Choice between regular workshop and high level laboratory in The Witcher 3 directly affects the available levels of equipment upgrades and the cost of services. If you are trying to upgrade a sword to the Master or Grand Master level, but you do not have the appropriate blueprint or the required NPC, the system simply will not allow the upgrade, regardless of the amount of ore and gold you have.
The difference between these locations lies not in the name of the building, but in the qualifications of the particular craftsman who works there. A newcomer in the village can only sharpen a blade or repair armor, while a dwarf legend in Novigrad or Toussaint can insert runes and raise the level of an item to the maximum. Understanding the hierarchy of blacksmiths and alchemists is critical for efficient resource allocation in the later stages of the game.
That is why it is important to know who exactly to take the found drawings and rare materials to, so as not to waste time traveling to the wrong NPC. In this article we will look at how the services of different levels of specialists differ, where to look for the best specialists and whether it is even worth investing in the development of your own base in Corvo Biano.
Hierarchy of masters and available upgrade levels
In the gaming world, there is a clear division of specialists into four categories: amateur, journeyman, master and great master. Each of them can only work with items of a certain rarity. For example, normal amateur blacksmith will only be able to upgrade your equipment to the “Normal” or “Magic” level, but he is powerless against artifact items.
To work with enchanted and rare items, a specialist of a higher rank is required. Apprentices, who can be found in large cities like Oxenfurt or Vizima, are already capable of working with magical and enchanted items. However, for top equipment, such as the Wolf or Cat schools, you will need to find unique NPCs who have the status of a master or grand master.
It is important to note that not every NPC in the building with the hammer has the necessary qualifications. Some merchants do not improve at all, but only sell goods. Therefore, before dragging your full inventory across half the map, check the available options in the dialogue.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to improve an item from a low-ranking master will result in a refusal of the service. The system will not offer an upgrade if the NPC does not have the appropriate skill, even if you have all the components.
- 🔨 Amateur: available from the beginning of the game, works with ordinary and magical items.
- ⚔️ Journeyman: required for enchanted items, found in medium settlements.
- 🛡️ Master: necessary for rare items and starting work with witcher schools.
- 💎 Grand Master: the only one who can create "Grand Master" level equipment.
Where to look for the best blacksmiths and alchemists
Finding a highly qualified specialist is a separate quest, often requiring the completion of a chain of tasks. The very first master blacksmith, available to the player, is located in Novigrad. This is a dwarf named Hjalmar, but in order for him to start working, you need to complete the side quest “The Weaponsmith's Dream”.
For alchemy, the situation is similar: the best master in Velen and Novigrad is the innkeeper in “The Hanged Man,” but his high level opens only after completing the quest line related to the search for the missing elixir. In Toussaint, things are simpler: there are several high-ranking craftsmen available after arriving in the duchy.
Don't ignore the map and markers. Often, players will pass by the desired NPC because they are looking for the “Workshop” sign, and the desired character may be sitting in a tavern or in his own house in the upper part of the city. Using your witcher senses helps you quickly find the right points on the map.
Where to find Great Masters
The Master Blacksmith is located in Toussaint (Beauclair), quest "Master of Workshops". Alchemist-great master also in Toussaint, quest “Wine and Songs”.
Comparison of costs of services and materials
The difference in price between improvement from a simple apprentice and from a great master can be tenfold. The base cost of the work depends on the rank of the master and the level of the item being improved. Artifact items require huge amounts of gold and rare components, such as Daerian steel ingots or improved ore.
In addition, craftsmen take a commission for their work. Great masters have a higher markup percentage, but they are the only ones who can do the job efficiently. There is no point in saving on the Master rank when working with top-end equipment, since others simply will not take on the order.
| Master Rank | Max. item level | Approximate cost (cr.) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amateur | Magical | 10 - 50 | Any village |
| Journeyman | Enchanted | 100 - 300 | Major cities |
| Master | Rare | 500 - 1500 | Novigrad, Toussaint |
| Grand Master | Grand Master | 2000+ | Toussaint (Beauclair) |
It is worth considering that prices may vary depending on your reputation and completed quests for a particular character. Some professionals may offer a discount on their services after completing a personal assignment, which will save you thousands of crowns in the long run.
Own workshop in Corvo Biano
In the Blood and Wine add-on, Geralt gets the opportunity to acquire his own estate, where he can equip personal laboratory and a forge. This is not just decoration: having your own machines allows you to carry out improvements at any time of the day, without running around cities.
However, the functionality of a home workshop is limited. You won't be able to create items from scratch without blueprints, and complex upgrades will still require the help of a hired craftsman. Investments in the development of the estate pay off with convenience and the ability to quickly change clothes or repair a sword before leaving the house.
To activate all functions of the estate, you must complete a number of tasks and hire a caretaker. Without it, your machines will be useless. This is a great option for those who like order and want to have everything at hand in one location.
The nuances of sharpening and inserting runes
The procedures for sharpening swords and inserting runes deserve special attention. Sharpening temporarily increases damage, but its effect wears off after a certain number of hits. Runes provide a permanent bonus, but require an empty socket and an appropriate level of skill from the blacksmith.
Inserting runes is an expensive process, especially if you are replacing existing stones. When replacing an old rune with a new one, the previous one is destroyed irrevocably. Therefore, you need to plan the assembly of a set of runes in advance so as not to spend extra money on experiments.
Some craftsmen may offer unique rune-carving services, but this is only available after meeting specific conditions. Always check to make sure you won't lose an item or component if the modification attempt fails.
Common mistakes when leveling up equipment
One of the most common mistakes is trying to improve an item before finding the corresponding blueprint. Players often buy components, thinking that the craftsman will be able to recreate the item according to the model, but in the world of The Witcher, without a piece of paper (drawing), you are not a craftsman.
Also, many people forget that to improve witcher equipment you need to go through all stages: from ordinary to masterful. You can't jump over a level. If you don't have an intermediate drawing, the great master will refuse to work, no matter how expensive your order.
Another mistake is selling blueprints to merchants. By accidentally selling a unique upgrade plan, you may lose the opportunity to create the most powerful sword in the game, since the blueprints cannot always be purchased again or found elsewhere.
⚠️ Attention: Don't sell blueprints for witcher schools! Restoring them is extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible, without loading an old version of the save.
- 📜 The absence of a drawing blocks the creation of an item, even for a great master.
- 📉 Skipping an upgrade level (for example, from Normal to Master) is not possible.
- 💸 The high cost of inserting runes requires preliminary budget planning.
FAQ: Questions and answers
Is it possible to become a master blacksmith yourself?
No, Geralt cannot forge or create elixirs on his own. He always needs an NPC master of the appropriate rank, even if he has all the blueprints and materials.
Where can I find blueprints for upgrading to Grand Master?
The blueprints are scattered throughout the world, often in chests in high-level locations or as quest rewards. There is a merchant in Toussaint where you can buy some of them.
Do improvements disappear when repaired?
No, a regular repair does not remove runes or reset the upgrade level. However, sharpening a weapon has a temporary effect and requires repetition.
Is it worth hiring a locksmith in Corvo Biano?
Yes, it is convenient for quick repairs and sharpening at any time. But for complex improvements and insertion of runes, you will still have to go to specialized craftsmen in the cities.