The military forces of the state of Wei originated in the personal army of Cao Cao.

Before the battle, horsemen were needed for scouting and could be used for raids on the enemy's supply convoys; after the battle, they were essential for an effective pursuit. The main attraction of cavalry, however, was their capability for shock tactics, which was heightened by the volatility of the infantry. Their superior mobility enables them to maneuver to attack the flank or rear or to quickly exploit any openings that might appear in the enemy line. Their height advantage made it easy for them to intimidate the opposing infantry, to throw them into panic-stricken flight with a sudden charge, or bull their way into and through the dense throngs of foot soldiers.

In combat, the horseback commander and his personal retainers acted as a spearhead for a drive through the ill-disciplined enemy array, akin to the methods used in northern Europe during the dark ages. Once battle had been joined, they tended to perform in a motivational rather than coordinating role by exposing themselves unto danger in the front ranks

Although crossbows had been in use for hundreds of years before this time, the designs and models during this era are unknown. The crossbow used during this period was more likely used in the large group of marksmen deployed to fire waves of bolts (crossbow ammunition) onto enemies from afar. The crossbow itself had a superior range than normal bows. Thus it became more commonly used for an artillery purpose than for sniping. Crossbows had been in use in China since the Zhou dynasty over 700 years earlier (approx. 500 BCE).

In the later years, the great strategist and inventor huge Liange devised a more complicated platform. Multiple bolts firing crossbow and a semi-automatic crossbow (which some sources call Chu-ko-nu, literally 'Zhuge Crossbow') were created to be used as an anti-personnel weapon.

Wu

Military market

Chen Shou particularly mentioned the existence of a military market which set up by general Pan Zhang where every time after a battle, he would set up a market for the distribution of military equipment. Other units would replenish their stocks by taking from his troops market. It is also noted that the market was not limited to the military as civilians also had access to it. Although it was not so influential in that era and practised widely outside of Pan Zhang's unit due to the comparative shortlivedness of Eastern Wu and particularly seemingly no one inherited Pan Zhang's idea, it is worth noting that centuries later an Indian emperor from 15th century Alauddin Khalji was applying a similar system to a greater extent and effect.