Skip to content
Blood Ties
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Blood Ties

Master combat in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with this guide covering melee, ranged, signs, alchemy, potions, oils, bombs, and advanced combat tips for Geralt.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  

Master combat in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with this guide covering melee, ranged, signs, alchemy, potions, oils, bombs, and advanced combat tips for Geralt.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Melee Combat: Geralt uses a Silver Sword for monsters and a Steel Sword for humanoids. Basic attacks are fast/light and heavy. Skill points can unlock advanced abilities like Whirl (AoE spin) and Rend (armor-piercing slash).
  2. 2
    Ranged Combat: A crossbow is available. Time slows slightly when aiming. Different bolts can be crafted for various effects. Skill points can enhance aiming, critical damage, and enemy ability disabling.
  3. 3
    Finisher Attacks: A button prompt appears when an enemy is weakened, triggering a stylish execution. Automatic finishers are enabled by default but can be toggled off, especially recommended for higher difficulties.
  4. 4
    Avoiding Attacks:
    • Blocking: Nullifies most melee attacks but is less effective against magical or elemental damage.
  5. 5
    Staggering: Timing the block button just before an enemy attack deflects and stuns them for a follow-up. Only works against melee.
  6. 6
    Dodging: A quick side/back step to evade attacks while maintaining close distance. Useful for unblockable attacks and setting up counterattacks.
  7. 7
    Rolling: A larger evasive maneuver, useful for creating distance, especially against large bosses with area attacks.
  8. 8
    Defensive Skills: Skill points can unlock abilities like Deflect Arrows.
  9. 9
    Magical Signs: Consume Stamina. All five are available early on, with upgrades available in the Skill Tree.
    • AARD: Force push to knock down or stagger enemies. Can destroy weak walls outside combat.
  10. 10
    AXII: Temporarily stuns single enemies. Can be used in dialogue to persuade or calm animals.
  11. 11
    IGNI: A damaging fire wave that can set enemies on fire, causing damage over time. Can light torches and complete quests.
  12. 12
    QUEN: Creates a protective barrier that reduces incoming damage, draining Stamina over time.
  13. 13
    YRDEN: Creates a magical trap that slows enemies and makes spectral creatures vulnerable.
  14. 14
    Alchemy: Geralt can craft potions, oils, bombs, and decoctions using recipes found or bought. Once crafted, they auto-replenish upon meditating if alcohol is available.
    • Bombs: Throwable explosives with various effects.
  15. 15
    Potions: Provide buffs (health regen, damage increase) but increase Geralt's Toxicity, which can cause health loss if overfilled.
  16. 16
    Oils: Applied to weapons to temporarily increase damage or efficiency against specific enemy types.
  17. 17
    Decoctions: Special potions offering bonus attributes against specific enemy types, often found near new enemy encounters.
  18. 18
    Alchemy Reagents: Can be crafted for advanced recipes, including Mutagens for ability enhancement.
  19. 19
    Advanced Combat Tips:
    • Environmental Attacks: Use AARD to push enemies off ledges or destroy beehives with IGNI.
Tips
  • Invest skill points in the Combat tree for enhanced Fast/Heavy attacks, Whirl, Rend, and defensive abilities like Deflect Arrows.
  • Upgrade crossbow skills in the Marksmanship tree for better aiming and critical hits.
  • Toggle automatic finishers off on higher difficulties to avoid unwanted interruptions.
  • Experiment with different Signs and alchemy items to find effective combinations for various enemy types.
  • Utilize the environment to your advantage, especially with AARD and IGNI.

Mastery of combat mechanics, signs, and alchemy, leading to more effective and strategic gameplay throughout The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content