"Legend of the Living Heroes Sect Guide: Tang Sect Expansion, Redeeming the Outer Fort & Full A
If you’ve been researching info on "Live Wuxia Faction Size" lately, chances are you’re not a newbie who just started with Tangmen and is still trying to survive the early story beats. Because in 《The Legend of the Living Sword》, "Sect Size" isn’t some surface-level system that you can grasp at a glance or max out on your first playthrough—it’s more like a mid-to-late game management main quest that grows deeper and more meaningful the longer you play through each round. Early on, you might only see it as part of Tangmen’s internal politics, but by the endgame, you’ll clearly feel that Sect Size isn’t just a number. It affects which sect facilities you can unlock, whether you can complete the full hidden weapon and forging lines, Tangmen’s standing in the martial arts world, and even your in-game mindset—like whether you’re just scraping by day-to-day or slowly rebuilding Tangmen back to its former glory. According tofrom the player community, Sect Size is interconnected with Tangmen’s internal stats like disciple count, sect assets, reputation, and cohesion—it’s not an isolated system.
I. Preface: Overview of the Sect Size System
A. What is "Sect Size": Explanation of Level Stages and Unlock Timing
Let’s start with the basics. According tofrom players and the community, 《The Legend of the Living Sword》 players mostly categorize Sect Size into Levels 1~3 to understand it. This system can’t be maxed out freely at the start of the game—it unlocks gradually based on story years, sect meetings, internal politics options, and resource conditions. A step-by-step visual guide also clearly mentions that every New Year, the Tangmen Meeting will have the option: "Redeem Properties or Expand Sect Size", which means that expanding size itself is a key decision in story milestones—not something you can just throw a bit of resources at to infinitely max out immediately.
What makes this system easy to miss for new players is that it doesn’t give immediate, direct combat stats like skills or gear. Sect Size is more like an upgrade to Tangmen’s entire overall board: you have to build it up first before you can unlock more facilities, internal politics, and technologies later. In other words, it’s the classic "slow start, big impact later" system—that’s why many people don’t focus on it in their first playthrough, only to suddenly realize in their second or third playthrough that it’s a critical long-term lever.
B. The Connection Between Sect Size and Tangmen’s Story, Management Lines, and Combat Power Growth
The most interesting part of Sect Size in 《The Legend of the Living Sword》 is that it’s not just pure management numbers—it’s tightly tied to story atmosphere, sect circumstances, and combat playstyles. Tangmen was originally a sect that was once feared by the entire martial arts world, but is now deeply in debt, has a shrinking disciple count, sold off properties, and lost its former prestige. This backstory isn’t just flavor text—it’s the foundation for most systems in the game. RekoWiki’salso clearly notes that Tangmen now has fewer disciples than before, most of its properties are sold, and Zhao Huo, the only non-clan disciple, holds a very subtle position in the sect. This sense of decline is exactly the core premise that the Sect Size system exists for.
So you can see Sect Size as part of the "Tangmen Revival Progress Bar". It links internal politics content like disciple count, assets, outer fort, and facilities on one hand; on the other hand, it shapes your combat power experience during play—especially lines like hidden weapons and forging that rely heavily on the sect’s overall strength. That’s why Sect Size is hard to analyze only from a numerical perspective—it carries strong narrative meaning: you’re not just clicking a regular city-building tech, but slowly propping up a declining sect.
C. Why Sect Size Becomes an Advanced System High Playthrough Players Must Discuss
This is actually easy to understand. Because what high playthrough players care about most is never "can I beat the game"—it’s "which complete system line do I want to pursue this round". In the first playthrough, info is incomplete, so many people prioritize their own combat power to make sure the story doesn’t go wrong. But in high playthroughs, you start learning which events you can’t miss, which facilities are worth redeeming first, and which resources to focus on. So a system like Sect Size that affects the whole board naturally becomes a must-discuss topic. A Steam guide directly points out that hidden weapons only truly get strong when Sect Size hits Level 3. And forum players are also asking if "learning secret manuals, Sect Size, redeeming properties" affect different event branches—this shows that high playthrough players no longer see Sect Size as something optional.
In other words, in the first playthrough you might ask "should I even upgrade Sect Size", but high playthrough players now ask "how do I pair Level 3 Sect Size with hidden weapons, outer fort, internal politics, and the story line this round". That’s the difference: when a system goes from an optional extra to the main focus of your playthrough, it naturally shifts from a side note to a core element.
II. Sect Size Levels & Unlock RequirementsA. Upgrade Conditions for Sect Size 1→2→3:
Timing, Trigger Events, and Resource Needs
Current player community discussions and compiled guides show that boosting your sect size isn’t just about a single static number—there are multiple interlinked factors, including plot timeline milestones, Tang Sect assembly events, internal politics decisions, and sect assets + contribution points. Well-known community organizer Entertainment14’s detailed guide notes that the Tang Sect conference at the start of the new year gives you a choice between “redeeming sect properties” or “expanding your sect size”—this makes it clear that sect growth is tied to the main plot’s pace, not something you can grind out on demand.
Another deep dive on PTT (a popular Taiwanese gaming forum) points out that some hidden content is even linked to level 3-exclusive facilities. For example, players have tested that when your sect assets hit a certain threshold, Shangguan Ying will pay a visit—if you first unlock the “Other Shore Immortal Fragrance” project (only available at sect level 3) before opening level 2 facilities, you’ll have a shot at triggering a unique hidden incense recipe. This is advanced game content, but it makes one thing obvious: boosting your sect size doesn’t just unlock more functional slots—it directly determines whether you can access specific plot branches and development paths later down the line.
B. Direct Impacts of Each Sect Size Level on Member Cap, Finances, and Reputation
Even though the devs haven’t released a clear stat sheet showing exact bonuses for level 1, 2, and 3, based on player-compiled data, member count, reputation, cohesion, and assets are the core metrics of Tang Sect’s internal management gameplay. When your sect size rises, these metrics connect in tangible ways. Threads community players summed this up perfectly: “Member count affects future group battle strength, sect reputation triggers special plots, sect assets unlock development projects, outer fortress lets non-Tang Sect members join.” This means sect size isn’t just a flashy stat—it’s the core measure of your sect’s overall scale.
Pair this with the sect facility list: spots like the outer fortress, apothecary, tea house, and public fields bring weekly income, raise NPC affinity, boost work gains, and unlock hidden events. All these elements only work properly once your sect size hits the right level. In other words, sect size doesn’t just add attack/defense to your character panel—it feeds into your entire playthrough experience through sect-level resources like population, finances, and reputation.
C. Simple Tips for New Players / First Playthrough: Do You Need to Rush Sect Size?
If you’re playing for the first time, here’s direct advice: don’t make sect size your only priority right off the bat. On your first run, you have limited info, so you’ll mostly deal with underpowered characters, unfamiliar event timings, and wasted resources. If you force all your focus into rushing sect size, you’ll end up in an awkward spot: “Tang Sect has tons going on, but your character still can’t win battles”. The PTT guide titled “For Everyone Who Wants Battle Satisfaction” notes that level 2 unlocks elite equipment research—but you still need to build up your core combat abilities first.
So the best tip for your first playthrough is: know how important sect size is, but don’t stress about rushing it. First, get good enough to handle battles reliably, figure out key event timings, and learn which properties and size choices affect long-term progress. Then, in your next playthrough, dive deep into the sect size system—your experience will be way better. That’s why many veteran players say sect size is super fun in high-cycle playthroughs, but you don’t have to max it out on your first run.
III. Sect Size, Facilities, and Internal Management
A. Overview of New Facilities Unlocked When Increasing Sect Size
When talking about sect size, you can’t skip sect facilities. One of the most complete and useful community compilations right now is the sect facility list. It clearly lists spots like hot springs, apothecary, tea house, public fields, outer fortress, plus their work effects, weekly income, redemption costs, which NPC affinities they affect, and even which ones easily trigger hidden events or extra gains. For example, the apothecary ties to medical skill, Tang Zheng’s affinity, alchemy points, and Tang Sect’s herbal classics; the tea house might spark conflicts with other sects; public fields drain a lot of sect assets; the outer fortress ties to multiple characters and trigger events. That’s the core of the design here: running your sect isn’t just about adding a few extra buildings and calling it a day.
It’s not just about earning extra revenue—every facility will alter the pace of your playthrough.
The Sect Scale is crucial because without a matching Sect Scale, even if you know how important many subsequent facilities and properties are, you’ll struggle to fully unlock and utilize them. The Facility System and Sect Scale are two sides of the same coin: Sect Scale provides the foundation for expansion, while individual facilities convert that expansion into tangible revenue and deeper storyline content. This is why when many players discuss Sect Scale, they’re not just talking about simple level-ups—they’re referring to the entire management gameplay system of Tang Sect.
B. The Connection Between Scale Level, Facility Upgrade Limits, Sect Contribution, and Passive Income
Most Sect facilities aren’t free to unlock. As you can see from the facility list, many require Sect Contribution Points and Action Points to unlock, and redeeming Sect properties also consumes Sect assets on its own. This means the core of Sect management gameplay is a triangular balance: Sect Scale, Contribution, and Sect Assets
Only when your Sect Scale is large enough will you have enough room to expand; only when you accumulate enough Contribution will you be eligible to redeem various facilities; once you have stable assets, these facilities won’t become unnecessary burdens dragging Tang Sect down.
Many new players easily overlook the importance of passive income, thinking that all Sect facilities and activities are just optional extras. But once you reach the mid-to-late game, you’ll notice that seemingly small numbers like a stable 30 every ten days from the Apothecary or 50 every ten days from the Outer Fortress—when combined with long-term management, events that boost related favorability, equipment research, and tech tree bonuses—actually generate far more revenue than temporary combat gains. Sect Scale is exactly the foundation that allows these passive income systems to function smoothly and reach their full potential.
C. How the Management Playstyle focused on Forging, Grinding for Contributions, and Stacking Equipment pairs with Sect Scale
If you love management gameplay and enjoy watching a once-small Sect grow stronger over time, the Sect Scale mechanics in *Path of Wuxia* will be right up your alley. As you’ll see from many combat-focused player guides, you can only unlock Elite Gear research when your Sect Scale reaches Level 2. This is a critical point for players who love forging, collecting equipment, and using Sect resources to boost their own combat power. In other words, Sect Scale and character power aren’t two separate paths—instead, it acts as a direct booster that pushes your equipment build and speeds up your growth.
As a result, many New Game Plus (high playthrough) players choose to tie Sect Scale upgrades to activities like forging, accumulating Contribution, redeeming Sect properties, and managing passive income. Players aren’t just leveling up to fill the Scale bar—they’re using increased Scale to make management tasks more efficient, then using the revenue and resources from management to research equipment and Sect tech, which in turn boosts Zhao Huo’s own power. This playstyle is slower than just training in seclusion, but once it gets rolling, you’ll feel an amazing sense of accomplishment as Tang Sect slowly revives and grows stronger—it’s incredibly rewarding.
IV. The Optimal Timing for Sect Scale, Hidden Weapons, and Tech Systems to Shine
A. Why Players Agree That the Hidden Weapons Build Truly Gains Strength Only When Sect Scale Reaches Level 3: Numerical and Mechanic Reasons
This has almost become a consensus in the *Path of Wuxia* player community. Guides on Steam also clearly state: The Hidden Weapons Build doesn’t contribute much to combat power in the early game, as its true potential only unlocks when Sect Scale hits Level 3. This claim isn’t based on guesswork—it’s a conclusion drawn from multiple rounds of player playtesting and real-world experience. Simply put: even if you start engaging with Hidden Weapons content early on, without the foundation of Sect Scale Level 3, many growth mechanisms tied to Hidden Weapons can’t form a complete system.
The reason behind this is actually simple: the Hidden Weapons Build isn’t just a single power boost—it involves Forging levels, Sect Tech research, shared benefits with teammates, and the entire Sect’s resource chain. In other words, it’s unlike some other martial arts paths where you just max out related skills to gain power. Instead, it requires the entire Tang Sect’s base capabilities to reach a certain level before the Hidden Weapons’ unique combat style and strengths truly shine. That’s why many players agree the Hidden Weapons Build is better suited for high playthroughs (New Game Plus) and shouldn’t be prioritized in your first playthrough.
B. How Sect Scale Boosts the Hidden Weapons Tech Tree, Forging Levels, and Teammates’ Hidden Weapons Damage
While there’s no official standardized “Hidden Weapons Tech Tree Master List” yet, it’s clear from fan-compiled information that Sect Scale upgrades are closely linked to Forging level boosts, Elite Gear research, and Hidden Weapons system optimization. As mentioned earlier, you can start researching Elite Gear once Sect Scale hits Level 2, and the fact that the Hidden Weapons Build only truly becomes powerful when Sect Scale reaches Level 3 is also...
Alright, let’s get into it: Growing your sect’s size unlocks deeper and deeper Tang Clan tech content.
The biggest thing to watch out for here is that the benefits of a larger sect don’t just affect Zhao Huo. Hidden weapons are one of Tang Clan’s core identities—once the sect’s overall crafting and hidden weapon tech hit a solid level of maturity, the gains won’t stay on Zhao Huo’s stats alone. They’ll boost your entire party’s power, and even change how you play the entire sect. That’s why New Game Plus regulars always say: Reaching Sect Size 3 isn’t just another level—it’s the make-or-break threshold for Tang Clan to go from “eh, I can muddle through” to a fully polished, powerful playstyle.
C. Investment Route Planning for Sect Size for New Game Plus Players Going the Hidden Weapon Build
If you’ve locked in a hidden weapon build, here’s your straightforward advice: Never let your sect’s size fall behind. Treat growing your sect as a non-negotiable prerequisite for the hidden weapon playstyle—not something you squeeze in later when you have extra time. In other words, the focus here isn’t “I’ll max out Zhao Huo’s hidden weapon skills first” — it’s “I need to get the entire Tang Clan to a state where it can support its hidden weapon tech.” That means investing in sect size should be way higher on your priority list for hidden weapon players than for other builds.
In practice, New Game Plus players running a hidden weapon build will usually start planning contribution farming, property restoration, facility construction, and timeline pacing way earlier than those on their first playthrough. You already know which prerequisite quests need top priority and which events you absolutely can’t miss—this way, the payoff from Sect Size 3 hits while you’re still deep in the late game, not right before the ending when you finally realize how strong this build actually is. That’s why so many players think the hidden weapon build is underwhelming on their first run… until New Game Plus, when they realize it’s actually insane. It’s not that the hidden weapons themselves got stronger—it’s that you finally gave them the sect foundation they need to shine.
V. How Sect Size Interacts with Reputation and Jianghu Faction Ties
A. How Sect Size Affects Reputation Caps, Jianghu Standing, and NPC Dialogue
The Jianghu in *活俠傳* isn’t just a generic backdrop. Your reputation as a player and the overall state of your sect actually shape how you’re seen here. Players on forums like Threads have put together breakdowns on how reputation impacts story beats—even if it’s not a hyper-detailed math table, one thing’s clear: Reputation isn’t just a filler stat. As your sect grows, more members join, outer strongholds and facilities get restored, your presence in the Jianghu naturally shifts. This shows up not just in main story quests—you’ll feel it in random NPC dialogue and event vibes too: Tang Clan doesn’t feel like a broken, run-down mess anymore… it feels like an actual, legitimate sect.
You can’t fully quantify this shift with numbers, but that’s exactly what makes *活俠傳* so immersive. Growing your sect isn’t just adding a few buildings in the back—it’s turning the vibe from “everyone looks down on this tiny, crumbly sect” to “we actually hold some weight in the Jianghu”. This feeling hits extra hard in New Game Plus, since you already remember how miserable Tang Clan was at the start of your first run.
B. How Sect Size Ties to Faction Support, Reputation Gates, and Events (like Western Martial Alliance, Martial Arts Conferences)
I’ll be careful here—most confirmed info comes from player experiences tied to events, not full official spreadsheets. But it’s safe to say that outer strongholds, property, character affinity, and sect size do impact the characters and event depth you unlock later. The facility guides spell this out: Outer strongholds tie to affinity and events with characters like Long Xiang, Ye Family, Shangguan, Beggars’ Guild, and Fuyun. That means Tang Clan’s external interactions have always been linked to running the sect—no separating the two.
Even without digging into tiny details, one thing’s obvious: To get the full experience from later Jianghu faction interactions, character side quests, and how other sects see you, sect size and property growth are far from trivial. They don’t directly make you stronger like a well-executed skill combo—but they decide if you’re taken seriously, and if you get pulled into the core of major events.
C. How Sect Size Shapes Your Protagonist’s “Weight” and Titles in the Jianghu Faction Map
To put it plainly, Zhao Huo’s “weight” in the Jianghu changes drastically depending on your sect’s size. It’s not like the game pops up a title telling you this—you just feel it while playing: One run, you’re a starving, outcast outsider in Tang Clan. The next, you’re walking through a sect that’s finally finding its footing. That shift in feeling is exactly the narrative value that comes from growing your sect.
You can even
It’s safe to say the sect’s size doesn’t just impact Tang Sect—it shapes how players see Zhao Huo, too. After all, the protagonist’s fate is tightly tied to Tang Sect’s. When you help Tang Sect regain its prestige, Zhao Huo naturally feels like he’s rising with it. This "weight" isn’t just written on his character panel, though—you’ll feel it every step of the way as you progress through the story.
VI. The Lore of Tang Sect's Decline and Its Size's Narrative Weight
A. From the Most Feared Sect in the Martial World to a Ruined, Depleted Force: Tang Sect's Backstory
What makes Tang Sect resonate so much with players is that it’s not just a random weak sect—it’s the kind that once thrived in its glory days but has fallen hard now. RekoWiki points out that Tang Sect used to be one of the most feared sects across the martial world, but it’s now drowning in debt, selling off properties left and right, and has way fewer disciples than it once had. This contrast is at the heart of so much of *Live a Hero*’s emotional core. You’re not playing as a forgotten tiny sect that nobody cared about. You’re playing as an old, storied power that still has faint traces of its former glory, but is on the brink of collapsing entirely.
That’s exactly why the sect size system feels so deeply story-driven. It’s not about building something new from scratch—you’re piecing together the remains of what’s left. Every time you expand, redeem a property, or manage resources, you’ll get that satisfying feeling like you’re actually helping Tang Sect get back on its feet, not just grinding numbers for stats. This kind of narrative experience is something many pure number-crunching management games can’t deliver.
B. The Story Experiences That Come With a Small Sect: Scare Resources and Favoritism Towards Disciples From Other Clans
The struggles of a small sect are super obvious right from the start of the game. As Zhao Huo, Tang Sect’s only non-family disciple, you’re never treated like one of the inner circle anyway. Add Tang Sect’s lack of resources, lost buildings, and dwindling disciples, and you really feel like you’re in a sect that’s barely scraping by.
RekoWiki’s plot summary lays this vibe out perfectly: Zhao Huo has to do menial tasks, gets looked down on, and there’s no sign Tang Sect will ever get better. All of this isn’t just emotional setup—it makes the growth of the sect feel way more meaningful. After struggling so much at the start, every tiny sign Tang Sect is coming back to life hits that much harder. That design—making you feel how bad things are first, then letting you watch the sect slowly recover—is one of the main reasons the size system is so addictive.
Lots of players love pumping up the sect’s size later, and it’s not just about stat boosts. It’s because the process feels like actual reviving a dying sect. You’re not suddenly pulling a top-tier martial art out of thin air. You watch the outer keep get rebuilt, facilities get repurchased, the sect start making steady income, and Tang Sect’s hidden weapons and blacksmithing finally thrive. It feels like Tang Sect isn’t on the verge of collapse anymore. That satisfaction is real.
Once you play through New Game+ in *Live a Hero*, you’ll start noticing how special this game is. Because you remember so clearly what it was like when you first arrived at Tang Sect—broke, with nothing—every bit of growth feels that much more impactful.
I always thought the most interesting part of Tang Sect’s size expansion system is how it ties together three things: stat boosts, story atmosphere, and player emotional investment. Every time the sect’s level goes up, it’s not just your character’s strength that improves. The bigger win is watching Tang Sect, a once-fallen power, get back on the map in the martial world. That feeling is way more meaningful than grabbing a top-tier gear set, and makes you want to put the time into managing the sect.
VII. Key Events and Timing for Growing the Sect’s Size
A. Key Events and Choices That Shape Sect Growth and Outer Keep Redemption
The most obvious turning point for sect development is definitely the annual Tang Sect meeting at the start of the Lunar New Year. No matter if you’re following a guide or playing on your own, this meeting pops up at the start of every new year. You have to choose between “prioritizing redeeming the outer keep that was taken from you” and “investing in expanding the sect’s core size first.” This is no trivial choice—it’s a core decision that the game puts right at a major story turning point.
Also, the outer keep and the sect’s facilities are gateways to a whole chain of story events. According to the game’s guide, redeeming the outer keep involves many characters like Long Xiang, the Ye Clan, the Shangguan Clan, Beggars’ Sect, and Fuyun. It even notes “even though it will trigger Chao He joining, it’s still recommended to do this first.” That means redeeming the outer keep isn’t just about getting passive income—it’s about unlocking tons of hidden story interactions. So expanding the sect and redeeming properties aren’t separate lines. Most of the time, they’re intertwined, each shaping how the other develops.
B. Sect Growth Pace After Year 2: Don’t Miss Key Story Beats
There are tons of things in *Live a Hero* that, if you remember
The timing of events—like what year they happen, early or late in the season—can completely change your entire playthrough, and the sect size system is the perfect example. This system triggers as the main story progresses, so if you only lock yourself in to training your own skills, you’ll easily miss key beats like sect expansions or property redemptions. Text and visual walkthroughs for the game lay out timelines like New Year meetings, segment exams, and study-abroad branching paths super clearly—these timelines are definitely key points you need to reference carefully when planning your sect’s route. So my tip is, after you hit your second playthrough year, don’t just focus on grinding your own martial arts skills—also keep an eye on whether Tang Sect is about to hit those key meetings or property-related nodes. Missing these doesn’t fix instantly, y’know? The biggest thing to avoid with the sect size system isn’t leveling too slow—it’s forgetting these events even exist. By the time you realize, the trigger window’s already closed. C. How Sect Size Upgrades Affect Your Schedule, Training, and Event Timelines This is what a lot of players end up kicking themselves for not planning right: upgrading your sect size doesn’t just cost resources—it also eats into your action count and monthly schedule. The in-game facilities list spells it out clear as day: places like apothecary shops, community fields, hot springs—some take up 1 action slot, others need specific tasks or conditions to unlock. That means once you start seriously managing your sect, you’ll definitely have to carve out less time for regular training, character events, or outdoor exploration. So when playing on New Game+ or higher playthroughs, one of the most important mindsets to have is this: rushing your sect size isn’t about getting free goodies—it’s an investment of your time. Spending less time on personal training now is to make Tang Sect more stable down the line; skipping one or two minor story events now means you’ll get way better returns on hidden weapons or properties later. Once you get that investment logic, the sect size system won’t feel like it’s holding you back all the time—it’ll become a key part of your long-term play planning. VIII. The Reputation of the Three Clans, Six Major Sects, and Sect Size in the Jianghu A. Overview of the Three Clans, Six Major Sects, Three Great Halls, Blissful Sect, and Other Factions The wuxia world of *Martial Heroes* isn’t about a lone adventurer sticking to one sect—it’s a tangled web of the jianghu (the martial arts realm). According to game info hubs like RekoWiki, there’s a long-standing saying in this world: “One Hall, Three Clans, Six Major Sects.” The Three Clans here refer to Nangong, Shangguan, and Tang Sect—family-run sects, each with their own unique positions and resource bases in the jianghu. The fact that Tang Sect is part of these three major sects means it’s never been some random tiny sect—it’s always been a major power in jianghu history. That’s why Tang Sect’s decline hits so hard. It didn’t start out down on its luck—it was supposed to be a top-tier sect, now it’s almost fading into obscurity. That backstory stands in sharp contrast to other family sects like Nangong and Shangguan, and it makes the real point of expanding your sect size land way harder—you’re not fighting some random small sect, you’re helping Tang Sect get back to where it belongs on the jianghu power map. B. The "Sense of Scale" and Combat Power Impressions of Each Sect in the Story When people talk about "sense of scale", it’s not just how many members a sect has—it’s the vibe you get when you look at it, how much confidence it exudes. Family sects like Nangong and Shangguan give off the vibe of deep roots, stable like a big noble clan; the Six Major Sects have that solemn, righteous mainstream sect feel; halls and evil factions go for totally different styles. Tang Sect’s unique twist? It’s part of the Three Great Sects, but from the start of the game, it feels run-down, totally low on resources. That contrast—remembering its past grand status, but seeing how far it’s fallen—this is what makes the sect size system so rewarding. So when you look at other sects, you just see them as fully formed jianghu power units; but when you look at Tang Sect, you get that feeling like, "Yeah, their reputation’s still there, but they’re nothing like their glory days." They’re still hanging on by a thread, trying to keep their dignity—this tragic vibe makes you even more motivated to build up their size, because you know Tang Sect isn’t unworthy of saving, it’s super worth saving.
C. The Gap Between Tang Sect (Your Sect) and Others, and Where to Focus Your Improvements
Just looking at the starting state, Tang Sect is way behind other established sects. They have way too few members, barely any funds, their ancestral property’s been pawned, and non-family disciples are treated like garbage—all obvious weaknesses. That’s why the later fixes you’ll focus on are almost all about these things.
Here’s the key moves: Repurchase the estate, expand the sect, build facilities, upgrade smithing, unlock hidden weapon systems. These are exactly what you need to turn Tang Sect from a name-only brand into something with real substance.
And sect size is the common foundation for all these upgrades. Without a size, every action feels like patching a hole. Once you have a decent size, the things you do start to look like actual rebuilding. That’s why I think it’s super important in *Wuxia Legends*—it’s not some optional side thing, it’s the core key to leading Tang Sect to full revival.
IX. Numbers & Meta Advice: Should You Level Up Sect Size, And When?
A. First Playthrough Advice: Why You Should Lock In Your Character’s Power First Before Scaling Sect Size
For your first playthrough, I’d still recommend a more cautious route. The reason is simple: You don’t know which events are critical yet, and you’re still getting the hang of the combat system. If you dump all your time and resources into expanding the sect size right away, you’ll end up falling behind with Zhao Huo’s personal power, and many events and battles will still be a pain. Like I said before, combat-focused players have confirmed that Sect Size 2 helps with elite gear, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect your own leveling path.
So the optimal playstyle for a first run is: Make Zhao Huo strong first, then grow Tang Sect. You don’t have to ignore sect size entirely, but don’t fixate on prioritizing it at every node. The benefits here are twofold: You’ll learn the game system along with the story, and you won’t make the combat feel like a slog by overinvesting in sect management.
B. New Game Plus / Min-Maxers: The Best Route to Sect Size 3 (Combined with Hidden Weapons, Management, and Tech)
But if you’re a New Game Plus player, or you’re a min-maxer who loves numbers, the answer is totally different. In that case, I’ll say it straight: Sect Size 3 is definitely one of your main goals. Because you already know the hidden weapon system fully unlocks at Size 3, and you know how to pair facilities, outer strongholds, smithing, and character events. This isn’t gambling—this is a precise route you already know has massive payoffs.
The best playstyle for a New Game Plus run is usually planning Sect Size 3 alongside hidden weapons, sect management, estate profits, and gear lines. This isn’t just “randomly leveling up size” — this is “playing to Tang Sect’s full strength this run”. If you time your nodes right, this route has a really good return on investment.
C. Typical Mistakes: Rushing Sect Size and Wasting Resources, Falling Behind on Power
There are two super common mistakes. First: Charging into size right at the start of the game and ending up unable to beat levels because your own power is too low. Second: In New Game Plus, even though you know size matters, you don’t pair it with estates, facilities, or hidden weapon routes. So you level up size but don’t get full benefits. Both mistakes are basically the same: You only look at size as a standalone thing, not part of the whole game system.
The way to avoid regret is: Look at your playthrough progress, your own goals, and the build you want to run. Sect size is strong, but it’s not some broken standalone skill—it’s a system that needs you to combine playthrough planning with sect management. If you just treat it like “level it up and get stronger automatically”, you’ll probably be really disappointed.
X. Sect Size and Their Impact on Endings & Route Choices
A. How Different Sect Sizes Affect Story Paths and Faction Alignment
I’ll keep this part vague, but you can safely say: Sect size definitely affects how you experience Tang Sect-related routes and the depth of some events. Because size ties into estates, character affection, outer strongholds, facilities, and sect reputation—all of which are directly linked to route choices. That’s why players on forums are asking specifically about “event differences between sect size and repurchasing estates”: They already notice these management options aren’t just numbers—they lead to different event branches.
So if you care about faction alignment, deep character events, or the full experience of certain routes, sect size is definitely not something you can ignore. It might not say “you can’t enter this because sect size is too low” like a clear choice, but it changes which events and options you get through background conditions.
B. How Important Sect Size Is for the “Arch Villain” or “Tang Sect Revival” Routes
This is an interesting one. Because different routes have totally different needs for sect size. If you want that “Tang Sect revival” vibe, sect size is super important—it’s one of the best systems showing Tang Sect’s full recovery. On the other hand, if you want to play super extreme builds in a run, you don’t have to push sect size to max every time—though you’ll miss out on that great feeling of “I actually got the broken Tang Sect back on its feet”.
So here's my simple take: If you want to go for the solo "Legend" playstyle, you can invest moderately in Sect Scale. But if you want to experience the real Tang Sect revival storyline, investing in Sect Scale is absolutely crucial. The most valuable part of this system isn't just boosting Zhao Huo's combat power - it's adding weight to the entire Tang Sect as a whole.
C. How to Plan Sect Scale Investments Across Multiple Playthroughs For All Endings
If you're the type that loves collecting every ending, my top recommendation is: Don't use the same Sect Scale investment strategy for every playthrough. For your first playthrough (the "no prior knowledge" run), take the conservative route and enjoy the main story framework. Starting from your second playthrough, you can try the "Scale 3 + Hidden Weapons / Real Estate Build". After that, tweak it based on the ending path you want to unlock. The best part of this approach? You won't turn the whole game into a monotonous playstyle - instead, you'll clearly feel the difference in story atmosphere and gameplay between when your Sect Scale is keeping up, and when it's falling behind.
Huoxia Legends is actually perfect for this kind of play. Each playthrough isn't just a repeat of the last - you get to use knowledge from previous runs to test out all kinds of Sect management modes and personal build combinations. The Sect Scale system is one of the best ways to make each playthrough feel unique!
XI. New Player FAQs
A. Is Sect Scale Level 3 Mandatory? Which Players Should Max It Out?
Not necessarily. If you're on your first playthrough, only care about the story, or are a new player figuring out the game's systems, you don't need to force maxing out Sect Scale. But if you're doing a high-number playthrough, playing a Hidden Weapons build, focusing on internal management, or want to experience the Tang Sect revival path, getting Sect Scale to Level 3 is almost always a great goal. Especially for Hidden Weapons playstyles - guides on Steam make it super clear that Sect Scale Level 3 is when this build really takes off.
B. If I Want to Get Strong Fast, Should I Upgrade Sect Scale First Or My Own Gear & Martial Arts?
For your first playthrough, the usual advice is to focus on boosting your own combat strength first, then catch up on Sect Scale later. After all, you need to get through the fights and story events in front of you first. But if you decide early on that you're going for Hidden Weapons, Forging, and Sect management playstyles, then Sect Scale's priority goes way up. In other words, there's no one-size-fits-all answer here - it all depends on which playthrough you're on and what kind of build you want to try.
C. If I Missed Some Expansion/Reclamation Events, How Should I Plan For My Next Playthrough?
The best move is to note down key nodes and prepare early for your next playthrough. Things like the New Year Meeting, Outer Fortress Reclamation, key facilities unlocking, and internal management plans after two years - these are all spots you can lock in early in your next run. Since a lot of Sect Scale-related content is tightly tied to the story's timeline, missing something usually can't be fixed later - you need to plan ahead in the next run. That's also why the Sect Scale system is perfect for high-number playthrough players to research - the more you know about key nodes, the higher your rewards will be.
If I had to sum up "Huoxia Legends: Sect Scale" in a sentence relatable to players, it would be: It's not a must-pick power button in the early game, but it's definitely one of the core high-number playthrough features you'll rely on more the longer you play. On your first playthrough, you might just see it as one of many Tang Sect internal management branches. But after your second, third playthroughs, you'll start to realize it's actually one of the most important pillars pulling the Tang Sect from a run-down, shabby, barely surviving state into a proper Sect.
The great thing about the Sect Scale system isn't just the stat growth it brings - it's how it ties together facilities, properties, outer fortresses, hidden weapons, forging, reputation, character interactions, and story beats. When you raise Sect Scale, you're not just improving numbers - you're improving the whole Tang Sect's vibe, foundation, and future. That's also why when many players talk about their most satisfying parts of Huoxia Legends, they don't just mention martial arts and endings - they talk about that strong feeling of "I actually pulled the Tang Sect back from the brink of collapse".
So if you're still on the fence about whether to go all-in on Sect Scale in this run, my final advice is: No need to force maxing it on your first playthrough - it's totally worth investing in for high-number runs. Especially if you want to play a Hidden Weapons build, go for the Tang Sect revival path, or make the internal management playstyle unique, getting Sect Scale to Level 3 is almost something you'll end up planning carefully later on. You can start using this system later, but it's really hard to avoid the fun it brings forever.