Complete the indicated task to unlock the corresponding character. The point at which some characters become available will vary depending on the completion order of stages.

Jin

Deng Ai: Complete Stage 5 - Battle of Dongxing.
Guo Huai: Complete Stage 4 (Extra) - Battle of Han Zhong or Stage 5 (Extra) - Battle of He Fei Castle.
Jia Chong: Complete Stage 5 - Battle of Dongxing.
Sima Shi: Starting Character.
Sima Yi: Starting Character.
Sima Zhao: Starting Character.
Wang Yuanji: Complete Stage 1 - Battle of Wu Zhang Plains.
Wen Yang: Complete Stage 11 - Battle of Jinge.
Xiahou Ba: Complete Stage 4 (Extra) - Battle of Han Zhong or Stage 5 - Battle of Dongxing.
Zhang Chunhua: Starting Character.
Zhong Hui: Complete Stage 5 - Battle of Dongxing.
Zhuge Dan: Complete Stage 4 - Battle of Coup de'Defeat.

Shu

Bao Sanniang: Complete Stage 11(What If path) (Extra) - Supression of Nanzhong.
Guan Ping: Complete Stage 11(What If path) (Extra) - Supression of Nanzhong.
Guan Suo: Complete Stage 8 - Battle of Mt Dingjun.
Guan Xing: Complete Stage 8 - Battle of Mt Dingjun.
Guan Yinping: Complete Stage 8 - Battle of Mt Dingjun.
Guan Yu: Starting Character.
Huang Zhong: Complete Stage 7 - Battle of Chengdu.
Jiang Wei: Complete Stage 11 - Battle of Tianshui.
Liu Bei: Starting Character.
Liu Shan: Complete Stage 10 - Battle of Yinling.
Ma Chao: Complete Stage 7 - Battle of Chengdu.
Ma Dai: Complete Stage 7 - Battle of Chengdu.
Pang Tong: Complete Stage 7 - Battle of Chengdu.
Wei Yan: Complete Stage 6 - Battle of Chibi.
Xingcai: Complete Stage 10 - Battle of Yinling.
Xu Shu: Stage 6 - Battle of Chibi - Ensure the fire attack succeeds, then find him.
Yueying: Complete Stage 11 - Battle of Tianshui.
Zhang Bao: Complete Stage 9 - Battle of Fan Castle.
Zhang Fei: Starting Character.
Zhao Yun: Complete Stage 1 - Yellow Turban Rebellion.
Zhuge Liang: Complete Stage 4 - Battle of Xinye.

Wei

Cai Wenji: Complete Stage 11(What If path) - Invasion of Jianye.
Cao Cao: Starting Character.
Cao Pi: Complete Stage 6 - Battle of Wan Castle.
Cao Ren: Complete Stage 4 - Battle of Xu Province.
Dian Wei: Complete Stage 6 - Battle of Wan Castle.
Guo Jia: Complete Stage 6 - Battle of Wan Castle.
Jia Xu: Complete Stage 6 - Battle of Wan Castle.
Li Dian: Complete Stage 1 - Dong Zhuo's Assassination.
Pang De: Complete Stage 13(What If path) - Chase at Nanjun.
Wang Yi: Complete Stage 11 - Battle of Tong Gate.
Xiahou Dun: Starting Character.
Xiahou Yuan: Starting Character.
Xu Huang: Complete Stage 4 - Battle of Xu Province.
Xu Zhu: Complete Stage 3 - Battle of Yan Province.
Yue Jin: Complete Stage 1 - Dong Zhuo's Assassination.
Zhang He: Complete Stage 12 - Battle of He Fei.
Zhang Liao: Complete Stage 6A - Battle of Xia Pi.
Zhenji: Complete Stage 12(What If path) - Defense of Xu Chang.

Wu

Daqiao: Complete Stage 3 (Extra) - Battle against Yu Ji.
Ding Feng: Complete Stage 10 - Battle of Yiling.
Gan Ning: Complete Stage 6 - Battle of Jingzhou.
Han Dang: Starting Character.
Huang Gai: Complete Stage 1 - Assault of Liu Biao.
Lianshi: Complete Stage 8 - Battle of Ru Xu Kou.
Ling Tong: Complete Stage 6 - Battle of Jingzhou.
Lu Meng: Complete Stage 7 - Battle of He Fei.
Lu Su: Complete Stage 3 - Battle of Xu Chang.
Lu Xun: Complete Stage 8 - Battle of Ru Xu Kou.
Sun Ce: Starting Character.
Sun Jian: Complete Stage 1 (Extra) - Battle of Liang Province.
Sun Quan: Starting Character.
Sun Shangxiang: Starting Character.
Taishi Ci: Complete Stage 7 - Battle of He Fei.
Xiaoqiao: Complete Stage 9(What If path) (Extra) - Battle of Xinye.
Zhou Tai: Complete Stage 2 - Conquest of Wu.
Zhou Yu: Complete Stage 1 - Assault of Liu Biao.

Various

Diaochan: Complete Stage 1 and 2 for Wei, then complete her Story mode.
Dong Zhuo: Complete Stage 1 and 2 for Wei, then complete his Story mode.
Lu Bu: Complete Stage 6 (Extra) for Wei, then complete his Story mode.
Meng Huo: Complete all kingdoms What If stories, then complete his Story mode.
Yuan Shao: Complete Stage 7 for Wei and Stage 3 (Extra) for Shu, then complete his Story mode.
Zhang Jiao: Complete Stage 1 for Shu, then complete his Story mode.
Zhu Rong: Complete Stage 11(What If path) (Extra) for Shu, then complete her Story mode.
Zuo Ci: Complete Wu's What If path, then complete his Story mode.