---
title: "Wuthering Waves: Complete Guide"
game: "Wuthering Waves"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/wuthering-waves"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Builds", "Weapons"]
summary: "A player's guide to Wuthering Waves: combat and team building, Echoes, daily stamina, gacha planning for F2P players, and what's live in the 3.6 to 3.7 window. Researched September 2026 — current as of Version 3.6…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/wuthering-waves-complete-guide-68d3b18f"
published: "2026-09-27T16:01:54.220Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T16:01:54.220Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# Wuthering Waves: Complete Guide

A player's guide to Wuthering Waves: combat and team building, Echoes, daily stamina, gacha planning for F2P players, and what's live in the 3.6 to 3.7 window.

*Researched September 2026 — current as of Version 3.6 Phase 2 (live until September 29, 2026), with Version 3.7 launching September 30, 2026. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

## Quick Start

1. **Spend Waveplates every day.** Stamina caps and overflow is wasted. Clearing Waveplates daily is the single biggest driver of account power.
2. **Build one strong team before spreading out.** A main DPS, a sub-DPS and a healer/support at good levels beats eight half-built characters.
3. **Learn the Intro/Outro swap loop.** Swapping characters when their Concerto energy is full triggers Outro and Intro skills. That swap chain is how teams deal damage.
4. **Dodge and parry.** Perfect dodges and counter-parries are core to the combat, not optional flair. Practice in the training area.
5. **Echoes are your gear.** Absorb Echoes from defeated enemies, match the right Sonata set, and level only the good ones.
6. **Don't pull on every banner.** Limited 5-stars rotate constantly. Plan pulls around characters you actually want.
7. **Level Union Level and SOL3 Phase.** Story and exploration raise your Union Level, which unlocks features and higher-reward stamina domains.
8. **Explore for Astrite.** Chests, puzzles, Sonance Caskets and exploration completion are a large one-time source of premium currency.
9. **Check the event tab each patch.** Events are the main recurring source of free Astrite and pulls.

## Core Systems

### Resonators (characters)

Each Resonator has an element (Aero, Electro, Fusion, Glacio, Havoc, Spectro) and a weapon type (Broadblade, Sword, Pistols, Gauntlets, Rectifier). Key parts of a kit:

| Component | What it does |
|---|---|
| **Basic / Heavy attacks** | Core damage and energy generation |
| **Resonance Skill** | Cooldown skill; often the main damage or utility piece |
| **Resonance Liberation** | Ultimate, powered by Resonance Energy |
| **Forte Circuit** | Character-specific gauge and mechanic, usually the heart of their damage |
| **Intro Skill** | Fires when the character swaps in after a teammate's Outro |
| **Outro Skill** | Fires when swapping out with full Concerto energy; often a buff for the next character |
| **Resonance Chain** | Duplicate upgrades (S1 to S6); nice but never required |

### Team building

The standard structure is **Main DPS + Sub-DPS/Buffer + Healer/Support**. Match Outro buffs to what your main DPS scales with (for example, an Outro that buffs a specific damage type paired with a DPS that deals that type).

Rules of thumb:
- Read each Resonator's Outro skill before deciding who swaps into whom.
- One healer or shielder is usually enough; more slows your damage.
- Match elements to enemy weaknesses in endgame content, which rotates buffs and weaknesses each cycle.

### Echoes

Echoes replace artifacts. You get them by defeating enemies and using the absorb action, then equip them to your Resonators.

| Echo cost | Typical main stats | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| **4-cost** | Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK% or healing-type stats | Usually a boss Echo; also gives an active Echo skill you can cast in combat |
| **3-cost** | Elemental DMG% or ATK%, Energy Regen | The damage-type slots |
| **1-cost** | HP%, ATK%, DEF% | Filler slots; mostly ATK% for DPS |

A standard loadout is **4-3-3-1-1** (12 cost total). **Sonata Effects** are set bonuses (2-piece and 5-piece) tied to the Echo's family; build toward the 5-piece set your character's guides recommend.

- Raise your **Data Bank** level by absorbing lots of Echoes; higher levels drop higher-rarity Echoes.
- Only level Echoes whose main stat is right and whose first substat rolls look promising. Tuning a bad Echo wastes resources.
- Version 3.7 is adding three new Sonata effects and larger Echo stacking (up to 999 per slot), per Game8's preview.

### Weapons

Each Resonator uses one weapon type. Limited signature 5-star weapons are strongest for their owner, but standard 5-stars, event 4-stars and craftable weapons are fine for building a team. Prioritize leveling the weapon on your main DPS.

## Stamina (Waveplates) and Daily Routine

- **Waveplates** regenerate over time up to a cap (240 at the time of writing; the in-game counter shows the current maximum). **Crystal Solvent** converts to extra Waveplates; save it for when you're short.
- Spend on, in rough order of priority:
  1. **Resonator and weapon ascension materials** for your main team
  2. **Forgery Challenges** (weapon materials) and **Simulation Training** (EXP)
  3. **Tacet Fields** (Echoes and Echo EXP) once your core team is leveled
  4. **Weekly bosses** for Forte (skill) upgrade materials
- **Daily:** Activity/daily quests, Waveplates, a few Echo runs, any event currency.
- **Weekly:** weekly bosses, weekly challenge rewards and shop resets.

## Endgame and Recurring Content

Endgame modes rotate and reset on a schedule; exact line-ups change between versions, so check the challenge menu for what's current. The long-running staples:

| Mode | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| **Tower of Adversity** | Floors of combat challenges on a reset cycle | Reliable Astrite each reset |
| **Illusive Realm** | Roguelite mode with its own buffs | Good for experimenting with teams |
| **Event combat challenges** | Time-limited modes each patch | Astrite and upgrade materials |

Tip: clear what you can each cycle even if you can't full-clear. Partial rewards add up.

## Current Version: 3.6 to 3.7

### Version 3.6 (live now)

- **Phase 2 (September 10 to 29):** new limited 5-star **Jingran**, with reruns of **Hiyuki** and **Mornye**. Featured weapons include Thousandfold Deliverance, Frostburn and Starfield Calibrator. 4-star rate-ups: Mortefi, Aalto, Yuanwu.
- Game8 recommends wrapping up 3.6 exploration (the Xuanfang map, Rafter Kites challenges) before 3.7 lands.

### Version 3.7: "Prism's Illusion, Heart's Illumination" (from September 30)

Per Game8's preview (confirm in-game, as reported rerun line-ups vary between sites):

- **Phase 1 (September 30 to October 22):** new 5-star **Hsin** (Electro Rectifier), signature weapon Blooming Jadehaven. Reruns reported as Iuno and Chisa.
- **Phase 2 (October 22 to roughly November 10):** new 5-star **Suoming** (Sword user), signature weapon Unspoken Rue. Reruns reported as Lynae and Lucilla. Sites disagree on Suoming's element, so check the official announcement. The version runs until about November 11.
- **Story:** concludes the Xuanfang storyline, adds the **Simulacrum Nexus of Mengzhou** area.
- **Systems:** a new **Unison** mechanic for select characters, story replay for older versions (1.1 to 1.3), Echo stacking up to 999, more camera options and three new Sonata effects.
- **Events:** about a dozen, including a permanent exploration piece.

## Gacha (Convene) and F2P Planning

| Banner | What it offers | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| **Featured Resonator (limited)** | Rate-up limited 5-star plus 4-stars | 5-star guaranteed by 80 pulls; 50/50 to get the featured one, and losing guarantees it next time |
| **Featured Weapon** | Limited signature weapon | 5-star guaranteed by 80 pulls, always the featured weapon |
| **Standard** | Permanent 5-star characters and weapons | Uses Lustrous Tide |

- **Radiant Tide** pulls limited banners; **Lustrous Tide** pulls standard; **Forging Tide** pulls the weapon banner. Astrite converts to Tides.
- Pity carries over between limited character banners, and the guarantee carries if you lose a 50/50.
- 4-stars are guaranteed at least every 10 pulls.

**F2P priorities:**
1. Buy Tides only from Astrite you've saved; don't spend Astrite on shop refreshes.
2. Characters before weapons. A 4-star or standard weapon is fine on most units.
3. Skip duplicates (Resonance Chains) until your teams are built.
4. If spending a little, the monthly **Lunite Subscription** and the **Pioneer Podcast** (battle pass) are generally rated the best value.
5. Check a banner history site to see if a character has rerun before panic-pulling. Reruns are common (3.7 has four).

## Combat Tips

- **Dodge on the flash.** Enemy attacks have a visual tell; a perfect dodge rewards you with extra openings.
- **Counter-parry** yellow-flashing attacks to break enemy Vibration Strength (their stagger bar). Broken enemies take extra punishment.
- **Swap on Concerto.** When a character's Concerto is full, swap to trigger Outro/Intro; this is free damage and buffs.
- **Echo skills are abilities.** Your 4-cost boss Echo's active skill is often part of a rotation, not a panic button.
- **Stamina bar management.** Sprinting, climbing and dodging all drain it; don't burn it right before a fight.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Letting Waveplates cap.** Every day at max is lost progress.
- **Leveling every Echo.** Wait until main stat and early substats look good.
- **Spreading resources across too many characters** before one team is solid.
- **Pulling on reruns you don't need** because the banner looks new.
- **Ignoring Forte (skill) levels.** A well-leveled Forte is often worth more than more Echo tuning.
- **Neglecting exploration.** Chests, puzzles and completion rewards are a large pool of free Astrite.
- **Mashing through combat.** Parries and dodges are how you clear hard content.

## Advanced Tips

- **Optimize the swap chain.** The damage order is usually support Outro into main DPS Intro and the DPS burst window. Plan rotations around that window.
- **Use the right Echo set for each role.** Supports often want Energy Regen or healing sets, not damage sets.
- **Bank Crystal Solvent for events** that double drops or for when a new character needs rapid building.
- **Endgame buffs rotate.** Keep two teams of different elements built so you're ready either way.
- **Try before you pull.** Banners let you test new characters in a trial; run it before committing Astrite.

## FAQ

**What is the pity in Wuthering Waves?**
The base 5-star rate is 0.8%, and a 5-star is guaranteed by 80 pulls on limited banners, with a 50/50 on the character banner. Lose it and the next 5-star is guaranteed to be the featured character. The weapon banner always gives the featured 5-star weapon.

**Should I pull for Hsin or Suoming in 3.7?**
Pull for whoever fits a team you already have, and check their Outro/Forte details once the version's live. If you have neither Electro support nor interest, save for a character you want.

**When does Version 3.7 release?**
September 30, 2026, running roughly six weeks.

**How do I get more Astrite as F2P?**
Exploration, events, Tower of Adversity and recurring endgame resets, story quests, daily activity and achievements.

**Do Echoes matter more than weapon level?**
Both matter, but a good 4-cost Echo with the right Sonata set and leveled Forte skills usually give more than a weapon upgrade.

**Is Rover worth building?**
Yes, early. Rover is free, can change attunement as the story unlocks new ones, and can carry you until you pull a strong DPS.

## Sources

- [Wuthering Waves on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3513350/)
- [Current and Upcoming Banners — Game8](https://game8.co/games/Wuthering-Waves/archives/453303)
- [3.7 Banners, Release Date and Summary — Game8](https://game8.co/games/Wuthering-Waves/archives/616859)
- [WuWa Banner History — Game8](https://game8.co/games/Wuthering-Waves/archives/494979)
- [Wuthering Waves Banners — Prydwen](https://www.prydwen.gg/wuthering-waves/banners)