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I am surprised at the lack of dialogue on the 'Net about character builds in this game. In most of the games I have played, this is a very big topic of discussion and in some games there have even been FAQs with step-by-step instructions on how to create a certain type of character. Not so with this game.

I have searched the archives here, as well as the Internet, and found some information. For example, many people suggest putting resources into Aard and Igni, as well as Strength, Stamina, and Intelligence. Beyond this, though, I could not find much discussion about how to proceed or how certain types of builds worked for people. I thought I would re-open this topic since many more people have played the game at this point.

So, have people consciously tried to create a certain type of Witcher - genius alchemist, crazed sign user, or well-endowed swordman? If so, what was your experience? Any feedback on where to best put your resources in the early and middle portions of the game? Feel free to share any of your experiences that you feel are relevant.

I think the lack of interest in build discussions is because you can get the vast majority of skills in the end. There's no need to be very stingy.

I personally dumped a lot of points in the ability trees, rather than the signs and styles at start. I did this because it helps you no matter how many enemies you fight of whatever type. That said, though. I'd recommend getting points in the Ard Sign and Group Steel early.

I never really felt like I was building some specific type of Witcher. Even if you're going all out on signs, you're still going to be waving your sword equally much while your power is spent. You may want to be a dazzling quick swordsman, but you're still going to have to use strong style against some opponents, etc.

I played the game twice (but only finished the game on the second try) and found that investing talents in combat areas to be more worthwhile than the others. I did invest the talents in other areas, such as herbalism to name a few, but further in the game, I just focus on the combat aspect since I end up fighting most of the time.

Generally, I upgraded abilities, then styles (up to level 3), and then maxed Aard and Igni. Beyond that, everything else is mostly extraneous.

As said above, its rather easy to max most things by the end of the game, so there's no real "character builds" in the game.

Ok, all of that makes sense. Thanks very much for your insight and feedback.

I'll third the above statements. There aren't resources on "builds" because I don't think it's really that kind of game. You get enough bronze talents to max everything out, and plenty of silvers too, so it really just comes down to the order in which you want to invest in talents.

My first run through, I generally focused on abilities, then sword styles, then signs, in that order. In subsequent games I've focused more on signs earlier on.

When it came time for spending the more limited gold talents, I tended to focus on signs and intelligence over the advanced sword styles.

I concur with Flix.
It really depends on what you skills you want Geralt to possess first. I ended up putting a fair amount of focus into Alchemy, but beyond that I more or less distributed my points quite evenly.
It worked out fine. The Alchemy provides a significant boost to battles and distributing points into the different silver and steel sword styles meant a readiness to engage any challenge presented.

If I recall correctly, after Alchemy, I focused on the Swords, and then, to a lesser degree on Signs. Of the various signs, I ultimately found Igni the most useful. Aard, however, can definitely help with certain initial battles

My first playthrough, I actually did the opposite. I focused on the attributes, primarily Stamina and Intelligence as well as the signs (Yrden, Igni and Axii). I did put points into combat styles and I think all other attributes later on. (Too many copper and silver points.)

Crenshinibon wrote:My first playthrough, I actually did the opposite. I focused on the attributes, primarily Stamina and Intelligence as well as the signs (Yrden, Igni and Axii). I did put points into combat styles and I think all other attributes later on. (Too many copper and silver points.)

Which I think shows that the roads to success are varied and many, lol!

Sorry if this is a necro-post but I thought the thread would set off my post as this question has been asked before.

My question is whether anyone has used yrden, quen, and axii much? Should I try all 5 signs? It seems access to a sign could be quite good?

I had access to all of them, except the purple one. (Charm.) I only upgraded Aard, though. Especially access to Quen is helpful.

Thanks GawainBS. What situation is Quen nice for? How many perks and which did you take for Quen?

I just got basic Quen, IIRC, and I used it to escape tricky situations, or high-damage phases. An emergency button, if you will.

All of the above under the presumption that Quen is the shield spell.