Maintaining Your Edge: A Comprehensive Guide to Repairing Your Silver Sword in The Witcher 3
So, your silver sword’s taking a beating out there in the wilds of the Continent? Fear not, fellow Witcher! Keeping your blade in top condition is crucial for dispatching those pesky monsters, and fortunately, there are a couple of straightforward methods to keep your silver slicer sharp and ready.
The most direct way to repair your silver sword (and any other equipment, for that matter) in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is to either use a repair kit or visit a blacksmith or armorer.
Repairing Your Silver Sword: Two Approaches
Let’s break down each method:
1. The Convenience of Repair Kits
Repair kits are your go-to solution when you’re far from civilization and facing a tough opponent. Think of them as your Witcher-approved duct tape for blades.
- Acquiring Repair Kits: You can purchase repair kits from most blacksmiths and armorers throughout the game world. Keep an eye out for them in their inventory – they’re a worthwhile investment, especially for long journeys and challenging contracts. Sometimes, you’ll even find them as loot while exploring or completing quests. The quality and thus repair capability of the repair kit varies.
- Using Repair Kits: To use a repair kit:
- Open your inventory.
- Navigate to the “Usable Items” section.
- Select the repair kit you want to use.
- A menu will appear, allowing you to select the item you want to repair. Choose your silver sword.
- The kit will repair a portion of the sword’s durability. Be mindful of the kit’s repair percentage; you may need multiple kits to fully restore your weapon.
The benefit of the repair kit is that it can be used anywhere, anytime, and at a minimal cost.
2. The Expertise of Blacksmiths and Armorers
For a more thorough repair, especially when your sword is heavily damaged, seeking out a blacksmith or armorer is the way to go.
- Finding Blacksmiths and Armorers: These skilled artisans can be found in most major towns and cities. Look for their icons on the map: an anvil for blacksmiths and a suit of armor for armorers. The level of skill of the armorer also affects how well gear can be repaired.
- Repairing Through Crafting Menu: Here’s the kicker – you don’t select a repair option directly.
- Speak to the blacksmith or armorer.
- Choose the option that allows you to view their crafting menu.
- Within the crafting menu, you’ll see an option to repair your equipment.
- Select your silver sword and pay the required amount of crowns.
Blacksmiths and Armorers provide a full repair, but they can charge a good number of Crowns depending on the gear’s rarity, and can only be accessed when the player is in a town or city with a blacksmith or armorer.
Maintaining Your Silver Sword: A Proactive Approach
Beyond just repairing damage, consider these preventative measures to extend the life of your silver sword:
- Use the Right Tool for the Job: Remember, silver swords are primarily for monsters. Using them against humans or animals will degrade their durability much faster than necessary. Stick to your steel sword for those encounters.
- Apply Oils: Applying the correct oil to your silver sword before a fight can significantly increase your damage output against specific monster types. This can help you end battles faster, reducing the overall wear and tear on your weapon.
- Regular Check-Ups: Make it a habit to check your sword’s condition regularly. The sooner you address minor damage, the less expensive it will be to repair.
By following these tips, you’ll keep your silver sword in prime condition and be ready to face any monster that crosses your path. Good luck on the Path, Witcher! Understanding the world and mechanics of games such as Witcher 3 will aid you in your path of learning. A great resource is the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I know when my silver sword needs repairing?
The game provides visual cues. As your sword takes damage, its icon in the inventory screen will gradually turn red. Additionally, the weapon’s stats will decrease, so you’ll notice reduced damage output. Pay attention to these indicators to avoid fighting with a significantly weakened weapon.
2. Do different silver swords degrade at different rates?
Yes, the degradation rate of a silver sword depends on its quality and material. Higher-quality swords, especially Witcher gear swords, tend to be more durable than lower-level or randomly generated swords. Also, unique swords found during quests can also degrade slower, or faster.
3. Are repair kits single-use items?
Yes, repair kits are single-use. Once you apply a repair kit to an item, it’s consumed, regardless of whether it fully repairs the item.
4. Is it more cost-effective to use repair kits or visit a blacksmith?
It depends. If your sword is only slightly damaged, a repair kit might be cheaper. However, for heavily damaged swords, a blacksmith will likely be more cost-effective, as they provide a full repair in one go. It’s always a good idea to compare the cost of multiple repair kits versus the blacksmith’s fee.
5. Can I craft repair kits?
Yes, you can craft repair kits if you have the necessary crafting diagrams and components. Diagrams can be found throughout the game world or purchased from merchants. Crafting your own repair kits can be a good way to save money, especially later in the game when you have a surplus of materials.
6. What happens if my silver sword breaks completely?
If your silver sword reaches zero durability, it becomes completely unusable. You won’t be able to equip it until it’s repaired. This can be a disastrous situation in the middle of a fight, so always keep an eye on your weapon’s condition.
7. Does difficulty level affect weapon degradation?
While difficulty level primarily impacts enemy damage and health, it doesn’t directly affect the rate at which your weapons degrade. However, you might find yourself in more prolonged and intense battles on higher difficulties, leading to faster weapon degradation.
8. Can I repair my silver sword during combat?
Yes, you can use repair kits during combat. However, it’s important to find a safe moment to open your inventory and apply the kit, as you’ll be vulnerable while doing so. Pausing the game to use a repair kit can be a lifesaver in tough situations.
9. Is Aerondight the best silver sword in the game?
Many players consider Aerondight to be the best silver sword, due to its unique leveling mechanic. Aerondight’s damage increases as you level up, and it gains temporary damage boosts by successfully attacking enemies. However, other silver swords like Gesheft and Bloodsword can also be powerful, depending on your playstyle and build.
10. Where can I find the best blacksmiths and armorers?
Some of the best blacksmiths and armorers are located in Novigrad, Oxenfurt, and Beauclair (in the Blood and Wine expansion). These artisans often have higher crafting and repair skills, allowing them to create and maintain superior equipment.
11. Do oils affect the durability of my silver sword?
No, oils do not directly affect the durability of your silver sword. However, by increasing your damage output and shortening battles, they indirectly reduce the overall wear and tear on your weapon.
12. Can I upgrade my silver sword?
Yes, you can upgrade your silver sword by finding diagrams for improved versions or crafting Witcher gear swords. Upgrading typically requires specific crafting components and a skilled blacksmith or armorer. The Viper silver sword is the first one available to the player, from the White Orchard map.
13. What are Witcher gear swords?
Witcher gear swords are unique sets of weapons and armor that can be crafted by following specific diagrams found throughout the game. These sets are tailored to different Witcher schools (e.g., Griffin, Feline, Ursine, Wolf, Manticore) and offer bonuses that complement specific playstyles. The Swords of each gear, also, typically degrade slowly due to their high-quality build.
14. Does repairing my sword restore its enchantments?
No, repairing your sword only restores its durability. It does not affect any enchantments or runes that you’ve applied to the weapon. Enchantments are permanent modifications that add special effects to your gear, such as increased damage or elemental resistances. Runes can be slotted into swords to grant different buffs.
15. Are there any silver swords that don’t degrade?
No, all silver swords in The Witcher 3 will degrade with use. However, some unique swords may have higher durability or slower degradation rates than others.