Archetype 2: Adrenaline Rush

(* Additional Abilities to swap in, or insert as 16 Slots are unlocked through Mutations)

Armor: Ursine Armor

Swords: Ursine Steel Sword, Ursine Silver Sword

Crossbow: Any

Bombs: Samum, Northern Wind

Potions: Blizzard, Maribor Forest, Thunderbolt

Decoctions: Archgriffin, Alghoul, Katakan, Succubus

Glyphs: Quen

Runestones: Chernobog, Perun, Svarog

Glyphwords: Protection, Retribution, Rotation

Runewords: Elation

Mutations: Bloodbath (5 Research Points), Mutated Skin (10 Research Points)

Rage Management is the lynchpin ability at the start of this Archetype’s adventure, allowing you to spend Adrenaline in place of Stamina to cast Signs (though magic isn’t the focus of this Archetype). Adrenaline burst allows signs you’ve cast to generate Adrenaline; creating a constant feedback loop of Adrenaline use and regeneration that seems contradictory at first, but its usefulness soon becomes more obvious. Maximum Razor Focus makes sword strikes generate massive amounts of Adrenaline, while Resolve allows you to take hits in melee, and lose less Adrenaline in the process. A high Adrenaline allows you to inflict much more damage in combat.

After choosing these abilities, pick from the Combat Branch (as each point also increases your Adrenaline Point gain no matter what the ability); leveling up Muscle Memory, Precise Blows, Strength Training, and Crushing Blows. As you suffer from Stamina regeneration penalties due to your heavy armor, it helps to have the ability to use Signs—regardless of your Stamina level thanks to Rage Management—at all times. Focusing on Igni and Quen when Signs are needed allows you to shrug off further enemy hits, and weaken them in the process.

Bear School Techniques provides a significant boost to your Strong Attack damage (which stacks with your other boosts), and the Bear School Witcher Armor has Adrenaline Bonuses that also stack. Your chosen swords are the finest for pure combat, and it’s always pleasant to complete a Witcher School look!

Though crossbows aren’t the main focus of this build by any means, always choose the best quality one you can find or purchase.

As Adrenaline is needed for this Archetype to really shine in combat, your primary brewing plan is Maribor Forest, which accelerates the generation of Adrenaline Points, and works well with the various abilities. Thunderbolt is a valuable potion for this melee-heavy Archetype, as greater critical hit chances are always welcome. Blizzard is helpful for maintaining your Stamina.

Samum and Northern Wind bombs allow you to soften up foes, but also to either blind or freeze them; and stalling enemies so you can pick a foe you need to tackle, or disable them before you wade in, is always helpful.

Archgriffin Decoctions are imperative for dealing additional damage to a particularly tough foe. Katakan Decoctions increase your critical hit chance. Succubus Decoctions grow your attack power, and should be imbibed at the start of a fight that you know will take a little longer than usual. Alghoul Decoctions give you increased Adrenaline generation until you suffer an enemy attack. Though it’s high-risk, if you’re competent at countering, the effects can be devastating!

Glyphs should primarily be Quen-related, to bolster the Sign ability you are primarily focused on. Runestones can be fashioned depending on where you need additional bonuses; Perun’s Adrenaline Point gain is fantastic, though you may wish to use Chernobog for the Attack power bonus, or Svarog for cutting through armor like butter.

Glyphwords like Protection give you a stamina-free Quen at the start of combat, which allows you to wade in without delay. Or try Retribution in case you’re hit and wish to return damage automatically (30 percent of the time). Rotation or other Igni-related Glyphwords are also to be considered, but only as a last-ditch effort when you’re relying on Signs after a combat flurry. Runewords are for you to ensure even more Adrenaline-related combat potency; Adrenaline point restoration every time you kill Elation!

While the base Combat Mutation Deadly Counter is a good possible Mutation choice, the Adrenaline generation for each critical hit makes Bloodbath a more potent choice for the professional slaughterer. Don’t overlook Mutated Skin as a possibility either; Adrenaline points can decrease incoming damage, which is helpful if you have a large number of them that this Archetype creates.