Black Myth: Wukong is a lengthy and challenging game filled with over 80 bosses and tons of enemy types to tackle, promising that youâll need to put your skills to the test if you want to see it through to one of its multiple endings. The opening hours of the game give you a lot to learn and think about, and getting to grips with how the gameâs various mechanics work can take a little getting used to. As such, weâve compiled a list of early game tips here that we hope will aid you in the opening hours of Black Myth: Wukong
Thereâs no penalty for respecs, so try new things
There is no penalty for respeccing your skills in Black Myth: Wukong, so you should experiment with different builds and stances to see what best fits your gameplay style. When you want to respec, simply head over to any shrine and select âReignite the Sparksâ under the âSelf-Advanceâ tab.
We highly recommend early investment in the skills that grant you extra health, stamina, and staff range, but feel free to skip these if youâre feeling confident!
Pick up all of the materials you see
As you wander around the gameâs open, explorable areas, youâll see plenty of flowers and herbs scattered about. Pick all of these up! Even though you may not have a use for them in the first couple of hours, youâll eventually be able to make helpful medicines to aid you in battle, and youâll be happy youâve been collecting materials for them.
Donât fretâdying doesnât have any major consequences
Unlike traditional soulslike games, dying in Black Myth: Wukong doesnât have any significant consequences besides sending you back to the closest shrine with all enemies respawned. This means you wonât have to worry about the common soulslike mechanic of dropping your experience on death. Instead, youâll maintain all of your earned Will and be ready to give things another go.
You can always fight the Wandering Wight later
The Wandering Wight is a boss found romping around the right side of the forest. If youâre patient and practice enough, you can maybe take him down when you first meet him. More likely, though, youâll want to come back a little later when youâve upgraded your staff and gear (maybe around the time you reach the Black Wind Cave). Youâll find defeating him much easier by then.
Prepare yourself before facing Lingxuzi
Lingxuzi wonât be an overwhelmingly challenging boss for soulslike veterans, but he still hits like a truck and can make quick work of you if you havenât fully wrapped your head around the gameâs unique combat mechanics.
With this in mind, aim to hit around level 9 or 10 before taking on Lingxuzi. When you have enough Sparks obtained, purchase at least the first three health upgrades in the Survival skill tree. Additionally, make sure to craft the Pilgrimâs Armor at a shrine for some added defense. With that extra health and defense, youâll be in a much better position to tank a few hits while fighting Lingxuzi, so go give him hell.
If you need to collect some extra Will to purchase some skills or crafting materials, you can grind in the âOutside the Forestâ area as needed.
Donât miss a massive health boost after defeating Lingxuzi
After defeating Lingxuzi, youâll be free to proceed into a temple in front of you. While you may be tempted to waltz through and head down to the nearby shrine to rest, make sure you stop inside the temple first.
On the left side of the inner temple is a Celestial Medicine you can pick up that will provide you with a significant health increase, further improving your survivability for the dangers ahead.
Also donât miss a massive mana boost in Black Wind Cave
After defeating a certain boss, youâll enter an area called Black Wind Cave. As you work through the first part of this location, youâll have a path to the left that leads out to a wooden deck with a meditation point. Right by the meditation point is another Celestial Medicine, and this one will vastly increase your mana reserves, allowing you to use your spells more often.
Donât overlook Spirit Skills
Youâll meet an NPC fairly early on that will upgrade your gourd to allow you to absorb the spirits of some bosses. Doing so will grant you their Spirit Skill, which lets you briefly transform into them in battle and perform an action when youâve built up enough Qi. These can dish out some major damage, especially to bosses. But more importantly, they grant passive bonuses when equippedâsuch as the Wandering Wightâs increased defense.
You can even upgrade each of these Spirits at a shrine by selecting âCultivate Spiritsâ under the âSelf-Advanceâ tab. However, note that youâll sometimes need special items found in your adventure to proceed with an upgrade tier.
