Where Winds Meet: New Player Starting Guide

Where Winds Meet is a free-to-play open-world Wuxia action-adventure RPG set in 10th-century China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era. You'll play as a young swordsman (with full character customization), exploring over 20 regions, mastering martial arts, and forging your destiny amid political turmoil and ancient mysteries. The game supports solo play or optional multiplayer (co-op, guilds, duels), with fluid combat inspired by parry-timing and aerial mobility. It's available on PC (Steam, Epic, official launcher) and PS5, with global launch on November 14, 2025—pre-download now!

Character Creation

Spend time here—it's highly detailed with facial features, hairstyles, clothing, and even voice options (record your own for AI-voiced lines). Choose a versatile starting weapon like the sword or spear for balanced early combat. Don't over-specialize; you can respec later.

Essential Settings Before Playing

Disable Deflect Assist (Settings > Game tab): Learn parry timings manually for better mastery— the game teaches it anyway.
Adjust camera and controls for keyboard/mouse or controller (pros/cons covered in creator guides).
Select easier difficulty if new to Wuxia games—the tutorial eases you in.

Completing the Tutorial and First Steps

Finish the tutorial—it introduces core mechanics like movement, basic combat, and traversal (climbing, gliding, wall-running).
Immediately find the Wayfarer (fire icon on mini-map): They give area maps with landmarks, quests, and fast travel points. First one is in Verdant Wilds.
Escort Ruby via main story to General's Shrine—stay focused; it unlocks key mechanics without spoilers.
Post-tutorial (as shown in creator videos): Open Character > Develop tab:
- Enhance all gear (Spacebar/X button) using Zhou Coins (from quests/loot).
- Upgrade weapons/abilities in Abilities tab—prioritizes martial arts scaling.

The game has a built-in guide for missions (including hidden ones) and explains currencies/locations on hover—designed for accessibility, even without prior MMO experience.

Combat Basics

Combat emphasizes timing: light/heavy attacks, parries (deflect), dodges, and aerial combos. Dual-equip weapons for swaps mid-fight.

Weapons (carry 2): Sword (balanced), Spear (reach), Fan (ranged/heal), Unarmed (mobility). Upgrade paths unlock via use.
Don't get surrounded: Pull enemies one-by-one, use terrain.
Practice parries: Builds to counters and Mystic Arts chains.

Skill Type	Description	Beginner Tips
Martial Arts	Weapon-specific actives (4 per weapon). E.g., Sword: Sweep All (AoE), Shadow Step (dodge).	Equip 2 weapons; practice light/charged attacks to master. Start with Nameless Sword or Panacea Fan (heals).
Mystic Arts (up to 8)	Specials for combat/exploration (e.g., Glow of Fireflies for light, Cloud Steps for jumps, Flaming Meteor AoE).	Prioritize mobility (Threefold Skywalk, Fan Glider). Use for puzzles—solve to unlock advanced lightness skills.
Internal Arts	Passives (e.g., Bitter Seasons: poison on hit; Evening Snow: low-HP heal).	Match to weapons; stack for synergies like damage buffs on deflections.

Early Game Progression (First 5-10 Hours)

Prioritize Side Quests (blue notebook icons): Best XP, materials, and new arts. Do them ASAP in starting area before main story push.
Explore Verdant Wilds: Loot bodies/chests for coins/mats, unlock fast travel, find hidden gear. Interact with all NPCs—some quests time-sensitive.
Gear & Upgrades:
- Farm Zhou Coins early; game marks mat locations.
- Salvage weak loot; keep crit/mobility gear.
- Avoid wasting high mats on low-level gear—focus weapons/armor.
Traversal: Master gliding/wall-runs for secrets; Mystic Arts enhance (e.g., sword/spear/fan flight).
Mounts: Tame horses via mini-game (creator tutorials show steps).
Injuries: Heal costly early—progress healer story or ask players.