Where Winds Meet Nameless Sword Build Guide (2025) - Best Starter DPS
If you're looking for a reliable, ranged-capable melee build that doesn't require rare drops to get started, the Nameless Sword is your answer. You already have it from the beginning of the game — no quests, no skill theft, no grinding.
This guide covers everything: the core mechanics, Internal Arts setup, gear priorities, and step-by-step rotations you can copy directly.
Who This Build Is For
- Players who want a solid starter build that scales into endgame
- Anyone who likes ranged-melee hybrid playstyle (sword projectiles + spear follow-up)
- Solo players AND group content — this build works in both
- Players coming from Souls games who appreciate spacing and timing over button-mashing
If you prefer pure close-range brawling, check out our Dual Blades Build instead.
Core Idea
The Nameless Sword isn't about flashy combos. It's about charged Qi projectiles — you fire sword energy from mid-range, stay safe, and deal consistent damage.
The key mechanic:
- Activate your Qi Shield (from Martial Art skill)
- Charged attacks fire multiple sword projectiles while shield is active
- Swap to Spear for burst damage when shield expires
- Repeat
Think of it like a rhythm game: shield up → projectiles → spear burst → shield up again. Once you get this loop, you'll out-DPS most melee builds while taking far less damage.
The Build Template
Martial Arts Path
| Slot | Choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Path | Bell Strike - Splendor (钟鸣·虹) | Unlocks Nameless Sword + Nameless Spear |
| Main Weapon | Nameless Sword | Ranged Qi projectiles, your primary damage |
| Secondary | Nameless Spear | Burst damage during downtime |
Why Sword + Spear? The sword handles sustained ranged damage; the spear fills gaps when your shield is down or stamina is low. For solo/exploration, you can swap spear for Fan (more sustain, less burst).
Internal Arts (心法)
| Internal Art | English Reference | Why It's Here | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nameless Internal Art | 无名心法 | Core. At Tier 1, you can fire multi-projectiles for 3 seconds after Special Skill — even without shield. At Tier 3, projectiles stack damage buff. | ★★★★★ |
| Qianshanfa (千山法) | Thousand Mountains Method | Stamina recovery + max stamina. Essential for sustained projectile spam. | ★★★★★ |
| Weimengge (威猛歌) | Song of Might | Charged attack damage boost. Direct multiplier on your main damage source. | ★★★★☆ |
| Melody of Yi River (易水歌) | Melody of Yi River | Universal damage buff. At Tier 6, gives 15% team damage — great for group content. | ★★★★☆ |
| Liaoyuan Xinghuo (燎原星火) | Wildfire Sparks | Stamina cost refund on consumption. Pairs perfectly with Qianshanfa for infinite loops. | ★★★☆☆ |
Upgrade Priority:
- Nameless Internal Art → Tier 1 first (unlocks shieldless multi-projectile)
- Nameless Internal Art → Tier 3 (stacking damage buff)
- Qianshanfa → Max stamina nodes
- Weimengge → Charged attack damage nodes
Mystic Arts (奇术)
| Slot | Recommendation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility | Cloud Steps (凌云步) | Repositioning, dodge through attacks |
| Defensive | Golden Body of No Form (无相金身) | Damage reduction + CC immunity for emergencies |
| Utility | Tai Chi (太极手) | Pull enemies, interrupt, create openings |
For group content, consider swapping Tai Chi for a team buff skill if your party needs it.
Stats Priority
| Stat | Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Momentum (势) | As high as possible | Primary scaling stat |
| Max Bell Strike Attack | 2800+ | Your damage type |
| Max External Attack | 2500+ | Secondary scaling |
| Crit Rate | 70%+ | Yellow number crit |
| Precision Rate | 95%+ | Avoid glancing hits |
| Stamina Recovery | High priority | Sustains your projectile loop |
How to Play It
Beginner Rotation (10 Steps)
This is your bread-and-butter loop. Practice until it feels automatic:
- Hold forward (W) to trigger Spring Thunder buff while approaching
- Charged Attack (Tier 2) — fire initial projectile
- Martial Art Skill (3 taps) — third hit grants Qi Shield
- Charged Attack (Tier 2) × 2 — multi-projectiles while shielded
- Special Skill (back hop) — creates distance, triggers Nameless buff
- Charged Attack (Tier 2) — still multi-projectile from buff
- Swap to Spear
- Spear Martial Art Skill — burst damage
- Swap back to Sword
- Martial Art Skill — refresh shield, repeat from step 4
Key insight: Keep 8 meters from the boss. Too close = you eat big hits. Too far = projectiles miss.
Advanced Tips
Once you're comfortable with the basic loop:
Shield Management
- Your Martial Art Skill's third hit grants the shield — you don't need to hit the enemy
- Yixiang Set (易相套) 4-piece extends shield by 2 seconds = 2 extra projectile volleys
Stamina Conservation
- If stamina is low, use Tier 1 charged attacks instead of Tier 2 — lower damage but sustainable
- Use Special Skill's back hop to buy time for stamina recovery
- Bath houses give temporary stamina cap increase — use before tough bosses
Boss Interrupts
- Martial Art Skill's first hit has interrupt properties
- Use it to cancel dangerous boss attacks, not just for shield refresh
Burst Windows
- When boss is staggered: skip the loop, spam Tier 2 charged attacks until shield expires
- Pop Warrior's Return (征人归) during stagger phases if you have it at Tier 6
Gear & Equipment
Set Recommendations
| Priority | Set | Pieces | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Flying Falcon Set (飞隼套) | Sword + Spear | Consistent damage buff, matches high-frequency projectiles |
| Armor | Yixiang Set (易相套) | 4-piece | Must-have. Extends shield duration by 2 seconds |
| Alternative | Jade Dipper Set (玉斗套) | Weapon | Bonus damage when target Qi < 40% (less consistent) |
Stat Substats Priority
Tier 1 (Hunt for these):
- Charged Attack Damage %
- Sword Projectile Damage %
- Stamina Recovery
- Boss Damage %
Tier 2 (Good to have):
- Max External Attack
- Crit Rate
- Momentum
Tier 3 (Acceptable filler):
- Max Stamina
- Precision Rate
Tuning Priority
When rerolling substats:
- Lock Momentum first
- Then Max Bell Strike Attack
- Then Crit or Charged Attack %
How to Get the Key Internal Arts
| Internal Art | Location | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Nameless Internal Art | Adventurer's Path | Daily sign-in reward |
| Weimengge (威猛歌) | Foye Stronghold | First clear reward |
| Melody of Yi River (易水歌) | Buxianxian | Buy from merchant Tang Bao for 5,000 Changming Jade |
| Qianshanfa (千山法) | Spring Autumn Manor | Hidden chest inside dungeon |
| Liaoyuan Xinghuo (燎原星火) | Deer Food Forest | Quest "Seeking Mushrooms" from NPC Shi Yimo (requires cooking quest "Baxia's Flavor" first) |
| Warrior's Return (征人归) | Ruoshui Shore Garrison | First clear, defeat boss Xunxin |
For a complete list of all Qinghe Internal Arts and their locations, see our Internal Arts Complete Guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
❌ Standing too close to bosses — You're a ranged build. Keep 8m distance and you'll rarely get hit.
-
❌ Spamming Tier 2 charged attacks without shield — Without shield, you only fire single projectiles. Wait for shield or Nameless buff.
-
❌ Ignoring stamina management — If you run dry, your DPS drops to zero. Use Tier 1 attacks to recover, don't force Tier 2.
-
❌ Forgetting shield comes from 3rd Martial Art hit — Many players only tap once. Complete all three hits to get your shield.
-
❌ Not using Yixiang 4-piece — Random armor pieces with "better stats" lose to the 2-second shield extension. Get the set.
-
❌ Swapping weapons mid-shield — Your shield disappears when you swap. Finish your projectile volley first, then swap to spear.
Sword + Spear vs Sword + Fan
| Scenario | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Group dungeons | Sword + Spear | Higher burst during boss stagger windows |
| Solo exploration | Sword + Fan | Fan provides healing and sustain |
| World bosses | Sword + Spear | More total damage over long fights |
| Learning the build | Sword + Fan | More forgiving if you mess up rotations |
Both are viable. Start with Fan if you're dying a lot, graduate to Spear when you're comfortable.
Progression Roadmap
Early Game (Level 1-40)
- Complete Adventurer's Path sign-ins → get Nameless Internal Art
- First-clear Foye Stronghold → get Weimengge
- Do Fenghe Village side quest → get Kangzao Dafa (抗造大法) for survival
- Prioritize upgrading Nameless Sword + Nameless Spear
- Collect Yixiang armor pieces as you find them
Mid Game (Level 40-56)
- Complete Deer Food Forest quests → get Liaoyuan Xinghuo
- Buy Melody of Yi River from Tang Bao (save 5,000 Jade)
- First-clear Qinghe Garrison dungeons → get Warrior's Return
- Complete Yixiang 4-piece set
- Start farming Flying Falcon weapon set
Endgame (Level 56+)
- Push Nameless Internal Art to Tier 3
- Optimize substats: Momentum → Max Bell Strike → Crit
- Learn boss patterns for each dungeon
- Fine-tune rotation timing for speedruns
Related Builds
- Umbrella + Rope Dart Build — Higher skill ceiling, T0 DPS potential
- Internal Arts Complete Guide — All Qinghe Internal Arts locations
- Best Internal Arts for Each Build — Quick reference chart
- Combat System Guide — Core mechanics explained
Final Thoughts
The Nameless Sword isn't the flashiest build in Where Winds Meet, but it's one of the most reliable. You get it for free, it works in every content type, and the skill ceiling is high enough to keep you engaged as you improve.
Start with the basic 10-step rotation. Don't worry about perfect substats or Tier 6 Internal Arts yet. Once the shield-projectile rhythm clicks, you'll understand why this build has been a staple since launch.
You don't need to master everything at once. Get the loop down, then layer in optimizations one at a time.
Good luck out there, wanderer.