Total War Three Kingdoms Unlock Dong Zhuo < FULL • Review >

Scenario options:

Playing as or recruiting Dong Zhuo:

Cheats and console (single-player, for unlocking/playing immediately):

Mods and DLC:

Note: Exact availability depends on chosen campaign scenario (Historical vs Romance), game version, and installed DLC or mods.

Subscribe to the mod, enable it in the Total War launcher under "Mod Manager."

Final Verdict: Unlocking Dong Zhuo is worth the effort. His campaign feels completely different from the “righteous” warlords. So go ahead—start a Cao Cao run, hunt down the tyrant, and then become him.

Have you unlocked Dong Zhuo yet? What’s your favorite way to play him? Let us know below

as a playable faction leader in Total War: Three Kingdoms , you must complete one of two specific in-game objectives during a standard campaign: Defeat Dong Zhuo in Battle

: You must personally defeat the army led by Dong Zhuo himself in a field battle or siege.

: This is often the fastest method, but it can be tricky because he is frequently assassinated by

via a scripted event early in the game (typically between turns 10 and 20). Factions starting near him, such as Zheng Jiang , have the best chance to reach him before this happens. Reach the Rank of Emperor : Achieve the prestigious rank of total war three kingdoms unlock dong zhuo

with any other faction. This essentially requires you to progress through a full campaign until your faction is one of the three contenders for the throne and you successfully claim it.

Once either objective is met, a notification will appear, and Dong Zhuo will be selectable under the " " faction category when starting a new game. Gameplay Features

Once unlocked, playing as the Tyrant offers a unique, aggressive experience:

How to Unlock Dong Zhuo in Total War: Three Kingdoms In Total War: Three Kingdoms, most of the starting warlords are available from the moment you boot up the game. However, one of the most powerful and notorious figures of the era—the "Tyrant" Dong Zhuo—is hidden behind a specific gameplay requirement.

Unlocking him isn't just about completionism; playing as Dong Zhuo offers a unique "Intimidation" mechanic that allows you to coerce other factions and maintain order through pure fear. Here is exactly how to add the tyrant to your roster. The Two Methods to Unlock Dong Zhuo

There are currently two ways to unlock Dong Zhuo. One is the "intended" narrative path, and the other is a shortcut for those who want to jump straight into his campaign. 1. Defeat Him in Battle (The Standard Way)

The most common way to unlock Dong Zhuo is to defeat his army in battle while he is leading it. This must be done during a standard Grand Campaign using any of the other starting factions (such as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Jian).

Locate Him: Dong Zhuo starts in control of the Emperor and the Northwest regions (around Chang'an and Luoyang). You will need to march your armies toward the heart of his empire. Scenario options:

The Battle: You don't necessarily have to kill him personally in a duel, but you must win a battle where he is the commanding general.

The Unlock: Once the battle is won and Dong Zhuo’s army is routed or destroyed, a notification will pop up informing you that he is now available as a playable character in the character selection screen. 2. Reach the Rank of Emperor (The Shortcut)

If you find it difficult to track down Dong Zhuo’s specific army, there is a second, broader method: Become Emperor.

By playing through a campaign and expanding your prestige until you are declared one of the Three Emperors, the game will automatically unlock Dong Zhuo for future playthroughs. This method takes longer in terms of turn count but happens naturally as you progress toward winning the game with any faction. Why Play as Dong Zhuo?

Once you’ve unlocked him, you’ll find that Dong Zhuo plays very differently from the "Coalition" factions.

Intimidation Factor: His unique resource is Intimidation. High Intimidation reduces corruption and increases public order, but it decays over time. You must constantly execute characters, win battles, or annex territories to keep the flame of fear alive.

Coercion: You can spend Intimidation points in diplomacy to force other factions into deals they would otherwise refuse.

Elite Units: Access to the Xiliang Cavalry, some of the most powerful shock cavalry in the early game, allows you to dominate the open field. Tips for the Tyrant’s Campaign Playing as or recruiting Dong Zhuo:

Dong Zhuo’s start is classified as "Hard" for a reason. You begin surrounded by enemies, and the Han Empire (your vassal) is constantly being eaten away by the Coalition. Your primary goal is to stabilize your borders and use your massive starting wealth to crush the first few armies that Luoyang sends your way.

Whether you choose to take him down in combat or rise to the rank of Emperor to earn his respect, unlocking Dong Zhuo is a rite of passage for any Total War: Three Kingdoms player.

This is the traditional method that works for all players, regardless of DLC ownership.

The Objective: You must destroy Dong Zhuo’s faction in a campaign game. You do not need to wipe out every single unit; you simply need to win the battle that destroys his faction (kills him or captures his last settlement).

Step-by-Step Guide:

Race to Chang’an: Dong Zhuo starts in the city of Chang’an (Western part of the map). He usually holds the Emperor hostage at the start of the game.

Declare War and March: Move your armies toward his territory. You may need to pass through neutral territory. If you are playing a "good" faction (like Liu Bei), the other warlords will likely support your war against him.

Kill or Capture: Attack his army or siege Chang’an. Once you win the battle that results in the destruction of his faction, you will receive a notification that Dong Zhuo is now unlocked.

Finish and Claim: You can continue playing that campaign, or you can exit to the main menu. Dong Zhuo will now be available in the warlord selection screen for all future campaigns.

Dong Zhuo has access to the best shock cavalry in the early game: