Fiends are formidable adversaries that players will face in the captivating world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Recognizable by their fiendish appearance and massive, stag-like horns, these creatures are not only intimidating in size but also perilous due to their wide array of abilities. To successfully overcome these beasts, players must understand their strengths, exploit their weaknesses, and develop effective strategies utilizing the game’s mechanics and assorted tools. This comprehensive guide details the fiend’s behaviors, associated quests, combat strategies, and the bestiary entries crucial to understanding these daunting foes.
Fiend Overview in The Witcher 3
Fiends, categorized under the class of relict creatures, are particularly notable for their immense strength and hypnotic abilities. Despite their staggering power, these creatures tend to shy away from human contact preferring the solitude of thick forests, bogs, and swamps. When encountering a fiend, players should be prepared for a challenging fight, as these beasts can easily dispatch an unprepared witcher.
Visually, fiends resemble gigantic deer with a frightening twist: a single third eye in the center of their forehead, which they use to hypnotize their prey. This ability forms the backbone of their combat strategy, luring victims into a vulnerable state where their attacks become inescapable. Additionally, fiends possess a rapid healing capability, further complicating attempts to defeat them.
Fiend Bestiary and Locations
In The Witcher 3, fiends are documented in the bestiary, providing insights into their behaviors and weaknesses. According to the bestiary, fiends go by the name “Bies” in the game’s original language and are notoriously associated with ferocity and danger. They have an aversion to loud noises, which can be used to a player’s advantage.
One of the principal locations where fiends are encountered is south of Crookback Bog, in close proximity to where players search for the silver sword diagram in the Wolf School Gear quests. Players may also encounter fiends in other quests such as:
- Contract: Missing Son – This quest involves a notable fiend named Morvudd, requiring players to deploy all their skills and strategy to prevail.
- Return to Crookback Bog – During this secondary quest, players support the Baron and his men in the Downwarren area, which leads to an encounter with a fiend.
- Bald Mountain Quest – Here, players venture with Ciri into a cavern in Velen, where they face off against a fiend in a confined area.
Combat Strategies Against Fiends
Defeating a fiend demands a thorough understanding of their weaknesses and a repertoire of strategic maneuvers. By exploiting these, players can turn the tide of battle in their favor. Below are some detailed strategies for effectively combating fiends:
Understanding Fiend Abilities
- Hypnotic Eye: The third eye of a fiend is primarily used for hypnotizing and incapacitating prey. Recognizing the signs preceding this attack, such as the fiend’s momentary stillness and ground vibrations, is crucial. To counter, players can utilize Samum bombs or the Axii sign to stun the fiend and prevent the hypnosis from taking effect. An informed player may also use this opportunity to evade or attack.
- Regenarative Abilities: Fiends possess a rapid healing ability that makes prolonged engagements challenging. Continuous attacks are essential to prevent it from regaining health. Using Relict Oil-coated weapons can significantly ramp up the damage inflicted on the fiend.
- Brute Force Attacks: Fiends employ powerful physical attacks both at close range and when charging from afar, akin to a bull. Successfully dodging or using the Quen sign can provide protection against these lethal strikes.
Optimal Combat Tactics
To deal with fiends effectively, players should consider the following combat tactics:
- Stay Mobile: Mobility is key. The player should constantly move to avoid being an easy target for the fiend’s sweeping or charging attacks.
- Use of Signs: The Igni sign is particularly effective when combatting fiends, as it can set them ablaze, causing consistent damage. Yrden can be used to slow the fiend down, providing more time for precision attacks.
- Employ Bombs Wisely: Samum and Devil’s Puffball bombs can disable a fiend’s third eye and stop their regeneration process.
- Leveraging Potions: Consume potions like the Enhanced Cat or Superior Cat to gain invulnerability against the hypnotic attacks.
Fiend Quests and Rewards
Engaging in quests involving fiends can prove rewarding for players, offering various drops useful for crafting and enhancing equipment:
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Fiend Dung | Key ingredient for crafting Chort Lure, utilized in the Mysterious Tracks contract. |
| Mutagen | Essential for creating Fiend Decoction, which enhances Geralt’s carrying capacity significantly. |
| Monster Parts | A variety of crafting materials beneficial in creating diverse alchemical concoctions. |
Incorporating these materials into Geralt’s arsenal will enhance his capabilities, allowing for greater preparedness in subsequent battles.
Key Quests Involving Fiends
Contract: Missing Son
This contract includes the notorious fiend Morvudd, who poses a significant threat due to its distinct coloring and increased ferocity. Success in this quest hinges on understanding Morvudd’s unique abilities and applying the aforementioned combat strategies.
Return to Crookback Bog
Embarking on this secondary quest requires cooperation with allies and presents a multifaceted challenge not only involving a fiend but also other creatures. Preparations should include an array of bombs and potions to handle varied threats.
Bald Mountain
Featuring an intense confrontation in a cave setting, this main quest challenges players to utilize the reduced space to focus precision attacks while avoiding the fiend’s powerful charges. Staying alert and optimizing space usage are critical to victory.
Conclusion
Fiends in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are an integral component of the challenging and immersive gameplay offered by CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece. Understanding the behavior and characteristics of these formidable creatures is essential for players intent on mastering the game’s combat mechanics and unraveling its intricate storyline. By using tactical strategies, players can transform the daunting task of defeating fiends into a rewarding and manageable outcome.
