15 most useful Skills in The Witcher 3

On December 14, 2022, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt had a recent re-release to bring it up to more modern graphical and gameplay standards for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. While it is hard to believe that almost seven years have passed since the game’s initial launch, two aspects that have remained unchanged in the remaster are the main quests and skills.

This particular guide will detail the best skills for Geralt in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, for both new and returning players looking for another trip down memory lane.

Note: Spoilers for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will follow. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Best Skills for Geralt in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Combat skills are a no-brainer in The Witcher 3 (Image via CD Projekt Red)

Players should keep in mind that the skills in The Witcher 3 have their own uses. While some may be better than others, this list is in no way indicative of the absolute must-have tier, and simply reflects the author’s opinions.

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1) Strong Back

Managing Inventory in The Witcher 3 (Image via YouTube/Lionheart Mind Explosion)

Strong Back increases Geralt’s maximum inventory weight by 60 points.

An incredibly useful skill, it allows players to hoard more items in their inventory when on the move and consequently loot more as well. Combined with the Fiend Decoction and Beauclair Saddlebags, they will have an inventory limit of 250.

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2) Gourmet

The Gourmet skill (Image via CD Projekt Red)

This particular ability was added in the Blood and Wine DLC of the game, and slowly regenerates Geralt’s vitality for 20 real-life minutes when he consumes any food item. This skill is very useful in the early game, since food and potions are scarce at the point.

Also Check:- skills to unlock in early game for The Witcher 3 Next-Gen

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3) Delusion

Using the Delusion skill (Image via CD Projekt Red)

Delusion is a sign skill for Axii in The Witcher 3, and is highly recommended to unlock early on in the game.

While having its uses in combat, mostly for slowing down enemies, Delusion is mainly needed to unlock additional dialog options. The skill can be used to avoid fights by forced persuasion.

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4) Fleet-Footed

Fleet Footed is extremely useful for combat (Image via YouTube/Jason Brody Gaming)

This defense-oriented skill allows Geralt to take less damage when hit while dodging. It can be upgraded to cap out at 100%, making the player take zero damage when dodging.

As such, Fleet-Footed is a must-have skill for combat.

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5) Resolve

Resolve helps build your Adrenaline points (Image via CD Projekt Red)

Resolve lowers the amount of adrenaline points lost by a certain percentage when players take damage. It can be maxed out to completely negate the loss when attacked.

This particular skill is very helpful in maintaining Geralt's combat effectiveness.

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6) Survival Instinct

Survival Instinct boosts your Vitality in The Witcher 3 (Image via CD Projekt Red)

A very basic skill, but incredibly effective nonetheless, Survival Instinct increases Vitality by 500 points.

It is recommended to unlock it as soon as possible to allow players to tank more hits and have a generally easier time with boss battles.

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7) Active Shield

Using Quen's Active Shield in The Witcher 3 (Image via CD Projekt Red)

This alternate mode for the Quen sign turns it into a shield bubble that restricts movement in exchange for restoring Vitality when Geralt is hit by enemies. The shield lasts until the stamina bar drops to zero.

At level 3, the active shield will no longer drain stamina when simply maintaining it. Thus, it is quite useful to have for end-game scenarios when the players are in a sticky spot.

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8) Battle Trance

Battle Trance boosts Adrenaline generation (Image via CD Projekt Red)

This is a more physical-attack-oriented skill. Battle Trance allows Geralt to generate adrenaline points whenever he attacks opponents, where each one gained increases weapon damage by a consecutive 10%. This is a great skill to have, especially for sword masters.

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9) Acquired Tolerance

Acquired Tolerance is a incredibly powerful skill (Image via CD Projekt Red)

A very powerful ability, it allows Geralt to increase his Toxicity threshold by a certain number of points, depending on the alchemy formulae learnt. Additionally, a total of 30% added potion duration time can be learnt from maxing out this Acquired Tolerance.

Given how powerful potions can be in the game, having an increased toxicity cap will allow players to consume two to three at once and make full use of them without major side effects.

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10) Undying

Extremely useful as a fail-safe, Undying allows players to consume adrenaline points to restore vitality when their HP drops to zero.

When maxed out at level 5, it additionally restores 100% of Geralt’s maximum HP when triggered. This skill is second to none and can help players weasel out of a bad situation.

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11) Sun and Stars

Sun and Stars regenerates HP outside of combat (Image via CD Projekt Red)

The Sun and Stars perk is especially useful for starter builds, increasing your chances of survival against the threats of the world. Sun and Stars regenerates Geralt's HP over time during the day if he is not in combat. The HP regeneration is admittedly slow, but still remains a worthwhile addition given its nature as a passive skill.

This Witcher 3 skill regenerates Stamina at night instead.

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12) Melt Armor

Using Igni to melt armor (Image via CD Projekt Red)

The skill is pretty self-explanatory. Melt Armor is a perk that can be unlocked within the Igni skill tree, and permanently damages enemy armor when used. The perk scales with Igni's Sign Intensity, and is quite useful against armored foes - provided you use fast attacks frequently.

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13) Focus

Focus is particularly useful (Image via YouTube/MDM1)

Focus is a rather interesting skill in The Witcher 3. This perk increases both Sign and Weapon DPS outputs, scaling off of your Adrenaline Points. This is an extremely useful skill that is a necessity for all playthroughs.

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14) Razer Focus

Using the Razer Focus to boost DPS output (Image via CD Projekt Red)

The Razer Focus perk helps with Adrenaline generation for Geralt. In short, it instantly generates one Adrenaline point when you begin a battle, while simultaneously boosting the regeneration of the stat while in battle via its upgrades.

This is a particularly useful skill that is recommended to invest into.

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15) Crippling Strikes

Bleed is a very effective strategy (Image via YouTube/Beardus Maximus)

Crippling Strikes adds the Bleed debuff to enemies when unlocked. The damage dealt from Bleed over time is especially useful for long-winded fights (such as boss battles), making them quite a fair bit easier to deal with.

However, Crippling Strikes is far less useful against low-level groups of enemies.

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FAQs on skills in The Witcher 3

Q1) How many skills can you use The Witcher 3?

You can only actively use 12 skills at a time (plus some mutations later).

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Q2) What is the best skill tree The Witcher 3?

There isn't a single "best" tree in The Witcher 3. It depends entirely on your playstyle. Focus on Combat for strong attacks, Signs for magic power, or Alchemy for potions and bombs.

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Q3) Can you max all skills in Witcher 3?

No. There aren't enough ability points to max every skill in Witcher 3. Focus on a specific build and re-spec later if you want to try others.

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For more content on The Witcher 3, check out the following:

• What's the max level in The Witcher 3?
• Best armor sets in The Witcher 3
• Useful skills in The Witcher 3
• Underwhelming features in The Witcher 3
• The Witcher 3 endings
• Is The Witcher 3 worth playing in 2024