The Guardian Palm is one of those skills that feels satisfying the moment you first use it. There’s something inherently cool about pulling off a crushing palm strike that sends enemies flying in every direction. While it might not top the damage charts compared to some specialized Mystic Skills, what it lacks in raw power, it makes up for in versatility and that undeniable “wow” factor.
What really sealed the deal for me with Guardian Palm is discovering the plunging attack variant. Once you unlock that, it transforms from a solid utility skill into one of the game’s best AOE damage tools. For anyone trying to clear PvE content efficiently—especially those moments when you’re surrounded and need some breathing room—this skill becomes invaluable.
The best part? Getting it is surprisingly quick and straightforward, unlike some of the more time-consuming Mystic Skill quests scattered throughout Where Winds Meet.
Unlocking Guardian Palm: The Quest
Where a Thousand Buddhas Wept
Guardian Palm comes from a quest called Where a Thousand Buddhas Wept, located in the northern part of Qinghe. Head to the shoreline along the top-most edge of the region to find the quest marker.
A Quick Note on Map Visibility:
Northern Qinghe’s map is hidden by default. If you want to clear the fog and see what you’re getting into before starting the quest, locate the Wayfarer in Qinghe (marked by a campfire icon on your map) and ask for help. They’ll reveal the hidden area for you. This isn’t required, but it’s helpful for navigation.
Completing Where a Thousand Buddhas Wept
What Makes This Quest Special
Unlike some of the grindier side quests in Where Winds Meet (looking at you, “March of the Dead”), this one is refreshingly straightforward. You’re not solving complex puzzles or fighting waves of enemies. Instead, it’s more of a guided experience where you simply follow instructions and participate in a spiritual procession.
Realistically, you can finish this quest in just a few minutes if you’re paying attention to the objectives.
Quest Walkthrough
During the Procession:
- Follow the group and stay in formation—don’t break away from the procession line
- The quest will guide you through a series of steps; just do what you’re told
When You Reach the Crowd:
- Halfway through, you’ll encounter a gathering of people
- There’s a praying man performing a kowtow (a deep respectful bow)
- Wait until he completes his prayer before proceeding forward
Once you’ve seen the procession through and completed the ritual sequence, the quest ends. Your reward? The tome that unlocks Guardian Palm, plus some additional rewards.
Understanding Guardian Palm: The Basics
How the Skill Works
Guardian Palm operates as a three-part combo attack. Each hit in the chain builds momentum, and by the final strike in the combo sequence, you deliver a crushing spirit palm that strikes all enemies directly in front of you. This final blow is what clears the crowd.
Equipping and Using It
- Open your Mystic Skill slots
- Place Guardian Palm in one of your vacant slots
- During combat, press the corresponding button binding to activate the combo
- Watch the combo chain execute, ending with that satisfying palm strike
The skill works on both ground level and at range, making it flexible for different combat situations.
The Game-Changer: The Plunging Buddha Palm Attack
This is where Guardian Palm transcends from “good utility skill” to “seriously devastating tool.”
Unlocking the Plunging Variant
Guardian Palm has a hidden advanced technique that doesn’t require a special unlock—just the right setup. To execute the plunging Buddha palm attack:
- Gain Height – Use other Mystic Skills to elevate yourself off the ground. Cloud Steps is perfect for this, as it lets you climb and hover mid-air. Other mobility skills work too; the key is reaching sufficient height above your enemies.
- Press Guardian Palm – While airborne, trigger your Guardian Palm skill button
- Watch the Magic Happen – Your character performs a devastating downward palm strike, similar to the iconic move from Kung Fu Hustle
Why This Move Is Incredible
The plunging attack deals massive damage across a large area—we’re talking some of the best AOE potential in the entire game. Enemies caught in the impact zone take serious punishment, and the visual spectacle of pulling it off never gets old.
Weapon Synergies: Getting the Most Out of Guardian Palm
Guardian Palm pairs exceptionally well with weapons that already favor AOE and wide, sweeping attack patterns.
Best Starting Weapons to Pair With Guardian Palm
If you began your playthrough with the Thundercry Blade, Guardian Palm complements it perfectly. The blade’s naturally wide attack radius combines beautifully with Guardian Palm’s crowd-control capabilities, turning you into a whirlwind of damage.
Similarly, if you’ve managed to unlock the Heavenquaker Spear early in your journey, pairing it with Guardian Palm creates a formidable combo. The spear’s sweeping techniques work in harmony with the skill’s area denial potential.
General Strategy
Look for weapons with wide hit boxes and multi-target capabilities. When your base weapon already covers large areas, adding Guardian Palm multiplies your effectiveness against grouped enemies. You’re not just clearing rooms—you’re orchestrating damage across entire battlefields.
Combat Applications: When to Use Guardian Palm
Best Scenarios
- Group Encounters – Any time you’re facing multiple enemies at once, Guardian Palm is your friend
- Crowd Control – Use the standard combo to create breathing room when overwhelmed
- Boss AoE Phases – When bosses summon adds or minions, Guardian Palm can clear them quickly
- Plunging Attacks – Combine with mobility skills for those cinematic moments and massive burst damage
- PvE Content Clearing – General dungeon runs and story progression benefit from the skill’s efficiency
What Guardian Palm Isn’t Great For
- Single-target boss fights where you need focused, sustained damage
- Situations requiring precision damage (it hits everything in a wide arc)
- Enemies with specific weaknesses that require element-specific skills
That said, it’s versatile enough that you’ll find yourself using it regularly regardless. It’s one of those skills that feels good to use, which matters for long-term enjoyment.
Mastering the Skill: Tips for Maximum Effectiveness
Combo Timing:
The three-part combo has a natural rhythm. Don’t mash the button frantically; let each hit complete before triggering the next. The final palm strike lands harder when the combo chain is clean.
Positioning Matters:
Guardian Palm strikes enemies in front of you. Position yourself so the AOE covers the maximum number of targets. Unlike point-blank skills, you have some range, so use it tactically.
Combine With Cloud Steps:
If you want to spam the plunging attack variant, keep Cloud Steps equipped. The mobility-into-palm-strike combo becomes one of your most powerful offensive tools, especially against grouped enemies.
Practice the Plunge:
It takes a few attempts to get the timing down, but once you nail the plunging attack consistently, you’ll find yourself seeking out fights just to use it. It’s that satisfying.
Building Your Skill Arsenal
Guardian Palm is an excellent early-game Mystic Skill acquisition, but it’s worth considering how it fits into your overall build. Check out our guides on other Mystic Skill unlocks to see what else is available and how to complement Guardian Palm with other techniques.
If you’re still working through the main story and haven’t explored all the side quests yet, our beginner’s tips guide has advice on pacing your skill unlocks alongside story progression.
For more puzzle-based quests like the one you just completed, check out our guide to the Cries in the Distance quest, which shares similar meditative, guided gameplay elements.
Final Thoughts
Guardian Palm strikes that perfect balance between accessibility and impact. You’re not grinding for hours to unlock it, and once you have it, you immediately feel the difference in your combat effectiveness. The standard combo is solid, but that plunging attack? That’s the cherry on top—the skill that transforms Guardian Palm from “good to have” into “essential to your toolkit.”
Whether you’re clearing dungeons, dealing with surprise enemy ambushes, or just wanting to look cool while you play, Guardian Palm delivers. Master the combo timing, practice that plunging attack from height, and you’ll wonder how you ever played without it.
Now get out there and start crushing some spirits.
Useful Resources
For more information about Where Winds Meet and its mechanics, check out these official links:
- Official Website: Where Winds Meet
- Steam Store Page: Where Winds Meet on Steam
- PlayStation Store: Where Winds Meet on PlayStation
- Wikipedia Entry: Where Winds Meet
