It makes the protective shield push away enemies from Geralt when it is discharged.

Exploding shield is a skill related to Quen sign.

But at first you don't have to develop it to maximum - with one or two points invested you will feel the difference as well. It works with Igni sign and, as the name suggests, allows you to weaken enemy armor by up to 75% on highest level.

Melt armor is one of the more interesting skills available since the beginning of the game.

Recommended skills from the Signs tree (blue color) Morever, you must remember about using the crossbow when fighting. To make this skill work effectively you must increase the chance of performing critical hits with crossbow. It's a great help when fighting beasts that can poison or paralyze Geralt.

It allows you to block monsters special skills for five seconds (or longer if you develop this skill) when you perform a critical hit with the crossbow.

Crippling shot is a skill that can be unlocked later in the game but you shouldn't forget about it then.

Before activating this attacks you should use as much stamina points as possible and gather as much adrenaline as possible, it will double the damage. By using it you can deal very large damage and ignore any additional defense of the enemy.

Rend is one of the best skills related to strong attacks.

If you use fast attacks, then you should have this skill set as active. It deals constant damage to them for as long as you have stamina and adrenaline. It is effective only when facing large enemy groups.

Whirl is a perfect skill linked to fast attacks.

Later in the game you should buy two next levels that will give you the chance to push the arrows back and make archers and crossbowmen receive double damage. At first you can only unlock first level of this skill which will allow you to deflect arrows by parrying attacks.

Arrow deflection is a very useful skill that you will appreciate when fighting enemies that have ranged weapons (like bandits).

You can make an exception for one of them if you plan to specialize your character in using light armor (fast attacks) or heavy armor (strong attacks) only. They increase damage dealt by fast and strong attacks and, after developing them to level 5, the gain will be 25%.

Try to develop skills Muscle Memory and Strength Training at the beginning of the game.

Recommended skills from the Combat tree (red color)

Strong alcohol witcher 3