The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Best Armor Guide

Introduction

“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is one of the most celebrated RPGs of all time, known for its vast open world, compelling narrative, and deep customization options. One of the key aspects of gameplay is armor selection, which can significantly impact your experience. Armor in “The Witcher 3” is not just about aesthetics; it plays a crucial role in defining your playstyle, whether you’re a sword-wielding melee combatant, a spell-casting sorcerer, or a stealthy archer. In this guide, we’ll delve into the best armor sets available in the game, detailing their attributes, how to acquire them, and which ones suit different playstyles.

The Basics of Armor in The Witcher 3

Before diving into specific armor sets, it’s essential to understand the armor mechanics in “The Witcher 3.” Armor in the game is divided into four categories: light, medium, heavy, and unique armor sets. Each type offers different bonuses and drawbacks:

• Light Armor: Increases stamina regeneration, allowing for more frequent use of Signs and fast attacks. Ideal for players who favor mobility and agility.
• Medium Armor: Provides a balance between protection and stamina regeneration. Medium armor is suited for those who want a bit of everything, including melee combat and Signs.
• Heavy Armor: Offers the highest damage resistance but at the cost of stamina regeneration. This armor is best for players who focus on melee combat and can afford to be less mobile.

In addition to these categories, armor can be enhanced with glyphs, which offer additional bonuses like increased Sign intensity or improved resistance to certain damage types.

Best Armor Sets in The Witcher 3

1. The Griffin School Armor (Best for Sign Builds)
   • Overview: The Griffin School Armor is a medium armor set that enhances Sign intensity and stamina regeneration, making it ideal for players who frequently use Signs like Igni, Aard, and Quen. The set is particularly effective for those who want to balance magic and melee combat.
   • Attributes:
     • Increases Sign intensity.
     • Boosts stamina regeneration.
     • Offers moderate protection.
   • How to Acquire: The Griffin School Armor can be found as part of a treasure hunt in Velen, with the diagrams for crafting located in various locations. Upgrading to the enhanced, superior, and mastercrafted versions requires visiting different regions like Skellige and Kaer Morhen.
   • Playstyle Suitability: This armor set is perfect for players who enjoy a hybrid playstyle, combining swordplay with heavy Sign usage. The increased Sign intensity can significantly enhance the effectiveness of Geralt’s magical abilities.
2. The Feline (Cat) School Armor (Best for Fast Attack Builds)
   • Overview: The Feline Armor set is a light armor set designed for players who favor speed and agility in combat. It enhances critical hit chance and fast attack damage, making it ideal for a fast, aggressive playstyle.
   • Attributes:
     • Increases fast attack damage.
     • Enhances critical hit chance and damage.
     • Improves stamina regeneration.
     • Provides lower damage resistance compared to heavier armors.
   • How to Acquire: The Feline Armor diagrams are scattered across Novigrad and Velen. Like the Griffin set, it can be upgraded through enhanced, superior, and mastercrafted versions, with the highest upgrades available in Skellige and other late-game areas.
   • Playstyle Suitability: This set is ideal for players who prefer hit-and-run tactics, fast attacks, and maximizing damage output in quick bursts. The light weight allows for swift movement and evasion, perfect for those who like to stay mobile in battle.
3. The Ursine (Bear) School Armor (Best for Tank Builds)
   • Overview: The Ursine Armor is a heavy armor set that provides the highest level of protection. It is designed for players who prefer a tanky build, focusing on high damage resistance and powerful melee combat.
   • Attributes:
     • Increases damage resistance.
     • Enhances strong attack damage.
     • Reduces stamina regeneration rate.
     • Provides high durability.
   • How to Acquire: The diagrams for the Ursine Armor are located in Skellige. As with other Witcher sets, it can be upgraded to enhanced, superior, and mastercrafted versions, each offering increased protection and bonuses.
   • Playstyle Suitability: This armor is best suited for players who like to wade into battle, soaking up damage while dealing heavy blows. The reduced stamina regeneration means you’ll rely more on strong attacks and defensive tactics, such as using the Quen Sign to absorb hits.
4. The Wolven (Wolf) School Armor (Best for Balanced Builds)
   • Overview: The Wolven Armor is a medium armor set that offers a balanced approach to combat, providing decent protection, stamina regeneration, and boosts to both fast and strong attacks. It’s a versatile set for those who don’t want to specialize too heavily in one area.
   • Attributes:
     • Increases attack power.
     • Boosts Sign intensity.
     • Provides a balance between protection and stamina regeneration.
   • How to Acquire: The diagrams for the Wolven Armor are located in Kaer Morhen, Geralt’s home keep. This set can also be upgraded through the usual enhanced, superior, and mastercrafted stages.
   • Playstyle Suitability: The Wolven Armor is ideal for players who want flexibility in their combat approach. Whether you prefer melee, Signs, or a mix of both, this armor will support your playstyle without forcing you into a specific role.
5. Manticore Armor (Best for Alchemy Builds)
   • Overview: The Manticore Armor set is a medium armor set introduced in the “Blood and Wine” expansion. It is designed for alchemy-focused builds, enhancing the effectiveness of potions, bombs, and oils.
   • Attributes:
     • Increases maximum toxicity, allowing for more potion usage.
     • Enhances bomb and potion effects.
     • Provides decent protection and stamina regeneration.
   • How to Acquire: The Manticore Armor diagrams are found in various locations across Toussaint, the region introduced in the “Blood and Wine” expansion. Upgrading this armor is not as extensive as the base game sets, but it still offers significant bonuses.
   • Playstyle Suitability: This armor is perfect for players who enjoy using potions, bombs, and oils in combat. The increased maximum toxicity allows for more potion consumption without suffering from toxicity poisoning, making it a great choice for alchemy enthusiasts.
6. Viper School Armor (Best for Early Game and Poison Builds)
   • Overview: The Viper Armor is a unique set introduced in the “Hearts of Stone” expansion. It is a medium armor set that provides bonuses to poison resistance and Sign intensity, making it useful for specific enemy encounters.
   • Attributes:
     • Increases Sign intensity.
     • Provides resistance to poison damage.
     • Offers decent protection and stamina regeneration.
   • How to Acquire: The Viper Armor diagrams are obtained during the “Hearts of Stone” expansion, with the full set being available by completing specific quests and contracts.
   • Playstyle Suitability: This armor is particularly useful in encounters with enemies that deal poison damage, such as certain monsters and bandits. It’s also a good early to mid-game option for players who want a versatile armor set with decent protection and bonuses.
7. Hen Gaidth Armor (Best for Vampiric Builds)
   • Overview: The Hen Gaidth Armor is a unique heavy armor set introduced in the “Blood and Wine” expansion. It provides high protection and a lifesteal effect, making it ideal for players who want to recover health during combat.
   • Attributes:
     • Provides high damage resistance.
     • Grants a lifesteal effect on attacks.
     • Reduces stamina regeneration due to its heavy nature.
   • How to Acquire: The Hen Gaidth Armor is obtained during a specific questline in the “Blood and Wine” expansion, making it one of the more challenging sets to acquire.
   • Playstyle Suitability: This armor is perfect for players who want to focus on survivability, especially in tough battles where health management is critical. The lifesteal effect allows Geralt to recover health with each hit, making it easier to sustain through prolonged fights.
8. Toussaint Knight’s Tourney Armor (Best for Endgame and Fashion)
   • Overview: The Toussaint Knight’s Tourney Armor is a heavy armor set that is as much about style as it is about protection. Introduced in the “Blood and Wine” expansion, this armor is rewarded for participating in the titular tourney.
   • Attributes:
     • Provides high damage resistance.
     • Enhances Sign intensity.
     • Offers a unique, regal appearance.
   • How to Acquire: This armor is obtained by participating in the tournament events in Toussaint. Winning or performing well in various competitions can earn you different pieces of this armor set.
   • Playstyle Suitability: This armor is best for players who have reached the endgame and want a high-protection set with a distinctive appearance. It’s also suitable for those who enjoy using Signs in combat, as it boosts Sign intensity.
9. Tesham Mutna Armor (Best for Blood and Wine Expansion)
   • Overview: The Tesham Mutna Armor is a heavy armor set found during the “Blood and Wine” expansion. It offers a good balance between protection and Sign intensity, with a unique, dark appearance that sets it apart from other sets.
   • Attributes:
     • Provides high damage resistance.
     • Increases Sign intensity.
     • Reduces stamina regeneration due to its heavy nature.
     • Offers unique bonuses such as increased vitality and adrenaline point gain

9. • How to Acquire: The Tesham Mutna Armor is obtained during the “Blood and Wine” expansion, specifically through the main questline associated with Dettlaff, the vampire antagonist. The armor is found in the Tesham Mutna Ruins, which you will explore as part of the story.
   • Playstyle Suitability: This armor is particularly well-suited for players who want a blend of protection and magical prowess. The increased Sign intensity allows for more powerful casting, while the armor’s high durability keeps Geralt safe during intense combat encounters. Its unique bonuses also make it a solid choice for those who rely on adrenaline points for special abilities.
10. Grandmaster Armor Sets (Best for Ultimate Builds)

• Overview: The Grandmaster Armor Sets are the pinnacle of armor in “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.” Introduced in the “Blood and Wine” expansion, these sets are the ultimate upgrades for the Griffin, Feline, Ursine, Wolven, and Manticore armors. Each Grandmaster set offers the best possible stats, along with set bonuses that can significantly enhance Geralt’s abilities.
• Attributes:
  • Offers the highest damage resistance and stat bonuses.
  • Each set provides unique set bonuses when wearing 3 or 6 pieces, enhancing specific playstyles (e.g., increased Sign intensity for Griffin, improved critical hit chance for Feline).
  • Provides additional bonuses to stamina regeneration, attack power, and vitality.
• How to Acquire: The diagrams for Grandmaster Armor Sets are found in Toussaint, and obtaining them requires completing a series of treasure hunts specific to each Witcher school. Crafting these armors also demands rare materials and high-level crafting skills, making them endgame gear.
• Playstyle Suitability: Grandmaster Armor Sets are designed for players who want to fully commit to a specific playstyle. Whether you prefer heavy melee combat, swift and deadly fast attacks, or a Sign-intensive build, the Grandmaster sets offer unparalleled bonuses and protection. They are ideal for players who have completed most of the game and want to perfect their build for the final challenges.

How to Choose the Best Armor for Your Playstyle

Choosing the best armor in “The Witcher 3” depends on your preferred playstyle and the challenges you expect to face. Here’s a breakdown of which armor sets are best suited for different approaches to combat:

• For Sign-Heavy Builds: The Griffin School Armor and its Grandmaster variant are the top choices. These sets significantly enhance Sign intensity, allowing you to cast more powerful versions of Igni, Aard, Quen, and other Signs. The increased stamina regeneration also ensures you can cast Signs more frequently.
• For Fast Attack Builds: The Feline School Armor is unmatched in this category. Its bonuses to fast attack damage, critical hit chance, and stamina regeneration make it perfect for players who prefer quick, agile combat. The Grandmaster Feline Armor further enhances this playstyle by offering set bonuses that increase damage output and survivability.
• For Tanky, Melee Builds: The Ursine School Armor is the go-to choice for players who want to absorb damage and deal heavy blows. The high damage resistance, combined with bonuses to strong attacks, makes this armor ideal for a tanky build. The Grandmaster Ursine Armor also adds bonuses to adrenaline point gain, allowing for more frequent use of special abilities.
• For Balanced, Versatile Builds: The Wolven School Armor offers the most flexibility, making it ideal for players who like to switch between melee, Signs, and ranged attacks. The set’s balanced stats and bonuses make it a great all-around choice, especially when upgraded to the Grandmaster version.
• For Alchemy and Toxicity Builds: The Manticore Armor, with its bonuses to maximum toxicity and potion effectiveness, is perfect for players who rely heavily on alchemy. This armor allows for more potion usage without risking toxicity poisoning, and the set bonuses enhance the effectiveness of bombs and oils as well.
• For Endgame, Fashion-Focused Builds: The Toussaint Knight’s Tourney Armor and Hen Gaidth Armor are excellent choices for players who want to look good while staying protected. These armors offer high damage resistance and unique aesthetics, making them perfect for the final stages of the game.
• For Unique, Story-Driven Builds: The Viper, Tesham Mutna, and other unique armors are great for players who want a set that ties into the game’s story. These armors often offer specific bonuses tailored to certain types of encounters, such as resistance to poison or lifesteal effects, making them situational but powerful when used correctly.

Enhancing and Upgrading Armor

In “The Witcher 3,” armor can be upgraded through several tiers: basic, enhanced, superior, mastercrafted, and grandmaster. Each upgrade increases the armor’s base stats and may add additional bonuses, making it more effective as you progress through the game.

• Basic to Mastercrafted: For most armor sets, you can upgrade them from basic to mastercrafted using diagrams found throughout the game world. Each level requires progressively rarer materials and higher-level crafting skills. Upgrading armor is crucial for staying competitive as enemies become more powerful.
• Grandmaster Upgrades: The grandmaster tier is exclusive to the “Blood and Wine” expansion and represents the pinnacle of armor in the game. Grandmaster armor not only provides the best stats but also unlocks set bonuses that can dramatically enhance your combat effectiveness. Crafting grandmaster armor requires completing specific treasure hunts in Toussaint and gathering rare materials.
• Glyphs and Runes: Armor can also be customized with glyphs and runes, which offer additional bonuses like increased Sign intensity, resistance to specific damage types, or improved stamina regeneration. Choosing the right glyphs can complement your armor’s inherent strengths and further tailor your build to your preferred playstyle.

Conclusion

In “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” armor selection is a critical aspect of optimizing Geralt’s effectiveness in combat. Whether you prefer to dominate enemies with powerful Signs, outmaneuver foes with fast attacks, or withstand blows with heavy armor, there’s a set tailored to your needs.

As you progress through the game, upgrading your armor to the highest tiers will ensure that you stay competitive against the increasingly difficult enemies you’ll face. The introduction of the “Blood and Wine” expansion adds even more depth to armor customization with the grandmaster tier, allowing players to fully commit to their preferred playstyle and achieve the ultimate build.

Experimenting with different armor sets and finding the one that best suits your combat style is one of the joys of playing “The Witcher 3.” Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or a seasoned veteran, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each armor set will enhance your experience and make your journey through the Continent even more rewarding.