Much like good wine, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt improves over time. Despite its years, the gameplay remains impressive. Returning to the Continent to find Ciri feels cozy, especially after a game of Gwent. Throughout the game, a strong armor set can mean the contrast between victory and reloading.

This guide by Gurugamer.com will cover the best armors in The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt.

10. Undvik Armor

The Undvik Armor belongs to the Skellige armor sets, available as free DLC. This heavy armor includes matching gear for Roach, such as a saddle, saddlebags, and blinders. You can acquire it by visiting the armorer NPC in the Kaer Trolde citadel.

Designed in the Undvik style, the armor boasts a unique and intricate appearance while offering substantial defensive stats for the early to midgame. However, it falls short in offensive attributes, which become crucial as you advance further in the game.

Attributes:

• +15% Resistance to damage from monsters
• +15% Resistance to elemental damage
• +55% Resistance to bludgeoning damage
• +55% Resistance to piercing damage
• +60% Resistance to slashing damage

9. Viper School Gear

The Undvik Armor shares a visual resemblance with Geralt's initial Kaer Morhen armor/Warrior's Leather Jacket. It features a darker tone and a snakeskin pattern, distinct from the Viper set. While the main game offers two swords from this school, the Hearts of Stone DLC introduces the full armor set through crafting diagrams. The medium armor's stats are decent, yet its lack of a set bonus and limited upgrades before Legendary tier are underwhelming.

Attributes:

• +100% Resistance to poisoning
• +50% Resistance to piercing damage
• +50% Resistance to slashing damage
• +60% Resistance to damage from monsters
• +60% Resistance to elemental damage

8. Hen Gaidth Armor

Depending on your choices, the crimson armor set in the Blood and Wine DLC might be missed. Seeking the Unseen Elder, not Syanna, is key. This affects its points. The set includes armor, a steel sword, and a mask, with a blood-red design inspired by the 1992 movie "Dracula." Stats-wise, the armor improves with your level, suitable for New Game+.

Attributes:

• +50% Resistance to burning
• +50% Resistance to burning
• +52% Resistance to bludgeoning damage
• +59% Resistance to slashing damage
• +63% Resistance to damage from monsters
• +68% Resistance to piercing damage

The set bonus applies when wearing pieces of the set (up to six, including armor, sword, and mask):

• Defeating enemies restores Vitality. The restored Vitality equals 1% of your total maximum Vitality for each piece of the set equipped.

7. Griffin School Gear

The Griffin School is one of the best armors in The Witcher 3 which is famous for its deep connection to Witcher Signs. Accordingly, their distinct armor set enhances Sign-focused builds and raises elemental resistances. Nevertheless, pure Sign builds tend to lack strength, particularly on higher difficulties, making this armor more suitable as a midgame solution. The design of the armor set is somewhat uninspiring, and it doesn't take dyeing as effectively as other options, adding to its drawbacks.

Attributes:

• +30% Resistance to piercing damage
• +33% Resistance to bludgeoning damage
• +35% Resistance to damage from monsters
• +40% Resistance to elemental damage
• +40% Resistance to slashing damage
• +50% Sign intensity

Set bonus:

• For 3 pieces: Following the use of Stamina to cast a Sign in its regular mode, the subsequent Sign cast within 3 seconds will be executed in the standard mode without consuming Stamina.
• For 6 pieces: Yrden traps grow by 40% in size. While inside a Yrden trap, stamina regenerates five seconds faster, sign intensity doubles and damage taken decreases by 20%.

>>> Read more: System Requirements for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2023 Update)

6. Tesham Mutna Armor

This armor serves as the complete black counterpart to the Hen Gaidth set. Another exclusive from the Blood and Wine DLC, this heavy armor shares the same components and slightly reduced stats compared to the red variant. Yet, its appeal lies in the sleek all-black finish, and obtaining it is challenging but feasible, requiring exploration of hidden vampire lairs in Toussaint.

Attributes:

• +40% Resistance to bludgeoning damage
• +40% Resistance to damage from monsters
• +50% Resistance to burning
• +50% Resistance to burning
• +50% Resistance to piercing damage
• +50% Resistance to slashing damage

Set bonus:

• Killing enemies replenishes Vitality. The restored amount equals 1% of the maximum Vitality for each piece of the set worn.

 5. Manticore School Gear

The Manticore set represents a practical medium armor ensemble often described as a "versatile choice, yet not an expert in any field." Exclusively accessible through the Blood and Wine DLC, it lacks specific specializations, functioning as a dependable all-purpose set. Remarkably, Geralt recollects donning Manticore school armor, potentially hinting at the design similarity found in the initial game. Like the Viper School set, Manticore also lacks upgrades before reaching the legendary tier.

Attributes:

• + 30 maximum toxicity
• +10% critical hit chance
• +29% resistance to piercing damage
• +45% resistance to elemental damage
• +45% resistance to slashing damage
• +48% resistance to damage from monsters
• +50% critical hit damage bonus

Set bonus:

• For 3 pieces: Critical hit chance and critical hit damage bonuses extend to bombs as well.
• For 6 pieces: The maximum charges for each alchemy item are increased by 1.

4. Wolf School Gear

The School of the Wolf set, resembling Eskel's armor, comes with layered leather jackets with studs, rivets, and chainmail details. While versatile for dyeing and strong in stats, its unique bonuses push Geralt toward a less intuitive playstyle, diminishing its overall appeal.

Attributes:

• +20% adrenaline point gain
• +20% attack power
• +20% resistance to bludgeoning damage
• +20% sign intensity
• +25% resistance to piercing damage
• +40% resistance to elemental damage
• +40% resistance to slashing damage
• +50% resistance to damage from monsters

Set bonus:

• For 3 pieces: Up to 3 oils can be applied concurrently to a sword.
• For 6 pieces: Bombs can be thrown without any delay.

3. Ursine School Gear

Mirroring its bear namesake, the School of the Bear armor set is both heavy and resilient, combining plate armor, chainmail, and quilted leather for peak defense. Ideal for embarking on New Game+ challenges, its enhanced protection and Quen Sign synergy provide ample flexibility against enemies.

Attributes:

• +25% resistance to elemental damage
• +40% resistance to piercing damage
• +45% resistance to bludgeoning damage
• +50% adrenaline point gain
• +55% resistance to slashing damage
• +70% resistance to damage from monsters

Set bonus:

• For 3 pieces: When a Quen shield breaks, there's a possibility of it being re-cast without using Stamina. This chance grows by 5% with each set piece.
• For 6 pieces: Abilities linked to the Quen Sign inflict 200% amplified damage.

2. Feline School Gear

Revealed by the witcher Gaetan in the 'Where the Cat and Wolf play…' questline, this nimble armor set exudes a sleek and stealthy demeanor. Yet, its true brilliance lies in the bestowed stats and bonuses, synergizing with the 'light armor' classification to render Geralt swift, agile, and lethal. It's the preferred attire for Critical hit builds that can swiftly dismantle foes, explaining their dominance in the assertive New Game+ endeavors.

Attributes:

• +22% Resistance to piercing damage
• +30% Resistance to damage from monsters
• +30% Resistance to slashing damage
• +50% Attack Power
• +70% Resistance to elemental damage

Set bonus:

• For 3 pieces: Executing a Strong Attack enhances Fast Attack damage by 10% per set piece, lasting five seconds.
• For 6 pieces: Rear attacks inflict 50% additional damage and stun the adversary, requiring one Adrenaline Point.

1. Grandmaster Witcher Gear Sets

Considered a bit of a shortcut, the pinnacle of armor in The Witcher 3 lies within the Grandmaster versions of the four Witcher School sets: Wolf, Griffin, Bear, and Cat, requiring the Blood and Wine DLC. In the realm of New Game+, an even mightier Legendary iteration of these six school sets awaits, gifting Geralt with substantial advantages.

To explain this choice, it's crucial to acknowledge the considerable effort involved in acquiring the complete blueprints for just one of these sets, coupled with the extensive drain on coin and resources for crafting. By the time you gain access to and forge one of these sets, your chosen playstyle will have crystallized, enabling you to pinpoint the ideal complement. Alternatively, for amusement, you might opt for the set with the most captivating aesthetics, even though it pales in comparison in terms of optimization.

Having perused our article, are you now equipped to discern the best armor in The Witcher 3 for yourself? Read more articles about this game here.