To combat all the evils in the world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt can use a variety of abilities in combat to give himself an advantage, but some distinguish themselves as being particularly useful. Choosing which perks to unlock and equip can be a daunting task, especially at the start of the game, because even the Butcher of Blaviken has his limits and can't be the master of every skill. Between combat, alchemy, signs, mutagens and general abilities, there are many perks for players to choose from, but picking these select few will ultimately prove most beneficial.
In the massive Witcher 3 next-gen update, the biggest differences were made in graphics and other immersive details - but combat was also changed for the better. New sign casting mechanics and an alternate camera angle, although small changes, have made a world of difference in fights. Similarly, the following abilities - if used correctly - can transform the game entirely. Newer players should aim for these skills as they level up, but even experienced players can reset their perk points to unlock these powerful abilities in The Witcher 3.
Undying Is The Witcher 3's Most Impactful Ability
By far the most resourceful ability in the game is Undying, which is found under the Combat tree. As its name implies, it allows players to circumvent death entirely. When Geralt's health hits zero, Undying will automatically siphon adrenaline points and use them to restore a portion of his vitality, as well as increase regeneration of said points - making it a literal lifesaver in boss fights, pub brawls, and especially against The Witcher 3's worst monsters. Leveling this skill only makes its effects more potent, allowing Geralt to restore up to 100% of his health in otherwise fatal situations. Thus, Undying is a crucial skill for newer players and low-vitality builds.
Fleet Footed Is Great For Defense In The Witcher 3
Another way to avoid death in The Witcher 3 is by making use of the Fleet Footed ability, also in the Combat skill tree. If Geralt is hit while dodging, damage will be reduced by a significant amount, and will also trigger an increase in adrenaline point gain. The base level of Fleet Footed mitigates 20% of damage, whereas the fifth tier will reduce 100% of damage, essentially making the player invincible while dodging. This is a great tool to counter enemies who attack in groups, such as dogs or wolves, and it pairs particularly well with other defensive abilities like the Quen sign.
Strong Back Gives The Witcher 3's Geralt More Inventory
Between the lengthy main quest and many Witcher 3 side quests (although players can ignore some), Geralt's inventory often fills up with rewards and other materials he's discovered along the way. Hitting carrying capacity is a major inconvenience, especially for players like to keep on the road and don't often stop by merchants.
Unlocking the Strong Back perk from the General skill tree solves this problem, increasing inventory weight by a whopping 60 points. Since it can easily be swapped in and out of Geralt's abilities as needed, Strong Back proves invaluable for any build, and it only takes a single point to unlock in The Witcher 3.
Melt Armor Speeds Up Fights In The Witcher 3
Signs are a crucial part of the Butcher of Blaviken's fighting style, and they add a strategic element to the game's combat system. While their efficacy can be improved through runes and Places of Power, players should level up their associated abilities to make the most of them. In Igni's case - though it isn't The Witcher 3's most overpowered sign - the Melt Armor perk can change the tide of battle in an instant, essentially giving Geralt a permanent damage increase against affected targets. This ability is specifically helpful against monsters, who usually have higher armor ratings than human enemies, and is better suited to fast-attack builds thanks to the constant buff.
Gourmet Restores Vitality Effectively In The Witcher 3
A no-brainer from the General perk tree is Gourmet, which allows Geralt to restore Vitality for 20 real-life minutes after consuming food or a beverage. Although it's not as reliable as something like the Swallow potion, this ability can come in handy when running low on alchemic ingredients (or when running out of other options during a fight). Unlocked with a single skill point, Gourmet is so strong that it's gained notoriety in the community for being overpowered - and this is true to an extent - but when playing on The Witcher 3's best difficulty, Death March, it's often players' only reliable source of vitality regeneration, making it absolutely crucial to survival.
Active Shield Heals The Witcher 3's Geralt
Another indispensable defense option comes from the Sign skill tree - Quen's Active Shield ability that unlocks an alternate casting method. If The Witcher 3 players hold down the cast button, it will activate a lingering shield around Geralt's body. As enemies hit the shield, it will consume stamina, but also regenerate a proportional amount of the Witcher's health. Leveling Active Shield up to its third tier even removes the stamina drain, making it an excellent fail-safe for almost any situation. When combined with a Swallow potion or food, players can essentially idle in the middle of a fight, regain all of their health, then subsequently eliminate their enemies with ease.
Whirl Is Great For Offense In The Witcher 3
The aptly-named Whirl ability turns Geralt into a menace with fast attacks. This Combat skill will give players area-of-effect damage similar to that of a bomb build in The Witcher 3 - only this time with their swords, at the cost of stamina. This is a considerably low price to pay, though, in exchange for the ability to slice-and-dice enemies with efficiency (and style). Leveling Whirl up to level 5 will greatly reduce the amount of stamina necessary to keep the ability active too, making it a satisfying and powerful tool against large groups of enemies.
At the end of the day, there aren't necessarily any wrong or impractical builds in The Witcher 3. As an RPG title, players are in complete control of what kind of character they'd like to create. But fighting unearthly beasts is bound to become difficult at some point, even for a Witcher of Geralt's caliber. The above abilities can smooth out players' experiences in the perilous world of Witcher 3, allowing them to truly feel like the famed monster slayer.
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