The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an action-packed role-playing game that requires players to make strategic decisions about their character’s gear and abilities. One of the most important aspects of Geralt of Rivia’s equipment is his armor, which can greatly impact his survivability and combat performance. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best armor for your playstyle. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Witcher 3 armor, exploring the different types, sets, and individual pieces to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Armor in Witcher 3
Before we dive into the best armor options, it’s essential to understand how armor works in Witcher 3. In the game, armor is categorized into three main types: light, medium, and heavy. Each type has its unique characteristics, pros, and cons.
Light Armor
Light armor provides the least amount of protection but offers the highest level of mobility. It’s ideal for players who prefer a more agile playstyle, focusing on dodging and quick reflexes. Light armor typically has lower weight, making it easier to move around and perform acrobatic maneuvers.
Medium Armor
Medium armor strikes a balance between protection and mobility. It offers moderate protection against damage while still allowing for decent movement speed. This type of armor is suitable for players who want a balance between defense and agility.
Heavy Armor
Heavy armor provides the highest level of protection but at the cost of mobility. It’s designed for players who prefer a more defensive playstyle, using their armor to absorb damage and protect themselves from harm. Heavy armor is usually heavier, making it more challenging to move around quickly.
Armor Sets in Witcher 3
Armor sets are a collection of individual pieces that provide unique bonuses when worn together. These sets can be crafted, purchased, or found throughout the game world. Each set has its strengths and weaknesses, and some are more suitable for specific playstyles than others.
Wolf School Armor Set
The Wolf School Armor Set is one of the most iconic and popular armor sets in Witcher 3. This set is designed for players who prefer a balanced playstyle, offering moderate protection and mobility. The Wolf School Armor Set provides a bonus to Geralt’s signs, making it an excellent choice for players who rely on their magical abilities.
Griffin School Armor Set
The Griffin School Armor Set is a heavy armor set that provides exceptional protection against damage. It’s ideal for players who prefer a defensive playstyle, using their armor to absorb damage and protect themselves from harm. The Griffin School Armor Set also provides a bonus to Geralt’s melee damage, making it a great choice for players who focus on close combat.
Individual Armor Pieces
While armor sets offer unique bonuses, individual armor pieces can be just as valuable. Some pieces provide exceptional protection, while others offer bonuses to specific skills or abilities.
Diagram: Nekker Armor
The Diagram: Nekker Armor is an individual armor piece that provides exceptional protection against elemental damage. This armor is particularly useful against enemies that deal fire or ice damage, such as dragons or wraiths. The Nekker Armor also has a moderate weight, making it suitable for players who want a balance between protection and mobility.
Forktail Armor
The Forktail Armor is a unique armor piece that provides a bonus to Geralt’s mounted combat abilities. This armor is ideal for players who enjoy riding their horse and fighting from a mounted position. The Forktail Armor also has a low weight, making it suitable for players who prioritize mobility.
Enhancing Your Armor
In Witcher 3, armor can be enhanced and upgraded using various methods. Players can use armor enhancements, such as runes or glyphs, to increase their armor’s protection and abilities. These enhancements can be crafted, purchased, or found throughout the game world.
Runestones
Runestones are a type of armor enhancement that provide bonuses to specific skills or abilities. They can be socketed into armor pieces, allowing players to customize their armor to fit their playstyle. Runestones can be crafted using specific materials and recipes.
Glyphs
Glyphs are another type of armor enhancement that provide bonuses to specific skills or abilities. They can be applied to armor pieces, offering additional protection or abilities. Glyphs can be crafted using specific materials and recipes.
Choosing the Best Armor for Your Playstyle
With so many armor options available, it can be challenging to choose the best armor for your playstyle. Consider the following factors when selecting your armor:
Playstyle
Think about how you play the game. Do you prefer a defensive playstyle, using your armor to absorb damage? Or do you focus on agility, using your speed and reflexes to dodge attacks? Choosing armor that fits your playstyle will help you perform better in combat.
Enemy Types
Consider the types of enemies you’ll be facing. Are you fighting human opponents, or do you face monstrous creatures like dragons or griffins? Choose armor that provides protection against the types of damage your enemies deal.
Character Build
Think about your character’s abilities and skills. Do you focus on signs, alchemy, or melee combat? Choose armor that complements your character’s strengths and weaknesses.
Aesthetics
Let’s not forget about aesthetics! Choose armor that looks visually appealing to you. After all, you’ll be wearing it throughout the game.
Conclusion
Choosing the best armor in Witcher 3 is a complex decision that depends on various factors, including your playstyle, enemy types, character build, and aesthetics. By understanding the different types of armor, sets, and individual pieces, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs. Remember to enhance your armor with runes, glyphs, and other upgrades to maximize its potential. With the right armor, you’ll be able to take on even the toughest challenges in Witcher 3.
What is the best armor for a beginner in Witcher 3?
The best armor for a beginner in Witcher 3 is the Wolf School Gear. This armor set is easy to obtain and provides a good balance of protection and mobility. It’s also a great starting point for new players, as it allows them to get accustomed to the game’s combat mechanics without feeling overwhelmed.
Additionally, the Wolf School Gear is relatively light, making it easy to move around and dodge attacks. This is especially important for beginners, as it allows them to focus on learning the game’s mechanics without being weighed down by heavy armor. Furthermore, the Wolf School Gear has a high level of durability, making it a great choice for players who want to focus on exploring the game’s world without worrying about their armor breaking.
How do I choose the right armor for my playstyle?
To choose the right armor for your playstyle, you need to consider your character’s skills and abilities. If you’re a melee-focused player, you’ll want to prioritize armor with high damage reduction and resistance to slashing and piercing damage. If you’re a ranged-focused player, you’ll want armor with high resistance to elemental damage, such as fire or ice.
It’s also important to consider your character’s sign abilities and mutagens. If you’re using signs that deal fire damage, for example, you’ll want armor with high resistance to fire damage. Similarly, if you’re using mutagens that increase your damage output, you’ll want armor with high damage reduction to compensate for the increased damage you’re taking.
What is the difference between light, medium, and heavy armor?
The main difference between light, medium, and heavy armor is the level of protection they provide. Light armor provides the least amount of protection but is also the lightest and most agile. Medium armor provides a balance of protection and mobility, making it a great choice for most players. Heavy armor provides the highest level of protection but is also the heaviest and most restrictive.
In general, light armor is best suited for agile, dodge-oriented playstyles, while heavy armor is best suited for tanky, defensive playstyles. Medium armor is a good all-around choice for players who want a balance of protection and mobility. It’s worth noting that the type of armor you choose will also affect your character’s stamina regeneration, so you’ll want to take that into consideration when making your choice.
How do I upgrade my armor?
Upgrading your armor in Witcher 3 involves using crafting materials and diagrams to enhance your existing gear. You can find diagrams for armor upgrades by looting chests, defeating enemies, or purchasing them from vendors. Once you have the necessary materials and diagrams, you can use the game’s crafting system to upgrade your armor.
It’s worth noting that upgrading your armor can be a complex process, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. To make things easier, focus on upgrading your armor in small increments, rather than trying to craft a entire new set at once. You can also use the game’s built-in armor comparison tool to help you make informed decisions about which upgrades to prioritize.
Can I use armor from previous Witcher games?
No, you cannot use armor from previous Witcher games in Witcher 3. The game’s armor system is completely separate from the previous games, and armor from earlier games is not compatible with Witcher 3. This is because the game’s developers wanted to create a fresh start for the series and give players a new and improved armor system.
That being said, some armor sets in Witcher 3 are inspired by armor from previous games, so you may see some familiar designs and names. However, these armor sets have been reworked and rebalanced for Witcher 3, so they won’t provide the same bonuses or stats as they did in previous games.
How do I know which armor is best for a specific situation?
To know which armor is best for a specific situation, you need to consider the type of enemies you’ll be facing and the environment you’ll be in. For example, if you’re facing a group of fast, agile enemies, you may want to wear light armor that allows you to dodge and maneuver quickly. If you’re facing a powerful, heavily armored foe, you may want to wear heavy armor that provides maximum protection.
It’s also important to consider the elemental weaknesses of your enemies. If you’re facing an enemy that’s weak to fire, for example, you may want to wear armor with high resistance to fire damage. You can use the game’s bestiary to learn more about the enemies you’ll be facing and plan your armor choice accordingly.
Can I craft my own armor in Witcher 3?
Yes, you can craft your own armor in Witcher 3 using the game’s crafting system. To craft armor, you’ll need to gather materials and diagrams, which can be found throughout the game’s world. Once you have the necessary materials and diagrams, you can use the game’s crafting interface to create your own custom armor.
It’s worth noting that crafting armor can be a complex process, and it may take some trial and error to get the results you want. However, the game’s crafting system is highly customizable, and with practice, you can create some truly powerful and unique armor sets. Additionally, crafting your own armor can be a great way to save money and resources, as you won’t have to purchase armor from vendors or merchants.