Wuthering Waves features a character progression system that allows players to enhance their characters through leveling, skill upgrades, and equipment optimization.
It is centered on enhancing characters by increasing their levels, upgrading skills via the “Forte” tab, and equipping “Echoes”—special gear that boosts stats and provides unique effects.
As characters gain experience, they unlock new abilities and improve their combat effectiveness. Players can further refine their playstyle by upgrading weapons, enhancing artifacts, and strategically allocating resources. This system encourages customization and strategic growth, ensuring a dynamic gameplay experience.
Strategic resource allocation shapes diverse playstyles and team synergies (Photo: Wuthering Waves/A-1 Pictures and Aniplex)These mechanics work together to strengthen characters and optimize performance in combat.
Breakdown of Progression Mechanics
Leveling Up
Gaining experience from battles and completing quests allows characters to grow stronger by improving base stats such as HP, ATK, and DEF.
The maximum level a character can reach depends on the “Union Level,” which acts as the game’s overarching progression system.
Focusing on upgrading main DPS characters first is highly beneficial, as it helps clear content more efficiently.
Forte (Skill Tree)
Character abilities can be upgraded and new skills unlocked within the Forte tab.
This system enables customization, allowing adjustments to match different playstyles and team strategies.
Echoes (Gearing System)
Echoes are entities with a deeper lore that plays out throughout the game.
Enemies occasionally drop Echoes upon defeat, which can be absorbed and upgraded to enhance stats.
Each Echo features one dynamic main stat and one static main stat.
Absorbing three of the same Echo is possible, but the primary stat on each may differ.
Increasing the level of the “Databank”—which gains experience when absorbing new Echoes—grants access to higher-tier Echoes.
Rank 2 Echoes: Max level is 10, and they cannot be tuned.
Rank 3 and Above: Can be tuned, which adds a random substat.
Rank 5 Echoes: Can reach level 25 and possess up to five fixed and randomly assigned substats.
Additional Progression Systems
Union Level
Raising Union Level unlocks additional game content and raises the character level cap.
Gacha System
Obtaining characters and weapons relies on a gacha system, where there is a chance to acquire five-star items.
Resource Management
Various resources are required for character leveling, skill enhancements, and Echo upgrades.
Stamina/Wave Plate
A limited amount of stamina, referred to as Wave Plate, is available for farming resources and progressing in the game.
Crystal Solvents
These function similarly to fragile resin, granting 60 Wave Plate when used.