Griffin School Gear

Wield the Griffin School Gear in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This medium armor set boosts Sign Intensity and stamina regeneration for magic users.

The Griffin School Gear is a highly sought-after medium armor set in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, renowned for its significant boosts to Sign Intensity and stamina regeneration. This makes it an ideal choice for Witchers who prefer a magic-focused combat style, allowing them to cast Signs more frequently and with greater effect. The gear scales through several tiers: Basic, Enhanced, Superior, Mastercrafted, and finally, Grandmaster, each offering progressively better stats and additional set bonuses.

Acquiring the Griffin School Gear involves undertaking a series of Scavenger Hunt quests, which will lead you to the hidden diagrams scattered across Velen, Novigrad, Skellige, and Toussaint. Crafting the full set requires not only the diagrams but also various crafting components and the services of a skilled armorer and blacksmith.

Why Choose Griffin School Gear?

The Griffin School Gear is the quintessential choice for players who want to embrace Geralt's magical side. Its primary strength lies in its substantial bonuses to Sign Intensity and Stamina Regeneration, making it perfect for a "Sign-build" playstyle. Here's why you might choose it:

• Sign Mastery: If you love incinerating foes with Igni, stunning them with Aard, protecting yourself with Quen, or trapping them with Yrden, this set is for you. It amplifies the effectiveness and frequency of your Signs.
• Stamina Efficiency: The increased stamina regeneration means less downtime between Sign casts, allowing for a more aggressive and fluid magical offense.
• Crowd Control & Defensive Play: With the Grandmaster set bonus, Yrden becomes an incredibly powerful tool for controlling groups of enemies, reducing incoming damage, and further boosting your stamina regen within its radius. This allows for strategic positioning and sustained combat.
• Versatile Combat: While focused on Signs, the medium armor classification offers a good balance of protection and mobility, allowing Geralt to dodge and weave while preparing his next magical assault.
• Early Game Power Spike: Even the basic set provides noticeable improvements to Sign casting, making early game encounters more manageable for magic-oriented players.

Griffin School Gear Set Bonuses

While each piece of the Griffin gear offers individual stat boosts, the true power of the set is unlocked when equipping multiple pieces, especially at the Grandmaster tier. These set bonuses significantly enhance Geralt's Sign-casting capabilities:

• 3/6 Pieces Equipped (Grandmaster Tier): After casting a standard mode Sign, the next standard Sign cast within 3 seconds will consume no Stamina. This bonus encourages rapid, successive Sign usage, allowing for powerful combos like Quen for defense followed by an immediate, free Igni for offense.
• 6/6 Pieces Equipped (Grandmaster Tier): The size of the Yrden trap is increased by 40%. While Geralt is within the Yrden trap, Stamina regeneration is increased by 5 per second, and incoming damage is reduced by 20%. This powerful bonus transforms Yrden into a formidable defensive and offensive tool, allowing Geralt to control the battlefield, sustain his Sign attacks, and significantly reduce damage taken.

Finding the Griffin School Gear Diagrams: Scavenger Hunts

The journey to acquire the Griffin School Gear begins with two primary Scavenger Hunt quests: Scavenger Hunt: Griffin School Gear and Scavenger Hunt: Griffin School Gear Upgrade Diagrams. These quests can be initiated by finding the relevant treasure maps from merchants (e.g., the Quartermaster at Crow's Perch, or various Blacksmiths/Armorers) or by simply stumbling upon the diagrams in the world.

Scavenger Hunt: Griffin School Gear (Basic Set)

Recommended Level: 11

The initial diagrams for the basic Griffin School Gear can be found in Velen. This quest is often one of the first Witcher Gear hunts players encounter. Finding the maps from the Quartermaster at Crow's Perch or the Blacksmith in Midcopse will initiate the quest.

Diagram Locations:

• Griffin Steel Sword Diagram:
  • Location: Hindhold ruins, east of the Dragonslayer's Grotto and southwest of the Crossroads signpost in Velen.
  • Directions: Head to the Hindhold ruins, a crumbling fortress. The diagram is in a chest located on the upper level of the ruins, often guarded by several Wraiths. You'll need to navigate the broken walls and stairs to reach the chest.
  • Enemies: Wraiths (Level 7-10). Use Specter Oil and Yrden.
• Griffin Silver Sword Diagram:
  • Location: Lornruk Lighthouse, a ruined tower accessible by boat or by swimming from the shore, located northwest of the Crossroads signpost in Velen.
  • Directions: Approach the tower, which is surrounded by water. You can either swim or take a boat. Climb the rickety wooden platforms and ladders to the very top of the tower. The diagram is in a chest at the summit.
  • Enemies: A Royal Wyvern (Level 13). Be prepared for a tough fight. Use Draconid Oil, Grapeshot bombs, and Aard to knock it out of the sky. Quen is essential for protection.
• Griffin Armor, Trousers, Gauntlets, and Boots Diagrams:
  • Location: All four armor diagrams are located within the Dragon's Grotto, a cave system found in the far north of Velen, west of the Harpy Feeding Ground and northeast of the Inn at the Crossroads.
  • Directions: Enter the cave. It's a relatively straightforward path. The diagrams are in a chest near the nest of the cave's primary inhabitant.
  • Enemies: A powerful Forktail (Level 14). Use Draconid Oil, Grapeshot, and Aard to ground it. Quen is recommended. There might also be a few Harpies outside the cave.

Scavenger Hunt: Griffin School Gear Upgrade Diagrams (Enhanced, Superior, Mastercrafted)

As Geralt progresses and gains levels, he'll want to upgrade his Griffin gear. The upgrade diagrams are spread across Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige, requiring further exploration and combat. These quests are typically initiated by finding specific maps from merchants, such as the Blacksmith in Lindenvale, the Armorer in Hierarch Square (Novigrad), or the Blacksmith in Kaer Trolde (Skellige).

Enhanced Griffin Gear Diagrams

Recommended Level: 18

• Enhanced Griffin Steel Sword:
  • Location: Found in a chest within the ruins of a tower near the Oxenfurt Gate in Velen (east of Novigrad).
  • Directions: Head east from the Oxenfurt Gate. The ruins are easily spotted. The chest is often guarded by a few bandits.
  • Enemies: Bandits (Level 10-15).
• Enhanced Griffin Silver Sword:
  • Location: Located in a cave near the Hanged Man's Tree in Velen.
  • Directions: The cave entrance is underwater, near the shore. Dive down to find the entrance. Inside, you'll face Drowners and a Water Hag. The chest is usually at the end of the cave.
  • Enemies: Drowners (Level 10-12), Water Hag (Level 12-14). Use Necrophage Oil.
• Enhanced Griffin Armor:
  • Location: Within a bandit camp located east of the Pinnacle signpost in Velen, near the coast.
  • Directions: Clear out the bandit camp. The chest containing the diagram is usually in one of the tents or structures.
  • Enemies: Bandits (Level 10-15).
• Enhanced Griffin Gauntlets:
  • Location: Found in a chest at the base of a ruined tower, south of the Inn at the Crossroads in Velen.
  • Directions: The tower is a prominent landmark. The chest is usually at its base or within a small ruin nearby.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by a few Ghouls or Alghouls (Level 10-12). Use Necrophage Oil.
• Enhanced Griffin Trousers:
  • Location: Inside a cave west of the Harpy Feeding Ground in Velen, near the coast.
  • Directions: The cave entrance is usually marked by a monster nest. Be wary of the Harpies guarding the entrance. The chest is inside.
  • Enemies: Harpies (Level 10-12). Use Hybrid Oil.
• Enhanced Griffin Boots:
  • Location: Located in a chest within the ruins of a small fort, southwest of the Novigrad Docks in Velen, along the river.
  • Directions: Clear the ruins of any enemies. The chest is typically found within one of the remaining structures.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by Drowners or a Water Hag (Level 10-14). Use Necrophage Oil.

Superior Griffin Gear Diagrams

Recommended Level: 26

These diagrams are primarily found in Skellige.

• Superior Griffin Steel Sword:
  • Location: In a chest within the ruins of a fort on the eastern side of Ard Skellig, near the village of Fyresdal.
  • Directions: Head to the fort ruins east of Fyresdal. The chest is usually found within the main structure or a collapsed section.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by Sirens or Harpies (Level 20-25). Use Hybrid Oil.
• Superior Griffin Silver Sword:
  • Location: Found in a cave on the island of An Skellig, accessible by boat. The cave is located on the northern part of the island.
  • Directions: Take a boat to An Skellig. The cave entrance is usually visible from the water. Inside, you'll face several Ice Trolls. The chest is at the end of the cave.
  • Enemies: Ice Trolls (Level 25-30). Use Ogre Oil.
• Superior Griffin Armor:
  • Location: Located in a chest within the ruins of a tower on the northern coast of Ard Skellig, near the village of Larvik.
  • Directions: The tower ruins are easily spotted. The chest is typically at the base or within the tower itself.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by a Cyclops or a group of Bandits (Level 25-30). Use Ogre Oil for Cyclops.
• Superior Griffin Gauntlets:
  • Location: Inside a bandit camp on the small island of Spikeroog, near the village of Svorlag.
  • Directions: Clear the bandit camp on Spikeroog. The chest is usually in one of the larger tents or structures.
  • Enemies: Bandits (Level 20-25).
• Superior Griffin Trousers:
  • Location: Found in a chest within a cave on the island of Hindarsfjall, near the village of Larvik.
  • Directions: Locate the cave on Hindarsfjall. It's often home to monstrous creatures. The chest is usually at the end of the cave.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by a Fiend or Leshen (Level 25-30). Use Relict Oil for Fiend/Leshen.
• Superior Griffin Boots:
  • Location: Located in a chest within the ruins of a fort on the southern coast of Ard Skellig, near the village of Arinbjorn.
  • Directions: Head to the fort ruins south of Arinbjorn. The chest is typically found within the main structure.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by Sirens or a Wyvern (Level 20-25). Use Hybrid or Draconid Oil.

Mastercrafted Griffin Gear Diagrams

Recommended Level: 34

These diagrams are also primarily found in Skellige, often in more challenging locations.

• Mastercrafted Griffin Steel Sword:
  • Location: In a chest within the ruins of a tower on the island of Undvik, near the abandoned village of Dorve.
  • Directions: Navigate the harsh environment of Undvik to the tower ruins. The chest is usually found at the top or base of the tower.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by a Giant or Ice Trolls (Level 30-35). Use Ogre Oil.
• Mastercrafted Griffin Silver Sword:
  • Location: Found in a cave on the island of Ard Skellig, west of the village of Kaer Trolde, near the coast.
  • Directions: Locate the cave entrance. The cave is home to a powerful Golem. The chest is usually past the Golem.
  • Enemies: Golem (Level 30-35). Use Elementa Oil.
• Mastercrafted Griffin Armor:
  • Location: Located in a chest within the ruins of a fort on the eastern side of Ard Skellig, near the village of Fyresdal. This is a different location from the Superior Armor, often deeper within the ruins or a separate section.
  • Directions: Thoroughly explore the fort ruins east of Fyresdal. The chest might be in a hidden cellar or a more heavily guarded section.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by a powerful Siren or a group of Bandits (Level 30-35). Use Hybrid Oil.
• Mastercrafted Griffin Gauntlets:
  • Location: Inside a bandit camp on the island of Spikeroog, near the village of Svorlag. This is a different, often larger, bandit camp or a more fortified section.
  • Directions: Clear the bandit camp. The chest is typically in a well-guarded area or a leader's tent.
  • Enemies: Heavily armed Bandits (Level 30-35).
• Mastercrafted Griffin Trousers:
  • Location: Found in a chest within a cave on the island of Hindarsfjall, near the village of Larvik. This is a different cave or a deeper section of a previous one.
  • Directions: Explore the cave thoroughly. It will likely contain more formidable monsters.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by a powerful Fiend or Leshen (Level 30-35). Use Relict Oil.
• Mastercrafted Griffin Boots:
  • Location: Located in a chest within the ruins of a fort on the southern coast of Ard Skellig, near the village of Arinbjorn. This will be a different section or a more challenging part of the fort.
  • Directions: Thoroughly search the fort ruins. The chest might be in a collapsed section or a hidden room.
  • Enemies: Often guarded by a powerful Wyvern or a group of Sirens (Level 30-35). Use Draconid or Hybrid Oil.

Grandmaster Griffin Gear (Blood and Wine DLC)

Recommended Level: 40

For the ultimate version of the Griffin School Gear, players must venture into Toussaint, the setting of the Blood and Wine expansion. The Grandmaster diagrams are part of a separate Scavenger Hunt quest that requires a higher level and more powerful enemies to overcome.

Grandmaster Diagram Location:

• Initiating the Quest: The quest for the Grandmaster Griffin gear begins by speaking with the Grandmaster Smith Lafargue in Beauclair, Toussaint. He will provide you with a map that initiates the quest Scavenger Hunt: Grandmaster Griffin Gear.
• Location: All diagrams for the Grandmaster Griffin set are found within the ruins of Fort Ussar, located in the northern part of Toussaint, west of the Arthach Palace Ruins.
• Directions: Travel to Fort Ussar. This fort is heavily guarded by various monsters. You'll need to explore the fort thoroughly, including its underground passages and collapsed sections, to find all six diagrams (armor, trousers, gauntlets, boots, steel sword, and silver sword). The quest markers will guide you to each specific diagram.
• Enemies: Barghests, Wraiths, and a powerful Garkain (Level 40+). Use Specter Oil for Wraiths/Barghests, and Vampire Oil for the Garkain. Yrden is highly effective against Wraiths.

Crafting the Griffin School Gear

Once you have the diagrams, you'll need to gather the necessary crafting components and find a skilled craftsman. The crafting requirements increase significantly with each tier.

Finding Skilled Crafters:

• Basic to Superior Gear: Can be crafted by most Journeyman-level Armorers and Blacksmiths found in major towns like Novigrad (e.g., the Armorer in Hierarch Square) or Oxenfurt.
• Mastercrafted Gear: Requires a Master-level Armorer or Blacksmith.
  • Master Armorer: Yoana at Crow's Perch (after completing the "Master Armorer" quest for Fergus).
  • Master Blacksmith: Hattori in Novigrad (after completing the "Of Swords and Dumplings" quest).
• Grandmaster Gear: You must use the services of the Grandmaster Smith Lafargue in Beauclair, Toussaint. No other crafter can forge Grandmaster gear.

Common Crafting Component Overview:

Crafting Witcher gear requires a mix of common materials, monster parts, and rare ingots. Here's a general idea:

• Metals:
  • Ingots: Iron Ingots, Steel Ingots, Dark Iron Ingots, Meteorite Silver Ingots, Dimeritium Ingots, Enriched Dimeritium Ingots.
  • Plates: Silver Plates, Meteorite Silver Plates, Dark Iron Plates, Dimeritium Plates, Enriched Dimeritium Plates.
  • Source: Dismantle weapons/armor, purchase from blacksmiths/armorers, loot from enemies/chests.
• Leathers/Hides:
  • Basic: Leather Scraps, Leather.
  • Advanced: Hardened Leather, Draconid Leather, Cured Draconid Leather, Infused Slyzard Hide.
  • Source: Dismantle armor, loot from animals/monsters (e.g., bears, wolves, draconids), purchase from merchants.
• Monster Parts:
  • Common: Monster Claw, Monster Tooth, Monster Bone, Monster Hair, Monster Hide, Monster Blood, Monster Eye.
  • Rare: Monster Heart, Monster Liver, Monster Brain, Monster Essence, Monster Scale, Monster Feather.
  • Source: Loot from defeated monsters. Specific monsters drop specific parts (e.g., Draconids for Draconid Leather, Wraiths for Monster Essence).
• Gems/Dusts:
  • Amethyst Dust, Emerald Dust, Ruby Dust, Sapphire Dust, Diamond Dust.
  • Source: Dismantle jewelry, purchase from alchemists/merchants.

Example Crafting Recipe (Basic Griffin Armor):

• 1x Cured Draconid Leather
• 2x Monster Scale
• 1x Monster Hair
• 1x Monster Bone
• 1x Meteorite Silver Plate

Note: Higher tiers and different pieces will require more advanced and rarer components. Always check the crafting menu for exact requirements. Dismantling unwanted gear or purchasing from merchants are common ways to acquire these materials.

Strategy Tips for Griffin Gear Users

• Sign Focus: Prioritize upgrading your chosen Signs in the Character menu. Quen for defense, Igni for offense, and Yrden for crowd control are excellent choices for a Griffin build. Consider investing in alternate Sign modes (e.g., Exploding Shield for Quen, Firestream for Igni).
• Alchemy Synergy: Consider investing in alchemy skills, particularly those that boost potion and oil effectiveness, as they can complement your Sign-heavy playstyle. Decoctions like the Ekimmara Decoction (generates vitality when dealing damage with Signs) or the Ekhidna Decoction (regenerates vitality when consuming stamina, perfect for Sign spamming) are incredibly useful.
• Combat Flow: With the Grandmaster set bonus, practice casting a standard Sign, then quickly following up with another within 3 seconds to conserve stamina. This allows for sustained offensive pressure and powerful combos. For example, cast Yrden, then immediately follow with an Igni or Aard without stamina cost.
• Yrden Placement: Master the placement of Yrden. With the Grandmaster bonus, it becomes a powerful zone control tool. Lure enemies into it to slow them, reduce their damage, and regenerate your stamina. This is especially effective against fast or numerous foes.
• Runes and Glyphs: Enhance your Griffin gear with glyphs that boost Sign Intensity (e.g., Glyph of Igni, Glyph of Quen) on your armor. For your swords, use runes that offer additional Sign benefits (e.g., Igni, Aard, Axii glyphs) or critical hit chance to complement your damage output.
• Mutations (Blood and Wine DLC): Consider mutations like "Conductors of Magic" (Sign damage scales with equipped sword damage) or "Metamorphosis" (applying critical effects grants random decoction effects for 120s without toxicity) to further enhance your Sign build.

The Griffin School Gear is a rewarding set for players who enjoy a dynamic, magic-focused combat experience. Its emphasis on Signs makes Geralt a formidable force on the battlefield, capable of controlling crowds, dealing significant elemental damage, and protecting himself with powerful magical shields.