The Witcher 3 Best Weapon: How to get the Aerondight Sword
Here's how to get your hands on Aerondight, the best sword available in The Witcher 3.
This guide will show players how to obtain the best silver sword in The Witcher 3, and that's the Aerondight sword is only available through the Blood and Wine expansion, but is the best sword in the entire game.
In this guide to getting The Witcher 3's Aerondight sword, we'll be providing you with all the information that you may need in order to obtain the unique weapon.
Witcher 3: How to Get the Aerondight Sword
Each blow dealt with the Aerondight sword generates a charge that increases its damage output by 10% in The Witcher 3. At full charge, the sword guarantees critical hit damage with each attack. Charges will deplete over time, or when the player takes damage. This charge effect allows for damage scaling that can practically turn its wielder into a slaughtering machine.
The Aerondight sword can be obtained by completing the Blood and Wine secondary quest titled There Can Only Be One. Begin this quest either by taking its notice from the notice boards in Toussaint, or by speaking to the Hermit at the lake west of Corvo Bianco. You can also get this sword by importing a save from the previous games that already contains the sword.
For this quest, Geralt must show that he possesses the five chivalric virtues, as outlined on the stones just before the pool with the Hermit: Generosity, Compassion, Honor, Valor, and Wisdom. As you play through quests in Blood and Wine, you must make choices that coincide with these five virtues in order to prove you are worthy to wield the sword.
How to fulfil the five chivalric virtues in The Witcher 3
There are multiple ways to prove you embody the chivalric virtues. For each virtue listed, we offer several quest examples that can fulfill the virtue requirement. However, keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive of every possibility, and there are likely other ways to prove each virtue that aren’t mentioned here.
Compassion
When it comes to the Compassion virtue, after defeating the Shaelmaar during the Beast of Toussaint quest, choose to spare its life rather than kill it.
Alternatively, in the quest Big Game Hunter, show Compassion by not harming the panthers. Afterward, inquire about the Count’s life with the “New life?” dialogue option, and agree to attend his exhibition when he invites you. Be sure to actually go to the exhibition, too.
Honor
To achieve the Honor requirement, begin the quest titled Warble of a Smitten Knight by speaking to Guillaume at the Tourney Grounds medical tent. Play through the quest and complete the horse race. Agree to the duel when the offer presents itself, then win the duel to secure your Honor.
Another way to fulfill the Honor requirement is in the quest titled Till Death Do You Part. Solve the conflict between the ghostly quarreling couple in the cemetery. Return to the tavern to turn in the quest, and explain the situation as a 'marital spat'.
Generosity
After completing the Blood Run primary quest in Blood and Wine, a child will approach you in Beauclair to deliver a letter. Tip the kid some money for his efforts and your Generosity virtue will be fulfilled.
You can also purchase Geralt’s painting during the quest titled The Witcher as an Old Man to fulfill this virtue.
Valor
In the Warble of a Smitten Knight quest, agree to finish the Tourney after concluding your activities in the forest to fulfil your Valor virtue. Alternatively, begin the contract titled Feet as Cold as Ice by speaking to a knight outside a cave north of Beauclair. During your conversation, tell the knight to take the trophy instead of taking it yourself.
Wisdom
To fulfil the Wisdom virtue, play through the primary quest La Cage Au Fou. Examine the creature’s lair, then hide in the closet. Help lift the curse on the creature by having a spoonless dinner.
Alternatively, go for the peaceful option in Father Knows Worst by choosing for no one to die.
How to complete the Hermit boss battle in The Witcher 3
After fulfilling all five chivalric virtues in The Witcher 3's There Can Only Be One quest, return to the Hermit at the lake to have him judge your deeds.
If all virtues have been met, you must now fight the Hermit to earn the Aerondight sword. The Hermit uses magical ranged water attacks and puts up a decent fight, but once you defeat the Hermit, the Lady of the Lake will emerge to grant you the Aerondight sword at last.
Now that you have the best sword in the Witcher 3, head over to our Manticore Gear guide, Grandmaster Feline Gear guide, or Grandmaster Wolf Gear guide to obtain new Witcher armor to pair with your new weapon.