Best mutagens combinations?

[maltrain]

Best mutagens combinations?

Well, I'm on Chapter One and I talked to Iorveth for the first time. And I haven´t much worried about developing my character yet. I have 4 talents available right now, waiting for a decition. And I just learned about how to use mutagens. So, my questions are two:

- I know you can mutate after aquiring some abilities. But the effect of the mutagen affect that ability directly or it affect you character anyway, even if you are not using the ability?

- And, if it's the first case, is there "good combinations" ability-mutagen?

- And, if it's the second case, considering you can only use 13 mutagens (according to the wiki), should I use the mutagens I have on Chapter One or should I wait for further chapters (for better mutagens, maybe)?

Thanks...

 

[GuyNwah]

Well, I'm on Chapter One and I talked to Iorveth for the first time. And I haven´t much worried about developing my character yet. I have 4 talents available right now, waiting for a decition. And I just learned about how to use mutagens. So, my questions are two:

- I know you can mutate after aquiring some abilities. But the effect of the mutagen affect that ability directly or it affect you character anyway, even if you are not using the ability?

- And, if it's the first case, is there "good combinations" ability-mutagen?

- And, if it's the second case, considering you can only use 13 mutagens (according to the wiki), should I use the mutagens I have on Chapter One or should I wait for further chapters (for better mutagens, maybe)?

Thanks...

If you are going for an Alchemy specialist, you should probably wait. You can improve mutagens greatly by getting both levels of Impregnation, and there are 5 mutagen slots high in the Alchemy tree.

Otherwise, you can use them whenever you see fit. I never use Lessers or any level of Vitality mutagens; those are for selling or using as ingredients. Of the other types, I favor Madness (seems to be very rare), Enhancement, and Critical Effects. Your mileage may vary.

The effect of a mutagen is independent of the skill you apply it to. For example, you can put a Power mutagen on the Enhanced Yrden skill. It won't affect the quality of your Yrden traps, only the sword damage you do.

Enhancement mutagens are a special case. They don't do anything until you get the ability to use Adrenaline: Heliotrope, Berserk, or Group Finisher (at the skill just below the top of each tree). If you have one or two of these by mid-Act II, I'd save them and use them when you get those Adrenaline skills.

 

[Pjovejas]

Mutagens affect you all the time, independently which ability is "mutated", and it is not important if you use it, or not. It is passive effect.
Not all abilities can be mutated. Mostly, the "higher" ones, so I doubt that it is possible, or at least reasonable, to reach all the 13 mutation slots.
Usually mutagens are clasified as "lesser" (the weakest ones), "normal (without any word) and "greater" (with the highest efect. For example Gretaer vitality mutagen gives 10 HP, vitality mutagen gives 5 HP, lesser vitality mutagen gives 2 HP (if I remember correctly).

What is good mutagens... it depends I'm not very experienced so in first game I overused vitality mutagens But in fact I think those who increases damage/sign damage or critical effects are better

EDIT: a question to Guy N'wah
I never tried alchemy tree. So I don't understand this:

If you are going for an Alchemy specialist, you should probably wait. You can improve mutagens greatly by getting both levels of Impregnation

Does that mean that Impregnation does not affect the mutagens already "instaled" and only affects those that are used after taking Impregnation?

 

[maltrain]

Thank for your answers. I understand you can mutate when you reach this abilities:

Training tree
* Arrow Redirection
* Fortitude

Swordsmanship tree
* Invincible
* Combat Acumen
* Whirlwind

Magic tree
* Enhanced Yrden Sig
* Sense of Magic
* Control over the Power

Alchemy tree
* Condensation
* Metathesis
* Berserker
* Mutant
* Amplification

I hope I can reach all of them. And, according what you say, I must use only GREAT ones. Cool.

My doubt, i didn't understand this: "You can improve mutagens greatly by getting both levels of Impregnation, and there are 5 mutagen slots high in the Alchemy tree".

What are the "levels of Impregnation"?

 

[GuyNwah]

EDIT: a question to Guy N'wah
I never tried alchemy tree. So I don't understand this:


Does that mean that Impregnation does not affect the mutagens already "instaled" and only affects those that are used after taking Impregnation?

That's correct. Impregnation does not affect mutagens already applied. If you applied a Critical Effects mutagen (+2% to each C. E.) early on, then got both levels of Impregnation later, it remains at +2%; it does not become +5%.

However, there is an exploit to get back the skill points you spent on Impregnation, without losing your mutagen bonuses. See http://witcher.wikia.com/wiki/The_Witcher_2_mutagens

 

[GuyNwah]

Thank for your answers. I understand you can mutate when you reach this abilities:

Training tree
* Arrow Redirection
* Fortitude

Swordsmanship tree
* Invincible
* Combat Acumen
* Whirlwind

Magic tree
* Enhanced Yrden Sig
* Sense of Magic
* Control over the Power

Alchemy tree
* Condensation
* Metathesis
* Berserker
* Mutant
* Amplification

I hope I can reach all of them. And, according what you say, I must use only GREAT ones. Cool.

My doubt, i didn't understand this: "You can improve mutagens greatly by getting both levels of Impregnation, and there are 5 mutagen slots high in the Alchemy tree".

What are the "levels of Impregnation"?

Impregnation is a skill. It's in the Alchemy tree. Like other skills, you can take one or two levels of it. Its only value is to improve the effects of mutagens that you apply after you acquire the skill.

"Greater" mutagens are extremely scarce, except for Vitality. Even if you are diligent, you will be fortunate to find any, so you usually have to settle for basic-level mutagens.