I'm planning a second Witcher playthrough and since this will be the first time I'll be playing at hard difficulty, I really wouldn't like to mess something up in character development. The thing is that the last time I played I completely neglected all signs except Aard and Igni so I don't really know how they behave when upgraded. This time, I'm aiming at a swordsman witcher who will use signs a bit more, but still only as support tools, not weapons themselves.

Aard and Igni I know, but has anyone tried to use Quen intensively? It seems to me like in theory it could be used to shield yourself while charging up signs or special attacks, but I'm wondering if in reality it would last long enough to charge a group style when surrounded by foes? Also about Yrden: how useful are those effects like pain, poison, stupor and blinding? And does the effect radius increase with sign intensity? Axii I'll pass since it doesn't really appeal to me.

One more thing: will I have problems at hard difficulty if I restrict myself only to meteorite swords? I tried playing with other special swords, but they just didn't look witchery enough. I like roleplaying and I very much enjoyed the fact that I could finish the game on medium with just one personal sword. In fact, I find this reduced focus on equipment compared to other RPGs quite refreshing.

Sorry for a long post full of questions. I don't usually use forums, but I couldn't really find enough information on the internet, which is quite surprising since forums are usually full of discussions like these about other RPGs like Mass Effect or Elder Scrolls, for instance.

Igni and Aard are the two most useful signs, anyway. Quen gets the job done on its unenhanced value, and I hardly ever use Yrden or Axii (in TW1, anyway).

Make that a triple red meteorite sword, and you will own Act V and the Epilogue with it. You still need a silver or rune sword for those annoying monsters, but the triple red is your bread and butter.

OK, so Quen IS useful. That's good to hear. And three reds own. Thanks. :)

And of course, I wasn't thinking about avoiding silver swords. What kind of a witcher would fight monsters without his trusty silver sword?

I happened to prefer the three yellow with its four critical bonuses and give up the extra 16% damge bonus. Enhance the sword with oils, stone, dust or runes and it was IMO deadlier in most fights. Use Quen instead of Cat in dungeons and dark areas starting in act 3 if you have built up your endurance to lvl 4 or better. It provides light and will absorb the initial hits (surprises) while you draw your weapons. For silver: two earth and one moon I believe until you receive Aerondight; again giving up the extra damage from moonblade for the critical hits.

Between potions, sword enhancements, bombs and signs a 35+ Witcher is unstoppable. The most interesting fight, however, is in the end of the game in the sewers where I found using the double sided axe and signs to be a better weapon than my sword. For those of us who have played this before we know which "boss" fight this is.

I found that either the most or certainly one of the hardest 3 fights in the game is the boss fight in chapter 1. On hard, you need patience and speed no matter the sword and I probably have been killed more often by that opponent than any other at this level.

Have Fun

The three yellow is also a fine sword. I prefer the three red because it deals Bleeding, and you will encounter important enemies for which this is their only vulnerability. But this is certainly a case of to each his own.

I got three reds in chapter 1 and had no problems with the beast whatsoever. I used specter oil, swallow and nigredo blizzard with fast style and occasionally group to clear out the barghests. I focused mostly on the beast and the only trouble I got were occasional pains.

I'm close to the end of chapter 2 now and I found that if you use oils and potions regularly, the game is not that hard even on hard. Though I did have some serious trouble with those wyverns guarding Harvall.

I still don't have any yellow meteorites. I don't really remember where they are and I hope I haven't missed any.

Don't worry about the yellow meteorites yet. You won't be able to complete a yellow meteorite sword until you're well into Act V.