Who Pays Best for Armor in The Witcher 3? The Ultimate Merchant Guide

Finding the right merchant to offload your hard-earned (or looted!) armor in The Witcher 3 can significantly impact your wealth and ability to upgrade Geralt. While no single merchant always offers the absolute best price for every piece of armor, understanding the landscape of Novigrad, Oxenfurt, and Toussaint is crucial. Generally, for regular armor in the base game, the armorers in Novigrad’s Hierarch Square and Oxenfurt tend to offer the best prices. However, the Master Armourer and Grandmaster Armourer in Toussaint (Blood and Wine expansion) are the undisputed champions when it comes to paying top dollar for both armor and non-sword weapons. Knowing why this is, and the nuances involved, will make you a true Witcher 3 merchant master.

The Core Principles of Witcher 3 Economics

Before diving into specific merchants, understanding some fundamental economic principles within The Witcher 3 is essential.

• Merchant Specialization: Merchants who specialize in a particular item type (armorers for armor, blacksmiths for weapons) generally offer better prices for those items. This is because they have a greater demand and can repurpose or resell the items more effectively.
• Merchant Tier: The tier of the merchant (Amateur, Journeyman, Master) often correlates with the quality and quantity of goods they sell, and consequently, their willingness to pay more for items. Master and Grandmaster artisans naturally offer higher prices.
• Available Funds: Every merchant has a limited pool of gold (Crowns) available. Once they run out, you’ll need to meditate for several days (usually 3-5) to replenish their funds. Knowing who has the biggest wallet is just as important as knowing who offers the best prices.
• The Value of Dismantling: Sometimes, it’s more profitable to dismantle armor for crafting components, especially if you plan on crafting Witcher gear or other valuable items. Runes and glyphs can be salvaged this way. However, if you have no need for the components, selling is often the faster route to riches.
• Expansion Pack Influence: The Blood and Wine expansion significantly alters the merchant landscape by introducing higher-tier artisans in Toussaint who offer the best prices overall.

The Novigrad & Oxenfurt Powerhouses

In the base game, Novigrad and Oxenfurt are your best bets for selling most armor pieces. The armorers in these cities, particularly the one in Hierarch Square in Novigrad, are easily accessible and consistently have a decent amount of Crowns available.

• Novigrad Armorer (Hierarch Square): This armorer is a solid all-around choice. He is easy to find and restocks his gold fairly quickly.
• Oxenfurt Armorer: Located in the south-eastern part of Oxenfurt, this armorer also pays well and has a reasonable amount of Crowns.

Why These Merchants?

These merchants thrive because they operate in major cities with high demand for armor. Soldiers, guards, and adventurers all contribute to a robust market for armor, allowing these merchants to offer competitive prices.

The Toussaint Takeover: Masters and Grandmasters

With the Blood and Wine expansion installed, the economic balance shifts significantly towards Toussaint. Here, you’ll find the Master Armourer and Grandmaster Armourer, who will become your go-to destinations for selling high-value armor and weapons.

• Master Armourer: Located in Beauclair, the Master Armourer has a substantial amount of gold and pays generously for armor.
• Grandmaster Armourer (Lazare Lafargue): Also in Beauclair, Lazare Lafargue, who crafts Grandmaster Witcher gear, offers the highest prices for armor and non-sword weapons in the entire game. Completing his questline is essential to unlock his full potential.

How to Unlock Lazare Lafargue’s Potential

To unlock Lazare Lafargue’s Grandmaster crafting abilities (and his willingness to pay top dollar), you must complete his associated questline. This involves tracking down the diagrams for Grandmaster Witcher gear, a worthwhile endeavor in itself.

The Hidden Gem: Hugo

While not an armorer, the secret merchant Hugo is an anomaly. He buys everything at full price, including armor! However, he has limited funds and mainly sells food and White Gull ingredients. He’s an excellent option for clearing out smaller, lower-value armor pieces and other miscellaneous items at their maximum value.

Selling Swords vs. Armor

It’s important to remember that merchants specialize. While the Toussaint Armourers pay handsomely for armor, Hattori (the master blacksmith in Novigrad) is still a top contender for selling swords, especially after completing his quest “Of Swords and Dumplings”.

Maximizing Your Profits: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prioritize Toussaint: If you have the Blood and Wine expansion, focus on selling high-value armor to the Master Armourer and Grandmaster Armourer in Beauclair.
2. Novigrad and Oxenfurt for the Base Game: In the base game, sell your armor to the armorers in Hierarch Square (Novigrad) and Oxenfurt.
3. Hattori for Swords: Always sell swords to Hattori in Novigrad for the best prices.
4. Hugo for Odds and Ends: Use Hugo to clear out smaller items and junk at full price.
5. Meditation is Key: When a merchant runs out of gold, meditate for 3-5 days to replenish their funds.
6. Consider Dismantling: Before selling, evaluate if dismantling armor for crafting components is more beneficial.
7. Weight Matters: Focus on picking up lightweight armor pieces with a good sell value. Boots and gloves often have a high cost-to-weight ratio.

Dismantling vs. Selling: A Quick Guide

• Dismantle when you need crafting components, particularly for Witcher gear upgrades.
• Sell when you don’t need the components and want to quickly accumulate Crowns. Early game, selling is generally better.

FAQs: Witcher 3 Armor Sales

1. Who is the best early-game merchant for selling armor?

Early in the game, the armorer in White Orchard is your best bet, simply due to proximity. However, as soon as you reach Novigrad or Oxenfurt, prioritize those merchants for better prices.

2. Does difficulty level affect merchant prices?

No, the difficulty level does not directly influence the prices merchants offer. However, playing on higher difficulties might lead to finding more valuable loot, increasing the overall amount you have to sell.

3. What should I do with armor I can’t sell to a merchant with no money?

If a merchant is out of money, you have two options: meditate for several days to replenish their funds, or travel to a different merchant who has available Crowns.

4. Is it worth selling Witcher gear armor?

Generally, no. Witcher gear is designed to be upgraded and used throughout the game. Selling it is rarely a good idea unless you’re absolutely certain you won’t need it again. If you are sure you don’t need it, sell it to the Grandmaster Armorer in Toussaint to receive the best possible return.

5. Where can I find Hugo, the secret merchant?

Hugo’s location is typically in the vicinity of Beauclair in Toussaint, but he is mobile. Look for him on the road or near smaller settlements.

6. Does the type of armor (light, medium, heavy) affect which merchant pays the most?

No, the type of armor does not directly affect which merchant pays the most. The value of the armor and the merchant’s specialization are the primary factors.

7. How often do merchants replenish their gold?

Merchants typically replenish their gold after 3-5 days of in-game time. You can meditate to pass the time quickly.

8. Should I sell or dismantle relic swords?

Relic swords can be valuable for both selling and dismantling. If you need rare materials like dimeritium ingots, dismantling is the better option. Otherwise, sell them to a blacksmith like Hattori or the Toussaint Blacksmith for a good price.

9. What’s the fastest way to make money in The Witcher 3?

The fastest way to make money is to complete contracts, loot valuable items, and sell them to the appropriate merchants, especially in Toussaint. Don’t underestimate the value of exploring and clearing out bandit camps.

10. Are there any skills or perks that affect merchant prices?

No, there are no skills or perks that directly influence the prices merchants offer. However, skills that improve your combat effectiveness can lead to acquiring more loot, indirectly increasing your income.

11. What should I do with duplicate armor diagrams?

Sell duplicate armor diagrams to merchants for extra Crowns. They serve no purpose once you’ve already crafted the item.

12. How do I unlock Grandmaster crafting?

To unlock Grandmaster crafting, you need to travel to Toussaint (Blood and Wine expansion) and begin the questline associated with Lazare Lafargue.

13. Is it worth crafting all the Witcher gear sets?

Whether or not to craft all the Witcher gear sets depends on your playstyle and preferences. While some sets are objectively better than others, crafting them all can be a fun and rewarding experience. And you can display them in your villa!

14. Where can I learn more about game design principles used in The Witcher 3?

The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores how games like The Witcher 3 incorporate learning principles. You can learn a lot about why the game is so engaging! Check out the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for more information.

15. What’s the most expensive item I can sell in The Witcher 3?

The most expensive sellable items are typically high-level relic swords and armor, especially those acquired in Toussaint. Look for items with a base value of 1,000 Crowns or more.

Mastering the art of buying and selling in The Witcher 3 is a crucial aspect of Geralt’s journey. By understanding the merchant ecosystem and specializing your sales, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a wealthy and well-equipped Witcher. Happy hunting (and selling)!