Are you ready to embark on an epic journey through the captivating world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? Whether you’re a seasoned Witcher veteran or a newcomer to the realm, crafting the optimal build for your character is crucial to unlocking the game’s full potential. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of combat, crafting, and character progression, guiding you towards the ultimate build that will make Geralt of Rivia an unstoppable force against the myriad threats that await him.
The path to becoming a master Witcher requires a meticulous balance of skills and abilities. Invest wisely in the Combat Tree to enhance Geralt’s swordsmanship and combat prowess. Master the Signs, harnessing the power of magic to both support yourself and devastate your foes. Don’t neglect the Alchemy Tree, for crafting potent potions and bombs will grant you an edge in battle. As you progress, you’ll gain access to powerful Mutagens and Glyphs, allowing you to further customize your build and unlock devastating new abilities.
With each encounter, you’ll amass experience points that fuel your character’s growth. Allocate these points strategically, tailoring your build to your preferred playstyle. Focus on enhancing Geralt’s combat abilities if you crave the thrill of melee combat, or delve deeper into the Signs and Alchemy Trees for a more versatile approach. Remember, the best build is the one that resonates with your unique approach to the game. So experiment, adapt, and forge a Witcher that will conquer every challenge that stands in your path.
Alchemy Master
Alchemy plays a pivotal role in the Witcher 3, as it allows Geralt to craft potent potions, bombs, and oils to enhance his combat abilities and survive in the harsh world. To become a true Alchemy Master, players must meticulously invest in the Alchemy skill tree, which unlocks a plethora of essential perks and abilities.
The key to excelling as an Alchemy Master lies in understanding the different aspects of alchemy. Firstly, players must gather a vast array of herbs, ingredients, and alchemical components scattered throughout the world. These resources are used to craft various alchemical items, each with its own unique effects and properties.
Secondly, players must master the art of potion making. Potions grant Geralt temporary enhancements or special abilities, such as increased damage output, resistance to damage, or enhanced sign power. Certain potions require specific ingredients and precise timing to craft, making the process both challenging and rewarding.
Bombs, another vital aspect of alchemy, provide area-of-effect damage or crowd control. Different types of bombs serve different purposes, such as dealing fire damage, poisoning enemies, or setting traps. Mastering bomb crafting allows players to effectively engage multiple enemies or overcome specific challenges.
Lastly, oils are used to coat Geralt’s weapons, providing damage bonuses against specific enemy types. By carefully selecting the appropriate oil for each encounter, players can significantly increase their combat effectiveness.
Combat Specialist
The combat specialist build focuses on maximizing damage output and survivability in melee combat. It is a versatile build that can be effective against any enemy type and in any situation.
Skills and Abilities
The core skills and abilities for the combat specialist build are:
- Fast Attack: Increases attack speed and damage.
- Strong Attack: Deals heavy damage to a single target.
- Whirlwind: Damages all nearby enemies.
- Rend: Deals massive damage to a single target.
- Adrenaline Burst: Increases attack power and speed for a short time.
Mutations and Runes
The following mutations and runes can further enhance the combat specialist build:
- Euphoria: Increases attack power for each active Adrenaline Point.
- Unstoppable: Prevents knockback and stagger.
- Severance: Critical hits have a chance to cause bleeding.
- Rage: Increases damage output while below 50% health.
Equipment and Alchemy
The best equipment and alchemy for the combat specialist build include:
| Equipment | Alchemy |
|---|---|
| Wolven Armor (Grandmaster) | Superior Thunderbolt |
| Aerondight | Superior Swallow |
| Iris | Superior Black Blood |
Sign Prodigy
The Sign Prodigy build is a potent choice for players seeking versatility and control during combat. By investing heavily in the Sign skill tree, players unlock a wide range of abilities that allow them to manipulate the battlefield, attack enemies from afar, and provide support to their allies.
At the core of this build is the ability to cast Signs with lightning-fast speed and devastating power. Upgrades such as “Fast Casting” and “Superior Sign Intensity” significantly reduce casting time and enhance damage output, making Signs an essential part of the combat strategy.
In addition to offensive prowess, the Sign Prodigy build offers a wealth of defensive and support options. The “Glyphs” skill line unlocks the ability to place powerful runes on the ground that provide buffs, protect against enemy attacks, and even trap enemies. “Quen: Exploding Shield” creates a protective barrier that not only blocks incoming damage but also detonates when broken, damaging nearby foes.
Players who choose the Sign Prodigy build can expect to:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Crit Machine
This build focuses on maximizing critical hit chance and damage to deal massive bursts of damage to single targets. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. Abilities
Invest in abilities that increase critical hit chance and damage, such as Razor Focus and Precise Strikes.
2. Equipment
Equip weapons and armor with critical hit chance and damage bonuses. Some good choices include the Hen Gaidth Sword and the Griffin School Gear.
3. Potions and Oils
Use potions like Tawny Owl and Thunderbolt to further boost critical hit chance and damage.
4. Mutations
Activate mutations such as Euphoria and Piercing Cold to enhance critical hit damage and reduce enemy resistances.
| Mutation | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Euphoria | +1% damage and +2% critical hit damage per Adrenaline point when intoxicated |
| Piercing Cold | -5% enemy resistance to freezing and +5% damage to frozen enemies |
One-Shot Wonder
5. Euphoria-Driven Deathmarch
The crown jewel of alchemy-based builds, the Euphoria-Driven Deathmarch build capitalizes on the synergy of alchemy’s potion-boosting abilities and the effects of combat-enhancing Witcher gear. Within this framework, we maximize the toxicity level by combining decoctions and potions that synergistically enhance each other’s effects. The key ingredients here are the protective coatings provided by Swallow and White Raffard’s Decoction, which neutralize the negative effects of excessive toxicity and allow us to indulge in a concoction of enhancement potions that bolster our attacks.
| Slot | Potion |
|---|---|
| 1 | Archgriffin Decoction |
| 2 | Ekimmara Decoction |
| 3 | Killer Whale Decoction |
| 4 | White Raffard’s Decoction |
To complement the Euphoria effect, the Cat School gear is employed, offering not only enhanced combat prowess but also critical strike bonuses. With the proper enchantments, the Cat School gear’s inherent powers are augmented, offering potent boosts to damage output and mobility. Additionally, the Euphoria-Driven Deathmarch build can be customized to exploit specific enemy vulnerabilities, further maximizing its lethal potential.
Shapeshifter
The Shapeshifter build is a versatile hybrid build that combines the abilities of the Witcher signs, alchemy, and combat. It allows you to adapt to any situation, making it one of the most well-rounded builds in the game.
1. Signs
Invest in the Signs tree to enhance the power and versatility of your Witcher signs. Focus on Signs such as Quen (for protection), Igni (for damage), and Aard (for crowd control).
2. Alchemy
Develop your alchemy skills to create potent potions and bombs. The Adrenaline Burst potion increases attack power and sign intensity, while Swallow provides healing and vitality. Utilize bombs like Devil’s Puffball and Dancing Star for area damage and crowd control.
3. Combat
Enhance your combat abilities with skills from the Fast Attack and Strong Attack trees. Whirlwind and Rend are essential for dealing heavy damage in close quarters. Combine these with the Fleet Footed skill to increase mobility and dodge enemy attacks.
4. Mutations
Unlock mutations to further augment your abilities. Euphoria grants a percentage-based bonus to damage and sign intensity based on the number of activated Toxicity levels. Adrenaline Rush increases attack power when Toxicity levels are above zero.
5. Abilities
Choose abilities that complement your playstyle and the specific tasks you face. Bloodbath and Precise Strikes enhance combat effectiveness, while Magic Trap and Magic Sensitivity improve sign damage. Consider Piercing Cold and Burning for additional elemental damage.
6. Equipment
Prioritize equipment that boosts sign intensity, toxicity, and critical hit chance. The Manticore armor set and the Aerondight sword are excellent choices for this build. Additionally, consider enchanting your gear with runewords that provide bonuses to sign damage and other relevant abilities.
| Equipment | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Manticore Armor | Sign Intensity +10%, Toxicity +5% |
| Aerondight Sword | Critical Hit Chance +5%, Sign Intensity +10% |
| Superior Thunderbolt Runeword | Sign Damage +10% |
Hybrid Warrior
As the title says, this build focuses on a hybrid between combat and magic. The combat tree will provide a solid foundation for melee combat, while the magic tree will provide support and versatility in combat. Among the advantages that make it a great option:
- Increased damage output from melee attacks.
- Access to a range of powerful spells for support and crowd control.
- Improved survivability due to investment in defensive skills.
It’s crucial to invest in the Fast Attack and Strong Attack skills in the Combat tree to maximize melee damage. Adrenaline Burst is also recommended for increased attack speed. In the Magic tree, Quen and Aard are essential for defense and crowd control. Igni and Yrden can provide additional damage and utility.
To further enhance the build, consider investing in the Alchemy tree for potion effects. Gourmet and Refreshment will increase potion duration and potency. Also, consider investing in the Signs tree for Sign intensity and duration. Delusion and Axii will improve crowd control capabilities.
Required Equipment
The build relies on a mix of weapons, armor, and accessories. The following items are highly recommended:
| Equipment | Recommended Options |
|---|---|
| Steel Sword | Aerondight or Toussaint Knight’s Steel Sword |
| Silver Sword | Toussaint Knight’s Silver Sword |
| Armor | Manticore Armor or Ursine Armor |
| Accessories | Superior Swallow, Superior Thunderbolt, Levity Rune |
Magic Archer
Combining the arcane prowess of a mage with the agility and precision of an archer, the Magic Archer is a versatile and powerful build that allows you to control the battlefield from a distance. Its unique blend of magical skills and archery mastery makes it an exceptional choice for those seeking both ranged combat and spellcasting prowess.
Skills
Focus on developing skills in the following trees:
- Combat Archery
- Magic Sensibilities
- Precision
- Channeling
Mutations
Consider the following mutations:
- Heightened Senses
- Archery Training
- Fleet Footed
Combat Style
Employ a mix of archery and spellcasting to maximize effectiveness. Use spells for crowd control, damage over time, or healing, while relying on archery for precision attacks and burst damage. Prioritize dodging and kiting to stay out of melee range.
Gear and Weapons
Equip armor that boosts magical resistance and agility. Choose a crossbow as your primary weapon for its higher damage and accuracy. Consider using runes and enchantments to enhance your magical and archery abilities.
Runes and Enchantments
- Archery Runes: Piercing Cold, Arrow Incendiary, Poisoned Blade
- Magic Runes: Severance, Cursed Oil, Firestream
Playstyle
Position yourself strategically, utilizing cover and distance to your advantage. Use spells to create favorable conditions, such as freezing or poisoning enemies. Aim for critical hits with precision archery to deal substantial damage. Maintain mobility and stay alert to enemy movements to avoid melee combat.
Death March Dominator
For those seeking the ultimate challenge, the Death March Dominator build provides an unparalleled Witcher 3 experience. Embrace this build to conquer the most formidable foes and reign supreme on the unforgiving Path of the Witcher.
Gameplay Focus: Offense and Defense
This build excels at both offense and defense. Inflict devastating damage while maintaining remarkable resilience against enemy attacks.
Key Abilities
Master the following abilities to maximize the build’s effectiveness:
– **Quen: Quen Sign** (Enhanced Quen): A powerful defensive shield that absorbs a significant amount of damage.
– **Yrden: Magic Trap** (Supercharged Glyphs): Traps enemies within a glyph, slowing them down and dealing damage over time.
– **Axii: Delusion** (Delusion): Manipulates enemies, stunning them and opening them up for devastating follow-up attacks.
Combat Style
Utilize a combination of fast strikes and strategic spellcasting to overwhelm opponents. Use Quen for protection, Yrden to control crowds, and Axii to create openings for devastating attacks.
Alchemy
Craft powerful alchemical concoctions to enhance combat performance. Utilize Thunderbolt and Superior Golden Oriole to boost damage and protection, respectively.
Equipment
Seek out the finest Witcher gear to enhance combat effectiveness. The Griffin Witcher Set provides a balanced combination of offense and defense.
Mutagens
Prioritize Red Mutagens to maximize health and vitality. Yellow Mutagens can also be beneficial for enhancing stamina and adrenaline generation.
Skill Tree
Focus on the Combat and Alchemy skill trees to maximize damage output and defensive capabilities.
Playstyle
Engage in aggressive combat, using Quen as a defensive buffer and Yrden to control enemy movement. Seize opportunities created by Axii to deliver powerful blows.
Roleplay Perfectionist
This build is for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the Witcher’s world and make choices that align with Geralt’s character. It emphasizes storytelling, character development, and a strong connection to the lore.
Key Skills: Alchemy, Axii, Signs, Quen
Recommended Witcher Gear: Griffin School Gear
Potion Preference: Swallow, Thunderbolt, Tawny Owl
Combat Style: Balanced approach using both signs and swords, with emphasis on defense and support spells
Roleplay Considerations:
- Prioritize dialogue options that reflect Geralt’s wisdom, pragmatism, and moral code.
- Avoid using fast travel and instead explore the world on foot or horseback.
- Engage in side quests and contracts that align with Geralt’s ethics and interests.
- Choose armor and weapons that suit Geralt’s aesthetic and enhance his abilities.
- Craft potions and decoctions that support Geralt’s playstyle and complement his abilities.
- Upgrade your signs and mutagen slots to maximize Geralt’s versatility and effectiveness.
- Learn Axii’s “Delusion” ability to control enemy behavior and resolve conflicts diplomatically.
- Utilize Quen’s “Yrden” ability to trap enemies in a protective field, providing breathing room and time for strategic planning.
- Invest skill points in Alchemy and Signs to become a master of both crafts.
- Wear the Griffin School Gear to enhance Geralt’s sign intensity and provide balanced protection.
The Best Witcher 3 Build
The Witcher 3 is a massive game with a lot of different ways to build your character. There are many different skills, abilities, and items that you can choose from, and the choices you make will have a significant impact on how you play the game.
There is no one “best” build for The Witcher 3, but there are some builds that are more effective than others. If you’re looking for a build that will help you dominate the combat in the game, then you’ll want to focus on investing in the following skills:
- Swordsmanship: This skill increases your damage with swords, and it also gives you access to new sword techniques.
- Critical Hit Chance: This skill increases your chances to land a critical hit, which does double damage.
- Attack Power: This skill simply increases your damage output.
- Signs: Signs are magical abilities that you can use in combat. They can be used to damage enemies, heal yourself, or buff your allies.
- Alchemy: Alchemy allows you to create potions and bombs that can give you a variety of benefits in combat.
In addition to these skills, you’ll also want to choose equipment that complements your build. For example, if you’re focusing on swordsmanship, then you’ll want to find a sword with a good damage rating and critical hit bonus. You’ll also want to find armor that provides good protection against physical damage.
People Also Ask
What is the best build for a beginner?
If you’re new to The Witcher 3, then you may want to consider a more balanced build. This will allow you to be effective in all aspects of the game, including combat, exploration, and dialogue.
What is the best build for a melee character?
If you want to play as a melee character, then you’ll want to focus on investing in the swordsmanship skill. You’ll also want to choose equipment that gives you a good damage bonus and critical hit chance.
What is the best build for a magic character?
If you want to play as a magic character, then you’ll want to focus on investing in the signs skill. You’ll also want to choose equipment that gives you a good bonus to sign intensity and sign duration.
