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Unveiling the Fangs: What is Wolven Armor Good For in The Witcher 3?

The Wolven Armor in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the epitome of versatility. It’s good for players who want a balanced approach to combat, blending swordplay, sign usage, and adrenaline generation effectively. Unlike armor sets heavily focused on pure offense (Cat School), strong defense and alchemy (Ursine School), or sign intensity (Griffin School), the Wolven gear offers a healthy mix of all these attributes. It’s the perfect choice for Witchers who adapt to any situation and utilize their entire arsenal. In short, it’s about being prepared for anything.

Diving Deep: Understanding the Wolven Armor’s Strengths

The Wolven armor truly shines in its balanced nature. Here’s a closer look at why it’s a favorite for many players:

Jack-of-All-Trades: As the article says, it boosts attack power, sign intensity, adrenaline gain, and critical hit chance. This means you’re not pigeonholed into a specific playstyle. You can seamlessly switch between slashing enemies with your sword and using signs to control the battlefield.
Medium Armor Versatility: As a medium armor set, it strikes a good balance between protection and mobility. You won’t be as tanky as in Ursine gear, but you won’t be as vulnerable as in Cat gear either, allowing you to dodge and weave through enemy attacks while still soaking up a decent amount of damage.
Stylish and Thematically Fitting: Many consider the Wolven armor to be the most aesthetically pleasing and lore-friendly set for Geralt. It embodies the image of a seasoned Witcher, ready for anything.
Bonuses at Higher Tiers: The Grandmaster Wolven armor bonuses (introduced in Blood and Wine) provide significant advantages: with 3 pieces equipped, you can apply up to three different oils to your sword at once, and with all 6 pieces, bombs are thrown without delay. These bonuses amplify the tactical depth of Geralt’s combat abilities.
Accessible for Most Playthroughs: Finding the diagrams for the Wolven armor isn’t particularly challenging compared to some other sets, making it accessible to players relatively early in their journey. The ability to use any oils on the sword will improve the efficiency with which you tackle tougher monsters.

The Wolven Gear: Piece by Piece

Let’s break down what each armor piece brings to the table:

Wolven Armor: Provides general armor, resistance to various damage types, and boosts vitality.
Wolven Boots: Offer armor, stamina regeneration, and resistance to piercing and slashing damage.
Wolven Gauntlets: Increase armor, attack power, and resistance to elemental damage.
Wolven Trousers: Provide armor, vitality, and resistance to bleeding and poison.
Wolven Steel Sword: Balances damage output with a chance to inflict bleed.
Wolven Silver Sword: Effective against monsters, provides a bonus to sign intensity.

As you upgrade the gear through its various tiers (basic, enhanced, superior, mastercrafted, and grandmaster), the stats increase significantly, making it a viable set throughout the entire game, particularly the New Game Plus.

Potential Drawbacks of Wolven Armor

Despite its numerous benefits, the Wolven armor isn’t without its limitations:

Not the Best for Specialized Builds: If you’re committed to a specific playstyle (e.g., a pure sign build), other armor sets might offer superior bonuses tailored to that specialization.
Requires Resource Investment: Upgrading the armor to its highest tier requires significant crafting materials and gold, which can be a drain on resources, especially early in the game.
Doesn’t Excel in Any One Area: While it’s good at everything, it doesn’t truly excel at any one thing. Players seeking maximum damage output, sign intensity, or tankiness might find other sets more appealing.

Situations Where Wolven Armor Shines

The Wolven armor is a particularly good choice in the following situations:

First Playthrough: For new players who are still experimenting with different builds and playstyles, the Wolven armor provides a safe and versatile option.
Players Who Enjoy Variety: If you enjoy switching between swordplay, signs, and bombs, the Wolven armor allows you to do so effectively.
Facing a Wide Range of Enemies: When you’re unsure what types of enemies you’ll be facing, the Wolven armor’s balanced stats ensure you’re prepared for anything.
New Game Plus: The scaling of Grandmaster Wolven armor and its inherent versality make it an excellent choice to complete the game.

FAQs: Addressing Common Questions About Wolven Armor

1. Is the Wolven Armor easy to obtain?

Compared to some other Witcher gear sets, the diagrams for the Wolven armor are relatively accessible. However, the quests leading to the diagrams involve exploring ruins and defeating enemies.

2. What skills complement the Wolven Armor?

Skills that enhance both swordplay and sign intensity, such as the “Muscle Memory” (fast attack damage) and “Igni Intensity,” are excellent choices to pair with the Wolven armor. Adrenaline-generating skills are also beneficial.

3. Does the Wolven Armor look good?

Aesthetically, many players consider the Wolven armor to be one of the best-looking sets in the game. Its design is both practical and stylish, fitting the image of a professional Witcher.

4. Is Grandmaster Wolven Armor the best all-around armor?

Many consider it the best all-around armor due to its balanced stats, bonuses, and accessibility. However, the “best” armor ultimately depends on individual playstyle and preferences.

5. How does Wolven Armor compare to Ursine Armor?

Ursine Armor is designed for tanking hits and using alchemy. The Wolven set is much more nimble and versatile. Choose based on your preference for a heavy-hitting, slow-moving tank (Ursine) or a balanced, adaptable fighter (Wolven).

6. Can you get the Wolven Armor early in the game?

Yes, it is possible to obtain the basic Wolven Armor early in the game, but you’ll need to be prepared for potentially challenging encounters with high-level monsters while searching for the diagrams.

7. Is the Forgotten Wolven Armor different from the regular Wolven Armor?

The Forgotten Wolven Armor is a variant added in an update, offering similar stats but with a slightly different appearance and lore.

8. Do the Wolven swords scale well into the late game?

Yes, the Wolven Steel and Silver Swords can be upgraded to Grandmaster level, making them viable weapons throughout the entire game.

9. Where can I find the diagrams for the Wolven Armor?

The diagrams are scattered throughout Kaer Morhen. You’ll need to explore the area thoroughly to find them all.

10. Is the Wolven Armor worth crafting in New Game Plus?

Absolutely. The Grandmaster Wolven Armor remains a strong and versatile choice in New Game Plus, especially if you enjoyed using it in your first playthrough.

11. How much does it cost to craft the Grandmaster Wolven Armor?

Crafting the Grandmaster Wolven Armor requires a significant amount of gold and rare crafting materials. Be prepared to invest time in gathering resources and completing contracts to earn money.

12. Does the Wolven Armor have any weaknesses?

Its main weakness is its lack of specialization. If you’re looking for maximum damage output, sign intensity, or tankiness, other armor sets might be more suitable.

13. Can I use the Wolven Armor effectively with a sign-heavy build?

While not as optimized for sign intensity as the Griffin Armor, the Wolven Armor still provides a decent boost to sign intensity, making it a viable option for a hybrid build that incorporates both signs and swordplay.

14. What are the best enchants to use with the Wolven Armor?

Enchantments that boost sign intensity, adrenaline gain, or attack power can further enhance the Wolven Armor’s versatility and effectiveness.

15. Does the Wolven Armor work well with alchemy builds?

While it doesn’t directly boost alchemy like the Manticore or Ursine armor, the Wolven Armor’s versatility allows you to incorporate alchemy into your build effectively. The 3 oil slots granted by wearing 3 pieces of the armor help a lot, too.

The Verdict: A Balanced Choice for a Balanced Witcher

The Wolven Armor is a fantastic choice for players who value versatility and a balanced approach to combat in The Witcher 3. Its blend of attack power, sign intensity, adrenaline gain, and critical hit chance, combined with its stylish design and accessibility, makes it a popular and effective option for Witchers of all skill levels. It’s a testament to the game’s design that even without being the “best” at any one thing, it’s the best at everything.

Interested in learning more about the design and impact of games? Visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to explore research, publications, and resources related to game-based learning.

The Wolven armor’s balanced design makes it a great option for players who appreciate adapting to any scenario.

What is wolf armor good for Witcher 3?