Olgierd von Everec is recognized as one of the most challenging human bosses Geralt encounters in The Witcher 3. Meeting Olgierd is part of the “Hearts of Stone” expansion, which begins with the quest “Evil’s Soft First Touches.” This contract, posted at the Seven Cats Inn, sends Geralt into the Oxenfurt sewers, where a series of trials and a path full of battles await. The upcoming fight with Olgierd unfolds after several pivotal encounters, imprisonments, and more, ultimately leading to an intense duel with the formidable immortal adversary. This article delves into Olgierd’s abilities, the necessary preparations, and battle strategies for defeating him.
Challenges Leading to the Battle
Before facing Olgierd von Everec, Geralt must endure several tribulations. The initial quest leads Geralt to battle a Giant Toad Prince in the Oxenfurt sewers. Following this, Geralt ends up imprisoned aboard a ship, only to experience a shipwreck caused by a mysterious acquaintance. He must also fend off attacks from an Ofieri Mage. After navigating these arduous challenges, Geralt returns to find Olgierd’s current location ablaze with his ruffians causing trouble, setting the stage for the clash.
Starting the Fight with Olgierd
Geralt’s encounter with Olgierd can escalate into a duel depending on the conversational choices made. During an inter-gang beheading at Olgierd’s lodgings, Geralt’s interference either leads to the gang member’s execution or provokes a fight with Olgierd himself. Choosing aggressive dialogue options (“Let him go, or face my wrath”) results in Olgierd stepping in and challenging Geralt to a duel. If Geralt wins, the condemned ruffian is freed.
Preparations for the Fight
The key to overcoming the duel with Olgierd lies in meticulous preparation. Geralt must ensure that his gear, potions, and strategies are well-suited to counter Olgierd’s unique combat abilities.
Gear
- Armor: The Griffin School armor set is optimal for players who lean on heavy sign usage, offering significant benefits when equipped with the full Grandmaster set. Even if this armor isn’t available, a robust setup combined with witcher decoctions can suffice.
Witcher Decoctions
- Arachas Decoction: Reduces damage per item carried, ideal for absorbing the heavy blows from Olgierd.
- Ekhidna Decoction: Restores health with each stamina expenditure, advantageous for maintaining health during intense sign usage.
- Ancient Leshen Decoction: Complements the Ekhidna Decoction by boosting stamina regeneration, enabling continuous sign casting.
Olgierd’s Abilities
Olgierd’s combat style includes rapid, powerful strikes that can incapacitate Geralt in one or two hits. Notably, he can momentarily become noncorporeal, dashing from one location to another and attacking fiercely upon reappearing. This movement is akin to Ciri’s blink ability, making Olgierd hard to hit and giving him unpredictability in battle.
Combat Tips and Tactics
Winning the duel against Olgierd is contingent on effective use of witcher signs and a strategic approach:
Signs
- Quen: It acts as a shield, absorbing damage while enabling Geralt to retaliate.
- Yrden: Essential for countering Olgierd’s noncorporeal dashes. When upgraded, Yrden traps can force Olgierd to become corporeal, disrupting his attacks, making him vulnerable to a combination of quick and strong strikes.
- Other signs like Aard and Igni may also be used to keep Olgierd off balance.
Battle Strategy
- Defensive Play: Olgierd hits hard, thus maintaining Quen shield is critical. Observe his attack patterns and be prepared to use dodge and roll maneuvers to avoid damage.
- Interrupting Dashes: Place Yrden traps to halt Olgierd’s dashes, creating windows of opportunity for Geralt to strike.
- Combos: After interrupting Olgierd’s dash with Yrden, follow up with a series of fast and strong attacks to maximize damage.
- Consistency and Patience: This duel demands patience. Stay on guard, constantly observe Olgierd’s movements, and exploit the brief moments when he’s vulnerable.
Post-Battle
Upon defeating Olgierd, he will honor the terms, releasing the condemned individual and rewarding Geralt. A subsequent encounter with Gaunter O’Dimm leads to Olgierd assigning Geralt further challenging tasks, opening more narrative and combat opportunities in the “Hearts of Stone” expansion.
Ultimately, overcoming Olgierd von Everec solidifies Geralt’s status as a master witcher, capable of defeating even the most formidable foes. The success in this fight hinges on thorough preparation, effective use of witcher signs, strategic combat, and exploiting Olgierd’s vulnerabilities during the battle.
