- Ma Chao is a Shu spear officer famous for mounted combat and lightning-fast thrust attacks
- Best strength: High mobility, excellent horseback damage, strong crowd clearing
- Unlock path: Progress through Shu campaign Musou Mode stages
- Key tactic: Charge attacks plus a well-timed Musou break officer formations
- Best battles: Open-field maps like Tong Gate and Wuzhang Plains suit his range
Ma Chao Overview: Weapon and Playstyle
Ma Chao, known as the "Splendid Ma Chao" for his armor and bearing, is one of the most popular Shu officers returning in the Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered roster. He wields a spear, giving him long reach, fast thrust patterns, and one of the strongest mounted attack sets among the 40+ playable officers in the Complete Edition Remastered.
His identity on the battlefield is built around three pillars:
- Reach: Spear thrusts hit officers before most blades can close the distance
- Mobility: Ma Chao excels at moving between objectives quickly
- Mounted dominance: On horseback, his attack pattern keeps him a fan favorite
Role: Skirmisher
- High mobility between bases
- Fast engagement and retreat
- Ideal for rescue objectives
Role: Duelist
- Long spear reach
- Punishes slower officers
- Strong charge finishers
Role: Cavalry
- Top-tier mounted attacks
- Sustained horseback pressure
- Great for open-field stages
If you enjoy Zhao Yun's spear style but want more aggressive forward pressure, Ma Chao offers a similar reach with a distinctive mounted-game edge that few officers in Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered can match.
Moveset Breakdown and Combo Priority
Ma Chao's moveset follows the classic Dynasty Warriors 3 structure: normal attack strings, charge attacks, and a Musou finisher. Understanding which strings to use in each situation is the difference between a good Ma Chao run and a frustrating one.
| Attack Type | Input Pattern | Best Use | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal string | Repeated normal attacks | Building combos on infantry | ★★★☆☆ |
| C1 charge | Charge after 1 normal | Quick interrupt vs officers | ★★☆☆☆ |
| C3-C4 charges | Charge after 3-4 normals | Crowd clearing around bases | ★★★★★ |
| C6 finisher | Charge after 6 normals | Officer knockback and finish | ★★★★☆ |
| Musou attack | Musou when gauge is full | Rescue, duels, emergencies | ★★★★★ |
| Mounted attacks | Attacks on horseback | Open-field sweeping | ★★★★★ |
Combo priorities for different situations:
| Situation | Recommended String | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Surrounded by infantry | Normals into C4 | Wide sweep clears space reliably |
| Officer duel | Normals into C6 | Knockback creates breathing room |
| Defending a base | C3 loops | Fast repeated area damage |
| Enemy officer near allies | Musou attack | Invulnerable frames protect you both |
| Open field with horse | Mounted normal string | Sustained damage while staying mobile |
Long charge strings leave you exposed between hits. Against multiple officers, commit to C6 only when nearby allies can absorb pressure, or cancel into Musou when your health drops.
Unlocking Ma Chao: Step-by-Step
Like most officers in Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered, Ma Chao becomes available through progression in Musou Mode rather than purchase or RNG. Follow this route to add him to your roster efficiently.
Start a Shu Musou Mode Campaign
Begin Liu Bei's faction route. Shu stages introduce the campaign structure and let you practice spear fundamentals with Zhao Yun, whose moveset transfers well to Ma Chao.
Progress Through Early Shu Stages
Clear the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Hulao Gate, and Changban. These battles teach crowd control and officer duels, the two skills Ma Chao rewards most.
Reach the Later Campaign Stages
Ma Chao's historical arrival aligns with the later Shu campaign, including the Chengdu and Wuzhang Plains arcs. Continue clearing story objectives to advance.
Complete the Unlock Condition
Fulfill the stage-specific unlock condition tied to his appearance in the Shu campaign, then finish the battle. He becomes selectable in Musou and Free Mode afterward.
Develop Him in Free Mode
Replay unlocked stages with Ma Chao to raise his stats, gather weapon upgrades, and refine his charge timing before tackling Hard difficulty.
Focus purely on main objectives rather than farming kills during unlock runs. Skipping optional eliminations shaves significant time off each stage while still meeting progression requirements.
Best Battles and Weapon Upgrades for Ma Chao
Ma Chao performs best on maps with open terrain and long movement lanes, where his speed and mounted attacks shine. Tight castle interiors limit his sweeping arcs and horseback value.
| Battlefield | Terrain Type | Ma Chao Fit | Key Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tong Gate | Open plateau | ★★★★★ | Cavalry-friendly lanes |
| Wuzhang Plains | Wide field | ★★★★★ | Long flanking routes |
| Changban | Mixed field and bridge | ★★★★☆ | Rescue and escort runs |
| Hefei | Open with chokepoints | ★★★☆☆ | Watch ambush points |
| Castle sieges | Tight corridors | ★★☆☆☆ | Reach still useful, horse limited |
For weapon progression, prioritize the following upgrade order:
- Attack power first, since Ma Chao's thrusts scale well with raw damage
- Reach or range boosts to extend his already strong spear arcs
- Musou charge rate to keep his emergency option available
- Defense upgrades last, since his mobility is his main defense
Pair Ma Chao with archery-oriented bodyguards. They pin enemies in place while you charge in, and they cover your retreat when a duel turns bad.
Ma Chao Mastery Milestones:
- Unlock Ma Chao in Shu Musou Mode
- Clear three Free Mode stages with him
- Land a full C6 finisher on an enemy officer
- Win a mounted engagement against an officer
- Complete a Hard difficulty stage using Musou saves
FAQ
Q: Is Ma Chao a good beginner officer in Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered?
Yes. His spear reach forgives positioning mistakes, and his normal-to-charge strings are straightforward. Players coming from Zhao Yun will feel at home within a few battles.
Q: How does Ma Chao compare to Zhao Yun?
Both are Shu spear users with strong reach. Zhao Yun is more balanced and accessible, while Ma Chao trades a little consistency for superior mounted combat and aggressive forward pressure.
Q: What is the best way to use Ma Chao's Musou attack?
Save it for moments when you are surrounded or locked in an officer duel. Position so the full sequence connects, ideally against a wall or inside a dense formation where every hit lands.
Q: Can I use Ma Chao in local co-op?
Yes. Once unlocked, he is selectable in the two-player local co-op mode included in the Complete Edition Remastered, making him a strong pick alongside a slower heavy-weapon partner.