Crescent Blade

Unlock the full potential of the Crescent Blade in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Learn about its strengths, weaknesses, essential battle arts like Divine Energy Domain, and effective combos for devastating attacks.

The Crescent Blade in Dynasty Warriors: Origins begins as a weak weapon with slow attacks and low damage. Its effectiveness dramatically increases once charged, but charging takes a significant amount of time until the player unlocks skills for faster charging. The charge is depleted after performing a charge attack, requiring the player to re-charge it through normal attacks, strong attacks, assault attacks, and parries.

Mist Walk, an evade-like ability, can speed up the charging process. A perfectly timed Mist Walk against an enemy attack acts as a perfect evade, granting 1.5 bravery back and potentially increasing bravery when used with the Disc of Huanglong, though this requires practice.

The weapon's viability is revolutionized by the battle art Divine Energy Domain (DED), found on the Shu path in Guan Yu's 1,000-Li March in Chapter 4. DED creates an energy field that automatically charges the Crescent Blade to level 2, transforming it from a weak weapon into a top-tier option.

Combos

Effective combos require at least a level 1 charge. If uncharged, players should first deploy DED, use Mist Walk, or perform a series of normal and strong attacks to build charge.

1. N1 -> block + Strong, then chain into Star Sunder Slash. Star Sunder Slash's power scales with the weapon's strengthen level. Using it just before or after the final hit of Block + Strong counts as the powered-up version. Using it before the final hit aids connection, while using it after deals more fortitude damage.
2. Chain into Bursting Wave Slash (high bravery cost). This is a viable option before unlocking stronger battle arts.
3. Deploy Divine Energy Field, then evade + Strong and spin. Chain into Great Mountain Throw (GMT) when enough bravery is available. If GMT is not unlocked, use Azure Dragon Bellow. This combo is most effective against large groups of enemies.

Without at least level 1 charge, combos are ineffective. Players should focus on fast charging methods like Mist Walk or DED.

Most Useful Battle Arts

• Divine Energy Domain (DED): Essential for an easier experience with the Crescent Blade.
• Mist Walk: A cost-effective and technical battle art. Best used with the Disc of Huanglong for skilled players who can time it correctly. A good, cheaper alternative to DED that requires precise timing.
• Great Mountain Throw (GMT): An extremely powerful grab that can interrupt any attack, deals massive 360-degree damage, and costs only 6 bravery with the Disc of Huanglong. It can miss if not used at very close range.
• Star Sunder Slash: A preferred combo extender for level 1 or 2 charge. It has a low cost, cannot be staggered, and can deal the last 0.5 Fortitude damage even without charge.
• Azure Dragon Bellow: A decent option to use before unlocking GMT.
• Bursting Wave Slash: A good early-game combo extender and crowd clearer, especially effective against officers after an air combo. It has a high bravery cost and becomes less useful after unlocking Azure Dragon and GMT.

Final Setup Recommendation

• Star Sunder Slash
• Divine Energy Domain
• Palm Strike/Power Shot
• Great Mountain Throw

Weapon Attributes

• Dmg to officers + 10%
• Dmg + 10%, defence – 5%
• Extend parry window
• Bravery gain + 10%
• Boost damage to Wushu when attacking officers by 10% (10% extra fortitude damage).
• Reduce charge time for strong attacks by 33%, battle arts + 10%, or charge attack + 15% damage.

Choosing reduced charge time over damage increases offers more utility. The attribute 'charge time -33%' on a rank 7 weapon is highly recommended for a smoother experience.

Rank 8 Weapon: Conquering Luan

Farming a rank 7 weapon with the 'charge time -33%' attribute is often more beneficial than obtaining the rank 8 Conquering Luan. This attribute significantly reduces the slow charging of strong attacks and minimizes interruptions.

Obtaining the rank 8 weapon involves a difficult Ultimate Challenge: defeating Guan Yu before he returns to Xia Pi Castle within a limited time. Players should bring helpful items and a strong 1v1 weapon like the Twin Halberd, Halberd, Pole, or Spear. The challenge can be completed with a rank 8 Twin Pike, even without the Disc of Huanglong.

To start the challenge, move south, capture the middle base, defeat a reinforcement team, and proceed south towards the water gate. Engage officer Fu Shiren; Guan Yu should appear and engage near this location. Quickly defeat Fu Shiren and his allies, then focus on Guan Yu. It is advisable to enter Rage mode early if Musou is sufficient, as it may be available again later in the fight.