What are Special Arts in Dynasty Warriors Origins

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As you progress the story and explore the world map in Dynasty Warriors Origins, you’ll come across characters offering up Trainings as you deepen your Bonds with them. These are challenges that require you to complete in-battle objectives such as defeating a set number of enemies using a certain attack type or weapon. These Trainings are categorised into different types such as Strong Attack Training, Parry Training, and Spear Training. 

Among them is Special Art Training, which requires you to use Special Arts to complete the challenge. The game doesn’t necessarily do a great job of explaining what Special Art is. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what are Special Arts in Dynasty Warriors Origins.

Dynasty Warriors Origins Special Arts: arts equipment menu.
Special Arts are denoted with ‘Sp.’ before the art’s name. Captured by VideoGamer

Special Arts explained

Special Arts are a type of Battle Art as denoted by ‘Sp.’ next the art name in the equipment menu. They behave much like normal Battle Arts except that they have a unique effect that can be used to counter attacks with a flashing orange indicator. When an enemy winds up one of these attacks, you’ll see an onscreen prompt (corresponding to where you assigned it on the R1/RB menu) to use the Special Art, but only if you have a Special Art equipped and enough Bravery. Pulling off and timing the use of the art correctly will stagger enemies.

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Dynasty Warriors Origins Special Arts: enemy performing a flashing indicator attack.
Follow the on-screen prompt to perform a Special Art. Captured by VideoGamer

Like normal Battle Arts, you’ll need to equip a Special Art to either circle, triangle, square, or X (XYAB on Xbox) to have it in your R1 ability inventory (RB on Xbox). To complete a Special Art Training, you’ll need to use the ability on enemies to defeat them several times as indicated by the number in the Trainings’ description.

Special Arts list

Here’s a list of all the Special Arts we’ve come across so far (we’ll update as we find more) along with the weapon you’ll need to equip to use them:


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WeaponSpecial Arts
SwordAbsconding Slash
Palm Strike
SpearAerial Assault
Palm Strike
GauntletsArdent Energy Strike
WheelsTornado Slam
Palm Strike
PodaoSea of Flames
Palm Strike
StaffChaotic Flurry
Palm Strike
Twin PikesWings of the Phoenix
Palm Strike

Though you’ll unlock Palm Strike automatically whenever you find a new weapon type, other Special Arts are trickier to get. A few are rewarded by talking to the Elder than spawns occasionally on the world map, while others need to bought for quite hefty prices from the Shop at any major settlement or city. Lastly, you’ll also receive them for ranking up weapons.

About the Author

Tom Bardwell

Tom is guides editor here at VideoGamer.

Dynasty Warriors Origins

  • Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X
  • Genre(s): Action