The Witcher 3 remaster Aard build (Witcher 3 remaster aard build) is a setup built around Aard, Forgotten Wolven armor, and the Piercing Cold mutation. The Remaster gave us a completely reworked skill tree and with that everyone’s favorite builds broke. Some you can rebuild more or less the same, some you cannot. All that is left is to get used to the new tree and adapt.
How the build works
This build is a versatile hybrid that fits most situations. You start from basic Aard and combine it with the Piercing Cold mutation, so you slow enemies and partially freeze them. It is my favorite build, even though after the Remaster it is a bit weaker than before, because full freeze in place no longer works as reliably. You combine Forgotten Wolven armor, the right decoctions, and a skill tree spread for the Remaster.
What the build is good at
The build shines because it really fits most situations. It works against werewolves, fiends, and leshens, but also against Nilfgaardian soldiers, drowners, or wolves. You can handle one enemy or a whole group. Against flying foes you do not have to rely only on your crossbow, because Aard knocks more of them from the sky and harpies or sirens fall much more easily.
At the same time the build has decent armor and health and Geralt survives a few hits even on Death March. The sword build hits harder in melee, while this setup is more versatile in every situation and Geralt does not die as quickly at higher levels. I enjoy playing it more, you slow enemies and partially freeze them and then kill them quickly with strong attacks or Whirl.
What you need for the build
You definitely need Forgotten Wolven armor and in my video that is the mastercrafted legendary set. Six armor pieces again give you the full set bonuses for the whole set, including synergy between Aard and Yrden.
On weapons put the Severance word from runewriting, which increases the reach of Whirl and strong attacks. On every armor piece slot an Aard glyph, because with this set you hurt enemies directly with the sign and burn them in place for higher damage.
You drink three decoctions: Ekimmara Decoction, Troll Decoction, and Wraith Decoction. They refill your health noticeably and Wraith Decoction gives you Quen protection after a hard hit. I cover all three decoctions and what they do in the best elixirs overview.
In the skill tree add points as in the screenshot below. The active mutation is Piercing Cold, which changes how Aard works and adds a chance to freeze.
Video
In the video you will see Geralt fighting in the Nilfgaardian camp with this build and you can decide if it is for you. It is on the highest difficulty with the setup above and no mods.
Aard build on Death March difficulty, Nilfgaardian camp without mods.
Where next
More setups for the Remaster are in the build overview. I cover the game in The Witcher 3 review, and more guides sit on the game hub.