STEP 1
Difficulty & Talent Slots
Your chosen difficulty directly controls how many talent slots you receive for the ENTIRE run. Most impactful early decision.
| Difficulty | Talent Slots | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| Novice (初露锋芒) | 9 | First run, story focus |
| Normal (普通) | 12 | 2nd run, balanced |
| Hard (困难) | 13 | Veterans |
| Nine Deaths (九死一生) | 15 | Masochist mode |
Talent points: Start with 20 pts. Each Steam Achievement = +2 (max 100). Inherited Talents require specific achievements unlocked.
STEP 2
Talent Selection — Best Opening Picks
Talents span 7 pages. Many new players only see page 1. The 4 picks below each grant +7 bonus points just for selecting them — don't miss this.
| Talent | Effect | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Unconventional (离经叛道) | Dodge +15%, Recovery −30% | Every run |
| Hidden Blade (笑里藏刀) | Crit +15%, Suppress −30% | First run |
| Supreme Self (唯我独尊) | Suppress +15%, Counter −30% | Ten Hells route |
| Heartless (灭心绝情) | Damage +15% | Alt |
Simple option: Attribute build = Agility + Meridians + Internal + Movement + Absolutes = 5 × 8 = 40 pts. Works for a complete first run without planning.
Starting background: Pick the last two — Sleep (睡觉) + Good Horse (良驹). Best potential cap bonus + quality horse.
| If you're going... | Pick these talents |
|---|---|
| Evasion-Combo (S) | Unconventional + Hidden Blade + Land Glide + Riding series |
| Internal Damage (S) | Unconventional + Hidden Blade + Internal +8 + Meridians +8 |
| Sword DPS (A) | Hidden Blade + Agility +8 + Sword talent + Heartless |
| Suppress (A) | Supreme Self + Suppress talents + Hidden Blade |
| True Damage (B) | Heartless + Internal +8 + Absolutes +8 + Strength talents |
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STEP 3
The Six Core Attributes (六维)
6 base attributes with a max potential of 120 (base/white value). Equipment and skills add green value on top. They are NOT interchangeable when checking skill prerequisites.
⚠️ CRITICAL: Skill prerequisites check BASE (white) value only. Base 24 + equipment 1 = total 25 but a skill requiring 25 BASE still fails and gives reduced XP.
| Attribute | Role | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Agility (灵巧) | Dodge rate — single highest impact early | Early #1 |
| Meridians (经脉) | Combo chain rate — massively scales damage | Mid #1 |
| Intelligence (智力) | Hit rate / accuracy | Mid #2 |
| Internal Power (内功) | Internal skill strength; heavily scales gear bonuses | High |
| Movement (轻功) | Movement skills, positioning | Fills naturally |
| Absolutes (绝技) | Ultimate technique tier | Fills naturally |
Weapon stats: Sword, fist, etc. fill naturally through combat — don't invest attribute points here. Spread base attribute points evenly across all 6 stats.
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STEP 4
First In-Game Month — Checklist
- Pick your starting sect (see Sect Selection). Wudang or Emei recommended first.
- Talk to all NPCs in the starting yard — establish relationships before you leave.
- Train your starting martial art to Lv. 5 minimum — combat survival depends on it.
- Raise Scholarship (学识) + Smithing (锻造) — unlocks Appraisal (鉴宝), the highest-paying early skill.
- Take EVERY sect bounty (悬赏) quest — guaranteed gold + combat XP + sect contribution.
- Do NOT sell skill books to shops — disassemble at Sutra Hall (藏书阁) for parts.
- Tame your horse fully (100%) before sprinting — empty-stamina sprint kills tameness.
STEP 5
Top 5 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
| # | Mistake | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grinding mobs for gold | Lowest gold/hour activity. Use Appraisal instead. |
| 2 | Learning Remnant (残本) Orange/Red skills | Heavy XP penalty — wastes a top-tier slot. |
| 3 | Stopping at Elder (长老) rank, waiting for Ch. 2 | Chapter 2 needs Vice Sect Leader. See Ch.2 Unlock Guide. |
| 4 | Spreading attributes too thin | Below 80 base in any core stat = stuck at low-tier skills forever. |
| 5 | Building decorative buildings in Chapter 1 | Wastes budget — blocks key cultivation building upgrades. |