Archetype 3: Master Of The Blade And Bolt

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

Armor: Feline Armor

Swords: Ursine Steel Sword, Ursine Silver Sword

Crossbow: Ursine Crossbow or Geralt of Rivia’s Crossbow or Ravix of Fourhorn’s Crossbow,, Explosive Bolts, Split Bolts

Bombs: Samum, Northern Wind

Potions: Maribor Forest, Tawny Owl, Thunderbolt

Decoctions: Doppler, Katakan, Succubus

Glyphs: Quen

Runestones: Perun, Triglav, Zoria

Glyphwords: Protection

Runewords: Elation, Rejuvenation, Severance

Mutations: Cat Eyes (15 Research Points), Second Life (25 Research Points)

If you’re a crack shot with the crossbow, and wish to soften enemies up with this weapon (perhaps using explosive bolts occasionally on more troublesome creatures). Use the crossbow to distract, wound, or stun a foe, or to counter ranged enemies (such as Sirens) and those underwater (such as Drowners), as well as increasing your own Adrenaline. Then, providing you and your foes are on firm ground, finish the job using a flurry of fast attacks. The balance with this Archetype is the crossbow at range, and fast attacks for the majority of the time.

This Archetype begins with Cat School Techniques serving to augment your Light Armor by an incredible amount (critical hits increase by 100 percent, and fast attack damage by 20 percent with four Light Armor pieces worn). Remember that critical hits with your crossbow are also affected! Fast Attacks were chosen over Strong ones, as the Light Armor and focus on the Crossbow means you need to be nimble; and Abilities such as Rend (Strong Attack) are more difficult to pull off when harried by foes. Instead, use the Whirl attack as the mainstay of your offensive capabilities, increasing your Adrenaline in the process.

Note that Lightning Reflexes is the only one of the Marksmanship abilities not chosen, as you should be able to aim and fire a crossbow without the additional time slowdown, especially after practice, and this wastes points that could be otherwise spent on more potent skills. Another option not listed in the Abilities list is using Deadly Precision, as this also allows any Crossbow or Whirl strikes the chance to instantly kill an opponent (imagine taking down a Royal Griffin with a single shot!); though the chances of this happening is relatively small.

Steady Shot is another helpful and easily purchased General Ability, giving you 25 percent more damage each time you fire a bolt. However, it is best to choose this after Rage Management, so you have the option to utilize Quen (or other Signs) using Adrenaline Points if you need to defend and retreat. Signs are the shortfall of this Archetype; you usually ignore them completely. Only consider Quen for defensive purposes.

For Alchemy, only a glance at three Abilities is necessary: Refreshment, along with the standard Swallow potion, allows flexibility with your healing, and is the main reason for investing six points into Alchemy (you can always ignore this, and choose Lightning Reflexes or Deadly Precision as alternatives). However, it is always an excellent idea to use Poisoned Blades, especially during Whirl attacks.

The Crossbow is your main ranged weapon (compared to bombs, for example), so you need the best; the Ursine Crossbow. The Feline Crossbow, and to a lesser extent the Elven Crossbow are also good choices (the latter is available at lower levels). When you visit the Tourney Grounds and win a marksmanship competition, you’re awarded a Crossbow with your crest on it; this is another great option. Feel free to craft any of the different crossbow bolt types as you can, though Exploding and Precision Bolts are most effective in almost every combat situation.

Potions brewed are mainly Maribor Forest (for generating Adrenaline Points quickly), Thunderbolt (for increasing critical hits can melee or range), and Tawny Oil for regenerating Stamina. Add Swallow if you’re finding combat tough-going, but focus instead on the Quen armor and Rage Management to aid you over potion healing.

Once again, Samum and Northern Wind bombs allow you to soften up foes, but also to either blind or freeze them; leaving them sitting ducks for your crossbow attacks, especially those with explosive tips!

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. Try other Decoctions associated with the previous Combat builds as you wish. Doppler Decoctions is another option if you’ve frozen or stopped your foes using bombs, and want extra critical damage when attacking from behind.

As with most combat Archetypes, Quen-related Glyph words augment what little Sign power you have in your protective defenses. Runestones should focus on Adrenaline Point gain, so use Perun. Triglav or Zoria are other options, allowing you to stun or freeze a foe, before finishing them with bolts. Otherwise, Chernobog and Svarog are choices to try, too.

Glyphwords like Protection give you a stamina-free Quen at the start of combat, which allows you to wade in without delay. As your primary melee combat attack is Whirl, imbuing Severance (which increases the range of this attack) is an exceptional choice, though Rejuvenation (fatal blows restore some Stamina) or Elation (fatal blows restore some Adrenaline) are also good options.

Bloodbath (generating Adrenaline for each critical hit) is a good Mutation for combat-heavy Whirling strikes. Also worth considering is Second Life (for times you’re overwhelmed and need that instant resurrection, especially if you’re caught aiming a crossbow when attacked), and Cat Eyes, which upgrades your Crossbow process to previously unimaginable levels, and lets you see in the dark!