Dong Zhuo started as a minor warlord with formidable martial capabilities who gradually rose to power by subjugating forces west of the imperial capital. He is best known for effectively forcing himself to be the de facto leader of the land by dwindling the Han Dynasty's influence. His tyranny lasted for four years and was cut short when his step-son, Lu Bu, killed him.
His Dynasty Warriors counterpart is fifty-seventh place in Gamecity's Dynasty Warriors 7 character popularity poll and sixty-fifth in the Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends poll. The latest poll for the eighth installment puts him in seventy-sixth. The character poll for overseas fans puts him in tenth place for the Other division.
Dong Zhuo is an imperial general who took advantage of the turmoil of the Yellow Turban Rebellion by deposing the Emperor and supporting a young heir. He becomes Prime Minister and a tyrant, causing the people to suffer. A coalition formed by Yuan Shao rises against him at Hu Lao and Sishui Gates. Dong Zhuo faces them with his generals, which include Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, and Diaochan. In other character's stories, he is killed during these battles. The long term effects of his brief period of power, however, echoes for decades, as most the private army warlords that had gathered to fight him and the Yellow Turbans lose faith in the Han Dynasty. His death begins the competition among them for power over China.
In Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends, Dong Zhuo defeats the alliance at Hu Lao Gate, scattering their leaders and killing Yuan Shao. He quickly sets out to bring the rest of China under his control, defeating Cao Cao at Guan Du and Sun Ce at Hefei. After putting the lands of Wu under Lu Bu's direct control, Dong Zhuo deposes the Emperor and confronts Liu Bei's large army, intent on restoring the Han Dynasty. He destroys the kingdom of Shu, only to find that his greatest warrior, Lu Bu, and Diaochan have revolted against him. His fleet engages Lu Bu's army at Chi Bi, and despite the aid to Lu Bu from the remnants of Wu and Shu, Dong Zhuo is victorious over the seemingly indomitable Lu Bu, uniting China under his rule.
His Musou Mode in Dynasty Warriors 4 remains similar to his previous story with a few differences. In this title, he destroys the coalition, Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao. After he reigns supreme over his rivals, Lu Bu revolts with only his most loyal generals.
Dong Zhuo's legend mode in the Xtreme Legends expansion details his encounter with the corrupt Ten Eunuchs. In an effort to try to save the emperor from them, He Jin plans to slay them. However, the eunuchs murder him and try to hide from their crime. Knowing that the eunuchs still remain in the capital, Dong Zhuo orders them to be exterminated at once. Three have already been caught and slain, but Dong Zhuo decides to personally kill the fleeing seven to spark his true ambition. After he slays the final eunuch, he escorts the emperor's carriage back to the capital and declares himself to be the new royal protector.
In Dynasty Warriors 5, Dong Zhuo defends his home in Xi Liang from the influence of the Yellow Turbans. Zhang Jiao dies and, while he is content to remain in his home, he is suddenly attacked by Ma Teng and the forces of Liang. He retaliates by driving them back and slaying Ma Teng. When the eunuchs rebel in the capital, Dong Zhuo saves the child Emperor Xian and places him on the throne. His action upsets the regional lords and they attack him at Sishui and Hu Lao Gates. Putting an end to all who oppose him, Dong Zhuo's reign of terror continues, and he creates the "paradise" that he has always wanted. However, it is implied that his rule would not last for very long as his one of his mistresses conspires for his downfall.
Dong Zhuo shares his Legend Mode in the Xtreme Legends expansion with Yuan Shao. Both men desire to save the emperor from the eunuch's plot, but both have different desires in the battle. While Yuan Shao wants to save He Jin and liberate the court, Dong Zhuo plots for the simultaneous death of the general and the eunuchs. Using the tragedies as his pedestal, Dong Zhuo desires to gain a higher influence in the Imperial Court. Once the eunuchs are destroyed and the emperor is saved, Dong Zhuo berates the politicians for trying to stand against him. He is pleased to be one step closer to his indulgent paradise.
Dong Zhuo shares his Legend Mode in the Xtreme Legends expansion with Yuan Shao. Both men desire to save the emperor from the eunuch's plot, but both have different desires in the battle. While Yuan Shao wants to save He Jin and liberate the court, Dong Zhuo plots for the simultaneous death of the general and the eunuchs. Using the tragedies as his pedestal, Dong Zhuo desires to gain a higher influence in the Imperial Court. Once the eunuchs are destroyed and the emperor is saved, Dong Zhuo berates the politicians for trying to stand against him. He is pleased to be one step closer to his indulgent paradise.
Dong Zhuo's ending scene in Dynasty Warriors: Online shows him rewarding the player for their hard work. Upon asking whether they want money, status, or both, he decides to make them a part of his grand paradise whether they like it or not.
He continues to be the main antagonist at Hu Lao Gate in the following title. He dies there with his ambitions left unfulfilled, but is spontaneously revived from beyond the grave in Lu Bu's story. He at first teams up with Zhang Jiao to avenge the grudge he feels due to Lu Bu's betrayal, but they eventually join with the leaders of the Three Kingdoms and Yuan Shao to end his former general. He is among the many who is killed by Lu Bu in his ending.
During the Three Kingdoms' Story Modes in Dynasty Warriors 7, Dong Zhuo makes his earliest appearance in Liang Province. As Sun Jian's military superior in the campaign to suppress the Xiliang forces, he bosses around the father and his children to obey his every command and complains when they don't rescue him from danger. Once Sun Ce routs Ma Chao, Dong Zhuo ruthlessly charges his men to slaughter every rebel within the vicinity. Sun Ce protests, but Dong Zhuo is too enthralled by the thrill of the hunt to listen. After these rebellions are quelled Dong Zhuo heads south and claims himself the protector of the capital and child emperor. Thinking that the devious man would serve him, he orders Cao Cao within Luoyang to serve him. He is upset when the lord refuses and orders for his execution. His actions and participation in battle are relatively the same as other titles, but the narrative emphasizes his atrocious burning and slaughtering of innocent people. Like most titles, he is eventually killed off screen by Lu Bu.
His first Legendary Battle has Dong Zhuo claim his right for Diao Chan's affections, causing him to antagonize his relations with Lu Bu. He is surrounded at Luoyang by the forces rallied against him in his secondary Legendary Battle. His main goal aside from defeating Yuan Shao and Cao Cao is killing Lu Bu for his treachery.
The Xtreme Legends expansion details Dong Zhuo's escape from Luoyang. The coalition against him has gained ground and are threatening to slay him. Therefore, he orders his men to retreat with the Emperor. Since his retainers are being overwhelmed by the coalition officers, Dong Zhuo has to rescue them in order to achieve victory. Once he meets his destination outside the capital, he scorns his opposition and enjoys his outstanding longevity.
In Dynasty Warriors Next, Dong Zhuo serves as the antagonist of the second chapter. He personally leads the resistance against the coalition at Hulao Gate only to be defeated in a duel by Xiahou Dun. After razing the capital, he makes his way to Chang'an while impeding the pursuing Cao Cao with tigers. He uses every tactic at his disposal to repel the other warlords, even releasing wild animals to scatter their numbers. However, Lu Bu and Diaochan's sudden betrayal forces him into lead a full-out assault out of desperation, leading to his death at the hands of Cao Cao. Players can only control Dong Zhuo in Conquest Mode.
In Dynasty Warriors 8, Dong Zhuo's version of Hulao Gate has him seek out Diaochan who had gone missing on the battlefield. After leaving the capital in flames, he makes his way through the front lines to search for her while clashing with numerous officers of the allied forces. Upon discovering Diaochan and Lu Bu near the enemy camp, the two of them attempt to kill their master only to be subdued in the end. With Lu Bu dead, Dong Zhuo forcefully takes the dancing maiden for himself and makes plans to build a new paradise.
In the Xtreme Legends expansion, Dong Zhuo is given two additional scenarios. In the first, his and Yuan Shao's armies clash at Hulao Gate to determine who shall take control of the Han. In this scenario, Dong Zhuo's army consists of several new officers who canonically opposed him, including Sun Jian, Jia Xu, and Yuan Shu. If Dong Zhuo is able to cut through Yuan Shao's defenses quickly enough, several of Yuan Shao's officers will defect to Dong Zhuo's side. As Dong Zhuo's army closes in on Yuan Shao, they are suddenly ambushed by Ding Yuan and Lu Bu. Unfettered, Dong Zhuo slays them both before slaying Yuan Shao and solidifying his rule over the Han.
In the second scenario, Dong Zhuo, in an attempt to eliminate his rivals, invites them to a tournament to determine the mightiest warrior in the land, but in reality it is a trap to kill all his rivals in one fell swoop. However, after Dong Zhuo wins the tournament, it is revealed that his rivals anticipated the trap and took control of Xuchang and the Emperor while Dong Zhuo was focused on the tournament. Dong Zhuo must "rescue" the Emperor before the coalition can extract him from Xuchang, then defeat his remaining rivals.
In Lu Bu's story, Dong Zhuo first appears in the fight to exterminate the Ten Eunuchs at Luoyang. After the last eunuchs is killed he offers Lu Bu the chance to serve him which is quickly accepted. When Yuan Shao, Cao Cao and other disgruntled warlords band together to face Dong Zhuo at Hulao Gate, the tyrant decides to flee with the emperor as Lu Bu and Zhang Liao cover his retreat. After the coalition disbanded, Dong Zhuo hoped to use Chang'an as his paradise until Diaochan convinces Lu Bu to turns on him and ultimately kill him as Dong Zhuo tries in vain to escape.
In Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed, Dong Zhuo serves as the main boss for the Luoyang campaign which has the player chase after him throughout the whole area. During Wei's first scenario, his attempts to lure Cao Cao back with a letter fails, enraging him enough to set Luoyang on fire while abducting Emperor Xian.
Dong Zhuo's bond story details his rise to power and utter downfall. As the only surviving unit within Zhang Wen's forces, Dong Zhuo becomes emboldened enough to seize control of the imperial court. His many atrocities lead him to die at the hands of a manipulated Lu Bu and his corpse is publicly desecrated. For all his cruelty, his final story scene shows that he had once been a strict but diligent man who gradually gave in to his own vices.
The ninth installment first sees Dong Zhuo when he is told of how Liang Province is being annoyed by Han Sui and the local brigand tribes. Encouraged by his granddaughter Dong Bai, he sets out to deal with Han Sui, gaining the respect and support of Sun Jian and Cheng Pu in the process. Afterwards, Dong Zhuo and Dong Bai agree that his efforts in capturing Liang Province would garner attention from the Imperial Court in Luoyang, earning them more than enough money for Dong Zhuo to get his granddaughter whatever her heart desired. Soon, he receives word that Duan Gui, one of the Ten Eunuchs, wishes to speak with him. Seeing this as a chance to get in deep with the Imperial Court, Dong offers Duan a bribe with the reward he got from Zhang Wen and from attacking some bandits outside of Chang'an, which he accepts, before asking for Dong's help on a big battle in the near future as repayment. When the suppression of the Yellow Turbans begins, Dong escorts a eunuch to take over command of Lu Zhi's forces as his own so he has an army to use against the Yellow Turbans after lying that Lu Zhi is in league with Zhang Jiao. From there, as part of the coalition against the Yellow Turbans, his forces are stalled advancing on Zhang Jiao's home base of Guangzong by Zhang Bao and his forces, with Zhang Bao using his sorcery to stall Dong with flame attacks. In the Wu scenario, he initially is against engaging them in battle until Sun Jian lures the Yellow Turbans into attacking him, provoking him into joining the fight. Shu's scenario sees him reprimand Liu Bei and his oath brothers for ruining his so-called plan to feign being in trouble to get reinforcements sent from Luoyang to help them out after they eliminate Zhang Bao themselves.
After Zhang Jiao is eliminated, followed by the execution of the Ten Eunuchs by Yuan Shao, Dong seizes power in Luoyang, names himself Prime Minister, and begins a reign of terror across the Han Dynasty. In his story, his dreams of debauchery come to fruition as he has himself surrounded by beautiful women, including Diaochan, who he takes a real fancy for. One day, he is confronted by Ding Yuan, who is fed up with Dong's abuse of power. When Dong tries to scare him off by throwing his goblet at him, Ding's son-in-law, Lu Bu, catches it and throws it back with enough force to leave it embedded in the wall behind Dong's throne. Impressed by Lu Bu's display of power, Dong decides to get Lu Bu on his side, but after consulting Li Su on how to win Lu Bu over, first travels back to Chang'an to acquire the means to sway him with acquiring Red Hare. Upon presenting the steed to Lu Bu, he is able to convince the warrior into siding with him, with the first order of business being to have Lu Bu slay his former father-in-law Ding Yuan, joined by Diaochan on the mission. The mission is successful, and Dong also gains the loyalty and service of Zhang Liao as well. Needless to say, when Dong Zhuo returns to Luoyang, Dong Bai tells him that Cao Cao wishes to see him. This results in where Cao Cao attempts to assassinate Dong in the Imperial Palace in Luoyang, but is stopped by Lu Bu, forcing him into retreat, but Dong still attempts to thwart his escape from the capital once it is discovered Cao Cao had loyal troops hidden among Dong's own men. Supported by Diaochan, Lu Bu, Dong Bai, Hua Xiong, and Zhang Liao, Dong manages to stop Cao Cao from making good on his escape from Luoyang, but in the end, Lu Bu allows him to escape, seeing no sport in chasing after an already fleeing enemy, much to Dong's chagrin. This is enough to convince Yuan Shao to form the Allied Forces to overthrow Dong, but when word reaches Dong Zhuo, he personally leads the fight against the Allied Forces to keep them away from Luoyang. Joined by his granddaughter, he manages to help Lu Bu hold Hulao Gate from Liu Bei's army, and help Hua Xiong hold Sishui Gate from Cao Cao's army, before then leading the final assault on Yuan Shao at Guandu. However, knowing that Luoyang will not be safe as long as the Allied Forces are still a threat, Dong decides to abandon Luoyang and flee to Chang'an with Emperor Xian, much to Lu Bu's frustration that they are retreating when they had the Allies on the ropes. Even Diaochan is horrified when Dong decides to have Luoyang burned to ensure it stays out of the hands of the Allied Forces after making off with as much gold and other valuables his men can salvage before evacuating and setting the capital ablaze. However, Cao Cao's army again stands in Dong Zhuo's way, forcing him to take them out before he can safely retreat to Chang'an with the Emperor. Once Cao Cao is routed and the path to Chang'an cleared of his forces, Dong Zhuo believes he is now unstoppable, however, as he gloats, Diaochan arrives, and Dong notices something different with her as she rests her head against his leg. Lu Bu soon arrives, and as Dong gloats that he is invincible, Diaochan quietly looks at Lu Bu, who stands there, armed with his halberd, ready to carry out something truly malicious against Dong Zhuo.
In the Wei, Wu, and Shu Story Modes, when Cao Cao's assassination attempt fails and he is forced to flee Luoyang, luckily, this convinces Yuan Shao to form the Allied Forces in revenge to take out Dong once and for all. Once the Allies are able to weaken Dong by taking out Hua Xiong at Sishui Gate and Lu Bu at Hulao Gate, along with additional missions to cut off his reinforcements and gain the support of the peasant militiamen as well, Dong is forced to take his remaining troops and flee to Chang'an, burning Luoyang as he retreats, only to later be confronted by Lu Bu, who intends to kill him. Realizing Diaochan had a part in Lu Bu betraying him and had double-crossed him as well, Dong tries to attack Lu Bu in fury for both his and Diaochan's betrayals, but is mortally wounded by him, collapsing back into his throne as he breathes his last, and Lu Bu departs with Diaochan, intending to fight under his own intentions now.
In Warriors Orochi, Dong Zhuo willingly serves under Orochi and is the first person to be scouted by Da Ji. Dong Zhuo only agrees to fight the Serpent King since he promises wealth and treasure for him. In both games, he is loyal to Orochi. A Gaiden stage in the first title has Hideyoshi interrupt his gold shipment, which angers Dong Zhuo and makes him lose faith in Orochi. The tyrant forsakes his servitude if he doesn't receive any gold and decides to join Nobunaga.
After the events of the first title, Dong Zhuo goes back to his pillaging ways for his ideal paradise in the sequel. He attacks villagers and Zhang Jiao's followers in Lou Sang Village, and is driven away by Sakon and Fu Xi. He is also seen supporting Da Ji and doing other acts of villainy throughout the game. When Orochi is resurrected, Dong Zhuo continues to serve his master.
He shares his dream stage with Kunoichi and Magoichi. He hires the two mercenaries to act as his bodyguards to protect his stolen treasure through Hasedō. He claims to have gotten the loot fair-and-square, but he actually stole it from Yuan Shao. When his treasure is transported, the local villagers mistakenly thank Dong Zhuo's treasure as a kind donation for their home. Dong Zhuo denies the claim but has his treasure given to them.
Dong Zhuo continues his allegiance to the serpent army in Warriors Orochi 3 with hopes of one day creating his paradise. He holds several maidens hostage for himself at Xuchang, and uses them as hostages to force other generals such as Nagamasa Azai, Liu Shan, Kiyomasa Kato, and Katsuie Shibata to help the demons. When the Coalition returns to Da Ji's past, he is found near Chengdu. Having just realized that he can do whatever he wants, he starts his conquest by terrorizing the nearby peasantry. Upon his defeat by the future Coalition, Zhuge Liang orders him to be their prisoner to prevent his allegiance to the serpent forces. Left with no other options, Dong Zhuo then begrudgingly fights for the Coalition.
Dong Zhuo appears as an antagonist in most of the downloadable stages. In "In Vino Veritas", he is one of the generals who run amok after drinking too much. In "Virtue's Burden", he traps helpless peasants within the flamed battlefield as he fights the Oda army, Joan, Liu Bei and Ieyasu. Dong Zhuo stars in "Dong Zhuo's Ambition" where he seeks to create his dream paradise. Although he successfully traps several beautiful women, they are set free by Magoichi, Taigong Wang and Ryu. In "Animal Rescue", Dong Zhuo is tricked by Yuan Shao into kidnapping wolves, believing that their livers will make the ultimate love potion. In "Zhong Hui's Pride", Dong Zhuo supervises Zhong Hui to capture women, only for the Jin officer to mutiny. In "Heroes of Luoyang", Dong Zhuo is holding maidens hostage within Luoyang until Ma Chao and company ride in and free the hostages.
In the Ultimate expansion, Dong Zhuo is still stationed at Xuchang, but he is no longer affiliated with the Demon Army or Da Ji. During his tenure, he is attacked by Yuan Shao's forces, who claim that Dong had attacked them. Despite Zhong Hui's attempts to reason with the enemy army, Sima Zhao still remained hostile. In their haste, they end up defeating Shennong, who attempted to clear up to misunderstanding. After the battle, Dong Zhuo pledged his own allegiance to Shennong's cause, allowing Zhong Hui to assist the mystic. In the altered version of the stage, the Divine Mirror is able to identify both Sima Zhao and Yuan Shao as fakes, though it does not stop Dong Zhuo from still ordering attacks on Shennong upon their arrival.
In Warriors Orochi 4, Dong Zhuo is one of the warlords that were defeated and intimidated into submission by Nobunaga Oda. As part of his orders, he was sent to attack a village before being repulsed by the forces of Sun Quan. Like most of Nobunaga's allies, Dong Zhuo was stationed at Chang'an when Jia Xu invaded the city. Unlike Yuan Shao and Yoshimoto Imagawa, who surrendered to Liu Bei's Rebel Army, Dong Zhuo and Diaochan flee the city.
Dong Zhuo is not seen again until he scouts Xiaoqiao wandering around Nagashino. Hoping to add her to his harem, he begins advancing, only to meet Zhou Yu and Kojuro Katakura and get himself captured instead.
Not needing more enemies, the pair reluctantly allow him to join the Coalition.
Dong Zhuo and Li Ru are manipulated by Sun Wukong's mind control tricks to attack Kunoichi and Hanzo Hattori as they patrol around. Enraged that his dreams had been delayed by this spell, he helps the ninjas chase the monkey by barring one of the shortcuts to the escape point.
He is reprised by Richard Epcar in the English dub and Yukitoshi Hori in the Japanese dub.