While many of the major characters in Total War: Three Kingdoms are highborn nobles and court officials, there are some who have risen to their positions from the lowest rungs of the social ladder. Many peasants and bandits fought for the Yellow Turban rebellion. However, there were also peasants who fiercely fought against them, and Xu Chu was one such man. A huge and incredibly strong warrior, Xu Chu’s natural talents led him on a path from leading a peasant militia to becoming one of the most famed generals of the Kingdom of Wei.
Total War: Three Kingdoms Heroes – Xu Chu
“Meet Xu Chu,” writes Creative Assembly; “the indomitable general and one of Cao Cao’s most trusted officers. His colossal size and fierce strength make him a key figure on any battlefield, where his immense loyalty and bravery have earned him a plethora of military accolades and titles.”
As one might expect, Xu Chu is a Champion; the class best-suited to overpowering other warriors in one-on-one combat. Like other powerful fighters like Guan Yu and Dian Wei, Xu Chu is a powerhouse of combat ability. Resolve will be his highest attribute, increasing his damage, and he can recruit better spear and glaive infantry. Plus, off the battlefield, Champions are so inspiring that they provide a boost to population growth wherever they are, as people flock to them. Only two of the playable faction leaders are Champions; the two bandits, Zhang Yan and Zheng Jiang.
Xu Chu’s Role and Special Abilities
Xu Chu isn’t available to Cao Cao when players first start their campaign. It’s currently unclear how and when players might be able to recruit him. However, it’s likely that his recruitment will be a historical event that triggers for Cao Cao during his campaign. Events like this trigger in many of the campaigns, allowing faction leaders to recruit famous individuals who fought for them in the actual history or Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Cao Cao met and recruited Xu Chu in the year 197; seven years after the start of the Total War: Three Kingdoms campaign.
Three of Xu Chu’s abilities have been revealed on his official character poster. In addition, fans can read a brief description of a unique weapon that he carries; a huge mace called Giantbane. These abilities are as follows:
- Condemned Howl: “A bestial rage causes him to fight with ferocity but also drop his guard against incoming attacks.”
- Earth-Shattering Strike: “A devastating attack that shakes the ground beneath him and sends nearby enemies reeling.”
- Giantbane: “An impressive warrior deserves an impressive mace.”
- Stalwart Defender: “Born to hold the line, Xu Chu shrugs off attacks as if they were nothing!”
“Tiger Fool”: The Militia Leader Who Became a General of Wei
Xu Chu was a huge man whose strength and bravery made him a natural leader when the Yellow Turbans threatened his homeland. He assembled a peasant militia and held a fortress against the rebels, hurling stones into the enemy ranks and thereafter scaring them away. The militia leader met Cao Cao in 197, when he brought his militia to join Cao Cao’s army as he passed through Runan. Cao Cao was so impressed by his strength that he appointed him as a commander of the Tiger Warriors; the warlord’s personal guard. In fact, he arrived at a fateful time. That very same year, Cao Cao’s fearsome bodyguard Dian Wei lost his life in battle.
In the year 200, Xu Chu interrupted a plot to assassinate Cao Cao and killed those responsible. From then on, Cao Cao went everywhere with Xu Chu at his side. Indeed, the huge warrior took on many of the responsibilities once held by Dian Wei. In 211, Xu Chu once again saved Cao Cao’s life at the Battle of Tong Pass. Most of the warlord’s army had already crossed the Wei River. However, Cao Cao and his Tiger Warriors were the last to make the crossing. As they prepared to set out on the ferry, Ma Chao and his cavalry arrived and launched an attack. It is said that Xu Chu held a saddle in one hand to shield Cao Cao while holding back the enemy soldiers with his sword, and that he himself seized the bargepole after the ferryman was killed by archers, pushing the boat out to safety.
For this and other achievements during the battle, Cao Cao promoted Xu Chu to Military Guard General of the Household. Among the soldiery, Xu Chu had the nickname “Tiger Fool” because while he was as mighty as a tiger, he was also somewhat simple. His loyalty to Cao Cao was absolute, however. In fact, it is said that he vomited blood in grief when Cao Cao died in 220. He went on to serve the warlord’s son, Cao Pi, just as loyally. Cao Pi held Xu Chu in great esteem and promoted him to General of the Military Guards. All of his original Tiger Warriors were also given promotions to high-ranking officer positions. Xu Chu went on to serve Cao Rui before dying in the year 226, having become one of the most famous and highly-regarded generals of the Kingdom of Wei.