Dynasty Warriors 9 - Sun Shangxiang - Level 1 to 100 - Ultimate Difficulty

Equipment
Radiant Circlet EX (ATK 240 / DEF 384)
Gems (Fire / Lightning)
Attack Speed +4
Attack +46% with elemental
Defense +31% with elemental
Musou +12/sec. with elemental
Attack Speed +16% with elemental
Trigger Attack +29%
Flow Attack +71%
Special Attack Damage +63%
Musou Attack Damage +47%
Assault Damage +50%
Counter Damage +18%
Elemental Attack Damage +6 during an Assault
Elemental Attack Damage +1 during a Counter
Elemental Attack Damage +3 during a Guard Break

Accessories
Heaven & Earth Gauntlets (w/ Allows you to jump at any time while attacking)
Warrior's Plate (w/ Speed +13)
Warrior's Plate (w/ Speed +19)
Pike of Judgement (w/ Restores +2 Health every 1 sec)

Between throwing her chakrams at the enemy, and her bow in her Special Attack and Air Musou, Sun Shangxiang has range for days. Unfortunately throwing her chakrams does not work like Xiaoqiao's fans, they immediately return to her if you jump cancel. Her Knock-Down Trigger is really useful, the extended range is excellent and spamming it is really good against animals or just poking at a crowd to go in safely. Her Stun Trigger has her chakrams spin around her which makes the attack really safe to use when surrounded. Ground Musou looks like it would be more for single target damage but it clears crowds fairly well, I would have used it more if it wasn't for her Air Musou being so good.

PS - Sun Shangxiang with long hair is super cute and Koei should do it more :)

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I pick Gem elements based on the character's Musou and Special attacks.

Why not Musou difficulty? Because it's just a grind fest, not actually difficult. You also get the same experience rewards as Ultimate.