Getting Started with Mystic Arts
When you’re first diving into Where Winds Meet, the sheer number of abilities available can feel overwhelming. The game throws 40 different Mystic Arts at you—split between Offensive, General, and Movement categories—and honestly, not all of them are created equal when you’re just starting out.
The good news? You don’t need to master every single one. Early on, a handful of these arts will carry you through exploration and combat far better than the rest. I’ve broken down six essential Mystic Arts that are genuinely worth your time grabbing first. These aren’t just powerful; they’re practical, fun to use, and actually change how you approach encounters.
The Six Best Mystic Arts for New Players
1. Tai Chi – Your First Step Into Martial Mastery
How to Unlock: Part of the early Skill Theft tutorial when you encounter the bear
What It Does: Redirect enemy momentum, throw opponents across distances, and interact with environmental objects
Tai Chi is likely the first Mystic Art most players will experience, and for good reason. This art teaches you the fundamentals of using environmental awareness in combat. By redirecting an enemy’s force rather than just blocking it, you can send foes flying into walls, off ledges, or into other hazards.
What makes Tai Chi special is its versatility. It’s not just about combat—you’ll use this art to manipulate your surroundings and solve environmental puzzles throughout the game. If you’re looking for your foundation art, this is it.
2. Celestial Seize – Telekinetic Thievery at Its Finest
How to Unlock: Learned from Qiu Yuehai at Heaven’s Pier during the “Foul Play” quest
What It Does: Steal items and open containers from a distance; disarm enemies in combat
Celestial Seize is hands-down one of the most entertaining Mystic Arts in the entire game. Imagine being able to yank items toward you from across a room—that’s exactly what this does. It works on chests, NPCs, and enemies alike, turning combat into a strategic puzzle where you can literally rip weapons out of opponents’ hands and hurl them back.
You’ll encounter this art early when you reach Heaven’s Pier. Qiu Yuehai will complain about cheating in a local drinking contest. After he teaches you the skill, use it to steal the Nullifying Pill behind Hu Wei and complete the quest. From there, you’ll have a tool that feels like straight-up magic.
3. Meridian Touch – Crowd Control and Utility Combined
How to Unlock: Taught by Yan Qiren in Stonewash Strand
What It Does: Immobilize enemies, drain their Qi gauge, and break vital spots
Meridian Touch is the art you’ll want when you need complete control over a situation. This one freezes enemies in place, giving you breathing room to plan your next move. Beyond combat, it has quirky environmental uses too—soothing itchy peasants or stopping martial artists mid-stride.
You can grab this during your first visit to Stonewash Strand. You’ll find several people turned to stone; speak to Yan Qiren’s statue, learn the skill, then use immobilize on him to free him from petrification. It’s a natural progression that teaches you the art’s mechanics.
4. Leaping Toad – Speed, Flash, and Venom
How to Unlock: Learned through Skill Theft from the golden toad at General’s Shrine
What It Does: Leap forward to slam enemies, flip backward to knock them away, inflict venom when chained together
If you want to feel like a kung fu movie hero, Leaping Toad delivers. This art mimics actual toad movements—bounding forward, flipping back, spreading venom. It’s fast, visually satisfying, and incredibly effective for clearing groups of weaker enemies.
You’ll find the golden toad directly at General’s Shrine, crouched in an obvious toad-like pose. Use Skill Theft on it to learn the art. This one’s great for maintaining momentum in combat and feeling genuinely skilled as you chain attacks together.
5. Cloud Steps – Vertical Mobility Game-Changer
How to Unlock: Found in the hidden underground passage beneath General’s Shrine
What It Does: Leap onto marked spots, vault over enemies, stomp on shoulders to deal damage
Cloud Steps fundamentally changes how you traverse the world. Think of it as a magical grapple that lets you reach high ledges instantly. In combat, you can spring over enemies and slam down on them for guaranteed damage—perfect for tactical repositioning.
To get this, explore beneath General’s Shrine. Climb to the roof, use Mighty Drop on cracked stone, then work through the underground area. You’ll need to burn vines and blow up barrels, but eventually you’ll find a corpse holding the Cloud Steps manual. It’s worth the effort for the exploration advantage alone.
6. Lion’s Roar – The Ultimate Crowd Control Finisher
How to Unlock: Ring four copper bells scattered throughout Qinghe
What It Does: Summon a giant bell, unleash a shockwave of sound that knocks back and disorients enemies
Lion’s Roar feels ripped straight from classic kung fu cinema. You literally summon a massive bell and roar through it, blasting enemies in front of you with sonic force. It’s dramatic, powerful, and absolutely worth unlocking.
The requirement—finding and ringing four bells throughout Qinghe—gives you a great excuse to explore the region thoroughly. This art becomes your emergency crowd-clear button when you’re surrounded.
Tips for Mastering These Arts Early
- Chain them together: Many of these arts work best in combination. Use Tai Chi to set up enemies, then follow with Celestial Seize or Leaping Toad for maximum impact.
- Use them outside combat: Don’t forget—these arts solve environmental puzzles and open up new areas. Cloud Steps especially opens entire sections of the map.
- Prioritize based on your playstyle: Prefer mobility? Focus on Cloud Steps and Leaping Toad. Want control? Grab Meridian Touch and Tai Chi first.
Next Steps in Your Mystic Arts Journey
Once you’ve mastered these six, you’ll be ready to explore the remaining 34 arts. Check out our other guides to deepen your understanding:
- How to Get Celestial Seize Guide
- Fivefold Bleed Inner Art Guide
- Sword Horizon Inner Art Guide
- Drunken Poet Mystic Skill Unlock Guide
- All Sects How to Join Guide
For more foundational knowledge, our Beginners Tips & Tricks Guide covers everything else you need to know starting out.
Final Thoughts
Where Winds Meet’s Mystic Arts system is one of the game’s strongest features—it gives you real freedom in how you approach challenges. These six arts won’t just make you more powerful; they’ll fundamentally change how you experience the game’s world. Start with these, master them, and you’ll have the tools to tackle whatever comes next.
Ready to master Where Winds Meet? Dive deeper into the game with our complete guides and build your perfect martial artist.
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