Hello Witchers. CD Projekt RED brings us their DLC 'Blood and Wine.' This latest installment brings us so much change. In this guide, you'll learn everything about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Mutagen Transmutators and new mutations. So if you were wondering what to do with all those extra mutagens, your prayers are about to be answered.
Skill Value Multiplier - Choose how may skill points you recieve per level. (Only on mutations version) Set Skill Tree Unlock Values - Decide how may points you have to invest in a skill tree to unlock each layer, for all 3 tabs. Disable Skill Confirmation Popup - You can disable to confirmation popup box whenever you upgrade or buy a skill. Adds 60 (48, 24, 12, 8, 4) more skill slots! Or you will have 72 (60, 36, 24, 20, 16) skill slots!!! Also allows to unlock all skill slots from level 1. You can change desired amount of skill slots in game menu Options-Gameplay-Skill Slots Count. You can unlock all skill slots in game menu Options-Gameplay-Unlock all skill slots.
Be sure to check here for more guides to help you achieve success throughout your journey. For this DLC, we also have a guide to getting started that will help you start off on the right foot.
First thing first, this guide is divided into two main sections:
- Quests and Merchant
*Note: All mentioned quests must be completed.
View from the Beauclair Palace
Quests and Merchant
Turn and Face the Strange Quest
This quest will begin with a letter from Yennefer. She tells you about Professor Moreau and his work into Witcher mutations. You will need to locate his journal in the cemetery at the Lebioda's Gate just outside the city. Use the 'Old Map of Toussaint,' to locate the underwater elven ruin, Dol Naev'de, Valley of the Nine. Here you will fight your way to Professor Moreau's laboratory, where you will learn about his quest to cure the witcher mutations.
He developed a mutated giant centipede albumen, but unfortunately, his experiment failed upon curing the witcher mutations. Professor Moreau, however, succeeded in creating more witcher mutations.
There are twelve new mutation abilities:
- Toxic Blood: Each time you're injured in melee combat, the attacking enemy receives 1.5% damage for every point of your Toxicity level, up to 411% max.
- Euphoria: Each Toxicity point increases damage by swords and sign intensity by 0.75% to 205.5% max.
- Mutated Skin: Each Adrenaline point decreases damage received by 15% (up to 45%).
- Magic Sensibilities: Signs deal critical hit chance and damage increase from 38% to 178% damage. Enemies killed by sign critical hits explode.
- Piercing Cold: When Aard is cast, you have an additional 25% chance of freezing enemies. Those who are simultaneously knocked down and frozen, die. Those not frozen, receive additional 2820 damage.
- Conductors of Magic: When a sword is drawn, magic, unique, and witcher swords increase sign damage by 50%.
- Deadly Counter: Sword attacks deal 25% more damage to human enemies immune to counterattack and monsters.
- Bloodbath: Each fatal blow made by sword dismembers the enemy or activates a finisher. Each blow made in melee combat increases attack power by 5% until combat ends. Bonus is lost upon taking damage.
- Cat Eyes: Crossbow damage increased from 129 to 789 (depending on crossbow equipped) and critical hit is increased by 50%. Enemies hit with full health lose 15% Vitality.
- Metamorphosis: Applying critical effects to enemies activates a random decoction for 120s with no Toxicity cost. The max number that can be activated is three.
- Adrenaline Rush: Sword attack power and sign intensity increase for 30s by 30% for each enemy (after the first). If fighting eleven enemies, the bonus will be 300%.
- Second Life: When Vitality reaches 0, you become temporarily invulnerable and regenerate 100% Vitality.
No Place Like Home Quest
As a payment towards your service for the 'Beast of Toussaint,' Dutchess Anna Henrietta awards you the vineyard property of Corvo Bianco. Finally, after forever and a day of battles and contracts, Geralt of Rivia has a place to call his very own. What a wonderful 'retirement' package!
Corvo Bianco has seen better days, and it's up to you to restore her to her prime. It will definitely cost you some hefty coin too. Purchasing every single upgrade, including those that make the property shine, will cost around 14,000 Crowns. Use the fast travel feature to the property and talk to your majordomo, Barnabas-Basil. You will get a tour and a background history of the vineyard and its former owners. Once completed, he will ask you about renovations.
There are perks you can obtain by sleeping at your home. All that is needed is to select the upgrades. You will need every upgrade to acquire the achievement/trophy.
- Increase Vitality - Bed
- Increase Combat Experience - Library
- Increases Roaches' Stamina - Stable
- Extra Bombs and Potions - Alchemy Lab (This is found hidden on the property after other renovations have been made.)
Other Perks:
- Grow Alchemy Plants - Greenhouse (*Needed for Mutagen Transmutators*)
- Have Friends Over - Guest Room
- Buff Your Weapons and Armor - Armorer's Table and Grindstone
- Display Weapons and Armor - Weapon Rack and Armor Stand
The greenhouse is the only place to find the specific herbs needed to make the Mutagen Transmutators. I did notice that the only trophies and wall hangings you can place will come from the 'Blood and Wine' expansion. Armor stands and weapon displays can use every item you have from throughout the entire game.
The Perfumery Merchant
The Perfumery merchant is located in Beauclair. He tires of the traditional requests. He sells many alchemy items, glyphs, runestones, and:
- Potion of Clearance (1000 crowns)
- Potion of Restoration (1000 crowns; you will need a few of these too)
- Formulas for the Mutagen Transmutators (priced from 190 crowns to 246 crowns; some formulas may be found at random)
The merchant also sells the formulas for the Superior Draconid Oil and Superior Cursed Oil for 142 crowns each.
Unlike the Potion of Clearance that resets your ability points completely, the Potion of Restoration only returns the ability points used towards your new mutations. The mutagens that are used do not get reallocated, this is where Mutagen Transmutators come in handy.
What are Mutagen Transmutators?
Mutagen Transmutators allow you to change the type and color of an existingmutagen. So, in plain English, for your new mutation perks, if you have more blue than green, or red than blue, you can fix that to have the necessary mutagens to acquire these new mutations. The new witcher mutations not only cost Ability Points, but specific mutagens too.
Blue Mutagens
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Blue - 190 crowns
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Blue - 190 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Blue - 209 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Blue - 209 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Blue - 246 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Blue - 246 crowns
Blue Lotus flower is a new ingredient required to make all blue mutagens (Corvo Bianco greenhouse).
Green Mutagens
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Green - 190 crowns
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Green - 190 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Green - 209 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Green - 209 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Green - 246 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Green - 246 crowns
Nazairi Basil is a new ingredient required to make all green mutagens (Corvo Bianco greenhouse).
Red Mutagens
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Red - 190 crowns
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Red - 190 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Red - 209 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Red - 209 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Red - 246 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Red - 246 crowns
Winter Cherry is a new ingredient required to make all red mutagens (Corvo Bianco greenhouse).
Hope this helps. Don't forget to check through The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Master Guide List for more helpful guides, tips, and tricks to assist you throughout your journey.
This concise Witcher 3 best skills & abilities guide will provide you with all the information necessary to maximise on your Witcher 3 build and experience, regardless of the chosen difficulty. However consider the things mentioned below. There are a number of paths in the game that are good in theory but are not as great in practice and this is something to consider.
The Philosophy Behind This Guide
Witcher 3 has offered players many different playstyles and builds. However, there are two concepts players need to understand to experience the game at its full potential. For those that say that the game is all about the story, I say rubbish. The developer hasn't spent so much resources, making such an intricate combat, alchemy, crafting and enemy system for it to be just about the story. It's designed much like Dark Souls, and Death March is the best way to fully immerse yourself.
There is only one build type/style that is both challenging and engaging to play. Sign builds aren't appealing, because Geralt isn't a wizard nor a mage, but a Witcher. There is a reason why he carries two swords. Shooting a stream of fire out of your hands stops you from using them. Combat & Alchemy on the other hand, both have great potential. And therefore, true Witcher builds are a hybrid, with a major focus on Combat, Alchemy and a minor focus on Signs.
View these builds for information:
Witcher 3 – Combat Alchemy Hybrid Build
Witcher 3 – Ursin Tank Hybrid Build
Best Early Skills
The general skills branch contains the best early game skills, due to their low investment requirements. The first point spent will increase HP by 500 and allow for one or two mistakes at Death March difficulty. You will then need to decide whether you want to take hits and hit hard or avoid hits and hit fast. Don't forget White Orchard has six Places of Power. |
Survival Instinct – Increases player hp by 500 early on, allowing the player to take a few more hits and that's important in Death March.
Cat School Techniques or the equivalent – One point grants 125% increase in critical hit damage and 25% fast attack damage.
Focus – Increases damage by 15-20% when your adrenaline is full. Though in the earlier levels has very little impact and you'll find other skills more beneficial. Combines well with adrenaline increasing skills such as Resolve.
Adrenaline Burst – Increases your adrenaline gain, while allowing Signs to now give you adrenaline too, diversifying your gains.
Note: Sun and Stars is often recommended, but you are unlikely to actually find a slot for it. So save yourself that extra point and invest it into the combat tree.
Best Combat Skills
Building out the combat branch should be the main focus in the earlier levels. As this path will give you the most advantage and survivability based on your early strengths & resources. Knowing when and how to sidestep, roll, parry and hit are the fundamental elements of the combat system and you'll need to be getting better at it as you level and grow stronger. |
Muscle Memory/Strength Training – Increase the attack damage of either strike by 25%
Resolve – At max level no adrenaline is lost when hit, 100% reduction.
Precision Blow/Crushing Blow – Increase the critical hit chance of attacks by 10% and critical hit damage by 75% for either strike type. Free online casino earn money for real.
Undying – Saves the players life when vitality reaches 0, by using current adrenaline points to restore a certain percentage of their vitality.
Fleet Footed – Allows the player to negate 100% of the potential damage when dodging. This and Undying makes Death March far less punishing.
Whirl/Rend – Whirl is an OP area of effect strike, while Rend is a single target attack that ignores enemy armour and increased critical hit chance by 50%.
Razor Focus – Instantly gives you 1 point of adrenaline when you enter combat and increase the adrenaline gain of your sword strikes by 25% (when maxed).
Crippling Strike/Sunder Armour – Applies a bleed (damage over time effect) that reduces enemy vitality by 125 points per second for five seconds on fast attacks. Alternatively reduce enemy damage resistance by 25% with strong attacks.
Deadly Precision – At full adrenaline the player has a 6% chance of instantly killing their enemy.
Crippling Shot – Disables the enemies special ability for 25 seconds when a critical hit is made, using the crossbow. Requires investment in skills like Anatomical Knowledge for maximum utility.
Note: Arrow Deflection is often recommended, but I find it unnecessary when you can sidestep or use your Active Shield. But treat yourself if you get off on instant killing archers with parry skills. Flood of Anger is not recommended as it will counter Undying. With 42 skill points invested into the tree you gain 162% increase in adrenaline point gain.
Best Sign Skills
Witcher 3 How To Increase Skill Slots Free Play
Signs are a key ingredient in surviving and playing on Death March difficulty. However, the most used skills will be Quen and Axii. Leveling up Axii first will give you the dialog advantage which will save you much in the long run so level it up early on, as soon as you can afford to. Follow this by maxing the second Quen skill upgrade Active Shield and you're all good. |
Delusion – Dialog advantage and reduces Axii cast time and staggers opponent if Axii fails.
Exploding Shield – Quen shield pushes opponents back when it breaks. Good tactical skill to have in combat based builds.
Active Shield – Surrounds the player with a force field that can absorbs damage to restore vitality. Can also be used against projectiles.
Melt Armour – Permanently weakens enemy Armor based on your Sign intensity. Maximising at 75% Sign Intensity.
Sustained Glyphs – Increases Yrden duration by 10 seconds and allows the casting of two simultaneous Yrdens.
Note: Instead of placing three points into the first Quen skill Exploding Shield, you can put two into the Sustained Glyphs and the remaining one into Far-Reaching Yard or Melt Armour. Will likely only slot two skills from this tree as you progress.
Best Alchemy Skills
The Perfumery merchant is located in Beauclair. He tires of the traditional requests. He sells many alchemy items, glyphs, runestones, and:
- Potion of Clearance (1000 crowns)
- Potion of Restoration (1000 crowns; you will need a few of these too)
- Formulas for the Mutagen Transmutators (priced from 190 crowns to 246 crowns; some formulas may be found at random)
The merchant also sells the formulas for the Superior Draconid Oil and Superior Cursed Oil for 142 crowns each.
Unlike the Potion of Clearance that resets your ability points completely, the Potion of Restoration only returns the ability points used towards your new mutations. The mutagens that are used do not get reallocated, this is where Mutagen Transmutators come in handy.
What are Mutagen Transmutators?
Mutagen Transmutators allow you to change the type and color of an existingmutagen. So, in plain English, for your new mutation perks, if you have more blue than green, or red than blue, you can fix that to have the necessary mutagens to acquire these new mutations. The new witcher mutations not only cost Ability Points, but specific mutagens too.
Blue Mutagens
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Blue - 190 crowns
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Blue - 190 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Blue - 209 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Blue - 209 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Blue - 246 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Blue - 246 crowns
Blue Lotus flower is a new ingredient required to make all blue mutagens (Corvo Bianco greenhouse).
Green Mutagens
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Green - 190 crowns
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Green - 190 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Green - 209 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Green - 209 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Red to Green - 246 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Green - 246 crowns
Nazairi Basil is a new ingredient required to make all green mutagens (Corvo Bianco greenhouse).
Red Mutagens
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Red - 190 crowns
- Lesser Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Red - 190 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Red - 209 crowns
- Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Red - 209 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Blue to Red - 246 crowns
- Greater Mutagen Transmutator: Green to Red - 246 crowns
Winter Cherry is a new ingredient required to make all red mutagens (Corvo Bianco greenhouse).
Hope this helps. Don't forget to check through The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Master Guide List for more helpful guides, tips, and tricks to assist you throughout your journey.
This concise Witcher 3 best skills & abilities guide will provide you with all the information necessary to maximise on your Witcher 3 build and experience, regardless of the chosen difficulty. However consider the things mentioned below. There are a number of paths in the game that are good in theory but are not as great in practice and this is something to consider.
The Philosophy Behind This Guide
Witcher 3 has offered players many different playstyles and builds. However, there are two concepts players need to understand to experience the game at its full potential. For those that say that the game is all about the story, I say rubbish. The developer hasn't spent so much resources, making such an intricate combat, alchemy, crafting and enemy system for it to be just about the story. It's designed much like Dark Souls, and Death March is the best way to fully immerse yourself.
There is only one build type/style that is both challenging and engaging to play. Sign builds aren't appealing, because Geralt isn't a wizard nor a mage, but a Witcher. There is a reason why he carries two swords. Shooting a stream of fire out of your hands stops you from using them. Combat & Alchemy on the other hand, both have great potential. And therefore, true Witcher builds are a hybrid, with a major focus on Combat, Alchemy and a minor focus on Signs.
View these builds for information:
Witcher 3 – Combat Alchemy Hybrid Build
Witcher 3 – Ursin Tank Hybrid Build
Best Early Skills
The general skills branch contains the best early game skills, due to their low investment requirements. The first point spent will increase HP by 500 and allow for one or two mistakes at Death March difficulty. You will then need to decide whether you want to take hits and hit hard or avoid hits and hit fast. Don't forget White Orchard has six Places of Power. |
Survival Instinct – Increases player hp by 500 early on, allowing the player to take a few more hits and that's important in Death March.
Cat School Techniques or the equivalent – One point grants 125% increase in critical hit damage and 25% fast attack damage.
Focus – Increases damage by 15-20% when your adrenaline is full. Though in the earlier levels has very little impact and you'll find other skills more beneficial. Combines well with adrenaline increasing skills such as Resolve.
Adrenaline Burst – Increases your adrenaline gain, while allowing Signs to now give you adrenaline too, diversifying your gains.
Note: Sun and Stars is often recommended, but you are unlikely to actually find a slot for it. So save yourself that extra point and invest it into the combat tree.
Best Combat Skills
Building out the combat branch should be the main focus in the earlier levels. As this path will give you the most advantage and survivability based on your early strengths & resources. Knowing when and how to sidestep, roll, parry and hit are the fundamental elements of the combat system and you'll need to be getting better at it as you level and grow stronger. |
Muscle Memory/Strength Training – Increase the attack damage of either strike by 25%
Resolve – At max level no adrenaline is lost when hit, 100% reduction.
Precision Blow/Crushing Blow – Increase the critical hit chance of attacks by 10% and critical hit damage by 75% for either strike type. Free online casino earn money for real.
Undying – Saves the players life when vitality reaches 0, by using current adrenaline points to restore a certain percentage of their vitality.
Fleet Footed – Allows the player to negate 100% of the potential damage when dodging. This and Undying makes Death March far less punishing.
Whirl/Rend – Whirl is an OP area of effect strike, while Rend is a single target attack that ignores enemy armour and increased critical hit chance by 50%.
Razor Focus – Instantly gives you 1 point of adrenaline when you enter combat and increase the adrenaline gain of your sword strikes by 25% (when maxed).
Crippling Strike/Sunder Armour – Applies a bleed (damage over time effect) that reduces enemy vitality by 125 points per second for five seconds on fast attacks. Alternatively reduce enemy damage resistance by 25% with strong attacks.
Deadly Precision – At full adrenaline the player has a 6% chance of instantly killing their enemy.
Crippling Shot – Disables the enemies special ability for 25 seconds when a critical hit is made, using the crossbow. Requires investment in skills like Anatomical Knowledge for maximum utility.
Note: Arrow Deflection is often recommended, but I find it unnecessary when you can sidestep or use your Active Shield. But treat yourself if you get off on instant killing archers with parry skills. Flood of Anger is not recommended as it will counter Undying. With 42 skill points invested into the tree you gain 162% increase in adrenaline point gain.
Best Sign Skills
Witcher 3 How To Increase Skill Slots Free Play
Signs are a key ingredient in surviving and playing on Death March difficulty. However, the most used skills will be Quen and Axii. Leveling up Axii first will give you the dialog advantage which will save you much in the long run so level it up early on, as soon as you can afford to. Follow this by maxing the second Quen skill upgrade Active Shield and you're all good. |
Delusion – Dialog advantage and reduces Axii cast time and staggers opponent if Axii fails.
Exploding Shield – Quen shield pushes opponents back when it breaks. Good tactical skill to have in combat based builds.
Active Shield – Surrounds the player with a force field that can absorbs damage to restore vitality. Can also be used against projectiles.
Melt Armour – Permanently weakens enemy Armor based on your Sign intensity. Maximising at 75% Sign Intensity.
Sustained Glyphs – Increases Yrden duration by 10 seconds and allows the casting of two simultaneous Yrdens.
Note: Instead of placing three points into the first Quen skill Exploding Shield, you can put two into the Sustained Glyphs and the remaining one into Far-Reaching Yard or Melt Armour. Will likely only slot two skills from this tree as you progress.
Best Alchemy Skills
Alchemy is a whole other beast and adds a lot of power in the mid to end game period. When playing Death March you will be relying a lot on oils, bombs and potions and the advantages that this skill tree affords you are unbeatable. However, there are only three to four skills that are of the highest importance and the general potion duration time bonus. |
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Poisoned Blades – Oil applied to the blades gives a 15% chance of poisoning the target on each hit. The chance is greater the higher the level of Oil used.
Acquired Tolerance – Increases maximum Toxicity by 1 for every level 1, 2 and 3 alchemy formula that the player knows.
Frenzy – If potion toxicity is above 0, time automatically slows when an enemy is about to perform a counter attack.
Protective Coating – Adds 25% protection from the monster type the oil applied to weapons targets.
Fixative – Blade oils do not wear off.
Synergy – Increases the mutagen placement bonus by 50%. This is the most vital skill in the alchemy tree.
Hunter Instinct – At maximum adrenaline, critical hit damage against enemies based on oil application is increased by 100%.
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Killing Spree – If potion toxicity is above 0, each opponent killed increases the chance for a critical hit by 50%.
Note: The Potion Duration Time Bonus cap is unknown (if any). However, by just having Acquired Tolerance maxed out you receive 15%, which really helps in Swallow use & management. In theory, you should experience a 170% increase in Potion Duration Time with 34 points invest into the Alchemy tree.
Delayed Recovery is not recommended here because it takes the fun out of the game, requires too much micro management and makes Geralt look disturbing.
Final Notes On The Best Skills in Witcher 3
Keep in mind that the activated skills are limited by skill slots. So pick and choose them based on your requirements, playstyle and weaknesses. The Blood and Bone expansion will give Geralt an additional four skill slots. Skills like Survival Instinct and Focus are only good during the earlier levels and should be discarded later on. Furthermore, skills such as Sustained Glyphs, Deadly Precision and Crippling Shot are luxuries and you can do without them.
Looking for the best builds?
Try the Combat Alchemy Hybrid Build & the Ursine Tank Hybrid Build
Changelog:
16/10/2020 - expanded on some points and added new links & social image.
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