Mastering the right Martial Art is crucial for conquering the world of Where Winds Meet. With twelve unique weapons to choose from, it can be challenging to know which ones will carry you through the story and into the endgame. This tier list ranks all weapons based on their overall strength, versatility, and role in both progression and high-level content.
Tier List Explanation
S-Tier: The absolute best weapons. Dominant in endgame PvE, offering top-tier damage, unique utility, or unparalleled support.
A-Tier: Strong and versatile choices. Excellent for story progression and reliable in most situations, though they may be outshone by S-Tier in specific scenarios.
B-Tier: Niche or skill-dependent options. These weapons can be effective but often excel in only one area while having noticeable weaknesses.
S-Tier: The Endgame Dominators
These Martial Arts represent the pinnacle of power, providing the tools needed to tackle the game’s toughest challenges.
1. Strategic Sword
Reason for Ranking: Unmatched mobility and the best single-target DPS in the game. Its power is further amplified when paired with the Heavenquaker Spear to trigger the Bleed effect.
Pros: Easy to learn, high mobility, exceptional boss DPS.
Cons: Low survivability, minimal support capabilities.
2. Heavenquaker Spear
Reason for Ranking: Incredibly flexible, powerful in both AoE and single-target situations, and has fantastic synergy with the Strategic Sword for triggering Bleed.
Pros: Easy to learn, high boss DPS, strong AoE.
Cons: Low survivability, minimal support.
3. Infernal Twinblades
Reason for Ranking: While difficult to master, a skilled player can unlock a transformative playstyle with massive AoE and devastating damage output.
Pros: High mobility, high boss DPS, powerful AoE.
Cons: The most difficult weapon to master, limited support.
4. Stormbreaker Spear
Reason for Ranking: An endgame powerhouse defined by its massive taunt and exceptional crowd control, making it ideal for managing groups of tough enemies.
Pros: Good survivability, strong crowd control, easy to learn, high AoE.
Cons: Low boss DPS, limited mobility.
5. Panacea Fan
Reason for Ranking: The undisputed best support weapon, focused entirely on powerful healing and the unique ability to revive fallen teammates.
Pros: Massive healing, strong support, easy to learn, greatly improves team survivability.
Cons: Very low personal damage, low mobility.
A-Tier: The Strong & Versatile
These weapons are excellent, reliable choices that will serve you well through the entire story and beyond.
1. Thundercry Blade
Reason for Ranking: Arguably the best weapon for story progression, offering strong crowd control, a reliable shield, and high AoE damage.
Pros: Easy to learn, increased survivability, good crowd control, good AoE.
Cons: Low mobility, low boss DPS.
2. Vernal Umbrella
Reason for Ranking: A consistently strong performer from early to late game, providing stable DPS and solid mobility.
Pros: Easy to learn, increased survivability, good crowd control, good AoE, high mobility, decent boss DPS.
Cons: Survivability is still limited compared to dedicated tanks.
3. Nameless Spear
Reason for Ranking: Excels at AoE and crowd control, with the added utility of restoring endurance.
Pros: Easy to learn, good crowd control, high AoE, high utility.
Cons: Low boss DPS, low survivability.
4. Soulshade Umbrella
Reason for Ranking: A solid support weapon that provides valuable damage buffs and decent healing.
Pros: Easy to learn, decent healing, good support, improves team survivability.
Cons: Low mobility.
B-Tier: The Niche Choices
These weapons can be effective but are often less flexible or require high player skill to compete with higher-tier options.
1. Nameless Sword
Reason for Ranking: Focuses on generating Qi Shields and has good mobility, but its single-target DPS is only “decent” and its area damage is poor.
Pros: Good boss DPS, high mobility, increased survivability, easy to learn.
Cons: Very weak AoE.
2. Inkwell Fan
Reason for Ranking: The most new-player-friendly weapon, strong in crowd control and AoE, but falls off in boss fights.
Pros: Easy to learn, high mobility, strong AoE, good crowd control.
Cons: Low boss DPS, limited survivability.
3. Mortal Rope
Reason for Ranking: Extremely difficult to master, but can deliver high boss DPS in the hands of an expert player.
Pros: Good crowd control, high boss DPS, high mobility.
Cons: Difficult to master, minimal AoE, low survivability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is this tier list based on PvP or PvE?
A: This list is primarily focused on PvE performance, including story progression and endgame content.
Q: Can I use a B-Tier weapon effectively?
A: Absolutely. A tier list is a guide, not a rule. A highly skilled player can make any weapon work, but a higher-tier weapon will generally require less effort for greater results.
Q: What is the best weapon for a beginner?
A: The Thundercry Blade or Inkwell Fan are excellent starting points due to their ease of use and strong crowd control.
Q: What is the best weapon for solo play?
A: The Strategic Sword or Heavenquaker Spear offer a great balance of damage and mobility for solo players who rely on their own skill to survive.
Conclusion
Choosing your Martial Art in Where Winds Meet is a key decision that shapes your gameplay experience. For dominating the endgame, the S-Tier options like the Strategic Sword and Heavenquaker Spear are unmatched. For a smooth and powerful journey through the story, the versatile A-Tier weapons like the Thundercry Blade are fantastic choices. Even the B-Tier weapons have their place for players who enjoy a specific challenge or niche playstyle. Use this guide as a reference, but don’t be afraid to experiment and find the weapon that best fits your own approach to combat.