What Weapons Should I Keep in The Witcher 3? A Seasoned Witcher’s Guide
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So, you’re knee-deep in the monster-infested world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and your inventory is overflowing with swords sharper than a Nilfgaardian’s wit. The question is, what do you keep, and what do you sell to the nearest blacksmith? The short answer is: Witcher Gear, Aerondight (if you have Blood and Wine), and any unique quest-related swords you are emotionally attached to. Everything else? Probably vendor trash. Let’s dive into the details.
The single most important rule is to always keep your Witcher Gear. These are the swords (and armor) that have the green background in your inventory. They are part of sets (Griffin, Feline, Ursine, Wolven, Manticore, Viper), and they are specifically designed for you, Geralt of Rivia. These can be upgraded multiple times, making them powerful throughout the game. Selling them is a cardinal sin in the eyes of any experienced Witcher.
Witcher Gear: The Foundation of Your Arsenal
Understanding Witcher Gear Sets
Each Witcher Gear set is tailored towards a specific playstyle.
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Griffin: Focuses on Sign intensity and Stamina regeneration, perfect for a Witcher who loves to sling spells alongside swordplay.
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Feline (Cat): Emphasizes fast attacks and critical hit chance, ideal for a nimble, damage-focused Witcher.
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Ursine (Bear): Prioritizes armor and Adrenaline points, perfect for a tanky, bruiser-style Witcher who thrives in the thick of combat.
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Wolven (Wolf): A well-rounded set, blending aspects of all three previous styles, suitable for Witchers who prefer versatility.
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Manticore: Introduced in the Blood and Wine expansion, this set focuses on alchemy builds, boosting potion duration and toxicity tolerance.
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Viper/Serpentine: Early game set found in White Orchard or purchased from the merchant near the Alchemy table at Woesong Bridge.
Upgrading Your Witcher Gear
What makes Witcher Gear so valuable is its upgrade path. Each piece of gear can be upgraded to Enhanced, Superior, and Mastercrafted versions, significantly boosting its stats. To do this, you’ll need the appropriate diagrams (found through treasure hunts) and crafting materials. That’s why keeping the original piece is crucial.
The Legendary Aerondight
If you own the Blood and Wine expansion, the Aerondight silver sword is an absolute must-keep. Many consider it the best sword in the game. What makes it so special?
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Damage Bonus: Every hit increases the sword’s damage by 10% until fully charged.
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Critical Hits: When fully charged, every hit is a guaranteed critical hit.
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Leveling: The Aerondight levels up with you, ensuring it remains a powerful weapon throughout your playthrough.
Getting Aerondight is a quest in itself, and once you have it, you’ll likely never want to part with it.
Sentimental Value: Quest Rewards and Unique Swords
Beyond the objectively “best” swords, there might be weapons you want to keep for sentimental reasons. Perhaps a sword you received as a reward for completing a particularly challenging quest, or one with an interesting backstory. These items can add to the immersion and role-playing aspect of The Witcher 3.
Sell the Rest: Managing Your Inventory
The reality is that most swords you find in The Witcher 3 are ultimately disposable. The game throws weapons at you left and right, and clinging to every rusty blade is a recipe for inventory overload. Here’s a general rule of thumb:
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Sell mundane weapons to blacksmiths and armorers. They’ll give you a better price than general merchants. Novigrad and Oxenfurt are good places to go.
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Dismantle junk items (rings, necklaces, etc.) for crafting materials.
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Relic Swords can be sold or dismantled. If you need a specific crafting material that a Relic sword provides, then go ahead and dismantle it. Otherwise, sell for quick coin!
FAQs: Demystifying Witcher 3 Weapon Management
1. Is it better to dismantle or sell weapons in The Witcher 3?
Generally, selling is more profitable than dismantling, especially for common weapons. There are exceptions, like certain jewelry that can be dismantled into valuable crafting materials, but as a rule of thumb, selling is the way to go.
2. What weapons and armor should I keep in The Witcher 3?
Always keep Witcher Gear. Consider keeping Aerondight (if you have Blood and Wine). Other than that, it’s largely a matter of personal preference. Keep any unique quest rewards that you have an emotional connection to.
3. Is there any reason to keep Relic swords in The Witcher 3?
Relic swords are often valuable and can be sold for a good price. You can dismantle them for rare materials, but only do so if you specifically need those materials. Otherwise, sell them.
4. Is there a point to keeping old weapons in The Witcher 3?
Only Witcher Gear should be kept for upgrading. Other old weapons can be sold or dismantled.
5. Should I sell all my Relic swords in The Witcher 3?
Yes, you can safely sell most of your relic swords. If you’re low on specific crafting materials, dismantle the relics that provide them.
6. What items should I stash in The Witcher 3?
Witcher Gear, quest-related swords, unique armor pieces (like Zireael Armor), trophies, and elegant outfits are all good candidates for stashing.
7. What is the most OP weapon in The Witcher 3?
Many consider the Aerondight to be the most overpowered weapon in the game, thanks to its stacking damage bonus and guaranteed critical hits.
8. What items should I always keep in The Witcher?
Witcher Gear. It’s the backbone of your arsenal.
9. Is any junk worth keeping in The Witcher 3?
Yes, junk items like rings, necklaces, and other metal objects can be dismantled into valuable crafting materials.
10. Who is the best person to sell armor to in The Witcher 3?
Sell weapons to Hattori (Master Blacksmith in Novigrad), and armor to the Armorer in Hierarch Square (Novigrad). Avoid selling to Yoanna in Crow’s Perch, as she offers the lowest prices.
11. What is worth selling in The Witcher 3?
Sell any armor and weapons you don’t use, especially those that are significantly lower level than your current gear.
12. What is the best sword in The Witcher 3 without the expansion?
Several swords are contenders, including the Gesheft Silver Sword, Iris – Olgierd’s Sword, and Black Unicorn Relic Steel Sword. However, this depends on your build and playstyle. Ultimately, you want Witcher Gear.
13. Do I need to keep Witchers steel sword?
Only if it’s Witcher Gear (green background) and you plan on upgrading it. Otherwise, sell it.
14. What is Geralt’s best sword?
The Aerondight (Silver Sword) is widely regarded as Geralt’s best sword, especially if you have the Blood and Wine expansion.
15. Should I sell or dismantle junk in The Witcher?
Generally, selling is more profitable. Dismantle only if you specifically need a certain crafting material.
Conclusion: Sharpen Your Blades, and Your Inventory Management
Mastering the art of weapon management in The Witcher 3 is just as important as mastering combat. By understanding the value of Witcher Gear, the power of Aerondight, and the principles of efficient selling and dismantling, you can ensure that Geralt is always equipped with the best possible arsenal, without being weighed down by unnecessary baggage. Now, get out there and slay some monsters, Witcher! Remember to check out Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more on the educational aspects of gaming.