Combat Lessons
Fighting Style
The School of the Wolf is a school of witchers who specialize in killing monsters by means of two swords—one steel, one silver.
They come from another world entirely, yet boast superlative sword techniques that enable them to survive here. A special feature of their fighting style is their ability to use basic spells called "Signs." Since Signs consume magic energy, they cannot be used in quick succession, but their supernatural effects enable their users to dominate in many a battle.
The silver sword is intended for dispatching monsters in the witchers' homeworld, but there are few opportunities to use it here. That is, until someone or something with preternatural powers appears...
Style Lesson: Beginner
Main Distance Covering Moves
The Cleaving Pirouette's (33_66_99AA) high horizontal slash is a great way to close the distance to your opponent before they can react—particularly at the start of a fight. When using Alzur's Double-Cross (66BB), you take a long stride and deal two vertical strikes that knock your opponent down if they land, allowing you to move closer and put even more pressure on.
Cleaving Pirouette
     (3)_(6)_(9)AA - Attack Level:  ger-76
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 18 | 14,16 | -4 | 2 | 2 | 3% |
| Normal Hit Combo | |||||
Alzur's Double-cross ~ Igni Burn
 (6)BB - Attack Level:  ger-90
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 30 | 18,27 | -12 | KND | KND | 20% |
Normal Hit Combo. 
| |||||
Main Close Combat Moves
At close range, stop your opponents in their tracks with a Berserker Crush (6AB). It's a fast, two-strike technique that leaves your opponent very little time to counter if they block. If you manage to stop your opponent, hit them with a middle or low attack to try to break through their guard. The Kingsweeper (1AB) is a counterattack combo that starts with a low attack. However, the second thrust can leave you open if blocked, so think carefully before you use it. The Skelliger Uppercut (3B) will launch your opponents into the air, opening them up to an air combo.
Berserker Crush
 6AB - Attack Level: ger-5
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 16 | 14,20 | -8 | 2 | 2 | 8% |
Kingsweeper
 1AB - Attack Level:  ger-10
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 26 | 18,27 | -14 | STN | STN | 10% |
| [When hitting an opponent with a full soul gauge]
| |||||
Skelliger Uppercut
 3B - Attack Level: ger-27
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 20 | 28 | -14 | LNC | LNC | 9% |
|
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Signs
You can use magic Signs, though these deplete your soul gauge. For example, use the Quen Sign (6A+B) to prevent any damage from your opponent as you start to rush forward—particularly useful for long range strikes.
Quen Strike
DURING MOTION  6A+B - Attack Level: ger-118
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 43 | 20 | - | STN | KND | 9% |
Style Lesson: Adept
Aard Sign
This style affords you a number of Signs. The Aard Push (8A+B) and Sweeping Aard Thrust (1AA) both produce a kinetic pulse that sends foes flying. Speedy attacks, they let you stop an enemy charging at you at close range relatively easily. The Vaulting Aard Hammer (A+GA+B) is a damaging throw that's perfect against an opponent in a standing guard.
Aard Push
 8A+B - Attack Level:  ger-128
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 10 | 20 | -10 | 4 | 4 | 4% |
| |||||
Sweeping Aard Thrust
| 1AA - Attack Level: ger-9
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 26 | 18,21 | -12 | 4 | 4 | 5% |
| Counter Hit Combo | |||||
Vaulting Aard Hammer
 A+GA+B - Attack Level: ger-73
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 18 | 70 | - | STN | STN | - |
SG.  .
| |||||
 4A+GA+B - Attack Level: ger-74
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 18 | 70 | - | STN | STN | - |
| SG. .
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Igni Sign
The Igni Burn produces sparks that damage the opponent even if they are in a standing guard. Use 2A+B or Impaling Hilt ~ Igni Burn (6BB) to do just that.
Igni Burn
  (2)_(8)A+B - Attack Level: ger-124
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 18 | 10 | -12 | 0 | 4 | 4% |
 + (2)_(8)(A)+(B) - Attack Level: ger-125
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 18 | 10 | -6 | KND | KND | 5% |
|
| |||||
Impaling Hilt ~ Igni Burn
| 6BB - Attack Level: ger-26
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 18 | 16,6,12 | -12 | 0 | 0 | 5% |
| Normal Hit Combo. Igni burn | |||||
Yrden Sign
The Yrden Glyph (4A+B) produces a magic field that acts as a guard impact, allowing you to avoid your opponent's attack. If you're successful in casting it, you will cause your opponent to recoil, leaving them open to a Skelliger Uppercut (3B) or other combo.
Yrden Glyph
| 4A+B - Attack Level: ger-126
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
.  [4-19]
| |||||
   (1)_(4)_(7)A+B - Attack Level: ger-127
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| . [4-19]
| |||||
Axii Glyph
Axii Glyph (A+K, etc.) is a special attack that only hits the opponent when they move behind you. If it lands, it will leave the opponent defenseless for some time.
Style Lesson: Master
Silver Sword: Soul Charge Counter
There are two swords available in this fighting style, and the silver one is particularly effective against any opponent who has activated a soul charge. The Adrenaline Onslaught (4A) is a long-range horizontal middle attack. You can use it to stun an opponent who has activated a soul charge. Use Backhand Eviscerate (4B) to deal a lethal hit, opening your foe up to a more damaging combo than usual. Deadly Retribution (44A) turns into an attack throw if it connects at close range, doing extreme damage against soul charged opponents. Mastering these moves will help you turn the tables on boosted enemies and claim victory.
Adrenaline Onslaught
| 4A - Attack Level: ger-11
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 20 | 14 | -16 | -6 | - | 1% |
| [If CH see 4AA] Tech Crouch | |||||
| enemy in SC 4A - Attack Level: ger-12
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 20 | 20 | -16 | STN | STN | 1% |
| [If CH see 4AA] | |||||
| CH 4AA - Attack Level: ger-13
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 20 | 17,12,15 | - | STN | STN | 1% |
| Counter Hit Combo +10 STN, KND in opp SC | |||||
Backhand Eviscerate
| 4B - Attack Level: ger-30
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 22 | 22 | -12 | KND | STN | 9% |
|
| |||||
Deadly Retribution (against Soul-charged Enemy)
| (4)A - Attack Level: ger-87
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 26 | 60 | -8 | KND | KND | 4% |
| |||||
Critical Edge
Hunt of the White Wolf
Properties
A fast attack with a long reach that can be incorporated into an air combo for big damage.
Hunt Of The White Wolf
 A+B+K - Attack Level: ger-115
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 16 | 80 | -16 | KND | KND | 10% |
|
| |||||
Tips
Use after launching your opponent into the air with a Skelliger Uppercut (3B) or similar move. It can also be used as a counterattack and is effective after evading an opponent's attack with the 8-way run.
Soul Charge
Sign Chalning
Drink the Tawny Owl potion to stop your soul gauge from depleting when you use a Sign. This way you will be able to use multiple Signs during a soul charge. (However, note that your soul charge timer will be significantly reduced.)
Perform Crisp Combos
The following are some signature witcher moves that you can wield in combat: Wolven Storm (during soul charge AAAA), Blizzard Frenzy (during soul charge 33_66_99AAA), and Tawny Owl Upsurge (during soul charge 3AAAAAAA...).
Wolven Storm
| SC AAAA - Attack Level: ger-131
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 12 | 11,13,30,27 | -6 | KND | KND | 10% |
| Normal Hit Combo 1st&2nd hit. Normal Hit Combo 2nd&3rd hit | |||||
Blizzard Frenzy
| SC (3)_(6)_(9)AAA - Attack Level: ger-136
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 18 | 15,17,26 | 4 | KND | KND | 10% |
| Normal Hit Combo 1st&2nd hit | |||||
Tawny Owl Upsurge
| SC 3AAAA - Attack Level: ger-135
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 16 | 14,9,11,10,20 | -16 | KND | KND | 9% |
| String repeats from 2nd hit | |||||
Yrden Aggression
A soul attack in which you repeatedly attack the opponent after restraining them with the Yrden sign. When the attack lands, you can then dominate the opponent with powerful signs.
Yrden Agression
 236A+B+K - Attack Level: ger-116
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | Damage | Block | Hit | Counter | Guard Burst |
| 16 | 23,10,12 | 4 | 8 | STN | 19% |
Reversal Edge
Following Up with A
A horizontal strike with your silver sword. If your enemy has activated a soul charge, you can unleash a damaging combo.
Following Up with B
A rising vertical strike with your steel sword. if it lands, you will transition into an attack throw and slash multiple times. This is the most damaging possible follow-up against an opponent who hasn't activated a soul charge.
Following Up with K
A kick that does little damage but can potentially ring out your opponent.