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A Poet Under Pressure
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Poet Under Pressure

Learn essential combat techniques, including melee, ranged attacks, dodging, blocking, and using Witcher Signs like Aard, Axii, Igni, Quen, and Yrden in The Witcher 3.

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Learn essential combat techniques, including melee, ranged attacks, dodging, blocking, and using Witcher Signs like Aard, Axii, Igni, Quen, and Yrden in The Witcher 3.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Melee Combat: Geralt uses Steel Swords for humanoids and Silver Swords for monsters. Unlock enhanced Fast/Heavy attacks, Whirl (AoE spin), and Rend (armor-piercing overhead slash) via the Combat Skill Tree.
  2. 2
    Ranged Combat: Utilize the crossbow for ranged attacks. Aiming slows time. Enhance with Marksmanship skills for slower time, critical damage, and ability disabling. Different bolts offer varied effects.
  3. 3
    Finisher Attacks: Trigger stylish executions with a button prompt when an enemy's health is low. Can be toggled on/off; recommended to disable on higher difficulties.
  4. 4
    Avoiding Attacks:
  5. 5
    Blocking: Nullifies most melee attacks but is less effective against magical/elemental damage.
  6. 6
    Staggering: Timing a block just before an enemy attack deflects and stuns them for a follow-up. Works only against melee.
  7. 7
    Dodging: A quick side/back step to evade attacks while maintaining close range. Useful for unblockable attacks and setting up counterattacks.
  8. 8
    Rolling: A larger evasion, creating more distance. Better for large monsters with area attacks than for humanoids.
  9. 9
    Defensive Skills: Invest in the Defence tree for abilities like Deflect Arrows.
  10. 10
    Magical Signs: Consume Stamina. All five are available early, with upgrades in the Sign Skill Tree.
  11. 11
    AARD: Force push to knock down or stagger enemies. Can destroy weak walls out of combat.
  12. 12
    AXII: Temporarily stuns single targets. Can be used in dialogue or to calm animals.
  13. 13
    IGNI: Fire wave dealing damage and potentially igniting enemies for damage over time. Can light torches and complete quests.
  14. 14
    QUEN: Creates a protective barrier, drastically improving defense. Drains Stamina while active.
  15. 15
    YRDEN: Creates a magical trap that slows enemies and makes spectral creatures corporeal.
  16. 16
    Alchemy: Geralt can craft potions, oils, and bombs using reagents. Recipes are found or bought. Once crafted, they auto-replenish when meditating if you have sufficient alcohol.
Tips
  • Switch between Steel and Silver swords as needed, though Geralt often auto-selects the correct one.
  • Use heavy attacks on unaware or stunned enemies due to their longer wind-up.
  • Consider disabling automatic finishers on higher difficulties to avoid accidental interruptions.
  • Experiment with dodging and rolling to find the best defensive tactic for your playstyle and enemy type.
  • Magical Signs consume Stamina; manage it carefully during combat.
  • Alchemy items are crucial for buffs and advantages; learn and craft useful recipes.

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