• Guan Yu's "Fighting Saint" allows him to use any red card as an Attack, whether it's in his hand or equipped. However, if he uses an equipped card, he sacrifices the properties of that equipment. For example, if he has a red Crossbow and uses several red cards to attack, he cannot then discard the Crossbow to attack again, as he would be giving up the Crossbow and hence his ability to continue to attack. Similarly, if he discards a -1 Horse to attack someone out of reach, he can no longer benefit from the Horse's reach extension as it’s discarded.

• Guan Yu has excellent offensive capabilities. He can attack nearly every turn using "Fighting Saint."

• His "Fighting Saint" ability also provides strong defense, allowing him to use red cards to respond to Duels, Barbarians, and Coerce.

• Guan Yu is a well-rounded character who can adapt to various roles and respond effectively in many situations.

• Guan Yu is a very straightforward character. His ability is nice, but there is not a lot of room for advanced tactics when using him.

• Loyal Team Play:
  Liu Bei (as king) can synergize with Guan Yu by using "Kindness" to provide him with red cards. Guan Yu can then use "Fighting Saint" to respond with powerful attacks, enhancing their teamwork if Guan Yu remains loyal.

• Consistent Activation:
  Guan Yu pairs well with Zhang Jiao, as "Fighting Saint" allows Guan Yu to consistently attack Zhang Jiao, activating his "Lightning Strike" ability.

• Escape Counter:
  Zhen Ji's abilities "River Goddess" and "Overturned Country" enable her to dodge Guan Yu’s constant red card attacks with ease, making her a good counter.

King

• • Guan Yu is not a top-tier king choice. While his health and balanced abilities make him better than many characters, he lacks the strong defensive capabilities usually needed for this role.

Loyalist

• • Guan Yu shines as a loyalist, especially if Liu Bei is king. His offensive power helps eliminate rebels quickly, making him a valuable ally.

Rebel

• • As a rebel, Guan Yu is formidable. His offensive abilities allow him to effectively turn his strength against the king.

Spy

• • Guan Yu is a solid spy pick. His balance between offense and defense, along with four units of health, allows him to survive the long game and face the king one-on-one if necessary.

Guan Yu is a strong choice for beginners due to his straightforward ability, "Fighting Saint," which is easy to use and effective in a variety of situations. However, his focus on frequent attacking limits his potential to deal massive damage quickly, as his abilities don't offer much tactical flexibility beyond consistent offense.

Guan Yu is famous in Chinese history and Romance of the Three Kingdoms for his loyalty, martial prowess, and legendary exploits. One of the most famous stories is his journey through the "Five Passes," where he traveled alone while seeking to reunite with his sworn brothers, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, after being separated.

In the narrative, Guan Yu was serving under Cao Cao but refused to stay after learning that Liu Bei was still alive. Cao Cao, recognizing his loyalty, allowed Guan Yu to leave. As Guan Yu traveled through the five passes, local lords tried to stop him, forcing him to fight and defeat each one. He demonstrated his unmatched combat skill by defeating these generals in single combat, one after another. This journey showcased his sense of loyalty, courage, and military ability, making him a heroic figure in both history and legend.

His portrayal in Sanguosha mirrors this spirit. His ability to wield any red card as an Attack reflects his relentless combativeness and determination, much like how he overcame his enemies during his famous journey through the five passes.