The Witcher 3 scavenger hunts

Standard
You’re headed to the Skellige Islands, and more specifically, An Skellig. Look for either the Urialla Harbor Signpost (then head north), or follow the road west from the Trail to Yngvar’s Fang Signpost. You will come to a fort, and when you find some stairs you should take them down into the dungeon. Defeat any of the foes in your way, then use your Witcher Senses to spot a lever, pulling it and dropping through a hole. Turn right when you reach a crossroad, going up some stairs and climbing over some rocks to reach a room with a throne. In there will be a chest that contains the Bear School Armor Diagram, the Bear School Gauntlets Diagram, the Bear School Boots Diagram, and finally the Bear School Trousers Diagram. When you’re done, use your Witcher Senses to spot another lever that will allow you to make your escape.

Next you’re headed to the most northwestern island in this region, Spikeroog. Fast travel to the Svorlag signpost, then follow the only road that runs to the southwest. When you reach a cave, head inside and kill the pesky drowners, then climb up some rocks and jump across a gap. You should be able to snag the Bear School Crossbow Diagram from the skeleton.

While in the same region, head to Ard Skellig and locate the Palisade Signpost. From there move directly to the south (cutting through the forest and over the small mountain), or you can follow the road that runs southwest, then south, then back to the southeast. This will deliver you to the Ruined Inn, and after using Aard to blast your way through some debris, you can head down to the basement. You’ll be greeted by a couple of wraiths, but after they are no longer a factor you can grab the Bear School Steel Sword Diagram and get back to business.

The final piece of the standard gear is also found on Ard Skellig, but this time you’ll want to find the Rogne signpost. Follow the road that goes east from there, then turn north when it gives you the option. You can take this all the way to your destination, For Etnir. You’ll have to deal with some Gargoyles and an Ice Elemental, but there is only one room to search once you’re free to do so. Grab the Bear School Silver Sword Diagram and get ready to move on to the enhanced variations.

Enhanced
Fast travel to the Ruined Inn on Ard Skellig and head along the shore to the east. If you have a boat, take that instead of tasking Roach with this off-road trip. When you get close to the southeast part of the island, look for a cave that connects to the water, then go inside and all the way to the far end. Use your Witcher Senses to locate a chest with the Enhanced Bear School Armor Diagram inside.

Head back to the west side of Ard Skellig and locate either the Kaer Muire Signpost or the Wild Shore Signpost. If it’s Kaer Muire you go with, take the road that runs north along the shore, ducking into the woods on the east, just a bit more than half way to Wild Shore. If you fast travel to Wild Shore, take the road that runs south, darting into the woods to the east a short way down the road. You’ll find a Place of Power ridiculously close to your objective. When you locate a cave, head inside and deal with whatever stands in your way, then steal the Enhanced Bear School Boots Diagram from a chest near the fire.

Using the previous piece of gear as a point of reference, you are headed to Undvik, which is the large island to the west of Wild Shore. On the northeast part of Undvik is a Signpost called Marlin Coast, and there should be a boat or two kicking around as well. Grab one of these, then sail northeast to a small island. Find a cave blocked by ice, then use Aard to smash through the blockade. You’ll find a chest inside that contains the Enhanced Bear School Trousers Diagram.

Fast travel back to the Rogne Signpost in Ard Skellig and again take the road that goes east, turning north when you are given the opportunity. You won’t have to go far before you spot a ruined tower. As long as you arrive during the day this area will be unguarded, allowing you to acquire the Enhanced Bear School Gauntlets Diagram with little to no fuss.

You’ll need to locate Prison Island for this sword, and when you do, look for the Kaer Almhult Signpost. Follow the road from there as it hooks around the island and delivers you to a fort. Kill any pirates that stand in your way, then look for some stairs to your right. Go up the stairs and use your Witcher Senses to locate the Enhanced Bear School Steel Sword Diagram.

The final piece of enhanced gear is on the east side of Ard Skellig. You’ll find it to the northeast of Kaer Gelen, or just to the southeast of Yustianna’s Grotto. Either way, you’ll need to do some off-roading until you locate a castle. Go into the cellar and use your Witcher Senses in the tunnels until you find the Enhanced Bear School Silver Sword Diagram, then it’s on to superior gear.

Superior
Northwest from the Hangman’s Tree Signpost in Velen is a cave. You might have already visited this cave during the secondary quest A Deadly Plot acquired in Novigrad, but either way, it’s there. Go inside the cave and look for a small room on the left. You’ll find the Superior Bear School Armor Diagram, the Superior Bear School Gauntlets Diagram, the Superior Bear School Boots Diagram and the Superior Bear School Trousers Diagram.

Still in Velen, move to an area between the Downwarren Signpost and the Ancient Oak Signpost. You want a Signpost called the Ruined Tower. There might be an Earth Elemental there, so do what you need to do to remove that threat, then use your Witcher Senses to spot the Superior Bear School Steel Sword Diagram in the stone ruins.

Fast travel from the Ruined Tower Signpost to The Orphans of Crookback Bog Signpost and start making your way southwest through the swamp. Eventually you’ll come to an illusion that you can bypass using the Nehaleni’s Eye item that you received during the Wandering in the Dark quest. Look on the right side for the chest that contains the Superior Bear School Silver Sword Diagram.

Master-crafted
Fast travel to the Crossroads Signpost in Velen. If you don’t have that, try the Ancient Oak Signpost and take the road south. You will eventually bump into the Crossroads Signpost. From there, take the road as it runs south and then southwest. There’s only one road, so stay on it until you reach the Destroyed Bastion Signpost. You’re looking for a ruined stone tower, and near there you will find theMastercrafted Bear School Armor Diagram, the Mastercrafted Bear School Gauntlets Diagram, theMastercrafted Bear School Boots Diagram and the Mastercrafted Bear School Trousers Diagram. Grab them all and then it’s on to the next.

Fast travel to the Blackbough Signpost and take the road that goes to the northwest. When the road starts to curve directly west, keep going northwest and into the woods. Find a cave that leads you into the side of a cliff, following the right wall until you find a chest at the back. You should see it tucked away behind a pillar. Grab the Mastercrafted Bear School Steel Sword Diagram and backtrack to the Blackbough Signpost.

The final piece of gear of the entire collection is close to the Road to Bald Mountain Signpost. Fast travel there and then start moving southwest along the coast. Just keep following the coast, keeping the water on your right until you see an island. It’s very, very small and has a rock on it. Swim to the island and look behind the rock to find the Mastercrafted Bear School Silver Sword Diagram.

Standard
We’re going to start off with the standard Cat School Gear, so the first place you’ll want to visit is the Drahim Castle Signpost. The diagram is down a few ladders once you step inside the castle, but you may also want to loot all the way to the top; we found some good stuff here. When you’re done, you’ll have the Feline Steel Sword Diagram.

The next piece of gear is located to the northeast of Oxenfurt. It’s directly east of the Temerian Partisan Camp. The exact location has a Signpost called Est Tayiar, and when you arrive you’ll want to look inside the tunnel for a brick wall that can be smashed with Aard. Do this, grabbing the Feline Silver Sword Diagram in the process.

Your next destination is the shipwreck to the southwest of the lighthouse (to the west of Novigrad). You can swim there from the Lighthouse Signpost, climbing on board and dropping through the deck to find a chest. Inside you can grab the Feline Crossbow Diagram, but it can’t be used if you haven’t reached level 29.

Swim back to the Lighthouse Signpost and fast travel to the northwest of Novigrad. If you don’t have a fast travel point unlocked, go there on your trusty horse, Roach. We’re talking about across the bridge by the St. Gregory’s Bridge Signpost. When you’re there, hit the west side of the cliff and follow it in a clockwise manner. You’ll come to a path that leads to a cave entrance, which is where you need to go to get the rest of your gear.

You’ll need the fancy illusion killing device that Keir Metz gave you back in Velen. When you use it, the cave will open, and a short distance inside is a Golem.

From the main cave entrance, go through the right tunnel, smashing your way through any blockades that stand in your way using Aard. Grab all the loot you find, then exit back out to the main cave area, this time following the tunnel to the left. You’ll have to swim, but eventually you’ll reach some statues. They all have to face in if you wish to proceed, so use the levers until they face the center of the room.

Correctly aligning the statues will cause the floor to open up. Drop in and use your crossbow to kill three drowners, then grab some air and dive back down to the bottom. Snatch a key off the bottom of the pool, then surface, climb out and return to the main cave area where you killed the Golem.

There’s only one area left to explore, which is the locked door behind where the Golem used to be. Use the key to open it, then murder the thing that occupies the room. It should be fairly simple. Block and dodge, then slice him up when you get the chance. With your foe dead, loot the room, including the chest that has the Feline Armor Diagram, the Feline Gauntlet Diagram, the Feline Boots Diagramand the Feline Trousers Diagram. If that’s the set you are looking to use, head to your nearest armorer and blacksmith to get it crafted.

Enhanced
Start at the Reardon Manor Signpost and head to the northeast. You’ll eventually come to a cave you can enter even as you ride Roach. Use your Witcher Senses to find loot, spotting the chest with theFeline Steel Sword Diagram – Enhanced inside. Loot it and return to the Reardon Manor Signpost.

Head into Novigrad using the Oxenfurt Gate. As you cross into the city, look for a merchant in a building directly in front of you. Do not go inside the building, but instead look for some scaffolding a short ways to the right. There is a ladder hidden in there. Climb it and enter the building, then go to the top and snag the Feline Silver Sword Diagram – Enhanced from the chest.

Return to the Oxenfurt Gate Signpost and fast travel to the Novigrad Gate you’ll find in Oxenfurt. Head east until you reach the Aerama's Abandoned Manor. If you already have this Signpost unlocked, fast travel there and skip our nonsense in the middle. Either way, when you arrive you’ll want to look for some stone steps, exploring the burned out building until you find a chest that contains the Feline Armor Diagram – Enhanced.

Your next stop will be to the east and slightly north of the Hangman’s Tree Signpost. If that doesn’t work, go south and slightly east of the Hindhold Signpost. You’re looking for a cave, and in a chest inside that cave is the Feline Gauntlets Diagram – Enhanced.

Make your way back to the Reardon Manor Signpost and start heading northeast. You are headed close to the shore. If you prefer, you can also find this spot by heading north from the Benek Signpost. Look for another cave, then go inside to find the Feline Boots Diagram – Enhanced.

The final piece of gear before we move up a level is the pair of trousers. Go into the house adjacent to the Oxenfurt journeyman blacksmith. Once inside head go down the ladder right of the witcher symbol on the wall (which can be found via witcher senses) once down the ladder use aard to break through the brick wall. In the next room there will be iron gates on either side. Ignore these gates and instead use your witcher senses to identify a brick (it should be on the right side of the room. Press in the brick to discover a hidden room containing a chest.  This will give you the complete set of enhanced gear.

Superior
All four pieces of armor are located in the same spot, which is a welcome change from the running around we did to get the enhanced versions. First, head southwest from the Dragonslayer’s Grotto Signpost. You can also go directly west from the Downwarren Signpost. You’re in the right spot when you find some ruins, and within those ruins is a chest. There’s also an Earth Elemental, so we advise grabbing the Feline Armor Diagram – Superior, the Feline Gauntlets Diagram – Superior, the Feline Boots Diagram – Superior and the Feline Trousers Diagram – Superior, then getting out of there.

Find the nearest Signpost and fast travel to the Drahim Castle Signpost. You want to take the road that goes southwest, but when it splits off, go straight off-road. This should lead you to the Ursten Cave, and inside it will fork to the left and right. Take the right path, using your Witcher Senses to find the Feline Silver Sword Diagram – Superior.

Leave the cave and head to the nearest fast travel point, then look for the innkeeper icon on your map near the St. Gregory’s Bridge Signpost in Novigrad. From the icon, head north and across the water. When you hit the shore you will be at the Smuggler’s Den. There is another cave here, and inside is where you can use your Witcher Senses to locate the Feline Steel Sword Diagram – Superior. This will complete the superior set of gear for the Cat School Gear.

Master-crafted
Luckily, there are only three locations to visit to find the gear for this set. The problem is it’s all on the islands that make up Skellige, and there are some really tough beasts that stand in your way. We aren’t here to tell you how to defeat them, so try to ensure you are at least level 22 or higher to be able to take on all evildoers in the next portion. Even then, some will be tough.

Head to the Rogne Signpost on the main Skellige Island. You want to go east from this location until you reach the Kaer Gelen ruins. The dungeon you want is to the north, and a room inside and on the left will hold the Feline Steel Sword Diagram – Mastercrafted. Grab it and go.

Head to the most southern Skellige Island and fast travel to the Harviken Signpost. You want to go east (and a bit north) from there, stopping when you reach the Troll Treasure Cave. Head inside and follow the right tunnel, using your Witcher Senses to spot a wall you can smash through with Aard. In that room you’ll find the Feline Silver Sword Diagram – Mastercrafted.

The final location you need to visit is to the southeast of the last, along the shore by one of the boat icons you should see on your map. Travel there and look for the Wraith Treasure Cave, heading inside and moving forward. When you reach another section of cave, use your Witcher Senses to spot what you came for, the Feline Armor Diagram – Mastercrafted, the Feline Gauntlets Diagram – Mastercrafted, the Feline Boots Diagram – Mastercrafted and the Feline Trousers Diagram – Mastercrafted.

Standard
The Standard set of Griffin School Gear can be equipped at level 11.

Players will need to visit three different locations to get all of the gear if they want to complete the Griffin School set. The first two will give you the steel and silver sword, and the final one will give you all four pieces of armor. We only tell you this in case you feel like skipping one or the other.

The first place you need to visit is next to a Signpost called Hindhold. It’s to the north of Hangman’s Tree, where you popped up in Velen after completing the prologue. If you don’t see Hindhold near the north coast, fast travel to Hangman’s Tree, then ride north. When you reach a fork in the road that goes left and right, keep going north, taking an off-road journey toward a question mark. When you arrive you should find some ruins, as well as reveal the Hindhold Signpost. Work your way through the ruins, fighting off enemies you come across as you make your way up to a harpy nest. Destroy it, then go inside the door that sits next to it. In here you’ll find a chest containing the Griffin Steel Sword Diagram.

Head to the Hindhold Signpost and prepare to fast travel. Bring up your map and take note of how the Inn at the Crossroads sits between two large land masses. You’re headed to the one on the left. In fact, you are going to the far northwest tip of the one on the left, even further to the northwest than the Harpy Feeding Ground Signpost. If you don’t see this, you haven’t unlocked it yet.

Fast travel to your closest Signpost, then head to the northern part of the land mass, further north than both the Heatherton and Isolated Shack Signposts if you have those on your map. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you come across a drawbridge leading to a castle. You can’t cross that way, so jump into the water to the east of the island. You’re in the right place when you come across a Place of Power (which you should draw from). Dive under the water east of the Place of Power and the entrance of a cave should pop up on your map. Swim through that, ignoring the drowners likely pestering you as you swim.

When you surface in the cave, climb up and loot everything you see. When you eventually go through a door and back outside, look left and see the drawbridge. Lower it using the wheel, then go back to the door. Don’t go inside, but instead look for a ladder leading to a platform. Climb the ladder and loot the chest nearby to get your hands on the Griffin Silver Sword Diagram.

The last place you need to visit will require you get your Aard and Yrden Signs ready to go. Head across the now lowered drawbridge and back to the Harpy Feeding Ground Signpost. Use this to travel to either the Reardon Manor, Downwarren or The Orphans of Crookback Bog Signposts. Well, unless you already unlocked a Signpost called the Dragonslayer’s Grotto, in which case go there. If you end up at one of the others, here is how to find it. When you arrive at your destination, go inside and get ready to fight some wraiths. There are bound to be quite a few of them, but they shouldn’t pose much of a threat if you effectively use Yrden. Cut them up, and be sure to loot every room. There are good things to grab aside from the Griffin gear.
 * West and slightly south of Reardon Manor.
 * West and slightly north of Downwarren.
 * North and slightly west of The Orphans of Crookback Bog.

Keep working through the dark cave-like rooms until your path is blocked, using Aard to smash through. When you find yourself face-to-face with an ekimmara, switch back to Yrden and kill the beast. When it’s down, pop into your Witcher Senses and loot the room, paying special attention to the chest holding the goods you are here for. Loot the chest and you’ll receive the Griffin Armor Diagram, Griffin Trousers Diagram, Griffin Boots Diagram and the Griffin Gauntlets Diagram.

Enhanced
The first piece of gear you’ll want is located to the east of the Crossroads Signpost. In fact, there is a road that goes east from there, and taking it will lead you to your destination – a cave entrance that will be marked on your map once you visit it. Follow the cave in the only direction you can until it hooks to the right. You’ll find the chest with the Enhanced Griffin School Silver Sword Diagramtucked in the corner.

Back out and return to the Crossroads Signpost. Fast travel from there to the Refugees Camp signpost on the west side of the landmass. From there you need to move southwest and to the part of the land that sticks out. You’ll find a bandit camp there, and when it’s clear you can loot the chest within the stone ruins to find the Enhanced Griffin School Steel Sword Diagram. Return to the Refugees Camp Signpost when you are done.

Fast travel to the Western Gate of Oxenfurt and then take the bridge that leads you out of the city. When you reach land, turn north and head forward until you reach the coast. Swim across the water until you see the White Eagle Fort Signpost (if you already see it skip the previous steps and fast travel directly there). You will find a Rock Troll (he’s friendly) there, and behind him is a chest with theEnhanced Griffin School Armor Diagram. Loot it and head for the nearest Signpost.

Fast travel to the Byways Signpost and take the road that moves southeast. You’ll want to follow this all the way until the solid lands turns to more of a swamp. When you have to turn either left or right, go right and head south. You’re looking for a cave that is blocked by some rubble. Use Aard to clear the way and then loot the cave, including the chest that contained the Enhanced Griffin School Gauntlets Diagram.

Fast travel to the Inn at the Crossroads Signpost and call for Roach. Ride northwest along the road, then take your trusty horse off-road as you make your way to the far northwest side of the land mass. You will eventually come to a building that was made of bricks and is now in ruins. Search it to find the chest that contains the Enhanced Griffin School Boots Diagram. Loot and it and ride back to the Inn at the Crossroads.

Fast travel to either the Crow’s Perch Signpost or the Burned Ruins Signpost (east of Crow's Perch, near Shrieker's cave) and to the northwest of that. You’re looking for a burned out building (at the Burned Ruins Signpost), and hidden within it is a chest (behind some fallen debris) with the Enhanced Griffin School Trousers Diagram.

Superior
You’ll need to hit three locations in order to get all the Superior gear in this set. All of those locations are within the Skellige Isles, either on An Skellig or Ard Skellig. Be prepared to do some riding if you haven’t unlocked many of the Signposts. Also, you can purchase maps of the area from a merchant that will show you many of these Signposts automatically.

The four pieces of armor are on Ard Skellig, and the closest Signpost is called Giants Toes. If you have that, head there and go north until you are on the northeast tip of the island. If you don’t have that Signpost, you could go northeast from Yustianna’s Grotto. When you arrive at the bandit camp, kill everyone that occupies it and then search the shore for a wrecked boat. You’ll find the Superior Griffin School Armor Diagram, the Superior Griffin School Gauntlets Diagram, the Superior Griffin School Boots Diagram, and the Superior Griffin School Trousers Diagram. Snatch them up and head back to the Giant Toes Signpost.

Fast travel to An Skellig, landing at either the Urialla Harbor or Trail to Yngvar’s Fang Signposts. The former is the preferred spot. From there you must travel along the roads as the wind to the northwest. Take them past a village and continue north along the road until you reach a shrine. Kill whatever stands in your way and claim the Superior Griffin School Steel Sword Diagram. Return to one of the Signposts when you are done.

Fast travel back to Ard Skellig, heading for the Elverum Lighthouse Signpost if that’s an option. If it’s not, try Kaer Muire, traveling south to the coast, then southeast along the coast. You will eventually come to a cave near the tip of the island. Kill the bears (and loot them for materials) that own the cave, then use your Witcher Senses to find the Superior Griffin School Silver Sword Diagram. After that, go to the nearest Signpost and get ready to move on to the Mastercrafted gear.

Master-crafted
All four bits of the Mastercrafted armor are found in the same location, Ard Skellig of the Skellige Isles. If you have the Redgill Signpost showing, fast travel to that and then take the road that leads northeast along the coast. This will lead you to a fort, and inside will be some stairs that lead to a second level. You might also have to deal with a Cyclops, but you should be able to avoid it. Use your Witcher Senses to find the Mastercrafted Griffin School Armor Diagram, the Mastercrafted Griffin School Gauntlets Diagram, the Mastercrafted Griffin School Boots Diagram, and the Mastercrafted Griffin School Trousers Diagram. Get them all and be on your way.

You’re headed to the Boxholm Signpost, which is near a river that sits at western base of a mountain. If you don’t have that Signpost, head north along the river from Fyresdal, or go southeast from Fayrlund. You’re looking for some stone ruins, and on the eastern side of those ruins will be the chest that contains the Mastercrafted Griffin School Steel Sword Diagram. When you have it, head to the nearest Signpost to continue forward.

The nearest Signpost from the last bit of gear should be Boxholm, and from there your destination lies to the southwest, on the western base of a mountain, next to a lake. If you can, fast travel to the Fornhala Signpost and head east, moving around the lake in a clockwise fashion until you’re at the base of the mountain. Look for a stone tower that has seen better days, sitting next to a tree that is likely older than said tower and in worse shape. Go through the door and into the tower, using your Witcher Senses to find the Mastercrafted Griffin School Silver Sword Diagram, which will complete the entire Griffin School Gear set with all its variations.

Wolf School Gear
As part of week 5's DLC for the Witcher 3, we now have a new Scavenger Hunt for the Wolf School Gear. In this walkthrough I'll be covering the exact locations for each of the Wolf School diagrams (and weapons) but also the locations for the Enhanced and Superior upgrades as well.

Before we start, there's one thing that players need to note. As with normal Scavenger Hunts, there are purchasable maps that reveal the starting location for each of the treasure hunts. Players can if they want to; purchase these maps from the merchant's shown below.

Additionally, you need to have unlocked both Skellige and Kaer Morhen before you can claim any of the Wolven diagrams. The recommended starting level is 14 for the base gear but there are very few enemies throughout this entire scavenger hunt; much less than compared to Cat or Bear school

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Viper School Gear, is in base game in fact only two swords.

The first place you need to go is an old brick watchtower near the Ransacked Village. You’ll find it to the east of White Orchard. When you arrive, move around the base until you see fallen bricks you can walk up. Do this, then continue to climb until you reach a handful of Temerian deserters. Slice up the deserters, being careful not to fall off one of the ledges.

When everyone but you is dead, spend a few moments snagging all of the gear scattered on the floor, then go inside the watchtower. In here you’ll find a chest, and inside the chest is the Serpentine Steel Sword Diagram, which is one half of this hunt.

The second piece of gear can be found north of the Mill Signpost in White Orchard. More specifically, you need to go to the White Orchard Cemetery. You’ll find a wraith there, as well as a Place of Power you can draw from. What you really need to do, however, is go inside the nearby building and smash open the door with Aard. Head downstairs and prepare to fight another wraith (assuming you haven’t killed it previously). When the coast is clear, use your Witcher Senses to loot the area, including a skeleton that has the Serpentine Silver Sword Diagram on it. This will conclude your Viper School Gear Treasure Hunt.

Hearts of Stone Expansion
With the first expansion for third game, the set is finally available in full with the addition of the armor, gauntlets, trousers, and boots. To get them, you must take part in Von Everec's hunt; the diagrams themselves are available for purchase from a rich old gentlewoman during a certain auction.

Where to buy the Treasure Maps (optional)
The guide below shows the exact location for every diagram but if you would prefer to buy the treasure maps and hunt for yourself then these are the merchants that sell them:


 * Part 1 and Part 5 - blacksmith Hatori in Novigrad.
 * Part 2 - blacksmith in Lindenvale.
 * Part 3 - Kaer Muire in Skellige
 * Part 4 - armorer in Hierarch Square in Novigrad.
 * Part 6 - armorer by the bridge to Kaer Trolde (Skellige)

Note: Because merchants tend to disappear at the end of the game, those who completed the story have two choices: either go straight for the diagrams using the guide below OR reload an older save, buy the maps and mark the locations for the treasure hunts first. Lower level players who haven't completed the main story will have no problem finding the merchants and buying the maps so long as they've unlocked Novigrad and Skellige.