Witcher signs

What are witcher signs

Witcher signs are a form of simple magic that witchers cast through specific hand gestures. They require only a small amount of magical energy, making them fast to use in combat. The five traditional signs are Aard, Igni, Yrden, Quen, and Axii.

Unlike full sorcery, signs do not require lengthy preparation, incantations, or expensive components. This makes them practical tools for monster hunters who need quick access to magical effects mid-fight. However, signs are weaker than the spells a trained sorcerer or sorceress could cast.

The five signs

Aard

A telekinetic blast that staggers or knocks down enemies. Geralt uses Aard most frequently in the novels. In The Witcher 3, the base form projects a forward cone of force. The alternate mode, Aard Sweep, unleashes a 360-degree knockback around the caster. Aard is effective against flying enemies, shielded opponents, and destructible environmental objects.

Igni

A burst or stream of fire. Confirmed to appear in The Witcher IV, where Ciri uses it to ignite her chain weapon and cast fire directly. In TW3, Igni could weaken enemy armor by up to 75% when fully upgraded. The alternate mode, Firestream, turned the single burst into a continuous flamethrower that drained stamina while held. It could burn through wooden shields after a couple of seconds.

Yrden

Places a magical trap on the ground that slows enemies who enter it. Against wraiths and specters, Yrden is almost essential because it makes them corporeal, allowing physical attacks to connect. The alternate mode, Magic Trap, damages enemies and destroys incoming projectiles.

Quen

Creates a temporary protective shield that absorbs damage. At base level it absorbs one hit. The alternate mode, Active Shield, absorbs all incoming damage as long as stamina permits and also heals the caster, making it one of the most powerful defensive options in The Witcher 3.

Axii

Influences or confuses a target's mind. In combat, it leaves enemies stunned and vulnerable. Outside combat, it unlocks special dialogue options that can resolve situations without violence. The alternate mode, Puppet, turns Axii into full mind control, forcing an enemy to fight on the caster's side temporarily.

Signs in The Witcher IV

Ciri has access to witcher signs after completing the Trial of the Grasses. Igni has been confirmed through the cinematic trailer and tech demo. Whether all five signs return in their TW3 forms has not been confirmed.

What sets Ciri apart from Geralt is that her magical abilities extend well beyond signs. She is a Source (a person born with innate magical talent) and trained under Yennefer of Vengerberg. Her elemental manipulation, including drawing water from cave walls to create electrical blasts, is closer to full sorcery than anything a typical witcher could do.

Signs in the novels

Sapkowski's novels treat signs differently than the games. Geralt primarily uses Aard and occasionally the Heliotrope sign (which functions similarly to Quen in the games). Igni, Axii, and Yrden appear rarely or not at all in the books. The games expanded the sign system significantly beyond what the source material established.