How sects work (what you really get when you join)

A sect is basically a long-term “playstyle contract.” Joining typically grants exclusive martial arts/weapon styles, access to a sect shop, titles/cosmetics, and a trial/progression system—but you’re also expected to follow that sect’s rules (often tracked through values like precepts/virtue/karma-style systems depending on sect).

Important things most new players miss:

• Joining is not mandatory. Multiple guides emphasize you can remain sectless and still progress, especially if you use systems like Skill Theft to learn martial arts without joining the corresponding sect. I
• You can switch later. Guides note you can leave a sect and join another (and even return to one you left).
• Some sects may be unavailable depending on version/server/patch. Several 2025 sources explicitly warn that not every listed sect is released/fully joinable at the time of writing, and some guides mark certain sects as “not yet available.”
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All sects at a glance (the 11 you’ll see in 2025 guides)

Below are the sects commonly listed in 2025 guides, with the “one-line vibe” so you can instantly narrow your options.

• Well of Heaven — righteous hero play; heavy melee power.
• Silver Needle — healer/support identity; co-op-friendly rules.
• Midnight Blades — PvP-focused; karma points from fighting players.
• Nine Mortal Ways — trickster/deception; disguises, pranks, commerce-style reputation in player guides.
• Velvet Shade (Floral Reverie) — social/charm/romance emphasis; umbrella style; availability may vary.
• Lone Cloud — discipline, strategy, sword logic; often listed as not yet joinable.
• Hollow Vale — healing + poison duality; strict “balance” rules.
• Mohist Hill — invention/construct vibe; service/innovation philosophy; secrecy themes in guides.
• Inkbound Order — scholar-warrior refinement; puzzles/discipline themes; often listed as not yet joinable.
• Raging Tides — spear lifestyle; daily combat culture; drinking mini-game invitation in one guide.
• The Masked Troupe — performance + combat art style; “refinement” rules; join steps vary by source.

How to choose a sect (5 questions that prevent regret)

If you answer these honestly, you’ll almost always pick a sect you actually enjoy.

1) Do you want your sect choice to affect combat, or mostly social identity

Some sects are clearly combat-forward (Well of Heaven, Midnight Blades, Raging Tides), while others heavily emphasize support, rules, or social play (Silver Needle, Velvet Shade, Masked Troupe).

If your favorite moments are boss fights and combat mastery: pick combat-forward.

If your favorite moments are helping others, roleplaying, or social systems: pick support/social.

2) Are you okay with weekly obligations

Many sects include rule systems that expect you to do certain behaviors regularly (examples in guides include weekly “likes,” daily combat expectations, or PvP requirements). Icy

If you hate feeling “forced” to log in and do chores, avoid sects whose core identity is a weekly requirement you don’t enjoy.

3) Do you want PvP to be part of your identity

Midnight Blades is repeatedly described as PvP-centered, with progression tied to defeating players and maintaining karma/points—so if you don’t like PvP, don’t “pick it for the outfit” unless you’re willing to grind and fight.

4) Do you want romance/social rules to matter

Some sects strongly push (or restrict) romance/social play:

• Velvet Shade is described as encouraging social bonding and romance-focused behavior in multiple guides.
• Lone Cloud is described as restricting romance to a single relationship in one guide.
• Masked Troupe is described as forbidding romantic relationships in one guide.

If you don’t care about social systems at all, choose a combat sect and keep your life simple.

5) Do you want commitment—or flexibility

Even if you pick “wrong,” switching is part of the game’s design: guides describe leaving a sect and joining another, and Game8 specifically shows a “Betray Master” leave option (with a required trial for Midnight Blades).

So the real question is: do you want to experiment or commit?

• Experiment: pick a sect with low-friction rules that match your routine.
• Commit: pick the sect whose rules you’d follow even if there were no rewards.

Well of Heaven (who it’s for, what you do, how you join)

Well of Heaven is the “hero of the people” fantasy: justice, righteousness, and helping the weak. It’s repeatedly framed as a righteous path—strong moral code, protective identity, and a heavy-hitting melee style in guides.

Combat identity (based on guides):

• Martial art/weapon style is tied to Thundercry Blade, described as heavy melee emphasizing strength and decisive blows.
• If you enjoy “walk up and dominate” melee pacing more than fast combo weaving, this sect fits the fantasy.

Rules and lifestyle (what you’re signing up for):

• A guide notes you must not harm fellow disciples and are expected to do righteous deeds; excessive wealth accumulation can be frowned upon and penalized.
• That means Well of Heaven is great if you like a clean “good guy” roleplay vibe—less good if you want to do chaotic mischief all day.

How to join (what guides say):

• One guide says to visit Harvestfall Village (Qinghe) and begin the “Easy Street” quest.
• Another guide references an initiation quest involving an NPC near Harvestfall Village.

Best pick if you are:

• New to sect systems, want reliable PvE identity, and prefer a heroic/straightforward path.

Silver Needle (healer/support sect that actually changes your routine)

Silver Needle is the clear “support main” sect in multiple 2025 guides—focused on healing, service, and recognition through helping others rather than pure combat dominance.

Combat identity (based on guides):

• Silver Needle martial arts are listed as Panacea Fan and Inkwell Fan, combining ranged offense with healing/support tools.
• If you like staying mobile, supporting teammates, and contributing damage from safer distance, this is a natural fit.

Rules and lifestyle (the “weekly obligations” vibe):

Silver Needle is one of the best examples of a sect that shapes your week:

• One guide lists multiplayer healing giving +10 precept.
• Another lists a weekly requirement to earn 15 “likes” (with penalties if you fail). I

If you play mostly solo and never want to interact, Silver Needle can feel restrictive. If you enjoy co-op identity, it becomes one of the most satisfying long-term sects because you’ll naturally “progress” by playing helpful.

How to join (what guides say):

• One guide says to become a Healer-Initiate and talk to Dr. Yuan (location naming varies by source).
• Another describes a trial sequence involving healing patients and turning in records to be accepted.

Best pick if you are:

• A co-op player, support-minded, or someone who values survivability and team value over raw DPS.

Midnight Blades (PvP identity, karma points, and “no mercy” culture)

Midnight Blades is consistently described as PvP-driven: strength, individuality, and mastery through constant combat, with a progression loop that pushes you toward fighting other players regularly.

Combat identity:

• Associated with Infernal Twinblades (fast combos, aggressive play), and one guide describes earning points by defeating enemies and losing them upon defeat.
• Game8 describes this sect as requiring PvP engagement for weekly requirements, tying it directly to the PvP system.

If you’re the kind of player who enjoys duels, arena culture, or roaming conflict, Midnight Blades can feel like the game finally “clicks.”

Rules and lifestyle:

• Expect a culture where mercy/hesitation is discouraged (as described in one guide), and progress is strongly tied to competitive outcomes.
• This is not a casual sect—if you pick it, you’re choosing intensity.

How to join (very specific steps in Game8):

Game8 outlines a structured join path involving:

• being able to access PvP (they mention level gating in their guide),
• traveling to Halo Peak to find a Seriously Injured Swordsman to trigger the clue,
• following a bloodstained path to Icchantika,
• selecting a specific dialogue choice,
• and submitting an Annihilation Token to officially join and receive Infernal Twinblades.

How to leave (and what it costs):

Game8 shows leaving via the sect menu using “Betray Master,” then completing a mandatory Severance Trial (they mention one match of Perception Forest for Midnight Blades).

Cosmetics note (useful if you’re “here for the outfit”):

Game8 also claims you can keep Midnight Blades outfits even after leaving the sect.

Best pick if you are:

• A PvP-first player who wants a faction identity built around combat competition.

Nine Mortal Ways (trickster sect, disguises, and commerce-style progression)

Nine Mortal Ways is framed as the “deception and cleverness” path: disguises, pranks, and unconventional tactics where risk and reward are baked into the rules.

Combat identity:

• Often associated with Mortal Rope Dart in multiple guides.
• Rope dart-style kits in games tend to reward players who enjoy spacing, timing, and creative setups rather than brute-force trading hits—so if you like “outsmarting” enemies, it fits the theme.

Rules and lifestyle:

• Guides describe participation in disguises/pranks and penalties for failed tricks.
• A Steam community guide claims progression in Nine Mortal Ways heavily revolves around Commerce Coins, describing them as reputation (1 coin = 1 reputation point) and suggesting different weekly/long-term strategies. Treat this as player-reported optimization rather than official design, but it’s useful for understanding how some players approach the sect.

How to join (what guides say):

• One guide says joining comes through an altered version of the “Easy Street” questline.
• Game8’s Midnight Blades guide also warns that a specific token choice can lead you into Nine Mortal Ways instead, which is a strong hint that some sect recruitment can branch based on dialogue/actions.

Best pick if you are:

• A player who likes playful chaos, social trickster identity, and systems that reward clever routes (not just combat).

Velvet Shade (Floral Reverie) (social/charm focus, but check availability)

Velvet Shade is described as a sect where social bonds, charm, and relationship-focused systems are part of progression, with an elegant umbrella-themed combat identity in at least one guide.

What guides claim it’s about:

• One guide describes Velvet Shade (also called Floral Reverie) as valuing charm, artistry, companionship, and romance-focused social interaction.
• That same guide connects it to an umbrella martial art (Vernal Umbrella).

Rules and lifestyle:

• One guide explicitly suggests the sect encourages maintaining multiple romantic bonds and social comforting/relationship interactions.

Availability warning (important in 2025):

• Some guides label Velvet Shade as not yet available, while others list join requirements (like charm/bond conditions) that imply it may exist in some form depending on build/server.
• Practical advice: treat Velvet Shade as a “check your in-game sect menu” choice—don’t plan your entire build around joining it until you confirm it’s joinable for you.

Best pick if you are:

• A social-focused player who enjoys identity, aesthetics, and relationship-driven gameplay loops.

Lone Cloud (tactical sword discipline, often listed as not joinable yet)

Lone Cloud is repeatedly framed as the “logic and strategy” sect—disciplined sword mastery, restricted romance, and a progression vibe that rewards careful planning.

What guides claim it’s about:

• One guide describes Lone Cloud as discipline and strategic cultivation with a sword style, including limits like maintaining only one romantic relationship.
• Another guide leans into math/logic identity, calling it a sect for players who like mathematics and strategy.

Availability warning:

• Multiple sources list Lone Cloud as not yet available / not accepting new members (in their current 2025 writing).

Best pick if you are:

• A tactical-minded player who wants a disciplined identity—just be ready that you may need to wait for full join access.

Hollow Vale (healing + poison balance with strict rules)

Hollow Vale is one of the most mechanically “identity-driven” sects described in guides: it’s built around the idea that life and death must be balanced, combining healing and poison into one disciplined path.

Combat identity:

• Guides associate Hollow Vale with Soulshade Umbrella and a hybrid approach (healing allies while also using poison/toxic attacks).

Rules and lifestyle:

• One guide lists strict rules like forbidding turning living beings into puppets and requiring a balance between healing actions and poison use (with self-inflicted penalties if you don’t maintain equilibrium).

This is the perfect sect if you enjoy managing dual mechanics—healing when needed, poisoning when appropriate, and staying mindful of rule-based penalties.

How to join:

• Some guides simply list the sect and describe its theme but don’t confirm a stable join method (often “not yet known”).

Best pick if you are:

• A hybrid/support player who likes complexity and a “balance” playstyle rather than single-role simplicity.

Mohist Hill (invention, constructs, and secrecy themes)

Mohist Hill stands out because it’s not just “another weapon style” in guides—it’s framed as a knowledge/invention-driven sect with devices and strategic thinking, plus a secrecy/hidden identity theme.

What guides claim it’s about:

• One guide describes it as inspired by invention, philosophy, mutual benefit, and combat that involves mechanical devices or summoned constructs.
• The same guide notes expectations like written tasks, crafting devices, and an “unwritten rule” about keeping identity hidden from outsiders.

How to choose it (practical lens):

Pick Mohist Hill if you love:

• planning and clever tools,
• a “think-first” identity,
• and gameplay that feels different from pure sword/spear duels.

Join status:

• Some guides describe it but don’t list a confirmed join method yet.

Inkbound Order (scholar-warrior restraint and puzzle discipline)

Inkbound Order is the “refined scholar” identity in guides: scholarship, tradition, restraint, and disciplined execution.

What guides claim it’s about:

• One guide describes martial arts blending swordplay with artistic expression and maintaining standing through intellectual challenges and scholarly tasks.
• Icy Veins similarly frames it as scholar wisdom + refined swordsmanship, and explicitly says it can’t be joined yet in their write-up.

Best pick if you are:

• A player who loves puzzle-driven systems, lore flavor, and the “cultured strategist” fantasy—just expect availability limitations depending on the current build.

Raging Tides (spear sect with combat discipline and drinking culture)

Raging Tides is consistently presented as a spear-centric warrior lifestyle: camaraderie, readiness, and constant training.

Combat identity:

• One guide lists spear martial arts like Heavenquaker Spear and Stormbreaker Spear, framed around momentum and close-range combat.

Rules and lifestyle:

• A guide notes daily combat expectations, “no retreat during trials,” and drinking culture being part of the sect identity.
• Another guide frames it as military discipline and daily training.

How to join (as described in a guide):

• One guide says you can trigger an invitation by winning drinking mini-games.

Best pick if you are:

• A melee player who wants a spear identity and enjoys consistent combat routines.

The Masked Troupe (performance-driven combat identity, strict refinement rules)

Masked Troupe is described as blending performance and combat—treating battle like art, with rules that push refinement and restrict certain social behaviors.

What guides claim it’s about:

• One guide describes it as performance/dance combat style where romance is forbidden and crude language is penalized (refinement expected).
• Icy Veins presents it as art/music/dance-forward, noting missing details/unknowns.

How to join (note: varies by source):

• BlueStacks says “not much is known” and “not yet known” for joining.
• Another guide claims you can start a quest near Kaifeng District by speaking to an NPC and earning likes from other players to complete initiation.

Because sources differ, treat Masked Troupe as a “verify in your build/server” choice.

Best pick if you are:

• Aesthetic-first players who want a performance identity and enjoy non-standard progression loops.

How to choose based on your playstyle (simple recommendations that actually work)

If you want the fastest decision without overthinking, use this mapping (based on multiple 2025 guides).

• “I want to be a heroic PvE fighter.” → Well of Heaven
• “I main healer/support in every game.” → Silver Needle
• “I want PvP identity and duels.” → Midnight Blades
• “I want trickster gameplay and disguises.” → Nine Mortal Ways
• “I want spear warrior vibes.” → Raging Tides
• “I want hybrid poison + healing complexity.” → Hollow Vale
• “I want scholar/strategy identity.” → Inkbound Order or Mohist Hill (check join availability)
• “I want social/charm systems to matter.” → Velvet Shade (check availability) I
• “I want art/performance identity.” → Masked Troupe (check join method in your build)
• “I want tactical sword logic.” → Lone Cloud (often listed as not joinable yet)

Sects vs staying sectless (the smartest 2025 approach for many players)

A lot of players assume “joining a sect = must do,” but multiple guides stress you can stay sectless and still get powerful tools.

Skill Theft lets you learn martial arts without joining

Game8 explains that Skill Theft allows you to steal martial arts from masters across the world and specifically says this lets you learn martial arts without joining the associated sect.

Epic Games Store also describes the skill theft minigame and early unlock steps that enable stealthy infiltration for acquiring more martial arts.

If you want freedom and hate rule systems:

• stay sectless,
• use Skill Theft to unlock what you need,
• and only join a sect later when you’re confident you’ll enjoy its obligations.
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Switching sects (what to expect when you change your mind)

General guidance from multiple sources: sect switching is allowed, and you can move between sects as your playstyle evolves.

One highly specific example: Game8 shows Midnight Blades leaving through “Betray Master,” then a required trial step to fully complete the exit.

Practical decision tip:

If you’re the type to experiment, choose a sect that matches your current routine (like Silver Needle if you already enjoy co-op support), then switch later when you’re bored.

BoostRoom: choose your sect once, enjoy it longer

If you want a clean, confident sect choice without spending days reading conflicting opinions, BoostRoom helps you match a sect to your actual playstyle and schedule—so you don’t end up stuck in a faction that forces activities you dislike.

How BoostRoom helps with sect decisions

• Playstyle matching: PvE hero, healer, PvP, hybrid, social, strategist—picked based on how you actually play
• Rule tolerance check: avoid sects whose weekly expectations will annoy you (likes, daily combat, PvP requirements)
• Unlock planning: use Skill Theft and early martial arts unlock routes so you’re not forced into a sect just to get a weapon style
• Switching strategy: know what you keep, what you redo, and when it’s worth swapping (including sect-specific exit steps when relevant)

The goal is simple: pick a sect you’ll still like after the “new outfit” hype fades.

FAQ

How many sects are in Where Winds Meet

Several 2025 guides list eleven sects, but also warn that some may not be fully released/joinable depending on version/server/patch.

Do I have to join a sect

No. Multiple sources state joining isn’t required, and you can stay sectless while still progressing—especially if you use Skill Theft to learn martial arts without joining the sect that “owns” them.

Can I switch sects later

Yes. Guides describe leaving and joining other sects (and even returning to one you left). Game8 also shows a “Betray Master” option for leaving Midnight Blades, with a required trial step.

Which sect is best for beginners

If you want a low-stress beginner experience, many guides point toward Well of Heaven (straightforward heroic PvE) or Silver Needle (support identity), depending on whether you prefer melee power or healer play.

Which sect should I avoid if I don’t like PvP

Avoid Midnight Blades. Multiple sources describe it as PvP-focused with progression tied to fighting other players and maintaining points/ranks through combat.

Final takeaway

The “best sect” isn’t a tier list—it’s the sect whose rules you won’t resent, whose weapon identity you actually enjoy, and whose weekly routine matches your real playtime. Use the 5-question method: pick your combat vs social focus, check your tolerance for obligations, decide whether PvP is part of your identity, factor romance/social restrictions, and remember switching is allowed. If you want maximum freedom, stay sectless and use Skill Theft to unlock martial arts first—then join a sect once you know what style truly fits you.