The way Geralt uses Signs in The Witcher series has changed significantly from one game to the next, as have the skill trees assigned to each Sign. To help guide you towards a combat style that works for you, I have compiled footage of each Sign at each upgrade tier, so you have an idea of how Geralt’s magical abilities behave from one level to the next. Don’t forget: to use these Signs beyond their default effects, you not only need to spend skill points on them, but you must also slot them into the ability grid on the right of your Character screen. Slotting a mutagen of the same color in the same quadrant will then make that mutagen, and the Signs slotted into that quadrant, more effective. Happy hunting!

Aard

A directed blast of telekenetic energy that staggers opponents, leaving them open again for a subsequent attack.

Aard is helpful in a number of situations, though most useful when surrounded by a pack of creatures like nekkers, drowners, or wolves. You can also blast a flying enemy like a harpy out of the air with a well-timed Aard burst.

Level 2: Far-Reaching Aard

Tier 1: Increases Aard’s range by 1 yard. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases Aard’s range by 2 yards. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Increases Aard’s range by 3 yards. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 3: Aard Sweep

Tier 1: Alternate Sign mode: Aard strikes all opponents in a certain radius. Knock-down chance is 21% lower. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Alternate Sign mode: Aard strikes all opponents in a certain radius. Knock-down chance is 17% lower. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Alternate Sign mode: Aard strikes all opponents in a certain radius. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Aard Intensity

Tier 1: Increases Aard Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases Aard Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Increases Aard Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Increases Aard Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Increases Aard Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Shock Wave

Tier 1: Aard now deals 40 damage. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases the damage dealt by Aard to 80. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Increases the damage dealt by Aard to 120. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Increases the damage dealt by Aard to 160. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Increases the damage dealt by Aard to 200. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Yrden

Magic trap that slows enemies who enter its area of effect. Effect duration: 13 seconds.

Yrden is vital when facing certain ghostly foes, such as noonwraiths, because it turns them corporeal (and thus makes them prone to damage) when they enter the trap’s area of influence. Its slowing capabilities also help when crowd control is a concern.

Level 2: Sustained Glyphs

Tier 1: Increases Sign duration by 5 seconds. Number of alternative mode charges: 2. Number of standard mode traps: 1. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases Sign duration by 10 seconds. Number of alternative mode charges: 4. Number of standard mode traps: 2. Stamina regeneration in combat: 1 per second.

Level 3: Magic Trap

Tier 1: Alternate Sign mode: Damages and slows all enemies within a 10 yard radius. Destroys projectiles passing through this area. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Alternate sign mode: Damages and slows all enemies within a 12 yard radius. Destroys projectiles passing through this area. Damage increased by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Alternate sign mode: Damages and slows all enemies within a 14 yard radius. Destroys projectiles passing through this area. Damage increased by 50%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Yrden Intensity

Tier 1: Increases Yrden Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases Yrden Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Increases Yrden Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Increases Yrden Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Increases Yrden Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Supercharged Glyphs

Tier 1: Enemies under the influence of Yrden lose 10 points of vitality or essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Enemies under the influence of Yrden lose 20 points of vitality or essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Enemies under the influence of Yrden lose 30 points of vitality or essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Enemies under the influence of Yrden lose 40 points of vitality or essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Enemies under the influence of Yrden lose 50 points of vitality or essence per second. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Quen

Protective shield that lasts until it has absorbed damage totaling 5% of maximum vitality.

Quen should be your first line of defense when facing bosses and other grand beasts, many of which can slash away a good portion of your vitality with a single blow.

Level 2: Exploding Shield

Tier 1: Quen shield pushes opponents back when it breaks. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Quen shield pushes opponents back and deals damage when it breaks. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per seconds.

Tier 3: Quen shield pushes opponents back and deals damage when it breaks, with a chance for knock-down. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 3: Active Shield

Tier 1: Alternate Sign mode: Creates an active shield. Maintaining it and blocking attacks drains stamina. Damage absorbed by the shield restores player vitality. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Alternate Sign mode: Maintaining an active shield now drains 50% less stamina. Stamina drain for blocked attacks unchanged. Damage absorbed by the shield restores player vitality. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Alternate Sign mode: Maintaining an active shield no longer drains stamina. Stamina drain for blocked attacks unchanged. Damage absorbed by the shield restores player vitality. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Quen Intensity

Tier 1: Increases Quen Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases Quen Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Increases Quen Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Increases Quen Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Increases Quen Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Quen Discharge

Tier 1: Reflects 5% of absorbed damage back to the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Reflects 10% of absorbed damage back to the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Reflects 15% of absorbed damage back to the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Reflects 20% of absorbed damage back to the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Reflects 25% of absorbed damage back to the attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Axii

Charms an opponent’s mind, temporarily eliminating him from combat. Effect duration: 7 seconds.

Axii’s uses transcend combat. Not only does it allow you to stun bandits and turn them against each other, but it makes available certain conversation options when Geralt engages with other characters.

Level 2: Delusion

Tier 1: Target does not move towards Geralt while he is casting Axii. Also increases the effectiveness of Axii in dialogues. Stamina regeneration in combat:+0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Target does not move towards Geralt while he is casting Axii. Also increases the effectiveness of Axii in dialogues. Reduces Axii casting time. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Target does not move towards Geralt while he is casting Axii. Also increases the effectiveness of Axii in dialogues. Reduces Axii casting time. Failed Axii attempts stagger the target. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 3: Puppet

Tier 1: Alternate Sign mode: Targeted enemy briefly becomes an ally and deals 20% more damage. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Alternate Sign mode: Targeted enemy briefly becomes an ally and deals 40% more damage. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Alternate Sign mode: Targeted enemy briefly becomes an ally and deals 60% more damage. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Axii Intensity

Tier 1: Increases Axii Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases Axii Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Increases Axii Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Increases Axii Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Increases Axii Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Domination

Tier 1: Two opponents can be influenced by Axii at the same time. The effect is 50% weaker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Two opponents can be influenced by Axii at the same time. The effect is 25% weaker. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Two opponents can be influenced by Axii at the same time. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Igni

A directed fiery blast that damages enemies. Damage scales with Sign intensity. Current damage: 128.

It’s fire. (Igni needs little explanation.) Its secondary mode is great fun, admittedly: rather than producing a single flash of fire, it maintains a stream of flames.

Level 2: Melt Armor

Tier 1: Damage dealt by Igni also permanently weakens enemy armor. Effect scales with Sign intensity up to maximum of 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Damage dealt by Igni also permanently weakens enemy armor. Effect scales with Sign intensity up to maximum of 30%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Damage dealt by Igni also permanently weakens enemy armor. Effect scales with Sign intensity up to maximum of 45%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Damage dealt by Igni also permanently weakens enemy armor. Effect scales with Sign intensity up to maximum of 60%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Damage dealt by Igni also permanently weakens enemy armor. Effect scales with Sign intensity up to maximum of 75%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 3: Firestream

Tier 1: Alternate Sign mode: Emits a continuous stream of fire that damages enemies. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Alternate Sign mode: Emits a continuous stream of fire that damages enemies. Stamina cost is reduced by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Alternate Sign mode: Emits a continuous stream of fire that damages enemies. Stamina cost is reduced by 50%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Level 4: Igni Intensity

Tier 1: Increases Igni Sign intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases Igni Sign intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Increases Igni Sign intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Increases Igni Sign intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Increases Igni Sign intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.

Level 5: Pyromaniac

Tier 1: Increases the chance to apply burning by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +0.5 per second.

Tier 2: Increases the chance to apply burning by 40%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1 per second.

Tier 3: Increases the chance to apply burning by 60%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +1.5 per second.

Tier 4: Increases the chance to apply burning by 80%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2 per second.

Tier 5: Increases the chance to apply burning by 100%. Stamina regeneration in combat: +2.5 per second.