Elder Gongsun is one of the first major skill checks in Where Winds Meet. Found near the General Shrine fast travel point in Qinghe, this duel is renowned for its difficulty in the early game. However, with the right strategy and loadout, he can be defeated even without weapon upgrades. This guide will break down his attack patterns, provide precise counters, and outline a winning strategy.
Elder Gongsun Location & Overview
You can find Elder Gongsun loitering near the General Shrine fast travel point in the Qinghe region. He is a stationary duel, meaning the fight only begins once you initiate the attack. He is designed to be a challenging early-game obstacle, but mastering his patterns is a rewarding experience that teaches core combat mechanics.
Recommended Loadout
You do not need a heavily upgraded weapon to win. The key is using the right skills for mobility and disruption.
Weapon: Nameless Sword (Your starting weapon is sufficient).
Critical Skills:
Shadow Step: Essential for quick, closing strikes and interrupting his key actions.
Daunting Strike: A powerful gap-closer that allows you to press the attack and stay on target.
Elder Gongsun Moveset & How to Counter
The fight begins after you land the first hit. Elder Gongsun will respond with one of two opening moves, which dictate his initial combo.
Opening Move 1: The Kick Combo
Attack: He starts with a kick, leading into a long, relentless melee combo.
Characteristics: All attacks in this sequence are ground-based.
How to Counter: Do not try to trade hits. Your best options are:
Parry: Perfect parries will create openings for a counter-attack.
Triple Jump: This is the safest and most consistent way to avoid the entire combo. Simply jump repeatedly until the sequence ends.
Opening Move 2: The Palm Shove & Combo
This is your primary damage-dealing opportunity.
Initiation: He shoves you back with his palms and retreats, assuming a lotus position.
Combo Sequence:
Four Palm Strikes: A series of delayed energy projectiles.
Airborne Axe Kick: A jumping kick attack.
Red Glint Palm Strike: A powerful, telegraphed palm strike with a red glow.
How to Counter: This is your main window to attack.
Dodge or block the initial palm strikes and the axe kick.
Focus on the Red Glint Palm Strike. This move has the most forgiving parry timing. A successful parry will stagger him, allowing you to land several free hits with your basic attacks or a Daunting Strike.
Phase 2 & Advanced Attacks
After the opening combo, Elder Gongsun will mix in these more complex moves.
Qi Recovery:
What he does: Elder Gongsun stands still and begins to recover his Qi (visible energy glow).
How to Counter: Interrupt this immediately! Use Shadow Step or Daunting Strike to hit him quickly and stop the recovery.
Pole Vault:
What he does: He jumps between four pillars. The direction of his final jump is telegraphed before he lands with a powerful kick.
How to Counter: Watch for the telegraph and dodge sideways or use Triple Jump to avoid the impact zone.
Frog Jump:
What he does: He transforms into a golden frog and performs three large Area-of-Effect (AoE) jumps.
How to Counter: Keep your distance and time your dodges to avoid the AoE circles. Do not try to attack during this move.
Frog Cloud:
What he does: He enters a golden frog pose, summoning a dark cloud that inflicts blindness if you stand in it. This is followed by a quick forward lunge.
How to Counter: First, dodge away from the dark cloud. Then, immediately dodge or jump to avoid his follow-up lunge.
Winning Strategy Summary
Initiate the Fight: Attack first to start the duel.
Identify the Opener: React based on his first move.
Kick Combo: Use Triple Jump to avoid damage entirely.
Palm Shove: Wait patiently for the Red Glint Palm Strike and parry it for a big damage opportunity.
Be Aggressive with Key Skills:
Use Shadow Step for quick punishes and to interrupt his Qi Recovery.
Use Daunting Strike to close distance and maintain pressure.
Handle Phase 2 Safely: For Pole Vault, Frog Jump, and Frog Cloud, prioritize evasion over aggression. Wait for the safe parry windows or his Qi Recovery to deal damage.
Rewards for Victory
Defeating Elder Gongsun is highly rewarding:
Top Fighter Achievement: Unlocked immediately upon victory.
Combat Assist: Elder Gongsun becomes available as a summonable ally.
Echo Jades: Claim five Echo Jades from the Qinghe Area section in your Achievements menu.
FAQ
Q: Where is Elder Gongsun located?
A: He is found near the General Shrine fast travel point in the Qinghe region.
Q: Do I need to upgrade my sword to beat him?
A: No, it is not necessary. A proper strategy and the recommended skills (Shadow Step, Daunting Strike) are more important.
Q: What is the easiest move to punish?
A: The Red Glint Palm Strike in his palm shove combo has a very clear and easy-to-parry timing, leading to a significant damage window.
Q: How do I stop him from healing?
A: When he glows and starts his Qi Recovery, hit him with a fast ability like Shadow Step to interrupt it immediately.
Q: What are the rewards for beating him?
A: You get an Achievement, him as a Combat Assist, and five Echo Jades from the Achievements menu.
Conclusion
Elder Gongsun is a duel that tests your patience, observation, and understanding of the game’s mechanics. By using a mobile loadout, avoiding his dangerous kick combo, and capitalizing on the parry opportunities in his palm sequence, you can overcome this early-game challenge. Your victory will not only grant you valuable rewards but also the fundamental skills needed for the tougher battles that lie ahead in Where Winds Meet.