lu Bu riding his horse.

He teams up with Tadakatsu and Keiji to end Orochi in their dream mode. While his teammates want to assist the mutual Liu Bei, Orochi's soldiers try to keep them trapped within the garrison. Lu Bu's personal goal in the stage is defeating several of them and frighten them to open the gates.

After Orochi's second fall, Lu Bu was content to wander the land with Diaochan in the original timeline of Warriors Orochi 3. By chance the couple happened to stumble upon the battle at Tong Gate. Although Lu Bu was confident that his strength would be enough to see them through, he is quickly beaten by Nezha. Pleading Diaochan to save herself, a wounded Lu Bu is forced to flee instead. Humiliated by the loss and angered by Diaochan's death, Lu Bu tracks the robotic warrior throughout the game's story to defeat him and redeem his honor. If Diaochan is saved by the coalition and present at Osaka Castle, her simple request is enough to gain Lu Bu's allegiance. To other members of the coalition, however, he insists that he is only with them for another chance to challenge Nezha.

Lu Bu and Diaochan serve Dong Zhuo in one of the downloadable stages, "Dong Zhuo's Ambition", creating a paradise of beautiful women for their master. In "Lu Bu's Revenge", he is given a chance to redeem himself by defeating Nezha.

In Ultimate, one of his multiple imposters are created from Divine Mirror that Tamamo inherit, prior Chapter 7's timeline changes. In Chapter 7's main story mission, Lu Bu is among those sent to Fu Xi's past at the mystic realm. During his time, he meets Nezha's incarnation prior to his first death, another event the general is a witness to. After sealing the fallen hero turned ultimate villain, Lu Bu wonder where Nezha is now to fight him while he's still human, as Fu Xi told him that Nezha is killed by Orochi then Susano'o will revive him in the future.

After returning to the main timeline, the last Lu Bu duplicate manipulates Chen Gong at Wan Castle to set a trap on Tadakatsu, Zhuge Dan, and Lu Xun, with cyborg Nezha's duplicate pretending to be a neutral unit to be saved by the coalition. However, the plan is foiled when he was revealed by Divine Mirror that coalition inherited from the alternate past timeline, the duplicates' last plan is to set fire to the castle to burn Chen Gong and the coalition to death; but apparently, they managed to survive and confront Tamamo, as her true form is revealed at the end. In the revamped Mirror Realm mission, the duplicates of Lu Bu and Nezha's plan are fully foiled when the coalition went back to the aforementioned mission to make things better. When Tamamo revealed to be Kyūbi prior Mirror Realm missions unlocked, Lu Bu will distract Kyūbi's army to fight him at Dongkou. This allows Zhou Yu, Diaochan, and Sanzang to set a trap reducing the fox's army so the four can proceed to imprison Kyūbi to the mirror. However, she managed to escape after calling Susano'o and Kaguya's duplicates to deal with Lu Bu and his allies.

During the events of Warriors Orochi 4, Lu Bu is one of the first humans to reenter the new world. He is quickly met by Odin and Da Ji, who offer him an Ouroboros Bracelet and the promise to fight never-ending battles. Eager for such times to come, he continues to aid them. With his power, they are able to defeat Shuten Dōji and release his power to form the God of Destruction, Orochi X, who is needed for Yggdrasil's revival. Chen Gong, however, knowing that Yggdrasil's revival would mean the destruction of the world, intentionally begins setting his lord up to eventually rebel against Odin.

At Guangling, Lu Bu is allowed to fight the Coalition to his heart's content, taking high pleasure in fighting both gods and other deified humans. When Odin tells him to back off and leave as these strong beings are needed to power Yggdrasil, Lu Bu instantly turns his back on Odin and takes his army to join the Coalition.

Lu Bu later joins the Coalition's attack on Ōsaka Castle in order to secure Zeus's body. During the battle, he ends up dueling against Munenori Yagyū, who wishes to see the full strength of those that would dare to fight Odin. After his defeat, Munenori surrenders and joins the Coalition.

During Ultimate, Lu Bu retains his spot in the Coalition and is present during the final battle against Odin at the Spring of Mimir. During the final battle against Hades should Perseus be revived beforehand, Lu Bu will be tasked with advancing from the southeast, where he will encounter illusions of both Yoshitsune and Benkei. When the Coalition finally separates Odin's soul from Ygdrassil and removing the tree's power source, Lu Bu accompanies both Yang Jian and Mitsunari in seizing one of Hades's altars.

Warriors All-Stars[]

Lu Bu is initially apathetic to the Warriors All-Stars world's plight—even with Tamaki's plea and explanation—and simply wants to return home. He sides with Tamaki's forces to prove his might.

Dynasty Tactics[]

Lu Bu primarily acts as one of Liu Bei's early antagonists in Dynasty Tactics. He can either be exterminated quickly by Cao Cao and Liu Bei at Xia Pi or temporarily join forces with the latter. In the second scenario, the two lords form an alliance to end Yuan Shu. Soon after their victory, they are outmaneuvered by Cao Ren's army. Reinforcements miraculously come when Liu Biao aids them and their land is saved. During their victory banquet, however, Lu Bu kills their savior based on a loose report that he was a cohort with Cao Cao. Shocked by the violence, Liu Bei departs and declares war on him.

When Lu Bu is defeated, his life is spared but he rebounds later to fulfill his desire for conquest. He is supposedly killed after his defeat. In one of Wu's scenarios, however, he can be recruited in the last chapter. Players can also fight his Dynasty Tactics counterpart in Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends, as he leads a heavily armed army and challenges anyone to defeat him at Chi Bi.

Dynasty Tactics 2 portrays him as slightly less arrogant and also introduces his daughter, Lu Ling Qi. He is one of the possible rulers in the game who can conquer the land. In one of his story branches, he learns from Cao Cao that his ally, Liu Bei, wishes to betray him and personally storms Liu Bei's castle to murder him. He seemingly dies from an archer volley in a charge against Cao Cao's troops. However, he survives and joins forces with the stunned Ma Chao to rebuild his ranks. With his new army, he eventually defeats Wei and perpetuates war in the land.

Kessen[]

During the prologue movie in Kessen II, Liu Bei and Cao Cao become allies to defeat forces under the Lu family name. While players are free to interpret the general's identity in the game, the official databook remarks that Liu Bei was fighting Lu Bu at the time historically.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

Within the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, Lu Bu represents the absolute pinnacle in martial ability among officers, possessing an unmatched War stat at the 100 mark alongside a high Leadership stat in the 90's. This is countered however by his poor marks in the remaining categories with his Politics being among the worst of the series landing somewhere in the 10's range. Lu Bu also is a notoriously disloyal officer who's Loyalty stat decreases at a faster rate and he is likely to rebel if he is not rewarded frequently or is convinced by an enemy plot to break away from the force he is affiliated with. Initially an officer of Ding Yuan's faction during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, his service under and betrayal of Dong Zhuo, his battles with Cao Cao in Yan Province as well as his actions in Xu Province leading up to his death appear within the series as events. His famed halberd, Sky Piercer appears as an item/specialty that offers a very high War stat increase to it's wielder, further inflating Lu Bu's remarkable War stat while his steed, Red Hare decreases the likelihood that it's owner is captured.

The fourteenth instalment in the series gives Lu Bu the unique character trait, Soaring General which nullifies the impact that all terrains except large rivers have on Lu Bu's units mobility while also negating any effects his unit would suffer when surrounded. Lu Bu's unique battle tactic, Heaven's Warrior inflicts severe damage to nearby enemy units as well as decreasing their unit's morale.

Character Information[]

Lu Bu 15th Anniversary Artwork (DWEKD)

Shin Sangoku Musou 15th Anniversary artwork.

Development[]

According to his commentary for the Dynasty Warriors 6 soundtrack, MASA intentionally placed the K.O. song, DEATHBLOW -DW PRIME MIX-, after Lu Bu's theme. He did so because it best replicates his own playing experience whenever he ignores the warnings and challenges an enraged Lu Bu.

Even with the multiple continuities in Warriors All-Stars, Inada didn't change his mantra for slipping into character: no matter what the setting or the foe, Lu Bu is still the strongest. He's a fan of Warriors games so he'll be purchasing this one like the others.

Personality[]

Lu Bu is typically depicted as an extremely aggressive, brutish, and bloodthirsty warrior who fights for the sole purpose of finding an opponent capable of providing him with a challenge. He believes himself to be the "Mightiest Man Alive" and believes that the only true justice in the world is not found in any court, but when one fights for one's life on the battlefield, where the strong survive and the weak are crushed. More of a man of action than talk, he disregards strategy and politics as a waste of his time, much to the chagrin of his allies.

In spite of his repeated betrayals, Lu Bu is brutally honest and has little faith in or respect for politicians, bureaucrats, or any cowards who use deceit to gain power. For this same reason, Lu Bu despises sycophants and suck-ups and resents being Dong Zhuo's lackey. In older games, Lu Bu before becoming rather more prideful was rather easily interested upon someone overcoming him in battle, living another day to best them and was willing to retreat when battles went awry. Lu Bu also acknowledges strength in other aspects, even in concepts that don't regard battle.

Lu Bu considers Dong Zhuo an arrogant pig and a repulsive coward who is undeserving of his wealth and status, and only joins him because of the opportunity to fight all the enemies that Dong Zhuo makes. His hatred is further inflamed when Diaochan advises him to kill his benefactor. The closest thing he has to a friend in the series is Zhang Liao; he treats him with more respect than the other soldiers in his army and has barely berated him for any of his actions in the open, even when Zhang Liao once insisted on joining Lu Bu in a battle that he wanted to fight alone. In the Warriors Orochi series, he shares special dialogue with Fu Xi, Orochi, Tadakatsu, Nobunaga, and Musashi.

In Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, Lu Bu is given an expanded relationship with both his strategist Chen Gong and his daughter Lu Lingqi. When dealing with his strategist, Lu Bu often accepts his strategies and shows considerable amounts of trust in him during actual battle; however, he also brushes off Chen Gong's constant compliments during the hypothetical route. In the historical route as well as in 9, Lu Bu has very little regard for Chen Gong's battle tactics and rushes in, often forcing the strategist to make concessions and coercions just to make the general follow.

If Lu Bu has any weakness in the games, it's his often absentminded devotion for the women he loves. Diaochan is everything to him and he is always willing to do whatever she wants; he rarely suspects or accuses her of any sort of deception despite to her admitting it. Throughout Diaochan's campaign, his motive is to create a world where Diaochan can be happy, and he frequently worries about her getting hurt on the battlefield. Should his lover come to any harm, he instantly flies into a rage and becomes almost unstoppable.

He displays this same protectiveness towards his daughter in Dynasty Tactics 2, as he states that due he himself knowing nothing but the concepts of war, he implores his daughter to not blindly follow his path. In Dynasty Warriors, Lu Bu is similarly against Lu Lingqi entering battle, but cannot speak against her insistence to continue joining him regardless. Though he never admits it openly, Lu Bu also puts his daughter above himself, especially in scenarios regarding her marriage and safety.

Character Symbolism[]

His style name, Fengxian, when broken into separate characters, is a homophone to "Feng/Phoenix Hermit".

A common postulation for his signature weapon's origins is the fangtianji ("evened heaven halberd"), a weapon of the Northern Song Dynasty that is a type of ji, a common starting weapon for Lu Bu in previous installments mainly as his second weapon. Attached to one end of the weapon was a type of bladed tip shaped in the form of a crescent. Lu Bu's version reportedly improves the weapon's slashing and stabbing power by adding one crescent blade on each side or by adding on sharp edges. Its length, weight, and other characteristics are not clearly known, though the weapon is said to require great skill to master and wield.

His iconic weapon in Three Kingdoms media is an improved version of the aforementioned halberd, known as the Fangtian Huaji (literally the "Evened Heaven Stroking Halberd"), commonly translated as "Heavenly Halberd" or "Sky Piercer". It was a weapon used by Lu Bu within Romance of the Three Kingdoms and is represented as his third weapon in the Dynasty Warriors series, though the design is akin to a qinglong ji (literally "azure dragon halberd"), where there is only one crescent edge present on the weapon as opposed to on both sides, though the other halberds Lu Bu is able to wield have the double-edged design.

Though many of the weapons in the novel date from the Song or Ming Dynasty, Lu Bu's weapon is thought to have not truly existed which makes it an anachronism - though the Book of Tang claims an incident where a weapon like it was seen. As a side note, the other famous user of the same polearm would be found in the Water Margin; within the tale, the character in question, Lu Fang, is based on Lu Bu. His Standard cross spears in Dynasty Warriors 6 are named after his aforementioned iconic weapon, in spite of it not resembling the common perception of the armament.

In the Japanese version of Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires, Lu Bu is given the nickname of "Violence Hurricane" while the English version changes it to "The Avatar of Battle, the Ultimate Warrior". As a dominant ruler in Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires, he calls his five greatest warriors the "Five Lords of War".

His fourth weapon is a fangtianji that is named as a possible reference to the idiom "Peerless One In the Kingdom", read in Chinese as "Guoshi Wushuang" (國士無雙) or in Japanese as "Kokushi Musō" (国士無双). The phrase is used for a person of superior skill who has no equal or better throughout the land. Historically, these same words were uttered by Xiao He to his lord Liu Bang. Liu Bang was questioning Xiao He's judgment in granting him a single runaway, Han Xin, from thousands of other fleeing candidates. Xiao He responded by greatly commending Han Xin's talents and specifically used the phrase to emphasize the general's strengths. His lord was convinced and Han Xin was admitted into Liu Bang's services. The name has since evolved to being the name of a winning mahjong hand in ode to its distinguished nature, often dubbed as the "Thirteen Orphans".

The original name to Lu Bu's Level 11 weapon, fifth weapon, and Strength weapon is "Ogre God", another catch copy for Lu Bu in the Asian script of several Musou Warriors titles and an Asian term for a fierce god. It is thought these specters are vengeful in nature, hardly a speck of mercy left within them. They are supernatural beings who look half man, half demonic or beast-like (or ghostly in a Chinese context). There are many myths of these spirits, but a common element shared with them is that they died an unclean death and continue to haunt the mortal realm due to an improper burial. With the introduction of Buddhism, their nature morphed to instead be man-eating entities capable of monstrous power. Calling someone by this name isn't necessarily a compliment, but it is a fearful and weary type of recognition for the addressee's might.

"Flying General", Lu Bu's historical nickname, is the original name of his Skill weapon. The name has its origins trace back specifically to Li Guang, a general of the Han Dynasty. Li Guang was exceptional with archery and polearm weapons, striking fear into the Xiongnu tribes with his prowess. Since Lu Bu was said to have had shared the same formidable traits, Chen Shou wrote the nickname down for him. Whether he was feared in battle like Li Guang is hard to say, but Lu Bu did hold a reputation of being powerful. The nickname is also the original name for his personal item in Warriors Orochi, "Flying General's Armor".

Voice Actors[]

  • Dan Woren - Dynasty Warriors 4 (English-uncredited)
  • Jamieson Price - Dynasty Warriors 5~8, Warriors Orochi~2 (English-uncredited)
  • Vic May - Dynasty Warriors 9 (English)
  • Richard Epcar - Dynasty Tactics 2 (English-uncredited)
  • Kai Taschner - Dynasty Warriors 3 (German-uncredited)
  • Torsten Münchow - Dynasty Warriors 4 (German-uncredited)
  • Liu Chaojian - Dynasty Warriors 3 (Chinese)
  • Tu Te Ha Meng - Dynasty Warriors 9 (Chinese)
  • Kim Il - Dynasty Warriors 2 (Korean)
  • Im Jineung - Dynasty Warriors 3~5 (Korean)
  • Choi Han - Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed (Korean)
  • Lee Gwangsu - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (Korean)
  • Tetsu Inada - Dynasty Warriors series, Warriors Orochi series, Dynasty Tactics series, Warriors All-Stars (Japanese)
  • Hisao Egawa - Sangokushi 12
  • Kōichi Hashimoto - Romance of the Three Kingdoms drama CD series
  • Kenji Sugimura - Sangokushi Legion
  • Yuki Ono - Shin Sangokushi
  • Jouji Nakata - Sangokushi Heroes
  • Yasuhiro Kikuchi - Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV (Japanese)
  • Naoki Bandō - Youkai Sangokushi (Japanese)
  • Kenjiro Tsuda - Sangokushi Hadou (Japanese)
  • Haruki Hongo - Sangokushi Strategy
  • Yūya Uchida - Sangokushi Three Kingdoms TV series
  • Miyuki Sawashiro - Juuzaengi ~Engetsu Sangokuden~

Live Action Performers[]

Quotes[]

See also: Lu Bu/Quotes
  • "Diao... Chan! Ahhh! Worthless scum! You will all pay! Not a hair of yours will be left in this world!"
  • "What is magic? There is no magic before the might of my blade! Onward!"
  • "Are there no others? Is there no one left to challenge me? Is this the end? Are there no more great battles for me to join? Argh! More! I still wish to wield my blade in battle! I do not care who! Come and face me! Come and face the great Lu Bu!"
  • "Enough! I don't need more strength or wisdom! Having you around would only weigh me down. You want to live? Then go!"
  • "I am the greatest warrior this world has ever seen!"
  • "Very well... you are nothing to me now, Diao Chan! If you truly want to fight Orochi, then we will meet again... And rest assured. I will show no mercy."
  • "Lu Bu is here! No rushing onto this train!!"
  • "In battle, I answer with my blade!"
"Ha! Defeating Hua Xiong has gone to your head! Before you die, I will show you what true strength is!"
~~Guan Yu and Lu Bu; Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends
  • "Lu Bu, how dare you stab me in the back! You will pay!"
"Humph! Don't make me laugh, you pig! It is I who shall surpass you, and it is I who shall rule the land!"
~~Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu; Dynasty Warriors 4
  • "Fools, who know not the will of the heaven! Repent!"
"Why fear destiny? I will make destiny! Kneel before me, you scum!"
~~Zhang Jiao and Lu Bu; Dynasty Warriors Advance
  • "Your strength is unearthly. I fear that I am but a child in comparison."
"Hmph! Of course! You were foolish to compare yourself to me in the first place."
"Does your strength come from confidence? Perhaps I too must show more confidence!"
~~Zhang Liao and Lu Bu; Dynasty Warriors 7
  • "I have bided my time, waiting for this moment, Orochi. When I defeat you, I will be the greatest of all time."
"I have waited a long time for this moment, Lu Bu."
~~Lu Bu and Orochi; Warriors Orochi
  • "To follow Kiyomori so blindly... where has your pride gone?"
"Follow? There is no one in this world that can make me follow them."
~~Ginchiyo and Lu Bu; Warriors Orochi 2
  • "The next enemy we face will be very formidable. Don't die on me!"
"Naturally. I cannot be killed so easily. And I also take measures to avoid death's door."
"I will be the one who strikes you down. I will never forgive you if you die beforehand!"
~~Lu Bu and Nezha; Warriors Orochi 3

Gameplay[]

See also: Lu Bu/Movesets‎‎

Dynasty Warriors 9[]

『真・三國無双8』呂布アクション動画

『真・三國無双8』呂布アクション動画

Keys: Square Flow Attack • Triangle Reactive Attack • Circle Musou X Jump/Mount

Lu Bu is affiliated with the halberd in this title. When equipped with it, Lu Bu can perform the following unique attacks listed below.

Unique Attacks
Unique Flow Attack Finisher: Enemy Standing + Square Square Square Square: Launches a horizontal swip to the right, then produces a strong quake by stomping the ground and releasing a war cry. This move is derived from his second EX attack in Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends.
Unique Trigger Attack: R1 + Triangle: Mows down the enemy by charging at high speed, then flings them into the air via one-handed upward slash. This move is reminiscent of Lu Bu's first charge attack in Warriors All-Stars.
Special Technique: R1 + Circle: Pounds halberd's blunt end on the ground, then charges forward to grab an enemy using own free hand. Lu Bu then smashes his victim's body on the ground, causing them to fly up while triggering a powerful tremor. Inflicts slash-based damage, making it highly effective in one-on-one duels against stronger foes.
Musou Attack: Circle: Delivers wide alternating slashes with the first one aimed at the upper right and the second one directed to the left. Once the cycle phase is over, Lu Bu unleashes a dark funnel of fierce energy forward before twirling his halberd around. The finisher itself is imbued with the slash element. Primarily based on Lu Bu's Spirit Bomb Musou attack from past games.
Aerial Musou Attack: X Circle: Delivers a slash-infused slam on the earth, causing waves of energy to rise up along with multiple debris flying to the air. Good for instantly clearing enemy crowds. This move is an adapted version of Lu Bu's Armageddon Strike Musou from previous titles.
Horse Maneuvers
Summon Horse: L2: Summon horse to the battlefield. Holding L2 as the horse approaches will allow the character to automatically mount them.
Auto-Run: Riding Mode + L2: Automatically runs towards a specified destination. If a destination has not been set, the horse will instead run towards the location of the player's currently selected mission.
Sprint: Riding Mode + Direction + R1: Causes horse to run at a faster pace. Doing so depletes their stamina each time.
Jump: Riding Mode + Direction + R2: Causes horse to jump high while running.
Horse Fast Attack: Riding Mode + Square: Performs a fast and seamless attack while mounted. The attack itself varies depending on what type of weapon is equipped and whether the enemy is grounded or airborne.
Horse Trigger Attack: Riding Mode + Triangle: Performs an attack that sends enemies flying into the air. May vary depending on what type of weapon is equipped.
Horse Musou Attack: Riding Mode + Circle: Causes horse to sprint by consuming Musou instead of stamina.
Dismount Horse: Riding Mode + X: Dismounts from horse and resumes default fighting stance.
Bow Maneuvers
Shooting Mode: 🡻: Pulls out bow and assumes archery stance. Can be cancelled by tapping 🡻 again.
Switch Arrows: 🡸 or 🡺: Switches between different types of arrows.
Bow Attack: Shooting Mode + Square: Fires current arrow at a target. Can lock on targets by tapping R3.
Lower Bow: Shooting Mode + X: Lowers bow while squatting down.


Weapons[]

See also: Lu Bu/Weapons

Dynasty Warriors 8[]

Lu Bu still uses the halberd as his default weapon in this title.

Historical Information[]

Early career[]

Lu Bu, born in Jiuyuan, Jiuyuan District, was educated and pursued a military career under Ding Yuan. He began as a Chief Registrar and later became the Captain of the Cavalry. After Ding Yuan's assassination of Dong Zhuo, Lu Bu protested and killed him. He then offered his services to Dong Zhuo, who approved of his actions and allowed him to retain his title as Captain of the Cavalry.

In 190, Lu Bu marched against Dong Zhuo's oppressors, Cao Cao, and later intercepted Sun Jian's forces at Yangren. Lu Bu's actions were criticized by Hu Zhen, who was arrogant and foul-mouthed. The conflict resulted in Sun Jian's withdrawal.

Due to Lu Bu's reputation, Dong Zhuo tried to keep him beside him to deter his rivals in Luoyang. People would usually confront Dong Zhuo personally if Lu Bu was not present, but he was loved by his new master and adopted into his family. Lu Bu was eventually given the titles Commander of the Palace Guards and Ting Marquis.

Mutiny with Wang Yun[]

Wang Yun, exhausted by Dong Zhuo's influence, conspired to assassinate his lord and convinced Lu Bu to join his cause. Lu Bu expressed concern over slaying his adoptive father, but Wang Yun convinced him that their surnames were different enough to avoid confusion. Three reasons for joining the plot against his adoptive father include an incident where Dong Zhuo was angry with Lu Bu, his secret trysts with one of Dong Zhuo's servant maids, and jealousy for other retainers' promotions or positive treatment.

In April 192, Lu Bu and Li Su waited in secret at Endless Palace. Dong Zhuo visited the palace to celebrate Emperor Xian's illness and was lured by Wang Yun. Lu Bu and Li Su's soldiers attacked Dong Zhuo, but Lu Bu emerged and killed him with his own blade. Dong Zhuo's relatives were also massacred.

After the Dong family were killed, Wang Yun claimed the capital and promoted Lu Bu to Marquis of Wen. Despite his celebrated services, Lu Bu was loosely trusted by his comrades in Chang'an, who initially considered him a last resort to remove Dong Zhuo. They also suspected that Lu Bu could turn against them if they were to offend him.

Approximately one or two months later, Chang'an was surrounded by Dong Zhuo's former retainers who sought to avenge their lord's death. According to Yīngxióng Jìyue, Lu Bu led ten or so horsemen and confronted Guo Si in battle. He challenged his opponent to a duel and nearly killed the general. If the incident is true, then it would be one of the rare instances in history in which a military conflict was ended by a duel between generals. Although Lu Bu led troops to oppose them, the 100,000 troops overpowered Chang'an's defenses in ten days. Before the castle had completely fallen, Lu Bu gathered several hundred horsemen, attached Dong Zhuo's head to his horse, and rode out of the castle to flee. Whilst his horse circled around Chang'an's gates, he implored Wang Yun to escape as well. Wang Yun refused the request for he didn't want to turn his back on those remaining and was prepared to face his punishment.

When Chang'an fell, Lu Bu and his men fled southward through Guanzhong's Wu Pass. He was able to keep his three noble titles for a mere sixty days.

Establishing Independence[]

Lu Bu, a general, initially sought refuge in Jizhou and eventually partnered with Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao used Lu Bu's forces to fight Zhang Yan and his bandits, who were outnumbered. Lu Bu led his forces and his retainers, Wei Yue and Cheng Lian, in battles against Zhang Yan's army. However, their stay was short-lived as Yuan Shao was disturbed by Lu Bu's willingness to pillage for supplies and disapproved of his troops accepting thievery. Consequently, Lu Bu sought to desert Yuan Shao and planned to have him assassinated. He escaped by playing music for the retainers, and Yuan Shao later regretted his failure to procure the general for his cause. During his time with Yuan Shao, Lu Bu befriended Zhang Miao, but later found another home in Henei with Zhang Yang.

There are two accounts of Zhang Yang's treatment of Lu Bu. In the Yīngxióng Jìyue, Zhang Yang was a mild-mannered lord who showered his retainers with affection and resented calamity in his ranks or with other people. When he received news from Guo Si and Li Jue that a reward was on Lu Bu's head, Zhang Yang had thought to accept Lu Bu and kill him shortly after. Upon seeing Lu Bu's calm demeanor, Zhang Yang ultimately failed to carry out the deed. The other account in the Weizhi establishes that he accepted Lu Bu since they shared similar northern origins. In any case, Lu Bu was soon titled Governor of Yingchuan.

After experiencing a falling out with Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, Zhang Miao conspired with Chen Gong to oppose Cao Cao. Both instigators then sought to make Lu Bu their figurehead lord. In 194, as they rebelled against Cao Cao's army at Yanzhou, Zhang Miao granted Lu Bu's entry into the thick of their conflict at Yanzhou. Lu Bu and his forces successfully took Puyang away from Xiahou Dun during Cao Cao's absence. Lu Bu's forces tried to expand their influence deeper into Cao Cao's territory, but they were ultimately foiled by Xun Yu and Cheng Yu. When Cao Cao returned to Yanzhou, he gathered troops to attack Lu Bu at Puyangcheng. The following battle resulted in a disastrous defeat for Cao Cao who escaped due to the help of his capable vassals. Lu Bu was in a position to overwhelm Cao Cao, but the one hundred plus days of famine and the storm of locusts destroying crops and troop supplies stayed his hand. Lu Bu's forces eventually stationed themselves in Shanyang, which allowed Cao Cao's retreat.

A year of grueling and relatively fruitless conflicts later, each side was locked in a stalemate. When Cao Cao directed his attention towards other rebelling factions, Lu Bu's forces used this opportunity to pummel through their foe's dwindled numbers to flee towards Liu Bei's hospitality at Xuzhou.

Yīngxióng Jìyue remarks that Lu Bu was initially respectful towards Liu Bei and treated him with reverence. He gradually became more arrogant of his benefactor's generosity. Within mere days, Lu Bu boldly called Liu Bei "[his] younger brother" without the lord's consent, thus earning Liu Bei's inward scorn. About a month later, Liu Bei left Xuzhou to subjugate Yuan Shu at Shouchun. Cao Bao helped Lu Bu's takeover of Xiapi and drove Zhang Fei away from it.

Self-proclaiming himself the Governor of Xuzhou, Lu Bu arrogantly showed "charity" towards Liu Bei when the lord returned. He allowed Liu Bei to stay at Xiaopei. The Yīngxióng Jìyue states that Lu Bu also held Liu Bei's wife and child hostage for Liu Bei's obedience. Around this time, Yuan Shu ordered Ji Ling and others to assemble an army of 300,000 to attack Xiapi. Lu Bu concluded that Yuan Shu would surround him from the northern mountains if he allowed Liu Bei's defeat at Xiaopei and decided to intercept the invaders with 1,000 men and 200 horsemen.

As Lu Bu's troops reinforced Xiaopei, Chen Gong mediated between Liu Bei and Yuan Shu's generals to a meeting with his lord. Lu Bu invited them to a feast and said to Yuan Shu's retainers, "Liu Bei is [my]* younger brother. Gentleman, I am aware that my brother has caused you unneeded hardship so I came to help. It is not in my nature to perpetuate conflict. Nay, I prefer to stop disputes."

*Throughout the exchange, Lu Bu refers to himself in third person by full name. He calls himself "Lu Bu" with a tone of arrogance and superiority.

He then ordered one of his soldiers to position a halberd upright at Xiaopei's gate. As he drew an arrow back from a bow given to him, Lu Bu addressed them again, "Gentleman, please observe if you would my shot at that halberd's wooden end. If my arrow hits it, then I ask that both armies withdraw and disband their troops. If I am to fail, then your troops may do as you please." With the same arrow, Lu Bu hit the halberd exactly at the spot mentioned in his barter. Ji Ling and company were astonished and exclaimed, "You are the very light of Heaven!" On the same day, both sides conversed a while longer and obeyed Lu Bu. With Yuan Shu out of the picture, Lu Bu then attacked Liu Bei and claimed Xiaopei.

The Yīngxióng Jìyue claims that Emperor Xian asked for Lu Bu to receive his company when he was in Hedong. At the time, Lu Bu's supplies were low so the offer was respectfully refused. As Emperor Xian sent another messenger to reach Lu Bu, he included the appointed titles General who Pacifies the East and Pingtao Marquis in his letter. However, as the messenger left for Lu Bu, the letter was lost at Shanyang.

Fall and End[]

In 197, Yuan Shu sought to establish an alliance with Lu Bu by marrying his son with Lu Bu's daughter. However, neighboring ruler Chen Gui learned of the warlords' plans and ordered them to cancel the marriage. Lu Bu convinced Han Xian, Yang Feng, and their horsemen to defect, belittling Yuan Shu. To end the conflict, Yuan Shu appealed to Lu Bu, demanding his independence and surrender.

Zang Ba attacked Xiao Jian, causing him to lose his castle. Furious, Lu Bu ignored Gao Shun's request for forgiveness and gathered an army to attack Zang Ba. The civil war ended with Lu Bu triumphing, and the afflicted parties reconciled and renewed their loyalty.

In 198, Liu Bei returned to reclaim his spot at Xiaopei, but lost his fight against Lu Bu. Cao Cao invaded Xuzhou, and Chen Deng defected to Cao Cao. Lu Bu tried to hold Chen Deng's younger brother as a hostage but failed. He requested reinforcements from Yuan Shu, but his trust waned due to his past betrayals. He ignored Chen Gong and Gao Shun's advice and continued the sieges of Xiapi.

Three months later, Lu Bu's troops were riddled with anxiety and impoverished by hunger. Cao Cao planned a water attack with Xun Yu and Guo Jia by using the two rivers, Yishui and Sishui. He initiated the attack in winter when the morale of Lu Bu's troops were at their lowest. The water attack was the breaking point for Hou Cheng, Song Xian, and Wei Xu. They captured Chen Gong, Gao Shun, and Red Hare and surrendered to Cao Cao. Lu Bu tried to rouse his remaining men to keep resisting the coalition against them and threatened to kill them if they surrendered to Cao Cao. When he saw that his troops were unwilling to listen to him, Lu Bu surrendered.

As he was brought before Cao Cao, Lu Bu said to him, "Milord, if you lead the infantry and I lead the cavalry, we can pacify the land together." Upon hearing this, Cao Cao looked dismayed and considered the proposal. Upon noticing this, Liu Bei warned, "Have you forgotten the fates of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo?" Thusly convinced, Cao Cao ordered for his prisoner's execution. Before he was hanged, Lu Bu's last words to Cao Cao were, "Under any circumstances, you mustn't trust the one with large ears (Liu Bei)." Shortly after his death, Lu Bu's head was removed and his body was buried.

Personal Info[]

There are repeated accounts throughout historical records which attest to his strength. The historian Fan Ye, compiler for the Book of Later Han, compared Lu Bu to be the very thing which caused people to shirk with fear. There is a famous saying about him and Red Hare, "Among men Lu Bu, among horses Red Hare" (人中呂布, 馬中赤兔). According to the Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Lu Bu was a master in horse riding, archery, and armed combat. He was reportedly known as the "Flying General" (飛将).

However, strength alone was not enough to salvage his reputation. He was also known to be rough to the point of being nearly intolerable with other people, and he was known for his fickle nature. Chen Gong praised his lord as an invincible warrior in the field, but he also urged his lord to be cautious and to avoid disturbing the public opinion of him. Gao Shun remarked that it wasn't always the will of the vassal to follow his lord's orders, addressing the disfavor directed towards Lu Bu. As a retainer, he couldn't reprimand his lord's actions and felt that he should accept any joy or misgivings his lord showed him.

Historian Chen Shou remarked, "In history, there is no precedent in which a person like him was not ruined", as well as the fact that despite his strength Lu Bu lacked in proper battlefield strategy; he also only cared more about his gains. It was due to Lu Bu's aforementioned nature, he was known to be quite infamous for lack of control over his soldiers; not only did it make local populaces of the areas he conquered quite upset at him (due to the aforementioned soldiers committing unruly acts), but additional entries by Chen Shou had stated Lu Bu's soldiers and generals were all disunited due to their own motivations and Lu Bu's own lack of complete control and rationality towards them.

While debated, there was one supposed incident where during his scuffles with Hao Meng, he attempted an assault on Lu Bu whilst the latter was bare-naked (how Lu Bu was in such a state was never discovered to this day). Surprised, the leading general fled from his tent without even grabbing a bathrobe or any form of clothing as he screamed for Gao Shun's name. Gao Shun given he was used to his lord's behavior at this point, while unfazed gathered his elite forces to corner Hao Meng and forced him and his Henei troops to flee; albeit later on his subordinate Cao Xing betrayed Hao Meng and presented his head to Lu Bu while gaining control over Hao Meng's troops.

He had one known wife whose name and family relations are unknown, who was often referred to as "Lady Yan" in most sources. He fathered one known daughter.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

LuBu-mural

A painted mural of Lu Bu facing Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei at Hulao Pass. Located at Long Corridor in the Summer Palace in Beijing, China

Lu Bu, a martial arts master and rider, was the adopted son of Ding Yuan and led an army against Dong Zhuo. However, his impatience and temper led to him charging into Dong Zhuo's front line, causing panic. Li Su, a general under Dong Zhuo and a fellow villager of Lu Bu, persuaded him to defect. Using a bribe, he carried a sword into Ding Yuan's tent, causing him to question his intentions. Ding Yuan tried to escape but was unsuccessful.

He killed his father's head with a sword, presenting it to Dong Zhuo the next day. He took Dong Zhuo as his adoptive father, who was overjoyed and showed him more gifts. Lu Bu's constant presence deterred future assassins, and for Dong Zhuo's personal safety, he relied heavily on him, who had been promoted to Knight General. The son would be seen alongside the father almost all the time.

Battle with Three Heroes at Hulao Pass[]

In 190, warlords led by Yuan Shao sought to overthrow Dong Zhuo in Luoyang, but were stopped at Hulao Pass. Lu Bu, dressed in silver armor and a twin pheasent-tail headpiece, taunted for challengers to duel him, causing severe injuries or death. Zhang Fei, with his Eight-Zhang Serpent Spear, fought Lu Bu for over fifty bouts, while Guan Yu and Liu Bei joined the battle. The three brothers galloped in a circle, causing Lu Bu to tire and retreat. He made a feign attack on Liu Bei, who he believed had the least martial ability, and retreated through a gap. The Trio chased after Lu Bu but could not keep up with him due to his horse's speed. They abandoned the chase after noticing Dong Zhuo and pursued him unsuccessfully. The battle was a merry-go-round, with Lu Bu eventually losing to Zhang Fei and Liu Bei.

Romance with Diaochan and Slaying Dong Zhuo[]

Lu Bu-Dong Zhou

An illustration of Lu Bu being chased away from Diaochan by Dong Zhuo.

After Dong Zhuo relocated the capital to Chang'an, Minister of Interior Wang Yun plotted to assassinate him using Diaochan, a song girl he treated like his own daughter. Wang Yun invited Lu Bu to a dinner where Diaochan served wine, and Lu Bu was impressed by her beauty. Wang Yun promised to marry Diaochan to Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo brought Diaochan home and made her his concubine. When Lu Bu heard about this, he saw Diaochan grooming her hair while Dong Zhuo was asleep. Diaochan pretended to wipe tears off her eyes with a handkerchief. When Dong Zhuo fell ill, Lu Bu saw Diaochan staring at him, and Dong Zhuo had him removed and forbidden to enter the inner chambers.

Then one day, while Dong Zhuo was holding a conversation with Emperor Xian, Lu Bu stole to his adoptive father's residence and met with Diaochan in the Fengyi Pavilion. Weeping, Diaochan pled with Lu Bu to rescue her from Dong Zhuo vowing to drown herself in the pond rather than spend another minute with the horrid tyrant. Taken in by Diaochan's act, Lu Bu placed his halberd aside and held Diaochan in his arms while comforting her with promises for her rescue.

Back at the palace, Dong Zhuo realized that Lu Bu had slipped away. Returning to his residence, he found the Red Hare horse outside and realized that Lu Bu had gone against his orders and reentered the inner chambers. In a huff, Dong Zhuo entered his residence to find the duo in the pavilion. The startled Lu Bu turned to flee, forgetting to retrieve his halberd in the process. Dong Zhuo grabbed the halberd and gave chase. Being too obese, Dong Zhuo could not catch up with the agile Lu Bu. He then hurled the halberd at Lu Bu but the latter fended it off and got away.

After the incident, Lu Bu was becoming increasingly fed up with Dong Zhuo's egotistical arrogance. This displeasure was further enticed by Wang Yun, who suggested subtly that Lu Bu take Dong Zhuo's life. Lu Bu attempted to argue for Dong Zhuo's paternal relationship to himself, but Wang Yun dismissed it, saying, "His surname is Dong and yours is Lu. Where were the paternal feelings when he threw that halberd at you?" Upon this, Lu Bu decided that he'd had enough and made up his mind to kill Dong Zhuo.

The conspirators then sent Li Su to fetch Dong Zhuo from his castle in the county of Mei under the pretense that the emperor intended to abdicate the throne to the warlord. Despite repeated ill omens, the overjoyed Dong Zhuo came to the palace gate, where his troops were barred from entering. As Dong Zhuo's carriage neared the palace building, soldiers loyal to Wang Yun surrounded the carriage and stabbed Dong Zhuo with spears.

Dong Zhuo was however injured only in the arms due to the breastplate he had taken the caution to wear that day. He then cried out for Lu Bu, giving him a "Imperial order to slay the traitor!". Unfortunately for Dong Zhuo, he was impaled in the throat by Lu Bu's halberd like a wild pig, while Lu Bu sarcastically proclaimed, "Then by imperial order I'll slay the traitor!" It was said that Lu Bu not only skewered his stepfather, but also the carriage as well, with the bloody tip of his halberd sticking out the back. Not content with this slaughter, Lu Bu called for the death of Li Ru as well.

Exile and Independence[]

After Dong Zhuo's death, rumors spread that the court intended to execute all his former troops from Liangzhou (涼州). When a royal decree of pardon was not issued, former subjects of Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Guo Si, staged a coup and defeated Lu Bu within ten days. Escaping from Chang'an, Lu Bu first went to Yuan Shu in Yangzhou (楊州). Deterred by Lu Bu's fickleness, however, Yuan Shu declined to keep him.

Lu Bu then headed north to seek a position under Yuan Shao. Having been given some troops by the northern warlord, Lu Bu successfully flushed out the army under Zhang Yan. However, with his own force growing in strength, Lu Bu began to look like a threat to Yuan Shao. Sensing this himself, Lu Bu then bid his short-term master farewell. Yuan Shao sent assassins after Lu Bu, but Lu Bu eluded them.

In 194, while Cao Cao was away on a campaign against Tao Qian in Xuzhou (徐州), his subjects Zhang Miao and Chen Gong rebelled and handed Yanzhou (兗州) to Lu Bu. When Cao Cao heard the news, he quickly turned back and laid siege on Lu Bu in Puyang. After more than a hundred days of stalemate, a famine breakout forced Lu Bu to give up his position.

Thinking that forcing Cao Cao's retreat from Xuzhou had done Liu Bei a favor, Lu Bu then headed for Xiapi to take refuge under Liu Bei. He often referred to Liu Bei as "little brother" which Liu Bei's oath brothers, particularly Zhang Fei, found disrespectful. In 196, however, after a number of misunderstandings, Lu Bu turned on his host and took over Xiapi, proclaiming himself the governor and sending Liu Bei to the nearby town of Xiaopei. He later performs his historical act of preventing Ji Ling's attack on Liu Bei.

Hoping to prevent Cao Cao's expanding influence, Yuan Shu offered an alliance with Lu Bu. Their marriage alliance ends in the same manner with Lu Bu initially agreeing but then recalling his decision. Lu Bu also imprisoned Yuan Shu's envoy and sent the captive to Cao Cao as a token of friendship.

Downfall[]

In 198, Cao Cao and Liu Bei formed an alliance and laid siege on Lu Bu in Xiapi. The siege lasted two months without significant gains. After a water attack, Lu Bu dismissed the threat and returned to his wine habits. However, his health deteriorated due to heavy alcohol consumption and women. He made the decision to quit drinking and ordered everyone within the city to keep off wine. Hou Cheng, a colleague of Lu Bu, attempted to steal horses and prepared wine barrels to celebrate. However, he mistakenly sent wine bottles to his superior, leading to a wrathful reaction from Lu Bu. Hou Cheng then plotted to betray Lu Bu to the enemy, steal Lu Bu's Red Hare, and attack Cao Cao's camp. Lu Bu personally defended the city, and the attackers backed off for rest. Song Xian and Wei Xu tied Lu Bu with chains, hoisted a white flag, and threw his halberd down the wall. Cao Cao's troops seized the city in no time.

After he had been captured, he thrashed like a beast in his chains until he was taken in front of Cao Cao. Lu Bu attempted to appeal to Cao Cao in the same manner as historical counterpart. To reinforce his point, Lu Bu then tried to get Liu Bei to plea for him. Liu Bei continued to speak against Lu Bu by speaking the same words he did historically. Lu Bu's last words were spent threatening to kill Liu Bei like a dog for speaking against him. Cao Cao had Lu Bu strangled and then beheaded.

See also[]

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • He is commonly known as "Roach" (小强—xiao qiang, lit. “little tough 'un", a slang name for a cockroach originated from Stephen Chow's films) in Chinese-speaking internet societies, due to the pheasant tails on his headpiece (resembling the antennae of the insect) and the fact of his apparent invulnerability in-game. The nickname "Cockroach" (ゴキブリ, Gokiburi or "G" for short) also appears in Japanese Dynasty Warriors fan communities for similar reasons. They even make jibs about Lu Bu "scuttling" across the field by noting the sound effect for insects walking (カサカサカサカサ, kasakasakasakasa).
  • Lu Bu in his Dynasty Warriors 7 design appeared as a boss character during a collaboration quest in Road to Dragons.
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