In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, choosing the right Witcher gear is about more than just numbers. Each set offers specific bonuses that shape how Geralt fights, moves, and survives. Whether you prefer light-footed dodging, brute strength, or unleashing chaos with Signs, there’s a gear set tailored to your approach. This guide outlines the key differences between the Witcher gear sets, helping you find the one that best complements your build.
Feline Gear (Cat School)
Best for: Fast attacks and high mobility
Weight: Light armour
Set bonus:
- Increased critical hit damage
- Improved fast attack output
Feline Gear suits players who favour speed over endurance. It pairs well with a fast attack build using skills like Cat School Techniques, Whirl, and Crippling Strikes. Stamina regenerates faster with light gear, so you can keep dodging and slashing without pause. However, it offers minimal protection and little room for error. Use with dodging and quick reaction timing in mind.
Ursine Gear (Bear School)
Best for: Tanky builds and heavy hitting
Weight: Heavy armour
Set bonus:
- Quen shield bonuses
- Bonus adrenaline point gain
Ursine Gear is built for absorbing damage and hitting hard. It suits a strong attack build, especially when combined with Bear School Techniques and adrenaline-focused skills like Rend or Undying. Quen becomes a key part of your defence, and the sheer durability makes this set ideal for tougher difficulties. Geralt moves slower in heavy gear, so it’s less effective for agile or Sign-based playstyles.
Griffin Gear (Griffin School)
Best for: Sign-focused builds
Weight: Medium armour
Set bonus:
- Enhanced Sign intensity
- Longer Sign duration and effectiveness
Griffin Gear excels in builds centred on Signs, particularly Yrden, Igni, and Axii. Medium armour strikes a balance between mobility and protection, and the Sign bonuses are significant for those who invest heavily in the magic tree. When combined with Griffin School Techniques, it makes Sign-based crowd control far more reliable. It is not ideal for melee-focused players due to its lower raw damage bonuses.
Wolven Gear (Wolf School)
Best for: Balanced hybrid builds
Weight: Medium armour
Set bonus:
- Crit boosts and Sign benefits
- Synergy with oils and alchemy
Wolven Gear allows for a versatile approach. It supports both combat and Sign use, especially with the right alchemy combinations. This set suits players who favour flexibility, switching between swordplay and Sign casting. It doesn’t excel in one area, but that also means it has no glaring weaknesses. Perfect for those who prefer a hybrid playstyle without committing fully to any single tree.
Manticore Gear
Best for: Alchemy-focused builds
Weight: Medium armour
Set bonus:
- Increased toxicity threshold
- Bonus charges for alchemy items
Added in the Blood and Wine expansion, Manticore Gear is for those who lean into potions, decoctions, and bombs. It works especially well with Acquired Tolerance, Metabolic Control, and Synergy. Its design is also one of the most grounded and lore-consistent. The gear offers respectable combat stats, but it shines when paired with high-toxicity alchemy builds.
Viper Gear
Best for: Early-game edge and poison builds
Weight: Medium armour
Set bonus:
- Poison application
- Increased resistance
Viper Gear, introduced in Hearts of Stone, offers strong early bonuses and excellent aesthetics. Though not as scalable as other sets, it’s ideal for the first half of the game. Its poison synergy can be useful for certain builds, but most players will eventually move on to more customisable and upgradeable options.
Which Gear Should You Choose?
| Gear Set | Style | Best Build Type | Armour Weight | Core Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feline | Fast and agile | Fast attacks | Light | High crit damage, mobility |
| Ursine | Tanky and strong | Heavy attacks, Quen | Heavy | Damage soak, adrenaline, Quen bonuses |
| Griffin | Sign-caster | Signs | Medium | Sign power, control, crowd effects |
| Wolven | Hybrid | Balanced | Medium | Combat and Sign blend, versatility |
| Manticore | Alchemist | Alchemy-heavy builds | Medium | High toxicity, alchemy efficiency |
| Viper | Early-game poison | Early combat/alchemy | Medium | Poison effect, resistance boost |
The Seven Swords Takeaway
The Witcher gear system rewards specialisation, but also allows flexibility. Each set brings unique flavour and strategy to Geralt’s journey. Whether you prefer darting in and out with quick strikes, holding your ground with a massive blade, or freezing enemies mid-cast, the right gear makes a real difference. Consider how you enjoy fighting, then build your loadout accordingly.
