Summary

The Witcher 3: The Wild Huntis eight years old and it still holds up well due to its excellent story and an open world that feels truly lived-in. The game is so popular that developerCD Projekt Red gaveThe Witcher 3a graphics overhaulso that it keeps up with modern standards. While this title encourages players to customize Geralt and explore however they want, there are a few unwritten rules to abide by if one wants to get the optimalWitcher 3experience.

Set in the massive stretch of land known as the Continent,The Witcher 3puts players in the shoes of a monster hunter extraordinaire named Geralt of Rivia. His main goal is to track down his adopted daughter, Ciri, and protect her from a mysterious band of seemingly undead horsemen called the Wild Hunt. Apart from the main quest, players can take on Witcher contracts for gold and go on elaborate side adventures that help them learn about the world and its characters better.

the witcher 3 combat promotional image

The Rules for Being an Efficient Witcher

Haphazardly using non-optimal armor and spamming offensive signs like Aard and Igni will just lead to frustrating deaths when going against tougher opponents. Players must learn the best way to approach situations and prepare for them, as fully-trained Witchers like Geralt do. Therefore, there are some optimal ways to traversethe Continent inThe Witcher 3.

Have the Right Potions and Oils Before Every Big Fight

Potions give Geralt buffs to health, stats, damage, and even signs. Oils, on the other hand, coat his sword to give him an edge against specific types of enemies. As such,Alchemy inThe Witcher 3should never be overlooked.

Keep Geralt’s Swords Sharp and His Armor Enhanced

Apart from repairing and upgrading equipment, Geralt can also temporarily enhance his swords and armor using a Grindstone or Armorer’s Table. These offer 20% better armor and damage using silver or steel blades.

Cons of Following this Rule

Using a Grindstone or Armorer’s Table is free

Players need to travel to towns and find a Blacksmith to get access to a Grindstone or Armorer’s Table

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Tag Page Cover Art

Grindstone and Armorer’s Table enhancements are percentage-based, so they’re useful even in the late-game

Players can get the Preservation enchantment from theHearts of Stone DLCto make Armorer’s Table and Grindstone bonuses permanent

Defensive Signs are the Witcher’s Best Friend

Despite CD Projekt Red’s efforts to make everySign inThe Witcher 3viable, some will always be better than others in combat and other situations. For monster and bad guy slaying, the best Signs to improve and spam are defensive ones like Axii and Quen. The former can stun enemies in combat, while the latter surrounds Geralt with a magical shield.

Pros of Following this Rule

Quen can be enhanced so that it damages enemies if it breaks

A fully-upgraded Quen makes Geralt almost unkillable, which may make combat too easy in later stages of the game

Axii can help set up powerful heavy attacks or keep stronger enemies at bay

Axii can also open up more dialogue options to get better information or manipulate NPCs, which makes quests easier

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

WHERE TO PLAY

You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you can explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRETrained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLDBuilt for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.