************************************* * * * DYNASTY WARRIORS 5 - Meng Huo FAQ * * Version 1.01 * * Created by Mythril Wyrm * * * ************************************* Table of Contents I. Legal Notice/Disclaimer II. Update History III. About Meng Huo IV. Unlocking Meng Huo V. Using Meng Huo A. Meng Huo's attacks 1. Regular attacks 2. Evolution attacks 3. Charge attacks 4. Mounted attacks 5. Other attacks B. Maximizing Meng Huo's effectiveness C. Meng Huo's Musou Mode 1. Struggle for Nan Zhong 2. Battle of Nan Zhong 3. The Invasion of Nan Zhong 4. Conquest of Nan Zhong VI. Meng Huo's Weapons A. Nanman Gauntlet B. Beast Gauntlet C. Beast Master D. King of Beasts 1. Obtaining the King of Beasts VII. Meng Huo's Costumes VIII. Questions & Answers IX. Special Thanks X. Contacting Me To skip to a specific section, press Ctrl + F, type in a section name, and press Enter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Legal Notice/Disclaimer This FAQ is copyright 2005 by Devin McCain. Presently, only the following websites have permission to host this FAQ: GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com) IGN (http://www.ign.com) Neoseeker (http://www.neoseeker.com) Super Cheats (http://www.supercheats.com) Please notify me as soon as possible if you find it posted anywhere else. If you want to post this FAQ on your own website, you must first obtain my written permission and agree to leave the FAQ completely unchanged. If you post it without my permission or change it and try to pass it off as your own, there will be unpleasant consequences when I find out. Feel free to print a copy of this FAQ for personal use, but do not publish it or attempt to turn profit on it. I'm sharing it free of charge, so please respect that. All other copyrights and trademarks mentioned in this FAQ are the property of their respective owners. I do not claim to own any of them. This FAQ may contain spoilers. Continue reading at your own risk. I take no responsibility for any embarrassment, injuries, or deaths that result from the use of this FAQ or any of the information contained herein. If you're that stupid, it's your own damn fault. Got that? Good. Now, let's move on to the fun stuff... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. Update History v1.00 - Completed all sections. v1.01 - Corrected a couple of errors in the section on Meng Huo's evolution attacks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. About Meng Huo Meng Huo's style name is unknown. Kongming's Archives provides the following information about him: "King Meng Huo became the ruler of the Five Valley Region in the south of China following the death of King Shamoke at the battle of Yi Ling. He wore a golden, inlaid headdress, his belt bore a lion�s face as clasp, his boots had pointed toes and were green, and he carried at his waist a pair of swords chased with pine amber. The King made his home in the Three Rivers City, deep in the Silver Pit Ravine. In the sixth month of AD 223 he sent one of his generals to the Shu capital, Chengdu, to request the return of fifty thousand soldiers that Shamoke had loaned to Shu for their campaign against Wu at Yi Ling. The general was kept waiting for fifteen days before seeing Shu�s Prime Minister, Zhuge Liang, who gave the �Nan Man� ambassador gifts of gold and silk as compensation for the fifty thousand soldiers. Meng Huo was unhappy with the gifts and the poor treatment his general had received. Soon afterwards, a messenger arrived from the Wei Emperor Cao Pi asking Meng Huo to lead an army of one hundred thousand men against the Shu territories; Yizhou, Yongchang, Zhangge and Yuesui, as part of a five fold attack (1). Meng Huo readily agreed and assembled the army as requested. However, when the army reached its destination, they saw Shu soldiers led by Wei Yan marching through the region. The Shu army would appear for a while and then disappear as they marched to and fro. Meng Huo became suspicious of this behaviour and withdrew his army. In AD 225, Meng Huo aligned himself with the Shu General, Governor of Jianning, Yong Kai, and invaded the four southern territories of Shu. The Governor of Zangge, Zhu Bao, and the Governor of Yuesui, Gao Ding, quickly submitted to the invaders but Wang Kang of Yongchang, aided by his deputy Governor, Lu Kai, re- fused to yield (2). Meng Huo, using the three former Shu generals as guides, launched an all-out attack on Yongchang but the city did not fall (3). Soon, reports came that Zhuge Liang had personally led a force of five hundred thou- sand men to Yizhou in order to stop Meng Huo�s rebellion. Yong Kai, Gao Ding and Zhu Bao, each with fifty thousand men, went to oppose the Shu Prime Min- ister�s advance. Yong Kai and Gao Ding were captured within days but were re- leased by Zhuge Liang. However, the Shu Prime Minister successfully turned the rebels against each other and Gao Ding killed Yong Kai and Zhu Bao. Gao Ding then surrendered to Zhuge Liang and was made Governor of Yizhou. When King Meng Huo heard how Zhuge Liang had disposed of the three rebels, he summoned the leaders of the Three Ravines, Jinhua Sanjie, Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan. When they arrived, he said to them, �Zhuge Liang of Shu and his Grand Army has invaded our country, and we must exert our united strength to drive out the invaders. You three must lead your forces, and whoever conquers the enemy shall be chief of chiefs.� The three leaders marched out an army of one hundred and fifty thousand to stop the enemy army but the Shu army easily defeated them. Zhao Yun killed Jinhua Sanjie while Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan were captured and subsequently released. Scouts soon reported to Meng Huo that the three chiefs had failed and he became very angry. He quickly gave orders for the army to march and soon they encoun- tered the troops of Wang Ping and Guan Suo. Meng Huo rode to the front of his army, looked at the enemy and then turned to his generals and said, �It has al- ways been said that Zhuge Liang is a wonderful strategist, but I see that is false. Look at this array with its banners all in confusion and the ranks in disorder. There is not a weapon among all the swords and spears better than ours. If I had only realized this before, I would have fought them long ago. Who dares go out and capture a Shu general to show them what sort of warriors we are?� Mangya Chang rode forth and engaged Wang Ping who quickly fled. Meng Huo ordered his troops to pursue the fleeing Shu soldiers, and just as they caught up, an ambush sprung up. Meng Huo, with some of his generals, fought his way out and made for the Brocade Mountains. As they got there, Zhao Yun con- fronted them and the King was forced to flee deeper into the mountains while his followers were captured. The flight continued into a valley, but Meng Huo soon found that the path was too narrow for horses and so he had to continue his escape on foot. As he crawled up the mountains, Wei Yan captured him. The King was taken to the Shu camp where Zhuge Liang was waiting with food and drink. Meng Huo was asked why he had rebelled, to which he replied, �The two River Lands belonged to others, and your lord took it from them by force, and gave himself the title of Emperor. My people have lived here for ages, and you and your cohorts invaded my country without the least excuse. How can you talk of rebellion to me?� Zhuge Liang then asked if Meng Huo would submit, to which the King replied, �Why should I submit? You happened to find me in a narrow place. That is all.� �If I release you, what then?� asked the Shu Prime Minis- ter. �If you release me I shall return, and when I have set my army in order, I shall come to fight you again. However, if you catch me once more, I will sub- mit.� replied Meng Huo. The King�s bonds were removed and he was given a horse and a guide in order to return to his own camp. When Meng Huo reached the River Lu, he fell in with some of his leaders who asked him how he had escaped. The King lied to them, saying, �They confined me in a tent, and I broke out in the night. I slew more than ten guards and ran. And then I met one of their sentries, killed him, and that is how I got this horse.� The subordinates did not doubt him. Meng Huo regrouped his troops and summoned Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan to him. Once all were assembled, the King addressed them: �I know Zhuge Liang is too full of ruses for us to conquer him in a fight; we should only fall victims to other base devices. However, we must remember that his soldiers have marched far and the weather is sultry, which are factors in our favour. Besides, River Lu is our rampart. We will have boats and rafts on the south side, and we will build a mud wall. With such good de- fences we can afford to wait and see what the enemy intends.� The gathered tribesmen approved and the plan was carried out. The mud wall was built and strengthened by turrets that contained large bows, crossbows, arrows and stones. With huge amounts of supplies and the new defences, Meng Huo felt safe and began to enjoy himself. While enjoying some wine, he said to his followers, �If I attempt to oppose Zhuge Liang, I shall certainly fall a victim to some wile of his. However, my waiting policy is a safe one. With our defences, and the river to back them, we can wait for the heat to overcome these men of Shu, who cannot stand the hot season. They will have to retreat, and then we can harass them. And we will capture this Zhuge Liang.� He laughed at this thought but one chief advised caution as the Shu army could cross the river at a shal- low point at Shakou. Meng Huo replied, �You belong to these areas. Do you not know that I want the enemy to try to get across there? Why, they will all perish in the water. (4)� The chief was concerned that the natives may reveal the river�s secrets, but Meng Huo said, �Do not be so anxious. Our own people will not help the enemy that far.� Just then scouts reported that Ma Dai�s army had crossed the river and seized the Jiashan Gorge, which was along the tribe�s supply route. Meng Huo feigned indifference and said, �This sort of fellow is not worth talking about.� He then dispatched Mangya Chang with three thousand troops to reopen the supply route. Soon the army returned to tell Meng Huo that the enemy general had killed Mangya Chang. Dongtu Na volunteered to lead a new army against Ma Dai and was given three thousand troops. After he had left, Meng Huo sent an army led by Ahui Nan to guard Shakou. Before long, Dongtu Na returned to tell the King that the enemy was too strong. Meng Huo became angry and shouted, �You are a traitor! I know Zhuge Liang was good to you, and that is why you would not fight.� The King ordered Dongtu Na�s execution but relented when many chiefs interceded. Instead, Dongtu Na was beaten with one hundred strokes of the heavy staff. Many of the chiefs disagreed with Meng Huo�s actions and they proposed to the beaten chief that they should slay the King and take his head to Zhuge Liang. Dongtu Na led over a hundred men to kill Meng Huo, but the two generals guarding the intoxicated ruler checked the mob, suggesting taking the King prisoner and handing him over to Zhuge Liang. Soon Meng Huo was brought before Zhuge Liang who asked, �You said once before that if you were captured again, you would give in. Now will you yield?� Meng Huo refused saying, �This capture is not your work, it is the work of these minions of mine who want to hurt me. I will not yield on this. I am a Man (5), and so I am not wholly ignorant of war. If you, O Minister, let me return to my ravines, I will muster another army and fight a decisive battle with you. If you capture me again, then I will incline my heart and yield. I will not go back on my promise again.� Zhuge Liang loosened Meng Huo�s bonds and warned, �If you refuse to yield next time you are captured, I shall hardly pardon you. Remember, I have never failed yet. I have never failed to win a battle or to take a city I have assaulted. Why do you Mans not yield?� Meng Huo said nothing. After taking some refreshments, Meng Huo and Zhuge Liang rode around the camp together. The King observed the defences, the piles of supplies and the heaps of weapons. After the inspection Zhuge Liang said, �You are silly not to yield to me. You see my veteran soldiers, my able generals, my stores of all kinds and weapons. How can you hope to prevail against me? If you will yield, I will inform the Emperor, and you shall retain your kingship, and your sons and grandsons shall succeed as perpetual guardians of the Man country. Do you not think it would be well?� Meng Huo replied, �If I did yield, the people of my valleys would not be content. If you release me once more, I will see to it that my own people keep the peace and bring them round to unanimity of feel- ing, and then they will not oppose any more.� At dusk Meng Huo took his leave. However, when Meng Huo returned to his camp he had Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan killed and their corpses thrown into a gully. The King sent men loyal to him to guard the most important strategic points, while he marched an army to fight Ma Dai. When he reached Jiashan Gorge, the enemy was not there as they had with- drawn the previous night, so he returned to the ravine. Meng Huo called his brother, Meng You, to discuss matters and said to him, �I know all the details of the enemy�s force from what I saw in their camp.� Meng You was then given instructions and sent to the Shu camp with a hundred soldiers bearing gifts of gold, jewels, pearls and ivory. Soon afterwards, two men arrived to inform Meng Huo that the gifts had been accepted and that the King should attack the Shu camp at the second watch, while Meng You would assist from within. Meng Huo was greatly pleased that his plan had worked and immediately prepared thirty thou- sand troops in three divisions. The King addressed the chieftains: �Let each army carry the means of making fire, and as soon as they arrive let a light be shown as a signal. I am coming to the main camp to capture Zhuge Liang.� The King�s army crossed the River Lu at sunset and soon reached the main camp where they met no opposition. The main gate was open so Meng Huo, with one hun- dred generals, rode straight in only to find the camp was deserted. He rode to the main tent where he found his brother and the one hundred escorts all uncon- scious (6) and realised that he had been the victim of a ruse. The unconscious men were picked up and then Meng Huo started to return to the main army. Just then drums started to beat all around them so the tribal warriors became frightened and ran. Wang Ping gave chase and each way Meng Huo tried to escape, a Shu general appeared. The King abandoned everything, making a desperate rush for the River Lu. As he reached the riverbank he saw a boat manned by his own people and so jumped on board, but he was immediately seized and bound. Meng Huo suddenly realised that the men on board were not his own soldiers, but Ma Dai�s troops in disguise. The King was once more brought before Zhuge Liang, who laughed at the prisoner and once again asked him to yield. Meng Huo again refused to submit, saying, �I am a prisoner owing to the gluttony of my brother and the power of your poisonous drugs. If I had only played his part myself and left him to support me with soldiers, I should have succeeded. I am the victim of fate and not of my own incapacity. No, I will not yield. Minister, if you will let me and my brother go, we will get together our family and clients and fight you once more. If I am caught that time, then I will confess myself beaten to the ground, and that shall be the end.� Zhuge Liang agreed and so Meng Huo and Meng You were released. The two brothers thanked the Prime Minis- ter and then went away. When Meng Huo reached the River Lu, he saw that the Shu army had captured his defences and as he passed the camp he saw Ma Dai who said, �Next time you are caught, you will not escape.� The King continued on to his own camp, which he found in the possession of Zhao Yun. The Shu general said to Meng Huo, �Do not presume on the kindness of the Prime Minister because you have been generously treated.� The King grunted and passed by until he reached the frontier hills where he encountered Wei Yan. �We have got into the inmost recesses of your country and have taken all your defensive positions. Yet you are foolish enough to hold out. Next time you are caught, you will be quite destroyed. There will be no more pardons.� shouted the Shu general. Meng Huo and his men ran away with their arms over the heads. Meng Huo was upset by his three captures and as soon as he had reached his home, the Silver Pit Ravine, he sent gifts to the Eight Nations, the Ninety- Three Sees and other Man clans in order to borrow weapons and troops. Soon the King had amassed an army of one hundred thousand warriors. The Shu army heard of Meng Huo�s preparations and so advanced across the West Er River and built three large stockades along the bank. The King soon made his advance and as he got close, he took ten thousand warriors against the first stockade. Meng Huo was an intimidating sight clad in rhinoceros hide and mounted on a red ox and as soon as he saw his enemies, he hurled abuse at them. However, the Shu army would not come out to fight and after days of taunting, the tribesmen�s vigour started to wane. One day, Meng Huo took his troops up to the stockades and found them to be empty; there were no soldiers, all was in confusion and the supplies had been left behind suggesting that the Shu army had withdrawn in haste. Meng You sug- gested to the King that this was only a ruse, but Huo said, �I think that Zhuge Liang has important news from the capital that has made him leave without his baggage train like this. Either Wu has invaded or Wei has attacked. They left these lamps burning to make us think the camps were occupied, but they ran away leaving everything behind. If we pursue, we cannot go wrong.� The King ordered his army to pursue and he led the army himself until the came to the bank of the West Er River where they saw camps on the other side of the river. Along the bank stood a wall of cloth. Meng Huo said to his brother, �This means that Zhuge Liang fears lest we may pursue. That is only a temporary halt, and they will retire in a couple of days.� He then had camps set up while some of the men retrieved bamboo with which to make rafts. One day the wind was blowing violently when fires suddenly broke out, fuelled by the winds. As the fires raged the Shu army attacked and scattered the tribesmen forcing Meng Huo to flee for his former camp. As he reached it, he encountered a troop led by Zhao Yun and instead had to seek refuge in the mountains but then he found himself under attack from Ma Dai. He fled desperately into a valley but could see smoke rising from the north, west and south. Only the east was clear so Meng Huo headed that way. As he came out of the valley, the King saw a few horsemen escorting a carriage, and as he drew closer he saw that the carriage contained Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang laughed and said, �So King of the Mans has got here! You have been defeated. I have waited for you a long time.� Meng Huo angrily turned to his followers and said, �Thrice have I been the victim of this man�s base wiles and have been put to shame. Now chance has sent him across my path, and you must attack him with all your energy. Let us cut him to pieces and those with him.� As Meng Huo and his men charged forward they all stumbled and fell into pits that had been prepared by Shu. One by one the captives were pulled out of the pits and bound. The prisoners were then escorted to the Shu camp. Wei Yan brought Meng Huo before Zhuge Liang who shouted, �What can you say now? You see you are in my hands again.� The King replied, �I am again an unfortu- nate victim. Once more I have blundered into your net, and now I shall die with unclosed eyes.� Zhuge Liang ordered the prisoner to be beheaded but Meng Huo showed no fear, he simply turned to his captor and said, �If you freed me only once more, I would wipe out the shame of all four captures.� The Shu leader smiled and asked the King why he was still defiant. �Though I am what you call a barbarian, I would scorn to employ your vile ruses. That is why I remain defiant. If you catch me again, I will incline my heart to yield and I will give everything in my ravine to reward your army. I will also take an oath not to cause any further trouble.� was the reply. Zhuge Liang agreed, so the King thanked him and left. Despite many of the chiefs having surrendered to Shu, Meng Huo was still able to gather an army of several thousand men. Soon he met with Meng You who was bringing an army of his own to avenge the King. The brothers embraced weeping, then related their stories of capture and subsequent release. Meng You said, �We cannot stand against the enemy. We have been defeated several times. Now I think we had better go into the mountains and hide in some dark gully where they cannot find us. Those soldiers of Shu will never stand the summer heat. They must retire. I know a valley away southwest from us called �Bald Dragon Ravine�, and the King, Duosi, is a friend of mine. Let us take refuge with him.� Meng Huo agreed and sent Meng You to make arrangements. Soon, Duosi came out with his soldiers to welcome the King, who explained his predicament. Duosi said, �O King, rest content. If those men from the River Lands come here, I will see to it that not one goes home. And Zhuge Liang will meet his death here too.� Meng Huo was intrigued as to why Duosi was so confident, and so Duosi ex- plained that there were only two roads into the ravine; one was easy to travel along while the other was narrow, infested with venomous creatures and the water was undrinkable due to all four water springs and their streams being poisonous. That path was also rife with malaria. Duosi proposed that the easily traversable road be blockaded so that the Shu army would have to travel the dangerous path instead. Meng Huo was greatly pleased: �Now indeed I have found a place to live in. Even Zhuge Liang�s wonderful cunning will be of no avail. The four springs alone will defeat him and avenge my army.� Soon scouts reported to Meng Huo that the Shu armies were advancing along the treacherous path and showed no ill-affects from it�s natural defences (7). The King said to his men, �We will fight one fierce battle with these troops of Shu and die therein. We cannot wait calmly to be put into bonds.� The tribesmen of the valley were all given a huge feast to urge them to fight to the death. As this great feast was taking place, the King of Twenty-one Ravines, Yang Fang, arrived with an army of thirty thousand troops, supported by his five sons. Meng Huo rejoiced exceedingly, saying, �This addition to our forces shall sure- ly bring us victory.� Yang Fang brought thirty dancing maidens into the camp to entertain the banqueters and bade his sons to bring wine for Meng Huo and Meng You. As the hosts raised their cups, Yang Fang�s sons seized them and made them prisoner. Duosi tried to run but was captured by Yang Fang. �One sympathizes with one�s own as a rule. We are both chiefs and have been friends. I know not why you should injure me.� Meng Huo said. �I had to repay Zhuge Liang the Minister for his compassion on me and my people, and there was no way till you rebelled. Why should I not offer up a rebel in propitiation?� replied Yang Fang. The prisoners were then taken to the Shu camp. Zhuge Liang asked if Meng Huo would yield, but he replied, �It is not your ability, but the treachery of my own people that has brought me to this. If you wish to slay, slay. But I will not yield.� He then suggested, �My fathers have long held the Silver Pit Ravine, and the three rivers and the two forests are their ramparts. If you can take that stronghold, then will I and my heirs for- ever acknowledge your power and yield.� Zhuge Liang agreed, saying, �I am going to liberate you once more and you may put your army in order if you will and fight a decisive battle. But after that, if you are my prisoner and are still refractory and unsubmissive, I shall have to exterminate your whole family.� Meng Huo, Meng You and Duosi were all released. They hastened home to the Silver Pit Ravine where Meng Huo gathered his family and addressed them: �I have been put to shame by the leaders of Shu many times, and I have sworn to take revenge for the insults. Has anyone any proposal to make?� The King�s brother-in-law, Chief Dalai, suggested acquiring the aid of King Mulu of the Bana Ravine. King Mulu was famed for his command over animals, and he led an army of thirty thousand men. Meng Huo approved this plan and had Dalai make arrangements while Duosi was charged with defence of the city of Three Rivers. Within a short time, a few soldiers came to Meng Huo reporting that Shu had captured the city of the Three Rivers and that King Duosi had been killed. The Shu army had now advanced to the mouth of the Silver Pit Ravine and Meng Huo was greatly distressed. The King�s wife, Lady Zhurong, wanted to go out and fight the Shu invaders and so the King rose, bowed to her and then gave her command of fifty thousand troops. When she returned, she brought two captured Shu generals with her; Zhang Ni and Ma Zheng. A great banquet was held in Lady Zhurong�s honour and during the feast she ordered the two prisoners to be exe- cuted, but Meng Huo intervened saying, �Five times has Zhuge Liang set me at liberty. It would be unjust to put these to death. Confine them till we have taken their chief, then we may execute them.� The next day scouts reported that Zhao Yun was offering a challenge so Lady Zhurong again went out to give bat- tle. This time she was unsuccessful and was captured by Ma Dai. A messenger from Shu came to propose an exchange of prisoners: the two Shu generals for the King�s wife. Meng Huo readily agreed to the trade, promptly setting his two captives free. When his wife returned home, he greeted her with a mixture of happiness and anger. Meng Huo was exceedingly when King Mulu�s army arrived and he bowed low to the visitor. The King explained to Mulu all that had happened and Mulu promised to avenge Meng Huo�s defeats. The very next day, Mulu rode out his white elephant and went to battle against the Shu army followed by his pack of wild animals and his warriors. The Shu soldiers could not withstand the onslaught from Mulu�s beasts and were forced to flee back to the Three Rivers City. The next day Meng Huo accompanied Mulu and went out to face the Shu soldiers again. The King pointed out Zhuge Liang to Mulu saying, � That is Zhuge Liang. If we can only capture him, our task is done.� Mulu cast a spell summoning the wind and signalling his beasts to attack, but with the wave of his fan, Zhuge Liang turned the wind back. From the ranks of the Shu soldiers burst huge horrible fire-breathing animals that chased off Mulu�s wild creatures (8), sending the tribesmen into confusion. The Shu army attacked in full, capturing the Silver Pit Ravine and driving Meng Huo and his clan into the hills. King Mulu was killed in the melee. During the night, the King and his followers came up with a scheme to capture Zhuge Liang; Chief Dailai would take Meng Huo and his family in bonds to the Shu camp, pretending that he had turned against them and made them prisoner. When they got close enough to the Shu Prime Minister, they would then kill him. The next day they went to the Shu camp but when Dailai walked into the main hall, Zhige Liang called out, �Let my strong captors appear!� Shu soldiers who had been waiting in hiding leapt out and took the entire party prisoner. Zhuge Liang said, �Did you think your paltry ruse would deceive me? Here you are a second time captured by your own people and brought before me that you might surrender. The first time I did not hurt you. But now I firmly believe this surrender is part of a plot to kill me.� The prisoners were searched and their concealed weapons were found. Zhuge Liang said to the King, �Did you not say that if your family were taken prisoners you would yield? How now?� Meng Huo replied, �We have come of our own will and at the risk of our lives. The credit is not yours. Still I refuse to yield. If you take me a seventh time, then I will turn to you and never rebel again.� Zhuge Liang agreed saying, �Well, your stronghold is now destroyed. What have I to fear?� He ordered the Kings bonds to be removed and then allowed them to leave. Meng Huo soon fell in with his defeated soldiers but while there were thousands of them, over half were wounded. The King restored order and then said to Chief Dailai, �Whither can we go? Our stronghold is in the hands of the enemy.� Dailai suggested requesting aid from King Wutugu of the Wuguo Kingdom and his Rattan Army (9). Meng Huo went to the Wuguo Kingdom and met with the cave- dwelling Wutugu who agreed to help. Wutugu summoned an army of thirty thousand rattan-armoured soldiers and marched them northeast to the River of Peach Flowers where they camped to wait for the Shu army. When the Shu army arrived they were quickly driven back by the fierce rattan-clad warriors. Meng Huo was cautious and warned Wutugu, �This Zhuge Liang is exceedingly crafty. Ambush is one of his favourite ruses, so you should warn your soldiers that on no account should they enter a valley where the trees are thick.� Wutugu replied, �Great King, you speak with reason,� said Wutu Gu. �I have always heard that the people of the Middle Kingdom are full of wiles, and I will see that your advice is followed. I will go in front to fight, and you may remain in the rear to give orders.� Shortly afterwards the Shu soldiers led by Wei Yan came to give battle, but once again they were driven back by Wutugu�s soldiers. The Wuguo soldiers crossed the river in large numbers and Wei Yan came to meet them but fell back after a short fight. After ensuring that it was safe, the Rattan Army occupied the camp that Wei Yan had abandoned. The next day Wutugu ordered a general ad- vance that scattered the soldiers of Shu, allowing the new enemy camp to be captured. Each time the tribesmen engaged Wei Yan, he would give a short fight and then flee towards a white flag in the distance, giving up his camp in the process. Having captured seven different Shu camps, the tribesmen pursued until they came to a thick wood where they saw flags moving about behind the trees. �Just as you foretold, the men of Shu like using ambush.� said Wutugu to Meng Huo. The King replied, �Zhuge Liang is going to be worsted this time. We have beaten off his troops now daily for half a month and won fifteen successive victories. His troops simply run when they hear the wind. The fact is he has exhausted all his craft and has tried every ruse. Now our task is nearly done.� On the sixteenth day Wei Yan again retreated from the Ratten Army. Meng Huo re- mained at the camp while Wutugu lead the pursuit. Soon a group of soldiers came to the King and told him, �King Wutu Gu is fighting a great battle and is about to surround Zhuge Liang in the Valley of the Coiled Serpent. But he needs help. We are the natives of the local ravines, and we ourselves had no alternative when we yielded to Shu. But now we have returned to your allegiance and are willing to come to help Your Majesty.� Meng Huo, with his clan and the troops who had just come to him, marched to Coiled Serpent Valley but when he got there he saw destruction. King Wutugu, along with his army, had been inciner- ated by Zhuge Liang (10) and Meng Huo realised that he had been tricked again. As he gave orders to retire, two bodies of Shu troops began to attack. The King made a stand against the enemy but suddenly a great shouting arose and the King�s clansmen were made prisoner by their own men who had nearly all been disguised Shu soldiers. Meng Huo galloped away and got into the hills were he came across Zhuge Liang in a small chariot. The King continued his flight but was soon stopped and made prisoner by Ma Dai. Upon their return to the Shu camp Meng Huo was brought before Zhuge Liang. His bonds were removed and he was taken into a side tent for refreshment with many of his clan along with Lady Zhurong, Meng You and Chief Dailai. While they were eating and drinking, a messenger appeared and said to Meng Huo, �The Prime Minister is ashamed and does not wish to see you again, Sir. He has sent me to release you. You may enlist another army if you can and once more try a de- cisive battle. Now you may go.� Instead of leaving, the King began to weep and said, �Seven times a captive and seven times released! Surely there was never anything like it in the whole world. I am not entirely devoid of a sense of propriety and rectitude. Does he think that I feel no shame?� He then fell to his knees and with his followers, crawled to Zhuge Liang�s tent where he said, �O Minister, you are the majesty of Heaven. We people of the south will offer no more opposition.� Sighing, Zhuge Liang asked, �Then you yield?� Meng Huo replied, �I and my children and grandchildren are deeply affected by your all- pervading and life-giving mercy. Now how can we not yield?� A banquet was held where Zhuge Liang confirmed Meng Huo�s kingship and all restored all places that Shu had captured (11). The tribesmen were so overjoyed by their captor�s generosity that they all went away celebrating. A shrine was erected to Zhuge Liang and peace spread across the land. Many people sent gifts to the Shu army. When the celebrations were completed, the Shu army returned home. Meng Huo ac- companied them to honour their departure, but as they reached the River Lu a fierce storm rose up preventing the army from continuing. Zhuge Liang consulted Meng Huo as to what this storm meant. Meng Huo replied, �Wild spirits have al- ways troubled those who would cross this river. It is necessary to propitiate them with sacrifices. In the old days when malicious spirits brought misfor- tune, they sacrificed humans to the number of seven sevens and offered their forty-nine heads. They also slew a black ox and a white goat. Sacrifice thus, the wind will subside and the waters come to rest. The same used to be done to secure a plenteous harvest.� Zhuge Liang refused to sacrifice human lives, in- stead making balls of flour in the likeness of human heads and filling them with the flesh of oxen and goats. When night fell, Zhuge Liang conducted a ceremony and read a prayer. Many present, including Meng Huo and his followers, wept during the ceremony. Soon the storm dissipated and the army was free to resume its march. As the army passed through Yongchang, Meng Huo was allowed to leave. He was or- dered to be diligent in his administration, maintain good control, and soothe and care for the people left to him to govern and to see to it that agriculture was promoted. He took his leave with tears rolling down his cheeks. Meng Huo kept his promise to Zhuge Liang and ruled in the manner he had been entrusted to (12). 1: The first army consisted of Qiang tribesmen from the Xianbi State in Liandong, who were tasked with attacking Xiping Pass. The second army were from Wu and were to attack the Three Gorges. Meng Da led the third army against Hanzhong, while Cao Zhen led the fourth army against Yangping Pass. 2: Historically, Meng Huo was Han Chinese rather than non-Han. Of those who re- belled against Shu, it was Gao Ding who was the leader of the rebelling tribe. Meng Huo incited other tribes to rebel after Gao Ding was killed. 3: The defence of Yongchang was impressive considering that no army was gar- risoned there. 4: During the day, the heat caused the river to emit a deadly gas. The river could only be crossed safely at night. 5: The term �Man�, in this sense, means barbarian or non-Han Chinese. �Nan Man� means �Southern Barbarian�. 6: In return for their gifts, Meng You and his men were rewarded with wine. The wine was drugged and incapacitated the men immediately. 7: Zhuge Liang had been aided by Meng Huo�s eldest brother, Meng Jie. Meng Jie had given the Shu army with an antidote to the water�s poison and a leaf that provided immunisation against Malaria. 8: The Shu animals were merely wooden carvings, each operated by ten soldiers. 9: The Rattan Army were known as such due to the impenetrable rattan armour they wore. 10: While the rattan armour was impenetrable, it was very dry and therefore vulnerable to fire. 11: When questioned on his decision to hand the land back to Meng Huo, Zhuge Liang explained, "There are three difficulties. To leave foreigners implies leaving a guard for them: There is the difficulty of feeding the guard. The Mans have lost many of their relatives. To leave foreigners without the guard will invite a calamity: This is the second difficulty. Among the Mans, de- thronements and murders are frequent, and there will be enmities and suspicions. Foreigners and they will be mutually distrustful: This is the third difficulty. If I do not leave our people, I shall not have to send supplies, which makes for peace and freedom from trouble." 12: Among the southern tribes people, there was a version of this tale where Meng Huo captured and released Zhuge Liang seven times." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. Unlocking Meng Huo To unlock Meng Huo, you must complete the following steps: -Clear Musou Mode with one character from Shu to unlock Zhuge Liang. -Clear Musou Mode with Zhuge Liang, Lu Xun, and one character from Wei to un- lock Meng Huo. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. Using Meng Huo A. Meng Huo's attacks 1. Regular attacks S - A left-to-right swipe. SS - A right-to-left swipe. SSS - A left-to-right upward swipe. SSSS - Swings both arms outward, hitting 180 degrees. SSSSS - Swings both arms inward for a two-fisted smash. SSSSSS - A spinning punch. X + S - A body slam. Carries him to the ground quickly. 2. Evolution attacks These attacks can only be performed if you have a full musou bar and are armed with a weapon that supports evolution attacks. Alternate SSSSSS - A left-to-right upward swipe. SSSSSSS - Swings both arms outward, hitting 180 degrees. SSSSSSSS - Swings both arms inward for a two-fisted smash. SSSSSSSSS - A spinning punch. 3. Charge attacks T - Meng Huo gets down on all fours, dashes forward, and pounces on the enemy. Pressing T repeatedly will allow him to dash farther. ST - Meng Huo does an uppercut that knocks the enemy into the air. SST - Meng Huo does a quick series of spinning punches. The last hit stuns the enemy. Stronger weapons will allow you to do more punches by pressing T repeatedly. SSST - Meng Huo leaps forward and does a body slam that sends the enemy flying. SSSST - Meng Huo leaps up and slams both fists into the ground, creating a shockwave that knocks all nearby enemies into the air. SSSSST - Meng Huo slams his right fist into the ground, creating a shockwave that knocks down all nearby enemies. X + T - Meng Huo stomps the ground, then hops forward and does a second stomp. Both stomps knock any nearby enemies off-balance. 4. Mounted attacks S - The standard series of alternating attacks to the right and left. Slow with poor reach. T - Meng Huo fires his gauntlets straight ahead like rockets. Musou - A series of faster and stronger attacks to the right and left. 5. Other attacks Dash attack - Meng Huo falls forward, damaging and stunning any enemies in his path. Counterattack - A body slam. Similar to the T of his SSST combo, but unblock- able. Musou - Meng Huo punches the ground repeatedly, creating shockwaves that juggle all nearby enemies. The last punch creates a larger shockwave that sends all enemies flying. True musou - Same as his regular musou, but adds a fire element and four quick punches before the last punch. B. Maximizing Meng Huo's effectiveness As his size suggests, speed is not one of Meng Huo's strong points. With the possible exception of Xu Zhu, he's the slowest runner in the game. He also attacks slowly, and has a very short reach to boot. Additionally, he has poor defense, a regular mounted attack that borders on worthless, and a dash attack and SSST combo that leave him wide open. In spite of all his weaknesses, the King of the Nanman has several strengths, some of which are rather surprising. He's immensely strong, and can quickly do tremendous damage to a group of enemies once he finds his way into their midst. His SST combo is fast, does impressive damage, and hits everyone around him, making it an effective staple move. SSSST works well against peons and generals alike, and can juggle indefinitely if you're using a light weapon. SSSSST pro- vides great crowd control, but is easy for enemies to interrupt due to its slow execution speed. Stick with your SST, SSSST, and regular combos, and use your musou as often as possible. If you get overwhelmed, use your air charge to knock your enemies off-balance and catch your breath. Meng Huo's first charge attack also provides him with a unique advantage. In addition to being a great escape move, it allows him to blaze across the bat- tlefield at speeds that rival even the fastest runners. If you find yourself separated from your mount and in need of fast, safe transportation, hammer T like there's no tomorrow! You'll cut through the enemy lines and reach your destination faster than any other fat man would think possible. I recommend the following equipment for Meng Huo: Harness: Red Hare Harness/Elephant Harness Orb: Ice Orb/Light Orb Items: Tiger Amulet, Tortoise Amulet, Ginseng, Herbal Remedy/Wind Scroll, Way of Musou C. Meng Huo's Musou Mode Meng Huo's Musou Mode is short, but includes some very intense battles. If you get hopelessly stuck, try out these strategies. 1. Struggle for Nan Zhong Free Mode Difficulty: ** Time Limit: 45:00 Your struggle for dominance begins with your efforts to unite the southern clans. Start by heading north to beat Dong Tu Na and the defenders of the sup- ply base into submission, then head east for Ahui Nan. King Duosi should be just to your south; after earning his loyalty, you should advance west for King Mulu. Beware his tigers and elephants as you fight him; if they give you too much trouble, defeat the three Beastmasters in the area to drive them away. Next, head north and defeat Wu Tugu, whose armored troops will harry you until he falls. At this point, it may seem that all you have left to do is capture the attack base in the northeast and defeat Jinhuan Sanjie to win the battle, but that's not the case. Your last challenge is to deal with the rogue chiefs Yong Kai, Gao Ding, and Zhu Bao, who will respectively appear in the northwest, northeast, and southeast corners of the battlefield. After pacifying all of the other chiefs, you should have little difficulty overcoming these three. Have at 'em. 2. Battle of Nan Zhong Free Mode Difficulty: *** Time Limit: 45:00 Zhang Jiao's attempting to crush your fledgling kingdom by converting your sub- jects to his cause. Show your support for religious freedom by charging north and dispatching Pei Yuan Shao. Zhang Jiao will be hot on your heels, and he'll summon a phantom army to oppose you. Defeat him if you can; if he and his phan- toms give you too much trouble, flee to the north to secure the neutral attack base and defeat Cheng Yuanzhi and Zhang Bao. If you didn't defeat Zhang Jiao earlier, he'll teleport to the northeast corner of the battlefield now. Elimi- nating his followers should remain your top priority; start with Bo Zhang, who should be in or around the northeastern supply base, before capturing the base itself and working your way south for He Yi and Zhang Liang. At this point, Zhang Jiao will teleport Guan Hai to the central western part of the battle- field. Make your way over there and take him out before he raises too much of a ruckus. With all of the other Yellow Turbans gone, head straight for Zhang Jiao and pound the crazy old wizard to a pulp. 3. The Invasion of Nan Zhong Free Mode Difficulty: **** Time Limit: 60:00 Now those sissies from Wu are invading your kingdom! Zhu Huan should be the first one you drive off; he's just west of your starting position. Capture the nearby attack base, then head northeast when the path splits to find Zhu Ran, Zhou Tai, and a second attack base. After getting rid of all three, head north for Lu Xun, who should be waiting by the bridge. Don't cross the bridge yet, though; loop around to the south and head north at the fork to stop Pan Zhang, Ding Feng, and Sun Shang Xiang from doing too much damage to your army. Retrace your path and cross the central bridge to trigger its collapse, then take care of Lu Meng and the supply base he protects. Only Sun Quan will remain now, and he'll soon receive reinforcements in the form of Jiang Qin and Gan Ning. These two will cut their way down the western path to reach your main camp; fight them off if you think they pose a threat. As soon as you've gotten your fill of battle with Wu, head for Sun Quan and send him packing. 4. Conquest of Nan Zhong Free Mode Difficulty: ***** Time Limit: 60:00 Zhuge Liang and the forces of Shu are the last foes you'll have to fight off to protect your lands, and they're easily your toughest and most wily opponents yet. Wei Yan and his officers will charge you as soon as the battle begins; be sure to stay out of range of the attack base as you fight them. Once all three are dead, capture the base and proceed to the clearing in the northeast, where Wu Tugu's troops will be under attack by Zhuge Liang's officers and explosives. Avoid the officers and kill the four Task Leaders in the area to disable the explosives, then head into the poison swamps to engage Yan Yan and Huang Zhong. After dispatching them, follow the path north to reach Yue Ying and her jugger- nauts, which you should defeat if you want to save Jinhuan Sanjie. You might first want to blitz to the northwest corner, however, to dispatch Guan Xing and secure the stronghold. Doing so will stop Ma Chao from showing up to reinforce his allies, but you should have little trouble handling him if he does arrive. With the west side of the battlefield clear, you should head east to eradicate Guan Suo and beat Zhuge Liang senseless. Once Zhuge Liang falls, your lands and your people will be safe once again. En- joy the ending! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. Meng Huo's Weapons A. Nanman Gauntlet Base Attack: 4 Weight and bonuses will vary. B. Beast Gauntlet Base Attack: 8 Weight and bonuses will vary. C. Beast master Base Attack: 12 Weight and bonuses will vary. D. King of Beasts Base Attack: 36 Weight: Light Bonuses: Charge Lv. 15, Fill Lv. 15, Horse Lv. 15, Attack Lv. 18, Life Lv. 17 1. Obtaining the King of Beasts Where To Get It: Conquest of Nan Zhong, Nanman side How To Get It: Defeat Wei Yan, Huang Zhong, and Yue Ying before any of your allies defect. Where It Is: In a box in the southernmost tunnel complex. How I Did It: From my starting position, I headed west and defeated Lu Kai, Ma Dai, and Wei Yan. I captured the base, headed northeast, and killed the four Task Leaders to save Wu Tugu. Jinhuan Sanjie was under attack at this point, so I hurried into the swamps and took out Huang Zhong, who had been weakened by the poison. I then bolted up the northern path, slew Yue Ying, and headed west to capture the base and dispatch Ma Chao and Guan Xing. With my allies safe, I headed for the southern tunnels and secured the weapon. Finally, I made my way to the northwest corner and killed Zhuge Liang to finish the battle. My total time was 21:09. If you have a fast horse and have worked up Meng Huo, you shouldn't have too much difficulty obtaining this weapon. Getting across the map quickly is your greatest challenge, and killing the enemy generals you meet in a timely manner comes close behind. Equip your best harness to ensure that you'll be able to reach your allies with ample time to save them, and don't bother fighting the officers under Huang Zhong or Yue Ying unless they get in your way. You should also resist the temptation to use the secret tunnels to reach Yue Ying after saving Wu Tugu. If you do, you're likely to have a hard time catching up to Huang Zhong before one of the other enemy generals defeats Jinhuan Sanjie. Play it safe and wipe out the old man before you go after Zhuge Liang's wife. Remember that the King of Beasts, like all 4th weapons, can only be obtained on Hard or Chaos difficulty. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. Meng Huo's Costumes Costume 1: Default costume. Meng Huo wears a crown and brown animal hides, and has a shield slung over his back. My personal favorite. Costume 2: A palette swap of costume 1. The colors of Meng Huo's crown, hides, and shield change slightly. Meng Huo's skin and hair colors also change; his skin turns black and his hair turns white. Earned at 6000 points. Costume 3: Meng Huo's default costume from Dynasty Warriors 4. His crown is replaced with a feathered headdress, and he loses the shield. His hides cover more of his upper body, and his hairstyle and boots look a little different. Earned at 20000 points. Costume 4: Another of Meng Huo's costumes from Dynasty Warriors 4. The feathers on his headdress are replaced with two horns, and the brown hides are replaced with jaguar hides. Earned at 20000 points. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. Questions & Answers Q: Why a Meng Huo FAQ? A: It hadn't been done yet, and I think he's a fun character to use. Q: Meng Huo's a fat pansy. A: That's not a question, though I really can't argue with the fat part. He's certainly not a pansy; he's just more sensitive than he initially appears. Q: Meng Huo was lucky to be married to a babe like Zhu Rong. A: If we knew that the historical Zhu Rong was anything like her DW persona, I might agree with you. Q: I fulfilled the requirements to obtain Meng Huo's 4th weapon, but I didn't get it! What gives? A: Make sure that you're playing on Hard or Chaos difficulty, and that you personally defeat Wei Yan, Huang Zhong, and Yue Ying. Q: Your FAQ sucks! I've crapped out better FAQs than this! A: As soon as you find a way to upload excrement, you should post your wondrous creation for all to see. Q: I posted my FAQ, and everyone I know thinks it's better than yours! Your FAQ really DOES suck! A: Congratulations! I am in awe of your superior FAQ-writing skills! Now go away. Q: This is the best FAQ I've ever read! You're a genius and a god among men, and I want to know more about you so that I can immortalize you! A: I hear that one a lot. My contact info's listed below. Q: <insert some question that has nothing to do with Meng Huo or the FAQ here> A: See the second sentence of my previous answer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IX. Special Thanks I would like to thank... ...KOEI and Omega Force, for creating the Dynasty Warriors series. ...Malek Campbell, for writing an informative character unlocking FAQ. ...Edward Chang, for writing an informative 4th weapon FAQ. ...Kongming's Archives (http://www.kongming.net) and its contributors, for being a wealth of information on the Three Kingdoms period. ...CJayC, for posting this FAQ. ...Leo Chan, for posting this FAQ. ...the folks at IGN, for posting this FAQ. ...the folks at Super Cheats, for posting this FAQ. ...you, for reading this FAQ. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X. Contacting Me If you want to get in touch with me, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Be sure to put the word "FAQ" in the subject line of your e-mail, or I'm liable to mistake it for spam and delete it. I check my e-mail almost every day, so you should receive a reply quickly in most cases. I accept praise, additions, corrections, and constructive criticism, and will do what I can to answer any questions that aren't addressed in the FAQ. Please keep your e-mails polite and intelligible; I won't reply to rude, crass, or incomprehensible e-mails unless I'm in a really bad mood. If you provide me with information that I decide to add to the FAQ, you will be given credit for it. I also use AIM occasionally. If you want my Screen Name, ask for it via e-mail. Happy gaming!