Is the Crossbow Worth It in The Witcher 3? A Comprehensive Guide
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In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt of Rivia has a vast arsenal at his disposal: silver swords for monsters, steel swords for humans, a plethora of signs, bombs, potions, and oils. Among these, the crossbow often gets overlooked. So, is the crossbow worth your time and effort in The Witcher 3? In short, yes, but mostly for utility rather than raw damage. While it may not be your primary damage dealer, its strategic applications, especially against flying creatures and underwater, make it a valuable tool to keep in your inventory.
Understanding the Crossbow’s Role
The crossbow in The Witcher 3 is not designed to be a high-damage weapon like your swords. Instead, it serves more as a utility tool. Its main purpose is to:
- Bring down flying enemies: Ekhidnae, griffins, and other aerial monsters can be grounded with a well-placed bolt, making them vulnerable to your melee attacks.
- Combat underwater: When submerged, your swords are useless. The crossbow becomes your only offensive option against drowners and sirens.
- Inflict status effects: Certain bolts, like those that cause bleeding or stun, can significantly enhance your combat strategy.
The Best Crossbows and When to Use Them
While crossbows might not be the damage kings, some stand out from the rest:
Ursine Crossbow: The Top Choice
The Ursine Crossbow is widely considered the best crossbow in the game. It boasts impressive stats and, when paired with the right bolts, can deal significant damage. It’s found southeast of the Old Watchtower. Even if ranged combat isn’t your forte, the Ursine Crossbow is worth the detour, potentially becoming a lifesaver.
Other Notable Crossbows
While the Ursine crossbow is widely considered the best, other options exist, especially early on in the game.
- Early Game Options: While not as powerful as the Ursine crossbow, early-game crossbows serve their purpose until you obtain better ones.
Crossbow Builds and Strategies
While a dedicated crossbow build might not be as viable as a sword-focused one, incorporating crossbow skills into your overall build can enhance its utility. Investing in skills that increase crossbow damage or bolt effects can make a noticeable difference.
Recommended Skills
- Keen Eye: Increases crossbow damage.
- Lightning Reflexes: Slows down time while aiming, allowing for more precise shots.
- Crippling Shots: Adds status effects to your bolts.
Bolt Selection
Choosing the right bolts is crucial.
- Basic Bolts: Unlimited supply, good for general use and underwater combat.
- Special Bolts: These come in various types, such as:
- Exploding Bolts: Deal area-of-effect damage.
- Piercing Bolts: Can penetrate armor.
- Stunning Bolts: Temporarily stun enemies.
FAQs: Maximizing Your Crossbow Experience
FAQ 1: Are crossbows worth using in The Witcher 3?
Yes, primarily for utility. They’re excellent for bringing down flying enemies and for underwater combat. Don’t expect them to be your primary damage source, but they can be invaluable in specific situations.
FAQ 2: What is the best ranged weapon in The Witcher 3?
The Ursine Crossbow, with its superior stats and potential perks, is generally considered the best crossbow in the game.
FAQ 3: Can you play Witcher 3 with only a crossbow?
While possible, it’s not recommended. The game is designed around sword combat and sign usage. A crossbow-only playthrough would be extremely challenging and less enjoyable.
FAQ 4: What is the most powerful crossbow in The Witcher 3?
As mentioned earlier, the Ursine Crossbow stands out as the most powerful option due to its useful perks and high damage.
FAQ 5: What is the best crossbow in Witcher 3 early game?
Early game crossbows serve their purpose until you can get the Ursine Crossbow.
FAQ 6: Do crossbow bolts replenish in The Witcher 3?
Basic bolts have an infinite supply. Special bolts are consumables and need to be crafted or purchased.
FAQ 7: Can you upgrade crossbows in Witcher 3?
Unfortunately, no, you cannot upgrade crossbows further, even in New Game Plus.
FAQ 8: Are crossbow bolts unlimited in Witcher 3?
“Basic” bolts are unlimited. Special bolts are limited and need to be replenished.
FAQ 9: What is the best crossbow for damage in The Witcher 3?
Again, the Ursine Crossbow is the top choice for damage.
FAQ 10: How do you aim with a crossbow in Witcher 3?
You can aim with the crossbow by clicking the middle mouse button (or L1 on consoles) to lock onto a target. Holding down the same button allows for free aiming.
FAQ 11: Is the crossbow useful in modern times (outside of the game)?
Yes. In modern times, firearms have largely supplanted bows and crossbows as weapons of war, but crossbows remain widely used for competitive shooting sports and hunting, and for relatively silent shooting.
FAQ 12: Is there a grandmaster feline crossbow?
No, there is no Grandmaster Feline crossbow. While the set bonus might display, it doesn’t contribute to it.
FAQ 13: Can you upgrade Witcher crossbow?
No, you cannot upgrade Witcher crossbows. Only Ursine and Feline schools have them, and that’s it.
FAQ 14: What weapons should I keep in Witcher 3?
Focus on Witcher School swords. These have many additional effects that enhance your damage output and abilities, making them a solid choice. Also, swords like Aerondight are essential.
FAQ 15: Do crossbows gain damage per level?
Crossbows themselves do not directly scale with your level. However, you can increase the damage indirectly through skills and by using higher-quality crossbows as you progress.
Final Verdict
The crossbow in The Witcher 3 is a valuable tool if used strategically. It’s not a powerhouse weapon like your swords, but its utility in bringing down flying enemies and fighting underwater makes it worth carrying. Invest in the Ursine Crossbow, learn to use special bolts effectively, and you’ll find the crossbow to be a helpful addition to Geralt’s arsenal.
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