Where Winds Meet – 10 essential early-game tips

In a world as vast, vertical, and mystically lethal as Where Winds Meet, the early game is everything. It’s where you lay the foundation of your build, learn to move with elegance, survive unpredictable duels, and grow from a wandering martial artist to a fearsome combatant. These ten in-depth early-game tips are written to help players who just stepped into the land of ancient martial legends and are seeking direction, mastery, and progression — without missing key opportunities.

1. Don’t Just Pick a Weapon — Bond With One

Yes, all weapons look cool. The twin blades shimmer with grace, spears arc through enemies with power, fans offer ranged control, and swords provide that perfect martial arts feel. But early on, pick a weapon not based on stats or rarity — but based on flow.

Try out different weapon types, but as soon as one “clicks” — even if it’s just a starter version — stick with it for a while. Weapon mastery increases with use. You’ll start unlocking better Martial Arts, Inner Ways, and passive synergies when you use a weapon consistently. Even if you upgrade or change later, having strong fundamentals with one weapon lets you understand core combat better than jumping between styles every 30 minutes.

For example, twin blades require twitch reflexes and spacing discipline. A heavy spear demands knowledge of range and stamina control. They reward players who learn their nuances. Find what excites you and lean into it.

2. Your Stamina and Energy Bars Are Your Real HP Bars

In Where Winds Meet, stamina is your lifeline. No stamina means no dodging, no chasing, no blocking, and no style. Energy, meanwhile, fuels your Mystic Arts — powerful abilities that are often the difference between life and death.

In the early game, your bars are small. You’ll feel punished after just two or three heavy attacks. So, pace yourself. Instead of mashing attack strings, try:

• Dodging before attacking, to control spacing

• Saving 30–40% stamina for a retreat dash

• Mixing light and heavy attacks to manage depletion

Likewise, energy needs to be budgeted. Don’t spam Mystic Arts unless you’re sure a combo will kill or you can regenerate fast. Equip Inner Ways that improve stamina regen, reduce dodge cost, or increase max energy early — these scale better than raw attack boosts in the first 10 hours.

3. Use Mystic Arts Immediately — Don’t Hoard Them

You’ll start collecting Mystic Arts quickly — dashes, slashes, traps, shields, stealths, and more. Many players make the mistake of saving them for “the perfect build.” Don’t.

Mystic Arts should be in use as soon as you get them. Why?

• They drastically expand your combat options

• Using them early helps you practice chaining them into your weapon attacks

• You’ll naturally outgrow them later, but their early power is immense

Even a simple dash Mystic Art can let you cancel animations and reposition mid-combo. A ranged Qi-blast can soften an enemy before they close in. A root or stun can save you from getting overwhelmed. Don’t wait for the “perfect setup” — get familiar with what you have now.

4. Think Vertically — The World Is Multi-Layered

Where Winds Meet is not a flat terrain RPG. The environment is full of vertical exploration: pagoda rooftops, cliffside shrines, suspended bridges, floating islands, and tree-canopy platforms.

In your first few zones, look up. There are hidden mobility challenges, secret scrolls, quest givers perched high above, and panoramic views that can reward exploration with new Mystic Arts or items.

Early on, unlock and equip a movement-based Mystic Art like “Cloud Step” or a teleport/dash skill. These allow you to:

• Reach ledges you can’t normally jump to

• Dodge out of sticky vertical fights

• Shortcut across rooftops during escapes or hunts

• Find treasure caches that don’t show on maps

Mastering 3D movement is key to mastering this game’s unique geography.

5. Target and Clear Your First Bandit Strongholds

Bandit and enemy strongholds are sprinkled across the world like miniature dungeons. Many new players avoid them, assuming they’re “too strong” early on. But in truth, strongholds are some of the best early-game content because they:

• Teach you group enemy control

• Reward you with martial manuals, loot, and Inner Ways

• Let you test your build under light pressure

• Sometimes house secret storylines, side quests, or minibosses

Strongholds often start with outer patrols. Lure these guards into isolated fights. Then, breach the inner camp. Look for captains or elite enemies — they often drop superior loot. And once you clear a stronghold, it stays cleared. Great for farming or fast travel points.

6. Learn to Parry — It’s Worth the Practice

Dodging is easy. Parrying is not. But if you master it early, you’ll feel unstoppable.

Perfect parries allow you to:

• Interrupt enemy combos

• Stagger or disarm some enemy types

• Create windows for free counterattacks

• Reflect projectiles or block unblockable moves (depending on weapon)

Practice on weak mobs. Every weapon has a slightly different parry animation and timing. Once you lock in the rhythm, start using parries against elite NPCs or in PvP. You’ll win fights that seemed impossible before, just by denying the opponent’s offense.

Tip: If you’re using a fan or umbrella, their parry timing is tight but very rewarding. Heavy weapons have slower parries but longer active frames.

7. Talk to Everyone — Side Quests Are Not Filler

This is not a game where side quests are just fetch missions. In Where Winds Meet, NPCs often hide:

• Mystic Arts scrolls

• Martial Manuals

• Secret Inner Way unlocks

• Faction allegiances

• Clues to hidden zones or bosses

Some side quests are disguised as simple interactions: a crying child, a lone fisherman, a cursed statue. These often branch into multi-step stories that evolve alongside the main plot. Always explore small towns, temples, and outposts fully. Read notes. Listen to gossip. If a quest seems strange or too quiet — pursue it.

You can gain access to powerful builds far earlier than intended if you follow the right obscure NPCs.

8. Match Inner Ways to Your Weapon Playstyle

Don’t scatter your Inner Way investments across random buffs. Focus them around your chosen weapon and its strengths.

If you’re playing dual blades:

• Prioritize stamina regen

• Increase critical hit rate and burst damage

• Dodge cost reduction

If you’re on a spear or heavy blade:

• Focus on stagger resistance and stamina recovery

• Boost heavy attack and charged move bonuses

• Add knockback or stagger duration enhancements

Every Inner Way enhances your playstyle’s function, not just raw numbers. A well-built Inner Way setup lets you execute your weapon’s full potential without running out of resources or leaving you exposed.

9. Join a Martial School or Sect As Early As Possible

Don’t delay this. Martial sects offer exclusive access to:

• Rare Mystic Arts

• Passive bonuses

• Storyline benefits

• Weapon-specific techniques

Your choice of school will dramatically shape your combat identity. Some schools focus on swordplay and elegance. Others use assassination, elemental mysticism, or brute strength. You don’t have to join blindly — visit each school’s area, talk to the NPCs, and test a few of their techniques.

Most importantly, start progressing their storyline early. Some sects gate powerful gear or Inner Ways behind trust or reputation levels. Joining late means missing these early milestones.

10. Failure Is the Best Teacher — Lose Often, Learn Fast

Early on, you will die. You will lose duels. You’ll get ambushed, frozen, disarmed, and obliterated by enemies you thought were harmless.

Don’t resist it. Embrace it.

Every loss is a data point:

• Why did you run out of stamina?

• Which Mystic Art didn’t trigger in time?

• Did you overextend? Underestimate range? Mistime a parry?

Treat each death as a sparring match with a lesson. You’ll start to recognize animation tells, combo timing, and recovery windows. You’ll build true martial awareness.

The sooner you lose — and reflect — the faster you rise.