Witchers carry two swords with the knowledge that they will be used against man and beast. Words alone aren’t always enough to dissuade everyone and everything from picking a fight with Geralt of Rivia, and so it becomes important to live up to his other name: the Butcher of Blaviken.
Combat in Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can be challenging, even on the Story and Sword! difficulty setting. Geralt has a vast array of options at his disposal, which can be daunting at first, especially during battles where the Witcher is greatly outnumbered. A fight can break out spontaneously: bandits stalking a frequented road could run you down on horseback, a pack of wolves or nekkers can suddenly charge from the underbrush, or you may be caught in an ambush in a forgotten alley somewhere in Novigrad. Part of winning combat is being prepared to fight at any time, against a wide variety of opponents.
You must also make good use of the tools available, hurting the enemy as much as possible while avoiding harm yourself. Geralt can fight with his swords, magic Signs, crossbow, or fists. He can augment his abilities with potions, mutagens, and decoctions. With alchemy, he can craft devastating bombs that can cripple man and monster with a variety of effects, or create sword oils that can help his blades inflict maximum harm on specific enemies. The trick is combining all of these tools effectively.