Dong Zhuo vs Lu Bu?

[Nickk]

So I want to start a new campaign with a new faction, what's the difference between big Dong and Lu Bu? Obviously I have to buy the DLC to play Lu Bu but what's the gameplay difference? Which one is more fun to play? I want to conquer all China and annex vassal and collect all heroes, my last game I couldn't because I was playing Yan Baihu

[Ironslayer541]

When playing lu bus campaign lu bu can get far stronger then if he was under dong zhuo. He can get a bunch of bonuses and some new skills based on the people hes killed in battle. Hes got his own hit list of people that give them and he can get regenerating hp if you kill He Yi the yellow turban guy.

[Yellowdragon]

Don zhao has better start position really, you gain access to infinite horses. And Don zhao himself is a good hero, but he will eventually die of old age if you don't use mod. You will also get Lu bu anyway.

Coerce is op and both have them.

But I like Momentum mechanic of Lu bu more. I think Lu bu is more fun.

[Nano]

Lu Bu is a much crazier, more hectic campaign where you need to constantly be fighting. Dong Zhuo is more strategic.

[Fang]

Lu Bu is by far my favorite faction in the game.

His momentum mechanic means: More fighting = more loyal officers. More bonuses to combat strength. Lu Bu starts off at level 9, about 5-6 levels higher than any other general on the map.

If you defeat an enemy army you can choose "momentum" in place of recruit, which refills your army's movement points so you can chain win after win after win in a single turn (settlements only refill if you raze them).

So Momentum + Night battle = If the AI could scream.

He starts off with Zhang Liao, one of the best sentinels once levelled, Diao Chan, and Cheng Gong. So you've got 2 strategists for archers and trebuchets to accompany the OP sentinel Zhang Liao and the OP Vanguard Lu Bu. Pretty much God Mode for one army.

Downside? Corruption out the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ wazoo. If you're not prepared with anti-corruption buildings and research your late-game will collapse around you as Lu Bu's corruption (% of income lost) grows faster than Dong Zhuo's gut during a feast. This is one reason why he's not recommended for beginners IMHO.

Then there's the Kill list. Though it's more of a checklist as the enemy doesn't actually need to die. If you defeat a famous general in battle *with* Lu Bu in your army, you'll earn a special permanent bonus for each of them. If you beat Zhang Fei for example, Lu Bu gets Zhang Fei's roar ability which deals -100 morale to surrounding enemies. There are also passive bonuses that apply to your entire faction instead of just Lu Bu. It likely differs for Records mode, but I only play Romance.

All around a really fun steamrolling campaign to play. He has almost nothing in common with Dong Zhuo, a few similarities such as being able to coerce in diplomacy and being generally hated by a lot of people.

[Nickk]

thanks guys I already finished my Lu Bu campaign 2 weeks ago.