I spent far too many hours getting folded like cheap linen by monsters in The Witcher 3, so this guide comes from a place of experience and mild trauma. The game treats every creature as if it personally hates you, so understanding what you are up against matters. This bestiary walks through the major monster classes, how they fight, what they fear and the little quirks that make them unforgettable.
Necrophages
These are the first monsters that teach you humility. They love corpses, they hate manners and they turn every abandoned battlefield into a group project.
Common Threats: Ghouls, Rotfiends, Alghouls, Devourers
Best Tools: Necrophage Oil, Igni, Samum bombs
Ghouls rush in packs which feels unfair but welcome to the Continent. Rotfiends explode if you sneeze near them. Alghouls punish anyone who swings wildly, which I learned the hard way while panicking. Necrophage Oil and a well timed dodge usually solve the problem. Igni helps too, mostly because burning monsters is a universal pleasure.
Relicts
Relicts look like they escaped from a folklore textbook and decided violence would be their personality trait.
Common Threats: Leshens, Fiends, Chorts
Best Tools: Relict Oil, Devil’s Puffball, Yrden
Fiends are big, heavy and annoyingly good at charging. Chorts act like they drank too much energy drink. Leshens, though, feel like the forest itself picked a fight with you. Yrden slows their tricks and Relict Oil bites deep, but patience is the real weapon here.
Cursed Ones
These creatures are walking metaphors for bad life decisions and ancient tragedies.
Common Threats: Werewolves, Berserkers, Botchlings
Best Tools: Cursed Oil, Moon Dust, Axii
Werewolves heal faster than my motivation disappears on Monday mornings, so you need Moon Dust or Yrden to keep their regen down. Berserkers hit hard and turn into bears when they are annoyed which is frankly rude. Botchlings are sad, unsettling and require a more delicate approach. Not every monster is solved with violence, shocking as that may be.
Vampires
Cat-like reflexes. Super strength. Snob-level arrogance. Vampires are dangerous in a slightly glamorous way.
Common Threats: Ekimmaras, Bruxae, Higher Vampires
Best Tools: Vampire Oil, Moon Dust, Black Blood
Ekimmaras appear, slash you and vanish like they have somewhere better to be. Bruxae are fast enough to make you question your eyesight. Higher Vampires are another level entirely, so prepare both mentally and physically. Black Blood punishes them for drinking from you which is deeply satisfying.
Elementa
Elementals operate on the simple philosophy of hit hard and keep hitting till it works.
Common Threats: Earth Elementals, Gargoyles, Ice Elementals
Best Tools: Elementa Oil, Dimeritium bombs, Quen
Earth Elementals have the stamina of a gym influencer. Gargoyles leap around but crumble once you lock into a rhythm. Ice Elementals hit like winter itself. Quen saves lives here. Well, your life specifically.
Draconids
If it has scales and wings or scales and attitude, it probably wants you gone.
Common Threats: Forktails, Basilisks, Wyverns, Dragons
Best Tools: Draconid Oil, Grapeshot bombs, Aard
Forktails swoop in with enough force to ruin your day. Wyverns spit poison because why not. Basilisks glide toward you like a medieval jump scare. Aard can knock them out of the sky if your timing is clean which feels amazing every single time.
Beasts
These are the more grounded creatures of the world, although grounded does not mean friendly.
Common Threats: Wolves, Bears, Panthers
Best Tools: Beast Oil, Quen
Wolves attack in numbers but fold easily once you thin the pack. Bears demand respect and space. Panthers are stealthy enough to make you spin your camera like you are trying to catch a mosquito.
Specters
Ghosts in The Witcher 3 are not here to make friends. They phase in, slash, vanish and repeat till you either fight properly or reload your save.
Common Threats: Noonwraiths, Nightwraiths, Wraiths
Best Tools: Specter Oil, Moon Dust, Yrden
Yrden is mandatory because it traps them in the mortal world long enough for you to land hits. Noonwraiths require a calm approach which is funny considering how stressful they are. Moon Dust keeps them visible which helps a lot if you enjoy hitting things you can actually see.
Hybrids
These monsters are like someone mixed two creatures in a blender then added malice.
Common Threats: Harpies, Sirens, Ekhidnas
Best Tools: Hybrid Oil, Crossbow, Aard
Harpies drag you over cliffs which feels personal. Sirens force you into aerial combat that no one asked for. Ekhidnas dive bomb you like chaotic seagulls but at least you can shoot them down. Hybrid Oil boosts your damage and Aard often knocks them to the ground.
Ogroids
Ogroids approach combat like toddlers throwing tantrums except much stronger and with clubs.
Common Threats: Ogres, Cyclopses, Trolls
Best Tools: Ogroid Oil, Quen
Cyclopses swing wide, so rolling under their attacks is oddly fun. Trolls are surprisingly wholesome unless provoked. Ogroid Oil helps end fights faster which keeps you from becoming a pancake.
Seven Swords Takeaway
The Witcher 3 bestiary is basically a long list of things determined to flatten you. Once you understand how each monster works the whole game shifts from chaotic panic to stylish monster hunting. The trick is knowing your oils, watching for patterns and accepting that sometimes you will still get launched into a wall.
