Among the legendary heroes of the Three Kingdoms era, there are few as famous (and infamous) as Lu Bu. A fearsome and mighty warrior in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lu Bu had an unpredictable temper. He fought for many different warlords, but is best known for his service as the iron fist of Dong Zhuo, the tyrant who seized control of the Han Empire (and Lu Bu’s foster father). It’s no surprise that Lu Bu will feature as one of the Total War: Three Kingdoms heroes, and it sounds as though he will be just as terrifying as fans expect. Although he isn’t one of the twelve playable faction leaders, it might not be difficult for players to see history repeat itself when playing as Dong Zhuo…
Total War: Three Kingdoms Heroes – Lu Bu
At the start of the Total War: Three Kingdoms campaign, Lu Bu is serving under Dong Zhuo. Although the two characters share the same class, Vanguard, the two are very different. While Dong Zhuo governs his empire through the puppet emperor with fear and intimidation, Lu Bu is his most effective tool. Every character in Total War: Three Kingdoms has five character attributes; as a Vanguard, Lu Bu’s best attribute is Instinct. However, it was mentioned during a recent developer live-stream that Lu Bu’s Instinct is almost (or actually) the maximum score possible. As such, he is among the most powerful warriors in the game!
Some fans no doubt thought that Lu Bu would be a Champion (typically the best class for one-on-one duellists). However, Vanguard does make perfect sense. He was a legendary horse-rider who was given the nickname “Flying General,” and had possession of the similarly legendary horse, Red Hare. A famous saying compared the two, indicating that both man and steed were mightier than their fellows. As a Vanguard, Lu Bu will have access to shock cavalry units, making him a formidable cavalry general.
Four of Lu Bu’s special abilities are common knowledge at this point. However, fans don’t know yet exactly what they do. ‘Trident Halberd’ is a unique weapon which Lu Bu possesses. The other three all sound like powerful battlefield abilities focusing on dominating in combat and terrifying enemy troops.
- The Dragon’s Gaze: “Lu Bu’s furious gaze causes all to cower!”
- Rage of Lu Bu: “With a mighty sweep, Lu Bu strikes all around him.”
- Smouldering Fury: “The more he is opposed, the stronger Lu Bu becomes!”
- Trident Halberd: “A legendary weapon in legendary hands. All see it and tremble!”
“Lu Bu Among Men, the Red Hare Among Horses”
Dong Zhuo began his career in the service of Ding Yuan; a general who came to Luoyang along with Dong Zhuo when He Jin called for aid against the Ten Attendants. The treacherous soon-to-be tyrant convinced Lu Bu to murder Ding Yuan and join him, thereafter appointing him as a general. Lu Bu then became Dong Zhuo’s foster son and his most fearsome bodyguard. However, the tyranny of his adopted father, in addition to a rumoured secret affair which Lu Bu had with one of Dong Zhuo’s maids, made Lu Bu increasingly dissatisfied. He was eventually persuaded by Wang Yun to once again turn on his lord. Dong Zhuo died by his hand.
Following infighting among Dong Zhuo’s followers, Lu Bu fled from Chang’an and joined the court of Yuan Shu. However, either Yuan Shu could not trust him, or Lu Bu’s arrogant behaviour soured their relationship, and they quickly parted ways. From there, Lu Bu travelled to join the warlord’s half-brother, Yuan Shao. Although he helped Yuan Shao in battle for a time, their relationship also soured quickly due to Lu Bu’s behaviour. Fearing that the warrior would try to depose him, Yuan Shao attempted to have him assassinated. The attempt was unsuccessful, and Lu Bu fled.
Over the following years, Lu Bu went on to seize his own territory (which he quickly lost to Cao Cao), befriended Liu Bei before seizing territory from him on the orders of Yuan Shu, and then join Cao Cao’s forces in going to war with Yuan Shu. Eventually, in 197 or 198, Lu Bu once again joined Yuan Shu to fight against Liu Bei. However, during this conflict he became besieged in Xiapi by the armies of Cao Cao. After three months of pitiless fighting, Lu Bu’s own officers turned on him and brought him bound before the powerful warlord. Although he attempted to convince Cao Cao to spare him, Liu Bei and others argued against it. In the end, Lu Bu’s martial prowess availed him nothing, and the mighty warrior was hanged.