combat tips for the terminally ungifted

[kelticpete]

combat tips for the terminally ungifted

So I played witcher 1 on normal. died some, but basically, I think it was super fun, and I felt pretty competent.

in witcher 1, there was timing involved on when you swing your sword, but on normal it gave you hints.

I just fought dmitri, but I feel like a cheat cause I basically firebombed him to death. i wanted to beat him with my sword, but I just sucked too bad.

it may just be me, but the mouse/keyboard does not always seem that responsive, but it may be that a move was already being excecuted (like I attacked and so could not immediately dodge)

anyway, for the very stupid among us who don't want to play on easy if we can help it, maybe some more tips about swordplay. block seems like a dicey thing to waste vigor on, I like to use my vigor for quen and having the occasional sign. maybe that is my problem.

 

[Garrison72]

Flash, one of the devs, has claimed that parry can be upgraded to a viable option. That's what I'm trying in my current run, boosting vigor and reduction on block with every chance I get. I'm not the best, but since my approach is Quen free, I'll share some observations:

- Use fast attack to beat a strong one. Risky move but it can be pulled off.

- I kite a lot, using Yyrden, and then attacking behind for bonus damage.

- I use Aard extensively, to knock enemies down, and for single shot kills.

- Moon blade plus 2 moon runes ( I think it was moon runes), can inflict some handy freezing slowdown effects on enemies and high chance of one shot kill. Helpful for a Quen-free build.

- I roll, but I run and attack a lot more, utilizing the auto-distance attack to dance from target to target.

- Any opportunity I get, I prepare with alchemy.

 

[kelticpete]

thanks. that helps. I just made a robust witcher sword. can you add runes to a normal silver or steel sword? (need to figure that out.)

I am now wearing hunter's armor. I took down kayran (which seemed more luck than skill. yes, don't let the tentacles hit you, no I don't read kayran minds...)

I guess I am too used to spamming my hits form other games.

 

[Corylea.723]

This seems like a useful thread, especially as Version 2.0 draws in new players. Anybody else have some tips?

 

[gal6606]

-Use EVERYTHING you can !
Traps , Potions , Bombs , Knives , Signs , read books for tactics regarding specific monsters , Oils and Runes!
-Attack from a distance for as long as you can to avoid getting damaged .

 

[kelticpete]

this would make a good sticky since it has combat and tips in the title. now all we need is collective wisdom

 

[GuyNwah]

The game allows for much use of tactics against groups of opponents. You are faster than anybody else, and you can carve up any opponent one-on-one, so (unless you have Whirl and use it against weak mooks), you should be isolating your opponents and taking them down one by one. Tools for isolating opponents are your signs, as well as running just to see who follows -- then turn on the leader with a fast-strong one-two.

Good uses of signs in combat:

Even if you take no other talents in the Magic tree, take both levels of Aard. This lets you stun multiple opponents with one cast. It's as good as bombs for crowd control.

Axii is not so easy to use (you have to cast and hold it until it takes effect), but it is great fun against two or three opponents. Wraiths are dangerous early in the game, but this is especially good at managing them. Axii'ing a bandit with a guisarme and watching him destroy his mooks is a guilty pleasure of mine.

Yrden is especially useful against one or two opponents, or stopping the dangerous one long enough to pick off some of his weak allies. Very handy, as good as traps and faster to set. The AI is really stupid about running straight into Yrden.

Igni is devastating if you build it up, but even if you don't, it serves the purpose of slowing enemies down and finishing off the ones who don't want to die. My greatest frustration in combat is the enemy who is almost dead, but covers up and blocks everything. Don't waste your time with him, just set him on fire.

Quen is essential against a few bosses, but dubious in ordinary combat, because it stops vigor regeneration. I use it as a last resort, when my Geralt is low on vitality and in danger of going down with another hit.

 

[username_3236806]

i use bomb's when i see like a 100 nekkers rushing at me.
ahhh dancing star

 

[Tristanian]

Riposte. Very much underrated talent in my opinion. It not without its disadvantages, however. Doesn't work very well against groups, it requires good timing and you can't always pull it off, but if you do, you are guaranteed to interrupt your opponent's attack and land a hit at the same time, which may get him off balance.

 

[dmcaldw]

Don't let your self get surrounded pretty much an instant death . Traps are fun but personally like ard . What everyone has said is good have to keep moving there is no shame in running away until attackers give up chasing you then let vitality build up then go back for more .
If you don't have it yet get 2.0 fixes in combat helped make combat smoother .

 

[Shivus]

I did a bit of everything my first time through in normal, found many fights way too hard and had to turn down the difficulty on boss fights. Then I figured out Quen + Roll and clear dark mode without much issue. It might be the 2.0 improvements helping out as well.

 

[kelticpete]

don't get surrounded. that one is hard to follow in the multi wraith spawn of melitele's heart.

 

[GuyNwah]

don't get surrounded. that one is hard to follow in the multi wraith spawn of melitele's heart.

Liberal use of Axii, do not close with more than one wraith, back off if more join it.

The wraiths are also susceptible to snares, and you should have a fair-sized collection by this time. Prepare the battlefield with them, and don't blunder into them yourself.

 

[LordRhoop]

I like to put one or two points into footwork, it's good for offence and defense because you can roll/dodge away from danger very fast if necessary, also to come back to pop up behind opponents for a swift attack to their backs. It's not subtle but is very effective, so long as you keep moving.