Skill points are precious — focus one tree and only place skills in active slots (matched to a mutagen colour for the bonus). Here are the four archetypes.
Combat (Fast-Attack Crit)
Tree: Combat (red). Key skills: Muscle Memory, Precise Blows, Crippling Strikes, Whirl. Gear: Feline (Cat) or Wolven. High crit and bleed — the classic swordsman.
Signs (Igni / Quen Mage)
Tree: Signs (blue). Key skills: Melt Armor, Firestream, Exploding Shield, Sustained Glyphs. Gear: Griffin (Sign intensity). Burn everything; Quen makes you nearly unkillable.
Alchemy (Euphoria)
Tree: Alchemy (green). Key: Acquired Tolerance, Refreshment, Synergy + the Euphoria mutation. Gear: Manticore. The strongest late-game build — potions boost your damage sky-high.
Hybrid (Bear Tank)
Mix: Combat + a few Signs/Alchemy. Gear: Ursine (Bear) for heavy armor & stamina. Forgiving and flexible — great for a first playthrough.
Slot three skills of the same colour next to a matching Greater Mutagen to multiply its stat bonus. Combine Greater Red/Blue/Green mutagens for +damage, +Sign intensity or +vitality.
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