Can You Get Grandmaster Viper Armour in The Witcher 3? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is no, you cannot obtain Grandmaster Viper armor in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. While the Viper School Gear is a unique and stylish set, it doesn’t have a Grandmaster version. However, you can acquire the base Viper armor and its upgraded Legendary version in New Game Plus. Let’s delve into the details and explore everything related to Viper armor and Grandmaster gear.

Viper School Gear: A Stylish but Limited Set

The Viper School gear is a medium armor set introduced in the Hearts of Stone expansion. It stands out for its unique design, reminiscent of Geralt’s starting Kaer Morhen armor, and provides significant boosts, especially in the late game. However, it’s crucial to understand its limitations regarding upgrades. Unlike other Witcher School sets like Griffin, Ursine, Feline, and Wolven, the Viper gear only goes up to the Legendary tier (in New Game Plus) and doesn’t have a Grandmaster version available. This can be a point of contention for players aiming for the absolute best gear.

Acquiring the Viper Gear

You can acquire the diagrams for the Viper armor during the Hearts of Stone expansion. Specifically, during the quest “Open Sesame!” you can purchase the armor diagrams, and find the Steel Sword diagram. Note that Countess Mignole is the vendor to talk to to buy the Viper diagrams. For the Steel Sword, you can find the diagram in Borsodi’s vault.

Grandmaster Gear: The Pinnacle of Witcher Armor

Grandmaster Witcher gear represents the highest tier of craftable armor in The Witcher 3, obtainable only in the Blood and Wine expansion. These sets offer superior stats and unique set bonuses that greatly enhance Geralt’s capabilities. The five Grandmaster sets – Griffin, Ursine, Feline, Wolven, and Manticore – cater to different playstyles, making them highly sought after by seasoned witchers.

The Allure of Grandmaster Sets

Each Grandmaster set comes with a unique bonus that significantly alters Geralt’s combat style:

• Griffin: Enhances Sign intensity and Stamina regeneration, ideal for Sign-focused builds.
• Ursine: Provides high armor and Adrenaline Point generation, perfect for tanky combat builds.
• Feline: Boosts attack power and critical hit chance, suited for fast-paced, damage-dealing builds.
• Wolven: A balanced set with bonuses to both combat and Signs, catering to hybrid builds.
• Manticore: Enhances toxicity and potion duration, designed for alchemy-focused builds.

These sets are obtained through Scavenger Hunt quests initiated by speaking to Lazare Lafargue in Beauclair. These quests require you to find diagrams scattered throughout Toussaint.

Why No Grandmaster Viper Armor?

The absence of a Grandmaster Viper set is likely a design choice by CD Projekt Red. The Hearts of Stone expansion, where the Viper gear is introduced, predates the Blood and Wine expansion, which brought Grandmaster gear to the forefront. The Viper set, while aesthetically pleasing and powerful in its own right, might not have been intended to compete with the more extensive and customizable Grandmaster sets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Viper and Grandmaster Armor

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of Viper and Grandmaster armor in The Witcher 3:

1. Where can I find the Viper Witcher armor diagrams?

You can purchase the Viper Witcher armor diagrams during the “Open Sesame!” quest in the Hearts of Stone expansion from Countess Mignole. The Steel Sword diagram is located in Borsodi’s vault.

2. Is the Viper armor worth getting?

Yes, the Viper armor is worth getting, particularly in the late game. It provides excellent defenses and looks very similar to Geralt’s iconic Kaer Morhen armor. Plus, the Viper Venomous Steel Sword is incredibly strong.

3. What is the level requirement for the Legendary Viper armor?

The Legendary Viper gear requires level 39 in the base game and level 93 in New Game Plus (NG+).

4. Is the Viper armor a light, medium, or heavy armor?

The Viper armor is a medium armor.

5. Can I upgrade the Kaer Morhen armor?

Yes, the Kaer Morhen Armor is upgradable. It can be crafted into the Warrior’s Leather Jacket. Be careful not to sell or dismantle it, or you will be unable to obtain the Warrior’s Leather Jacket.

6. How do I get Grandmaster armor?

You must first have the Blood and Wine DLC. Then, you initiate the quest “Master Master Master Master!” by finding a notice on a board in Toussaint or by speaking with Lazare Lafargue in Beauclair. The quest leads to a series of scavenger hunts for the diagrams of each Grandmaster set.

7. Where can I get Grandmaster armor crafted?

You can get Grandmaster armor crafted by Lazare Lafargue in Beauclair.

8. What is the best Grandmaster Witcher armor?

The best Grandmaster armor depends on your playstyle. However, the Wolven set is considered versatile and well-suited for hybrid builds.

9. Can you only dye Grandmaster armor?

No, you can dye any piece of Witcher gear, but dyes are only available as a part of the Blood and Wine expansion.

10. Do you need Mastercrafted armor to craft Grandmaster armor?

Grandmaster Wolven is the only set that doesn’t require the Mastercrafted set. This design choice accounts for players who begin with Blood and Wine content as standalone content with no previous Mastercrafted sets.

11. Is Grandmaster Wolven gear worth it?

Yes, Grandmaster Wolven gear is definitely worth it, especially for players who want a balanced build that combines combat and Signs.

12. What level is Grandmaster Griffin gear?

The Grandmaster Griffin Gear is for level 40 and higher.

13. What is the Grandmaster Feline armor bonus?

• 3-Piece Set Bonus: Strong Attacks increase Fast Attack damage for 5 seconds by 10% for each piece of the set.
• 6-Piece Set Bonus: Rear attacks deal 50% more damage, and also stun the opponent at the cost of 1 Adrenaline Point.

14. What is the coolest-looking armor in The Witcher 3?

This is subjective, but many players consider the Ursine, Wolf/Wolven, Griffin, Kaer Morhen, and Viper School armor sets to be among the coolest-looking.

15. How can I afford all the Grandmaster armor sets?

To earn enough money for all Grandmaster armor sets: loot all houses, do not dismantle items, wait to clear smugglers’ caches in Skellige until Blood and Wine, and sell to the right merchants (smiths/armorers for weapons).

Conclusion: Embrace the Available Options

While the absence of Grandmaster Viper armor might be disappointing for some, the existing Viper School Gear and the diverse range of Grandmaster sets offer ample opportunities for customization and optimization. Experiment with different builds, explore the various armor sets, and find the combination that best suits your Geralt’s fighting style. Ultimately, the The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers you countless ways to fine tune your playing experience.

Consider looking into the Games Learning Society for more discussion about video game design and learning principles at GamesLearningSociety.org. Enjoy the journey, witcher!