The gourd in Black Myth: Wukong is a versatile item that allows you to absorb spirits, gain more willpower, and restore health. Throughout the game, you can enhance both the quantity and potency of the health restored, which is crucial during challenging battles with enemies and bosses. This guide will explain how to upgrade your gourd to increase its effectiveness.

How to Upgrade Gourd in Black Myth: Wukong

You can begin upgrading your gourd starting from the first chapter of the game. First, head to the shrine in the Marsh of the White Mist, located in the Bamboo Valley. This location is along the game's main progression path, so you won’t miss it.

Once you reach or teleport to this area, take the path to the left, and pass through the bamboo trees and a stone pillar. There, you'll find a tree; if you haven't been here before, pick up the Loujia Fragrant Vine from it. This material is essential for upgrading your gourd in Black Myth: Wukong.

Next, follow the path to a nearby wooden bridge. There, you’ll see a monkey named Shen in a tree, with a hostile snake beneath him. Defeat the enemy to save the monkey. After a cutscene, enter the cave nearby, where you’ll find Shen.

Talk to him, and a menu will open, allowing you to upgrade your gourd in Black Myth: Wukong, as well as your brews. You’ll need the appropriate resources to do this.

It’s worth noting that not all gourds can be upgraded; some will maintain the same effectiveness throughout the game. There are a total of 11 gourds you can obtain during the game.

How to Increase the Gourd Number of Sips in Black Myth: Wukong

Like most upgrades in the game, upgrading your gourd requires specific resources. One such material is the Luojia Fragrant Vine. With this vine, you can increase the number of sips you can take from the gourd in Black Myth: Wukong. These vines can be found throughout the game, with a total of 15 available.

How to Increase Gourd Healing Power in Black Myth: Wukong

To increase the amount of health restored by the gourd in Black Myth: Wukong, you’ll need another resource — Awaken Wine Worm. There are 12 of these items available in the game.

How to Brew in Black Myth: Wukong

In addition to upgrading your gourds, you can also add soaks to your drinks to provide buffs. You can brew drinks in Black Myth: Wukong either with Shen or at any shrine after meeting this NPC. This means you don’t have to return to Shen every time to brew drinks. Note that soaks cannot be upgraded in any way.

How to Obtain Guidance for Absorbing Spirits

When defeating bosses and enemies in Black Myth: Wukong, you may notice that they drop specific spirit abilities. However, when trying to interact with them, you’ll receive a message stating "Cannot absorb Spirits without guidance."

To absorb these spirits, you must meet an NPC sage in the first chapter of the game. This sage can be found in the Bamboo Grove location. To reach him, climb the stairs near the Snake Trail shrine in the mentioned area. This sage will upgrade your gourd, enabling it to absorb spirits.

Conclusion

By upgrading your gourd in Black Myth: Wukong, you can increase your survivability in combat through a higher number of sips, greater healing capacity, and various additional effects or soaks offered by drinks or the gourds themselves.