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Icon disambig This article is about critical effects in The Witcher. For critical effects in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, see The Witcher 2 critical effects. For critical effects in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, see The Witcher 3 critical effects.
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In any given battle in the game, the object is for Geralt to win, either by killing or frightening off his foes. This is achieved by inflicting as much damage on opponents while taking as little damage from them as possible. The damage inflicted can be enhanced positively (for Geralt) by making use of weapons and signs which increase the critical effects that some of these possess. The damage can also be negatively enhanced (i.e. be more damaging to Geralt) as well, if his opponents possess weapons of their own which enhance some critical effects.

Combat modifiers[ | ]

  • Attack: The chance of successful attack. The higher the attack, the smaller the probability of enemy evading the attack.
  • Dodge: Chance of evading / avoiding enemy attacks. Most effective against monsters whose attacks can not be parried.
  • Parry: Chance of actively blocking enemy blows. Most effective against armed opponents.

Effects used against Geralt[ | ]

Icon Name Effects Related
Bleeding effect symbol Bleeding
  • Continuous loss of vitality.
  • Attack efficiency reduced — reduced hit, parry and dodge efficiency.
  • Chance of dodging and parrying opponent attacks reduced.
  • Susceptibility to Pain critical effect increased.
Blinding effect symbol Blinding
  • Active dodging of opponent attacks blocked.
  • Special manoeuvres disabled.
  • Attack efficiency reduced — reduced hit, parry and dodge efficiency.
  • Chance of dodging and parrying opponent attacks reduced.
  • Susceptibility to Knockdown critical effect increased.
Incineration effect symbol Incineration
  • Continuous loss of vitality.
  • Active dodging of opponent attacks blocked.
  • Ability to parry enemy attacks blocked.
  • Special manoeuvres disabled.
  • Sign use blocked.
  • Susceptibility to Blinding critical effect increased.
Knockdown effect symbol Knockdown
  • Temporary Knockdown, i.e. knocking an opponent (or an opponent knocking Geralt) to the ground.
  • When an enemy is knocked down, it prevents them from launching their next attack as quickly.
  • Opponents can kill Geralt with one hit (a finishing blow), making this effect especially dangerous in combat against large, powerful beasts.
Pain effect symbol Pain
  • Slows movement and attack speed.
  • Reduces chance of dodging and parrying opponent attacks.
  • The pain animation provides a visual stop to opponents attacking as they suffer the effect.
Poison effect symbol Poison
Stun effect symbol Stun
  • Geralt is incapacitated, i.e. control of Geralt is temporarily ineffective.
  • Opponents can kill Geralt with one hit (Coups de Grâce using ordinary swords or simple finishing blows using non-witcher style weapons).
  • When stunned, enemies' attacks are temporarily stopped as they remain afflicted.

Effects used by Geralt[ | ]

Name Effects Related
Disarm
  • Provides an increased chance of disarming opponent.
Dislodge shield
  • Provides an increased chance of dislodging the opponent's shield.
Fear
  • Paralyzes opponent with fear.
Hex
  • Appears to be similar to charm, as it makes an opponent fight on the caster's side.
Precise hit
  • Provides an increased chance of landing a critical blow.
Sensitivity to silver
  • Increased an opponents vulnerability to silver weapons.

See also[ | ]