Wuthering Waves Beginner guide

Wuthering Waves is a game that features open world exploration with rich and diverse narrative and a high degree of freedom of combat. Players act as Rovers, who awake after a long period of slumber, embark on adventures in the whole wide world made up of new era, new environment and new technology.

Wuthering Waves is developed by Kuro Game, the creators of Punishing Gray Raven. The game features the best action RPG combat in the mobile genre and now it will be translated to an open world in the style of Genshin Impact.

And here's the official introduction:

Welcome aboard, roving voyager. Upon the shores lay the silent embers of a world during the Ebb Tide. Desolated by the Lament, the erstwhile creations and earthly beings are left static. But they strike back, strong enough to penetrate the silence. Humanity has risen anew from the ashes of the apocalypse.

And you, Rover, are poised for an adventure of Awakening. Companions to meet, enemies to conquer, new powers to gain, hidden truths to unveil, and unseen spectacles to behold... A vast world of endless possibilities awaits. The choice rests in your hands. Be the answer, be the leader, and follow the sounds to arrive at a new future. As Wuthering Waves echo endlessly, mankind set sail on a new journey.

Rise and embark on your odyssey, Rover.

Wuthering Waves will be available to play on PC, and Android / iOS devices. While the developers confirmed that there are plans to release Wuthering Waves for consoles, it won't be available at the launch of the game on the 22th of May.

PC - minimum system requirements

• OS version: Windows 10 64bit or Windows 11 64bit
• CPU: intel i5 (9th Gen) / Ryzen 2700
• Memory: 16GB
• GPU: GTX 1060 / RX 570
• Storage: 30GB

PC - recommended system requirements

• OS version: Windows 10 64bit or Windows 11 64bit
• CPU: intel i7 (9th Gen) / Ryzen 3700
• Memory: 16GB and Above
• GPU: GTX 2060 / RX 5700XT and Above
• Storage: 30GB

Supported Languages

Audio: Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Korean, English.

Text: English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish (Spain).

Exploration is very important part of Wuthering Waves. Players are able to roam around and explore the various areas of the Wuthering Waves map for treasure chests, enemies, puzzles, and more. It is important to explore the map as much as possible for faster progression as opening chests, doing side quests and beating bosses for the first time will reward you with Union level exp, Astrite and other goodies.

When exploring the world, you will select one resonator out of the three in your team to be your active character. The active resonator is the one on screen that you control. You can switch the active resonator anytime.

Outside of the town areas, there will be enemies roaming around the map that will aggro and chase you if you get too close to them.

Combat in Wuthering Waves is very dynamic. While you can build teams made out of 3 Resonators (characters), only one will be available on the field, but you can switch between them at any time. And the switch mechanic is actually integrated into the characters kits as each has an Intro and Outro skill that activate when they appear on the field or leave it (more about them later).

Overall, it's better to showcase the combat, rather than try to explain it using words, so here's a video for you:

Wuthering Waves is a gacha game which means that to obtain new characters and weapons, you will have to 'pull' them using in-game currency (which can also be purchased using real life money). The rate for pulling the highest rarity character (5★) are pretty low - sitting at 0.8%, so do expect a lot of grinding to obtain who you want.

You can find more information about the gacha system here:

Gacha system

Verina

Encore

Danjin

Baizhi

Resonators are the playable units in Wuthering Waves. They are mainly obtained via Convenes, the game’s gacha system. However, some Resonators can be obtained for free via in-game missions or events.

Resonator Stats

• HP - How much damage a Resonator can take before dying,
• ATK - How much damage a Resonator deals,
• DEF - Reduces the damage a Resonator takes,
• Max Stamina - Determines how many continuous stamina using actions (dashing, dodging, climbing, swimming and some attacks use stamina) you can take before being forcibly stopped,
• Crit Rate - How likely it is for the Resonator to land a critical hit,
• Crit DMG - Determines the damage multiplier when landing a critical hit,
• Energy Regen - Determines how fast a Resonator charges energy for their Resonance Liberation (Ultimate),
• Resonance Skill DMG Bonus - Increases the damage of Resonance Skill,
• Basic Attack DMG Bonus - Increases the damage of Basic Attacks,
• Heavy Attack DMG Bonus - Increases the damage of Heavy Attacks,
• Resonance Liberation DMG Bonus - Increases the damage of Resonance Liberation (Ultimate),
• Elemental DMG Bonus - Increases all damage a character deals. Note that there are six different elements in the game and each element has its own separate Elemental DMG Bonus stat,
• Elemental DMG RES - Reduces the damage a Resonator takes from a specific Element,
• Healing Bonus - Increases the amount of healing a Resonator provides.

Resonator Elements & Weapons

Each Resonator in Wuthering Waves has an Element associated with them. A Resonator’s Element determines the damage type of their attacks.

There are currently 7 Elements in the game:

• Glacio
• Fusion
• Electro
• Aero
• Spectro
• Havoc

Each Resonator in Wuthering Waves uses a specific Weapon type. A Resonator’s Weapon type will give you a general idea as to how they fight as well as which Weapons they can equip.

There are currently 5 Weapon types in the game:

• Broadblade
• Gauntlets
• Pistols
• Rectifier
• Sword

Resonator Skills

Each Resonator in Wuthering Waves has 6 different abilities that define their playstyle.

• Basic Attack is a Character’s auto-attack and is always available. It’s generally the most used ability and it is usually the main way to generate the various resources other abilities use. You can also activate Heavy Attack by long-pressing the Basic Attack button.
• Resonance Skill is a combat ability that a Resonator can use with effects ranging from dealing damage to healing your allies. This ability usually has a cooldown and can not be used back to back.
• Resonance Liberation is generally their strongest combat ability. To use Resonance Liberation, it must first be charged through certain combat actions such as dealing damage to enemies or triggering Extreme Evasion. It must also be recharged after every use.
• Forte Circuit is a gameplay defining ability that is unique for every Resonator. It is represented by a gauge above the health bar. Once it is available, it will change into the color of that Resonator’s Element and will gain a waveform-like appearance. It can be activated by using the right abilities while it is available.
• Outro and Intro Skills are abilities that activate upon switching Resonator once the current Resonator has filled the Concerto Energy. It is represented by a gauge to the left of the health bar. Upon switching, the current Resonator will activate their Outro Skill, buffing the next Resonator you are switching into. While Intro Skills are unique attacks that the next Resonator will perform.

Upgrading your Resonators in Wuthering Waves will enhance their combat capabilities, allowing you to challenge and overcome the more difficult content that the game offers.

The main ways for a Resonator to grow stronger in Wuthering Waves are:

• Increasing the Resonator level
• Upgrading the Resonator’s Fortes
• Unlocking the Resonator’s Resonance Chain
• Equipping Weapons
• Equipping Echoes

Character Level and Ascension

Each Resonator in Wuthering Waves has a Resonator Level ranging from 1 to 90 and gains additional stats as they level up.

Once a Resonator reaches certain level milestones, they will need to be ascended in order to increase their level further. Resonators start with a base max Level of 20. Each time you ascend a Resonator, their level cap will increase by 10 up to a maximum of 90. To ascend a Resonator, you will need to gather materials from Boss Challenges and collect materials from enemies and plants in the overworld.

Also, note that your Union Level (Account Level) will also determine how many times you can ascend a Resonator. Even if you have all of the required ascension materials, you will not be able to ascend a Resonator past a certain Level unless your account is also of the appropriate Union Level.

Fortes

Fortes are a skill upgrade tree that each Resonator has. Unlocking and upgrading the various nodes in a Resonator’s Forte will provide them with stat bonuses, extra passive abilities, and enhancements to their 5 Skills.

Fortes can be upgraded by using materials obtained by completing Forgery Challenges, Weekly Challenges, and killing overworld enemies. Also, note that the ability to upgrade Fortes is tied to your Resonator’s Ascension, so you will need to level your Resonator first before being able to upgrade their Fortes.

Resonance Chain/Wavebands

Resonance Chain enhances Resonator’s abilities or provides them with new passive bonuses. Each Resonator has 6 Resonance Chain upgrades with each upgrade providing a different bonus.

Resonance Chain upgrades can be unlocked by obtaining duplicate copies (called Wavebands) of the Resonator from Convenes (the gacha system) or through in-game missions and events. Though compared to other games, you can also buy Wavebands from the in-game shop using a currency you obtain from pulling - but the shop limits the amount of Wavebands you can buy to 2 per character (and this includes the current rate-up characters).

The only exception to this is the Main Character. You can obtain their Wavebands via in-game missions and Relic Merchant rewards.

Weapons

Weapons are a type of equipment that all Resonators can equip and they provide stat bonuses to the Resonator and a new passive. Similar to Resonators, Weapons also have a Level ranging from 1 to 90 . They can be leveled up and ascended as well. Doing so will increase the stat bonus that they provide to the equipped Resonator.

Each Weapon also has a Weapon ability which is a passive bonus. A Weapon Ability starts at Rank 1 and can be upgraded to Rank 5 by using the Synthesis function.

To use the Synthesis function, you will need to expend duplicate Weapons of the one that you are upgrading. Each duplicate Weapon that you use will increase the Weapon’s Ability Rank by 1. Note that any Weapons used as a Synthesis material will be consumed and destroyed. Increasing the Rank of a Weapon Ability will enhance some or all of the numerical portion of the bonus that it provides.

Keep in mind that Weapons can only be equipped if the Resonator can use that weapon type.

Echoes

Echoes are the other type of equipment in this game and serve the function of armor and accessories in a traditional RPG game. Equipping Echoes to your Resonator will provide them with a variety of stat increases from HP to ATK to Energy Regeneration. Echoes will provide your Resonators with the main bulk of their stat increases.

• Every Echo has an active Echo ability.
• There are 5 total Echo slots. The Echo equipped in the first slot will have its active Echo Ability available for you to use. The order of the rest does not matter.
• Each Echo comes with a COST requirement that ranges between 1 to 4 depending on the Echo’s Class. Each Resonator has a COST limit of 10 at the start and it is possible to upgrade it to 12 through Data Dock upgrades. Resonators can only equip Echoes up to the COST limit.

There are 4 different Echo Classes:

• Common Class (1-COST)
• Elite Class (3-COST)
• Overlord Class (4-COST)
• Calamity Class (4-COST)

Each Echo has 2 main stats and up to 5 sub-stats. Primary main stats differ while secondary main stats are set for each Echo Class. Depending on the Echo Class, the possible primary main stats are:

• Common Class - HP%, ATK%, DEF%
• Elite Class - HP%, ATK%, DEF%, Energy Regen%, Elemental Damage Boost*
• Overlord Class - HP%, ATK%, DEF% Crit Rate%, Crit DMG%, Healing Bonus%
• Calamity Class - HP%, ATK%, DEF% Crit Rate%, Crit DMG%, Healing Bonus%

*Note that Elemental Damage Boost will be one of the 6 possible elements. It is not an All Elemental Damage Boost.

Depending on the Echo Class, the set secondary main stats are:

• Common Class - Flat HP
• Elite Class - Flat ATK
• Overlord Class - Flat ATK
• Calamity Class - Flat ATK

To learn more about Echoes, Echo Stats and Echo Sets, check our other guides:

Echo System

Echo Sets

Echo Stats

Collecting Echoes

When a Tacet Discord (monster enemies) is defeated, there is a chance that it will leave an Echo behind for you to absorb. The drop rate and the rarity of the Echo absorbed depends on your Data Dock level.

Enemies in the world will reset daily. This timer is unique to each world so it is possible to join another person’s world to farm more Echoes (keep in mind that co-op unlocks at Union Level 30). The loot in co-op is personal so every player in the instance has a chance to get an Echo after a kill. This means that you can infinitely and more effectively farm Echoes by grouping up with other players and rotating worlds.

Information about various systems available in Wuthering Waves.

Union Level

Union Level is your overall account level and can be increased by obtaining Union EXP. Union EXP can primarily be earned by completing in-game missions and events as well as spending Waveplate (the game’s stamina system).

As your Union Level increases, you will unlock more game functions such as Daily Activities as well as increasing the number of times that you can ascend your Resonators and Weapons, increasing their level cap. Additionally, the difficulty of the enemy in the overworld will also increase once you reach certain Union Level milestones. The maximum Union level is 60.

As Union Level increases, the SOL3 Phase also increases, making enemies more challenging while also increasing rewards. SOL3 Phase increases every 10 Union Level. You can change your SOL3 Phase between the ones you unlocked every 24 hours.

Waveplate

Waveplate is the stamina system of Wuthering Waves. It is primarily used to obtain resources and upgrade materials from the various resource and boss dungeons in the game. Waveplate is generated at a rate of 1 per 6 minutes. You can store up to a maximum of 240. A total of 240 Waveplate can be generated every day.

You can also replenish your Waveplate by using Crystal Solvent (reward from various missions) or Astrites. Crystal Solvent is an in-game consumable that when used will give you 60 Waveplate immediately.

Quests

Quests in Wuthering Waves come in a couple of different variety:

• Main:
• They are denoted with a yellow color in your quest log and on the mini map.
• They reward Astrites, the game’s gacha currency, and huge amounts of Union EXP.
• Companion:
• Companion Quests are side quests for specific Resonators. These are generally missions that will provide you with more background and lore on the Character that they are centered on. They are denoted with a purple color in your quest log and on the mini map.
• They reward Astrites and Union EXP.
• Side:
• These are Side Quests as the name suggests. They are denoted with a blue color in your quest log and on the mini map. Some will reward Astrites.
• Exploration:
• Exploration Quests are regional quests. These introduce you to new regions while providing lore. They are denoted with a green color in your quest log and on the mini map.
• Activities:
• Activities are your daily missions.
• You will receive a semi-randomized set of 7 Activities every day.
• Each Training mission will provide you with 10 or 20 Activity Points and you need to gather 100 in total to obtain all daily rewards which includes a total of 60 Astrites as well as some upgrade materials.

Drifting Inscription

Drifting Inscription is a set of beginner missions that are designed to guide the player’s progression at the start of the game. Completing these missions will reward you with various resources.

There are 6 pages of beginner missions in the Drifting Inscription.

Trophies

As the name suggests, Trophies are a collection of tasks that the player can complete to earn a varying amount of Astrites

Pioneer Podcast

Pioneer Podcast is the battle pass of Wuthering Waves. It has a free and premium (that can be unlocked with real money) path. Players can get rewards from these paths by completing daily, weekly, and periodical missions. Pioneer Podcast resets periodically (most likely every 6 weeks).

The price of the Premium version (called Insider Channel) was set at $10 during the CBT, and you also were able to buy an advanced version that unlocked some of the rewards early for $20. Furthermore, the Insider Channel comes with a 4★ weapon selector and those weapons can only be obtained from it (so it's the same as in Honkai: Star Rail).

In addition to exploring the overworld and doing missions, Wuthering Waves also offers a number of other game modes for the player to enjoy as well.

Resource/Boss Stages

Throughout the overworld in Wuthering Waves, you will encounter a number of dungeon type entrances or special fields that you can enter to farm resources and materials to progress your account. However, Waveplate (stamina) must be expended in order to obtain the rewards for completing these stages.

The different stages are:

Simulation Field

These are your basic resource stages and provide one of the following material depending on which Simulation Field you are farming:

• Simulation: Resonance Potion - Resonator EXP Material
• Simulation: Energy Core - Weapon EXP Material
• Simulation: Shell Credits - Shell Credits(in game money)
• Simulation: Sealed Tube - Echo EXP Material

It costs 40 Waveplate to do one Simulation Field.

Forgery Challenge

These stages reward Weapon Ascension/Forte Upgrade materials. There are 5 stages that drop different materials in correspondence with the 5 different Weapon types, so make sure to check your Resonator page to see which one you need.

It costs 40 Waveplate to do one Forgery Challenge.

Boss Challenge

These are Bosses that reward Resonator ascension materials. Each boss drops a different ascension material, so make sure to check your Resonator page to see which one the Resonator you are ascending needs.

Bosses will respawn 3 minutes after being defeated.

It costs 60 Waveplate to claim rewards from Boss Challenge one time.

Tacet Field Cleanup

These fields reward Echo Tune-up materials, Echoes, and Echo EXP materials. Each field reward Echoes with different Sonata(Set) Effects so make sure pick the ones with the Sonata Effects you want.

It costs 60 Waveplate to claim rewards from Tacet Field Cleanup one time.

Weekly Challenge

These are weekly bosses that reward special Forte upgrade materials, standard weapon molds (used for weapon crafting), Weapon EXP materials, and Echo EXP materials.

You can only claim rewards from these bosses once a week.

It costs 60 Waveplate to claim rewards from Weekly Challenge once.

Tower of Adversity

Tower of Adversity is a game mode where the objective is to defeat a group of enemies as fast as possible. After completing a Tower of Adversity stage you will be awarded between 0 to 3 crests for that stage depending on how long it took you to defeat the enemies in that stage. The more crests that you are awarded, the better the rewards you receive.

It is a more challenging game mode with the final stages being considered as end game content.

Tower of Adversity is divided into three parts: Stable Zone, Experimental Zone, and Hazard zone.

• Stable Zone consists of 4 stages and provides a one time reward of Astrites upon completion.
• Experimental Zone consists of 8 stages and also provides a one time reward of Astrites upon completion.
• It is not possible to clear all stages using the same Resonators due to Vigor limitations (explained below).
• Hazard Zone consists of 10 stages and reward Astrites upon completion.
• Hazard Zone stages are more challenging than other zones.
• Hazard Zone stages reset periodically, allowing the player to complete them again for additional Astrites.

Basically, this mode is the Wuthering Waves equivalent of Abyss from Genshin Impact or Memory of Chaos from Honkai: Star Rail.

Vigor

Vigor is a stamina system unique to every zone in the Tower of Adversity.

• Each Resonator starts with 10 Vigor.
• Each stage in a zone has a Vigor cost requirement. Selected Resonators’ Vigor will be reduced by the stage’s Vigor cost upon completing the stage.
• Resonators that don’t have enough Vigor for a stage cannot be selected for that stage.

Depths of Illusive Realm

Depths of Illusive Realm is a roguelike game mode where the player will select a Resonator to venture inside a simulated world to collect a random set of buffs that they can use to enhance their team and fight the enemies inside. The player will progress through a set of semi-randomized combat and non-combat stages with the goal of defeating the boss in the final stage. This game mode does not require the player to spend any Waveplate to play it and there is no limit to how many times the player can start a run in the Depths of Illusive Realm.

Players can earn rewards such as Astrites and upgrade materials periodically via this game mode. Note that this game mode is currently in beta and it is highly possible that it will see drastic changes upon actual release.

Basically, this mode is the Wuthering Waves equivalent of Simulated Universe from Honkai: Star Rail.

Tactical Hologram

Tactical Holograms are 1-time boss challenges with increasing levels of difficulty.

• There are currently (as of CBT2) 4 different bosses each with 6 difficulty levels.
• Clearing these boss challenges for the first time will reward you with various Echo related materials and Drill Data Sets.
• You can use these Drill Data Sets in store to obtain more Echo related materials and Astrites!