"Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Unlocking and Using the Horse Guide"

There is no dedicated sprint button in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Instead, your character will automatically begin sprinting after running for a short distance. While sprinting allows for quick movement across the battlefield, it's often not fast enough when you need to reach distant officers in time to save them and secure victory.

That’s where horses come into play—they can be summoned at any time during overworld exploration or mid-battle. Horses offer greater speed and mobility, allowing for efficient hit-and-run tactics or rapid traversal of large maps. Below, we’ll cover how to obtain your first horse, level it up for enhanced abilities, and switch between different horses depending on your needs.

How To Unlock The First Horse In Dynasty Warriors: Origins

You can acquire your first horse for free during Chapter 1 by interacting with a merchant that appears in the overworld. This merchant becomes available after completing the "Test Of Zheng Fei" battle, and can be encountered while traveling toward the "Battle Of Guangzong."

To find him, head northeast from Wan Castle but stop before reaching the camp. You'll see the merchant standing beside his horse along the path. Speak with him to receive the horse as a gift—it will be equipped automatically.

Once obtained, summon your horse by pressing down on the left joystick (on console) or the V key (on PC) to mount instantly.

How To Level Up Your Horse In Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Your horse gains experience based on the missions and story battles you complete while it's equipped—even if you don’t ride it during every fight. Skirmishes, however, do not grant XP to your horse.

Missions are marked with a red diamond icon containing a soldier emblem. These medium-length engagements provide substantial XP, especially if you actively use your horse to charge through enemies. The amount of XP earned also depends on the mission length and how frequently you utilize your mount.

As your horse levels up, it unlocks unique passive buffs. Each horse has its own set of progression perks, making some more valuable than others depending on your playstyle.

How To Switch Horses In Dynasty Warriors: Origins

While your initial horse is equipped automatically, you may eventually collect other mounts that offer better stats or special benefits. You can manage your horse selection through the Battle Preparation menu, where an option labeled “Horse” appears as the final selection on the left-hand list.

Each horse offers distinct advantages—some are faster, others grant unique combat bonuses. Be sure to switch to a new mount if it better suits your current mission or strategy.

To earn additional horses, focus on increasing the peace level of regions to their maximum. Once achieved, a reward—including a new horse—will appear at a nearby waypoint for you to claim.