Witcher Signs

Signs are simple, yet powerful, one-handed magic spells that are used commonly by witchers. They aren't as effective as full-powered magic spells, but allow witchers to be more versatile against their opponents and are great to use in the heat of combat. There are a total of 5 signs: Aard, Axii, Igni, Quen, and Yrden.

It's a skill indicating the aptitude the Witcher displays using signs. Only those with "Witcher" in their high-concepts can use it.

Aard This sign casts a directed wave of telekinetic energy that can stagger or knock down opponents, leaving them open for attack. Aard can also blow out any existing fires, blast open poorly secured doors, or punch through cracked or damaged walls or floors.

Axii This sign muddles the mind of an opponent, making it possible to take them out of the fight temporarily. It's the most effective against humans, but can also work on certain monsters. Target an enemy that looks especially troublesome, then cast Axii to keep them out of the fight until you're ready to deal with them. Axii can also be used in conversations with other characters in some cases, though some people are strong willed and can resist it. Axii can even be used to calm your mounts or tame wild horses for transportation.

IgniThe fiery Igni Sign allows Geralt of Rivia to spread a wave of embers at his foes. It can also be used for something more subtle, such as lighting a torch or a campfire. Igni is incredibly effective against foes that are weak to fire. It can light enemies on fire and do damage over time. In some cases, this effect causes the enemy to panic. Additionally, any flammable gases in the air can be ignited to cause powerful explosions that can hurt and stun your enemies.

Quen This sign can be the difference between life and death. Quen's basic ability is to cover Geralt in a basic shield that absorbs a limited amount of damage. Usually this means a single hit against most equal level foes, but that doesn't mean Quen isn't useful.

Yrden Cast this Sign and a circle of Yrden symbols appears around Geralt. Most foes that wander into that ring are significantly slowed, though some monsters are unaffected by it. The circle is one of your best tools at your disposal to control multiple enemies in melee range. Yrden is invaluable against Noonwraith and Nightwraith. who remain incorporeal most of the time unless caught within a Yrden circle.

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Overcome: Aard can be used to blast through poorly secured doors, blow out fires and so on.

Igni can be used to create fires or ignite flammable gasses.

The Yrden trap is perfect to overcome Wraiths incorporeality.

Axii can be used to bring opponents to your side with an overcome roll if you succeed with style, or at least take them out of the fight for a short time (1 round + amount of shifts above their Willpower roll).

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Create advantage: Aard can be used to knock down opponents or stagger them, or even knock them off their mounts.

Igni can be used to scare certain opponents.

Yrden traps can be used to slow and knock back opponents.

Axii can be used to muddle an opponent and make him easier to take out.

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Attack: Igni can be used to burn and hurt opponents, especially effective against creatures weak to flame. Succeed with style usually lights them on fire.

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Defend: Quen creates a shield that stays with the witcher, slowly depleting as it absorbs damage. (TN:0, the amount of successes is the amount of shifts it can absorb)

Shield Stunts

• Aard sweep You can choose to use the Aard sign in a sweep around you, halving your skill roll, but affecting everyone in your zone for the create advantage (instead of splitting the points among opponents). Costs a fate-point.
• Sign aptitude Gain a +1 for using this specific sign (choose Aard, Axii, Igni, Quen or Yrden).
• Melt Armor When successfully using Igni on an opponent, his armour is lowered by one for this and the next round. If you succeed with style it's lowered for the entire scene (in addition to the boost).
• Supercharged Glyphs Yrden traps in a zone also cause 1 shift of damage per turn until overcome (or the opponent moves out of the zone).
• Active shield Once per scene. If the Quen shield absorbs as many points or more as a missing physical stress box, you may restore that box.
• Domination You can now dominate more than one opponent. Gain +2 when trying to dominate up to two opponents with Axii.
• Greater Domination (Requires Domination) Your can use your full roll against both opponents to see if you can dominate them.