• Xiahou Dun's "Unyielding" ability operates on a 'per instance' basis. For example, if he is hit with an attack enhanced by Wine, he can only flip one judgment card, regardless of how strong the attack was.

• If Xiahou Dun is on the verge of death, he cannot activate "Unyielding" until he has been healed back to life. This means that in a final act of revenge, if Xiahou Dun dies, he does not get to flip a judgment card.

• If an enemy who attacks Xiahou Dun has only one hand card, they will automatically suffer the damage from "Unyielding" without the option of discarding.

• When characters like Da Qiao or Xiao Qiao transfer damage or an attack to Xiahou Dun, the original attacker remains the target of "Unyielding." However, if Xiao Qiao reflects damage from Xiahou Dun back to him, Xiahou Dun himself becomes the target of his own ability—an undesirable situation.

• "Unyielding" is not mandatory, meaning Xiahou Dun can choose not to activate it if a friendly character damages him accidentally. Additionally, Xiahou Dun can activate "Unyielding" if he plays a Duel and loses.

• If Xiahou Dun damages a character with a retaliatory ability, like Sima Yi's "Feedback," they can activate their ability after "Unyielding." For instance, Sima Yi can choose to suffer the damage and then use "Feedback" to steal one of Xiahou Dun's cards.

• Xiahou Dun is one of the most defensive characters in the game, boasting four units of health and a powerful deterrent ability. His "Unyielding" not only protects him from attacks but also punishes opponents who harm him, making enemies think twice before targeting him.

• As mentioned in the clarification section, Xiahou Dun can activate "Unyielding" even if he loses a Duel he initiated. This forces opponents into a lose-lose situation, as Xiahou Dun can deal damage whether they win or lose the Duel, putting immense pressure on enemies.

• Xiahou Dun's presence also acts as a deterrent for characters with low health and few hand cards. His ability may discourage the use of area attacks like Barbarians or Hail of Arrows, which could backfire on enemies with low health, forcing them to reconsider their options. This hesitation can work to Xiahou Dun's team's advantage, as opponents might avoid these powerful cards to prevent triggering "Unyielding."

• While Xiahou Dun boasts excellent defense, his offensive options are limited. His ability is reactive rather than proactive, which means he can only punish enemies when they attack him, rather than directly dealing damage or applying pressure himself. This leaves him less effective in situations where his team needs a more aggressive approach.

• As with other 'per instance' abilities, Xiahou Dun's "Unyielding" is not as effective against characters who deal multiple units of damage per attack. Characters capable of doing heavy damage in one action, such as through Wine-boosted attacks or multi-damage tools, can minimize the impact of his judgment-based retaliation.

• Though his "Unyielding" provides a strong deterrent, Xiahou Dun lacks abilities to directly protect or empower his teammates. His presence can discourage area attacks like Barbarians or Hail of Arrows, but beyond this passive threat, he offers little in terms of strategic support for his allies. This can leave his team vulnerable in situations where they require active assistance.

• Damage Manipulators:
  Several characters can avoid Xiahou Dun’s retaliation by manipulating the source of damage. Zhang Chunhua's "Unfeeling" ability shields her from his "Unyielding," as she doesn’t count as the source of the damage she inflicts. Diao Chan’s "Sow Discord" can force Xiahou Dun into a duel with an ally, and if he takes damage, he can only target that ally, not Diao Chan. Xun Yu’s "Rouse the Tiger" also makes an ally hurt Xiahou Dun, preventing him from targeting Xun Yu with his ability.

• Card Accumulators:
  Characters who can build up a large number of cards can manage Xiahou Dun's "Unyielding" ability effectively. Zhen Ji, for instance, can easily gather many cards with "River Goddess," allowing her to discard extra hand cards if needed to avoid damage from Xiahou Dun's retaliation.

King

• • Xiahou Dun is a mediocre ruler. His "Unyielding" ability can create difficulties for opponents who rely on direct attacks, but rebels will likely choose characters who can harm him indirectly. Additionally, when multiple characters deal damage to him, the impact of "Unyielding" diminishes, making it easier for rebels to target him.

Loyalist

• • Xiahou Dun is not an ideal loyalist. His "Unyielding" power deters rebels from attacking him, prompting them to focus more on damaging the King instead. This undermines the goal of protecting the ruler, making him less effective in this role.

Rebel

• • Xiahou Dun performs well as a rebel. The King and loyalists will inevitably need to attack him, offering opportunities to use "Unyielding." However, with a three-card bounty on his head, his ability won't prevent enemies from targeting him altogether.

Spy

• • Xiahou Dun is a solid choice for a spy. His presence discourages players from attacking him directly, allowing both sides to focus on each other. While he’s unlikely to face an all-out assault, his ability to sway the course of battle is limited, requiring a strategy of weakening both sides over time.

Xiahou Dun stands out as one of our personal favorites due to his four units of health and his ability to create a tense standoff with his "Unyielding" power. However, his biggest drawback is his limited contribution in team-based scenarios. Sanguosha is a game where teamwork is crucial, and Xiahou Dun's utility in supporting a larger strategy is minimal. That said, he’s far from useless. In one-on-one matches, Xiahou Dun shines, and he can cleverly take damage from Barbarians or Hail of Arrows to trigger "Unyielding" and catch an opponent off guard.

Xiahou Dun’s most famous historical moment came during a battle against Lü Bu's forces. While fighting on the battlefield, Xiahou Dun was struck in the eye by an arrow fired by Lü Bu’s subordinate, Cao Xing. Rather than retreating, Xiahou Dun famously pulled the arrow out of his eye, along with the eyeball itself, and, in a display of his fierce determination and warrior spirit, swallowed it. Despite his severe injury, Xiahou Dun charged forward, killing Cao Xing in retaliation.

This act of valor and fearlessness became legendary, solidifying Xiahou Dun’s reputation as a loyal and courageous general. His unwavering resolve in battle parallels his in-game ability "Unyielding," where he continues to fight back even when taking damage. The story of his lost eye reflects his refusal to back down, no matter the personal cost, making Xiahou Dun a symbol of resilience both in history and in Sanguosha gameplay.