Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV details retainer proposals, foreign tribes, character traits, and scenarios

Koei Tecmo has released new information, screenshots, and a developer diary for Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV, introducing retainer proposals, foreign tribes, a new set of confirmed playable officers, character traits, and scenarios.

Here are the details, via the game’s official website:

■ Domestic System

Proposals by Retainers

Retainer officers will propose a variety of commands, from tactics to banquets, to the rulers (players) based on their characters and depending on what they see on the battlefield. These proposals happen each turn. Taking into account the officers’ opinions, deciding which proposal to execute becomes an important administrative task.

—Officers with the Wise character will make Proposals more often, making them important assets to a Force.

■ One Single Map

Foreign Tribes

When public order drops, in addition to bandits, foreign tribes will appear and cause trouble. The tribes are the Wuhuan, Xianbei, Qiang, Shanyue, and Nanman tribes. Areas these tribal units pass through will become empty areas and the player will lose control of that area. Players must quickly deal with these units or lose more land.

In addition to deploying troops to deal with these tribes, another option to deal with tribes is the “character” (traits) of officers, which can prevent certain tribes from appearing in areas to begin with. If the “character” is the same as the opposing tribe, the tribe will become an ally and may appear in an enemy’s territory for good effect.

—Areas foreign tribal units pass through will become lost to players who had control of that area. To minimize losses, strategize on how to stop them.

—With the Qiang character, not only will Qiang tribal units not appear, but they can appear in an enemy’s territory for good effect.

■ Officers

Zhang Liao

Officer of Wei. Fought throughout the land under Lu Bu, and served Cao Cao after Lu Bu’s death. In defense of Hefei, held off a Wu army of 100,000 with only 800 men of his own.

Gan Ning

Officer of Wu. Originally a member of the Bright Sails pirates. Discontent when serving under Huang Zu, was recruited to Sun Quan’s forces by Su Fei. Earned Sun Quan’s trust for his service against Huang Zu and against Cao Cao at Chibi.

Zhao Yun

Officer of Shu. Submitted to Liu Bei after serving Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. At Changban, cut his way into an enormous army to find and rescue Liu Bei’s son, Liu Shan. One of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu.

Jiang Wei

Officer of Shu. Originally served Wei but surrendered to Shu during the first northern campaign. Entrusted with the strategies of the dying Zhuge Liang. Attacked the north nine times until Shu’s strength was completely used up.

Jia Xu

Minister of Wei. Served Li Jue but felt neglected and joined Zhang Xiu. Brilliant strategist who defeated Cao Cao’s army numerous times, but later submitted to Cao Cao along with Zhang Xiu. Grand commander of Wei.

Da Qiao

Daughter of Qiao Xuan, wife of Sun Ce of the Wu Kingdom. Together with her younger sister, Xiao Qiao, they were known as two of the land’s greatest beauties and were referred to as the “Two Qiaos.” It is said that their beauty shone brighter than any moon or star and put the most beautiful flower to shame.

Xiao Qiao

The daughter of Qiao Xuan. She later married Zhou Yu of Wu. Together with her older sister, Da Qiao, they were referred to as the “Two Qiaos.” Upon hearing a rumor spread by Zhuge Liang that Cao Cao was after the Qiao sisters, Zhou Yu persuaded Sun Quan to declare war, ultimately leading Wu into the Battle of Chibi.

Sun Shangxiang

The daughter of Sun Jian, she was also the younger sister of both Sun Ce and Sun Quan. A tomboy, she took interest in the martial arts from a young age. When she later became Liu Bei’s wife, it is said that her ladies-in-waiting were constantly outside her room, dressed in full armor.

Bu Lianshi

Sun Quan’s wife. Mother of Sun Luyu and Sun Luban. Sun Quan instantly fell for her beauty, leading the two to marry. Because of her modesty and lack of envy led to the long life of her relationship with Sun Quan, leading her to be known as the most beloved woman of the courts. Was only able to become an official empress after her death.

Liu Shan

Weak-willed second emperor of Shu. Indulged only in pleasure in his later years, and favored the eunuch Huang Hao. Solely responsible for the downfall of Shu, his childhood name later became a synonym for “fool.”

Li Ru

Adviser and son-in-law of Dong Zhuo. The source of many of Dong Zhuo’s corrupt policies. Saw through the plot to use Diao Chan to assassinate Dong Zhuo, but did not act to prevent it and was executed afterward along with the other conspirators.

Chen Gong

Overseer of Zhang Mou in late Han. Accompanied Cao Cao after Cao Cao failed to assassinate Dong Zhou, but left him after witnessing his heartlessness. Later served as adviser under Lu Bu, but was captured and requested the death penalty.

Zhu Rong

Wife of Nanman King Meng Huo. Said to be descended from the god of fire. A strong warrior who excelled at using the flying swords. Captured both Zhang Yi and Ma Zhong alive, but was later captured herself by Wei Yan and Ma Dai.

■ Character Traits

Character Traits

Each officer is given a “character,” with some being useful in battle, some in administration and so on. There are over 150 of these characters, and some officers possess their own unique characters, such as Swift which increases speed when retreating, and Brave General which keeps that officer from being affected even if surrounded on the battlefield. However, there are also some characters that can be considered negative traits, such as not being able to set certain commands, or being easily provoked. To create favorable conditions in battle, it is important to devise strategies that make the best use of the characters of the rulers and retainer officers.

—Liu Bei’s unique character is Swift. Mobility is increased when retreating, and not effected by ZOC.

—Guan Yu’s unique character is Divine General. The assault and defense of allied troops in a specific range are increased.

—Zhang Fei’s unique character is Brave General. His unit is kept from being affected when surrounded on the battlefield.

Same Officer “Characters” and Effects

Character	Effect
Wicked	All stats of units of your force, except for ships and siege weapons, within a specific range from your unit are increased. (Intrinsic)
Soaring General	ZOC is ignored for all terrains other than large rivers, and morale is less likely to decrease. (Intrinsic)
Brave Leader	Siege ability of units of your force, except for ships and siege weapons, within a specific range from your unit is increased. (Positive)
Disciplined	Your unit cannot be inflicted by the status ailment “disorder”. (Positive)
Overseer	When over a prefecture, all stats of your unit are increased. (Positive)
Water Warlord	Warlord All stats of your unit are increased on large rivers. (Positive)
Famous	When assigned as an area overseer, land conquered is increased, and ransom amounts when taken prisoner are increased. (Positive)
Reckless	In the Command Settings, “Ignore” cannot be selected for On enemy approach, and “Approve” cannot be selected for Auto Retreat. (Negative)
Greedy	Your stipend is increased. (Negative)
Notorious	The amount of troops required for your unit to expand its range of conquer is increased. (Negative)

Specialties

By gifting “Specialties” to retainer officers, they can raise officer attributes or provide special effects. They can be used to raise retainer loyalty, so strategizing is required to determine what specialty to give to which officer, and if it should be used to raise personal abilities or used as a tool for governing.

—Mengde’s War Manual: a strategy book written by Cao Cao.

—Red Hare: said to be capable of running over 400 kilometers in one day.

—Blue Dragon: a great polearm favored by Guan Yu.

■ Scenarios

There are a total of seven scenarios, including the Yellow Turban Rebellion (February 184), the chaotic war that signaled the opening of the times, and Chu Shi Biao (February 227), the beginning of Zhuge Liang’s northern campaign. Players will be immersed in the game in these events that weave through the Three Kingdoms story. Strategically select from the wealth of colorful and appealing forces and warlords for each period, and aim to unite China.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV is due out for PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam on January 16, 2020 in Japan and February 28 in North America and Europe.

Watch the developer diary below. View the screenshots at the gallery.

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