In “The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone,” the story expansion puts players in various challenging situations, one of which includes a confrontation with the formidable Ofieri Mage. This encounter requires players to adapt their strategies for a challenging battle, especially on higher difficulty levels where every hit from the mage and his soldiers can be devastating. Below, I outline strategies, tips, and life hacks to help you effectively defeat the Ofieri Mage, ensuring that you’re well-prepared for this daunting fight.
Understanding the Ofieri Mage Encounter
The Ofieri Mage is first encountered after Geralt finds himself washed ashore following the Toad Prince battle, unarmed and seemingly at a disadvantage. This encounter is immediately preceded by a cutscene where Geralt is captured and set upon by a group of Ofieri soldiers led by the Mage. Players might initially feel vulnerable due to the absence of Geralt’s standard equipment, but you will quickly find that his inventory is fully accessible, allowing him to re-equip his armor and swords.
Essential Battle Preparations
Before diving into the strategy, it’s crucial to prepare Geralt using his inventory for optimal performance during the fight. Here’s how you can ready Geralt:
- Reequip Your Gear: Ensure that Geralt dons his best armor and wields his trusty steel sword. This is critical as every piece of equipment contributes to Geralt’s defense and offense.
- Use Decoctions and Potions: Apply beneficial decoctions such as the Nightwraith Decoction to increase vitality with each slain enemy, and the Grave Hag Decoction to enhance vitality regeneration. The Ekhidna Decoction is particularly valuable for regenerating health through stamina usage.
- Coat Weapons with Oils: Apply Hanged Man’s Venom to your steel sword, boosting damage against the human foes you’ll face alongside the Mage.
- Prepare Bombs: Equip both Dancing Star Bombs for their fiery explosive effects and Samum Bombs for their stunning capability.
Engage the Soldiers First
It’s advised to eliminate the accompanying Ofieri soldiers before confronting the Mage directly. These soldiers can swarm and overwhelm you if not addressed promptly. Here’s how to manage them:
- Use Bombs for Crowd Control: Launch a Dancing Star Bomb to ignite and scatter the soldiers, creating space and opportunity for individual engagement.
- Apply Sign Magic: Utilizing the Aard sign can knock back and occasionally incapacitate some soldiers, allowing for rapid finishes. With increased sign intensity, multiple foes can be subdued at once.
- Parry and Strafe: Efficient use of parry will deflect incoming attacks, and counterattacks can quickly dispatch these foes.
Confronting the Ofieri Mage
After dealing with the soldiers, your focus should shift to the Ofieri Mage who poses significant threats with various ranged and area attacks. The key to overcoming the Mage lies in learning and countering his attack patterns:
| Mage Attack | Description & Counter |
|---|---|
| Eruption | This attack begins with sand forming a ring on the ground, leading to an explosive pulse. Evade by dodging out of the circle, ideally toward the Mage to maintain proximity. |
| Cone Blast | The Mage channels energy into a spiraling force projected toward Geralt. At close range, sidestep to dodge. Use this opportunity to cast Igni, which panics and opens the mage to melee attacks. |
| Tornado | A swirling wall of sand and debris encircles the Mage as he moves. Avoidance is crucial. The tornado’s slow speed allows for strategic repositioning until the attack ceases. |
Final Assault and Victory
Once the Mage’s defensive and offensive spells have been dodged and countered, you can move in for the kill. Here are the steps to ensuring a successful takedown:
- Employ Bombs and Signs: Utilize Samum Bombs to stun, or repeat Igni casts to inflict combustion. Both methods incapacitate the Mage briefly, allowing for sword strikes.
- Sustain Damage: Keep the pressure close with sword combos. The Mage is weaker at close distances and will falter under sustained assault, especially when burning.
- Watch for Teleportation: Predict his teleportation and track with sand trails, maintaining proximity to prevent the Mage from using his ranged advantage.
Advanced Tips for High Difficulty
When playing on higher difficulty settings, every advantage counts. Here are some advanced tips:
- Upgrade Gear: If possible, upgrade your armor and weapons for enhanced attributes that will aid in the battle.
- Sign Intensity: Use gear and abilities that amplify your sign intensity, increasing the effectiveness of magic against both soldiers and the Mage.
- Utilize Alt Sign Modes: Consider making use of alternate sign modes if Geralt is sufficiently advanced in skill points, such as sustained Igni flame for continuous damage.
- Time Your Attacks: When the Mage uses his teleportation, pause and observe his reappearance before attacking, minimizing wasted energy and time.
With these strategies and tips, you can approach the Ofieri Mage methodically and with confidence, even on higher difficulty levels. Ensure you are well-prepared and respond dynamically to the Mage’s arsenal of moves. Remember, defeating this foe is a matter of practiced timing and adaptability, setting the stage for continued success in the journey through “The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone.”
