The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Sign Skill Tree Guide and Overview

In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Signs are magical abilities that the Witchers use. Like the other skill trees, there is much you can do with these Signs, including alternate effects if you wish.

I’ll explain the Sign skill tree and all the effects you can get. I’ll also give a sample build and tips on building your own. Check out the Alchemy Skill tree guide if you’re looking for that. Please visit The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Master Guide List for more tips and guides related to the game.

This guide will cover everything about the Signs skill tree including:

• Aard – Skills using the telekinetic Sign.
• Igni – Skills using the fiery sign.
• Yrden – Skill using the magic trap sign.
• Quen – Skills using the protective shield sign.
• Axii – Skills using the charm mind sign.
• Tips and Sign Focused Archetype – What to look for overall when focusing on Sign combat and a sample build.

Before I begin, here are a few things to know about the skill trees.

• Each Sign has 4 Tiers of skills and each skill has multiple ranks.
• You have access to Tier 1 at the beginning.
• Tier 2 requires 6 points in the sign branch
• Tier 3 requires 18 points.
• Tier 4 requires 28 points.
• Every skill you want to use must be equipped, even if it is passive.

Aard Sign – Telekinetic Push

Far-Reaching Aard – Increases range

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 1

• Rank 1 – Increases Aard’s range by 1 yard(s). Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Increases Aard’s range by 2 yard(s). Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Increases Aard’s range by 3 yard(s). Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Aard Sweep – Alternate Sign Mode: Strikes all opponents in a certain radius

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 2

• Rank 1 – Knockdown chance is 21% lower. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Knockdown chance is 17% lower. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Aard Intensity – Increases Aard Intensity

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 3

• Rank 1 – increases intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – increases intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – increases intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – increases intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – increases intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Shock Wave – Aard now deals damage

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 4

• Rank 1 – Aard deals 40 damage. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Aard deals 80 damage. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Aard deals 120 damage. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – Aard deals 160 damage. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – Aard deals 200 damage. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Igni Sign – Fiery blast that damages enemies

Melt Armor – Weakens enemy armor

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 1

• Rank 1 – Effect scales with intensity up to 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Effect scales with intensity up to 30%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Effect scales with intensity up to 45%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – Effect scales with intensity up to 60%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – Effect scales with intensity up to 75%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Firestream – Alternate Sign Mode: Emits continuous stream of fire

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 2

• Rank 1 – Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Stamina cost reduced by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Stamina cost reduced by 50%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Igni Intensity – Increases Igni Intensity

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 3

• Rank 1 – increases intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – increases intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – increases intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – increases intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – increases intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Pyromaniac – Igni has a chance to apply burning damage over time

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 4

• Rank 1 – Increases chance to apply burning by 20%. Endurance regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Increases chance to apply burning by 40%. Endurance regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Increases chance to apply burning by 60%. Endurance regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 4 – Increases chance to apply burning by 80%. Endurance regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 5 – Increases chance to apply burning by 100%. Endurance regeneration in combat +0.5/second.

Yrden Sign – Magic trap that slows enemies

Sustained Glyphs – Increases duration, alternate mode charges, and standard mode traps

• Ranks: 2
• Tier: 1

• Rank 1 – Increases Sign duration by 5 seconds. Number of alternate mode charges by 2. Number of standard mode traps by 1. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Increases Sign duration by 10 seconds. Number of alternate mode charges by 4. Number of standard mode traps by 2. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.

Magic Trap – Alternate Sign Mode: Damages and slows all opponents in a certain radius. Destroys projectiles passing through the area

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 2

• Rank 1 – 10 yard radius. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – 12 yard radius, 25% damage increase. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – 14 yard radius, 50% damage increase. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Yrden Intensity – Increases Yrden Intensity

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 3

• Rank 1 – increases intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – increases intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – increases intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – increases intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – increases intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Supercharged Glyphs – Causes enemies to lose vitality or essence per second

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 4

• Rank 1 – Enemies lose 10 points/second. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Enemies lose 20 points/second. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Enemies lose 30 points/second. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – Enemies lose 40 points/second. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – Enemies lose 50 points/second. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Quen Sign – Protective shield that absorbs damage

Exploding Shield – Shield pushes opponents back when it breaks

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 1

• Rank 1 – Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Deals damage. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Deals damage with a chance for knockdown. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Active Shield – Alternate Sign Mode: Shield restores vitality when hit, drains less stamina

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 2

• Rank 1 – Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Maintaining shield drains 50% less stamina. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Maintaining shield no longer drains stamina. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Quen Intensity – Increases Quen Intensity

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 3

• Rank 1 – increases intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – increases intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – increases intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – increases intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – increases intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Quen Discharge – Reflects damage back to attacker

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 4

• Rank 1 – Reflects 5% of absorbed damage back to attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Reflects 10% of absorbed damage back to attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Reflects 15% of absorbed damage back to attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – Reflects 20% of absorbed damage back to attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – Reflects 25% of absorbed damage back to attacker. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Axii Sign – Charms the mind

Delusion – Stops targer from moving towards Geralt when casting Axii

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 1

• Rank 1 – Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Increases Axii effectiveness in dialogue. Reduces casting time. Failed Axii attempts, stagger the enemy. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Puppet – Alternate Sign Mode: Makes target an ally and deal more damage

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 2

• Rank 1 – Briefly becomes ally and deals 20% more damge. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Briefly becomes ally and deals 40% more damge. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Briefly becomes ally and deals 60% more damge. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Axii Intensity – Increases Axii Intensity

• Ranks: 5
• Tier: 3

• Rank 1 – increases intensity by 5%. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – increases intensity by 10%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – increases intensity by 15%. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.
• Rank 4 – increases intensity by 20%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.0/second.
• Rank 5 – increases intensity by 25%. Stamina regeneration in combat +2.5/second.

Domination – Affects 2 opponents, effect is weaker

• Ranks: 3
• Tier: 4

• Rank 1 – Effect is 50% weaker. Stamina regeneration in combat +0.5/second.
• Rank 2 – Effect is 25% weaker. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.0/second.
• Rank 3 – Effect stays at full power. Stamina regeneration in combat +1.5/second.

Tips and Sign-focused Archetype Build

Here are some things to look out for when doing Sign builds.

• Stamina recovery – Signs use stamina so you want to get it back as fast as possible.
• Use Sign intensity mutagens – These increase it even more. Other ones to look for include stamina.
• Don’t forget about general skills – There are some important general skills to look out for.
• Griffin School Technique – Increases Sign intensity by 5% and stamina regeneration by 5% for each piece of medium armor equipped.
• Adrenaline Burst – Increases Adrenaline generation by 5%. Using Signs now generates Adrenaline points.
• Focus – Adrenaline points increases both weapon damage and sign intensity.
• Sun and Stars – During the day, vitality regenerates an additional 10 points per second out of combat. At night, stamina regenerates by an additional 1 point per second during combat.

Sign Archetype 

This is just a sample build, but will give you an idea on what to look for when building your character.

Molten Armor

• Melt Armor
• Firestream
• Igni Intensity
• Pyromaniac
• Active Shield
• Delusion
• Quen Intensity
• Quen Discharge
• Griffin School Techniques
• Adrenaline Burst
• Focus
• Rage Management

This build focuses solely on Using Igni and Quen signs. You will do the greatest amount of damage with Igni and you’ll have decent survivability with Quen.

• Active Shield lets you get vitality back and Discharge reflects some damage back so you can keep that up while fighting.
• Delusion because you need more point to unlock Tier 3 and this also helps in dialogue.
• The General skill tree abilities increase Sign intensity with each piece of medium armor, so focus on getting medium armor.
• The other skills allow you to gain adrenaline points by using signs and use adrenaline points instead of stamina if you run out of stamina.
• Mutagens for Sign intensity helps as well as stamina.
• Tawny Owl potions are great for even more stamina regeneration.

This wraps up my Sign skill tree guide for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions of your own Sign builds. Don’t forget to check my Beginner’s guide for help with anything else.