Black Myth: Wukong is a game that thrives on its boss battles, and there are plenty of optional encounters for you to tangle with. Early in your journey, you’ll encounter the intimidating Wandering Wight, a hulking blue monk who looks to stop The Destined One as he traverses the Black Wind Mountain. Keep reading to learn how to tackle him and absorb his Spirit.

Wandering Wight Location¶

Despite the Wandering Wight being an optional boss, it is hard to miss him, as you’ll find him on the main path as you progress through Chapter 1. Once you reach the second Shrine in the Forest of Wolves, Outside the Forest, you’ll reach an area that is more open than those before. You can choose to either go left and then straight forward or veer off to the right. Taking the right path will lead you to the Wandering Wight once you cross the small bridge.

If you’ve just reached this area for the first time, consider ignoring this path for now and prepare for the battle ahead by exploring this area. By taking the left path, you’ll reach another optional boss, against Guangzhi, that although nothing too troubling, will allow you to get more accustomed to how it works.

More importantly, your reward for beating Guangzhi is the first Transformation in Black Myth: Wukong, the Red Tides spell, this is what you’re after! When used, it will transform The Destined One into Guangzhi, giving you fire-attuned attacks that can burn your foe. If you build up light attacks and gain Focus, you can use Moon Chase, a series of fire dashes that will deal massive damage (but end your time in the Transformation). The most important part of it though, is the fact that your Transformations have their own HP gauge, so you can use it almost as a second life to help deal more damage to the Wandering Wight.

Once you’ve prepared enough, take the right path, cross the bridge, and get ready for a difficult encounter.

Wandering Wight Boss Strategy¶

The Wandering Wight will wander this area, so before you even begin the battle, wait for him to turn his back and then rush in for some free attacks. The Wandering Wight has some deadly attacks available to him, and you can learn all about them below:

Swipe¶

The Wandering Wight will attempt to swipe at you with its massive hands, this is in an arc around him so wait for him to crouch down to indicate the start of the attack and then dodge through the attack to avoid it. Should he strike you, you’ll suffer moderate damage. This attack can be chained up to three times.

Stomp¶

When close to the Wandering Wight, it will lift its legs and attempt to Stomp on you, causing moderate damage should it hit you and knock you back slightly. This is a rather simple attack to avoid, just wait for it to lift its leg and dodge backward or to the side. Just beware, the Wandering Wight can perform two of these in quick succession and will combo it into Swipe.

Palm Thrust¶

The Wandering Wight will channel his energy into his palm and thrust out toward you, dealing massive damage should it hit you. This attack has a very long range to it, so look for the glowing hand to indicate the buildup and then look to dodge to the side to avoid it. This is often used as the last part of the Ground Pound attack.

Ground Pound¶

Perhaps the Wandering Wight’s most deadly attacks, he will slam the ground with his hand, causing the area around him to crumble and deal moderate damage. This is chained three times, with each attack hitting further out from him so be sure to back far away once you see the first part of the Ground Pound attack. After the third pound, he’ll use Palm Thrust, so be ready to dodge to the side!

This battle is all about learning how to get used to dodging through attacks, until now, you’ve not had to worry too much about that. The Immobilization spell is your best friend here, make use of it whenever it’s available (and so long as you have Mana) to freeze him in place and allow you to get some free hits on him.

The Wandering Wight can flinch easily from Smash attacks, which are the main form of damage from the default Stance The Destined One has available to him. This means that whenever you can get a full Varied Combo on him (Light Attacks into a Heavy Attack once you have a Focus point built up) will cause him to flinch. Flinch him again once you’ve done it the first time and you’ll knock him to the ground, giving you ample time to strike away at him.

If you took our advice and already got the Red Tides Transformation from beating Guangzhi in the same area, then look to use it around the half-HP part of the battle. Not only will this give you another health bar to work with, but if you can perform the triple Moon Chase once you’ve built up enough focus, it will deal massive damage to the Wandering Wight.

Ultimately, victory will come down to how you deal with the Ground Pound attack, it’s by far the deadliest move that it will use and getting hit by it can often result in death. Just remember to back away as soon as it goes to perform the first pound and get ready for the Palm Thrust that follows.

For defeating the Wandering Wight, you’ll obtain over 1000 Exp, 600+ Will, Yarn, Blood of the Iron Bull, and the Cat Eye’s Beads. The Beads are a Curio that you can equip that will slightly increase your Critical Hit Chance (3% at this stage of the game). What’s more, you’ll release the Spirit of the Wandering Wight.

How to gain Guidance to Absorb Spirits¶

If you’re defeating the Wandering Wight as soon as you encounter it, you’ll notice that upon its death, some blue Spirits will float in place. When you attempt to take it, you’ll be given the message “Cannot absorb Spirits without guidance.”. This message is because you’ve yet to unlock the system that features these Spirits, but fret not, once you beat the first mandatory Boss, Lingxuzi (just beyond the Wandering Wight), you’ll reach the Bamboo Grove’s Back Hills Shrine, just up the stairs is a strange fellow who will enchant your Gourd and allow you to Absorb Spirits. Additionally, visiting any Shrine after this point will allow you to reclaim any Spirits you may have neglected (or couldn’t) do so!