Home Gaming The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Magical signs guide

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Magical signs guide

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Witch3

It’s a kind of magic. A kind of magic! One dream, one soul, one prize. That’s pretty much how anyone playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt feels today. But it’s not a forgiving game, not in the least bit. You’re going to need to be ready for what lies beyond the wilds. You’re going to need some magic in your pocket and a sword in your hand. And The Witcher 3 has plenty of both.

Aard

Witcher  (2)

Behold,the power of the mind. Bend spoons! Stagger enemies with the Force! Avoid copyright infringement lawsuits! YOU FINK YOU’RE AARD?

Level 2: Far-Reaching Aard

  • Tier 1: Increases Aard range by 1 yard. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increases Aard range by 2 yards. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Increases Aard range by 3 yards. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 3: Aard Sweep

  • Tier 1: Alternate Sign mode – Aard strikes all opponents within radius. Knock-down chance is 21% lower. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Alternate Sign mode – Aard strikes all opponents within radius. Knock-down chance is 17% lower. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Alternate Sign mode – Aard strikes all opponents within radius. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Aard Intensity

  • Tier 1: Increased Aard Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increased Aard Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Increased Aard Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Increased Aard Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Increased Aard Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Shock Wave

  • Tier 1: Aard now deals 40 damage. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increases the damage dealt by Aard to 80. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Increases the damage dealt by Aard to 120. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Increases the damage dealt by Aard to 160. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Increases the damage dealt by Aard to 200. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Igni

Igni

A fireball. In yo face son. That’s the basics behind Igni, which can be upgraded from your usual blast of sparks into a full-on flamethrower of magical death and destruction.

Level 2: Melt Armor

  • Tier 1: Damage dealt with Igni will also permanently weaken enemy armour. Effect can scale up with Sign intensity up to a maximum of 15%.  Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Damage dealt with Igni will also permanently weaken enemy armour. Effect can scale up with Sign intensity up to a maximum of 30%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Damage dealt with Igni will also permanently weaken enemy armour. Effect can scale up with Sign intensity up to a maximum of 45%.  Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Damage dealt with Igni will also permanently weaken enemy armour. Effect can scale up with Sign intensity up to a maximum of 60%.  Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Damage dealt with Igni will also permanently weaken enemy armour.  Effect can scale up with Sign intensity up to a maximum of 75%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 3: Firestream

  • Tier 1: Alternate Sign mode – Emit a continuous stream of fire that damages enemies. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Alternate Sign mode – Emit a continuous stream of fire that damages enemies. Stamina cost reduced by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Alternate Sign mode – Emit a continuous stream of fire that damages enemies. Stamina cost reduced by 50%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Igni Intensity

  • Tier 1: Increased Igni Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increased Igni Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Increased Igni Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Increased Igni Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Increased Igni Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Pyromaniac

  • Tier 1: Increased chance to apply burning by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increased chance to apply burning by 40%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Increased chance to apply burning by 60%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Increased chance to apply burning by 80%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Increased chance to apply burning by 100%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Yrden

Witcher  (1)

IT’S A TRAP!

Level 2: Sustained Glyphs

  • Tier 1: Increased Sign duration by 5 seconds. Number of alternative mode charges: 2. Number of standard mode traps: 1. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increased Sign duration by 10 seconds. Number of alternative mode charges: 4. Number of standard mode traps: 2. Stamina regeneration in combat: 1 per second.

Level 3: Magic Trap

  • Tier 1: Alternate Sign mode – Damages and slows all enemies within a 10 yard radius. Destroys projectiles passing through this area of effect. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Alternate sign mode – Damages and slows all enemies within a 12 yard radius. Destroys projectiles passing through this area of effect. Damage increased by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Alternate sign mode – Damages and slows all enemies within a 14 yard radius. Destroys projectiles passing through this area of effect. Damage increased by 50%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Yrden Intensity

  • Tier 1: Increased Yrden Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increased Yrden Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Increased Yrden Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Increased Yrden Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Increased Yrden Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Supercharged Glyphs

  • Tier 1: Enemies under Yrden influence lose 10 points of vitality/essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Enemies under Yrden influence lose 20 points of vitality/essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Enemies under Yrden influence lose 30 points of vitality/essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Enemies under Yrden influence lose 40 points of vitality/essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Enemies under Yrden influence lose 50 points of vitality/essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Axii

Witcher  (1)

Charmed to meet you. Also, these aren’t the droids that you’re looking for.

Level 2: Delusion

  • Tier 1: Target will not move towards Geralt while he casts Axii. Increased effectiveness of Axii in dialogues. Stamina regeneration in combat:+0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Target will not move towards Geralt while he is casts Axii. Increased effectiveness of Axii in dialogues. Reduced Axii casting time. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Target will not move towards Geralt while he is casts Axii. Increased effectiveness of Axii in dialogues. Reduced Axii casting time. Failed Axii attempts will now stagger the target. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 3: Puppet

  • Tier 1 – Alternate Sign mode: Targeted enemy briefly becomes an ally and now deals 20% more damage. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2 – Alternate Sign mode: Targeted enemy briefly becomes an ally and now deals 40% more damage. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3 – Alternate Sign mode: Targeted enemy briefly becomes an ally and now deals 60% more damage. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Axii Intensity

  • Tier 1: Increased Axii Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increased Axii Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Increased Axii Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Increased Axii Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Increased Axii Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Domination

  • Tier 1: Two opponents can be influenced by Axii simultaneously . The effect is now 50% weaker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second. simultaneously
  • Tier 2: Two opponents can be influenced by Axii simultaneously . The effect is now 25% weaker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Two opponents can be influenced by Axii simultaneously . Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Quen

Quen

Not your shield? Yeah right, Quen is totally going to keep all kinds of harm off of your Witchering body!

Level 2: Exploding Shield

  • Tier 1: Quen shield pushes back opponents when it breaks. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Quen shield pushes back and damages opponents when it breaks. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per seconds.
  • Tier 3: Quen shield pushes back  and damages with a chance of knock-down on opponents when it breaks. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 3: Active Shield

  • Tier 1 – Alternate Sign mode: Create an active shield. Maintaining the shield and blocking attacks drains stamina, while damage absorbed by the player restores shield vitality. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2 – Alternate Sign mode: Maintaining an active shield will now drain 50% less stamina. Stamina drain for blocked attacks will remain unchanged, damage absorbed by shield restores player vitality. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3 – Alternate Sign mode: Maintaining an active shield will no longer drain stamina. Stamina drain for blocked attacks remains unchanged, damage absorbed by the shield will restore player vitality. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Quen Intensity

  • Tier 1: Increased Quen Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Increased Quen Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Increased Quen Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Increased Quen Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Increased Quen Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Quen Discharge

  • Tier 1: Reflects 5% of absorbed damage back on the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.
  • Tier 2: Reflects 10% of absorbed damage back on the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.
  • Tier 3: Reflects 15% of absorbed damage back on the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.
  • Tier 4: Reflects 20% of absorbed damage back on the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.
  • Tier 5: Reflects 25% of absorbed damage back on the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Last Updated: May 19, 2015

39 Comments

  1. RinceTriss

    May 19, 2015 at 12:36

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      May 19, 2015 at 12:38

      Meet Sally? :/

      Reply

      • RinceTriss

        May 19, 2015 at 12:51

        No silly. Stare at strange women in restaurants.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          May 19, 2015 at 12:53

          I thought that looked like you in the background…

          Reply

          • RinceTriss

            May 19, 2015 at 12:55

            It’s the glasses. I thought they would hide me…

          • Admiral Chief

            May 19, 2015 at 12:57

            Glasses and hat, well done, some urban camo

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          May 19, 2015 at 12:59

          No wonder she’s having what I assume is an allergic reaction. *cough*

          Reply

          • RinceTriss

            May 19, 2015 at 13:00

            Cough? Not even close 😛

  2. Admiral Chief

    May 19, 2015 at 12:40

    SO EXCITE!

    Reply

  3. Brady miaau

    May 19, 2015 at 12:41

    In witcher 2 Quen and Aard were my stand out favourites to use.

    I wonder in 3? Dunno. Will see later this week, cannot just play whenever I want, you know.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      May 19, 2015 at 12:44

      Yeah, I kinda liked having that “Force Power”

      Reply

      • Brady miaau

        May 19, 2015 at 12:46

        Just gave me some time to regroup and hit with sword. Sword was and probably still is the main damage dealer.

        Although, towards the end of the game, Igni was dealing a lot of damage too. But the witcher is not a mage, right? Fighter / Mage.

        Reply

    • Aries

      May 19, 2015 at 13:29

      I level only the igni, all men must burn, haha

      Reply

  4. Admiral Chief

    May 19, 2015 at 12:42

    SO MUCH STAMINA REGEN!!!

    Must be all the ploughing exercise…

    Reply

  5. Kensei Seraph

    May 19, 2015 at 12:42

    I regret reading this article since I’m now tempted to skip The Witcher 1 and 2.

    Bonus gif:
    http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/698/542/55f.gif

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      May 19, 2015 at 12:43

      You are a strange little man

      Reply

      • Kensei Seraph

        May 19, 2015 at 12:45

        Strange, yes.
        Little, no.
        I’m about average height.

        Reply

        • Brady miaau

          May 19, 2015 at 12:46

          for a given definition of average, of course.

          Reply

          • Kensei Seraph

            May 19, 2015 at 12:48

            The given definition of average in this case being my height. 😛

          • Brady miaau

            May 19, 2015 at 12:51

            Of course. Makes perfect sense.

  6. Captain JJ Browman

    May 19, 2015 at 12:45

    My wife just picked up my copy! Woohoo!

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      May 19, 2015 at 12:46

      But will she hand it over to you or play it herself?

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Browman

        May 19, 2015 at 12:46

        Don’t do that! Just now she gets that idea!

        Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          May 19, 2015 at 12:47

          Oh, we *snigger* wouldn’t want that.

          Reply

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 19, 2015 at 12:47

            O_o

          • RinceTriss

            May 19, 2015 at 12:50

            lol

        • RinceTriss

          May 19, 2015 at 12:50

          Oh don’t be like that. You’re married now. What’s your’s is her’s and what’s her’s is her’s…

          Reply

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 19, 2015 at 12:51

            Sounds about right

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      May 19, 2015 at 12:46

      It’s going to be priceless once JJ realises it’s her copy now.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Browman

        May 19, 2015 at 12:47

        Haha. That happened to my Xbox controller. She “borrowed” it. Then I ended up having to buy myself a new one once it became hers.

        Reply

        • Witcher Bob

          May 19, 2015 at 12:49

          I know that “borrowed”. I believe the full definition is: to permanently borrow without the intention of returning.

          Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 19, 2015 at 13:19

      Got mine too!

      Reply

  7. Loftus

    May 19, 2015 at 12:54

    Damn you ’90 music! This header got this song in my head somehow :

    Reply

  8. TommyThePretty

    May 19, 2015 at 12:55

    From what i heard this sign and overall fighting system is the main reason people don’t finish the game. But i’m still glad they preserve and develop it, it’s so amazing and better than many other games. For example diablo 3, i’m still agnry at what they’ve done to it’s skill system *bastardos*

    Reply

  9. Greylingad[CNFRMD]

    May 19, 2015 at 13:34

    My copy has been installed, with the day one patch…I have to pry myself away from my pc to work…

    Reply

  10. Ecolli

    May 27, 2015 at 18:09

    I’m happy you guys used The Witcher 1 soundtrack here. Nostalgia… Oh god, I love ,,River of Life”.

    http://getpaidfromgame.blogspot.com

    Reply

  11. Peter

    May 31, 2015 at 18:57

    This isn’t a “guide.” You basically repeated exactly what’s in the game… and even made errors. Active Shield doesn’t restore “shield” vitality. And you have an extra word “simultaneously” in there.
    But hey, at least you showed up high on the Google search results! Nice job there.

    Reply

  12. ItalianMom

    August 18, 2015 at 21:48

    My only frustration with signs is needing to have 3 forms of Axii added to my tree to use the abilities instead of simply using the final upgraded version. I guess that prevents one from becoming overpowered to the point if ridiculous, but it still irritates me to use 3 out of 12 on only Axii. I am hoping it will eventually only need 2 rather than 3, but I’m not holding my breath.

    I had to laugh about the comment about a wife taking over the husband’s game. It is just the opposite here. My husband just started his own playthrough of Witcher 3 and has decided he wants to keep playing it. He mentioned even possibly playing through Witcher 2.

    Reply

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