The Witcher 3: Unlocking the Secrets of the Griffin Head
So, you’ve slain a Griffin in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and are now the proud owner of its severed head. But what does the Griffin head actually do? In short, it’s a macabre trophy you can mount on your horse, Roach, providing a bonus to your experience gain from slaying monsters. Specifically, equipping the Griffin head grants you a 5% increase in experience points earned from monster kills. It’s a useful, albeit grisly, reward for your monster hunting prowess. Think of it as Roach’s way of bragging about your accomplishments (and scaring off bandits).
Delving Deeper: The Utility of Monster Trophies
The Griffin head isn’t the only monster head in the game, of course. Throughout your adventures in the Northern Kingdoms, you’ll encounter a variety of terrifying creatures, each with its own unique trophy and corresponding bonus. These trophies offer Geralt tangible benefits in combat and exploration. It’s crucial to choose the right trophy for the situation, as the bonuses can significantly impact your effectiveness against certain enemy types or during specific quests.
The value of the Griffin head trophy, in particular, lies in its universal application. Unlike trophies that provide bonuses against specific enemy types (like a Grave Hag Trophy boosting resistance to poison), the 5% experience bonus is beneficial no matter what you’re fighting. This makes it an excellent early-game choice, helping you level up faster and acquire new skills more quickly.
How to Equip a Monster Trophy
Equipping the Griffin head, or any other monster trophy, is a simple process. Navigate to your inventory, select the “Horse Equipment” tab, and then choose the trophy slot. From there, you can select the desired trophy from your inventory and equip it. Remember that you can only equip one trophy at a time, so choose wisely based on your current needs.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Griffin Heads and Monster Trophies
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the world of monster trophies in The Witcher 3:
1. Where can I find a Griffin head in The Witcher 3?
The easiest way to acquire a Griffin head is by completing the main quest “The Beast of White Orchard.” This quest involves hunting and killing a Royal Griffin. Upon defeating the beast, you’ll be rewarded with its head. You can also sometimes find them in the inventories of merchants, but this is less reliable.
2. Does the experience bonus from the Griffin head stack with other experience bonuses?
No, the experience bonus from the Griffin head does not stack with other trophy bonuses. However, it does stack with other experience bonuses from sources like the Gourmet skill (which grants bonus health regeneration based on food duration).
3. Is the 5% experience bonus from the Griffin head worth it?
Early in the game, yes, the 5% experience bonus from the Griffin head is quite significant. As you progress and encounter tougher monsters, the bonus might seem less impactful. However, every bit of experience helps, especially when trying to reach the recommended level for specific quests or gear.
4. Can I sell the Griffin head after I’m done using it?
Yes, you can sell the Griffin head to merchants. However, the selling price is relatively low, so it’s generally better to keep it around, especially if you don’t have a better trophy to equip.
5. Are there any other Griffin-related items besides the Griffin head?
Yes, defeating a Griffin also rewards you with Griffin mutagen, which is used in crafting alchemy recipes and mutations for your character build. You also obtain various Griffin monster parts used for crafting Griffin School Gear.
6. What are some other good early-game monster trophies?
Besides the Griffin head, other notable early-game trophies include the Noonwraith Trophy (increased experience from humans & nonhumans) and the Fiend Trophy (boost to sign intensity).
7. How do I get better monster trophies?
Better monster trophies are typically obtained by completing Witcher Contracts, which are side quests that task you with hunting down specific monsters. These contracts often offer unique and powerful trophies as rewards.
8. Can I equip the Griffin head at any level?
Yes, there are no level restrictions for equipping monster trophies. You can equip the Griffin head as soon as you acquire it.
9. Does the Griffin head trophy affect combat stats directly?
No, the Griffin head trophy does not directly affect your combat stats like attack power or armor. Its sole purpose is to increase experience gain from monster kills.
10. Does the Griffin head work on all difficulty levels?
Yes, the Griffin head trophy’s experience bonus functions the same way regardless of the difficulty level you are playing on.
11. What is the maximum number of monster trophies I can carry?
There is no limit to the number of monster trophies you can carry in your inventory. However, you can only equip one at a time on Roach.
12. Do monster trophies break or require repair?
No, monster trophies do not break or require repair. Once you acquire them, they are yours to keep and use indefinitely.
13. Is there a “best” monster trophy in the game?
There is no single “best” monster trophy, as the optimal choice depends on your playstyle, build, and the specific challenges you are facing. Some trophies are more universally useful than others. Experimenting with different trophies is key.
14. Can I upgrade monster trophies?
No, monster trophies cannot be upgraded. The bonuses they provide are fixed. However, you can acquire more powerful trophies as you progress through the game.
15. Where can I learn more about monster hunting and Witcher Contracts?
You can learn more about monster hunting and Witcher Contracts by reading in-game books and documents, talking to NPCs, and exploring the world. Websites like the Witcher Wiki and forums dedicated to The Witcher 3 are also excellent resources. Furthermore, understanding the game’s mechanics and engaging with fellow enthusiasts can be greatly enhanced by exploring resources such as those offered by the Games Learning Society, which delves into the educational aspects of gaming. You can find more information at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Conclusion: Embrace the Hunt and Reap the Rewards
The Griffin head in The Witcher 3 is more than just a gruesome decoration; it’s a symbol of your skill as a Witcher and a tangible reward for your monster-slaying efforts. By understanding the utility of monster trophies and choosing the right one for the job, you can significantly enhance your gameplay experience and become an even more formidable monster hunter. So, saddle up Roach, equip that Griffin head, and get back out there – there are monsters to slay and experience points to earn!