Combat Tips

[evilbunz]

Combat Tips

I just beat the witcher 1 a few hours ago. And started playing witcher 2, I went into the arena right away to learn the new combat system and I am getting my ass kicked. I can't get past the elves and I am playing on normal difficulty.

Are there any tips to get better at the combat and not die so much.

 

[GuyNwah]

Rule number one: Don't get surrounded. In TW1, you could wade into a melee and take everybody out with Group Style. In TW2, try that and you'll get backstabbed. Lay back, try to keep Geralt from jumping into crowds, and pick off single opponents.

Two: Defend yourself, at all times. You have three basic defenses: signs, parrying, and dodging. Signs are tremendously effective: you can knock enemies down (Aard), trap them (Yrden), turn them against each other (Axii). You can parry, for a reduction in damage. Or you can avoid enemy attacks by rolling.

Three: Make your attacks count. Humanoid enemies and the stronger monsters parry, and they're better at it than you are. Don't attack into a parry; you're setting yourself up for a counter. Instead, use a sign to soften up well-defended enemies. Aard and Yrden are the most effective for this.

Four: Throw bombs and set traps. These can immobilize enemies and do heavy damage, while you stand back unhurt.

 

[crygie]

Well, What I Do is
-Use Quen before or just when the fight starts
-Use Roll, It Definitely Helps
-Plan Before a Fight, like setting up traps
(This is all basic stuff, the fun of combat is to make up your own strategy for each monster and such)

 

[Randomdrowner2015]

Avoid getting hit, stay mobile and attempt to get up behind your foes and time your attacks just as they are trying too attack you (as they drop their guard, this is especially effective against enemies with shields), use signs, do not get cornered or surrounded.

 

[BluesBrotha.966]

1.Keep moving all the time; getting surrounded is the worst thing you can do. If you've got the space try running away a bit. Some npc's are more eager to run after you than others. It's a good occassion to do a lot of harm before the rest catches up to you

2.Take down weaker targets first; most notably archers. Weak, squishy opponents don't take much effort to kill so don't waste signs on them, unless you need a quick kill. Leave the big, armored ones for last.

3.Don't overdo with combos; trying to kill an opponent at all cost might bring you harm. It's easy to spam heavy attack to finish the opponnent quickly, but you might end up being surrounded and lose precious health. 2-3 strikes and move out.

4.Use signs as often as you can. You could abuse quen all the time, but there are more effective ways of using your vigor:
-Aard is good to throw your opponents out of balance (effective against blockers) and for the occasional stun lock. You can also use it to throw your opponents of cliffs.
-Yrden is also very effective against tanks; you can use it to immobilize them before you strike, but also to take them out of the fight for a few sec to give you more space to kill other targets.
-Igni is good, if you need to finish someone of really quickly. It's a lot more effective on it's higher levels.
-Use Quen if you're feeling overwhelmed by the opponent or low on health. You can use it offensively on higher levels.
-You won't use axii as much, but it's effective against combo users (like squirrel swordsman). Take one over and the other is mincemeat

5. Use tools when you have access to them. Some bombs and traps sometimes do devastating things to the opponent. Also, always use potions whenever you suspect a fight (whenever you leave an outpost, unless you know the route you're taking is safe). And don't forgot about oils.

 

[AkiA]

For mobs, abuse Quen and rolling, rinse and repeat. For bigger monster, use Yrden to trap them then whack them, rinse and repeat. Basically the whole combat. On 1 on 1 combat Geralt can't basically lose, if you use Aard/Yrden.

 

[Mothra]

The most important thing about TW2 to know is: Axii does not suck anymore.

 

[knightrobby]

This is a good topic actually. Before anything begins, make sure you always meditate and oil up your weapons and drink any potions. If you are in the arena, however, you might want to test the conditions of the fight before wasting such resources. What I do is use Quen, immediately set a trap, then use the magic sign (Axii is it?) to set another MAGICAL trap nearby. Do NOT attack those caught in the traps if there are other enemies roaming around. Focus on attacking the enemy engaging you while the others are slowed down and trapped.

Always go after archers first, as well. You'll need to upgrade to DEFLECT arrows - this is important here. Defense is very important in The Witcher 2. And getting backstabbed is the worst thing that could happen in a battle - the damage is insane on Geralt!

 

[dementedsheep]

Hmmm you can hire dwarf mercenary if you having trouble the elves, you should have enough cash for him by now. You can also use Quen (shield) to protect you while you cast Axii (mind control) on one of the elves (this is also useful for the kingslayer and mage fight, a few rounds after this). Take out the archers first, this applies not just to this fight, always take the archers out first. The elves (or anyone using two swords or a sheild really) block quickly so it’s good to stagger or stun them before you try and hit them. To this end you can use Arrd, you can block an attack from them or you can trap them with Yrden. You can also use riposte if you have that skill unlocked. If you attack them blindly they are just going to block and counter attack you.

I actually find the Arena harder that the main game, so don’t sweat it too much if you’re not getting that far.

A couple of tips.

Experiment and see what works for you. Try not to get stuck on just Quen (tho that has been nerfed anyway)/roll/slash. It’s boring and slow.

Do not let yourself get surrounded, watch your back and keep moving.

Try and hit enemies from behind, you will do more damage.

For the main game, you find shit loads of ingredients, so you don’t really need to be cautious about how many bombs (which are awesome) or potions you use. Just remember to change the ingredients in potion mixing to the cheaper ones.

There are also traps which are very useful and tend to do a lot of damage (be careful tho, they hit you too if an enemy triggers it while you’re still in the circle). Talgar winter is especially useful against mobs however traps are more expensive to make and less convenient since you need to find a crafter.

Use everything at your disposal. Even if you haven’t upgraded signs they are still useful.

If you know a fights going to happen, prepare first (lay traps, drink potions)

Keep in mind that the less vigor you have (what you use for signs) the less damage you do with your sword.

Not a combat tip but I never bother buying swords or armour, the stuff you get for free is better.

 

[evilbunz]

I played a ton of the arena last night and my problem is that I start to get overwhelmed and then don't know how to engage. I am constantly running away and rolling and moving, I never get surrounded. In a 1v1 It is fairly easy but when I see 1 person with a shield and 2 others or an Archer and 2 others with swords I don't know what to do. I find an opening and I go in to land a blow or two and by the time I do someone else hits me... I just don't know how to go about fighting them.

I use signs but I just feel too overwhelmed to do anything.

 

[evilbunz]

i just got 100% dodge movement increase in combat... omg it makes it so much easier... i just did the 3 wraiths 2 soldiers and i only used quen and just used dodge, parry, reposte and kept circling behind them. This makes it so easy

 

[green_abobo]

early on, the aard can be used to blow enemies right off the edge. instant death for bonus points!

just watch your back... from what i gather, most of the time, its easier to kill the weaker guys, and then focus on the tough ones.

whats the specific differences between blocking and parrying?

i realize that rispote is completely different, and cannot even be unlocked until @ least level 8.

can only make it to wave 10 before i die...if im lucky. it is alot more challenging then the first game, combat anyway.

you can go back and retry, just cant collect points... at least you can trial and error tactics that work/ dont work this way.

also finding the igni and axii are invaluable. all signs really work for different scenarios. boost them using wolf, it has now become my favorite potion, next to swallow, of course.

theyre both cheap too. do you guys use companions? i use the dwarf always, because he too, is cheap.

thanks. i will have to check out that movement ability, because those wraiths/ bruxae/ shadow skeles always own me.

use the axii on the kingslayers, so they go after that sorcerer, instead of you.

i usually stick with upgrading armor through rewards, if i can get better at not getting hit, i can then focus on attack instead, which is probably how the game is meant to be played anyway...

..kill and not get hit!