The Witcher 3’s various skills and abilities can be overwhelming for a player who is not used to making their character builds. What the best ability is can be dependent on whether the player uses more magic or swords in combat. It can all depend on an individual’s play style.
However, fans have tested out all kinds of builds in the game and have determined thebestWitcher 3skillshave been most useful to them. These skills help Geralt not only stay alive but thrive on his journey. Some are for combat, some are for healing, and others can help problem solve invarious questlines.
Updated on May 25, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:The Witcher 3 is one of the greatest video games ever made that players can’t get enough of to this day. Geralt’s journey ends on a high note as he hunts down Ciri while trying to save her from the Wild Hunt’s clutches. During his adventures, the White Wolf will slowly learn a wealth of powerful abilities that will help him take out the strongest foes with ease. Some of thebest Witcher 3 skillsare a joy to use both in and out of combat, letting players step into the shoes of a mutated warrior who can hold his own against scores of humans and monsters without facing too many issues in the process.
23Metabolic Control
Increases Geralt’s Maximum Toxicity
While the pre-battle rituals of the first two games are absent inThe Witcher 3, that doesn’t take away anything from the usefulness of potions in combat. Any witcher worth their salt will dabble in the alchemy systems of the game to get the edge on their opponents and heal up when the situation gets dire. However, it’s impossible to guzzle down potions without a care in the world, since the toxicity mechanic will rear its ugly head and stop players in their tracks.
This makes it important to invest in one of thebestWitcher 3skillsthat increases Geralt’s maximum toxicity and lets him ingest more potions without too many problems. Metabolic Control helps achieve the same, even if some people may find it a bit too extreme to dedicate a slot for a General skill, but it’s worth it for players who want to make the most of powerful potions to turn the tide of battle against powerful monsters.
22Rage Management
Signs Can Be Cast Using Adrenaline Points
Adrenaline Points are one of the many things that players need to keep track of in combat if they wish to take out their foes in style. It allows players to enhance the damage of their blows and carry out special attacks that help battles end in a flash. Players who want to make the most of the Adrenaline Points they generate in battle should invest in one of thebestWitcher 3skillsthat can be a huge help during battles.
Players need a healthy pool of stamina to cast Signs and show enemies who’s boss. The lack of this resource can make combat tricky for players, especially if certain enemies can only be stopped in their tracks with certain spells. Thankfully, with Rage Management, Geralt can channel his Adrenaline in battle and use it to cast Signs when the going gets tough, which can prove to be useful in a bevy of situations when players are up against it.
21Fast Metabolism
Toxicity Drops Faster
Toxicity can be a nightmare to deal with during an intense fight. The last thing players want is for Geralt’s vitality to start dropping once theyingest a few too many potionsduring a battle. Tougher foes can be a nightmare to deal with if Geralt doesn’t have the capacity to heal when required, which is why the best course of action to take in such a scenario is to invest in one of thebestWitcher 3abilitiesthat helps manage Geralt’s toxicity levels with ease.
Fast Metabolism helps Geralt’s Toxicity drop at an accelerated rate, meaning that any battle of attrition will swing in the player’s favor. As long as players have concocted enough potions to help them out in a tough spot, they’ll have a great time engaging in some ofThe Witcher 3’s toughest battles and coming out victorious, even if Geralt looks like he’s on the verge of death with his skin being paler than ever and his veins popping out.
20Attack Is The Best Defense
Defensive Actions Generate Adrenaline Points
Most players won’t bother to invest in General abilities, since they can’t be used to augment a player’s build. However, investing in a few isn’t the worst idea, and abilities likeAttack is the Best Defenseprove why these abilities can turn the tide of battle and turn regular actions into beneficial ones for Geralt.
After all, Adrenaline is a huge part of what makes combat so satisfying inThe Witcher 3. If players want to rack up Adrenaline Points, then equipping this skill and schooling Geralt’s foes is as satisfying as it gets. Dodging and blocking enemies to generate Adrenaline is one of the best ways to enhance a player’s damage and launch critical counterattacks in the blink of an eye.
19Protective Coating
Offers Protection Against Certain Monster Types Based On The Blade Oil Used
With the Next-Gen Update,using Blade Oilsis as easy as can be. Instead of going through a cumbersome menu and selecting the best oil for the situation, players can just auto-apply these oils and save themselves the hassle. This can completely change the way players approach the game, withProtective Coatingbeing a skill that pretty much offers a passive benefit whenever players take on tough foes.
With this skill, players can enjoy a decent level of protection from the enemy based on the blade oil used. This allows players to enhance both their defense and offense against a tough enemy, which is a boon for obvious reasons.
18Killing Spree
Critical Hit Chance Increases Based On Enemies Killed While Toxicity Is Above 0
After a point, players will realize just how important it is to use Witcher brews against tough enemies to even the field. This is especially true in the DLC areas, where each fight can decimate Geralt if he’s not buffed to kingdom come. While drinking too many potions increases Geralt’s toxicity, there’s a nifty way that this mechanic can be turned around to benefit the Witcher.
The White Wolf can unlock an ability calledKilling Spreethat increases his critical chance with each enemy killed as long as his Toxicity is above 0. If players buff themselves regularly with potions, they should have no problems with taking out a group of enemies, showing them who’s boss by landing multiple critical hits in quick succession.
17Rend
Consume Stamina To Deal A Deadly Blow
There are many combat skills that players can invest in to make Geralt stronger, but not all of them add new abilities for the Witcher to mess around with. This is why players should invest inRend, an ability that lets playersunleash a powerful attackafter consuming Adrenaline Points.
The attack takes a while to execute, so pinning enemies in place is recommended before unleashing this blow. It hits like a truck and shaves off a ton of health from an enemy health bar, with fewer enemies being taken care of in a single hit.
16Razor Focus
Instantly Gain An Adrenaline Point In Battle And Generate Adrenaline At A Faster Pace
Adrenaline is something that fans should build up as much as possible inThe Witcher 3if they want to ace the game’s combat. So, any ability that instantly hands players an Adrenaline Point when they enter combat is welcome.
Razor Focusis perfect for players who want to rip through battles in record time. Geralt’s abilities can work in tandem with his free Adrenaline Point, and players will also benefit from a heightened generation of Adrenaline if they invest more points in this upgrade.
15Sun And Stars
Regenerate Vitality In The Day And Stamina At Night
This is a skill useful for all builds, especially ones that dislike investing in alchemy (which means fewer healing items). It slowly regenerates Geralt’s health when he is not in combat during the daytime. Some players have argued that regeneration is so slow that the skill is useless. However, it is a good safety net. Many players make the mistake of getting a skill and never utilizing it. But sinceSun and Starsis a passive skill, it is always useful.
Even with slow regeneration, the healing can be welcome sincethe game can have the player travel long distances.
14Muscle Memory And/Or Strength Training
Increase The Damage Of Both Fast & Strong Attacks
Two other must-have passive skills areMuscle Memory and/or Strength Training. They increase the damage enemies take by Geralt’s physical attacks. For players who prefer fast attacks and light armor, Muscle Memory is one of thebest skills inThe Witcher 3. For those that prefer strong attacks and heavy armor, Strength training should be picked. A lot of players get both, though.
If these skills reach level five, additional damage can reach 25 percent.
