Why Aerondight is the Best Sword in The Witcher 3

Aerondight. The name alone whispers tales of power, skill, and monster slaying prowess. But what truly makes this silver sword the envy of every Witcher in the Northern Kingdoms, the most sought-after blade in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? The answer is multifaceted, resting on a unique combination of scaling damage, critical hit potential, and a leveling system tied directly to Geralt’s own progression. Aerondight isn’t just a weapon; it’s a companion that grows stronger alongside you, making it exceptionally good. Its dynamic damage scaling, guaranteed critical hits at full charge, and permanent damage increases all contribute to its legendary status.

Unpacking Aerondight’s Power

Aerondight’s core strength lies in its distinctive mechanics. Unlike other swords with fixed stats, Aerondight grows in power as Geralt levels up and slays monsters. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

• Scaling Base Damage: Aerondight possesses a respectable base damage that scales upwards alongside Geralt’s level. This ensures that the sword remains effective throughout the entire game, regardless of when you acquire it.
• Charging System: Each successful hit on an enemy with Aerondight increases its damage by 10%, up to a maximum of 100%. This creates a powerful damage ramp-up effect in prolonged combat.
• Guaranteed Critical Hits: Once the sword is fully charged (100% bonus damage), every subsequent hit has a 100% chance to critically hit. This doubles the damage output, resulting in devastating blows.
• Permanent Damage Increase: The most distinctive feature of Aerondight is its ability to permanently increase its base damage. By killing an enemy while the sword is fully charged, the sword’s base damage receives a permanent boost, up to the maximum possible value for Geralt’s current level.
• Leveling with Geralt: As Geralt levels up, the maximum potential damage of Aerondight also increases. This ensures that the sword always remains top-tier, provided you continue to level it up by killing enemies at full charge.

This combination of scaling damage, critical hit guarantee, and permanent upgrades is what makes Aerondight so potent. It rewards skillful play and encourages aggressive combat, turning Geralt into an unstoppable force against monsters.

The Aerondight Advantage: Why it Outperforms Other Swords

While The Witcher 3 offers a wide array of weapons, Aerondight consistently outperforms its competitors due to the following:

• Consistent Performance: Unlike swords relying on specific attribute bonuses or enemy weaknesses, Aerondight provides consistent, reliable damage against all types of monsters.
• Long-Term Investment: Acquiring and upgrading Aerondight is an investment that pays off handsomely throughout the game. Other swords might offer short-term advantages, but Aerondight’s scaling ensures its long-term viability.
• Synergy with Combat Style: Aerondight synergizes perfectly with Geralt’s combat style, rewarding aggressive play and encouraging players to master parrying and dodging to maintain the sword’s charge.
• Adaptability: Aerondight’s scaling damage makes it adaptable to any difficulty level. Whether you’re playing on Story and Sword or Death March, Aerondight remains a formidable weapon.
• Unmatched Potential: The permanent damage increase mechanic makes Aerondight’s potential virtually limitless. With enough dedication, you can transform it into the ultimate monster-slaying weapon.

The GamesLearningSociety.org highlights the importance of adapting to different play styles in games, and Aerondight’s versatility exemplifies this concept perfectly.

Aerondight: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Aerondight’s capabilities and address common misconceptions.

1. What DLC do I need to get Aerondight?

You need the Blood and Wine expansion to acquire Aerondight. It’s obtained during the “There Can Be Only One” quest.

2. What level should I be to start the Aerondight quest?

While you can start the quest at a lower level, it’s generally recommended to be at least level 35 to comfortably handle the enemies in Toussaint. Aerondight will level up with you regardless, so the starting level isn’t crucial.

3. Can Aerondight be used effectively against humans?

Aerondight is a silver sword, primarily designed for fighting monsters. While it can be used against humans, it’s significantly less effective than a steel sword.

4. How do I permanently increase Aerondight’s damage?

To permanently increase Aerondight’s damage, you must kill an enemy while the sword is fully charged (100% bonus damage). A prompt will appear confirming the damage increase. Do this multiple times as you level up.

5. How do I charge Aerondight?

Each successful hit on an enemy charges Aerondight, increasing its damage by 10% per hit, up to a maximum of 100%.

6. What happens if I get hit while Aerondight is charging?

Taking damage resets the charge. Avoiding damage, through dodging or parrying, is crucial for maximizing Aerondight’s potential.

7. Can I upgrade Aerondight at a blacksmith?

Aerondight can have sockets added by a Runewright. However, its base damage and other inherent properties cannot be modified by traditional blacksmiths.

8. What’s the maximum damage Aerondight can reach?

The maximum damage Aerondight can reach depends on Geralt’s level. As you level up, the sword’s potential damage also increases. There is no fixed maximum damage; it dynamically scales.

9. Does Aerondight’s damage carry over to New Game+?

Yes, Aerondight’s damage and upgrades carry over to New Game+, making it an even more powerful weapon in subsequent playthroughs.

10. Is Gesheft really better than Aerondight?

Gesheft, a craftable steel sword, is mentioned by some as potentially surpassing Aerondight in terms of raw damage output. However, this is a matter of debate, and depends greatly on build specialization and the specific scenarios. The versatility and scaling of Aerondight often makes it the preferred choice for many players.

11. Can I put runes on Aerondight?

Yes, Aerondight can have runes placed in its sockets by visiting a Runewright. This can further enhance its effectiveness.

12. How do I avoid killing enemies too quickly to charge Aerondight?

If you’re killing enemies too quickly to fully charge Aerondight, try the following:

• Increase the difficulty level.
• Enable enemy upscaling in the game options.
• Remove damage-boosting skills and mutagens.
• Use Quen to absorb hits and maintain the charge.

13. Does Aerondight work with signs?

While Aerondight primarily enhances melee damage, certain sign-based builds can complement its effectiveness. For example, a build focused on Igni can weaken enemies, making them easier to hit and charge Aerondight.

14. Why does Aerondight glow?

Aerondight glows because of its magical properties. The intensity of the glow may vary depending on the sword’s charge level or the presence of nearby monsters.

15. What is the origin of the name “Aerondight”?

Aerondight is a name derived from Arthurian legends. It’s believed to be a variant of the name “Aroundight,” which was the name of Lancelot’s sword. Its association with the Lady of the Lake in The Witcher lore further reinforces this connection. The Games Learning Society could provide interesting insights into the use of mythology and folklore in video game narratives.

In conclusion, Aerondight’s unique combination of scaling damage, guaranteed critical hits, and permanent upgrades makes it the best silver sword in The Witcher 3. It’s a testament to the game’s intricate combat system and rewarding character progression. While other swords may offer situational advantages, Aerondight’s consistent performance, adaptability, and long-term potential make it the ultimate choice for any aspiring monster slayer.