All Black Myth: Wukong Spells, Ranked (2024)

Spells are an exciting part of combat in Black Myth: Wukong, but it's not possible to equip every spell available in the game at once. In combat, Black Myth: Wukong provides four spell slots, and each of the seven spells is designated for one of these four destinations. After getting deep enough into the game, there's always a choice about which option to have available in each slot, and the decision can be tricky thanks to how unique the perks can be.

Although the opening battle of the game starts players with several spells, Chapter 1 quickly takes things back to square one, restricting the Destined One to physical attacks before slowly reintroducing magical options. It doesn't take long to acquire the early spell Immobilize, but completing the suite takes a lot longer. Spells rarely feel necessary when fighting standard enemies throughout the world, but when it comes to Black Myth: Wukong's challenging boss fights, mastering spells can be the key to victory.

7 Ring Of Fire Might Not Be Worth It

In theory, Ring of Fire should be a useful spell to employ in Black Myth: Wukong. Ring of Fire creates a flaming circle around the Destined One that offers several perks and increases the effect of medicines, which sounds like an effective reprieve in intense boss fights. Upgrading the spell makes it possible to recover health and eventually extend the Ring of Fire effects even after stepping out of the ring, reducing the likelihood of completely wasting the spell in an aggressive encounter.

The biggest problem with Ring of Fire is that it occupies the same slot as Immobilize, which is significantly easier to use consistently and effectively against challenging foes. Sacrificing a powerful control spell in favor of a recovery option that can be difficult to use to its maximum potential isn't always the best fit for the aggressive playstyle that Black Myth: Wukong encourages. The hardest boss fights also tend to take place in large arenas and force a lot of dodging, so staying within the ring can be a challenge.

6 Cloud Step Is A Good Early-Game Option

Unlike Ring of Fire, Cloud Step can actually be pretty useful when it's first acquired. The spell lets the Destined One step into an incorporeal form and leave a physical copy behind, distracting the boss while potentially dodging some major attacks. Attacking while in Cloud Step ends the form but takes enemies by surprise with an Unveiling Strike that deals extra damage.

Cloud Step is a good way to do more than just dodge if a boss deploys a particularly tough series of attacks, and using it in short bursts doesn't waste too much mana. Upgrades to the spell increase the health and abilities of the Destined One decoy and improve the efficacy of the Unveiling Strike.

The biggest reason that Cloud Step isn't one of the best spells is simply that a later spell option for the same slot edges it out. That's no reason not to use itnear the beginning of the game, however, as there's no punishment for investing in it early on. Respeccing makes it possible to reallocate any points put into Cloud Step upgrades after making the switch.

5 Somersault Cloud Is Fun But Extraneous

Somersault Cloud is actually one of the coolest spells in Black Myth: Wukong, but in a game where every spell can count when fighting difficult bosses, it's hard to rank it as one of the best. Rather than offering powerful opportunities in combat, Somersault Cloud makes it easier to move around Black Myth: Wukong's final chapter. Based on the magical cloud that Sun Wukong uses in Journey to the West, it's a cool fulfillment of a familiar fantasy that feels rewarding to earn as the game nears its end.

Considering how long it can take to run through some of the chapters in Black Myth: Wukong, Somersault Cloud comes as a relief when it does appear. The late appearance and lack of upgrades certainly feel limiting, however, especially considering that it's not possible to go back to earlier chapters and speed around with Somersault Cloud. From a design standpoint, it makes sense that the spell is restricted, but it does stop short of being quite as exciting as it could be.

4 A Pluck Of Many Can Overwhelm Enemies

One of the biggest challenges of Black Myth: Wukong is actually keeping up the pressure on bosses, as the Destined One's strikes don't tend to do a lot of damage to the game's beefiest foes. A great answer to this problem can be found in A Pluck of Many , which creates an entire party of monkey clones to assault enemies in force. In the right scenarios, this can be a great way to turn the tides of battle, especially when its upgrade path has been completed and the duplicates gain more health and power.

It's hard to rely on A Pluck of Many quite as much as the very best Black Myth: Wukong spells, however. It requires a much more significant chunk of mana than the alternatives, so choosing to use depletes resources at a terrifying speed in long boss fights. Past the game's earlier challenges, making A Pluck of Many a core part of the Destined One's moveset generally means investing heavily in its upgrade path will be necessary, and even then, risking its slightly long casting time can be scary.

3 Spell Binder Removes All Spells

Spell Binder is completely different in nature than every other spell in Black Myth: Wukong, as it restricts the Destined One's magic options rather than opening up new opportunities. Equipping Spell Binder turns the Destined One into a fully martial character, removing every magical opportunity in combat, whether that's something like Cloud Step or any of Black Myth: Wukong's spirits.

If that was all Spell Binder did, it would obviously be unappealing to all but the most masoch*stic, but Spell Binder makes up for everything it takes away. The physical damage inflicted by the Destined One's staff is buffed when his magic is restricted, helping to make up for its generally anemic capabilities against bosses. Taking the Spell Binder approach can also make dealing with fodder enemies outside of boss encounters more efficient.

Fans of games like Sekiro might prefer this straightforward experience, while anyone who leans on magic in action RPGs may not see the appeal. Using the Spell Binder won't be for everyone, but for the right player, it could be the one Black Myth: Wukong spell worth having.

2 Rock Solid Is Black Myth: Wukong's Parry

Cloud Step might be a good emergency spell in Black Myth: Wukong, but Rock Solid is a great one. It doesn't take long to notice that Black Myth: Wukong doesn't have any standard block or parry abilities in melee combat, forcing the Destined One to rely on dodges as his bread and butter. For the most part, enemy moves provide ample warning and opportunities to dodge, but some situations can feel incredibly difficult to navigate without a parry.

Rock Solid provides just that, turning the Destined One into stone for a brief moment and rocking any enemies who dare to strike. Getting the hang of the timing can take a bit of getting used to, but it's more generous than a lot of traditional parry moves. The caveat is that it requires mana and a cooldown, but in a game with no comparable options, that still presents an attractive package.

One early upgrade for Rock Solid makes it possible to cancel at will, which can significantly reduce the risk of getting the timing wrong. Even without that, it's worth having around to trigger at the last moment when a dodge isn't going to do the trick.

1 Immobilize Is An Absolute Staple

For anyone who doesn't fall in love with Ring of FireImmobilize is likely the spell that the Destined One will rely on the most. Immobilize freezes enemies mid-combat, offering a brief window to deal some damage or simply get out of the way of oncoming attacks. As a strong option for both offense and emergency defense, going through a boss fight without using the spell at least once is usually a wasted opportunity.

Upgrades to Immobilize can increase the duration of the effect and the damage dealt when striking an Immobilized enemy. When fully upgraded, the spell might be the easiest way to actually deal a relevant amount of damage during hard fights, and completing a combo while it's active could stagger the enemy as it breaks and make it possible to squeeze in an additional heavy attack after the fact.

The big caveat to Immobilize is that some of the most challenging bosses aren't as susceptible to it, quickly breaking out of the spell during their most aggressive phases or even punishing the Destined One for daring to use it. Despite that, it's hard to argue that Immobilize isn't a staple, and it's the natural contender for the rank of Black Myth: Wukong's best spell.

Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG game from the developers at GameScience. Based on the original Chinese novelJourney to the West,players take on the role of Sun Wukong, a legendary monkey warrior who fights against mythical beasts and beings to save his world.

Action RPG

Platform(s)

PlayStation 5 , PC

Released

August 20, 2024

Developer(s)

Game Science

Publisher(s)

Game Science