Quick Links
Witchers are born monster hunters - well, technically products of mutations enabling their incredible abilities that make it seem that way. Origins aside, there is no doubt, witchers are well-equipped and damn good at their jobs.
Throughout The Witcher 3, there are several types of monsters Geralt may be contracted to kill, each requiring various and often particular tactical approaches to overcome. To help you out, we've compiled a list of every contract available in the game with charts displaying the monster's type, vulnerabilities, and best tactics to use on each, along with any other info you may need to know.
Updated on February 11, 2023 by Quinton O'Connor: We've recently reformatted portions of this guide for easier reading and added links to more full-fledged guides for every contract hunt with its own page. Expect a future update that will toss in links for the remainder of them!
White Orchard Contracts
"The Beast of White Orchard"
Monster |
Griffin |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Grapeshot Bomb, Hybrid Oil, Aard |
Quest Requirements |
Buckthorn plant for bait. This contract is an intro to monster hunts and is part of the opening main questline. |
Combat Tips |
As with all winged enemies, Geralt should start by knocking the Griffin from the sky by using the crossbow or Aard sign. Attack the Griffin from the side once it's grounded. |
"Devil By The Well"
Monster |
Noonwraith |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Moon Dust Bombs, Specter Oil, Yrden |
Combat Tips |
As with most spectral enemies, trapping the Noonwraith in a physical form with the Yrden sign allows Geralt to effectively land attacks. |
Velen Contracts
"Missing Brother"
Monster |
Arachas |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Insectoid Oil |
Optional Objective |
Use the Igni sign to destroy all monster eggs before facing the Arachas. |
Combat Tips |
Nullify the Arachas' poisonous effects by drinking Golden Oriole, and make good use of Geralt's witcher signs. A blast of Igni allows for follow up sword strikes, while Yrden or Axii can slow the monster to facilitate flanking maneuvers. |
"Jenny o' The Woods"
See "Devil By The Well." Additionally, Geralt can follow up with Igni after trapping Jenny with Yrden.
"Mysterious Tracks"
Monster |
Howler |
---|---|
Vulnerability |
Relict Oil |
Combat Tips |
Take the defensive by utilizing the Quen sign and dodging, then strike at the Howler's side whenever possible. |
"Phantom of The Trade Route"
Monster |
Royal Wyvern |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Grapeshot Bomb, Draconid Oil, Aard |
Combat Tips |
Avoid this monster's attacks and keep it grounded with the crossbow, Aard sign, or bombs to inhibit the beast's deadly aerial dives. |
"Shrieker"
Monster |
Cockatrice |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Grapeshot Bombs, Draconid Oil, Aard |
Combat Tips |
Cockatrices cause bleeding wounds, so keep a safe distance and keep it disabled with a bombardment of Grapeshot bombs or Aard blasts, then haul away with a Draconid Oil-coated blade. |
"Swamp Thing"
Monster |
Foglet (Ignis Fatuus) |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Moon Dust Bomb, Necrophage Oil |
Quest Requirements |
The Eye of Nehaleni is required to lift an illusion placed on the cave entrance. |
Combat Tips |
Make consistent use of the Quen sign against Ignis's hard-hitting attacks. Quickly slay the level zero Foglets Ignis summons to avoid additional damage. The monsters cannot leave the fog, so retreat and drink a Swallow potion if necessary. |
"The Merry Widow"
Monster |
Grave Hag |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Black Blood potion, Necrophage Oil, Yrden |
Combat Tips |
Slow the monster with Yrden or use a stun-and-hit combo by pacifying it with Axii. The hag's claw attacks can be parried but watch out for its long-ranged tongue, which can blind Geralt and leave him momentarily defenseless. |
"The Mystery of Byways Murders"
Monster |
Ekimmara |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Devil's Puffball Bomb, Vampire Oil, Igni |
Combat Tips |
Fast attacks will stagger, giving the Ekimmara no chance to strike. |
Novigrad Contracts
"An Elusive Thief"
Monster |
Doppler |
---|---|
Vulnerability |
Relict Oil |
Choice Based Rewards |
The fight can be won with simple swordplay, but Geralt will have to choose whether to kill the Doppler or let him go.
|
"Deadly Delight"
Monster |
Succubus |
---|---|
Vulnerability |
Hybrid Oil |
Choice Based Quest |
Kill or spare the Succubus.
|
"Doors Slamming Shut"
Monster |
Earth Elemental Boss (Therazane) |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Dimeritium Bombs, Elementa Oil |
Combat Tips |
Strong but slow, Therazane is easy to dodge. Immediately follow up one or two strong attacks with a backward dodge when he begins an attack. Therazane will enter a defensive stance when attacked repeatedly—Warning: attacking him again while in this stance will cause an explosion capable of a one-shot kill. |
"Lord of The Wood"
Monster |
Leshen |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Dimeritium Bombs, Relict Oil, Igni |
Combat Tips |
Leshen root attacks may only be avoided by rolling out of harm's way. Moon Dust Bombs prevent Leshens from taking their elusive smoke form. Setting Leshens ablaze with Igni renders them defenseless. |
"The Apiarian Phantom"
Monster |
Hound of the Wild Hunt |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Dimeritium Bomb, Elementa Oil, Igni, Axii |
Combat Tips |
Keep a safe distance from the Hound's icicle barriers and blast the Hound with Igni. |
"The Creature From Oxenfurt Forest"
See "The Beast of White Orchard." Additionally, Archgriffins can spit acid, giving Geralt extra motive to ground the beast and attack from its side.
"The Woodland Beast"
The beast turns out to be a band of Scoia'tael elves. Skilled swordplay and applying Hanged Man's Venom to Geralt's steel sword makes easy work of them, but Geralt can alternatively opt to side with the elves.
Skellige Contracts
"Dragon"
Monster |
Forktail |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Grapeshot Bomb, Draconid Oil, Aard |
Combat Tips |
As the name suggests, watch out for its tail. See "Phantom of The Trade Route" or "Shrieker." |
"Here Comes The Groom"
Monster |
Ekhidna |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Grapeshot Bomb, Hybrid Oil, Igni, Aard |
Combat Tips |
Akin to Sirens, keeping Ekhidnas grounded is the best method as they are most deadly in the air. |
"Muire D'yaebien"
Monster |
Water Hag (Abaya) |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Northern Winds Bomb, Necrophage Oil, Igni, Quen |
Combat Tips |
Blocking or parrying Abaya is futile. Geralt should slow her with Yrden and protect himself with Quen. |
"Strange Beast"
Monster |
Nekkers |
---|---|
Vulnerabilities |
Northern Wind Bomb, Ogroid Oil |
Combat Tips |
Quick footwork by dodging side to side combined with fast attacks makes for efficient crowd control with Nekkers, as do blasts of Igni or Aard. |
"The Phantom of Eldberg"
See "Devil By The Well." (Monsters: Wraiths and Penitent)
Blood & Wine Expansion
"Duck, Duck, Goosed!"
Monsters |
Pixies and Bandits |
---|---|
Combat Tips |
Pixies are considered Elementa making them susceptible to blades coated in Elementa Oil. |
Special Reward |
Golden Egg-- Consume to gain an additional skill point. |
Geralt can pick up contracts typically posted on notice boards within various towns and cities. The major contracts are also bestowed directly from NPCs. After defeating a monster, remember to take a trophy as proof of fulfilling the contracted kill in order to claim payment.