How to Obtain the Legendary Aerondight Sword in The Witcher 3: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to get your hands on the legendary Aerondight in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? This silver sword, renowned for its scaling damage and unique leveling mechanic, is a prized possession for any aspiring witcher. Here’s the direct route: you must complete the quest “Test of Valor” as part of the Blood and Wine expansion. This quest involves proving your five virtues – Compassion, Generosity, Honor, Valor, and Wisdom – by completing specific tasks throughout the Toussaint region. Once you’ve demonstrated these virtues and faced the final trial, the Lady of the Lake will bestow Aerondight upon you. But the journey is far more intricate and rewarding than that simple summary suggests. Let’s delve into the details!

Unveiling the Path to Aerondight

The Blood and Wine Expansion

First, you must own and install the Blood and Wine expansion. Aerondight isn’t accessible in the base game or the Hearts of Stone expansion. Toussaint, the duchy added by Blood and Wine, is the only place where you’ll find this legendary blade. Once you arrive in Toussaint and begin progressing through the main quest line, keep your ears open for rumors about knights and deeds of valor.

Initiating the “Test of Valor” Quest

The quest “Test of Valor” doesn’t appear on your quest log right away. Instead, you must locate the quest giver and trigger the quest. Head to the notice board in Beauclair, the capital of Toussaint. Here, you’ll find a contract about a knight who was attacked by a mysterious beast. Accept the contract and follow the quest markers. This will lead you to a location where you meet a hermit guarding a sacred place. Interact with him to start the “Test of Valor” quest officially.

Proving Your Virtues

This is the core of acquiring Aerondight. The Lady of the Lake expects Geralt to demonstrate five cardinal virtues:

• Compassion: This often involves helping someone in need, usually with no immediate reward. A good example is during the quest “Big Game Hunter,” where showing compassion towards the captured creatures rather than simply killing them can fulfill this requirement. Look for opportunities where you can choose the kindest or most empathetic option in a quest.

• Generosity: Donate to the poor, give a beggar a substantial sum of money, or offer aid to those less fortunate. Look for opportunities to be generous without expecting anything in return. The “Wine Wars: Coronata” quest is a notable place to showcase generosity by helping both owners of the vineyards.

• Honor: Stick to your word, uphold contracts, and make righteous decisions, even when they are difficult. A classic example is during a witcher contract, where you might discover the “monster” is actually a cursed individual deserving of sympathy rather than immediate execution. Choose the most honorable path, even if it means sacrificing a reward.

• Valor: This is generally demonstrated through combat. The “Test of Valor” quest itself requires you to defeat a bandit camp. You must defeat the bandits to be able to talk to the hermit.

• Wisdom: This virtue is tested when you use your knowledge to solve a problem or make an informed decision. An example is during the quest “La Cage au Fou” where you need to use your wit and investigation skills to solve the mystery.

It’s important to note that you can fulfill these virtues at any point in the Blood and Wine storyline, even before officially beginning the “Test of Valor” quest. The game keeps track of your actions, so when you arrive at the hermit, the relevant virtues will be ticked off automatically.

Facing the Hermit

Once you’ve proven the five virtues, return to the hermit. He will then direct you to a nearby lake. Here, you will face a final trial in the form of an Archespore. Defeat it to prove your worthiness. This encounter is your final test before meeting the Lady of the Lake.

Receiving Aerondight

After defeating the Archespore, the Lady of the Lake will appear and, if you have successfully demonstrated all five virtues, she will bestow upon you the legendary Aerondight.

Aerondight’s Unique Properties

Aerondight isn’t just another sword; it’s an evolving weapon. With each successful strike, the sword gains a charge. Once fully charged, the next strong attack will deal guaranteed critical damage. Also, it permanently increases its damage with each enemy you kill with it, up to a certain level. This scaling damage makes it incredibly powerful throughout the game. The level cap for scaling increases with each New Game Plus playthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What level do I need to be to obtain Aerondight?

Ideally, you should be at least level 40 to comfortably tackle the quests and enemies involved in obtaining Aerondight. While it’s technically possible to get it at a lower level, the combat encounters will be significantly more challenging.

2. Can I miss the opportunity to get Aerondight?

It’s highly unlikely you can completely miss it, however, if you make choices against the cardinal virtues, you can fail at being worthy of the sword. Pay attention to the choices you make and act with virtues in mind.

3. Does Aerondight break or require repairs?

No, Aerondight, like all Witcher gear, never breaks or requires repairs.

4. What are the best enchantments for Aerondight?

Preservation is generally regarded as the best enchantment for Aerondight, as it allows the sword’s bonus damage to stay intact even when switching swords. This maximizes its potential and allows you to switch between Aerondight and your steel sword without losing the stacks.

5. Does Aerondight’s damage scale in New Game Plus?

Yes, Aerondight’s damage scales in New Game Plus, allowing you to continue increasing its power with each playthrough. The level cap increases as well, allowing you to further improve the weapon.

6. Can I get multiple copies of Aerondight in New Game Plus?

You can acquire Aerondight again in each New Game Plus playthrough.

7. What happens if I fail one of the virtue tests?

If you fail to demonstrate a specific virtue, you won’t be deemed worthy of the sword. Analyze the mistake, then load the earlier save and correct it. Focus on making choices that align with the specific virtue you failed.

8. Is Aerondight the best silver sword in the game?

While subjective, Aerondight is widely considered one of the best, if not the best, silver swords in the game due to its scaling damage and unique mechanics. Its ability to grow stronger with each enemy killed makes it incredibly potent in the long run.

9. Where exactly is the hermit located?

The hermit is located west of the center of Toussaint, near the lake where you’ll eventually meet the Lady of the Lake. His location is marked on the map once you start the “Test of Valor” quest.

10. Can I complete the virtue quests out of order?

Yes, you can complete the tasks associated with each virtue in any order. The game keeps track of your actions regardless of the order in which you perform them.

11. Does difficulty affect the process of obtaining Aerondight?

No, the difficulty level does not affect the process of obtaining Aerondight. The requirements for proving the virtues remain the same regardless of whether you’re playing on Story and Sword or Death March difficulty.

12. What’s the fastest way to charge Aerondight’s bonus damage?

Using fast attacks and engaging in encounters with groups of weaker enemies is the fastest way to charge Aerondight’s bonus damage. You can also use potions and oils to enhance your damage output and speed up the charging process.

13. Can I lose Aerondight after obtaining it?

No, once you have obtained Aerondight, it becomes a permanent part of your inventory and cannot be lost, stolen, or unequipped. It’s yours to wield for the rest of your playthrough and beyond.

14. Do mods affect the “Test of Valor” quest?

Some mods can alter quest behavior or make enemies weaker or stronger, which can indirectly impact the “Test of Valor” quest. It’s recommended to check the mod descriptions and compatibility information before installing anything that might affect quest progression.

15. What is the Games Learning Society and how does it relate to gaming?

The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is dedicated to researching and promoting the educational potential of video games. They explore how games can be used to teach valuable skills, foster creativity, and enhance learning experiences. Video games are not just for entertainment; they can also be powerful tools for education and development.

Final Thoughts

Obtaining Aerondight is more than just acquiring a powerful weapon; it’s about embracing the values of a true Witcher. It requires a combination of skill, compassion, and adherence to the witcher code. Once you wield it, its power will serve you well on the path.