The Witcher 3: A Complete Guide To Monster Hunts
Monster hunting is precisely why witchers were created. There are several types of monsters Geralt may be contracted to kill, each requiring a different tactical approach to overcome.
Below are the monster hunts available in The Witcher 3, listed with the monster’s type, vulnerabilities, and best tactics to use on each.
White Orchard Contracts
“The Beast of White Orchard” (Main questline)
Monster: Griffin
Vulnerabilities: Grapeshot Bomb, Hybrid Oil, Aard
Quest Requirements: Buckthorn plant for bait.
Tips: As with all winged enemies, Geralt should start by knocking the Griffin from the sky by using the crossbow or Aard sign. Attack the Griffin from the side once it’s grounded.
“Devil By The Well”
Monster: Noonwraith
Vulnerabilities: Moon Dust Bombs, Specter Oil, Yrden
Tips: As with most spectral enemies, trapping the Noonwraith in a physical form with the Yrden sign allows Geralt to land attacks.
Velen Contracts
“Missing Brother”
Monster: Arachas
Vulnerabilities: Insectoid Oil
Optional Objective: Use the Igni sign to destroy all monster eggs before facing the Arachas.
Tips: Nullify the Arachas’ poisonous effects by drinking Golden Oriole. Utilize Geralt’s witcher signs. A blast of Igni allows for follow up sword strikes, while Yrden or Axii can slow the monster to facilitate flanking maneuvers.
“Jenny o’ The Woods”
See “Devil By The Well.” Additionally, Geralt can follow up with Igni after trapping Jenny with Yrden.
“Mysterious Tracks”
Monster: Howler
Vulnerability: Relict Oil
Tips: Take the defensive by utilizing the Quen sign and dodging, then strike at the Howler’s side whenever possible.
“Phantom of The Trade Route”
Monster: Royal Wyvern
Vulnerabilities: Grapeshot Bomb, Draconid Oil, Aard
Tips: Avoid this monster’s attacks and keep it grounded with the crossbow, Aard sign, or bombs to inhibit deadly aerial dives.
“Shrieker”
Monster: Cockatrice
Vulnerabilities: Grapeshot Bombs, Draconid Oil, Aard
Tips: Cockatrices cause bleeding wounds, so keep a safe distance and bombard it with Grapeshots. Keep it disabled with Aard, then haul away with a Draconid Oil-coated blade.
“Swamp Thing”
Monster: Foglet (Ignis Fatuus)
Vulnerabilities: Moon Dust Bomb, Necrophage Oil
Quest Requirements: Keira Metz’s medallion is required to lift an illusion placed on the cave entrance.
Tips: Make consistent use of the Quen sign against Ignis’s hard-hitting attacks. Quickly slay the level zero Foglets Ignis summons to avoid additional damage. The monsters cannot leave the fog, so retreat and a drink a Swallow potion if necessary.
“The Merry Widow”
Monster: Grave Hag
Vulnerabilities: Black Blood potion, Necrophage Oil, Yrden
Tips: Slow the monster with Yrden or use a stun-and-hit combo by pacifying it with Axii. The hag’s claw attacks can be parried but watch out for its long-ranged tongue, which can blind Geralt and leave him momentarily defenseless.
“The Mystery of Byways Murders”
Monster: Ekimmara
Vulnerabilities: Devil’s Puffball Bomb, Vampire Oil, Igni
Tip: Fast attacks will stagger, giving the Ekimmara no chance to strike.
Novigrad Contracts
“An Elusive Thief”
Monster: Doppler
Vulnerability: Relict Oil
Choice Based Quest: The fight can be won with simple swordplay, but Geralt will have to choose whether to kill the Doppler or let him go. Killing him is the only chance to obtain a Doppler mutagen, required to brew a Doppler Decoction. If spared, the Doppler will reward Geralt with lots of coin and a sword diagram.
“Deadly Delight”
Monster: Succubus
Vulnerability: Hybrid Oil
Choice Based Quest: Kill or spare the Succubus. Killing her provides one of two chances to acquire a Succubus mutagen in-game, but the decoction it’s used for isn’t a necessity.
“Doors Slamming Shut”
Monster: Earth Elemental Boss (Therazane)
Vulnerabilities: Dimeritium Bombs, Elementa Oil
Tips: Strong but slow, Therazane is easy to dodge. Immediately follow up one or two strong attacks with a backward dodge when he begins an attack. Therazane will enter a defensive stance when attacked repeatedly—attacking him again while in this stance will cause an explosion capable of a one-shot kill.
“Lord of The Wood”
Monster: Leshen
Vulnerabilities: Dimeritium Bombs, Relict Oil, Igni
Tips: Leshen root attacks may only be avoided by rolling out of harm’s way. Moon Dust Bombs prevent Leshens from taking their elusive smoke form. Setting Leshens ablaze renders them defenseless.
“The Apiarian Phantom”
Monster: Hound of the Wild Hunt
Vulnerabilities: Dimeritium Bomb, Elementa Oil, Igni, Axii
Tips: Keep a safe distance from the Hound’s icicle barriers and blast the Hound with Igni.
“The Creature From Oxenfurt Forest”
Monster: Archgriffin
See “The Beast of White Orchard.” Additionally, Archgriffins can spit acid.
“The Woodland Beast”
The beast turns out to be a band of Scoia’tael elves. Skilled swordplay and applying Hanged Man’s Venom to Geralt’s steel sword makes easy work of them, but Geralt has the option to side with the elves as well.
Skellige Contracts
“Dragon”
Monster: Forktail
Vulnerabilities: Grapeshot Bomb, Draconid Oil, Aard
Tips: As the name suggests, watch out for its tail. See “Phantom of The Trade Route” or “Shrieker.”
“Here Comes The Groom”
Monster: Ekhidna
Vulnerabilities: Grapeshot Bomb, Hybrid Oil, Igni, Aard
Tips: Akin to Sirens, keeping Ekhidnas grounded is the best method.
“Muire D’yaebien”
Monster: Water Hag (Abaya)
Vulnerabilities: Northern Winds Bomb, Necrophage Oil, Igni, Quen
Tips: Blocking or parrying Abaya is futile. Geralt should slow her with Yrden and protect himself with Quen.
“Strange Beast”
Monster: Nekkers
Vulnerabilities: Northern Wind Bomb, Ogroid Oil
“The Phantom of Eldberg”
Monsters: Wraiths and Penitent
See “Devil By The Well”
Duck, Duck, Goosed! (Blood & Wine Expansion)
Monsters: Pixies and Bandits
Tips: Pixies are considered Elementa making them susceptible to blades coated in Elementa Oil.
Special Reward: Golden Egg (Consume to gain an additional skill point.)
Contracts are typically posted on notice boards within various towns and cities. The major contracts are also bestowed directly from NPCs. After defeating a monster, remember to take a trophy from the contracted kill as proof to claim the reward.
The Witcher 3 is available for PC, Xbox, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
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