Your First 5 Hours in Where Winds Meet (And How Not to Screw It Up)
Stop running in circles. This is the stuff you actually need to know on day one.
Okay, let's get this out of the way. Where Winds Meet is a lot. It's a sprawling, gorgeous, and deeply confusing game that throws a thousand systems at you before you've even figured out how to draw your sword.
It's easy to get lost, and it's even easier to make dumb choices that'll cost you a ton of time later on. I've already made them, so you don't have to.
This is your must-read guide to surviving the tutorial and setting yourself up for success.
Don't Be a Hero (Yet)
First, the setup screens. When the game asks for "Guidance for exploration," just pick "Detailed." You can turn it off later when you're a big shot, but for now, you want the help. You want to see the chests and points of interest.
Set your "Control mode" to "ARPG." Trust me. The "MMORPG" camera control, where you have to hold a key to rotate, is a nightmare in a fast-paced fight.
For difficulty, just pick "Recommended." And for "Social Preference," choose "Shared Journey." This is a social game; most of the systems pretty much require it. You can always toggle it off later if you want to be antisocial.
Your First Big Choice (Is a Trap)
When you pick your first weapon, you're going to be tempted by the fast Dual Blades or the helpful-looking Healing Fan.
Do not pick them.
This is a classic rookie trap. Both of those weapons unlock naturally within the first 2-3 hours of just playing the main story. You'll get them for free, and fast.
You want to pick the Umbrella or the Spear. Why? Because if you don't pick them at the start, it can take over 15 goddamn hours to unlock them later.
Save yourself the massive headache. Pick the Umbrella. It's weird, it's stylish as hell, and it's not a complete waste of your most important starting choice.
Stop Mashing Buttons
I know, the combat looks like you can just button-mash your way through low-level grunts. You can't. You will get your ass handed to you by the first real boss.
The system is all about parries and dodges, and the game screams the answers at you. You just have to listen.
If an enemy's attack glows red, you can parry it. Do it. Time it for the "glint" (the brightest flash) and you'll wreck their Qi bar, which is their stagger meter.
If the attack glows yellow, you cannot parry it. Get the hell out of the way. Dodge. That's it. Red means parry, yellow means dodge.
Once their Qi bar is gone, they'll be "Exhausted." Don't hit the "Execute" button right away. You get a few seconds of them just standing there. Beat on them for a bit, then hit the finisher before the window closes.
The Butterfly Effect (And Crickets)
This is the one thing you absolutely cannot ignore. As you're exploring, you'll see butterflies, crickets, and glowing purple flowers. They look like trash collectibles.
They are not. This is the "Curiosity System," and it's how you get permanent, account-wide stat upgrades.
Chasing that butterfly isn't a waste of time; it's a permanent boost to your attack power. Catching that cricket is a defense bonus. Grabbing that flower is more health.
Players who ignore these will be pathetically weak in the long run compared to those who take 10 seconds to grab them. Just do it.
How to See the Map
The map is fogged over, and it's annoying as hell. To unlock a region's map, you don't climb a tower. You find the campfire icon and talk to the "Wayfarer" there. It's that simple.
While you're running, unlock every "Boundary Stone" (fast travel point) you see.
And one last thing. Some quests are time-gated and will ask you to "wait until night" or whatever. Don't be a moron and stand around. You can literally open your menu and change the in-game clock.