Ursine (Bear) School Gear

Master the Ursine (Bear) School Gear in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Utilize this heavy armor for physical resistance and increased Adrenaline Point generation.

The Ursine School Gear is a heavy armor set in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, renowned for its exceptional physical resistance and significant bonuses to Adrenaline Point generation. This makes it an ideal choice for Witchers who prefer a more tank-oriented playstyle, relying on strong attacks and sustained combat. Its robust protection allows Geralt to absorb more damage while consistently building Adrenaline for powerful finishing moves and sign enhancements.

The full Ursine set, particularly at its Grandmaster tier, offers unique set bonuses that further amplify its defensive and offensive capabilities. These bonuses reward a strategic approach to combat, encouraging players to maintain high Adrenaline levels.

Acquiring the Ursine Gear Diagrams

To craft the Ursine School Gear, you must first locate its various diagrams. These are discovered through a series of quests known as Scavenger Hunt: Bear School Gear. There are separate quests for the basic set and each upgrade tier (Enhanced, Superior, Mastercrafted, and Grandmaster). For detailed, step-by-step instructions on finding every diagram, please refer to our dedicated guide: Scavenger Hunt: Bear School Gear.

Ursine Gear Set Bonuses (Grandmaster Tier)

The Grandmaster Ursine gear, found in the Blood and Wine expansion, offers powerful set bonuses that significantly enhance Geralt's combat prowess when wearing multiple pieces:

• 3/6 Pieces Equipped: When a Quen shield shatters, there is a chance to apply a new Quen shield without expending Stamina. This chance increases with the number of Adrenaline Points Geralt currently has. This bonus greatly improves survivability, allowing for more aggressive play.
• 6/6 Pieces Equipped: The damage of Quen-charged attacks is increased by 200%. Additionally, all damage dealt by Geralt while a Quen shield is active is reflected back to the attacker by 10% (this reflection does not apply to damage from Signs). This bonus transforms Quen from a purely defensive Sign into a potent offensive tool, especially when combined with strong attacks.

Ursine Gear Overview by Tier

Each tier of the Ursine gear progressively increases its defensive stats, Adrenaline Point gain, and other resistances. Below is a general overview of what to expect from the full set at different upgrade levels:

Basic Ursine Gear

The foundational set, providing solid heavy armor protection and a base bonus to Adrenaline Point gain. It's an excellent starting point for heavy armor enthusiasts.

• Armor Type: Heavy
• Primary Stats: High Physical Resistance, Adrenaline Point Gain
• Required Level: 20 (for crafting)
• Location: Diagrams found in Skellige, primarily in abandoned ruins and caves.

Enhanced Ursine Gear

An improved version of the basic set, offering higher resistances and slightly better Adrenaline Point generation. It's a good mid-game upgrade.

• Required Level: 23
• Location: Diagrams scattered across Skellige, often in monster-guarded locations.

Superior Ursine Gear

A significant upgrade, further boosting all defensive stats and Adrenaline gain. This set is highly effective for the latter half of the main story.

• Required Level: 27
• Location: Diagrams primarily found in Skellige, often requiring exploration of more dangerous areas.

Mastercrafted Ursine Gear

One of the strongest armor sets in the base game, offering top-tier protection and excellent Adrenaline Point bonuses. It's a staple for high-level combat.

• Required Level: 31
• Location: Diagrams found in various locations across Skellige and Velen, often in ruins or crypts.

Grandmaster Ursine Gear

The pinnacle of the Ursine School Gear, exclusive to the Blood and Wine expansion. This set provides the highest defensive stats, maximum Adrenaline Point gain, and unlocks the powerful 3/6 and 6/6 set bonuses, making Geralt an unyielding force on the battlefield.

• Required Level: 40
• Location: Diagrams are found exclusively in Toussaint, typically within ancient ruins and monster lairs. The quest for these diagrams begins by speaking with the Grandmaster Smith Lafargue in Beauclair.

Crafting the Ursine Gear

Once you have acquired the necessary diagrams, you will need to find a suitable craftsman. For the basic, Enhanced, Superior, and Mastercrafted tiers, any Journeyman or Master Armorer can craft the gear. However, for the Grandmaster Ursine Gear, you must seek out a Grandmaster Armorer, such as Lafargue in Beauclair, Toussaint.

Crafting each piece will require specific materials, including various monster components, ingots, and leathers. It's advisable to gather these materials as you explore to avoid unnecessary backtracking. Dismantling unwanted gear at a blacksmith or armorer can also yield valuable crafting components.

Recommended Builds and Playstyle

The Ursine gear is perfectly suited for builds that prioritize survivability, strong attacks, and Adrenaline Point generation. Consider the following synergies:

• Combat Tree: Invest heavily in the "Strong Attack" and "Adrenaline Burst" abilities. Skills like "Resolve" and "Undying" further enhance Adrenaline-based defenses.
• Alchemy Tree: Potions like "Thunderbolt" (for increased attack power) and "Swallow" (for health regeneration) complement the tanky playstyle. "Heightened Tolerance" and "Acquired Tolerance" allow for more potion consumption.
• Signs Tree: While the gear itself boosts Adrenaline, Quen is the most synergistic sign. Investing in "Active Shield" and "Quen Discharge" can turn Geralt into an almost impenetrable fortress, especially with the Grandmaster set bonuses.
• Mutations (Blood and Wine): Mutations like "Euphoria" (Alchemy) or "Bloodbath" (Combat) can further amplify the damage output of a strong attack-focused Ursine build.

When playing with Ursine gear, focus on parrying and dodging heavy attacks, then counter-attacking with strong strikes to build Adrenaline. use Quen frequently, especially with the Grandmaster set, to absorb damage and reflect it back, turning defense into offense.

Common Pitfalls and Tips

• Weight Management: Ursine gear is heavy. Ensure you have saddlebags with high capacity and consider investing in the "Strong Back" ability from the General skill tree or using the Fiend decoction to manage your carry weight.
• Crafting Costs: Crafting the full set, especially at higher tiers, can be expensive. Prioritize selling valuable loot and completing contracts to accumulate enough crowns.
• Diagram Locations: Some diagrams are in challenging areas, guarded by powerful monsters or requiring specific puzzle solutions. Always be prepared for a fight and consult the "Scavenger Hunt" guides if you get stuck.
• Grandmaster Requirement: Remember that Grandmaster gear is exclusive to the Blood and Wine expansion. You will need to own and progress through this DLC to acquire the highest tier.