The Witcher 3 Armor System, Explained

1 min read

Weight class, upgrade tiers and diagrams matter more here than any single stat. Here is how the system actually works.

The Witcher 3 armor system is built around crafting rather than random drops — the strongest gear in the game comes from diagrams and a blacksmith, not from chests.

Weight classes

Armour is split into light, medium and heavy pieces. Heavier gear generally carries a higher base armour value at the cost of your total encumbrance, which affects how easily you can dodge and roll — going overweight slows you down noticeably, so a full heavy set is a real trade-off rather than a free upgrade.

Diagrams and crafting

Most good armour is not bought — it is crafted from a diagram found or bought in the world, then built by a matching armourer using the raw materials listed. Diagrams also unlock upgrade tiers, letting the same piece scale from basic quality up through enhanced, superior, mastercrafted and, eventually, grandmaster.

Glyph slots

Higher-tier armour carries slots for glyphs, which add elemental resistances — useful against specific enemy types rather than as a general power boost.

The practical takeaway

Keep gear upgraded as you level rather than chasing new sets constantly — outdated armour, even a strong set, falls off fast against higher-level enemies.