The Five Virtues of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – Explained

Honorable mention: Patience.

While most Soulslike games, or RPGs in general, will have you investing points in traditional attributes like Strength and Intelligence, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty asks your character to channel their focus towards the Five Virtues. An obvious reference to the Five Elemental Theory in Chinese philosophy, the Five Virtues make up the categories to which you’ll be investing your talent points into and increasing your stats with. To learn more about the Five Virtues of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and what each Virtue does, continue reading below.

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The Five Virtues of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – Explained

As stated above, the Five Virtues in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty refer to the Five Elemental Theory – a Chinese philosophy used to describe the interaction and relationship between all things in the universe. As such, each element corresponds to a select number of stats for your character, and investing points in a specific Virtue makes you more powerful with one element, more durable against its opposite, and less resistant to its counter.

We’ll go over all Five Virtues and how they affect your character below:

Wood Virtue

Screenshot by Prima Games

The Wood Virtue affects your maximum health points the most of all other Virtues, and also the amount of Spirit lost when you’re attacked. Swords are the recommended weapons to use with the Wood Virtue.

  • Increases HP
  • Increases Spirit Defense
  • Increases Spell Duration
  • Increases Earth Resistance

Fire Virtue

Screenshot by Prima Games

The Fire Virtue affects the amount of Spirit gained when attacking, as well as the amount of Spirit consumed by Martial Arts attacks. Straight Sabres are the ideal weapons to use with the Fire Virtue.

  • Increases HP
  • Increases Spirit Gain Rate when Attacking
  • Reduces Spirit Consumption Rate for Martial Arts
  • Increases Metal Resistance

Earth Virtue

Screenshot by Prima Games

The Earth Virtue affects your total equipment weight limit, and the amount of Spirit gained when deflecting an attack. Glaives are the recommended weapons to use with the Earth Virtue.

  • Increases HP
  • Increases Spirit Gain Rate when Deflecting
  • Increases Maximum Equipment Weight
  • Increases Water Resistance

Metal Virtue

Screenshot by Prima Games

The Metal Virtue affects the duration in which a high level of Spirit can be maintained, as well as the amount of Spirit consumed by Wizardry spells. Using Curved Sabres is recommended with the Metal Virtue.

  • Increases HP
  • Increases Spirit Sustainability
  • Reduces Spirit Consumption Rate for Wizardry Spells
  • Increases Wood Resistance

Water Virtue

Screenshot by Prima Games

The Water Virtue affects how easily enemies can detect your presence, as well as the amount of Spirit consumed when deflecting. The Water Virtue is best paired with Dual Swords and Ranged Weapons.

  • Increases HP
  • Increases Ranged Weapon Attack
  • Increases Stealth
  • Reduces Spirit Consumption Rate when Deflecting
  • Increases Fire Resistance

Related: All Pre-Order Bonuses for Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

For more information on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, check out our other guides here at Prima Games.


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About the Author

Matt Vatankhah

Matt's writing career began when he joined Prima Games in 2022. As Managing Editor, he tries to make sure everything you read looks as pretty as possible. He's had a passion for video games all of his life and really loves Final Fantasy, retro FPS, roguelikes, and metroidvanias. He will absolutely stomp you in Tetris.