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Do You Lose Runes When Upgrading in The Witcher 3? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is no, upgrading equipment in The Witcher 3 does not automatically destroy your runes or glyphs. However, the process of changing or removing them does come with choices and consequences. You’ll need to understand these nuances to effectively manage your gear and optimize your Geralt’s abilities. The world of the Witcher is complex, and understanding the intricacies of runes, glyphs, enchantments, and upgrades is crucial for mastering the game.

Understanding Runes, Glyphs, and Upgrades

Before diving into the specifics of rune and glyph management, let’s clarify the terminology:

Runes: These are socketed into swords to provide various combat-related bonuses, such as increased attack power, burning chance, or bleeding chance.
Glyphs: These are socketed into armor pieces to enhance Geralt’s sign intensity, resistance to damage types, or other defensive capabilities.
Upgrades: This refers to improving the base stats and level requirements of your equipment by crafting higher-tier versions of the same item, often requiring specific diagrams and crafting components.

The key takeaway is that upgrading a piece of equipment inherently preserves any runes or glyphs already socketed into it. Think of it like upgrading your car – the paint job and accessories remain unless you specifically decide to change them.

The Dilemma: Removal vs. Preservation

The crux of the issue arises when you want to change the runes or glyphs in your equipment. The Witcher 3 presents two primary options, each with its own trade-off:

Removing the Upgrade: At a smith or armorer, you can opt to “remove upgrade”. This process destroys the runes or glyphs currently socketed in the item but allows you to keep the upgraded weapon or armor piece. This is ideal if you’ve outgrown your existing runes/glyphs and want to replace them with more potent versions.
Dismantling the Item: At a smith or armorer, dismantling the item will recover the runes or glyphs currently socketed in the item. This is ideal if you want to keep those and use them again on another item.

So, to summarize, upgrading itself won’t make you lose your runes and glyphs. The loss occurs when you actively choose to remove the upgrade or dismantle the item. Knowing which path to take is based on the rune and glyph you want to use.

The Runewright and Enchantments: A Different Ballgame

The Runewright, introduced in the Hearts of Stone expansion, adds another layer of complexity. He allows you to apply enchantments to your gear, providing powerful and unique passive bonuses. However, enchantments work differently from runes and glyphs.

Upgrading Witcher set gear with an enchantment will destroy the enchantment. This frees up the enchantment slot, allowing you to apply a different one to the upgraded item. This is a crucial distinction – remember that enchantments do not carry over to upgraded versions of the same item.

Managing Your Runes and Glyphs: Tips and Strategies

Early Game Focus: In the early game, don’t be afraid to experiment with different rune and glyph combinations. Resources are relatively scarce, so prioritize enhancing your survivability and damage output.
Mid to Late Game Optimization: As you progress, start focusing on specific builds and playstyles. Acquire higher-tier runes and glyphs that complement your chosen build.
Strategic Dismantling: Don’t hesitate to dismantle older, less powerful weapons and armor pieces to recover valuable runes and glyphs. This is a cost-effective way to build up your collection.
Prioritize Runewright Investments: Investing in the Runewright is highly recommended, as enchantments can significantly enhance your character’s capabilities. Consider whether the cost of re-enchanting an upgraded item outweighs the benefits of the upgrade itself.
Plan Ahead: Before upgrading a piece of gear, consider whether you’re happy with the current runes/glyphs. If not, it might be worth removing them before upgrading to avoid losing potentially valuable components.

By understanding these mechanics and implementing smart management strategies, you can effectively utilize runes, glyphs, and enchantments to maximize Geralt’s potential in the dangerous world of The Witcher 3.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about runes, glyphs, enchantments, and upgrades in The Witcher 3:

1. Do Runewords carry over when I upgrade my Witcher gear?

No, Runewords do not carry over when you upgrade your armor set. You will need to re-apply the Runeword to the upgraded gear.

2. If I remove an upgrade, are the runes/glyphs added back to my inventory?

No, if you choose to remove the upgrade, the runes/glyphs are destroyed. This is a trade-off for keeping the armor or weapon piece itself.

3. Are runes permanent in The Witcher 3?

Rune stones are sort of permanent. Once inserted, they remain until you either remove the upgrade (destroying the rune) or dismantle the item (recovering the rune).

4. Is it worth giving the Runewright 10,000 crowns to upgrade his shop?

Yes, upgrading the Runewright is generally considered worth it, as it unlocks more powerful enchantments. However, it might be a lower priority on your first playthrough, as his services reset in New Game Plus.

5. Do I lose anything in New Game Plus?

In New Game Plus, you retain most of your gear, abilities, and gold. However, you will lose quest items and crafting diagrams for weapons and armor.

6. Will The Witcher 3 upgrade break my mods?

Yes, major updates to The Witcher 3 can potentially break existing mods. It’s advisable to check with mod creators for compatibility updates.

7. Is The Witcher 3 upgrade worth it?

The upgraded version of The Witcher 3 is widely considered worth it, offering improved graphics, performance, and quality-of-life enhancements.

8. Should I upgrade the Runewright?

Yes, upgrading the Runewright is recommended if you have the spare gold, as it unlocks access to powerful enchantments that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.

9. Do you lose runes when upgrading Witcher gear?

As previously mentioned, upgrading equipment itself does not destroy runes or glyphs. The loss occurs when you choose to remove the upgrade or dismantle the item.

10. Do you keep Great Runes forever?

In Elden Ring, not The Witcher 3. If you die after using a Rune Arc to activate a Great Rune, you will lose the benefits and need to use another Rune Arc.

11. Which signs should I prioritize upgrading?

The best signs to upgrade depend on your playstyle, but generally, Quen, Igni, and Axii are popular choices. Quen provides invaluable protection, Igni offers strong crowd control and damage, and Axii allows for tactical advantages in combat and dialogue.

12. Can you upgrade Geralt’s original armor?

Yes, the Kaer Morhen Armor, Geralt’s starting armor, is a piece of Witcher Gear and can be upgraded through crafting.

13. What is the maximum level in The Witcher 3?

The maximum level in the base game and Hearts of Stone is 70. The Blood and Wine expansion increases this cap to level 100.

14. How do you get Legendary Grandmaster Gear?

Legendary Grandmaster Gear diagrams are found in Toussaint, the region introduced in the Blood and Wine expansion. You’ll need to locate specific hidden locations and complete scavenger hunts to acquire the diagrams.

15. Is it worth investing 5000 crowns in the Runewright early on?

Investing 5000 crowns in the Runewright is generally worthwhile, as it unlocks valuable enchantments like Preservation. The Preservation enchantment prevents your gear from degrading, which saves you money on repairs in the long run.

Games, especially complex RPGs like The Witcher 3, offer rich learning opportunities, allowing players to develop problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and resource management abilities. For more on the educational aspects of gaming, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Gaming offers educational insights that shouldn’t be overlooked.

With this knowledge, you are now equipped to navigate the intricacies of runes, glyphs, enchantments, and upgrades in The Witcher 3, ensuring Geralt is always at his best, ready to face any monster or challenge that comes his way. Good luck on the path, Witcher!

Do you lose runes when upgrading Witcher 3?