Old Man and the Whale Event & Premium Request - Wuthering Waves (WuWa) - Version 2.1 Day 4

Old Man and the Whale Event & Premium Request - Wuthering Waves (WuWa) - Version 2.1

Day 4

The "Old Man and the Whale" event is the flagship event introduced in Wuthering Waves (WuWa) Version 2.1, launched on February 13, 2025. It’s a fishing-themed adventure set in the Riccioli Islands of Rinascita, blending lore exploration with engaging gameplay mechanics. The event remains permanently available after Version 2.1 ends on March 26, 2025 (03:59 server time), but its limited-time rewards are only claimable during this period. Below, I’ll break down the event details and explain the Premium Request system based on available information.
Gameplay Mechanics
Fishing System: Simple to master: Press the fishing button when the arrow aligns with highlighted zones to catch fish.
Fish are stored in your cargo and can be sold to Planck, an octopus merchant, for Riccioli Fishery Coins—a currency used to buy items and upgrade fishing abilities.
Fish types range from common to legendary, with rarer catches requiring upgraded equipment or specific conditions (e.g., nighttime fishing).
Fishing Abilities & Upgrades:
Upgrade "Rachel" (the gondola) to access deeper waters and catch rarer fish.
Abilities like "Trawl" and "Wonder Bubble" passively catch fish, speeding up progress.
Upgrades also improve cargo capacity and fish quality.
Event Quests:
A series of quests (e.g., "Set Sail! Pro Angler!", "Love in the Time of Fishing," "Where All Fish Converge," and "I Alone Survived") guide players through the story, involving characters like Ahab, Phoebe, and Queequeg.
Tasks include catching specific fish, gathering materials (e.g., Palm Logs, Fishery Coins), and rebuilding the ship "Pequod."
Fame System:
Fame is your angler status, progressing from Level 1 to 12.
Earn Fame by completing Fishing Requests, catching new fish for the Index, and advancing event quests.
Higher Fame unlocks better rewards and story progression.
Rewards
Limited-Time Rewards (available until March 26, 2025): 900 Astrites.
Ocean’s Gift (free 4-star Rectifier weapon, ideal for Phoebe).
Phantom: Lorelei.
Blue-Spotted Projection: Lorelei.
Nameless Coins (300 needed to unlock Ocean’s Gift via event tasks).
Permanent Rewards (available anytime post-Version 2.1): 300 Astrites.
Advanced Enclosure Tanks and other materials.
How to Participate
Access the event via the Events page and head to the Port of Riccioli to speak with Planck.
Progress through quests and fish at various docks across the Riccioli Islands.
Use Fast Travel or dock "Rachel" to navigate efficiently.
Premium Requests in Old Man and the Whale
Premium Requests are a specific type of Fishing Request introduced in this event, designed to offer higher rewards but with limited availability.
What Are Premium Requests?
Unlock Condition: Complete all 17 Priority Requests (one-time quests that provide substantial Fame and Fishery Coins early on).
Availability: One Premium Request unlocks daily after depleting Priority Requests.
Rewards: 400 Fame per completion (compared to 200 for Common Requests).
Higher Riccioli Fishery Coin payouts based on the requested fish.
How to Complete Premium Requests
Check Availability: After finishing the 17 Priority Requests, a new Premium Request appears daily at the Fishing Request log (accessible via Planck at any dock).
Fish Requirements: Each request specifies fish types (e.g., Clione, Pokey Moray, or rarer species like Stygian Phantom), often requiring specific times (day/night) or upgraded equipment to access fishing spots.
Strategy:
Upgrade "Rachel" (e.g., Ocean Hull) to reach deep or abyssal waters for rare fish.
Use tools like Sweet Puff Tubes to spawn multiple fishing spots or auto-collect fish.
Manage cargo space efficiently—sell lower-value fish to Planck if needed (Quick Sale feature helps).
Rerolling: If the requested fish is hard to catch, upgrade Rover’s ability "Fame Across the Sea" or Phoebe’s "Power of Unity" to add extra Common Request slots, indirectly easing the grind by diversifying tasks.
Tips for Efficiency
Focus on Priority Requests first to unlock Premium Requests early.
Complete event quests alongside requests, as they often overlap (e.g., "Love in the Time of Fishing" requires Fame Level 3 via requests).
Catch legendary fish (e.g., Titanium Mackerel, Draco Cobia) for bonus Fame (100 per first catch), but note some spots require specific upgrades or items like the Mysterious Complete Treasure Map.