When it comes to armor in The Witcher 3, the possibilities are endless.
You can wear the best armor set that works with your specific skill build or armor preference (light, medium, or heavy), mix and match pieces with preferred stats (like crit chance), or go for fashion over stats.
No matter your playstyle, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive list of the best armor pieces in The Witcher 3 (including new armor added in the 4.0 next-gen update). Our guide also shows you how to find each set and which builds they’re best for.
Table of Contents
Witcher School Gear — Best Overall Armor
Generally speaking, the Witcher School gear sets (Bear, Wolf, Griffin, Cat, Manticore, Viper) are the best armor pieces in the game.
They have excellent stats, look great, and provide useful set bonuses for wearing 3 out of 6 and 6 out of 6 of the set pieces once upgraded to Grandmaster.
Each set comes with four armor pieces (armor, boots, trousers, and gauntlets) and two swords (silver and steel). The Feline and Ursine sets also include a crossbow.
You can upgrade the Witcher school gear sets a total of four times. This takes them from basic to enhanced, superior, mastercrafted, and finally grandmaster tier (you can also get the higher-level versions in NG+).
Here’s a closer look at each set and the build it’s best for.
Note: Don’t forget to pair your armor type with one of three Witcher School Techniques skills: Cat for light, Griffin for medium, and Bear for heavy. You can also use the Levity glyphword enchant to turn heavy and medium armor into light, allowing you to use Cat School techniques with any armor type.
Griffin Armor (Best for Signs)
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 11 (normal), 18 (enhanced), 26 (superior), 34 (mastercrafted), 40 (grandmaster)
- Special stats: Sign intensity
- Set bonuses: (3/6) After using Stamina to cast a Sign in its standard mode, the next Sign cast within 3 seconds will be cast in standard mode without using Stamina; (6/6) The size of Yrden traps is increased by 40%. While you are within a Yrden trap, Stamina regeneration is increased by 5/s and Sign Intensity by 100%, and damage is reduced by 20%.
The Griffin Armor’s polished plates prove our witcher is a force to be reckoned with. No peasant would dare to shortchange Geralt on a contract while he’s wearing this gear.
Plus, the metal griffin kneecaps are a nice tribute to Geralt’s monster-slaying heritage. The main thing that differentiates this armor from others is the bonuses to sign intensity, making it excellent for builds focusing on heavy sign usage.
How to get the Griffin Armor
From Downwarren, ride Roach northwest toward a pair of undiscovered locations. One is a cave where you’ll find the armor diagrams. Looking for the enhanced, superior, and mastercrafted version? Check out our guide to getting all the Griffin Armor diagrams.
Ursine Armor (Best for Tanking)
- Armor type: Heavy
- Level: 20 (normal), 25 (enhanced), 30 (superior), 34 (mastercrafted), 40 (grandmaster)
- Special stats: Adrenaline Point gain
- Set bonuses: (3/6) When a Quen shield shatters, there is a chance a new one will be cast at no stamina cost. The bonus increases by 5% for each piece of the set; (6/6) Damage dealt by Abilities involving the Quen sign is increased by 200%.
Many players say the Ursine Witcher armor is their favorite armor set in Witcher 3, and it’s not hard to see why: it combines excellent stats and set bonuses with a great look. This is the armor set we recommend if you’re going for a tanky build with a focus on strong attacks.
This heavy-duty armor gets its name from the Bear Witcher School. The long chest armor with full chainmail coverage provides maximum protection against the deadliest enemies. The high collar and scarf are a stylish touch that’s sure to keep Geralt toasty even in the harshest Skellige blizzards.
How to get the Ursine Armor
Travel to Oxenfurt and buy the armor map from the blacksmith to unlock the diagram locations. Follow the map marker to the ruined castle near Yngvar’s Fang on Skellige’s northernmost isle, Uralla.
Enter the castle and head to the wall at the opposite end. Activate the switch to open the cell doors. Take the cell to your immediate left, which leads to a cave. Journey through the cave and ascend the stairs to reach the chest with the diagrams.
Ready to upgrade your Ursine gear? Check out our full guide on how to get all the Ursine Armor diagrams.
Wolven Armor (Best All-Around)
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 14 (normal), 21 (enhanced), 29 (superior), 34 (mastercrafted), 40 (grandmaster)
Special stats: Adrenaline Point gain, sign intensity, attack power - Set bonuses: (3/6) Each instance of bleeding applied increases sword damage by 1% for every set piece; (6/6) Each adrenaline point increases the possible number of bleeds effects applied to a single enemy.
The Wolf armor is one of the most well-rounded school sets in Witcher 3, giving you a little bit of everything. The next-gen patch also updated its set bonuses, making this armor set a great choice for bleeding-oriented builds.
Besides, it’s the perfect fit for Geralt’s nickname: The White Wolf. Chainmail and studs protect the vital organs, while durable leather and unfastened chest armor buckles provide a little extra mobility. Not to mention the convenient shoulder pouch for quickly storing and retrieving crowns and herbs. In our humble opinion, this is the best-looking armor set in Witcher 3.
All in all, the Wolf school gear set looks great and provides excellent stats for a versatile playstyle.
How to get the Wolven armor
Travel to Kaer Morhen and ride Roach up the winding path to the Old Signal Tower. Enter the tower ruins, loot the chest, and read the note to begin the scavenger hunt. Using your Witcher senses, find the first crystal and activate it with Aard.
Return to the tower entrance, and you’ll notice a gap in the wall to your right. Jump onto the rocks and tread carefully around the wall to find the second crystal.
Once you’ve activated it, return to the tower’s first level and jump through the portal to reach the diagrams. Looking for the rest of the diagrams? Check out our walkthrough on how to find the Wolven Armor diagrams.
Cat (Feline) Armor (Best for Fast Attacks)
- Armor type: Light
- Level: 17 (normal), 23 (enhanced), 29 (superior), 34 (mastercrafted), 40 (grandmaster)
- Special stats: Increased attack power, resistance to elemental damage
- Set bonuses: (3/6) Strong attacks increase Fast Attack damage for 5 seconds by 10% for each piece of the set; (6/6) Rear attacks deal 50% more damage, and also stun opponents at the cost of 1 Adrenaline Point.
Not only is the Feline armor the best light armor in The Witcher 3, but it’s also one of the most stylish. The studded belt and chest armor add a bit of bling to our favorite Butcher of Blaviken.
Underneath what appears to be a blend of suede and leather is an impenetrable layer of chainmail protecting Geralt’s neck, arms, and chest. The Cat school armor works great for a playstyle focused on using fast attacks and avoiding damage entirely by dodging.
How to get the Feline Armor
Buy the diagram map from a merchant in northwestern Blackbough. Follow the map marker to a cave in Novigrad. Complete the puzzles to reach the golem and the chest containing the diagrams. Our guide on how to get the Feline Armor features a full walkthrough.
Manticore Armor (Best for Alchemy)
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 40
- Special stats: Increased critical hit chance, increased Toxicity threshold
- Set bonuses: (3/6) Critical hit chance and critical hit damage also apply to bombs; (6/6) One more charge for each alchemy item
An armor set used by witchers from the Manticore school, this gear set has a less flashy and more practical look.
The Manticore armor is only available in the Blood and Wine expansion and doesn’t have any upgrade levels. But it’s still one of the top sets in the game, combining excellent defenses with sizable boosts to critical hit chance and damage.
This armor set also boosts your potions, decoctions, and bombs thanks to the toxicity threshold stat and set bonuses, making it the best option for alchemy-themed builds. And since most powerful builds in the next-gen (4.0) update focus heavily on critical damage, decoctions, and potions, you’re likely to be using at least some pieces of this set.
How to get the Manticore Armor
Travel to Beauclair and visit the Grandmaster craftsman to unlock the diagram locations. Your search will take you all over Toussaint, so be prepared for a scavenger hunt. Our guide on how to get the Manticore Armor includes a detailed walkthrough.
Viper Armor
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 39
- Special stats: Resistance to poisoning and elemental damage
An armor set themed around snakes and poison, The Viper set was added in the Hearts of Stone expansion.
It has a sleek, dark look that’s very similar to the Kaer Morhen armor you start the game with. However, it doesn’t have a set bonus, unlike the other Witcher school gear sets, which makes it a bit weaker.
Still, the Viper School set is a decent option, especially if you’re looking for high poison resistance. It also comes with two swords that give your attacks a chance to poison enemies.
How to get the Viper Armor
The Viper Amor was introduced in the Hearts of Stone expansion. You only have one shot at getting the diagrams, so don’t miss it. During the Open Sesame mission in HoS, talk to Countess Mignole. Find her lost earring to unlock additional dialogue options and buy the Viper armor diagrams.
Check out our post on how to get the Viper Amor set in The Witcher 3 for a detailed walkthrough.
Forgotten Wolven Armor (4.0 Update)
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 20 (normal), 34 (mastercrafted), 40 (grandmaster)
Special stats: Aard/Yrden intensity, crit chance/damage, bleeding - Set bonuses: (3/6) Increased potion duration (7% per piece); (6/6) Aard deals additional damage to enemies affected by Yrden.
The Forgotten Wolven school gear armor set was added in the 4.0 (next-gen) patch. This medium armor is inspired by the Netflix show, with the standard and mastercrafted versions resembling the armor worn by Henry Cavill in season 1 of the show, and the grandmaster version looking like the season 2 armor set. Personally, I’m a fan of the regular (season 1) set.
This armor set is a decent option for Aard builds and people who prefer to use lots of potions. Aside from that, its stats are just ok and I’d say that the other Witcher school gear sets outshine it.
How to get the Forgotten Wolven Armor
Travel to the Devil’s Pit in central Velen (near the Hanged Man’s Tree) and talk to the priest nearby. He’ll give you the quest “In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow”; once you complete it, you’ll get the standard Forgotten Wolven set diagrams and a scavenger hunt to get the mastercrafted and grandmaster versions.
We also have a complete walkthrough for getting the Forgotten Wolven set.
Other Great Armor Pieces
The armor sets listed below are not part of any Witcher school set and are generally inferior to the Witcher sets. But they’re still useful before you’re high enough level to get the Witcher sets, are looking for specific stats, or simply want a stylish look reminiscent of Fashion Souls.
Dol Blathanna Armor
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 7
- Special stats: Crit chance+damage, Igni/Aard intensity
Also known as “Thousand Flowers,” this level 7 medium armor set was added with the 4.0 next-gen patch. This is yet another stylish set that will work particularly well in the early game.
How to get the Dol Blathanna Armor
After installing the next-gen patch, you’ll either get the armor automatically or can also find it in a chest in Yennefer’s room in the Royal Palace of Vizima. The chest is under a window.
White Tiger of the West Armor
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 11
- Special stats: Crit chance, bleeding, chance to dismember (weapons)
Another new set added in the next-gen patch, this is the only Chinese-themed Witcher 3 armor. It doesn’t really fit into the game lore-wise but I’m definitely a fan of the look. If you’re looking for something fresh and different, this level 11 medium armor set may just be up your alley. It comes along with two eastern-themed Vixen swords.
How to get the White Tiger of the West Armor
After installing the next-gen patch, you can find this armor in a chest in Yennefer’s room in the Royal Palace of Vizima. It’s inside a chest under a window.
Ofieri Armor
- Armor type: Light
- Level: 38
- Special stats: Signs intensity bonuses
The Ofieri gear set was introduced in the Hearts of Stone expansion. This light armor has a unique Middle Eastern theme that you won’t find anywhere else in Witcher 3, so if you’re looking for a fashionable look this is a great option.
The stats are not as good as the Witcher sets, but you can make it work with our fabulous Ofieri build. This set also includes a sword and blinders, saddlebags, and a stock saddle for Roach.
How to get Ofieri Armor
The Ofieri armor set can be crafted using the 4 armor diagrams you obtain during the From Ofier’s Distant Shores quest in Hearts of Stone. To start this quest, talk to the Ofieri merchant Dulla kh’Amanni in Upper Mill.
New Moon Armor
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 34
- Special stats: Crit chance and damage, bonus gold
The New Moon armor is another set added in Hearts of Stone. This four-piece medium armor set has a neat medieval look.
It provides bonuses to crit chance and damage, making it a good option for skill builds focused on critical hits.
How to get New Moon Armor
The New Moon set is scattered throughout multiple locations:
- New Moon armor is inside a box at the lighthouse at Crane Cape, the island northwest of Novigrad
- The New Moon trousers can found during the Royal Air Force treasure hunt quest, at the top of the tower
- New Moon gauntlets are found inside a crypt to the east of the Heddel Abandoned Site, in northeastern Velen, near Novigrad
- New Moon boots are found at the Kilkerinn Ruins in eastern Velen (climb to the top of the ruins where the tree is and look for a ledge with a chest)
Tesham Mutna Armor
- Armor type: Heavy
- Level: 39
Special stats: Resistance to bleeding and burning - Set bonus: Killing opponents restores Vitality. The amount of Vitality restored equals 1% of the maximum Vitality for each element of the set worn (6% for full set).
This vampire-themed set from the Blood and Wine expansion is certainly a unique look with its dark black color and face mask. Better yet, it comes with great defensive stats and a neat, vampire-esque set bonus. The steel sword also has a neat look.
How to get the Tesham Mutna armor
This sleek set is only available during the Blood and Wine quest La Cage au Fou. This is one quest we don’t want to spoil, so we’ll keep it simple.
Travel to the Tesham Mutna ruins with Regis. During a cut screen, he will lean on a chest. Loot it to find the armor, minus the boots and gauntlets. Don’t forget to grab the mask, gauntlets, and steel sword from another chest and strongbox located in the tower.
Hen Gaidth Armor
- Armor type: Heavy
- Level: Scales to your level
- Special stats: Resistance to bleeding and burning
- Set bonus: Killing opponents restores vitality. The amount of Vitality restored equals 1% of the maximum Vitality for each element of the set worn (6% for full set).
The Hen Gaidth armor set is essentially an upgraded, red color version of the Tesham Mutna set. It has a higher level which is why the stats are much beefier than its black counterpart.
How to get the Hen Gaidth Armor
Just like the Viper Armor, you only get one shot at nabbing the Hen Gaidth set. You’ll acquire this set during one of Blood and Wine’s main quests, so we won’t spoil it for you. Just make sure to explore your environment fully during the “What Lies Unseen” quest.
Toussaint Armor
- Armor type: Heavy
- Level: Scales to your level
- Special stats: +450 Vitality for each piece worn, resistance to burning and bleeding
This high-level, gold-colored heavy armor is truly fit for a knight errant and comes with a serious Vitality boost.
If you like to look like a proper medieval knight or want a viable alternative to the Ursine armor for a tanky build, this is the set you want to go for. It’s found in the Blood and Wine expansion.
How to get the Toussaint armor
There’s a magic and a relic version of this armor. To get the better relic version, search the Land of a Thousand Fables for the body of a knight during the B&W main quest “Beyond Hill and Dale.”
Skellige Armor
- Armor type: Heavy
- Level: 16, 41
With this ornate, heavy armor, you’ll not only have the heart of a member of Clan an Craite, but you’ll have the gear to match. Also known as Undvik armor, this DLC set includes armor pieces as well as blinders, a saddle, and bags for Roach, but no weapons.
It’s easily one of the best-looking armors in the game and requires level 16 (with a level 41 version if you buy it at 41 or above).
How to get the Skellige armor
Head to Kaer Trolde and visit the Armorer to buy the set.
Temerian Armor
- Armor type: Light
- Level: 4, 29
This DLC armor is a low-profile way to stand in solidarity with Vernon Roche from Witcher 2. Speaking of Roach, you and your favorite mare can even match with the Temerian horse equipment. The Temerian Armor is the best early-game armor in Witcher 3 because you can get it at level 4, with another upgrade at level 29.
How to get the Temerian armor
Head to Woesong Bridge in White Orchard. Buy the set from the merchant by the bridge.
Nilfgaardian Armor
- Armor type: Medium
- Level: 10, 35
Like the Temerian Armor, this faction armor is also a free DLC that comes with equipment for Roach. Masquerade as a Nilfgaardian officer and go party with the Black Ones at the House of Respite outside the Nilfgaardian Army Base.
How to get the Nilfgaardian armor
Buy the set from the quartermaster (not Fergus or Yoana) in Crow’s Perch.
Professor’s Spectacles AKA the Geralt Glasses
The ultimate Witcher 3 fashion statement, these glasses are perhaps the most controversial piece of clothing in Witcher 3. Some people swear by them and wear them the whole game, while others hate the look and think it doesn’t suit Geralt at all.
You can only get them during the main quest of the Hearts of Stone expansion called “Open Sesame.” More specifically, during the auction part of the quest, you can buy these professor’s spectacles (which belonged to an assassin called the Professor) for 350 crowns.
Nilfgaardian Guardsman OR Assassin’s Gauntlets (Best DPS Gloves)
- Armor type: Heavy (Nilfgaardian) or Light (Assassin’s)
- Level: Scales to your level
- Special stats: Increased critical hit chance, increased critical hit damage
If your build focuses on dealing critical hits, then you definitely want to grab yourself a pair of either the Nilfgaardian guardsman’s gauntlets or Assassin’s gauntlets. The Nilfgaardian gauntlets have +50% critical hit damage, while the Assassin’s provide 10% critical hit chance, both of which are sizable bonuses to your damage.
The Nilfgaardian gauntlets are generally more popular because critical hit chance is easier to stack, especially if you’re running the Killing Spree alchemy skill that gives you added crit chance after killing enemies.
How to get the Nilfgaardian Guardsman’s or Assassin’s Gauntlets
Both can be crafted or found as loot/bought from vendors. It’s best to find or buy them since that way they’ll match whatever level you’re at and provide more armor. I’ve had good luck in finding the Assassin’s gauntlets sold by the armorer in Oxenfurt.
Best Armor in Witcher 3? It Depends
What’s the best armor in The Witcher 3? There’s no right or wrong answer — it all depends on your play style and preferences.
If you prefer a tanky, defensive style, the Bear armor is a safe bet. If you’re a fleet-footed swordmaster, Feline is the way to go. And if you’re looking to maximize critical hit chance, alchemy, or something else, there are many options to choose from.
Of course, if you just think an armor looks cool, that’s okay, too. There’s no shortage of snazzy sets to keep Geralt looking sharp (literally). Besides, you can always change up your look whenever you feel like it and even apply dyes to your armor to make it unique.
If you want to pair these armor sets with an equally powerful set of swords, check out our guide to the best weapons in Witcher 3.
FAQs
Mel Lee-Smith is a freelance writer, managing editor, and Witcher nerd. She usually spends her free time slaying monsters, playing Gwent, and foraging for herbs in Beauclair. She’s currently replaying TW3 NewGame+ on DeathMarch.
I would certainly use the bear set if it was a medium armor and had the stats and upgrades changed to those from the wolf set
bear appearance >>>>>>>> wolf appearance
I think they both look better than most other sets. I personally prefer the wolf look though.
You can transform the bear set to a light or medium armor with the runewright, it takes some gold but it’s worth since the heavy armor penalty is pretty bad. I think the best you can do is make it light armor and use the cat school hability from the hability tree to deal more damage on light attacks. Since the defense values don’t change there are no vantages using medium armor so unless you use medium armor hability tree make it light.
That’s a good point I completely forgot you can do that! Great way to wear medium/heavy armor while keeping cat school techniques.
Spoilers
The best way is to be able to change as needed. I was able to get through everything except the end of B&W with the feline armor and ursine swords. (The MasterCrafted feline is hands down, the most professionally stylish chest armor. Really, it looks like a military dress uniform until you get the juvenile hoody, which ruins the whole thing. I couldn’t stand it, so I downgraded to a 3 piece mix of grandmaster feline and ursine, since I already use their swords. My hits aren’t as strong with this mix, but I can take much more damage in a world where dodging is only half effective. So, it’ll just have to do. They need to remove the guy from armor design who insisted on including the hood. The pants look like spandex, so remove that guy too, but if you can ignore them, the feline set is the best looking set for a professional Witcher). The only thing I couldn’t do was the vampire at the end of B&W. The bats are just too much. However, I was able to handle it with the gold toussant armor from the fairytale land because it allowed me to avoid being single and double shot to death by the bats. In both expansions enemies are designed to damage Geralt even when he’s in the middle of dodging, unlike in the base game where it’s only the sledgehammer guys, and so detlaff was just too much to handle with the feline armor. But not with the gold colored armor, and Geralt has almost no issue switching between light, medium, and heavy armors because using them effectively is not tied to a skill.