Wuthering Waves has introduced Qiuyuan, the lone wayfaring swordsman. This 5-star Aero Resonator wields a Sword with masterful precision, but his true strength lies not in being a hypercarry, but in his role as a premier Sub-DPS and Support. Qiuyuan is an intricate unit designed to massively amplify his team’s damage, particularly for characters who rely on Echo Skills.
This guide will meticulously break down how to build Qiuyuan, his best-in-slot weapons and Echoes, his most powerful teams with full rotations, and his full Resonance Chain to help you unlock the full potential of this master swordsman.
Qiuyuan Character Overview & Lore (Who is Qiuyuan?)
Before we dive into his build, let’s look at the Resonator himself.
Qiuyuan | Rarity | Element | Weapon | How to Get | Voice Actor (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qiuyuan | ★★★★★ | Aero | Sword | Limited Convene | Jeremy Ang Jones |
Qiuyuan is a tactical and rewarding character. His gameplay revolves around a unique Forte gauge called “Swordster’s Soliloquy,” which builds up to 600 points through his attacks and parries. As he reaches different thresholds, he unlocks powerful team-wide buffs:
200 Points: Unlocks
Thus Spoke the Blade: Inkwash(Increases his Energy Regen).400 Points: Unlocks
Bamboo's Shade(Grants a team-wide 30% Echo Skill DMG Bonus).600 Points: Unlocks
Inksplash of Mind(Enhances his personal damage output).
His core identity is being a buffer. His Resonance Liberation grants a team-wide Crit DMG buff based on his own Crit Rate, and his Outro Skill provides a massive Echo Skill DMG Amplification to the next character.
Qiuyuan Rankings
Overall Role | Endgame | ToA | WhiWa |
|---|---|---|---|
Sub-DPS | SS | SS | SS |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
Powerful Echo Skill Buffer: He is the only unit who provides significant amplification to Echo Skill DMG, making him an essential enabler for this niche archetype.
Short On-Field Time: His rotations are incredibly fast, allowing your Main DPS to take the field and maximize his buffs.
Excellent Buff Stacking: Provides Echo Skill DMG Bonus, Echo Skill DMG Amplification, and a team-wide Crit DMG buff.
Weaknesses:
Underwhelming S0 Damage: His personal damage is lackluster at S0. He requires S3 or higher to be considered a strong damage dealer on his own.
Extremely Niche: His value is almost entirely tied to teams with Echo Skill-focused Resonators (like Galbrena, Phrolova, and Cantarella). He offers little to other teams.
Qiuyuan’s Core Stats (Lv. 1 vs. Lv. 90)
Stat | Lv. 1 | Lv. 90 |
|---|---|---|
HP | 979 | 12237 |
ATK | 30 | 375 |
DEF | 98 | 1197 |
Energy Regen | 100% | – |
Crit. Rate | 5% | – |
Crit. DMG | 150% | – |
Stats do not include bonuses from his Forte. |
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The Best Qiuyuan Build: Aero Echo Skill Sub-DPS
To maximize Qiuyuan’s potential, you must build him as a Sub-DPS, prioritizing his buffing capabilities first and his personal damage second.
Best Weapon:
Emerald SentenceBest Echo Set: 3-pc
Law of Harmony+ 2-pcMoonlit CloudsCost Pattern: 4-3-3-1-1
Main Echo:
Reminiscence: Fenrico
Echo Main Stat Priority
Echo Cost | Main Stat Priority |
|---|---|
4-Cost | Crit Rate (until 65%) or Crit DMG |
3-Cost | Aero DMG |
3-Cost | Aero DMG |
1-Cost | ATK% |
1-Cost | ATK% |
Echo Substat Tuning Priority
Crit Rate (Target: 65%): This is your top priority. His Liberation’s team buff (30% Crit DMG) only activates if he has 65% Crit Rate (buff is 2% Crit DMG for every 1% Crit Rate over 50%).
Energy Regen (Target: 130%+): You need enough to use his Liberation every rotation.
Crit DMG
Heavy Attack DMG Bonus (His personal damage scales with this)
ATK%
Flat ATK
Qiuyuan Best Echo Sets Explained
Your Echo choice depends on whether you need more Energy Regen or more personal damage.
Best: 3-pc Law of Harmony + 2-pc Moonlit Clouds
Why? This is his most balanced and recommended set.
Law of Harmonyperfectly boosts his personal Heavy Attack DMG and his team’s Echo Skill DMG. The 2-pcMoonlit Cloudsis essential for hitting the 130% Energy Regen breakpoint for consistent Liberation uptime.Main Echo:
Reminiscence: Fenrico
Support-Focused: 5-pc Moonlit Clouds
Why? A viable alternative if you want to focus purely on buffing your Main DPS with the Outro Skill’s ATK buff. The extra Energy Regen makes his rotations very comfortable.
Main Echo:
Impermanence Heron
DPS-Focused: 5-pc Sierra Gale
Why? This set provides the highest personal Aero DMG. Only run this if you have high Resonance Chain investment (S3+) and want to use Qiuyuan as a Main DPS, and can still meet the ER requirements from substats.
Main Echo:
Nightmare: Feilian Beringal
Qiuyuan Best Weapons Explained
Qiuyuan’s weapon choice is straightforward, with his signature weapon being a significant upgrade.
Emerald Sentence (5-Star Signature):
Skill (When A Heart Settles): ATK is increased by 12%. Casting Echo Skill within 10s after casting Intro Skill or Basic Attack grants 1 stack of Bamboo Cleaver, which grants 30% Heavy ATK DMG Bonus to the wielder. This effect can be triggered by Echoes of the same name once, stacking up to 2 times, lasting for 12s.
Verdict: His undisputed best weapon. It provides Crit Rate, ATK, a personal Heavy Attack DMG buff, and a team-wide Echo Skill buff (from a different part of its skill). It perfectly complements every part of his kit.
Emerald of Genesis (5-Star Standard):
Skill (Stormy Resolution): Increases Energy Regen by 12.8%. When Resonance Skill is cast, increases ATK by 6%, stacking up to 2 time(s). This effect lasts for 10s.
Verdict: An excellent alternative. It provides the same high Base ATK and Crit Rate as his signature, and the Energy Regen is extremely valuable for his rotations.
Red Spring (5-Star Standard):
Skill (Beyond the Cycle): Increase ATK by 12%. When dealing Basic Attack DMG, the wielder gains 10% Basic Attack DMG Bonus for 14s. Stacks 3 times. When Concerto Energy is consumed, gain 40% Basic Attack DMG Bonus for 10s.
Verdict: A decent 5-star stat stick, but its effect is almost entirely wasted on Qiuyuan, who does not use Basic Attacks for damage.
Lumingloss (4-Star Battle Pass):
Skill (Pale Gale): When Resonance Skill is cast, increases Basic Attack DMG and Heavy Attack DMG by 20%, stacking up to 1 time(s). This effect lasts for 10s.
Verdict: His best 4-star option. It provides a nice damage bonus for his personal Heavy Attacks.
Somnoire Anchor (4-Star Event):
Skill (Meow!): Gain 1 stack of Hiss when dealing damage, 1 stack per 1s. Each stack increases ATK by 2% for 3s, max 10 stacks. At 10 stacks, increases Crit. Rate by 6%.
Verdict: A decent event-exclusive option if you have it.
Commando of Conviction (4-Star Craftable):
Skill (Unyielding): When Intro Skill is cast, increases ATK by 15%, lasting for 15s.
Verdict: A solid F2P craftable option for the ATK buff.
$$INTERNAL LINK: For a full breakdown of all Swords, check out our Wuthering Waves Weapons Guide.$$
Qiuyuan’s Best Team Compositions
Qiuyuan’s short field time and powerful buffs make him an ideal Sub-DPS.
1. Fusion Echo Skill Team (Galbrena Hypercarry)
This is Qiuyuan’s “meta” team. He is inarguably Galbrena’s best Sub-DPS, as he is the only unit who provides the Echo Skill DMG buffs she scales with.
Galbrena (Main DPS): 3-pc Flamewing’s Shadow + 2-pc Flaming Clawprint
Qiuyuan (Sub-DPS): 3-pc Law of Harmony + 2-pc Moonlit Clouds (or Sierra Gale)
Shorekeeper (Support): 5-pc Rejuvenating Glow
General Rotation:
Start with Shorekeeper and build her Concerto gauge. Activate her Liberation (Stellarealm) and switch to Qiuyuan.
Qiuyuan enters with his Intro (gaining 400 Forte). Use two Basic Attacks (BA) to max his Forte to 600.
Cast Echo Skill (to proc Law of Harmony) and then Resonance Liberation (to grant the team 30% Crit DMG).
Hold Heavy Attack (HA) to perform his 3-step string, consuming his Forte.
Cast Resonance Skill (for energy and one last hit).
Outro Skill to Galbrena (giving her 50% Echo Skill DMG Amp).
Galbrena takes the field with all buffs active and performs her full damage combo. Switch back to Shorekeeper when done.
2. Havoc Echo Skill Team (Phrolova Triple-DPS)
Qiuyuan is also viable in this team, buffing both Phrolova and Cantarella’s Echo Skill DMG.
Phrolova (Main DPS): 3-pc Dream of the Lost + 2-pc Havoc Eclipse
Cantarella (Sub-DPS): 5-pc Midnight Veil
Qiuyuan (Sub-DPS): 3-pc Law of Harmony + 2-pc Sierra Gale (or Moonlit)
General Rotation:
Start with Phrolova and build her Volatile Notes.
Use Scarlet Coda to enter Resolving Chord, then cast Resonance Liberation to summon Hecate.
Outro Skill to Qiuyuan.
Qiuyuan enters via Intro (400 Forte). Use two Basic Attacks (BA) to max Forte.
Cast Echo Skill and Resonance Liberation.
Hold Heavy Attack (HA) to consume his Forte, then cast Resonance Skill.
Outro Skill to Cantarella.
Cantarella enters. Cast her Resonance Skill and Liberation, then perform her Mirage combos to heal and deal damage. Outro Skill back to Phrolova to repeat the cycle.
How to Play Qiuyuan: Gameplay Loop
Qiuyuan’s kit revolves around his Swordster's Soliloquy Forte gauge.
Standard Full Combo: Intro Skill → Basic Attack (x2) → Echo Skill → Resonance Liberation → Heavy Attack (Hold until Forte is depleted) → Resonance Skill → Outro Skill
Generate Forte: Start with Qiuyuan’s Intro Skill to instantly gain 400 Forte points. Two quick Basic Attacks will max the gauge to 600.
Buff the Team: At 400+ points, he grants the team a 30% Echo Skill DMG Bonus. Cast his Resonance Liberation to grant the team 30% Crit DMG (requires 65% Crit Rate).
Personal Damage: At 600 points, his Heavy Attack is enhanced. Hold Heavy Attack to perform his 3-attack string (
To Teach,To Save,To Sacrifice), which deals good damage and counts as Echo Skill casts.Amplify Your Carry: Use his Outro Skill to switch to your Main DPS. This gives them a massive 50% Echo Skill DMG Amplification.
Parry: His Resonance Skill can be tapped just before an enemy hits you to parry the attack, negating the damage and stagnating the enemy.
Qiuyuan Skill Priority & Forte List
His damage and buffs are tied to his Forte and Liberation, making them the priority.
Skill Priority: Forte Circuit > Resonance Liberation > Resonance Skill > Normal Attack > Intro Skill
Forte Circuit: Verdant Edge
This is his main mechanic.
Swordster’s Soliloquy: Max 600 points.
Gain 100 points: from Basic Attack Stage 3, each stage of
Thus Spoke the Blade: Inkwash, or Dodge Counter.Gain 400 points: from Intro Skill.
Basic Attack – Thus Spoke the Blade: Inkwash (200 points): Replaces Basic Attack. A 4-stage attack dealing Heavy Attack DMG.
Bamboo’s Shade (400 points): Grants all teammates 30% Echo Skill DMG Bonus for 30s.
Inksplash of Mind (600 points): For 8s, replaces Heavy Attack with
Thus Spoke the Blade(3-attack string). These attacks deal Heavy Attack DMG but are considered Echo Skill casts.
Resonance Skill: Through the Groves
Press: Dash forward, dealing Aero DMG (considered Echo Skill DMG). If timed as a parry, negates damage and stagnates enemies.
Hold (Undaunted Wayfarer): Dash through the air, consuming Stamina. Deals Aero DMG on landing (considered Echo Skill DMG).
Resonance Liberation: Sundering Strike
Deals large Aero DMG (considered Echo Skill DMG).
For every 1% of Qiuyuan’s Crit Rate over 50%, all teammates gain 2% Crit DMG for 30s (max 30% Crit DMG, achieved at 65% Crit Rate).
Normal Attack: Inkwash
Basic Attack: 3-stage combo.
Heavy Attack: Consumes stamina to deal Aero DMG.
Dodge Counter: Press Basic Attack after a dodge to deal Aero DMG (considered Heavy Attack DMG).
Inherent Skills
Quietude Within: Upon entering
Inksplash of Mind, his enhancedThus Spoke the Bladeattacks deal 50% more DMG, and the final hit restores 30 Concerto Energy.Drink Away Woes Age-Old: Casting an Echo Skill brews a
Flowing Panacea. The next time he gains Forte, he consumes this to gain a 10% ATK buff for 20s.
Intro Skill: Attack the Must-Defend
Deals Aero DMG (considered Heavy Attack DMG).
Outro Skill: Strike Before Ready
Deals Aero DMG (considered Echo Skill DMG).
Grants the incoming Resonator 50% Echo Skill DMG Amplification for 14s.
Qiuyuan’s Resonance Chain (Sequence Nodes)
Qiuyuan’s Resonance Chain is extremely powerful, with S3 turning him into a viable Main DPS.
Recommended Stopping Points:
S2 (Great): This is a huge stopping point for his Sub-DPS role, as it adds another 30% Echo Skill DMG Amp to his kit, further boosting his team.
S3 (Amazing): This is his “Main DPS” node. It dramatically increases his personal damage with a 500% multiplier on his Liberation and a powerful new skill that restores his Forte.
All Sequence Node Effects
S1: Sword Sheathed, Mind Unclouded
His enhanced Heavy Attacks (
To Teach,To Save,To Sacrifice) can no longer be interrupted. Qiuyuan gains a 20% Crit. Rate increase.
S2: O Blade, I, Who Teach No More
His
Bamboo's Shade(Forte buff) now grants an additional 30% Echo Skill DMG Amplification to all teammates.
S3: O Blade, I, Who Save No More
The DMG Multiplier of Resonance Liberation is increased by 500%.
When Concerto Energy is full, his Resonance Skill is replaced with
Straw Cape in Drizzly Rain(once per 20s). This consumes 60 Concerto Energy to deal 500% Aero DMG, restore 400 Forte points, and buff his enhanced attacks by 600% DMG.
S4: O Blade, I, Who Sacrifice No More
ATK is increased by 20%.
S5: O Blade, I, Who Await to be Wielded
Qiuyuan now ignores 15% of the target’s DEF when dealing damage.
S6: Thus I Heard, Thus I Saw, Thus I Spoke
His
To Sacrifice(final Heavy Attack) Stagnates nearby targets for 5s.Upon exiting
Inksplash of Mind, he deals 600% Aero DMG.Casting his S3 skill (
Straw Cape) increases his Crit. DMG by 100% for 6s.
How to Get Qiuyuan
Qiuyuan is a limited 5-star Resonator, available on the “Wanderer Knows No Far and Near” Character Event Convene.
Banner Duration: Version 2.7 (Phase 2), October 30, 2025 – November 19, 2025
Qiuyuan Ascension & Forte Materials
Here are all the materials you’ll need to level up Qiuyuan and his skills.
Ascension Materials
Materials | Amount |
|---|---|
LF Whisperin Core | 4 |
MF Whisperin Core | 12 |
HF Whisperin Core | 12 |
FF Whisperin Core | 4 |
Truth in Lies | 46 |
Wintry Bell | 60 |
Shell Credit | 170,000 |
Forte (Skill) Materials (Total for all skills)
Materials | Amount |
|---|---|
LF Whisperin Core | 25 |
MF Whisperin Core | 28 |
HF Whisperin Core | 40 |
FF Whisperin Core | 57 |
Inert Metallic Drip | 25 |
Reactive Metallic Drip | 28 |
Polarized Metallic Drip | 55 |
Heterized Metallic Drip | 67 |
Curse of the Abyss | 26 |
Shell Credit | 2,030,000 |
Final Verdict: Is Qiuyuan Worth It? (Should I pull for Qiuyuan?)
Qiuyuan is a top-tier, future-proof support who enables an entire archetype of damage dealers. He is an absolutely fantastic pull.
Unlike a pure hypercarry who may be power-crept, Qiuyuan’s value is tied to his role as a buffer. As long as Wuthering Waves releases characters who deal Echo Skill DMG, Qiuyuan will be their best-in-slot support. His S0 performance as a buffer is exceptional.
Pull for Qiuyuan if:
You have (or plan to get) Galbrena, Phrolova, or Cantarella. He is their single best support, and it’s not close.
You value strong supports who enable new team compositions.
You appreciate a high-skill, technical playstyle with parries and resource management.
You want a character who will likely remain “meta” for a very long time.
Be Cautious if:
You have no interest in Galbrena, Phrolova, or other future Echo Skill DPS units.
You are looking for a simple, on-field hypercarry. His S0 personal damage is underwhelming, and he only becomes a Main DPS at S3+.
You are not willing to farm for his 65% Crit Rate and 130% Energy Regen requirements.