How to get and use Spirits in Black Myth Wukong

Spirits are great allies in battle as they can inflict massive damage, and you can deploy them as a secret weapon in times of desperate need. Black Myth: Wukong has a lot of Spirits, so let’s run through how to collect and use them.

Black Myth: Wukong‘s combat is diverse and versatile: One second, you’re bonking enemies with your staff, and the next, you’re immobilizing them and unleashing the fury of a Transformation. One of my favorite aspects of combat, though, is Spirits—creatures you can briefly summon to help you. Each Spirit offers something different, and here’s a handy guide covering the best bits of the mechanic.

How to get Spirits in Black Myth Wukong

You absorb Spirits from certain defeated enemies in Black Myth: Wukong and use your upgraded Gourd to capture them.

Enemies with Spirits are usually marked by glowing eyes or a mystical aura. Once they are defeated, the Spirit drops for you.

How to unlock Spirits ability in Black Myth Wukong

Progress through Chapter One and find an old man who tinkers with your Gourd—only used for Healing until now—enabling the ability to absorb Spirits.

The feature isn’t unlocked from the get-go, sadly, so here’s what you need to do:

1. Progress through the first chapter until you reach Bamboo Grove and the Snake Trail Shrine.
2. Interact with the Shrine.
3. Turn right and ascend the stone stairs taking you up to a bridge.
4. Don’t cross the bridge, instead, turn right.
5. The old man is next to a table and you need to interact with him.
6. He dutifully upgrades your Gourd.

Players have complained about the “can’t absorb Spirit without guidance” message, thinking Spirits are unobtainable when, in fact, they haven’t unlocked the ability yet. For example, if you encounter the Wandering Wight boss, defeat it, and don’t have the Gourd upgraded, the Spirit disappears when you return to it later.

However, once you unlock the ability to claim Spirits, any unclaimed Spirits are available in the Shrine menu. Go to Self-Advance, then Cultivate Spirits, and they appear.

How to use Spirits in Black Myth Wukong

Pause the game, go to Equipment, click on the inventory slot above where your Arm defense is, and equip the Spirit you want. Now, in-game, attack enemies to fill the gauge in the bottom-right of your screen and press the on-screen buttons to use the Spirit.

Again, there are many Spirits to find, so do your best to track them down and add them to your inventory.

Make sure to check out our guides on how to use Buddha’s Eyeballs, what the Gold Ridge Beast does, and how to get past the sand wall, too.