When it came out in 2015, there were few who could deny it was a truly breathtaking game. Sweeping landscapes sprawled out before you as you took control of the murder robot, Geralt of Rivia. Like all role-playing games, the Witcher 3 is chalk full of beautiful and powerful artifacts and weapons to stockpile endlessly “just incase” you ever need to use them.

Today I will showcase some of what, in my opinion, are the most magnificent and powerful Witcher 3 armor sets and weapons. I would first like to note that this list will not include modded armor or weapons. There is simply no real boundary when it comes to Witcher 3 mods and so the most powerful equipment will obviously be the ones with extraordinarily overpowered stats.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best looking and most powerful Witcher 3 armor sets and weapons weapons. This list is in no particular order and will hopefully inspire you to go out into the game and seek out some of the rare and lethal artifacts that await you.

I should also note that only one set will be included from New Game Plus, as it is pretty unique. Otherwise everything else on this list can be obtained on your first run through of the game.

There are so many cool looking pieces of armor in the game that it makes it difficult to truly pickout the standalone best ones. Obviously the Witcher School armors will be showcased, because they are among the most iconic suits of armor in the game, but there are some random relics that might surprise you.

Each school in the Witcher universe hosts its own unique set of armaments based on the aspect they feel they embody. As this part of the article is strictly for the design and detailing of each Witcher 3 armor set I will be focusing on the grandmaster versions of the armor, as they tend to be the most detailed and complete looking sets of armor.

I am of the opinion that Geralt’s first armor set was one of the best looking suits of armor in the Witcher. Unfortunately the Kaer Morhen armor does not last long when faced with a rapidly levelling Geralt and increasingly deadly enemies.

However, there is a set in the game that offers considerably more defensibility and looks nearly identical to the iconic armor shown in the game trailers and that you start the game with.

Blood and Wine was, in my opinion, one of the greatest expansions I have ever played. Even if it had been a standalone game, I would not have been upset in any way.

Included in the DLC was a new suit of armor to collect and craft, the Manticore Set. This glorious swashbuckler’s outfit harkens back to the first Witcher, and it looks glorious in the Witcher’s 3 game engine. If you want your Witcher to look hauntingly dashing this is the set for you.

The Wolf School Witcher 3 armor set is one of my favorite suits of armor in any game. While it might be slightly outclassed by the suave Manticore Set or the iconic Viper Set, the rough, rugged battle tested armor of the Wolven is still one of the most impressive suits of armor in the game. I personally find the “Master” level of this set the coolest looking.

The Grandmaster version adds a metal gorget and shoulder guard, which looks pretty cool, but was maybe an unnecessary addition.

Geralt generally seems to prefer lighter armors, with chain and leather forming the bulk of his protective equipment. The Ursine, or Bear, School does away with that, and adds steel plating to his arms and legs.

In addition to other armors, which are primarily leather with some chain mixed in, the bulk of his armor appears to be heavy chain mail. Definitely not a suit of armor you would want to walk around in all day, but one you would be happy to have in a fight to the death.

The Feline (or cat) School is very cool looking, but I just feel it isn’t quite as unique or iconic as the schools above. Sleek leather armor with a cowl and metal studs certainly provides a rogue-like appearance, but it is just not among my favorite Witcher 3 armor sets in terms of appearance. I find it looks a little bland when compared to some of the other suits of armor on the list.

While most of the school Witcher 3 armor sets don’t look all that uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, the Gryphon Set definitely takes a step towards defensiveness but at the cost of encumbrance.

With a bulky hardened leather cuirass, and heavy chain and leather protecting the rest of the body, this set is definitely one you would want to don just before entering battle. Trudging through the wilderness in this suit of armor would be rather unpleasant, but very protective. That said, I think the Ursine Set’s heavier armor aesthetic is better.

There are many other amazing sets of armor in the Witcher 3 game, if you are willing to branch away from the tried and true Witcher School armaments.

While some of the more impressive ones were added in the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine Expansions, you can find some very impressive ones even in the base game. Again this list is specifically based on appearance and is, of course, my personal opinion.

The Toussaint Ducal Guard Captain’s Armor is perhaps one of the most beautiful suits of armor in the game. Dark Leather with metal pauldrons and delicate embroidery, this armor is a pleasure to behold.

This is the sort of equipment one could expect on a diplomat, a warrior, a noble, or even a dashing rake. I would highly recommend picking up this armor

While generally I prefer the look of lighter armor to heavy, the set of Toussaint armor you can obtain in the Blood and Wine expansion is truly magnificent.

Sleek plate armor over leather gives Geralt the look of a powerful knight. It doesn’t hurt that it offers a huge buff to vitality and some of the highest damage resistance in the game.

CD Projekt Red does offer a few pieces of what is known as Free-LC for the Witcher 3. Included in these free downloadable additions is the Nilfgaardian Armor Set.

While the empire seems to host far more than its share of horrible people and seems bent on putting its boots to the neck of every free land, one cannot deny that those boots are stylish as hell. With a dark leather and embroidered Cuirass and sleek black metal hardpoints on Geralt’s elbows and legs, you will be toppling free lands in style.

Sleek black leather is a good look for Geralt. This Witchewr 3 armor set was added in the Hearts of Stone expansion and is a set you should seriously consider if you want your Witcher to look like a night-stalking assassin. There is not much to describe about this set, and I think that is the point.

There is something oddly entrancing about Skellige armor that makes me like it more than most of the heavy armor options in the game. It consists of overlapping brass plates on the shoulders and brass bracers atop heavy chain armor and leather.

There is just something inspiring about it, like Geralt has finally decided to become a king and lead his people to victory at all cost. We all know that is not a thing that will happen, but it is really cool looking armor.

This set was added in the Blood and Wine expansion and is another “assassin-like” outfit for Geralt.

Tight fitting black cloth with black leather hardpoints to offer protection, the armor suits a version of Geralt who strikes from the shadows and leaves corpses in his wake. The set also includes a pretty neat looking mask, though it does kind of stand out in a crowd.

The Ofieri Set is truly one of the most beautiful Witcher 3 suits of armor. Sleek silky robes with detailed and delicate leather and cloth hardpoints, it is simply spectacular.

It doesn’t hurt that the entire set hosts elaborate embroidery and detailing. Quite possibly one of the most stylish Witcher 3 armor sets you could murder enemies and monsters in.

Much like the normal Witcher 3 armor sets, each School has its own unique weapons which you can craft. To be completely honest, there is only one set of Witcher School weapons that I really like the look of, with the others being sort of just okay. That said, let’s take a look at them.

By far the coolest looking pair of swords forged by a Witcher school, and also one of the most realistic, at least until you upgrade the Silver Sword to its legendary level. Both swords have gently arcing guards instead of the angular pointed guards of the other Witcher Schools. Each has a sleek straight blade with blood grooves along the blades. Definitely one of my favorite pairs of swords in the game.

Once you upgrade your Silver Sword to its Legendary level, however, it looks nearly identical to the other Grandmaster Silver Swords.

These swords are among the best in the game. Using these weapons will complete the Witcher Gear Set for the Manticore School. The Set bonuses will allow bombs access to your critical hit and damage increases while also increasing the number of charges for each alchemy item by one.

Steel Sword (Level 40)
335-409 Damage

The Wolf School offers a very cool Steel Sword and a pretty okay silver sword. For some reason the world of the Witcher has chosen to use angled straight guards on its silver swords that I think look kind of silly. Nearly every school, with the exception of the Manticore School follows this design style and even the Manticore Set jumps on the same design when it’s upgraded to its highest level. That said the steel sword in the Wolf Set is really cool with a straight guard and a ring shaped secondary guard on higher up on the blade. It gives it a touch of elegance and style.

In terms of stats the Wolf Swords are not my favorite, nor are its Witcher 3 armor sets bonuses. It is sort of a generally good set, increasing your critical hit chance and sign intensity equally. This set would probably be the best for those who like to mix a lot of signs and swordplay together, but I still feel other sets would handle most playstyles better. The first tier bonus allows you to apply up to three different oils at a time while the second allows you to throw bombs without delay.

Steel Sword (Level 40)
335-409 Damage

The Feline School swords are pretty similar to those found in the Wolf School swords. The silver sword again hosts straight guards angled at 45 degrees or so, though it is far more pronounced than the Wolf Silver Sword. The Steel Sword again hosts the double guard of a ring around the blade and the standard straight guard lower. I really like the Steel Swords in both the Feline and Wolf Schools, I just really do not find the Silver Swords to be particularly cool looking.

For those who love to deal critical hits and can blend strong and quick attacks into a beautiful dance of death, these weapons are among the best you can find. The Set bonuses increase your fast attack damage for five seconds for each piece of the set you are wearing after a strong attack. With the full Feline School set you will be dealing a punishing 30% extra damage on fast attacks after a strong attack. You will also deal 50% more damage with rear attacks and can also stun opponents.

Steel Sword (Level 40)
335-409 Damage

The Griffin School Witcher 3 school armor sets and weapons would have ranked higher on this list if its Steel Sword didn’t have that stupid wavy blade thing going on. While I can certainly appreciate that wavy blades did exist in history, the fact that they were never prevalent in any society really shows their overall effectiveness. For some reason fantasy games love their wavy blades, but I just imagine how painful it would be to sharpen effectively. Otherwise the Silver Sword is actually better looking than the Feline School one.

The Griffin Set is designed to focus your Witcher’s magical abilities. For those among you who like to focus heavily on signs, you should seriously consider using the Griffin Set. The first bonus allows you to cast a sign without stamina within three seconds of using a sign. This allows you to reserve your precious stamina while you hammer out spells. The second tier of the set increases the size of your Yrden traps by 40% and while you are safely within the confines of the trap you have increased stamina regeneration, sign intensity, and damage reduction. It is very powerful.

Steel Sword (Level 40)
335-409 Damage

Second last on the list are the Ursine School Weapons. I find the Ursine Steel Sword to have such a silly design that it actually detracts from the immersion of the game. With a weirdly thick and wide guard and yet another stupid wavy blade, it doesn’t look particularly practical to use, even for a superhumanly strong Witcher. The Silver Sword again hosts the angled guard, though its blade is pretty cool looking. The Bear Pommels also look pretty cool.

That said, the Ursine Swords are purpose built to eviscerate anything in your path. With a high Critical Hit Damage bonus and a pretty significant Chance to Dismember, you will be well equipped to handle most enemies in the game. The set also embodies the defensive nature of the Ursine School with the chance for your quen shield to regenerate upon breaking. With the full set this chance is 30%, which is pretty considerable.The second tier of the set increases the damage dealt by abilities involving Quen by 200%.

Steel Sword (Level 40)
335-409 Damage

Steel Sword (Level 39)
328-400 Damage

23. Hen Gaidth Armor

That brings us to the end of our Witcher 3 armor sets and weapons list. I hope you have discovered some new items you would like to find in the world. As a side note, I know the world is in a state of panic right now with COVID-19 spreading through every country. Stay safe out there everyone.