The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Munimentum said:
I ended my run on about level 35 and I think I've gotten about 15 points in my NG+ so far so that means I had about 45-50 points totalish at the end of the run (estimated)

Honestly my advice is to go sign build with a side of alchemy. If you use the water hag decoction it increases your attack power by 50% at full health which should be enough to offset the lack of melee skillpoints until you can get to them at level 40+

Sign build with Griffin school techniques, and 3 blue mutagen slots give you a LOT of sign intensity and combined with medium armor (griffin armor) your stamina regen is insane so you can spam your signs. Quen to keep yourself at full health and double attack power swords plus 100% burn chance with Igni with enough Igni runes and you're unkillable. Might feel a bit cheese to people but I absolutely love it.

Later in the game you can flesh out Alchemy, specifically Mutation which increases your toxicity threshold for every formula you know and then the big one Mutation which increases mutagen bonus by 50% and potion duration by 25%.
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Cheers!

Looking at sign builds, I was thinking of going for the first tiers in Axii and Igni first, then second tier of Igni and Quen. Aard seems a bit of a waste, but maybe I just don't use it well enough.

I already put 5 into light attacks because even though I wanted to lean heavily on signs I still found myself having to do an awful lot of melee. Might consider that when I respec.

I hadn't considered alchemy as a side tree either. Will look into it, but as you suggest might leave that for higher levels.

So you found it all doable without any points in melee?
 
strumpusplunket said:
Cheers!

Looking at sign builds, I was thinking of going for the first tiers in Axii and Igni first, then second tier of Igni and Quen. Aard seems a bit of a waste, but maybe I just don't use it well enough.

I already put 5 into light attacks because even though I wanted to lean heavily on signs I still found myself having to do an awful lot of melee. Might consider that when I respec.

I hadn't considered alchemy as a side tree either. Will look into it, but as you suggest might leave that for higher levels.

So you found it all doable without any points in melee?
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Well, I have 18 points in melee right now and I don't intend to put more in until I've exhausted what I need in the sign tree. If I'm honest I could probably respec into 0 melee and not really notice a difference but it is nice to have that bit extra, sure. I'd leave those 5 light attack points honestly, if for nothing more than a little variety.

And yeah, I'd definitely leave alchemy till later until you intend to fully go into it and since the primary goal in the tree for a sign build requires 20 points you'd be best off going full sign first. The only thing I would definitely advise is use the Water Hag decoction all the time and keep yourself at 100% health as that makes a lot of difference if you melee at all.

As for signs, first tier Axii I have as it's handy for dialogues and I like having maximum dialogue options. Get 3/3 in that but get 3/3 exploding Quen shield and 5/5 Melt armor Igni first. So I'd suggest 1/3 Axii, then Quen, then Igni.

Then go 3/3 Magic trap as Yrden is sooooo good. It sucks that Igni is so good as Yrden is by far my favorite sign. It's necessary for certain ghosts too as it makes them attackable. It also makes Golems sooo much easier and as I always struggle against them Yrden was super helpful. Can also help you survive lots of archers as you can drop it, wait for your stamina to regen, repop Quen, pop health pots etc without worrying about the arrows.

I go 3/3 Aard Sweep too. I rarely use it, though. It can be ridiculous when you're surrounded or have like 3-5 enemies close buy that it would hit, as it knocks them all to the ground (non elites only though I think) and you can go around and kill them all one by one. Sometimes more useful than Igni in that regard as Igni has a smaller cone.

Then I take 1/3 in the second Axii to unlock the third tier. After that, 5/5 Igni intensity for sure as that gets you to 100% burning (or it should do anyway, especially with Griffon gear)

That's my core sign build, anyway. Igni intensity is the goal in that tree, after that you don't NEED more sign investment but there are some good abilities for the other signs depending on how you play/what you struggle against (yrden intensity and final tree upgrade can make large groups of enemies easier like Nekkers if you struggle, as they will all take constant damage while in it's area and die - so if you struggle vs them might be worth a shout)

To be honest, once you're at that point and you have 100% burning you should be fine vs even higher level enemies. As long as they're not immune to igni anyway, which is why I'd start on melee or alchemy trees to flesh it out and make you decent vs igni immune enemies instead of completely useless.
 
Munimentum said:
Well, I have 18 points in melee right now and I don't intend to put more in until I've exhausted what I need in the sign tree. If I'm honest I could probably respec into 0 melee and not really notice a difference but it is nice to have that bit extra, sure. I'd leave those 5 light attack points honestly, if for nothing more than a little variety.

And yeah, I'd definitely leave alchemy till later until you intend to fully go into it and since the primary goal in the tree for a sign build requires 20 points you'd be best off going full sign first. The only thing I would definitely advise is use the Water Hag decoction all the time and keep yourself at 100% health as that makes a lot of difference if you melee at all.

As for signs, first tier Axii I have as it's handy for dialogues and I like having maximum dialogue options. Get 3/3 in that but get 3/3 exploding Quen shield and 5/5 Melt armor Igni first. So I'd suggest 1/3 Axii, then Quen, then Igni.

Then go 3/3 Magic trap as Yrden is sooooo good. It sucks that Igni is so good as Yrden is by far my favorite sign. It's necessary for certain ghosts too as it makes them attackable. It also makes Golems sooo much easier and as I always struggle against them Yrden was super helpful. Can also help you survive lots of archers as you can drop it, wait for your stamina to regen, repop Quen, pop health pots etc without worrying about the arrows.

I go 3/3 Aard Sweep too. I rarely use it, though. It can be ridiculous when you're surrounded or have like 3-5 enemies close buy that it would hit, as it knocks them all to the ground (non elites only though I think) and you can go around and kill them all one by one. Sometimes more useful than Igni in that regard as Igni has a smaller cone.

Then I take 1/3 in the second Axii to unlock the third tier. After that, 5/5 Igni intensity for sure as that gets you to 100% burning (or it should do anyway, especially with Griffon gear)

That's my core sign build, anyway. Igni intensity is the goal in that tree, after that you don't NEED more sign investment but there are some good abilities for the other signs depending on how you play/what you struggle against (yrden intensity and final tree upgrade can make large groups of enemies easier like Nekkers if you struggle, as they will all take constant damage while in it's area and die - so if you struggle vs them might be worth a shout)

To be honest, once you're at that point and you have 100% burning you should be fine vs even higher level enemies. As long as they're not immune to igni anyway, which is why I'd start on melee or alchemy trees to flesh it out and make you decent vs igni immune enemies instead of completely useless.
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Very detailed and useful. Thanks!
 
So, this is how my quick jump on Witcher went last night... Oh god I love this game lol.

*note, no main story spoilers here*
I decided to do some contracts as I'm pushing through the levels and don't want to rush through the story.

So, let's crack on, cool, I have one, some owner of a tavern has an issue, something to do with the lighthouse in Skellige. Walk into his tavern, wtf.jpg, get sass'd by 2 gobby little *****. Whatever, fluff them off and talk to the owner. Settle a price, standard job, seems like a nice chap so don't try to rip him off. I also ask who the 2 yobs were, tells me they are sons of a father who also dislikes strangers and works above the law.

Go and do the job at the lighthouse, some absolute muppet had decided to take a bribery to extinguish the lighthouse flame at midnight to cause a trade ship to crash. He was promised spoils blah blah. pleb.mpeg. This wraith is now tied to him for his bad deeds... Oh you gon' fudged up son.

I kill this Penitent wraith. Who is a bit of a badass, looking all sharp and putting up a decent fight. The pleb returns, swears on his mam he won't do it again. IDGAF.avi, you gon fudged up. Leave now.

I head back to the tavern, time for my money yo! Speak to the tavern owner, get my loots. All round nice guy, even offers me some mead! Suddenly, the yobs return. Urgh, mouthing me off until the cows come home. My new found friend, the tavern owner steps in, I tell him not to worry about it. It doesn't matter.

The yobs start a fight, and kill my bro with a lucky shot whilst I was knocked back. ohnoyoudidn't.gif, I whip these boys into several shades of rekt.

Urgh, walk out, whole village including their dad on my case, calling me a murdered etc. Whatever, your sons were a holes. I'm arrested.

In jail, nice, bustin' me some rocks. Guard comes over, ahhhh yisssss, use my buffed up jedi power on him. Freeeeee. Go see the Jarl, oh, this guy. Spoke to him before when I was with Yen at a wake. Bit of a loud one, we had a fist fight. Mad respects earnt. He will help me out.

Tells me I have to pay the a hole father a tonne of silver. Ye son, don't have that gold. The Jarl pays him off for me... Huh, what ya cooking fam? What you need from me?

His son is in danger, wants me to help, blah blah blah. What ever, just unshackle me whore.

Meet up with his son, just like his dad, loud and rude. We head into this earth vagina to face our fears... Pretty boring, kill a few ghouls. Suddenly the kid wants to get mad high! My kind of kid. We all have mad dreams, facing their fears.

Ohshoot.mp4, it's my turn... It's the king of the Wild Hunt... Yo, Geralt, why so scared? We destroy the king with no sweat, but then he speaks of Ciri, she is what I fear, her life, I fear her life to be taken.

We leave the cave, the Jarls son thanks me and gives me mad respect just like his dad. Hecool.xvid. I go on my way.

Fin.

That was one evenings play... SO ****** GOOD!

TL : DR, cool story bro.
 
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agnes said:
So, this is how my quick jump on Witcher went last night... Oh god I love this game lol.

*note, no main story spoilers here*
I decided to do some contracts as I'm pushing through the levels and don't want to rush through the story.

So, let's crack on, cool, I have one, some owner of a tavern has an issue, something to do with the lighthouse in Skellige. Walk into his tavern, wtf.jpg, get sass'd by 2 gobby little *****. Whatever, fluff them off and talk to the owner. Settle a price, standard job, seems like a nice chap so don't try to rip him off. I also ask who the 2 yobs were, tells me they are sons of a father who also dislikes strangers and works above the law.

Go and do the job at the lighthouse, some absolute muppet had decided to take a bribery to extinguish the lighthouse flame at midnight to cause a trade ship to crash. He was promised spoils blah blah. pleb.mpeg. This wraith is now tied to him for his bad deeds... Oh you gon' fudged up son.

I kill this Penitent wraith. Who is a bit of a badass, looking all sharp and putting up a decent fight. The pleb returns, swears on his mam he won't do it again. IDGAF.avi, you gon fudged up. Leave now.

I head back to the tavern, time for my money yo! Speak to the tavern owner, get my loots. All round nice guy, even offers me some mead! Suddenly, the yobs return. Urgh, mouthing me off until the cows come home. My new found friend, the tavern owner steps in, I tell him not to worry about it. It doesn't matter.

The yobs start a fight, and kill my bro with a lucky shot whilst I was knocked back. ohnoyoudidn't.gif, I whip these boys into several shades of rekt.

Urgh, walk out, whole village including their dad on my case, calling me a murdered etc. Whatever, your sons were a holes. I'm arrested.

In jail, nice, bustin' me some rocks. Guard comes over, ahhhh yisssss, use my buffed up jedi power on him. Freeeeee. Go see the Jarl, oh, this guy. Spoke to him before when I was with Yen at a wake. Bit of a loud one, we had a fist fight. Mad respects earnt. He will help me out.

Tells me I have to pay the a hole father a tonne of silver. Ye son, don't have that gold. The Jarl pays him off for me... Huh, what ya cooking fam? What you need from me?

His son is in danger, wants me to help, blah blah blah. What ever, just unshackle me whore.

Meet up with his son, just like his dad, loud and rude. We head into this earth vagina to face our fears... Pretty boring, kill a few ghouls. Suddenly the kid wants to get mad high! My kind of kid. We all have mad dreams, facing their fears.

Ohshoot.mp4, it's my turn... It's the king of the Wild Hunt... Yo, Geralt, why so scared? We destroy the king with no sweat, but then he speaks of Ciri, she is what I fear, her life, I fear her life to be taken.

We leave the cave, the Jarls son thanks me and gives me mad respect just like his dad. Hecool.xvid. I go on my way.

Fin.

That was one evenings play... SO ****** GOOD!

TL : DR, cool story bro.
Click to expand...

Made me lol.
 
agnes said:
So, this is how my quick jump on Witcher went last night... Oh god I love this game lol.

*note, no main story spoilers here*

(Snip)

That was one evenings play... SO ****** GOOD!

TL : DR, cool story bro.
Click to expand...

Hahaha, great story well told. R'spec innit!
 
agnes said:
So, this is how my quick jump on Witcher went last night... Oh god I love this game lol.

*note, no main story spoilers here*
I decided to do some contracts as I'm pushing through the levels and don't want to rush through the story.

So, let's crack on, cool, I have one, some owner of a tavern has an issue, something to do with the lighthouse in Skellige. Walk into his tavern, wtf.jpg, get sass'd by 2 gobby little *****. Whatever, fluff them off and talk to the owner. Settle a price, standard job, seems like a nice chap so don't try to rip him off. I also ask who the 2 yobs were, tells me they are sons of a father who also dislikes strangers and works above the law.

Go and do the job at the lighthouse, some absolute muppet had decided to take a bribery to extinguish the lighthouse flame at midnight to cause a trade ship to crash. He was promised spoils blah blah. pleb.mpeg. This wraith is now tied to him for his bad deeds... Oh you gon' fudged up son.

I kill this Penitent wraith. Who is a bit of a badass, looking all sharp and putting up a decent fight. The pleb returns, swears on his mam he won't do it again. IDGAF.avi, you gon fudged up. Leave now.

I head back to the tavern, time for my money yo! Speak to the tavern owner, get my loots. All round nice guy, even offers me some mead! Suddenly, the yobs return. Urgh, mouthing me off until the cows come home. My new found friend, the tavern owner steps in, I tell him not to worry about it. It doesn't matter.

The yobs start a fight, and kill my bro with a lucky shot whilst I was knocked back. ohnoyoudidn't.gif, I whip these boys into several shades of rekt.

Urgh, walk out, whole village including their dad on my case, calling me a murdered etc. Whatever, your sons were a holes. I'm arrested.

In jail, nice, bustin' me some rocks. Guard comes over, ahhhh yisssss, use my buffed up jedi power on him. Freeeeee. Go see the Jarl, oh, this guy. Spoke to him before when I was with Yen at a wake. Bit of a loud one, we had a fist fight. Mad respects earnt. He will help me out.

Tells me I have to pay the a hole father a tonne of silver. Ye son, don't have that gold. The Jarl pays him off for me... Huh, what ya cooking fam? What you need from me?

His son is in danger, wants me to help, blah blah blah. What ever, just unshackle me whore.

Meet up with his son, just like his dad, loud and rude. We head into this earth vagina to face our fears... Pretty boring, kill a few ghouls. Suddenly the kid wants to get mad high! My kind of kid. We all have mad dreams, facing their fears.

Ohshoot.mp4, it's my turn... It's the king of the Wild Hunt... Yo, Geralt, why so scared? We destroy the king with no sweat, but then he speaks of Ciri, she is what I fear, her life, I fear her life to be taken.

We leave the cave, the Jarls son thanks me and gives me mad respect just like his dad. Hecool.xvid. I go on my way.

Fin.

That was one evenings play... SO ****** GOOD!

TL : DR, cool story bro.
Click to expand...

That was fantastic.

And WTF? I played for 240 hours and do not remember this. Must have missed it or do it differently or something.

chroniclard said:
Witcher 3(and 2 and 1) all have fairly pants combat.
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Wrong.
 
Details on the expansion look great, and I'm sure it will be well made. I'm struggling to muster the enthusiasm to play the game again though tbh.

I've got a replay abandoned about 25 hours in and don't see myself going back to it really. There aren't enough facets to the game to hold interest for that long for me.
 
Pighardia said:
Details on the expansion look great, and I'm sure it will be well made. I'm struggling to muster the enthusiasm to play the game again though tbh.

I've got a replay abandoned about 25 hours in and don't see myself going back to it really. There aren't enough facets to the game to hold interest for that long for me.
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Why would you need to replay it to play the expansions? There is no need.

I suffer from the opposite problem. Ever since I finished my first 200+ hour playthrough in June, all I wanted to play was more Witcher 3, but I have been postponing the replay until Blood and Wine comes out because I want it to be as fresh as possible. Hopefully I will manage to forget a lot by then. But I can't wait to go back, Hearts of Stone was already brilliant.
 
I started replaying it before the first expansion came out. Not sure I still have my original save.

I really like TW3, I think it is a great achievement, but I found the problem I was worried about before it was released, that for a hundred hour plus game it doesn't have enough variety in terms of gameplay and builds.

I imagine I will play through the game I have currently, but over a very long period of time. I am way over-levelled for everything iirc.
 
Glad you guys liked my stupid little write up. I'll do another for next time I play. It's how I'm seeing this game. I get into the game, do something and end up 3 hours later on an entirely different trail of things to do!

I like the idea of a 4chan Geralt character. With some sass and slang going on.
 
Yes, this game has such brilliantly written quests it's amazing the stories you can get through in an evening's play.

I did the Tower of Mice quest last night. No spoilers, but my reaction was... Whaaaa?! okay, so that just happened...

Really, really gripped by this game now. The combat is not as fluid as, say, Dark Souls or Shadow of Mordor, but now I'm more used to it, it's okay. (My main problem previously I think was my DS-ingrained habit of rolling, rolling, always rolling)

The story, the world, the detail in the quests, the morally ambiguous choices. This is a real masterpiece.

Absolutely loving it now! :)
 
^

Tower of Mice is the quest I remember most. Also the quest line with the Bloody Baron who sounds a little like Robert Baratheon?

I just played the vanilla game and will replay when I get a next gen card along with the expansions.
 
BuddyLuv said:
^

Tower of Mice is the quest I remember most. Also the quest line with the Bloody Baron who sounds a little like Robert Baratheon?

I just played the vanilla game and will replay when I get a next gen card along with the expansions.
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I think Robert Baratheon was definitely one of the inspirations for that character.
 
Toussaint, so nice to see it for real.

TW3BAW_The_palace_of_Beauclair_EN.png


TW3BAW_Toussaint_is_famous_for_its_wine_and_vineyards_EN.png
 
Paul, you might want to put those in Spoiler tags, they a tad to big left like that. :p
Looking nice though, as the rest of Witcher has. Although personally have loads left to play before doing and DLC's..
 
What post processing sharpening setting do most people opt for, can't seem to make my mind up between off and low? Not much of a performance hit either.
 
So returning to the build questions, I'm finding my signs build a little disappointing at the moment (at lvl 13 now).

Quen is awesome, both standard and alternate modes. No problems there.

Axii is very useful against single opponents who are vulnerable to it.

Yrden is very helpful against wraiths, but the slow effect is negligible. The alternate case is nice but has a very long build-up which negates it use in battle somewhat.

The biggest issue is that igni seems pretty much pointless. I was hoping that once I got my sign intensity up I'd see some better results, but with intensity now at around 120% I'm very underwhelmed. Firestream can't even take down mobs a few levels lower than me before the stamina bar is empty, and it's very easily interruptable. It doesn't even seem to do much more damage (if any) than base igni, which is also lacking a bit. Standard igni okay for some crowd control with its high burn chance, but the damage is barely significant. If I want cc I could just use aard, surely? Feeling all the points in it are a bit wasted. I can't see a reason to use firestream at all.

After a bit of research I hear igni was heavily nerfed in patch 1.07 (firestream particularly). Has anyone got a good offensive sign build post-1.07? Or did most recommendations for these builds come from prior to that?

At the moment I feel I need to spec points out of igni. And I'm not exactly in love with aard. I've not only specced points into (which I can clear with a potion) but also been hunting and building gear specifically for it (all in griffin now). I still use swords to do almost all of my damage and find myself only ever casting quen in 90% of fights (with some situational use of yrden and axii).

Am I doing something wrong, or did 1.07 put the nail in the coffin of a pure signs build?
 
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