Where Winds Meet: How to Start and Win Gambit in Shimmer

Staring at the quest marker and wondering how to unlock it? In Where Winds Meet's version 1.2 update, the new Supreme Freedom campaign is hidden behind the Gambit Beneath the Shimmer quest. It's a rough journey through puzzles, chase sequences, and a brutal boss fight. Ready to dive in? Let's get prepared.

First, you need to meet three requirements. Complete Kaifeng Hianghu Legacy: Volume II: Shadows in Bloom, complete the Kaifeng main chapter: The Furnace of Heaven and Earth, and reach 6,000 Kaifeng exploration progress. That's a lot, but here's how to speed things up.

Shadows in Bloom is an optional Lost Chapter quest in Kaifeng. Fast travel to the Velvet Shade boundary stone and head to the nearby boat to start the cutscene. The quest involves investigation and minigames. Use the "View Clues" panel action under the tracked quest for hints.

The Furnace of Heaven and Earth (also called the Furnace of Meaning) is the final quest of the three-part Chapter 2: The Furnace of the Universe. Check the "Main Story" section of your quest log to confirm you've completed it.

Aim for level 5 for exploration progress. How to earn it quickly: boundary stones give 50, Divinecraft Dungeons give 50+, Meow Meow puzzles give 30, and some outposts give 20+.

Once you meet the prerequisites, you'll receive a letter from "The Masterminds." Open the menu and select the "Letters" tab to find it. Then head to the Velvet Shade boundary stone in Kaifeng and go north to Revelry Hall. Mysteriously, it's empty.

Inside, a character known only as "What?!" is introduced in a cutscene. He mocks you and tells you to explore. Follow the quest marker to the right, where a chessboard and a figurine await. Pick up the figurine, place it on the board, and play a short game. Win or lose, you'll carry the figurine to the next challenge.

Place the figurine on the stand, then rotate it so the shadow aligns with the empty space on the canvas in front of you. This triggers a cutscene where story characters move like chess pieces. You'll make choices, but the outcome is the same.

Repeat this pattern 4 times: chess game, silhouette puzzle, cutscene. The chess games introduce new pieces, and the silhouettes get trickier with distance. Along the way, collect the 10 Shimmer Notes on the ground. They're part of a book about the Ember of the East. Keep them all in your journal. The only tricky one is Shimmer's Note VI in the top-left corner of the third silhouette puzzle. Use Celestial Sieze to grab it.

After the final silhouette, you'll land on the road and chase the Shimmer of South while dodging masked intruders. Deflect and dodge to trigger the run at the end of each segment. At the end of the road, you'll earn the "Breaking the Phalanx" achievement (worth 5 Echo Jades).

The Mastermind escapes above the furnace, leading to a platform where you'll face the Golden Dragon's Iron Rain. This short fight has two phases. First, reflect the waves of fire to charge blade momentum. Second, use that momentum to reflect the dragon's flame attacks, dealing damage until it self-destructs. Then dodge the fire beams fired from its two heads. The meter expires. You'll earn the "Standing Though Scorched" achievement.

Afterward, you'll land near the Hero's Tomb, where you can join or host co-op. Highly recommended. It will help with the upcoming boss.

Finally, you'll face the Shimmer of South, an inky construct of familiar but deadlier bosses. Co-op is a game-changer. Even one ally helps distract the boss. Bring a healing weapon. This fight is long and will burn through potions. The Panacea Fan's passive area healing is your best bet. Also, stay close. Fleeing punishes distance.

Did this guide help you conquer Gambit? Let us know in the comments!