My First Week in Wuthering Waves
I jumped into this game on launch day thinking it was just another gacha. Boy was I wrong. Here's everything I learned the hard way so you don't have to.
My First Impressions (Day 1)
I downloaded Wuthering Waves on launch day because everyone was talking about it. I wasn't sure what to expect - another Genshin clone? A mobile game trying to be on PC? Let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. The art style is gorgeous, the world feels alive, and the combat... oh man, the combat is actually fun.
The character designs are incredible. Jiyan with his sword and that crazy hair? Calcharo looking like he could front a metal band? And Yinlin - she's been my main ever since I pulled her. The voice acting is top-notch too, especially the English dub. It's not just "good for a gacha game" - it's actually really well done.
But here's what really surprised me: this game doesn't feel like a mobile port. The controls are responsive, the combat has depth, and the world exploration is actually engaging. I spent my first few hours just running around, climbing everything, and getting lost in the beautiful environments.
What I Learned the Hard Way
Echoes Are Your Best Friend
I ignored Echoes for my first week because they seemed complicated. Big mistake. Echoes aren't just equipment - they're what makes your character actually good. My Jiyan went from "okay" to "absolutely broken" once I figured out the right Echo combinations.
The World is Beautiful But Empty
The open world is stunning, but it's weirdly empty at launch. I spent hours exploring, finding hidden chests and secrets, but there's not much to do in most areas. The story areas are great, but the overworld feels like it's waiting for more content to fill it out.
Waveplates Go Fast
I blew through 1000 Waveplates in my first day because I didn't understand the pity system. It's not like Genshin - the rates work differently, and the guarantees are confusing. Do yourself a favor: read up on the gacha system before you start pulling!
Starting Characters
When you begin your journey in Wuthering Waves, you'll have access to the following characters:
- Rover (Main Character) - A mysterious traveler who awakens from slumber with no memories. Can wield multiple weapon types and elements based on player choices. As the protagonist, the Rover serves as your avatar in the world and plays a central role in the main story.
- Cameliya - An electro-element gauntlet user who serves as one of your first companions. Cameliya is a skilled fighter with a strong sense of justice and a mysterious past connected to Union City.
- Ciaccona - A wind-element bow user with support capabilities. Ciaccona is a calm and analytical character who provides ranged support in combat and valuable insights during your journey.
- Calcharo - A physical-element sword user who excels at close-range combat. Calcharo is a straightforward and reliable ally who helps the Rover navigate the dangers of the world.
The Mistakes I Made (So You Don't Have To)
Ignoring the Tutorial
I skipped the tutorial because "I'm a veteran gamer, I know how gacha games work." Wrong. Wuthering Waves has unique mechanics that I didn't understand until I was level 20. Take the 10 minutes for the tutorial - it actually explains important stuff.
Not Reading Character Bios
I pulled Jiyan and just used him without reading his story or abilities. Turns out he's got this whole tragic backstory and unique mechanics that I was missing out on. The character stories in this game are actually really good - don't skip them!
Focusing Only on Combat
I spent all my time grinding combat and ignored exploration. Big mistake. The side quests have great rewards, the exploration chests give good materials, and the world lore is actually interesting. Don't be like me - explore everything.
Tips for New Players (From Someone Who Learned the Hard Way)
- Do the main story first - It unlocks important features and gives you a ton of resources. Don't skip it for grinding.
- Save your Waveplates - The pity system is confusing. Save up for characters you actually want instead of impulse pulling.
- Experiment with different characters - Each one plays differently. I thought I'd main Jiyan forever, but Yinlin's playstyle fits me better.
- Don't neglect your Echoes - They're not just gear - they're what make your character viable. Farm them early.
- Join a community - Whether it's Discord, Reddit, or in-game friends, having people to ask questions saves so much time.
What to Expect in the First Few Days
Day 1-2: You'll be overwhelmed by all the new mechanics. That's normal. Take it slow, do the tutorial, and focus on getting comfortable with basic combat. I spent my first day just running around Jinzhou City talking to everyone.
Day 3-5: Start exploring the overworld. The side quests are actually fun and give good rewards. Don't skip the exploration puzzles - they're not as hard as they look.
Week 1: You'll start getting a feel for the gacha system. Save your Waveplates for characters you actually want. I made the mistake of pulling everything that looked shiny.
Week 2+: Join some communities, find your favorite characters, and start optimizing your builds. The game really opens up once you hit level 30+.
My Favorite Early Game Moments
- First time using Resonance - That feeling when you sync with an Echo and your attacks get that cool elemental effect. Made me feel like a real Resonator.
- Discovering hidden areas - Found this secret cave with ancient ruins. Felt like a real explorer, not just a gamer.
- Character interactions - The banter between characters during quests is actually really well-written. Calcharo and Jiyan have this great dynamic.
- First boss fight - That overwhelming feeling when you finally beat a tough enemy after multiple tries. So satisfying.
My Gacha Advice (Learned From Many Regrets)
Don't be like me: I spent my first month pulling on every shiny banner. Now I have a bunch of characters I never use. Save your Waveplates for characters you actually want to play.
The pity system is weird: It's not like Genshin where you get guaranteed 5-stars. Here, the pity carries over between banners, but the rates change. I lost count of how many times I thought I was about to get a 5-star only to get another 4-star.
Focus on story characters first: Jiyan, Calcharo, and Yinlin are amazing and you get them through story. Build around them before spending money on gacha.
My rule now: Only pull if I really want the character AND I have enough Waveplates saved for pity. No more impulse pulls!
Join the Community
Don't try to figure everything out alone. The Wuthering Waves community is actually really helpful and friendly. Here's where I hang out:
- Reddit (r/WutheringWaves): Great for general discussion, tier lists, and finding people with similar playstyles.
- Discord servers: Join the official server and some community ones. People share builds, help with questions, and organize co-op sessions.
- YouTube channels: Follow creators who actually play the game and give real advice, not just theorycrafting.
- In-game friends: Add people you meet in co-op. Some of my best gaming friends came from random co-op matches.
Final Thoughts From Someone Who's Still Learning
Wuthering Waves isn't perfect, but it's got soul. The combat feels good, the story is actually engaging, and the characters have personality. Don't get discouraged if you struggle at first - everyone does.
Take your time, explore, and have fun. This game rewards curiosity and patience more than min-maxing. I spent my first month stressed about "optimal" builds, and I missed out on a lot of the game's charm.
Remember: it's just a game. Whether you main DPS, support, or just collect cute Echoes, as long as you're enjoying yourself, you're doing it right. Welcome to the crew, Resonator!
About This Guide
Written by Alex, a fellow Resonator who's been playing since launch. I've made every mistake in the book so you don't have to. Currently maining Jiyan and Yinlin, still trying to figure out the Echo system.
Last updated: January 30, 2026
Game version: 1.1 (but advice is timeless)
System Requirements (PC)
Minimum:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i5 or equivalent
- RAM: 8 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
- Storage: 30 GB available space
Recommended:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i7 or equivalent
- RAM: 16 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- Storage: 30 GB available space (SSD recommended)