Qianye the Witch is the first major skill check in Where Winds Meet. Appearing in the sub-quest “For Whom Does He Return” during Chapter 1, “Heaven Has No Pier,” she is a formidable three-phase boss fight that challenges your mastery of combat mechanics. This guide will break down her moveset in each phase and provide crucial strategies to secure your victory.
Boss Overview & Preparation
Qianye is a fast, aggressive boss with a wide range of sweeping and aerial attacks. Proper preparation is key to surviving this lengthy encounter.
Recommended Build & Level
Level: It is strongly advised to face Qianye at Level 28 or higher. Being under-leveled will make the fight significantly more difficult.
Weapon: The Panacea Fan is an excellent choice for its balance of offense and defense. Strong alternatives include the Nameless Sword, Strategic Sword, or the Umbrella.
Mystic Arts: Prioritize mobility. Threefold Skywalk is invaluable for vaulting over her ground-based slashes, while Leaping Toad provides a quick, evasive dash.
Gear: Ensure your primary weapon and armor are upgraded as much as possible before initiating the fight.
Phase 1 Breakdown: Learning the Patterns
The first phase introduces Qianye’s basic moveset. Use this phase to learn her timing. You are aided by the NPC Yi Dao, who can draw her aggro and create openings.
Key Moves & How to Counter Them
Upwards Slash & Multi-Slash Combo: A straightforward melee combo. The best response is to Parry the first hit to stagger her and interrupt the follow-ups.
Crescent Slash: Qianye dissolves into a red mist and reappears with a wide, sweeping slash. Watch for the red mist telegraph and dodge to the side or use Threefold Skywalk to jump over it.
Air Slashes: While hovering, she launches projectile slashes. These can be parried or simply dodged by moving sideways.
Scythe Toss: She throws her weapon in a boomerang-like arc. This is often followed by her dashing to the center of the arena for a powerful slam. Create distance when you see this move begin.
Brutal Slashes: After a brief energy charge-up, she unleashes a flurry of attacks. Do not try to trade hits. Back away completely and wait for the combo to finish.
Phase 2 Breakdown: Increased Aggression
Upon reaching ~70% health, Phase 2 begins. She becomes more aggressive, and her attacks gain new, dangerous properties.
Key Moves & How to Counter Them
Dash and Slash: She will perform this move repeatedly in quick succession. Focus on timing your dodges or parries instead of trying to attack in between.
Hovering Slash (Unblockable): She flies up and charges a downward slash. A red aura indicates this is an Unblockable attack. You must dodge through or away from it.
Hovering Slash (Unparryable): A different variation of her aerial attack, often indicated by a different visual cue (like a white glow). This attack cannot be parried and must be avoided by dodging.
When her health drops to 50% in this phase, she will jump away and create a large fiery explosion, signaling the start of the final phase.
Phase 3 Breakdown: The Ultimate Test of Parry
The final phase tests everything you’ve learned. She uses all previous moves more frequently and with greater speed.
Heightened Mix-ups: She will chain her Phase 1 and Phase 2 moves together unpredictably.
The Key to Victory: Parry: This phase is designed to punish panic dodging and reward precise defense. Your primary goal is to Parry her standard attacks to create significant openings for counterattacks.
Patience is Paramount: Do not get greedy. Land a few hits after a successful parry or when she finishes a long combo, then reset and prepare to defend again. Use your Panacea Fan or other tools to heal if you make a mistake.
Essential Combat Tips & Strategy
Master the Parry: This is the single most important mechanic for this fight. A successful parry breaks her posture and allows for a powerful riposte.
Use Your NPC Ally: In Phase 1, let Yi Dao draw aggro. Use these moments to safely attack her from behind or use items.
Vault Over Attacks: Her horizontal slashes, like the Crescent Slash, can be consistently avoided by vaulting over them with Threefold Skywalk. This is often safer than trying to dodge.
Manage Your Distance: Staying at mid-range can bait out her Scythe Toss or slower attacks, which are easier to punish than her close-range flurries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What quest do I fight Qianye the Witch in?
A: You encounter her in the sub-quest “For Whom Does He Return,” which is part of Chapter 1, “Heaven Has No Pier.”
Q: What is the best way to avoid her unblockable attacks?
A: Unblockable attacks, indicated by a red aura, must be avoided by dodging. The i-frames (invincibility frames) from your dodge will allow you to pass through the attack safely if timed correctly.
Q: Can I stun-lock Qianye?
A: No. She has high poise and will often hyper-armor through attacks to continue her combos. Do not spam attacks; fight deliberately.
Q: My attacks do very little damage. What should I do?
A: Ensure you are at least Level 28 and have upgraded your weapon. If your damage is still low, focus on parrying, as the counterattack following a parry deals significant posture and health damage.
Conclusion
Beating Qianye the Witch is a demanding but achievable challenge. Success hinges on your ability to learn her attack patterns, differentiate between her blockable and unblockable moves, and master the parry mechanic. Come prepared with the right level, gear, and Mystic Arts, approach each phase with patience, and you will overcome this formidable foe, paving the way for the rest of your journey in Where Winds Meet.