Unsheathing the Steel: A Witcher’s Guide to Blades, from Novigrad Noobs to Toussaint Titans
You want to tackle The Witcher 3? Good decision. A Witcher needs a blade. A Bard without a lute is useless. You can’t slay a Griffin with words alone. Unless you are a master of insults. For most, steel and silver are crucial. Let’s discuss swords.
Aerondight: The Sword So Good, It’s Practically Cheating
You want the best sword? Spoiler alert: it’s Aerondight. This sword is practically a mythical artifact. Think of Excalibur, but better for slaying monsters.
To obtain it, you must travel to Toussaint in the Blood and Wine DLC. Look for the quest “There Can Be Only One.” It is dramatic. Follow the steps, show virtue, and Lady of the Lake will reward you. Who would not want a sword from a mystical nymph? Way better than socks for Christmas.
Why is Aerondight amazing? It charges up in combat. Each hit increases its damage by 10%, stacking to 100%. Fully charged swings guarantee critical hits. Finish off an enemy while fully charged? Expect a permanent damage boost. It truly gets stronger with use. It levels up with you. No whining about skill points, either.
This sword has a charging mechanic, similar to Olgierd’s Sword from Hearts of Stone. However, Aerondight is superior. It is the “Director’s Cut” of powerful swords.
Early Game Steel: Blades for the Budding Butcher of Blaviken
Aerondight is a top sword, but you are level 1. Facing Drowners with a rusty knife? Do not worry, fledgling Witcher! While Aerondight waits for you at level 40, there are early game options to avoid becoming monster bait.
- Moonblade: Your starter sword. It might not win beauty contests but gets the job done. It improves critical hit chance, damage, Yrden intensity, and sometimes freezes enemies. Freezing enemies early? Fun and chaotic.
- Harvall: A fiery steel sword. It increases Igni sign intensity and ignites foes. Sometimes, you want to watch the world burn.
- Serpentine Silver Sword: Viper gear! You can find this crafting diagram early through a side quest. It has poison and pushback effects, perfect for controlling pesky monsters. A bit of poison is always fun.
- Viper Swords: Grab the Viper swords easily in White Orchard. They are simple to find, easy to craft, and will help you through early game without feeling spoon-like.
- Temerian Armor: Not a sword, but important. Get it from the merchant you rescue in White Orchard. Good armor stops you from becoming monster fodder quicker.
Skellige on a Budget: Island Hopping Before You’re Supposed To
Skellige. Land of windswept isles and lots of quests. Want to go early? Technically, yes. Is it a good idea for a level 4 newbie? Probably not unless you like dying lots. Who am I to judge your choices?
To reach Skellige early, sweet-talk Captain Wolverstone. Passage costs 1,000 crowns. That is a lot for early game players. However, some players reach Skellige at level 4 even on Death March difficulty. Just do not expect a warm monster welcome.
You can get that 1,000 crowns back from Captain Wolverstone later. Witcher’s refund process is convoluted but doable.
Why go to Skellige early? Your choices influence who rules the isles, which affects the main game’s ending. Early escapades matter. Welcome to Witcher politics!
Aerondight: A Blast from the Past (The Witcher 1 Edition)
Aerondight isn’t new. This legendary blade appeared in The Witcher 1. Back then, you got it from story quests. You had to defeat Dagon and lift the Noonwraith’s curse.
Doing so earned you the Lady of the Lake’s favor again! She’d give you Aerondight as a reward. If you preferred negotiation and solved Dagon through “neutral means,” she might offer an extra silver talent instead. Sword or memory? Tough decisions for a Witcher!
Beyond Aerondight: Honorable Mentions in the Sword Department
Aerondight is the best, but a few blades deserve recognition if you dive into DLC realms.
- Gesheft: Found in Blood and Wine’s Land of a Thousand Fables. This steel sword is hidden underwater near the Unseen Elder’s cave. Treasure hunts for loot can be fun!
- Toussaint Steel Sword: A solid steel sword from Toussaint. Nothing fancy, but effective. Think of it as the dependable workhorse of your sword collection.
Questing and DLCs: Your Sword-Hunting Playground
Swords aren’t just lying around in chests (mostly). You need to engage in some quests, especially if you want great stuff.
- Hearts of Stone DLC: Do not start “Evil’s Soft First Touches” until you reach level 32. Trust me here. Or enjoy becoming monster food.
- The Warble of a Smitten Knight: In this side quest, participate in a horse duel against a Rivian Prince. Sword fights on horseback are very Witcher-like.
- Blood and Wine DLC: Want the best swords and overall experience? Blood and Wine is your destination. Toussaint is pure Witcher paradise, despite the monster mayhem.
Game-Hopping Humor: Swords Across the Gaming Multiverse
The quest for ultimate weapons is universal in gaming.
- Master Sword (Zelda: Breath of the Wild): Want the Master Sword quickly? Visit at least 40 Shrines without stamina upgrades first. True sword skills involve delayed gratification.
- Competitive Points Weapons (Overwatch 2): Unlock golden weapons by earning 3000 Competitive Points. Nothing screams “skill” like a shiny gold weapon in-game.
- IV Checker (Pokemon Sword and Shield): To assess hidden stats, beat the main story and reach Rank 4 in the Battle Tower by defeating Leon. Even virtual creatures need evaluation.
- Eureka Weapons (Final Fantasy XIV): To get a Eureka weapon, chat with Rodney at Kugane’s Pier #1. Even in Eorzea, weapon quests start with casual conversations.
- Victory Sword (Vampire Survivors): Queen Sigma starts with the Victory Sword. Some characters are born lucky…and loaded.
- True Night’s Edge (Terraria): A classic Terraria weapon with an epic name.
- Malorian Arms 3516 (Cyberpunk 2077): Want Johnny Silverhand’s pistol? Complete “Chippin’ In” and take it from his enemies. Sometimes the best weapons just await liberation.
Your Witcher 3 sword overview! From humble starts in White Orchard to epic journeys in Toussaint, arming Geralt is essential. Now go forth, Witcher! Let your steel be sharper than your tongue…a bit of witty banter is also good.
