Merchants, armorsmiths, and blacksmiths can be found in the various major settlements throughout Velen, the city of Novigrad, and Skellige. All of them provide necessary services.
Merchants
Some merchants provide food, others deal in alchemic formulae and ingredients, while still others may be simple booksellers or bartenders. Merchants are marked on your map with specialized icons as you discover them. Some merchants are constantly traveling the roads between towns, which places them in danger from the local wildlife. If they come under attack, you must rescue them or else risk losing their services. Other merchants can be found as prisoners in bandit camps.
Armorsmiths and Blacksmiths
The two kinds of smiths offer specialized services. Armorsmiths can craft, sell, and repair armor. Blacksmiths are focused on weapons. There are some smiths able to repair and craft both weapons and armor, but not all smiths are equal. Many can work only on common quality gear and diagrams, while others specialize in Masterwork quality equipment. You also need to be mindful of a smith’s level. If they don’t have the necessary experience, they won’t be able to work with a crafting diagram you’ve found. Some smiths are being held prisoner in bandit encampments.
Dismantling
Dismantling an item destroys it and gives you some material components to use for further crafting. This is an incredibly useful function of all smiths: you’ll get nowhere with crafting if you try to buy all the materials yourself. Best to salvage what you can from equipment left behind by fallen foes, or from older weapons that are no longer of use to you, or from junk acquired during your travels.
Repairing Items
Swords will dull, armor will bend and break. A weapon or armorsmith can fully restore the durability of a piece of equipment. Additionally, Geralt is capable of enhancing his gear if you find a sharpening stone or crafting table at a village, a necessity before any hunt or ride across the countryside.
The Importance of Maintenance
Pay attention to the condition of your equipment! Deteriorated swords strike for considerably less damage, while low durability armor does not protect Geralt as well as maintained armor. A smith can fully restore a piece of equipment, and it is possible to use a repair kit to restore them in the field.
Workbenches and Sharpening Stones
Workbenches and sharpening stones can be found next to some smiths. You can use these to provide temporary boosts to their effectiveness. Workbenches and sharpening stones are indicated on your maps once you pass near them. This is where to go to get a boost before a tough fight.
Prostitutes and Carnal Knowledge
A witcher has certain needs, like any non-mutant male, and these can be sated by ladies of the night or day, willing to spend time with a mutant. If you’re flush with coin and want to spend it on someone not named Triss or Yennefer, there are opportunities in Novigrad.
Some Secondary Quests end with opportunities for Geralt to gain or pass on some carnal knowledge without needing to pay crowns in advance. We have also highlighted these opportunities when they present themselves throughout the quest walkthroughs.
Barbers
Geralt’s beard grows over time, and time marches ever onward. Go unshaven long enough and Geralt starts to resemble a dangerous and murderous hobo. You can visit barbers in certain villages and cities for a shave and a new hair-style, if you choose.
