Scroll of Taiwu Martial Arts Tier List
A beginner-oriented Scroll of Taiwu martial arts tier list built on the game's own official Tier 1-9 grade system: what the in-game grades mean, the rarest top-grade arts, and why practice matters more than grade for new players.
The game already has an official tier system
You do not need a made-up ranking: The Scroll of Taiwu grades every martial art with an official Tier from 1 to 9, shown in the in-game Taiwupedia (Sect → Martial Arts Overview). Tier 1 is the rarest with the highest ceiling; Tier 9 is the most basic and widely available. Our martial arts database now lists each art's real in-game Tier instead of an invented score.
Grade still is not the whole story. A martial art's real value on a run depends on practice level, weapon range, and how it fits the rest of your loadout. A practiced Tier 7 art beats an unpracticed Tier 2 manual every time.
- Tier 1 = rarest / highest ceiling; Tier 9 = most basic and accessible.
- Grade is reliability and ceiling, not raw power on day one.
- A practiced art always beats an unpracticed lower-tier-number one.
- Always match your weapon art and internal art to the same range.
Highest-grade arts in the database
These are the lowest-tier-number (rarest) arts currently tracked in our database, straight from the in-game grade. They are aspirational rather than starting picks — most are gated behind specific factions and a lot of practice.
Note that a top-grade art is not automatically a beginner's best choice: Mantle of Feathers, for example, is a Tier 1 Jade-Maiden movement art, not a damage tool you build a run around.
- Mantle of Feathers (羽衣功) — Jade-Maiden, Tier 1 movement art.
- Zhanlu Sword Art (湛卢剑法) — Swordsmith Villa, Tier 2 named-sword style.
- Taiji Sword Art (太极剑法) — Wudang, Tier 3 balanced swordplay.
- Jade Maiden's Sting (玉女刺) — Emei, Tier 3 light-weapon route.
- Mind-clearing in Repose (坐忘玄功) — Emei, Tier 3 internal art.
Accessible arts that beginners actually use
For a first run, the practical picks are mid-to-basic grade arts (roughly Tier 5-9) that are easy to access and easy to practice to a usable level. Most beginners get far more value from a Tier 8 art they actually use than a Tier 2 one they cannot reach yet.
Strong accessible options include Shaolin's Gold Bell Protection (金钟罩, Tier 5) and Shaolin Harmonies Staff (少林六合棍, Tier 9), Wudang Unity (武当太和功, Tier 9) and Swirling Cloud Step (云步, Tier 7) for movement, and Emei's Yue Maiden Sword Art (越女剑法, Tier 5).
- Gold Bell Protection (金钟罩) — Shaolin, Tier 5 defensive body art, very beginner-safe.
- Shaolin Harmonies Staff (少林六合棍) — Tier 9, forgiving staff range.
- Wudang Unity (武当太和功) — Tier 9 internal support for swordplay.
- Swirling Cloud Step (云步) — Tier 7, dependable movement art.
- Yue Maiden Sword Art (越女剑法) — Emei, clean Tier 5 sword option.
A beginner loadout that works
Instead of chasing the single 'best' art, assemble a coherent set: one weapon art, one internal art that supports it, and one movement art, all at a compatible weapon range. This is far more important than the tier of any single piece.
A safe starter template: a Shaolin or Wudang faction, a beginner-accessible weapon art, a matching internal art, and a reliable movement art — then practice that core before collecting anything else.
- Pick one weapon art + one internal art at the same range.
- Add one movement art so you can control spacing.
- Practice this core to a usable level before expanding.
Related paths
FAQ
What is the best martial art in The Scroll of Taiwu?
There is no single best art — value depends on practice level, weapon range, and loadout fit. The game's own Tier 1-9 grade ranks rarity and ceiling (Tier 1 is rarest), but for beginners the most approachable picks are accessible faction arts like Shaolin's Gold Bell Protection or Wudang Unity, not the rarest manuals.
What do the Tier 1-9 grades mean?
They are the official in-game grade shown in the Taiwupedia. Tier 1 is the rarest with the highest ceiling; Tier 9 is the most basic and widely available. A lower tier number is not automatically better for a first run — a practiced Tier 7 art beats an unpracticed Tier 2 one. Use grade to decide what to invest practice into, not as a ranking to chase.
Which martial arts are easiest for beginners?
Arts tied to forgiving factions are easiest to access and practice early — for example Shaolin's Gold Bell Protection and Shaolin Harmonies Staff, or Wudang's Taiji Sword Art and Wudang Unity.
How should I build a martial arts loadout?
Pick one weapon art, one internal art that supports it, and one movement art, all at a compatible weapon range, then practice that compact core before collecting more. A coherent set beats a pile of rare low-tier-number manuals.