Guide to Witcher School Gear (Next-Gen Update)

The 4 Witcher school gear sets — Bear, Cat, Griffin, and Wolf — are the best available armor in Witcher 3 when upgraded to their final grandmaster version. There’s also the Forgotten Wolven set added in the next-gen update.

In addition, there are the two low-level Viper swords, the Witcher sword Teigr, and two expansion Witcher sets — Viper gear in Hearts of Stone, and Manticore gear in Blood and Wine — which cannot be upgraded.

The complete sets consist of 6 to 7 pieces: 4 armor,  2 swords (one silver and one steel), and a crossbow (Feline and Ursine set only).

Although the Witcher school weapons are not necessarily the best in Witcher 3 (there are several better relic weapons), they’re still worth getting to maximize the set bonuses that come with the four Grandmaster-level sets and the Manticore set.

Here’s a guide to crafting and upgrading Witcher gear sets and a comparison of their stats and bonuses.

How to Craft Witcher Gear

You must find the diagrams for the specific armor and weapon pieces (armor, boots, trousers, gauntlets, steel sword, and silver sword) to obtain the Witcher gear sets.

Then, you need to collect the required crafting materials and go to an armorer (for armor pieces) or blacksmith (for swords) to craft that specific piece.

How to Get Witcher Gear Diagrams

Crafting diagrams are the key items required to craft Witcher school gear. The easiest way to find them is to purchase maps from specific armorers/blacksmiths in the game (only available for Bear, Cat, Griffin, and Wolf gear).

When you use these maps from your inventory, they will start a “Scavenger Hunt: School Gear” quest for the given Witcher set (or its upgrade) and show you a location on the map where you can find the diagrams.

You do not NEED to purchase the maps, but it does make finding the diagrams easier, especially if you don’t want to follow a guide and do it on your own:

  1. If you want to find the diagrams using vendor maps, head over to the map vendor locations page.
  2. If you’re looking for detailed walkthroughs with diagram locations for each Witcher School gear set, check out the Bear, Cat, Griffin, Wolf, Viper, Manticore, and Forgotten Wolven Gear guides.
Witcher 3 Wild Hunt School Gear Set Maps

How to Upgrade Witcher Gear

The four main Witcher School gear sets (Bear, Cat, Griffin, Wolf) start at the basic level and can be upgraded four times:

  • Level 1: Enhanced
  • Level 2: Superior
  • Level 3: Mastercrafted
  • Level 4: Grandmaster
Witcher ursine bear gear
Visual progression of the Ursine Schol gear set from basic to enhanced, superior, mastercrafted, and finally, grandmaster.

Each time you upgrade the pieces, they increase in level and stats. You’ll need the previous tier piece to upgrade each level of Witcher gear.

For example, if you want to upgrade your Enhanced Ursine silver sword to superior, you’ll need the superior diagram, the enhanced sword (which will be consumed during the crafting process), and the additional crafting materials. Then, you can craft the upgraded sword at a blacksmith.

Keep in mind that armorers and blacksmiths have different skill levels that correspond to the tier of Witcher gear they can craft. For example, only mastercraft armorers and blacksmiths can upgrade your gear to the mastercrafted level, and you’ll need to complete a special quest to unlock their services.

Additionally, the runewright can also craft mastercrafted gear (both weapons and armor) if you’ve unlocked his services, but for a higher fee.

The mastercraft armorer Yoanna is found in Crow’s Perch in central Velen (requires completion of level 24 quest “Master Armorers“).

Master armorer yoanna location

The mastercraft blacksmith Hattori is found in Novigrad (requires completion of level 24 quest “Of Swords and Dumplings“).

The final Grandmaster tier is available in the Blood and Wine expansion and can only be crafted at the grandmaster blacksmith and armorer Lazare Lafargue in Beauclair.

grandmaster armorer and blacksmith location toussaint beauclair witcher 3
Grandmaster blacksmith/armor location in Toussaint (Blood and Wine).

Witcher School Gear in NG+

You can also get higher-level “legendary” versions of the same Witcher School gear sets when you start your new game plus (NG+) playthrough.

You’ll have to find the diagrams all over again and craft them from scratch for every upgrade tier, but they will be scaled up in level, so the stats will be much higher.

Witcher School Gear Comparison

Here’s a quick comparison of the total combined stats and level requirements of the seven main Witcher School Gear sets. The Viper and Manticore sets have only one tier which is comparable to the Grandmaster tier for the five main sets.

Witcher Gear Total Stats & Levels Compared

SetBasicEnhancedSuperiorMastercraftGrandmaster
Feline (light)Level: 17, Armor: 245, Aard intensity: 12%, Atk pwr: 20%, Bleed chance: 10%, Piercing res: 8%, Slash res: 11%, Monster res: 11% , Ele res: 40%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 3Level: 23, Armor: 311, Aard intensity: 14%, Atk pwr: 28%, Bleed chance: 20%, Piercing res: 12%, Slash res: 17%, Monster res: 17% , Ele res: 50%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 7Level: 29, Armor: 377, Aard intensity: 14%, Atk pwr: 39%, Crit chance: 10%, Bleed chance: 20%, Dismember chance: 5%, Piercing res: 17%, Slash res: 23%, Monster res: 23% , Ele res: 60%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 13Level: 34, Armor: 432, Aard intensity: 15%, Atk pwr: 50%, Crit chance: 20%, Bleed chance: 30%, Dismember chance: 10%, Piercing res: 22%, Slash res: 30%, Monster res: 30% , Ele res: 70%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 13Level: 40, Armor: 509, Aard intensity: 30%, Atk pwr: 55%, Crit chance: 20%, Bleed chance: 30%, Dismember chance: 20%, Piercing res: 27%, Slash res: 35%, Monster res: 35% , Ele res: 74%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 15
Griffin (medium)Level: 11, Armor: 179, Sign intensity: 30%, Piercing res: 9%, Bludgeoning res: 6%, Slash res: 19%, Monster res: 26% , Ele res: 22%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 3Level: 18, Armor: 256, Sign intensity: 48%, Piercing res: 15%, Bludgeoning res: 10%, Slash res: 26%, Monster res: 33% , Ele res: 25%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 7Level: 26, Armor: 344, Sign intensity: 69%, Crit dmg: 50%, Dismember chance: 10%, Piercing res: 22%, Bludgeoning res: 15%, Slash res: 33%, Monster res: 43% , Ele res: 31%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 13Level: 34, Armor: 432, Sign intensity: 90%, Crit dmg: 50%, Crit chance: 10%, Dismember chance: 10%, Piercing res: 30%, Bludgeoning res: 20%, Slash res: 40%, Monster res: 50% , Ele res: 40%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 13Level: 40, Armor: 509, Sign intensity: 97%, Crit dmg: 50%, Crit chance: 10%, Dismember chance: 20%, Piercing res: 35%, Bludgeoning res: 22%, Slash res: 45%, Monster res: 54% , Ele res: 45%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 15
Wolven (medium)Level: 14, Armor: 212, Sign intensity: 20%, Atk pwr: 10%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 15%, Bleed chance: 10%, Piercing res: 7%, Bludgeoning res: 6%, Slash res: 19%, Monster res: 26% , Ele res: 22%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 3Level: 21, Armor: 289, Sign intensity: 24%, Atk pwr: 12%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 22%, Bleed chance: 12%, Piercing res: 12%, Bludgeoning res: 10%, Slash res: 26%, Monster res: 33% , Ele res: 25%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 7Level: 29, Armor: 377, Sign intensity: 30%, Atk pwr: 16%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 29%, Crit chance: 10%, Bleed chance: 14%, Piercing res: 18%, Bludgeoning res: 15%, Slash res: 33%, Monster res: 43% , Ele res: 31%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 13Level: 34, Armor: 432, Sign intensity: 40%, Atk pwr: 20%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 40%, Crit chance: 20%, Bleed chance: 20%, Piercing res: 25%, Bludgeoning res: 20%, Slash res: 40%, Monster res: 50% , Ele res: 40%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 13Level: 40, Armor: 509, Sign intensity: 44%, Atk pwr: 22%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 44%, Crit chance: 22%, Bleed chance: 22%, Piercing res: 29%, Bludgeoning res: 22%, Slash res: 45%, Monster res: 54% , Ele res: 45%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 15
Forgotten Wolven (medium)Level: 20, Armor: 271, Sign intensity: 15%, Yrden intensity: 6%, Aard intensity: 6%, Atk pwr: 8%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 25%, Bleed chance: 9%, Crit chance: 10%, Cit damage: 30%, Piercing res: 10%, Bludgeoning res: 2%, Slash res: 26%, Monster res: 26% , Ele res: 33%, monster exp: 5% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 4Level: 34, Armor: 432, Sign intensity: 30%, Yrden intensity: 10%, Aard intensity: 60%, Atk pwr: 18%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 31%, Bleed chance: 13%, Crit chance: 19%, Cit damage: 45%, Piercing res: 21%, Bludgeoning res: 3%, Slash res: 38%, Monster res: 41% , Ele res: 54%, monster exp: 6% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 12Level: 40, Armor: 533, Sign intensity: 29%, Yrden intensity: 12%, Aard intensity: 12%, Atk pwr: 20%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 37%, Bleed chance: 15%, Crit chance: 22%, Cit damage: 55%, Piercing res: 26%, Bludgeoning res: 4%, Slash res: 42%, Monster res: 48% , Ele res: 60%, monster exp: 10% , other exp: 10%, Sockets: 15
Ursine (heavy)Level: 20, Armor: 278, Crit chance: 5%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 30%, Dismember chance: 10%, Piercing res: 11%, Bludgeoning res: 7%, Slash res: 26%, Monster res: 34% , Ele res: 7%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 3Level: 25, Armor: 333, Crit chance: 5%, Crit dmg: 50%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 48%, Dismember chance: 12%, Piercing res: 19%, Bludgeoning res: 13%, Slash res: 34%, Monster res: 46% , Ele res: 13%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 7Level: 30, Armor: 388, Crit chance: 5%, Crit dmg: 100%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 69%, Dismember chance: 13%, Piercing res: 27%, Bludgeoning res: 19%, Slash res: 42%, Monster res: 58% , Ele res: 19%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 13Level: 34, Armor: 432, Crit chance: 5%, Crit dmg: 150%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 90%, Dismember chance: 14%, Piercing res: 40%, Bludgeoning res: 30%, Slash res: 50%, Monster res: 70% , Ele res: 25%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 13Level: 40, Armor: 509, Crit chance: 10%, Crit dmg: 150%, Adrenaline Point Pain: 97%, Dismember chance: 28%, Piercing res: 44%, Bludgeoning res: 30%, Slash res: 55%, Monster res: 74% , Ele res: 31%, monster exp: 20% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 15
Viper (medium)N/AN/AN/AN/ALevel: 39, Armor: 498, Aard Intensity: 50%; Crit chance: 20%, Crit dmg: 150%, Poison Chance: 30%; Poison res: 100%, Piercing res: 50%, Slash res: 50%, Monster res: 60% , Ele res: 60%, monster exp: 5% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 15
Manticore (medium)N/AN/AN/AN/ALevel: 40, Armor: 509, Armor Piercing: 500; Max toxicity: +30; Crit chance: 20%, Crit dmg: 150%, Bleed chance: 20%, Piercing res: 29%, Slash res: 45%, Monster res: 48% , Ele res: 45%, monster exp: 5% , other exp: 5%, Sockets: 15

As we can see, all of these gear sets have similar armor ratings, socket numbers, and experience bonuses. And although their level requirements differ early on, they become similar when looking at the most upgraded versions of each gear set.

Aside from that, the stats vary quite a lot:

  • The Feline set has relatively low defenses (except for elemental resistance) but significant combat bonuses and Aard intensity bonuses. It’s ideal for a fast attack build and also works well with the Aard sign.
  • The Griffin set provides the most bonuses to sign intensity, making it ideal for signs builds.
  • The Wolven set is arguably the most well-rounded, with many different stats, including melee combat and sign bonuses. It works well with many different builds. The Forgotten Wolven set is similar, with many different stats.
  • The Ursine set offers the most defensive stats, except a relatively low elemental resistance, as well as crit bonuses. It’s ideal for a tank build that focuses on strong attacks.
  • The Viper set has great defensive bonuses with high poison resistance and a chance to poison on attacks.
  • The Manticore set is another all-around good set like Wolf and is especially great for alchemy builds like Euphoria, thanks to the toxicity bonus.

In addition, the Manticore and Grandmaster Feline, Griffin, Wolven, and Ursine sets come with set bonuses when wearing 3 out of 6 and 6 out of 6 of the set pieces, which provide even more of an incentive to pair these Witcher gear sets with a specific skill build.

Grandmaster Set Bonuses Compared

Feline(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 stun opponents at the cost of 1 Adrenaline Point.
Griffin(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%.
Wolven(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 bleed effects applied to a single enemy.
Forgotten Wolven(3/6) Increased potion duration (7% per piece); (6/6) Aard deals additional damage to enemies affected by Yrden.
Ursine(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%.
Manticore3/6) Critical hit chance and critical hit damage also apply to bombs; (6/6) One more charge for each alchemy item.

Note: you should always pair your chosen armor type (light, medium, or heavy) with a specific Witcher School Technique skill for powerful bonuses. There are three possible options: Cat School Techniques (light armor), Wolf School (medium armor), and Bear School (heavy armor).

Keep in mind you can also enchant your armor with a glyphword to have all your armor treated as a specific type:

  1. Levity for light armor
  2. Balance for medium armor
  3. Heft for heavy armor

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