Unlocking weapons in Where Winds Meet is not just about adding tools, it is about mastering different combat philosophies. Each martial art requires learning the style and obtaining its weapon. You cannot just pick up a blade and become a master, knowledge is key.
This guide covers all 12 martial arts weapons, their unlock requirements, and recommended progression, saving you time and frustration on your journey.
Prerequisites for Unlocking Advanced Weapons
A lot of sanctums and high-level martial arts require specific Mystic Arts. If you skip these, you’ll just bang your head against locked doors and failed stealth sequences.
Below is a quick table of mandatory Mystic Arts you should grab before hunting sanctum weapons:
How to Get Them
Veil of Stillness: Unlocked via the skill-theft minigame at Peace Bell Tower, southwest Qinghe.
Touch of Death: Reward from the quest Echoes of Old Battles. You’ll solve a wall puzzle in Northern Vow Ruins. Once you have it, sanctum infiltration becomes a joke.
Dragon Keys Farm outposts early. They drop consistently and you’ll need dozens later.
Starting Weapons
These two weapons form the foundation of early combat. Both are free, and both are surprisingly strong if you commit to their martial paths.
Nameless Sword
Unlock Method: Automatically equipped at character creation
Playstyle: Mobile single-target DPS
The Nameless Sword excels at gap closing and burst damage through its Bellstrike Splendor martial path. Its Shadow Step ability provides instant repositioning, while the charged heavy attack fires projectiles for ranged engagement.
Core Abilities:
- Gap Closer: Fast movement into AoE combo
- Shadow Step: Backward teleport for positioning
- Charged Heavy: Ranged projectile with scaling damage
Nameless Spear
Unlock Method: Available immediately in weapon inventory
Playstyle: Crowd control and lockdown
This versatile weapon shines at immobilizing enemies while providing endurance recovery. The rapid thrust series from charged heavy attacks devastates disabled targets.
Core Abilities:
- Immobilize: Stops enemy movement and attacks
- Quick Stab: Rapid damage chains
- Endurance Recovery: Sustains combat pressure
Early Game Acquisition Weapons
Stormbreaker Spear
Unlock Method: Free mail reward at Level 3
Playstyle: Tank and damage mitigation
Check your Letter tab around Level 3 for the Raging Tides General mail containing this defensive powerhouse. The Stormbreaker Spear uses Stonesplit Might martial arts, perfect for co-op tanking and PvP scenarios.
Core Abilities:
- Taunt Enemies: Forces targeting for team protection
- Damage Reduction: Absorbs hits safely
- ThunderShock Burst: AoE damage for grouped enemies
Panacea Fan
Unlock Method: Qi Sheng reward or Bamboo Abode sanctum
Playstyle: Healing support with ranged damage
One of only two healing weapons in the game, the Panacea Fan creates AoE healing zones while maintaining respectable damage output. Essential for solo survivability and co-op support roles.
Core Abilities:
- AoE Healing Zone: Large HP restoration area
- Extended Healing: Continued recovery after leaving zone
- Ally Support: Heals nearby teammates in co-op
Warning
The Panacea Fan has very low damage output. Pair it with a high-DPS primary weapon and swap for healing when needed.
Skill Theft Sanctum Weapons
Strategic Sword
Location: Lone Cloud Sanctum, southwest Qinghe
Playstyle: Bleed-focused DPS
This Bellstrike Splendor weapon builds bleed stacks through Inner Track Slash and charged attacks, culminating in devastating Inner Balance Strike bursts at 5 stacks.
Unlock Steps:
- Locate sanctum near Moonveil Mountain
- Complete stealth puzzle using Dragon Key
- Perform skill theft on the master
- Optional: Join associated sect for direct unlock
Infernal Twinblades
Location: Midnight Mercy Sanctum or Qi Sheng reward
Playstyle: High-speed critical DPS
The Karmic Flame mechanic transforms these blades into critical hit machines. Build the meter through attacks, then activate for crowd-control immunity and massive damage bonuses.
Karmic Flame Activation:
- Build meter through basic attacks
- Hold heavy attack when full
- Enter Flamelash state with HP drain on hits
- Enjoy increased critical chance and damage
Twinblades flame state
Heavenquaker Spear
Location: Raging Tides Sanctum, eastern Qinghe
Playstyle: Combo-building DPS
This Bellstrike Umbra spear rewards aggressive play through its Sober Sorrow combo system. Build your meter above 10 to activate all buffs and maximize Sweep All effectiveness.
Core Mechanics:
- Sober Sorrow: Multi-hit combo builder
- Combo Buffs: Activate at 10+ meter
- Sweep All: AoE skill enhanced by buffs
Inkwell Fan
Location: Silver Needle Sanctum, north Qinghe
Playstyle: Airborne ranged DPS
Master aerial combat with this Silkbind Jade weapon. Its tornado attacks launch enemies while Windshield blocks projectiles, creating perfect spacing for ranged assaults.
Air Control Arsenal:
- Tornado Launch: Lifts regular enemies
- Windshield: Blocks incoming projectiles
- Peak's Springless Silence: Charge attack with enemy launch
Advanced Region Weapons (Kaifeng)
Progress through the main story to unlock Kaifeng, the second region containing the final four martial arts. These weapons no longer require Dragon Keys but involve complex quest chains.
Thundercry Blade
Location: Well of Heaven Martial Camp, Kaifeng
Playstyle: Shield-based burst DPS
Generate shields worth 25% of your max HP while building Fighting Spirit for devastating charged attacks. When the weapon glows red, unleash full combos with knockdown effects.
Power Cycle:
- Build Fighting Spirit through combat
- Watch for red glow indicator
- Execute full combo for knockdown
- Use Sunrush Gale to accelerate next charge by 50%
Vernal Umbrella
Location: Temporal Pavilion quest chain, Kaifeng
Playstyle: Hovering ranged DPS
This investigation-heavy unlock requires gathering 5 clues around Temporal Pavilion to obtain a keepsake for Jiang Ting'er. The reward grants exceptional air control and projectile combat.
Clue Locations:
- Warehouse guard downstairs
- Game-playing women southwest
- Tabby cat near pavilion perimeter
- Screen-watching women (ground floor)
- Window women (third floor)
Aerial Dominance:
- Charged Light Attack: Midair hovering with projectiles
- Charged Heavy Attack: Flying strike with sweeping landing
- Spring Sorrow: Multi-target immobilization
Soulshade Umbrella
Location: Mistveil Forest village, Kaifeng
Playstyle: Healing support with damage buffs
The second healing weapon combines Silkbind Deluge martial arts with team revival capabilities. Perfect for co-op scenarios where keeping allies alive is paramount.
Support Arsenal:
- Damage Buff + Heal: Simultaneous offense and recovery
- Tracking Heal: Automatically finds low-HP allies
- Support Turret: Umbrella provides healing while using other weapons
Mortal Rope Dart
Location: Nine Mortal Ways martial hall, Kaifeng
Playstyle: Distance control and summon DPS
The most complex unlock requires completing Wuyan's portrait quest to gain disguise access. This Bamboocut Wind weapon excels at enemy manipulation and rat summon tactics.
Disguise Quest Steps:
- Attempt entry to trigger elder demonstration
- Visit Wuyan at Lin's Cosmetics in Fairgrounds
- Complete portrait request for disguise ability
- Create disciple portrait at martial hall
- Return to Wuyan for disguise
- Enter hall via alternate route
- Perform skill theft on master
Combat Mechanics:
- Blade Bound Threat: Pull enemies for slam combos
- Mark Effect: 50% rat damage increase on marked targets
- Token of Gratitude: Summon rats for additional DPS
Weapon Synergy and Combinations
Understanding weapon pairing enhances combat effectiveness significantly. For detailed analysis of optimal combinations, explore our Weapon & Equipment Combinations guide.
Recommended Synergies:
- Sword + Spear: Bellstrike Splendor/Umbra for mobility and reach
- Fan + Twinblades: Support healing with burst DPS backup
- Umbrella + Dart: Ranged control with summon pressure
Each martial art represents a unique approach to combat mastery. Whether you prefer the elegant strikes of the Strategic Sword or the aerial dominance of the Vernal Umbrella, your journey through ancient China becomes richer with each weapon mastered.
Focus on understanding each weapon's core mechanics rather than collecting them all immediately. True martial mastery comes from deep practice with your chosen arts, not surface-level familiarity with every available style. For comprehensive character development, don't forget to check our Leveling Guide to maximize your progression efficiency.