Cao Cao II: Emperor in All But Name – “Do Not Pursue Lü Bu” Unlock Bug

Age of Empires II: DE II - Report a Bug
1

:play_button: GAME INFORMATION

Build: 101.103.13286.0 (#144358 18358599)
Platform: Steam
OS: Windows 11

:play_button: ISSUE SUMMARY

The achievement “Do Not Pursue Lü Bu” incorrectly unlocked despite Lü Bu being defeated after the 20-minute requirement.

Achievement Description:
“Defeat Lü Bu before 20 minutes have elapsed in Cao Cao 2”

:play_button: STEPS TO REPRODUCE

  1. Start the scenario “Cao Cao 2” on Legendary difficulty.
  2. At approximately 00:15:00, the optional objective “Defeat Tao Qian before Liu Bei reinforces Tao Qian” triggers, starting a 20-minute timer.
  3. At exactly 00:20:00, a new objective appears: “Capture 3 of Lü Bu’s Banners” (expected failure point for achievement).
  4. Around 00:25:00, Tao Qian is defeated (still within the timer).
  5. Around 00:30:00, Lü Bu is defeated by capturing his 3 banners (after the 20-minute mark).
  6. Finish the scenario around 00:40:00.

:play_button: EXPECTED RESULT

The “Do Not Pursue Lü Bu” achievement should NOT unlock, as Lü Bu was defeated after the 20-minute mark.

:play_button: OBSERVED RESULT

Achievement unlocked at the end of the scenario despite not meeting the time requirement.

:play_button: FREQUENCY

Occurred once. Cannot reliably reproduce without creating a new account or modifying Steam data.

:play_button: ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY REPORT

“I got this achievement without trying and didn’t defeat him, but recruited him by capturing his flags. I also didn’t do it until after I got the timer for Liu Bei/Tao Qian, and took out Tao Qian. So it took much longer than 20 minutes. So that’s maybe possible for everyone if it wasn’t just a bug.”
— TheWyandotte, TrueAchievements (12 May 2025)

:play_button: ATTACHMENTS

:play_button: POSSIBLE CAUSES OR NOTES

  • Achievement description may incorrectly reference Lü Bu instead of Tao Qian.
  • Timer might refer to real-time instead of in-game time (20 min real-time ≈ 34 min in-game).
  • Implementation may be incorrect, allowing the achievement to trigger under unintended conditions.
1 Like
2

I can for sure say that this is NOT the case. In my first playthrough, I purposedly wanted Liu Bei to reinforce Tao Qian so that I could defeat him, and to capture Lu Bu in order to get a hero and the trample damage bonus (sick). I did both of that - captured Lu Bu after 20 minutes and defeat Tao Qian as the last (final) enemy, after Liu Bei had reinforced him. And I still unlocked the achievement.

Instead, I’d offer a replacement possible cause/note: Incorrect description.

In reality, Cao Cao executed Lu Bu in 199 (when the scenario takes place), and sparing him in here, as well as in Liu Bei 2, is a “fictional” choice. So I think that the achievement wanted you not to execute Lu Bu - i.e. either defeat him before you get the choice, or to spare him and capture him - hence the name “Do not pursue Lu Bu”.

As a side note, Liu Bei’s reinforcements are just a few units and no heroes - kinda disappointing reinforcements to be fair, but you can defeat him, whereas Liu Bei stays undefeated if you blitz Tao Qian

1 Like