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In Where Winds Meet there are 11 different sects that follow unique values and grant you bonuses and special gameplay. What they are and which you should choose is explained here.
What are sects in Where Winds Meet? Sects represent in Where Winds Meet a mix between guilds and classes. They define how your character is perceived in the world and each brings unique, iconic combat styles and rewards.
In addition to the associated combat style you learn upon joining, each sect has a unique sect shop, its own titles, and the ability to improve status to receive special sect privileges and cosmetic items. Players must participate in trials and follow the rules of the sect to improve their standing within the sect and receive these rewards.
Each sect represents its own moral values and brings an exclusive style with it. To join, you must meet different requirements for the respective Elder to accept you. If you have previously adhered to the values and rules of your desired sect, you may be able to skip the initiation trial.
To know what sects exist and what to expect there, we introduce them to you below. This way, you can decide more relaxed which one calls to you first. Switching is possible at any time, but then you lose the associated progress in the old sect.
- Well of Heaven (Himmelsbrunnen)
- Silver Needle (Silbernadel)
- Raging Tides (Tosende Fluten)
- Midnight Blades (Mitternachtsklingen)
- Velvet Shade (Samtschatten)
- Nine Mortal Ways (Neun Tödliche Pfade)
- The Masked Troupe (Die Maskierte Truppe)
- Hollow Vale (Höhlen-Tal)
- Lone Cloud (Einsame Wolke)
- The Inkbound Order (Tintengebundener Orden)
- Mohist Hill (Mohistischer Hügel)
- Bonus: Sectless (Sektenlos)
Some information about the sects that are still unavailable comes from the early version of Where Winds Meet.
In this trailer, you can get a first impression of the sects:
Can you join any sect? Yes, but only one at a time. If you are already in a sect, you must leave it and join the new one. However, you can always return to previously left sects.
How do you know which sect to choose? When choosing a sect, you should consider whether it fits your playstyle and your preferred weapons. If you are in a sect, you must also adhere to their rules while playing. So choose one that matches how you want to play.
However, since you can switch at any time as long as you meet the requirements, you can’t ruin your choice much. So especially at the start, pick one that you like.
Well of Heaven (Himmelsbrunnen)
- Status: Available
- Motto: Act righteous as it should be; courage is more important than gold.
- Combat style / Weapons: Thundercry Blade (Donneruf-Klinge)
- Leader: Xiao Tianyun
What characterizes the Well of Heaven? The Well of Heaven focuses on protecting the poor and weak. Justice is the utmost goal of every member. Rules and laws do not matter to them, especially when they stand in the way of achieving their goal.
One advantage is that you can distribute red envelopes and thus gift wealth to other players.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Unruly Spirit: The sect can deduct 1,000 disciplinary points
- Generous and Just: The weekly earnings should not be too high; otherwise, the rule value is -100.
- Brotherhood: Followers of the same sect must not harm one another.
How can you join them? To locate the sect, approach the waiter San Qian’er, whom you can find in Harvestfall, and ask him about the hero who distributes wealth in Qinghe as gifts. He will provide you hints on where to find him. He belongs to the Well of Heaven and will guide you on how to join.
Silver Needle (Silbernadel)
- Status: Available
- Motto: Weigh the costs of life in your heart; save others to save yourself, the healer’s path will never shy away from a challenge.
- Combat style / Weapons: Panacea Fan (Allheilfächer), Inkwell Fan (Tintenfassfächer)
- Leader: Sun Yuan
What characterizes the Silver Needle? The Silver Needle comprises those who are dedicated to healing and medicine. The well-being of people and the protection of all life are among their highest values. They are particularly keen on sharing medical knowledge and insights, which is why they welcome anyone who wishes to dedicate themselves to healing and has some prior knowledge.
Once you are part of the sect, you can treat the diseases and injuries of other players, for which they would otherwise have to consult certain NPCs. You can also craft the best healing potions in the game.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Shared Healing: Participate in multiplayer healing – rule value +10.
- Healing Bodies and Minds: Receive at least 15 likes weekly; otherwise, the rule value is -10.
How can you join them? To join, you must visit Dr. (Sun) Yuan near Sage’s Refuge and pass the admission test.
Raging Tides (Tosende Fluten)
- Status: Not available yet
- Motto: The sea rages with endless tides; a spear stirs heaven and earth alike.
- Combat style / Weapons: Heavenquaker Spear (Himmelsbeben-Speer), Stormbreaker Spear (Sturmbrecher-Speer)
- Leader: Shi Jiuge
What characterizes the Raging Tides? Spears are at the center of this warrior sect – well, and alcohol. Here you draw strength when drunk. If not, you get a debuff. So if you want to fight, you should always have a good drink at hand.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Spear still sharp: An unsharpened sword loses its edge; an untested spear its lethality. The followers of Raging Tides must sharpen their spears daily in battle and must never let up.
How can you join them? Since everyone got extremely drunk at the first mason jar banquet at the Sky Pier – including the sect leader – it is currently not possible to join them.
Midnight Blades (Mitternachtsklingen)
- Status: Available
- Motto: Everything is transient, and the five Skandhas are full of suffering. A single compassionate thought can save the world and carry on the legacy.
- Combat style / Weapons: Infernal Twinblades (Höllische Zwillingsklingen)
- Leader: Lost in Thought
What characterizes the Midnight Blades? This sect offers a clear PvP focus and a place for all assassins and those who worship death. No bounty remains unanswered, and no life spared. If you are devoted to the fight against all and everything, this is definitely the sect you seek.
The focus is on your karma level, which you can increase by taking down other players. This also reflects that to level up, you must take out higher-ranked players of your own guild.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Kill to gain karma: Kill wanderers to gain karma points – if killed, you lose them.
- Highest bliss for all beings: Travel to the Perception Forest to receive large amounts of karma.
- Meditative Samadhi: Spare no life when you fight in the open world.
How can you join them? Look for a wanderer murmuring cryptic words near Buddha’s Light Summit in Qinghe; they will lead you to Midnight Blades.
Nine Mortal Ways (Neun Tödliche Pfade)
- Status: Available
- Motto: Brotherhood comes first, loyalty above all. Avenge injustice – heaven will take care of it.
- Combat style / Weapons: Mortal Robe Dart (Sterblicher Seilpfeil)
- Leader: Dao Lord
What characterizes the Nine Mortal Ways? This sect is for all those with a mischievous streak. Members of the Nine Mortal Ways enjoy playing pranks and joking. It is a refuge for actors, jesters, and those who bring fun into the world – however, they do not shy away from deceit and trickery for their own enjoyment.
Similar to the members of the Well of Heaven, you can here also send red envelopes. However, the recipients do not receive money but rather have it stolen from them. You collect points in this sect for tricking others – called fun points.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Thousand Faces: Participate in disguises and blend in with the Nine Mortal Ways to experience diverse lives and impersonate members of other sects.
- Deceptive Sky: Failed tricks or prison sentences result in a value deduction of -10.
How can you join them? Keep an eye out during your journey for wanderers with straw sandals; fate will lead them to the entrance of the sect.
Velvet Shade (Samtschatten)
- Status: Coming soon
- Motto: While the spring winds dry the marrow, intrigues destroy fools. Petals drift like dust on trees; blood relatives support each other in need.
- Combat style / Weapons: Ninefold Umbrella (Neunfacher Regenschirm)
- Leader: Zhou Qiang
What characterizes the Velvet Shade? This sect embodies marriage, intimate connections, and polyamorous relationships. The goal is to collect and maintain as many relationships as possible without breaking any hearts.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Status: Not available
- Full Bloom: Show the world your charm, follow the wishes of your heart, and exchange affection for hearts.
- Cinnabar Red Lips: The world is full of sorrow and suffering. Visit the Windtail Lounge and find comfort.
- Flowery Frenzy: How can one steal a single heart when one is intoxicated by a thousand flowers?
How can you join them? To join the Velvet Shade, you must walk untouched through purplish-red fog and embody poetic grace as well as unparalleled elegance.
The Masked Troupe (Die Maskierte Truppe)
- Status: Coming on February 13th
- Motto: Strive for simplicity, avoid superficiality; strive for originality, live for freedom. To progress in your craft, authenticity is essential.
- Combat style / Weapons: Unknown
- Leader: Hu Changyi
What characterizes the Masked Troupe? Not much is known about this sect yet. It comprises musicians and dancers, where grace and gentleness are in focus. Modesty and simplicity are also values they uphold.
What rules must be followed? Their rules are currently unknown.
How can you join them? It is still unclear how one can join them.
Lone Cloud (Einsame Wolke)
- Status: Not available
- Motto: A single cloud drifting down from the peaks could darken the sky in an instant; everything changes rapidly, yet nothing escapes calculation.
- Combat style / Weapons: Strategic Sword (Strategisches Schwert)
- Leader: Xie Yun
What characterizes the Lone Cloud? The Lone Cloud primarily includes scholars and those who place great value on intellect. This sect is suitable for everyone who loves puzzles and riddles. Members of this sect love to activate their brains and engage in mental challenges.
They also place a high value on loyalty and status – so if you have a partner in-game and marry, you should remain faithful; otherwise, you risk significant losses in your status and may not be able to marry again for a while.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Forgetting Jianghu: Members of the Lone Cloud who reunite must seek the blessing of their old comrades.
- The Puzzle of Love: The puzzle of love is the most difficult in life. Solve it only once.
- Streetwise Strategist: Experience dubious fast wealth offers on the street or receive a value deduction of -10.
How can you join them? To join them, you must pass a math and logic test.
Hollow Vale (Höhlen-Tal)
- Status: Not available
- Motto: The candle has no heart and yet it burns. Just like a person without a heart ignites love.
- Combat style / Weapons: Soulshade Umbrella (Soulshade-Umbrella)
- Leader: Jiang Meiyan
What characterizes the Hollow Vale? At the center of the Hollow Vale stands the balance between life and death. This sect is for necromancers and healers who prefer the macabre. For every life you heal, you must apply poison to another.
If you do not adhere to this balance, you will suffer yourself. The sect resides in the depths of ancient graves and lives isolated from those who do not count against their circle.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- No living puppets: Life and death have boundaries; playing with nightmare puppets is forbidden. Although the followers of Hollow Vale have poisoned bodies, their hearts are kind. The transformation of living beings into nightmare puppets is a strictly followed sect rule. Those who experiment on themselves are exempt from this.
- Balance of Life and Death: Where there is life, there must be death; where there is death, there must be life. The two sources of healing and poison in Hollow Vale must remain in balance. For every healed life, a poison must be applied. A failure leads to self-inflicted suffering.
- Unknown rule: You will only learn this when you join the order.
How can you join them? Due to their isolation, it is currently unknown how to be admitted to their ranks.
The Inkbound Order (Tintengebundener Orden)
- Status: Not available
- Motto: A sword in one hand, a book in the other. Life, aging, sickness, death – there is no going back.
- Combat style / Weapons: Unknown
- Leader: Lin Xiansheng
What characterizes the Inkbound Order? The order primarily houses scholars and those who stand for the law and judge over it. Members of this sect are expected to impose or dissolve bounties.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Writing and Science: The words of the wise become law for all under heaven.
- Unknown rule: You will only learn this when you join the order.
- Unknown rule: You will only learn this when you join the order.
How can you join them? You cannot join this sect at the moment.
Mohist Hill (Mohistischer Hügel)
- Status: Not available
- Motto: Connect the world through craftsmanship and techniques.
- Combat style / Weapons: Unknown
- Leader: Mozi
What characterizes the Mohist Hill? Not much is known about this sect yet. It centers around giving and receiving, as well as the desire to create a paradise. The highest goal is the welfare of the general public.
What rules must be followed? If you want to be part of this sect, you must adhere to the following regulations:
- Universal Love: Love all people, provide mutual benefit; whoever benefits others will receive benefit in return. Self-interest and benefit for others – this is the way of kindness.
How can you join them? You cannot join this sect at the moment.
Bonus: Sectless
If you cannot or do not want to choose a sect, you can also venture out without one. At the beginning of the game, you are automatically sectless. The advantage is that you are not bound by the rules of the sects in gameplay and therefore do not have to follow a code of conduct to receive bonuses or penalties.
The disadvantage is that your learning costs for martial arts are higher compared to those who are in sects.
In our test, we gained an extensive impression of Where Winds Meet. We spent several hours in the game and tried everything. How the game was received by us has been summarized for you in an article by MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz: Where Winds Meet is actually too big and good to be free; you have never played an open-world RPG like this
