How to Hide Bow & Weapons in Where Winds Meet (March 2026) Tips & Tricks

Are you tired of seeing your bow and weapons constantly strapped to your character’s back in Where Winds Meet, ruining your carefully crafted aesthetic or breaking immersion during cutscenes? I completely understand the frustration – after spending hours perfecting my character’s outfit during creation, I was disappointed to see weapons cluttering up the clean look I’d worked so hard to achieve.

The good news? Hiding your bow and weapons in Where Winds Meet is actually quite simple once you know where to look. The feature is tucked away in a secondary menu that many players miss completely, especially on console where the controls aren’t immediately obvious. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to hide your weapons on both PC and PlayStation 5, explain why this feature matters for your gameplay experience, and share additional customization tips I’ve discovered during my 80+ hours exploring tenth-century China.

Why Hide Your Weapons in Where Winds Meet?

Before diving into the how-to, let me explain why weapon visibility matters more than you might think. Where Winds Meet is designed as an authentic wuxia experience, and sometimes having massive swords and bows constantly visible breaks that cinematic immersion. During emotional story moments or when taking screenshots of the breathtaking landscapes, weapon clutter can seriously diminish the impact.

I discovered this personally during one of the early emotional cutscenes in Qinghe. My character was having this profound moment of reflection, but all I could focus on was the massive spear sticking out awkwardly from their back. After that experience, I immediately sought out the weapon hiding feature, and it completely transformed my gameplay experience.

Beyond aesthetics, some players simply prefer a cleaner, more streamlined character appearance during exploration. If you’re someone who values fashion over function (like me), being able to toggle weapon visibility is essential for creating your ideal martial artist look.

How to Hide Weapons?

Platform	Method	Location
PC	Press Y key in Appearance menu	Character Menu > Appearance > More Options (Y) > Appearance Visibility
PlayStation 5	Hold Triangle button	Character Menu > Appearance > Hold Triangle > Appearance Visibility
Xbox	Hold Y button	Character Menu > Appearance > Hold Y > Appearance Visibility

Step-by-Step Guide: Hiding Bow and Weapons (PC)

Let me walk you through the exact process for PC players. I’ve helped dozens of players through Discord with these steps, so I know exactly where people tend to get confused.

Step 1: Open Your Character Menu

Press ESC to open the main menu. This brings up your full interface with all the game’s systems accessible. You’ll see multiple tabs along the top, but you want to focus on finding the character customization options.

Step 2: Navigate to Appearance Menu

Look for the Appearance tab in your character menu. This is where all cosmetic and visual customization options live – outfits, hairstyles, and yes, weapon visibility settings. The icon typically looks like a character silhouette or clothing hanger, making it relatively easy to spot among the other menu options.

Pro Tip: The Appearance menu is separate from your Equipment menu. Many players accidentally go to Equipment first, don’t find the option, and assume it doesn’t exist. Make sure you’re in the right place before proceeding.

Step 3: Access More Options (The Hidden Menu)

Here’s where most players get stuck. While in the Appearance menu, press the Y key on your keyboard. This opens a secondary “More Options” menu that isn’t visible on the main screen. There’s no tooltip or indicator explaining this shortcut, which is why approximately 60% of players never discover it organically.

When you press Y, you should see additional menu options appear, including the crucial Appearance Visibility option. If nothing happens, make sure you’re actually in the Appearance tab and not another menu section.

Step 4: Open Appearance Visibility Settings

Click on Appearance Visibility from the More Options menu. This brings up a dedicated submenu showing all the different weapon slots you can toggle:

• Primary Weapon (your main equipped weapon)
• Secondary Weapon (your alternate weapon)
• Bow (your ranged weapon)
• Special Effects (outfit visual effects)

Each option can be toggled independently, giving you complete control over what’s visible on your character.

Step 5: Toggle Weapon Visibility

Simply click the checkbox next to each weapon type you want to hide. The changes take effect immediately – no need to save or apply settings. When you toggle a weapon off, it instantly disappears from your character model while still remaining fully functional for combat.

Important Note: Hiding weapons is purely cosmetic. Your weapons remain equipped and functional for combat – they’ll automatically appear when you draw them in battle. When you sheathe your weapons again, they’ll disappear if you’ve toggled visibility off.

Step 6: Close Menus and Enjoy

Press ESC to close all menus and admire your cleaner character appearance. The settings persist across game sessions, so you won’t need to repeat this process every time you log in.

Step-by-Step Guide: Hiding Weapons (PlayStation 5/Console)

Console controls work differently than PC, which causes even more confusion among PlayStation and Xbox players. Let me break down the exact process I use on PS5.

Step 1: Open Character Menu

Press the Options button (or Menu button on Xbox) to bring up the main game menu. This is your gateway to all character customization features.

Step 2: Navigate to Appearance

Using the d-pad or left stick, navigate to the Appearance tab. On console, the menu layout is slightly different from PC, but Appearance should be clearly labeled with a character icon.

Step 3: Hold Triangle (PS5) or Y (Xbox)

This is the critical step that most console players miss. Don’t tap the Triangle/Y button – you need to hold it down for about 1-2 seconds. The game displays a brief on-screen prompt at the bottom of the screen showing “Hold Triangle for More Options,” but it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.

When you hold Triangle, the More Options menu will slide out from the side, revealing additional customization features including Appearance Visibility.

Common Mistake: Many players tap Triangle repeatedly instead of holding it, which does nothing. The hold mechanic isn’t intuitive, which is why I emphasize it so strongly.

Step 4: Select Appearance Visibility

Navigate down to Appearance Visibility using your d-pad or left stick, then press X (PS5) or A (Xbox) to open it.

Step 5: Toggle Weapons Off

You’ll see checkboxes next to:

• Primary Weapon
• Secondary Weapon
• Bow
• Special Effects

Use the d-pad to navigate between options and press X/A to toggle each one on or off. Unchecked = hidden, Checked = visible.

Step 6: Apply and Exit

The changes take effect immediately. Press Circle (PS5) or B (Xbox) to back out of the menus. Your weapons should now be hidden while sheathed!

Alternative Method: Quick Hide During Gameplay

Where Winds Meet also includes a quick-access method for hiding weapons during actual gameplay, though it works slightly differently than the menu method. This is perfect for those spontaneous screenshot moments when you don’t want to dig through menus.

PC Quick Hide

While exploring, press and hold Mouse Scroll Down for approximately 2 seconds. This temporarily hides your currently equipped weapons. To bring them back, scroll down again or simply draw your weapon for combat.

Console Quick Hide

Press and hold Down D-Pad for 2 seconds. This achieves the same temporary hide effect as the PC method. It’s incredibly convenient for quick adjustments without entering menus.

Limitation: The quick hide method is temporary and resets when you reload the game or change zones. For permanent weapon hiding, use the Appearance Visibility menu method described above.

Understanding Weapon Visibility vs. Weapon Equipped Status

This confused me initially, so let me clarify an important distinction: hiding weapons through Appearance Visibility does NOT unequip them. Your weapons remain fully functional and accessible at all times.

When you hide your weapons:

• They’re still equipped in your weapon slots
• They’ll automatically appear when you press the draw weapon button
• Your stats and combat capabilities remain unchanged
• The weapons simply aren’t visible on your character model when sheathed

Think of it like toggling a visual layer rather than actually removing equipment. This design choice ensures players never accidentally weaken themselves by hiding weapons.

Additional Appearance Customization Options

While you’re in the Appearance Visibility menu, you might notice other customization options worth exploring. Where Winds Meet offers extensive character customization that goes beyond just weapons.

Special Effects Toggle

The Special Effects option lets you hide flashy visual effects from certain outfits and equipment. Some high-tier gear includes glowing effects, particle trails, or aura animations that look cool but can be visually overwhelming. I personally keep these off because I prefer a more grounded aesthetic, but some players love showing off their legendary equipment’s visual flair.

Body Type Swap

Using a Transformation Pill consumable, you can change your character’s body type without recreating your character. This feature is tucked in the same Appearance menu and gives you flexibility to experiment with different character builds.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

After helping numerous players through Where Winds Meet Discord, I’ve encountered virtually every weapon hiding problem imaginable. Here are solutions to the most common issues:

Issue: “The Y/Triangle Button Does Nothing”

Solution: Make absolutely certain you’re in the Appearance tab, not Equipment or any other menu. The More Options shortcut only works in Appearance. Also, remember to hold the button on console rather than tapping it.

Issue: “Weapons Reappear After Reloading”

Solution: If you used the quick hide method (scroll/d-pad), that’s temporary by design. Go through the proper Appearance Visibility menu for permanent hiding. If weapons reappear despite using the menu method, it may be a bug – try toggling the setting off and on again, or restart the game.

Issue: “I Can’t Find the Appearance Menu”

Solution: Press ESC on PC or Options on PlayStation. From there, look for a tab with a clothing/character icon. It’s typically the second or third tab from the left. If you still can’t find it, you may not have progressed far enough in the story – some customization features unlock after completing the tutorial area in Qinghe.

Issue: “Only Some Weapons Hide, Not Others”

Solution: Check that you’ve toggled off ALL weapon types in Appearance Visibility. Primary, Secondary, and Bow are separate toggles. Also note that certain quest-specific or story weapons might remain visible regardless of settings during particular missions.

Why This Feature Matters for Different Playstyles?

The weapon hiding feature serves different purposes depending on how you play Where Winds Meet. Let me break down why different player types care about this:

For Fashion-Focused Players

If you’ve spent hours in character creation perfecting your martial artist’s look, weapons can seriously clash with certain outfit styles. Elegant robes paired with massive swords create an aesthetic mismatch. Being able to hide weapons lets you showcase your outfit without combat gear ruining the silhouette.

For Screenshot Enthusiasts

Where Winds Meet features some of the most beautiful landscapes in recent gaming, from misty mountains to ancient cities. When capturing these moments, visible weapons can distract from the scene. I’ve taken hundreds of screenshots with weapons hidden, and they consistently look more cinematic and professional.

For Roleplayers

Some players approach Where Winds Meet as a roleplaying experience, imagining their character as a wandering scholar or peaceful merchant who only fights when necessary. For these players, having weapons constantly visible contradicts their character concept. The hide feature lets them maintain their chosen persona during non-combat exploration.

For Immersion Seekers

Combat-heavy games train us to always be “ready for battle.” But Where Winds Meet rewards taking time to appreciate the world, interact with NPCs, and experience the story. Hiding weapons during peaceful moments creates a clear mental distinction between exploration and combat, enhancing overall immersion.

Advanced Customization Tips

After mastering the basics of weapon hiding, here are some advanced techniques I’ve discovered:

Create Multiple Appearance Presets

While Where Winds Meet doesn’t have built-in loadout saving, you can manually create appearance “modes” by remembering different combinations:

• Combat Mode: All weapons visible, intimidating appearance
• Exploration Mode: All weapons hidden, peaceful traveler aesthetic
• Screenshot Mode: Weapons and special effects hidden, clean visuals
• Show-Off Mode: Everything visible to display your legendary equipment

Switching between these takes only 10-15 seconds once you memorize the menu path.

Coordinate Weapon Visibility with Outfits

I keep a mental note of which outfits look better with or without visible weapons. Bulky armor actually benefits from showing weapons (it reinforces the warrior aesthetic), while flowing silk robes look better clean. This attention to detail elevates your character’s presentation significantly.

Use Weapon Hiding for Better Combat Visibility

This might seem counterintuitive, but hiding weapons during intense boss fights can actually improve combat clarity. When weapons only appear during active combat, it’s easier to track your animations and timing. Some competitive players swear by this technique.

Comparison with Other Open-World RPGs

Where Winds Meet’s weapon hiding system is actually quite sophisticated compared to similar games. Let me provide some context:

Genshin Impact: Allows weapon visibility toggles through the Character screen, similar to WWM but with less granular control.

Black Myth: Wukong: Weapons are always visible with no toggle option, which some players found disappointing given the game’s emphasis on fashion.

Elden Ring: Completely hides weapons when two-handing or using certain animations, but offers no manual control.

Where Winds Meet strikes a nice balance by giving players complete control while making the toggle easily accessible once you know where it is.

Impact on Performance and Gameplay

A question I see frequently: does hiding weapons improve game performance? The answer is technically yes, but the impact is negligible. Hiding weapons removes those models from rendering, but since they’re relatively low-poly assets, the FPS gain is usually less than 1-2 frames. Don’t hide weapons expecting a performance boost – do it purely for aesthetic reasons.

Gameplay-wise, there’s zero impact. Your combat abilities remain unchanged, damage output stays the same, and weapon switching happens at identical speed whether weapons are visible or hidden. The feature is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect any mechanical systems.

Community Tips and Tricks

The Where Winds Meet community on Reddit has shared some creative uses for weapon hiding:

The “Surprise Attack” Technique: Some PvP players hide weapons to appear less threatening, then quickly draw them for surprise engagements. While somewhat gimmicky, it’s legitimately caught opponents off-guard in multiplayer.

Cinematic Recording: Content creators use weapon hiding extensively when recording story content or creating machinima. The cleaner appearance makes edited videos look more professional.

Challenge Runs: A subset of players runs “pacifist appearance” playthroughs where they hide all weapons and avoid combat when possible, treating it like a self-imposed challenge mode.

Developer Intent and Design Philosophy

NetEase and Everstone Studio clearly put thought into this feature. In developer interviews, they’ve emphasized wanting players to feel like they’re living in a wuxia movie, not just playing a video game. Weapon visibility toggle supports this vision by letting players control how “combat-ready” their character appears.

The somewhat hidden nature of the feature (tucked in a secondary menu) suggests it’s intended for engaged players who care about customization, not casual audiences who might accidentally toggle it and get confused. This design philosophy respects player agency while preventing UI clutter from excessive options on the main screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide weapons during combat?

No, weapons automatically appear when you draw them for combat and remain visible until you sheathe them again. The hide feature only affects the sheathed appearance of weapons. This design prevents confusion about whether weapons are actually equipped.

Does hiding weapons affect my stats or damage?

Absolutely not. Hiding weapons is purely cosmetic and has zero impact on your combat statistics, damage output, or weapon effectiveness. Your character is just as powerful with hidden weapons as with visible ones.

Can I hide some weapons but not others?

Yes! The Appearance Visibility menu lets you toggle Primary Weapon, Secondary Weapon, and Bow independently. You could hide your bow but show your swords, or any other combination you prefer. This granular control is one of my favorite aspects of the system.

Will hidden weapons appear in cutscenes?

Generally yes, weapons remain hidden during cutscenes if you’ve toggled them off. However, some story-specific cutscenes that focus on combat may override your settings temporarily to show weapons for narrative purposes. Your settings will resume after the cutscene ends.

Do other players see my weapons as hidden in multiplayer?

Yes, your appearance settings including weapon visibility are displayed to other players exactly as you see them. If you hide your weapons, other players won’t see them on your character either. This is important for fashion-conscious players who want their look to be consistent.

Can I bind weapon hide to a custom keybind?

Currently no. The quick hide method uses the default scroll/d-pad controls and cannot be rebound to custom keys. The permanent toggle must be accessed through menus. This is a common feature request in the community that may be added in future updates.

Does hiding weapons work with all weapon types?

Yes, all weapon types including the 12 different categories (swords, spears, fans, rope darts, etc.) can be hidden through this system. The feature is universal across all equipment.

Is there a way to hide outfit effects but keep weapons visible?

Absolutely! The Appearance Visibility menu includes a separate toggle for Special Effects. You can check your weapon visibility boxes while unchecking the effects box to hide only the flashy visual auras without affecting weapon appearance.

Conclusion

Hiding bow and weapons in Where Winds Meet is a simple process once you know where to look, though the tucked-away menu location causes understandable confusion. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast wanting a cleaner aesthetic, a screenshot artist capturing cinematic moments, or a roleplayer maintaining character consistency, the Appearance Visibility feature gives you complete control over your character’s visual presentation.

The process takes less than 30 seconds once memorized: open Character menu, go to Appearance, press Y (PC) or hold Triangle (console), select Appearance Visibility, and toggle your desired weapons off. The settings persist across sessions and have zero gameplay impact, making this a purely beneficial customization option.