• When Zhao Yun creates an Attack, it is a standard Attack and not a Fire Attack nor a Lightning Attack.  

• Zhao Yun cannot use the Eight Trigrams to try to produce an Attack.

• Zhao Yun cannot use the Serpent Spear to discard two cards to produce an Escape. 

• Zhao Yun is very well balanced offensively and defensively. "Dragon Courage" allows him to respond to many different situations so long as he has an Attack or Escape.

• Once Zhou Yun runs out of Attacks and Escapes, it becomes very apparent to all of his enemies. At this point, he is vulnerable to pretty much any type of assault, including Attacks, Duels, Barbarians, and Hail of Arrows.

• Despite the fact that he is very well rounded, Zhou Yun does not have many complex strategies that he can employ.

• Supporting the King:
  When paired with Liu Bei as king, Zhao Yun’s "Dragon Courage" works well with Liu Bei’s "Fierce General." Liu Bei can lend an Escape to Zhao Yun and request an Attack in return, effectively sharing power and resources.

• Easier Targeting of Judgment Manipulators:
  Zhang Jiao's strategy relies upon other people to Attack him. Zhao Yun will have an easier time attacking him than most other characters.

• Facing a Superior Duelist:
  Despite Zhao Yun’s prowess, he struggles against Lu Bu in direct combat, especially during one-on-one encounters. Lu Bu's overwhelming strength in both Attacks and Duels places Zhao Yun at a disadvantage in these scenarios.

King

• • Zhao Yun is not an effective king. While he is balanced, his reliance on Attacks and Escapes makes him vulnerable when facing multiple rebels. He can quickly run out of key cards and become an easy target for sustained assaults.

Loyalist

• • As a loyalist, Zhao Yun performs poorly. His ability, "Dragon Courage," is largely self-serving, making him less effective in quickly eliminating rebels or significantly aiding the king during critical moments.

Rebel

• • Zhao Yun struggles in the rebel role as well. Though he can survive for a long time, his limited ability to protect his teammates or contribute to the overall rebel cause makes him ineffective. He often finds himself isolated and outnumbered by the end of the game.

Spy

• • Zhao Yun is an average spy. He can use "Dragon Courage" to stay under the radar and survive until the later stages of the game. However, he has little power to influence the outcome once one team gains the upper hand, making it hard for him to balance the game effectively.

Zhao Yun seems to have been "left behind" in Sanguosha. Since teamwork is heavily emphasized in the game, it’s understandable that a character with a self-serving ability would not be very useful. Zhao Yun is best suited as an option for beginners learning how to play. His ability to use Attacks and Escapes interchangeably helps new players survive longer, allowing them to enjoy the game and learn its mechanics without being eliminated too quickly.

Zhao Yun's "Dragon Courage" ability reflects his incredible bravery and composure, seen most famously during the Battle of Changban. In this historical event, Zhao Yun charged into Cao Cao's massive army single-handedly to rescue Liu Bei's infant son, Liu Shan. At great personal risk, Zhao Yun fought his way through enemy ranks, using his exceptional skill and quick thinking to cut down numerous enemies. He returned safely with the child in his arms, cementing his legacy as one of the bravest and most loyal generals of the Three Kingdoms era.

In Sanguosha, Zhao Yun's ability to use Attacks and Escapes interchangeably mirrors his calm and flexible approach on the battlefield. Just as he adapted in the chaos of battle to protect Liu Shan, this ability gives players the means to adapt and survive even when the odds are stacked against them. While his historical feats showed his capacity for daring, the game version is more focused on survival than offense, representing how Zhao Yun often focused on protecting others and himself during critical moments.