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The Alchemist’s Arsenal: Mastering Oils in The Witcher 3

The “best” oil in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn’t a simple answer. It depends entirely on what you’re fighting. However, if forced to choose one, Superior Specter Oil is arguably the most versatile and widely applicable. Specters are incredibly common enemies throughout the game, from wraiths haunting battlefields to more powerful spectral entities in contracts and quests. The significant damage boost provided by Superior Specter Oil makes many challenging encounters significantly easier, making it a strong contender for the “best” overall. While other oils excel against specific monster types, the ubiquity of specters gives Superior Specter Oil a consistent and valuable edge.

Diving Deep: Understanding Witcher Oils

Witcher oils are crafted concoctions applied to your silver or steel swords to grant bonus damage against specific enemy types. They are a crucial part of combat preparation in The Witcher 3, allowing Geralt to significantly increase his damage output and efficiently dispatch monsters. Understanding their application and effectiveness is key to mastering the game’s combat system. Each oil has three tiers: Basic, Enhanced, and Superior, each offering progressively higher damage bonuses and increased charges. Choosing the right oil is as important as having a good sword.

Silver vs. Steel: Which Oil Where?

The fundamental rule is: Silver swords are for monsters, and steel swords are for humans and non-monsters (like some animals). Most oils are designed for silver swords. The only exception is Hanged Man’s Venom, which is specifically for steel swords and increases damage against humans and non-humans alike. There’s also Beast Oil, which, uniquely, can be used on both Silver and Steel Swords. This can be incredibly useful for players just starting out, as Beast Oil is commonly used on various monsters and humans.

The Power of Preparation

Applying an oil provides a set number of charges, displayed on the oil’s icon in your inventory. Each successful hit consumes one charge. Once the charges are depleted, the oil’s effect vanishes, and you must reapply it. However, thanks to alchemy perks, once you’ve crafted an oil, you never have to gather the ingredients again. You can replenish your oils during meditation, consuming only alcoholest to do so. This makes crafting the superior versions a high priority, as they offer the highest damage bonus and the most charges.

Crafting and Finding Oils

Oils are crafted using alchemy recipes, which you can find throughout the world – in chests, from merchants, or as rewards for quests. Crafting requires the necessary ingredients, which can be gathered from plants, disassembling monster parts, or purchased from alchemists and herbalists. Prioritize finding recipes and gathering ingredients to build your arsenal of powerful oils. Knowledge is as important as your sword.

Top Contenders: Other Powerful Oils

While Superior Specter Oil might be the most consistently useful, other oils shine in specific situations. Here are some notable examples:

Superior Vampire Oil: Essential for fighting vampires, especially higher vampires like Regis or the Bruxa. The damage bonus is significant.
Superior Necrophage Oil: Crucial against ghouls, drowners, and other rotting horrors. Considering how often you encounter these in swamps and near water, this oil will save you plenty of time.
Superior Draconid Oil: Invaluable when facing dragons, wyverns, and other draconid creatures. These enemies can be challenging, so having the right oil is a must.
Superior Elementa Oil: While perhaps not as useful as the options above, this oil is beneficial against elementals, such as golems and the Wild Hunt.

FAQs: Mastering Oils in The Witcher 3

Here are some frequently asked questions to further enhance your understanding of oils in The Witcher 3:

What is the best oil for the Wild Hunt in The Witcher 3? While not explicitly stated, Elementa Oil is generally considered the best choice. They’re associated with elements and ice magic, aligning with Elementa Oil’s purpose. It is known that Elementa oil is useful against the Wild Hunt hounds.
What oil should I use on Caranthir? Although Caranthir is an elf, the game treats him as a monster during combat. Use your silver sword and apply Elementa Oil to help with the ice elementals he summons.
What’s the best oil for steel swords in The Witcher 3? Hanged Man’s Venom is the only oil specifically designed for steel swords.
How do I apply oils in The Witcher 3? Open your inventory, navigate to the alchemy section, select the oil, and choose to apply it to your silver or steel sword. It’s best to do this before engaging in combat.
Do oils run out in The Witcher 3? No, the oil itself doesn’t disappear. Once crafted, you can replenish the oil’s charges by meditating. Only Alcoholest is consumed during replenishment.
What does Tawny Owl potion do in The Witcher 3? Tawny Owl increases Stamina regeneration, allowing you to cast signs more frequently and dodge more effectively.
What oil is effective against Leshen in The Witcher 3? Use Relict Oil against Leshens. They are also vulnerable to fire, so Igni and Dragon’s Dream bombs are effective.
Can I find Hybrid Oil in White Orchard? Yes, you can find Hybrid Oil (or the recipe for it) in the bandit camp north of the Sawmill Post in White Orchard.
What oil is best against Werewolves in The Witcher 3? Cursed Oil is the best choice. Also use Moon Dust bombs to hinder their transformations.
What oil should I use against Imlerith? While Imlerith is an Aen Elle elf, treat him as a monster and use your silver sword with Elementa Oil.
What oil is effective against the Toad Prince? Use Cursed Oil against the Toad Prince. Its damage bonus against cursed creatures is effective.
Where can I find Superior Vampire Oil? You can find the formula in a cave where the Howler is found, underwater in the Grotto on Ard Skellig, or in a chest near the Harpy Feeding Ground fast travel marker.
What oil is best against Wraiths in The Witcher 3? Specter Oil is designed for use against Wraiths and other spectral entities.
What does Black Blood do in The Witcher 3? Black Blood causes damage to creatures that attack Geralt while he’s drinking it, particularly useful against those with bleeding attacks, or those that feed on your blood like vampires.
What is the Ekhidna Decoction? The Ekhidna Decoction is considered the strongest decoction in The Witcher 3. It heals Geralt every time he uses stamina.

Beyond Oils: Mastering the Witcher’s Arsenal

Oils are just one piece of the puzzle. Understanding potions, decoctions, bombs, and signs is equally important for mastering The Witcher 3‘s combat system. Experiment with different combinations and find what works best for your playstyle. Furthermore, the benefits of gaming and game development go beyond just entertainment, consider looking at research by experts that can be found at the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org. Remember, preparation is key, and a well-prepared Witcher is a deadly Witcher.

What is the best oil in Witcher 3?