Unleashing the Manticore: Understanding the Witcher Gear Bonus
The Manticore School Gear is a unique and powerful armor set in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, specifically introduced in the Blood and Wine expansion. It’s known for its balanced approach, offering a mix of stats rather than excelling in just one area. However, the true strength of the Manticore set lies in its unique gear bonuses, which activate when you equip a specific number of pieces. So, what is the Manticore Witcher gear bonus? When wearing 3 pieces, the bonus applied is: Critical hit chance and critical hit damage also apply to bombs. This single bonus fundamentally changes how bombs can be utilized in combat, adding a new layer of potency to alchemical warfare. Furthermore, wearing all 6 pieces of the set doesn’t grant a further bonus but provides the maximum stat benefit of this gear and a unique appearance. Understanding these bonuses is key to maximizing the Manticore gear’s potential and making it an effective choice for Geralt.
The Allure of the Manticore Set
More Than Just Pretty Armor
While aesthetics are definitely a part of any Witcher armor set’s appeal, the Manticore gear offers more than just looks. It’s designed for a specific playstyle that combines melee combat with the strategic use of bombs. Unlike other Witcher schools that might favor quick attacks (Feline), heavy armor (Ursine), or sign intensity (Griffin), the Manticore encourages a balance of all skills. This makes it versatile and a good choice for players who prefer a more adaptable approach.
The 3-piece bonus is where this set truly shines. By making critical hits apply to bombs, you can drastically increase your damage output by effectively turning your bombs into high-damage, critical-hitting, area-of-effect tools. Instead of relying solely on conventional combat tactics, you can weave bombs into your attack patterns, allowing for tactical advantages by inflicting critical hits on multiple enemies at once. This bonus especially benefits players who have invested in alchemy skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Manticore Gear
1. What level should I be to wear Manticore armor?
The Manticore witcher set is designed for level 40 characters. It’s important to note that this set is exclusive to the Blood and Wine expansion and not an upgrade from earlier Witcher gear sets in the base game. It’s a brand new witcher gear that becomes available once you explore the region of Toussaint.
2. Does the Manticore armor have different versions?
Yes, there are two versions of the Manticore armor. The first is the standard Manticore armor, found during your first playthrough (NG). The second version is the Superior Manticore set, which you acquire in New Game Plus (NG+). The Superior version typically has higher stats.
3. How do I get the Grandmaster Manticore Gear?
The Grandmaster Manticore Gear is obtained through the Scavenger Hunt: Grandmaster Manticore Gear quest in the Blood and Wine expansion. This quest is given by Lafargue in Beauclair and leads you to the necessary diagrams to craft the Grandmaster version.
4. Can you upgrade Manticore armor?
The base Manticore set cannot be upgraded beyond the Grandmaster level, but in New Game Plus (NG+), you can acquire and craft Legendary Manticore gear variants, which are considered an upgrade from the standard Grandmaster version.
5. Where can I get Legendary Manticore Gear diagrams?
Legendary Manticore gear diagrams are sold by various merchants in New Game Plus mode. These merchants include:
- Willis in White Orchard.
- Elihal on the outskirts of Novigrad.
- A Merchant at the Gildorf district shop.
- Sjusta at Kaer Trolde Harbor.
6. Is Manticore armor light, medium, or heavy?
Manticore armor is classified as medium armor. This places it between the agility of light armor and the defensive strength of heavy armor, offering a balanced approach to movement and protection.
7. What is the best armor in The Witcher 3?
There’s no definitive “best” armor, as it depends on playstyle. However, the Ursine Armor Set is generally considered the best heavy armor set for players who want a tank-like build. For players aiming for balanced offense, the Manticore set works quite well.
8. Who can craft Manticore armor?
Manticore gear is of Grandmaster quality and can only be crafted by a Grandmaster craftsman. The primary Grandmaster craftsman is Lazare Lafargue, located in Beauclair, Toussaint. You must help him with a side quest before he will craft your Grandmaster gear.
9. How much does Manticore armor cost to craft?
The cost to craft a full Manticore set can vary depending on the materials you already possess. However, a rough estimate is around 15,000 Crowns for a full set. This can be quite expensive, so be prepared to spend the time or money to acquire it.
10. What is the highest level of Witcher armor?
The upgrade stages for most gear sets are (from lowest to highest): Basic, Enhanced, Superior, Mastercrafted, and Grandmaster. In New Game +, each level can be crafted into Legendary versions for even higher stats.
11. What is a Manticore’s weakness?
In the Witcher universe, a Manticore’s weakness is not well-defined. It is important to separate game mechanics from lore, as the game is based on the books and the monsters there. However, in the real-world mythos, the creature is generally said to be averse to elephants.
12. Is Manticore armor DLC?
Yes, the Manticore armor is part of the Blood and Wine DLC expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It cannot be obtained in the base game alone.
13. Is Griffin armor a good choice in Witcher 3?
The Griffin armor is a good choice for players who rely heavily on using Signs in combat. It is classified as medium armor and provides bonuses to sign intensity, making it ideal for magic-focused builds.
14. Which merchants pay the most for armor?
The highest prices for armor and non-sword weapons are generally offered by the master armourer and Grandmaster armourer in Toussaint. Additionally, the Toussaint blacksmith also pays well. In the base game, armourers in Oxenfurt and Novigrad Square are generally the highest payers.
15. Is the Manticore armor worth it?
The Manticore armor is definitely worth considering, especially if you enjoy using bombs in combat. Its balanced stats, combined with the unique 3-piece bonus that applies critical hits to bombs, make it a strong and versatile set that is able to carry you throughout the entire game. While it doesn’t excel in one particular area like other armor sets, its flexibility is a valuable asset, allowing for a hybrid combat style.