As a seasoned player who has journeyed through the New Game+ challenges of Black Myth: Wukong multiple times since its release, I've come to appreciate the profound impact that the six Relics have on my playstyle. These fragments of Sun Wukong's shattered soul, scattered across the chapters, are more than just collectibles; they are keystones that define how I, the Destined One, engage with the world's formidable challenges. Choosing the right skill from each Relic is a permanent decision for each playthrough, and over my many pilgrimages westward, I've refined my understanding of which perks truly elevate the experience. Let me share my hard-earned wisdom on the optimal choices for 2026's playthroughs.
In my experience, the absolute best Relic skills to select for a powerful and versatile build are: Opportune Watcher, Whistling Wind, Lingering Aroma, Spread the Word, Everlasting Vitality, and Unified Minds. These choices create a synergistic foundation that enhances offense, defense, and crowd control, preparing you for everything from early-game skirmishes to the brutal endgame bosses. Now, let's delve into the specifics of each Relic and why these skills stand above the rest.
Chapter 1 Relic: Craving Eyes
My journey for the first fragment of Wukong's soul concludes with the defeat of the Black Bear Guai. The Craving Eyes Relic, representing his sight, grants the invaluable ability to highlight foes with absorbable Spirits. For the skill choice, Opportune Watcher is, without a doubt, the optimal pick.
- Why Opportune Watcher? Combat in Black Myth: Wukong revolves around building Focus with light attacks to unleash devastating heavy smashes. This skill directly accelerates that core loop by increasing Focus gain on successful light attack hits. It's a consistent, always-active benefit that makes your offense more fluid and powerful from the very start. While other skills may offer situational bonuses, Opportune Watcher provides a fundamental boost to your combat rhythm that pays dividends in every single fight.
Chapter 2 Relic: Fuming Ears
After besting the Yellow Wind Sage, I claim the Fuming Ears, a Relic embodying the Monkey King's keen hearing. This one teaches you to listen for danger, and the skill Whistling Wind perfectly encapsulates that lesson.
- Why Whistling Wind? This perk rewards precise defensive play by boosting your Attack after executing a Perfect Dodge. The beauty of this skill is its dual nature: it incentivizes mastering dodges (making you a better player) while directly translating that skill into more damage. Even if your dodge timing isn't perfect, the times you do succeed feel incredibly rewarding. It turns a defensive maneuver into an offensive setup, creating dynamic and satisfying combat moments.
Chapter 3 Relic: Hubris Nose
The battle against Yellowbrow yields the curiously piscine Hubris Nose, representing Wukong's sense of smell. While its form is peculiar, its power is undeniable, and my recommended skill is Lingering Aroma.
- Why Lingering Aroma? This choice provides a straightforward and powerful damage bonus every time you cast a Spell. In the heat of battle, having a reliable damage spike after using an ability like Immobilize or a clone spell is immensely valuable. Some adept players swear by Hold Breath, which offers a buff during the invincibility frames after a dodge, but that requires near-flawless execution. For the vast majority of players, including myself on most runs, the consistent and easy-to-trigger bonus from Lingering Aroma is the more practical and effective choice.
Chapter 4 Relic: Envious Tongue
Vanquishing the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master grants the Envious Tongue, a Relic tied to taste. Beyond extending medicinal effects, it offers a crowd-control game-changer: Spread the Word.
- Why Spread the Word? Immobilize is arguably one of the most useful tools in your arsenal, creating crucial openings against tough enemies. Spread the Word elevates it from a single-target trick to a potent area-control tool by allowing you to Immobilize multiple foes at once. This is invaluable when dealing with groups or mobs. The synergy is spectacular when paired with a fully upgraded A Pluck of Many – your clones can help lock down entire battlefields for you. It's a strategic powerhouse that shifts the flow of combat.
Chapter 5 Relic: Grieved Body
The climactic fight with the Yaksha King awards Grieved Body, the fragment of Wukong's physical form. Facing the horrors that await in Chapter 6, I always find solace in the raw survivability of Everlasting Vitality.
- Why Everlasting Vitality? A flat +60 to your maximum health is a massive buffer. Chapter 6 and the New Game+ modes introduced since launch feature some of the most punishing boss encounters in the game (yes, even that rematch with Erlang). This health boost provides a much-needed safety net. Of course, expert players running high-risk, high-reward "glass cannon" builds might prefer Nimble Body for its stamina benefits or Divine Safeguard for its defensive proc. But for a reliable, no-fuss boost that helps every player survive longer, Everlasting Vitality is the premier choice.
Chapter 6 Relic: Freed Mind
The final piece, Freed Mind, is unique. You only obtain it after completing the main story and embarking on a New Game+ journey. It represents Wukong's liberated mind and is a tool for mastering the game's ultimate challenges. For this, Unified Minds is the only choice that makes sense.
- Why Unified Minds? This skill is a game-changer for clone-based tactics. It makes all your clones from A Pluck of Many mimic your actions. The strategic implications are enormous: imagine synchronizing a full squad of clones to all unleash a heavy smash simultaneously on a boss's stagger window. The burst damage and control this offers are unparalleled and perfectly suited for tackling the heightened difficulties of New Game+ and any post-launch challenge modes. It turns your clones from distractions into a coordinated, devastating army.
| Chapter | Relic | Best Skill | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Craving Eyes | Opportune Watcher | Increased Focus gain from light attacks |
| 2 | Fuming Ears | Whistling Wind | Attack boost after a Perfect Dodge |
| 3 | Hubris Nose | Lingering Aroma | Damage bonus after casting a Spell |
| 4 | Envious Tongue | Spread the Word | Immobilize multiple enemies at once |
| 5 | Grieved Body | Everlasting Vitality | +60 Maximum Health |
| 6 (NG+) | Freed Mind | Unified Minds | Clones copy your actions |
To summarize my journey's learnings:
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For Aggressive Players: Focus on Opportune Watcher, Whistling Wind, and Lingering Aroma to maximize damage output.
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For Strategic Players: Leverage Spread the Word and Unified Minds for unparalleled crowd and battlefield control.
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For All Players: Everlasting Vitality provides a universal safety net for the game's toughest trials.
Choosing these Relic skills has been the cornerstone of my most successful playthroughs. They complement powerful builds, enhance the best weapons, and synergize with essential tools like the Healing Gourd. As the game continues to evolve, this foundation has proven timeless, ensuring that I, the Destined One, am always ready to face whatever new myths the journey west has to offer. Remember, these choices are permanent per playthrough, so choose wisely and make your legend! 🐒✨