Technique (技) is a character type introduced in the Warriors Orochi series. Characters in this category are represented by the color yellow. Charge attacks from this type will inflict critical hits onto any airborne targets indicated by a subtle blue flash (carried over from Samurai Warriors 2). If a player's team possess two or more Technique characters, the final Musou in a Musou chain will automatically activate the Absorb skill.
Technique characters incorporate their Type Action into one of their charge attacks for an Enhanced Strike ("Extra/EX Charge Attack" in the Japanese scripts; i.e.
,
, R1). All Enhanced Strikes (abbreviated as "C#-EX") have faster animations than standard Charge Attacks, and some serve as the character's standard Type Action special (often abbreviated as "C#-EX-SP") at the cost of some Musou. Some Enhanced Strikes may also cause a full multi-input charge attack chain to be executed automatically.
Characters can also perform an invincible "Extra Counter" (tap R1 while being hit) styled akin to the Reversal skill from Samurai Warriors 2; this unique charge attack cannot be activated during a knockback or launch (unless if done fast enough during a tripping hit effect). Unlike a Musou Attack, an Extra Counter can even reverse out of a stunned/dizzied state if performed on time; this also requires Musou to use, and can also inflict a critical hit like all charge attacks from this character type.
In the sequel, a number of Enhanced Strikes, both special attack and non-special attack versions, gain more extra properties than in the previous installment (such as a damage boost), especially extra elemental activation; from there, Technique-type characters via their C1-EX and C2-EX attacks are the only ones that can activate elements while most non-enhanced C1 and C2 variations across all character types cannot (akin to Dynasty Warriors 5).
Warriors Orochi 3 changes their R1 Type Action for them to be an auxiliary-based attack that may or may not be a launching move to setup for juggles (so that they can crit with charge attacks just like before). An invincible sidestep strafe from Samurai Warriors 3 (press
while guard/shift-moving; known simply as the "Step" in Asian scripts) has been added; though unlike its source of origin, they can be cancelled into instant dashing
attacks. Enhanced Strikes and Extra Counters have been removed.
Critical hits can also be triggered by EX Attacks; however, said critical hits can no longer occur 100% of the time nor will they work on R1 Type Actions themselves as they no longer count as charge attacks. However, any incoming and/or lasting attack/hitbox (including Type Actions) that damages any airborne targets can crit when the player manages to input a charge attack within the duration (as long as the victims are being damaged in midair when a charge attack input occurs). Evolution chains for any character using a Dynasty Warriors 5-styled moveset in the third title can also critically hit with them.
In Ultimate, a new mechanic allows Technique characters to use the "Evasion Step" mechanic to also sidestep by pressing
while being attacked or when inflicted with a guard break (and is akin to the aforementioned Extra Counter). The Heavenly Sash item can allow charge attacks while grounded to be cancelled into a non-invincible step.
In the fourth entry, Technique-types instead reuse the Spirit Cancel mechanic from both Samurai Warriors and the prior Wonder Type (which once again, costs Musou). All Japanese figures via Samurai Warriors moveset schemes can now naturally sidestep regardless of being Technique-type or not. In regards to the Spirit Cancel, the ability now functions akin to the original version, where it now inflicts a single hit per target while being able to rapidly cancel into itself and retaining its original hitboxes. Their critical hits can now also apply to both their Spirit Cancel and any of their Sacred Treasure God Spells (including Normal Spells). Characters from the Warriors Orochi series under this category have a special upgrade which allows them to create elemental shockwaves when performing the aforementioned Spirit Charge.
Characters
Those listed below belong to this class. Note that only in the first game up to Z, Type Action specials are listed for each character below:
- Liu Bei (C1-EX-SP)
- Zhao Yun (C3-EX-SP)
- Zhuge Liang (C1-EX-SP)
- Huang Zhong (C4-EX-SP)
- Yue Ying (C1-EX-SP)
- Dian Wei (C3-EX-SP)
- Xu Huang (C3-EX-SP)
- Cao Ren (C2-EX-SP)
- Zhou Yu (C1-EX-SP)
- Lu Xun (C1-EX-SP)
- Da Qiao (C1-EX-SP)
- Zhang Jiao (C1-EX-SP)
- Yuan Shao (C1-EX-SP)
- Diao Chan (C1-EX-SP)
- Cao Pi (C6-EX-SP)
- Yukimura Sanada (C1-EX-SP)
- Nobunaga Oda (C1-EX-SP)
- Oichi (C1-EX-SP)
- Okuni (C1-EX-SP)
- Shingen Takeda (C1-EX-SP)
- Magoichi Saika (C1-EX-SP)
- Hanzō Hattori (C3-EX-SP)
- Hideyoshi Toyotomi (C1-EX-SP)
- Kanetsugu Naoe (C1-EX-SP)
- Musashi Miyamoto (C1-EX-SP)
- Motochika Chosokabe (C3-EX-SP)
- Kojirō Sasaki (C5-EX-SP)
- Da Ji (C1-EX-SP)
- Taigong Wang (C1-EX-SP)
- Yoshitsune Minamoto (C1-EX-SP)
Warriors Orochi 3
The characters listed below belong to this type. It will only list the new character affiliations.
- Guan Yu
- Guan Ping
- Guan Suo
- Jiang Wei
- Cao Cao
- Zhang Liao
- Zhenji
- Sun Ce
- Ling Tong
- Lianshi
- Sun Shangxiang
- Xiaoqiao
- Sima Yi
- Sima Shi
- Zhuge Dan
- Zhong Hui
- Guo Huai
- Zuo Ci
- Yoshimoto Imagawa
- Mitsunari Ishida
- Mitsuhide Akechi
- Masamune Date
- Ieyasu Tokugawa
- Ujiyasu Hōjō
- Goemon Ishikawa
- Katsuie Shibata
- Kanbei Kuroda
- Ginchiyo Tachibana
- Ina
- Nene
- Fu Xi
- Nemea
- Benkei
- Himiko
- Kaguya
- Momiji
- Sophitia Alexandra
- Kiyomori Taira
Warriors Orochi 4
The characters listed below belong to this type. It will only list new or reverted character affiliations.
- Xiahou Yuan
- Lu Su
- Zhuge Liang
- Liu Bei
- Pang Tong
- Liu Shan
- Ma Dai
- Guan Xing
- Fa Zheng
- Sima Zhao
- Zhang Chunhua
- Zhang Jiao
- Magoichi Saika
- Nō
- Sakon Shima
- Gracia
- Motonari Mōri
- Aya
- Naotora Ii
- Munenori Yagyū
- Yoshitsugu Ōtani
- Takakage Kobayakawa
- Koshōshō
- Lady Hayakawa
- Sanzang
- Shennong
- Tamamo
- Kyūbi
- Athena
- Gaia
- Joan of Arc
Trivia
- There are no Technique-types that retain their character classes in every installment.
- Between the first installment-to-Z, Huang Zhong, Cao Ren, Cao Pi and Kojirō were the only Technique-type characters with a different EX Charge Attack input than the majority of other Technique types, as well as being the only ones with such inputs.
- In most communities, the prior abbreviations for Enhanced Strikes/EX Charge Attacks (C#-EX) are now reserved for EX Attacks as of Dynasty Warriors 7.
- Zuo Ci was the only non-Warriors Orochi original or Guest characters to be Technique-type user in the Other category in Warriors Orochi 3.
- Guan Family members gain their Technique-typing in 3~4, with exception of Guan Yinping who is a Speed-type in 4.