The ultimate guide to mastering chess and progressing in Where Winds Meet

If you've ventured into exploring the world of Where Winds Meet and want Always win at chess (Xiangqi) and master all its systemsThis guide is for you. The game is huge, full of mechanics, minigames, and deep progression, and it's easy to get lost among so many icons and menus if no one explains it to you calmly.

Throughout this article you will find a Definitive guide in Peninsular Spanish, clear and directThis guide integrates combat tips, progression strategies, exploration techniques, minigames (with a special focus on chess), resource management, and advanced tricks. The goal is for you to enjoy the game solo, without spending real money, and understand how to get the most out of it from the very beginning. Let's dive in! The ultimate guide to always winning at Where Winds Meet chess.

General context of Where Winds Meet and how to deal with it

Where Winds Meet is a Open-world RPG set in 10th-century China with a wuxia aestheticPacked with martial arts, impossible aerial maneuvers, and a blend of story, action, and exploration, this game includes multiplayer and online features, but it can also be enjoyed perfectly well solo, without requiring payment to progress.

Being a free-to-play title, many players are suspicious of the typical paywalls and progress blocks linked to micropaymentsThe good news here is that, if you manage your time and resources well, you can progress comfortably without spending any money, completing the story, challenges, and minigames without feeling at a disadvantage compared to those who spend real money.

The beginning can be overwhelming because the game throws a A huge number of systems: weapons, talents, curiosities, equipment upgrades, regional missions And much more. The important thing is knowing what to prioritize from the beginning and how to organize your progress so you don't waste hours or resources on irrelevant things.

Furthermore, the world is teeming with side activities, from one-on-one duels to mental and skill-based minigames, including the renowned Chinese chess (Xiangqi). All of this is combined with a campaign divided by regions, main missions, side missions and secret content which you will have to unlock using a certain strategy.

Free reward codes and how to take advantage of them

As with almost any modern free-to-play title, Where Winds Meet has promotional codes that you can redeem for free rewardsThese codes usually give in-game currency, sometimes premium currency, cosmetics, upgrade materials, and even useful items for your character.

Code rotation is constant and many have expiration date or a limited number of usesSo it's a good idea to keep an eye on official sources and active communities. When a code stops working, the game will usually just tell you it's invalid, so don't panic if one fails.

The best way to take advantage of them is to use the rewards to Strengthen what will give you permanent improvementsMartial arts, equipment upgrades, curiosities, or regional progression. Spending premium currency solely on cosmetic items can be tempting, but if you're short on cash, always prioritize what increases your actual power.

The Dark Wave: Hidden Missions and Progress Walls

Within the game's missions, there is one particularly troublesome category: the so-called Dark Wave, a series of secret, hard-to-trace assignments using only the Journal. They don't appear as clearly as the rest and require thorough research of each region.

These Dark Surge missions are linked to the end of the campaign in each areaIf you want to see the full outcome of a region, sooner or later you will have to find its hidden challenges, as they serve as a condition to close story arcs and unlock juicy rewards.

In Qinghe's case, the Dark Wave can be completed by following the map clues, talking to NPCs, and exploring at a leisurely pace. However, The Dark Wave of Kaifeng is not yet complete in certain versionsThis means that there is content that will be unlocked later as the game is updated.

If you're stuck on these objectives, the most effective thing to do is check which regions you've completed 100%, review the pending icons, and above all, pay attention to NPCs that seem “irrelevant”because many of them trigger Dark Surge quest chains when you choose the appropriate dialogue option.

Exploration: map, oddities, and movement tricks

The map of Where Winds Meet is gigantic and full of points of interest, minigames, secret chests, caves, and special NPCsIt's very easy to get scattered and end up wandering aimlessly, so it's important to understand the exploration tools well.

The first thing is to get used to using the Interactive map and mission logThe game itself allows you to set objectives and routes, as well as showing which areas still have pending activities. If you see empty areas, it often means you haven't found any rarities or hidden objectives in that region.

One of the key exploration systems are the so-called Oddities or RaritiesSpecial small objects scattered throughout the world. They are usually hidden in strange corners, elevated areas, or secondary caves, and by completing them all in a region, you unlock very enticing rewards that directly influence your power and exploration.

To find out where you're missing rarities, check the regional progress menu. If you see that an area is at 80-90% but you can't find what you're missing, think about Less obvious points: roofs, ledges, closed buildings, or chests guarded by snakesMany of these chests require keys or mechanics like lockpicking, so always keep your interaction skills in mind.

It is also vital to master the fast travel and unlocking new map areasAs you activate teleportation points and complete activities, you'll be able to move more nimbly, greatly reducing downtime between missions and minigames, allowing you to focus on what truly interests you.

Character development: weapons, skills, and upgrades

The character is the core of the game: your power in combat, your ability to overcome challenges, and even your effectiveness in minigames all rely on a very dense and layered progression systemIt's not realistic to try to cover every micro-detail, but there are pillars that you must be very clear about.

First of all there are the martial arts and active skillsEach time you level up, you gain resources that you can invest in improving your techniques. Don't put it off: each upgrade directly increases damage, effectiveness, and, in some cases, mobility. Get into the habit of accessing the martial arts menu whenever you see a notification for an available upgrade.

Then there are the weapon and armor upgradesYou can upgrade their level, fine-tune them, and recycle old equipment en masse to turn it into materials. This prevents your inventory from being cluttered with junk and allows you to focus all your resources on the parts you really want, without relying so much on the luck of drops.

Don't forget the systems of Healing and support: Carry more medicine, cure diseases, and master special tools like the Panacea Fan. These mechanics come into play in certain high-level content and medical minigames, so it's a good idea to have them in order to avoid getting stuck in a long battle due to a simple status ailment.

Finally, as you progress you will unlock options to Increase the maximum level of your character and your equipmentIn addition to advanced systems like Arsenal Enhancement, which allows you to obtain permanent bonuses by sacrificing high-level vintage equipment in special slots.

Initial weapon selection and combat progression

The weapon you choose to start with has a huge impact on your first 15-20 hours, because it defines your playstyle, your learning curve, and the type of resources you'll use. Among all the possibilities, The umbrella is considered the most recommended option for beginners.

The umbrella stands out for its versatility, defensive capability, and ranged utilityIt also features a floating turret mode that lets you keep dealing damage while switching to another weapon for melee attacks. The worst part is that if you don't choose it at the beginning, it will take quite a while to unlock it naturally.

Another highly recommended weapon is the lanzawhich offers a good balance between range, damage, and crowd control. Therefore, if you want to optimize your progress, the ideal combination for the first few hours is usually to choose umbrella or spear as a starting weaponleaving other, easier-to-obtain options for later.

As you unlock more weapons, the game rewards you for actively switching between them during combat. A very effective rotation consists of: Activate the umbrella in turret mode, switch to lance or sword to punish in melee.Apply control skills to groups of enemies and finish them off from a distance with your own umbrella.

At the same time, you should keep practicing. parries and dodges with good timingIf you get used to reacting to enemy patterns from the start, instead of just mashing buttons, you'll be much better prepared for high-level challenges and the game's optional PvP.

Curiosities System: Butterflies, Crickets, and Flowers

One of the systems that most players overlook is the one for... Curiosities or curiosities, small special objects that you find as you explore: butterflies, crickets, purple flowers and other peculiar items that, at first glance, seem like simple collectibles.

When you take these curiosities to a specialist seller, you get permanent improvements for your characterwhich accumulate and end up making huge differences between players who, on paper, have the same level.

In general terms, the Purple flowers often bring improvements in life and resistance., Crickets tend to increase attack and defense., And the Butterflies can unlock special abilities and powers in your martial artsThe exact details may vary, but the logic is always the same: they are worth much more than they seem.

The golden rule is simple: Never ignore an interesting detail you see on the mapEven if you're in a hurry to finish a mission, making a small detour to collect them will give you a considerable boost in the medium and long term, especially in demanding content such as the Dark Wave or certain optional bosses.

Key Progression Systems and Breakthrough Challenges

Within character progression, there are several systems that are worth understanding early on to avoid wasting resources. The first are the Martial Arts UpgradesThese directly impact the damage you inflict. Whenever you level up and see an opportunity to improve your techniques, do so as soon as possible using Jade Coins obtained from quests and exploration.

Upon reaching approximately level 50, you will unlock the system of Arsenal EnhancementHere you can deposit old equipment into special slots; the better the equipment sacrificed, the greater the permanent bonuses your account will receive.

The priority in this system is clear: Fill the slots with high-level pieces as soon as possibleEven if you no longer use them directly, those bonuses remain even if you upgrade to better equipment. It's a way to turn your old relics into real power instead of letting them gather dust.

From level 15 onwards, every five levels the so-called Breakthrough ChallengesThey function as progression "walls": until you overcome them, you won't be able to level up further. In return, they grant improved equipment, new weapons, coins, and skill points.

The vital warning here is not to rush into anything: Do not attempt a Breakthrough without having recently updated your martial arts and equipmentIf you enter these challenges with outdated equipment, you're very likely to get frustrated and waste time unnecessarily, when with a couple of prior upgrades the combat would be much more manageable.

Regional currency and reward management

In Where Winds Meet you use several currencies, but the fundamental one is the Jade Coinwhich acts as the primary resource for martial arts upgrades, equipment adjustments, and certain advanced features. If you waste it, you'll be forced to farm more than you should.

The recommended order of spending Jade Coin is: First invest in martial arts, then in the Arsenal (starting at level 50) And finally, fine-tuning your gear. Cosmetics or temporary buffs can wait, unless you've already completed your main progression.

Also crucial are regional progress rewardsEach area of ​​the map has a completion percentage, and upon reaching certain milestones, you unlock exploration skills, talent points, special materials, and many advantages that make both combat and movement easier.

Therefore, a very solid strategy is to try Complete each region to 100% before moving on to the next.It may seem slower at first, but in the long run it puts you in a position of enormous strength, with accumulated permanent improvements that make later content much more accessible.

Minigames in Where Winds Meet: variety, rewards and tricks

One of the game's biggest draws, beyond the main missions, are its minigames, ranging from target practice to mental and musical challengesBesides breaking up the combat routine, they often grant useful rewards such as exploration points, Echo Jade, rare materials, and unique items.

The first one that usually catches your attention is the Archery CompetitionHere you must shoot at moving targets within a time limit, honing your aim and reflexes. The more hits you get, the better your score and, consequently, the better the associated rewards.

Another very striking one is the musical rhythm minigamewhere icons appear descending on lanes, and you have to press the correct button just as they align with the bottom circle. Precise timing will make the difference between simply completing the lane and achieving a high score that unlocks more rewards.

There are also more strategic and mental minigames, such as Madiao (bluffing game), Riddles or Art of Speech, which require reading situations well, interpreting textual clues or playing with bluffing and counterargument mechanics to break the opponent's mind.

The Definitive Guide to Chess (Xiangqi) at Where Winds Meet

Within the repertoire of activities, the minigame of Chinese chess (Xiangqi) is one of the most profound and strategicYou face an opponent on a board with the goal of capturing the enemy General before he takes out yours, similar to the king in classic chess.

A basic guideline is to use your most mobile parts to press the central columns and open secure lines of attackwithout exposing your flank. Avoid advancing the General recklessly; his role is to remain well covered while your other pieces do the dirty work.

As you play more games, you'll memorize recurring patterns, typical traps, and combinations that force your opponent into mistakes. Always try to ask yourself, "If I move here, what strong response does my opponent have?" If the response is too obvious and dangerous, perhaps that move isn't so good after all.

Keep in mind that this minigame isn't just for passing the time: it often grants exploration rewards, currency, or items related to the region where you play itSo mastering it will also influence your overall progress, not just your strategic ego.

Other strategic and skill-based minigames

The minigame of Curing Diseases works like turn-based combatwhere you use cards representing cures and defenses to drain the "life" of the ailment. Each disease acts as a different enemy, with its own mechanics, so you have to learn to read its patterns.

El Art of Speech (Gift of Gab) It's a rhetorical duel also based on cards. Your goal is to reduce your opponent's mental focus using arguments, counterarguments, and logical reasoning. It's reminiscent of combat, but here the fight is fought with ideas instead of blows.

The Fishing Contest You follow the classic method: choose your bait, cast your line, attract the fish by moving the rod, and when it bites, keep it within a green zone until you catch it. Rare fish only appear in specific places and times, so it's a good idea to note down locations if you're looking for specific species.

The game of Madiao (lanterns and deception) It revolves around a main card and the players' ability to bluff. You can't see exactly what others are playing, so your success depends on reading their behavior, detecting bluffs, and deciding when to risk exposing someone.

There are also challenges such as Meow Meow, which transports you to levels of platforms and puzzles; Pitch Pot, where your character is drunk and you must compensate for the screen's sway to hit darts into a pot; or Spar, direct combats against NPCs ideal for practicing timings and preparing for PvP.

Frequently asked questions and common doubts

A common question is how complete specific missions such as the “Always-Normal Barn”In general, these tasks usually require you to thoroughly inspect the environment, interact with less obvious objects, and speak several times with the NPCs involved until you exhaust their dialogue options.

It is also common to wonder how transform into a dog or other special formsThese types of transformations usually depend on minigames, specific objects, or abilities unlocked by completing quest chains, so keep an eye out for any clues that point to rituals, potions, or eccentric NPCs.

El Maniac Goose It's another enemy that causes a lot of headaches. The key is usually to learn its attack patterns well, take advantage of openings after telegraphic movements, and come prepared with up-to-date equipment and martial arts skills, not forgetting enough medicine to withstand a prolonged fight.

Regarding the difficulty, the game allows adjust the level of challenge in certain sectionsThis allows you to lower the difficulty level if a particular fight proves too challenging, especially if your primary focus is on progressing through the story. It's a free-to-play title, but it doesn't force you to endure unnecessary hardship if you're simply looking for a more relaxed experience.

Regarding technical and access issues: Where Winds Meet It's free-to-playTherefore, you don't need to buy the game outright. On some platforms, online subscription services (like PS Plus) aren't required for all content, though this may vary depending on the region and current policies. The game has minimum PC requirements that you should check, and at launch, it was primarily associated with consoles like the PS5, though this exclusivity may change over time.

If you combine a Good resource management, mastery of minigames (especially Xiangqi chess), smart weapon selection, and attention to curiosities and regional progressionYou'll have a much more satisfying experience in Where Winds Meet, feeling that every hour invested translates into real progress and not just empty strolls or pointless grinding. If you need more guides or information about the game, we've included this other article about it. Customization QR codes and Where Winds Meet codes: a complete guide.