Is Where Winds Meet a Gacha Game? Microtransaction System, Explained

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Many online games require players to spend money to unlock powerful characters and features, so it’s natural to wonder if Where Winds Meet does the same. New players might be concerned about whether the game relies on pay-to-win mechanics. While it does include a gacha system, the good news is that skill generally matters more than how much money you spend.

Is There Gacha in Where Winds Meet?

Yes, Where Winds Meet includes a gacha system, but it’s limited to cosmetic items like outfits, accessories, visual effects, and weapon skins. You won’t need to spend real money to improve your character’s power – progression is based on leveling up and mastering your combat skills and abilities.

The game is in its first season and currently has 21 cosmetic items available. These include 5 full outfits, plus things like a mount, weapon skins, and unique animations. You can get these items by participating in limited-time events (Celestial Echo and Solemn Echo banners and Draw Shop) or by completing in-game tasks, earning achievements, and purchasing from vendors. There are 250 items total to collect, with most earned through gameplay rather than direct purchase.

The Celestial Echo banner lets you spend 160 Echo Beads or Pearls for each attempt. You can also try the Solemn Echo banner for free, using 1 Lingering Melody, which you can get by trading 200 Echo Jades in the Jianghu Treasures shop. Whenever you try your luck with these banners in Where Winds Meet, you’ll earn Harmonic Cores, a special currency for the Draw Shop.

In Where Winds Meet, you’re guaranteed a rare item after 150 pulls on both the standard and limited-time banners. However, be aware that the odds of getting specific items can be quite low.

  • Outfit and mount: 0.0415% chance.
  • Harmonic Core: 0.747% chance.

Should I Spend Money on Echo Beads?

Echo Beads are a special currency you can use to buy cosmetic items – things like outfits or accessories, available through gacha pulls or direct purchase. Just to reiterate, these items are purely for looks and won’t give you any advantage in battles or while exploring the game. They don’t affect your stats or make your character stronger in any way.

Mount skins also offer a few extra, though small, benefits. For example, some allow you to automatically set waypoints (Wayfinder), let a friend ride with you (Ride Together), or even automatically collect nearby items. Here’s a complete list of items you can currently get with Echo Beads, along with how much they cost.

  • 600 Echo Beads = $9.99.
  • 1,800 Echo Beads = $29.99.
  • 3,000 Echo Beads = $49.99.
  • 6,000 Echo Beads = $99.99.
Category Item Name Price (Beads/Pearls)
Outfit Goosecap Glory 60
Grand Line Dreamer 60
Moonlit Night 60
Touch of Cloud 60
Mount Spirited Courser 1,280
Qin Horse 1,280
White-browed Goose 680
Horskie 680
Snow Oath 60
Outfit Set Magpie’s Nocturne 2,580
Ninth’s Pawnshop 2,580
Celestial Knot 2,580
Celestial Vanguard 2,580
Crimson Sand 2,580
Ephemeral Bloom 1,280 60
Golden Scales 1,280 60
Blossom Tears 1,280 60
Azure Resolve 1,280 60
Snow Fox 1,280
Strife For Peace 1,280
Hidden Scent 1,280
Wings of Destiny 1,280
Crimson Vow 680
Nocturne Scarlet 680
Divine Feather 680
Weapon Skin Thawing Touch 680
Wooden Stick 680
Formless Silence 680 first time, 540 for second purchase, 320 for subsequent purchase
Animation Ink Splash 1,280
Cloud of Ink 1,280

Are Monthly Pass and Battle Passes Worth the Money?

In addition to character customization options and small purchases, Where Winds Meet uses Passes to generate revenue. There are two kinds: Monthly Passes and Battle Passes, both of which give players different perks. You can find the Monthly Pass in the Shop, and the Battle Passes under the Season tab.

For a small price, the Monthly Pass is the best deal you can get in the shop. For only $5, you’ll get daily rewards just for logging in over 30 days!

  • 90,000 Coins.
  • 300 Echo Beads/Pearls, totalling 3,600 Pearls.
  • 100 Echo Jades, totalling 3,000 Echo Jades.
  • 50 Battle Pass XP, totalling 1,500 XP.
  • 1 Lingering Melody after 20 days.

The Monthly Pass can be purchased multiple times, adding to your existing subscription time – ideal for players planning to enjoy the game for a long time. It’s a much better value for your money than buying in-game currency directly.

As a player, I’m excited about the Battle Pass options! There are three levels to choose from: a totally free one, an Elite Pass for $9.99, and a Premium/Collection Pass for $19.99. The best part about the Premium Pass is that it doesn’t give anyone an unfair advantage – it’s all about making the game experience smoother and more convenient.

If you’re just focused on advancing in the game, the Elite Pass is all you need. However, if you also want a better inventory system and unique visual customizations, then Premium or the Collection are good choices.

Feature Elite Premium
Price $9.99 $19.99
Lingering Melodies N/A 2
Level boost N/A +10
Bonus Medicine capacity +1 +2
Bonus inventory slots +12 +18
Cosmetics 6 in Season 1 6 + 2 in Season 1
Portable Merchant access Yes Yes
-10 Aspiration requirement bonus Yes Yes

You don’t need to spend any money in Where Winds Meet to have fun. While this might be different later on with updates, you can safely keep your money for now.

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2025-11-19 22:08