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Blindingly Obvious
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Blindingly Obvious

Learn essential combat techniques in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, including melee, ranged attacks, signs, alchemy, and defensive maneuvers to defeat any foe.

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Learn essential combat techniques in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, including melee, ranged attacks, signs, alchemy, and defensive maneuvers to defeat any foe.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Melee Combat: Geralt wields a Silver Sword for monsters and a Steel Sword for humanoids. Basic attacks include fast (quick, less damage) and heavy (slow, more damage). Invest skill points in the Combat tree for abilities like 'Whirl' (AoE spin) and 'Rend' (armor-piercing slash).
  2. 2
    Ranged Combat: Utilize the crossbow for ranged attacks. Time slows slightly when aiming. Different bolts offer varied effects. Enhance with skills in the Marksmanship tree for improved aiming and critical hits.
  3. 3
    Finisher Attacks: Trigger stylish executions by pressing the prompt above weakened enemies. These are enabled by default but can be toggled off, recommended for higher difficulties.
  4. 4
    Avoiding Attacks: Geralt can Block (nullifies most melee, less effective against magic/elemental), Stagger (timed block to deflect and stun melee enemies), Dodge (quick sidestep/backstep to evade attacks), and Roll (larger distance evasion, useful against large bosses). Invest in the Defense tree for upgrades like 'Deflect Arrows'.
  5. 5
    Magical Signs: Consume Stamina. All five signs are available early:
    • AARD: Force push to knock down/stagger enemies; breaks weak walls out of combat.
  6. 6
    AXII: Stuns single targets; used in dialogue to influence NPCs or calm animals.
  7. 7
    IGNI: Fire wave that damages and can ignite enemies, causing damage over time; lights torches out of combat.
  8. 8
    QUEN: Creates a protective barrier, draining Stamina over time; improves defense.
  9. 9
    YRDEN: Creates a magical trap that slows enemies and makes spectral foes tangible.
  10. 10
    Alchemy: Geralt can craft potions, oils, and bombs using recipes found or bought. Once crafted, they auto-replenish when meditating if sufficient alcohol is available.
    • Bombs: Various types with different effects.
Tips
  • Switch between Steel and Silver swords as needed, though Geralt often auto-selects the correct one.
  • Heavy attacks are best used on stunned or unaware enemies due to Geralt's vulnerability during the animation.
  • Consider disabling automatic finishers on higher difficulties to avoid accidental deaths during combat.
  • Experiment with blocking, dodging, and rolling to find the defensive style that suits you best.
  • Signs consume Stamina; manage this resource carefully, especially when using Quen.
  • Alchemy recipes, once crafted, are remembered and automatically replenished upon meditation, provided you have alcohol.

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