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Official monster encounter screenshot used for the Witcher 3 bestiary guide

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Wiki guide · Remastered

The Witcher 3 bestiary: weaknesses, oils and signs

Use the bestiary as a preparation checklist: identify the monster class, apply the matching oil, prepare the useful sign or bomb and confirm the steel or silver sword before fighting.

Reviewed by The Witcher 3 Wiki editorial team7 min readUpdated 2026-09-30Version Remastered

01 / Prerequisites

Prepare before leaving

  • ✓Read the contract and recommended level.
  • ✓Carry the relevant oil or formula.
  • ✓Keep a silver sword and a utility bomb available.

02 / Route

Follow the path in order

  1. 01

    Identify the class first

    Specters, relicts, cursed ones, ogroids and other classes point to different oils, signs and combat plans. Confirm the class before choosing gear.

  2. 02

    Apply the matching oil

    Oil is a low-cost damage increase that applies to the entire fight. Apply it before the first engagement rather than waiting until the build feels weak.

  3. 03

    Choose one control answer

    Use Yrden for specters who phase out, Igni for regeneration or flammable threats, Aard for crowd control, and bombs where the environment or monster behavior creates a specific opening.

  4. 04

    Prepare the sword swap

    Silver is the default against monsters, but the actual fight may require a different sword tier or weapon bonus. Verify before entering the arena.

  5. 05

    Record what changed the fight

    If the first attempt fails, identify whether the problem was defence, crowd control, healing or damage. Change that layer instead of rebuilding the whole character.

03 / Common mistakes

Avoid the expensive reset

Do not treat raw level as the only requirement; the correct preparation can make a close fight manageable.

Do not keep attacking a phased or invulnerable monster when the bestiary points to a control or timing answer.

A fight that fails repeatedly is usually missing a defensive layer, not just more damage.