What is the Best Steel Sword in The Witcher 3?
The question of the best steel sword in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a hotly debated topic among fans. While various swords offer unique benefits and different playstyles might favor one over another, the consensus leans heavily towards Iris, also known as Olgierd’s Sword. Available only through the Hearts of Stone DLC, Iris stands out for its potent damage output and a unique ability that greatly enhances its power. This weapon’s effectiveness and reliability make it the top choice for many players seeking the pinnacle of steel-based combat.
The Power of Iris: Why it Dominates
What sets Iris apart is not merely its base stats, although they are impressive. It’s the sword’s special ability that truly elevates it to legendary status. With each successful hit, Iris charges, and once fully charged, its next attack unleashes a devastating blow dealing massive damage. This charge mechanic synergizes incredibly well with fast-paced combat, allowing for consistent bursts of high damage that can quickly dispatch even formidable human and humanoid foes.
Iris also benefits from its relatively late game acquisition, ensuring it remains relevant and powerful even as Geralt gains more levels. Its damage scales well, keeping it a force to be reckoned with throughout the majority of the game. While the Toussaint Knight’s Steel Sword is also a formidable contender, Iris’s unique ability provides a consistent edge in many combat scenarios.
Considerations Beyond Raw Power
It’s important to understand that “best” is subjective to an extent. While Iris stands at the top for many, the right steel sword for you might depend on your specific playstyle. For instance, the Toussaint Knight’s Steel Sword obtained in the Blood and Wine DLC provides a flat damage bonus, making it another top-tier weapon. But it lacks the dynamic power of Iris’s charge mechanic.
Similarly, certain relic steel swords such as Black Unicorn can be powerful but often need specific builds or conditions to maximize their potential. The Viper swords, Feline swords, and Manticore swords are excellent options if you enjoy set bonuses from witcher gear. Ultimately, while Iris is the most consistently high-performing option for most players, your individual approach to combat in the Witcher 3 will dictate what truly suits your play style best.
Frequently Asked Questions about Steel Swords in The Witcher 3
To further clarify and offer comprehensive information, here are some frequently asked questions about steel swords in The Witcher 3:
1. What is the difference between steel and silver swords in The Witcher 3?
In The Witcher 3, steel swords are designed for humanoid enemies such as humans, elves, dwarves, and halflings, as well as normal animals. Silver swords are specifically used for monsters, including beasts, specters, and other supernatural creatures. You can easily tell the difference between a humanoid and monster enemy by looking at their health bar. If it’s red, it is a monster and you should use a silver blade.
2. Are there any steel swords that level up with Geralt?
Unlike the Aerondight silver sword, steel swords do not level up with Geralt. Their stats remain fixed, so you will need to find new, more powerful swords as you progress through the game, or by crafting them. This is why Iris is so valuable, it’s peak power is achieved relatively late in the game, and it remains competitive for most of the rest of the playthrough.
3. How do I get Iris?
Iris is obtained by completing the Hearts of Stone DLC. You will get this unique sword near the end of the main story arc of this DLC, awarded by Olgierd von Everec.
4. Is the Toussaint Knight’s Steel Sword a good alternative to Iris?
The Toussaint Knight’s Steel Sword is indeed a strong alternative. It offers high base damage and is a strong contender for the best steel sword. Many players favor it for its reliability and flat damage output compared to the charge mechanism of Iris. However, it’s the charge and burst damage of Iris that elevates it in most players’ minds.
5. Where can I find the best steel sword diagrams?
Diagrams for superior steel swords can often be found through exploration, completing quests, or purchasing them from merchants. Notably, the Superior Griffin Steel Sword diagram is located west of Yngvar’s Fang in Ard Skellig. You can also find superior swords at armorer locations.
6. Does steel type matter in The Witcher 3?
While the game mechanics don’t explicitly define different types of steel, the sword’s stat and unique abilities are what define its value. The game does not explicitly tell players that a certain sword was made with a particular real-world steel. When compared to the real world, 1060 medium-carbon steel is often considered a great base for a strong and durable sword with good hardness and strength for cutting edge retention.
7. Can steel swords break in The Witcher 3?
Yes, all swords (both steel and silver) can lose durability during combat. When a sword’s durability reaches zero, it breaks, significantly reducing its effectiveness. It’s important to repair your swords regularly, either by using repair kits or visiting a blacksmith.
8. Are Witcher Gear steel swords better than non-Witcher Gear steel swords?
Witcher Gear swords, such as the Griffin, Feline, and Ursine steel swords, are generally considered some of the best in the game. They often have higher base damage and special bonuses when used with the full witcher gear sets. They also can be upgraded and are some of the few items that can actually get stronger through the game.
9. What are the best steel swords to keep in my inventory?
Generally, keeping a variety of steel swords based on your combat needs is useful. However, most players tend to focus on Iris or the Toussaint Knight’s Steel Sword as their primary weapons, as well as a set of witcher gear swords that fit their play style, for the set bonuses. The Viper, Feline, and Manticore swords are also top-tier options.
10. Does the difficulty of the game affect the strength of steel swords?
No, the difficulty setting doesn’t directly affect the base strength of steel swords. However, it affects the overall combat difficulty, making high damage swords like Iris more valuable on higher difficulty settings.
11. Can I make a sword stronger than Iris?
While you can enhance Witcher Gear using crafting, Iris’s unique charge ability generally surpasses most other steel swords in terms of overall damage output. You cannot upgrade it, but its ability makes it a consistently top-tier option for steel damage, and only increases in damage with Geralt’s own level ups.
12. Is the Black Unicorn sword a worthwhile steel sword?
The Black Unicorn steel sword is a powerful relic sword that can be a worthy choice. However, it needs the right build to unlock its full potential, requiring a high crit chance or other similar specific build. It is powerful, but it is not as consistently useful as Iris.
13. Are there any hidden or secret steel swords?
The Witcher 3 has several hidden and secret swords, often found through side quests or exploration. However, many are inferior to top-tier swords like Iris or the Toussaint Knight’s Steel Sword. These hidden swords offer unique attributes or interesting designs, but may not have the base power to compete with the top-tier options.
14. Are craftable steel swords better than the ones found in chests?
Craftable Witcher Gear steel swords, especially the mastercrafted versions, tend to be among the best in the game. Found swords can vary greatly in quality, with some being great but others not being very useful. Therefore, crafting is the most reliable method of acquiring consistently high-quality steel swords.
15. What is the strongest material for swords in real life?
In real life, Tungsten and Tungsten Alloys are some of the strongest materials that can be used for swords. They have high tensile strength and are extremely durable. However, they are very dense and harder to work with. 1060 Medium-carbon steel is often the choice for the best balance of hard edge retention, with overall durability and strength.
Conclusion
While many steel swords offer different strengths and benefits in The Witcher 3, Iris consistently rises to the top as the best option for many players. Its powerful charge ability and consistent damage make it a devastating weapon for human and humanoid enemies. Choosing the right sword is subjective to some degree, but for sheer power, Iris remains a top contender and the best steel sword for the majority of players.