In this Guide, we will explain how to obtain the Griffin Armour set in the Witcher 3. It’s also sometimes called the Gryphon School Armour.
The Griffin Armour is a medium armour set that buffs your stamina regeneration and sign intensity, and when upgraded to Mastercrafted level or higher it also allows you to cast an additional sign for free each time you cast a sign in Standard Mode, and enhanced your Yrden Sign with a larger radius, a damage over time AOE effect, and damage mitigation for Geralt while he is standing inside his Yrden AOE.
For these reasons, the Griffin Armour is very powerful and can be used in builds that are focused on enhancing Geralt’s sign-casting abilities, such as this Piercing Cold Aard Build.
Fairly early in the game (after you finish up in White Orchard) you’ll be able to obtain the basic level of the Griffin Armour, by finding the diagrams to craft each piece. You then need to collect the required materials and pay an Armorer or Weaponsmith to craft them for you. As the game progresses, you’ll be able to find, craft and equip upgraded versions of the armour, going through the following tiers:
- Standard (Level 11)
- Enhanced (Level 18)
- Superior (Level 26)
- Mastercrafted (Level 31)
- Grandmaster (Level 40, Requires Blood and Wine DLC).
The Mastercrafted and Grandmaster tiers will unlock the special abilities for Geralt’s Signs, mentioned above. The lower tiers only give stat boosts, however it also has to be said that Witcher Gear in general is considerably stronger than any other armour you’re likely to obtain of a similar level.
Below are the locations for the diagrams of each piece of Griffin Armour, tier by tier.
How to Find the Standard Griffin Armour in the Witcher 3
To get started with your Griffin Armour set in the Witcher 3, you’ll first need to craft the standard version of the armour and weapons. You need to be at least level 11 to equip them.
Here are all of the locations for the standard tier Griffin Armour:
Griffin Silver Sword Location
There’s a small island just off the coast of northwest Velen, on which there is a lighthouse. There will be a Wyvern nesting in the lighthouse, which you’ll probably need to defeat. Explore the lighthouse to find the diagram for the Griffin Silver Sword.
Griffin Steel Sword Location
The Griffin Steel Sword diagram is located on another island, this time in the river dividing Velen from the Oxenfurt and Novigrad area. The island is accessible by crossing some marshland from the south, or a broken bride from the north. Whichever route you choose, you’ll probably be attacked by Drowners on the way.
On the island there is an abandoned watchtower, containing some Endrega enemies that you’ll need to beat. After you get past them, you can explore the Watchtower to find the diagram for the Griffin Steel Sword.
Griffin Armour Location
The Diagrams for the Griffin Armour, Gloves, Boots and Trousers are all found in the same location. They’re in a dungeon called Dragonslayer’s Grotto, hidden away in the forest directly northwest of Downwarren village. You’ll need to beat some Wraiths and an Ekimmara to get the diagram – remember to use the Yrden sign to force them into physical form during the fight.
How to Find the Enhanced Griffin Armour in the Witcher 3
After obtaining the standard versions of the Griffin Armour, you’ll be able to upgrade them to their Enhanced version. You need to be level 18 to equip this tier of Griffin Armour.
Here are the locations for the Enhanced Griffin Armour Diagrams in the Witcher 3:
Enhanced Griffin Silver Sword Location
Follow the road south from the Ancient Oak. Turn left when you reach the crossroads, and you will find a cave. Explore the cave to find the diagram for the Enhanced Griffin Silver Sword.
Enhanced Griffin Steel Sword Location
On the coast directly to the west of the village of Midcopse, you can find a bandit camp. Defeat the bandits and explore the camp to find a chest containing the diagram for the Enhanced Griffin Steel Sword.
Enhanced Griffin Chest Location
The Enhanced Griffin Chest Diagram is found in a chest at White Eagle Fort, just to the west of Oxenfurt. You will also find a singing troll here. The chest with the diagram is located in the ruined building.
Enhanced Griffin Boots Location
On the coast to the north of the Inn at the Crossroads, there are some ruined buildings. Explore the ruins to find a chest containing the diagram for the Enhanced Griffin Boots.
Enhanced Griffin Trousers Location
Find the Burned Ruins, just to the east of Crow’s Perch. There is some smoke coming from the ruins, and inside the smoke you can find a chest that contains the diagram for the Enhanced Griffin Trousers.
Enhanced Griffin Gloves Location
At the southern edge of Velen, there is a haunted village called Frischlow, only inhabited by Wraiths who will attack you if you enter the village. Defeat the Wraiths and you can then explore the village freely. Find the graveyard, and then find the cave nearby. There will be a Noonwraith guarding the cave.
After defeating it, you can enter the cave and find the diagram for the Enhanced Griffin Gloves inside a chest.
How to Find the Superior Griffin Armour in the Witcher 3
Once you have the Enhanced Griffin Armour, you can begin upgrading them to the next tier, which is called Superior Griffin Armour. You need to be level 26 to equip this tier.
Below are the diagram locations for the Superior Griffin Armour in the Witcher 3:
Superior Griffin Silver Sword Location
Near the southern tip of Ard Skellig (the largest island in Skellige), head north east from Elverum Lighthouse, along the coast. You will come to a cave. Explore the cave until you find the large room with the statue. At the rear of this chamber, you can find a chest which will contain the diagram for the Superior Griffin Silver Sword.
Superior Griffin Steel Sword Location
On the small island of An Skellig, northern side. Slide down the mountain from the Yngvar’s Fang Signpost, then follow the road until you encounter a tall pointy rock. If you use your Witcher Senses, you can identify the correct rock as it will have a Witcher symbol carved into the rock face. Behind the rock there is a chest, which will contain the diagram for the Superior Griffin Steel Sword.
Superior Griffin Armour Location
Back on Ard Skellig, at the north eastern tip of the island there is a Signpost called Giant’s Toes. There is a path here dominated by rock formations, such as rocky archways. Follow this path to the end, clearing out any enemies along the way.
At the end you will find a camp, look around the area to find a chest containing the diagrams for Superior Griffin Chest, Gloves, Boots and Trousers.
How to Find the Mastercrafted Griffin Armour in the Witcher 3
Once you have the Superior Griffin Armour, you can upgrade it to Mastercrafted level. This is the first tier at which the additional set bonuses from Witcher Gear are activated, making the armour significantly more powerful if you are wearing a full set. You need to be level 31 to equip it.
To craft the armour, you’ll need to secure the services of a master armorer and a master weaponsmith. You’ll need to complete a quest for each in order to make use of their services. You can start the quest for the master armorer by talking to the blacksmith in Crow’s Perch, and for the weaponsmith speak to Hattori in Novigrad.
Below are the locations for all of the Mastercrafted Griffin Armour Diagrams in the Witcher 3:
Mastercrafted Griffin Silver Sword Location
On Ard Skellig, there are some ruins across the lake from the Fornhala Signpost. Among these ruins you can find a chest which contains the diagram for the Mastercrafted Silver Sword.
Mastercrafted Griffin Steel Sword Location
Still on Ard Skellig, head down the path that leads east from the Boxholm Signpost. The path leads to some ruins, guarded by an Earth Elemental. Defeat the boss and then explore the ruins. The chest contains the diagram for the Mastercrafted Griffin Steel Sword.
Mastercrafted Griffin Armour Location
Once again, we can get all four armour diagrams in one place! On the eastern coast of Ard Skellig, roughly halfway between the Whale Graveyard and Redgill Signposts, there is another set of ruins, this time guarded by a Cyclops.
After defeating the cyclops, climb up to the upper level of the ruin where you can find a Place of Power and a couple of chests. One of these chests will contain the diagrams for the Mastercrafted Griffin Chest, Boots, Gloves and Trousers.
How to Find the Grandmaster Griffin Armour in the Witcher 3
We’ve finally arrived at the highest tier version of the Griffin Armour in the Witcher 3. To get this tier, you’ll need the Blood and Wine DLC. To craft these items, you’ll need to secure the services of the Grandmaster Smith. You can find him in Beauclair, and you’ll need to complete a quest for him before he’ll make the items. You need to be level 40 to equip Grandmaster Griffin Armour.
The diagrams are grouped together in two locations, so we don’t need to run around to too many different places to find these ones.
The first three diagrams are found in Fort Ussar Ruins, on the eastern edge of Toussaint. Explore the ruins, and you can find a chest underneath some fallen debris. This chest contains the diagrams for the Grandmaster Griffin Steel Sword, Gloves and Boots.
The remaining diagrams can be found a little way to the north of the first, in Mont Crane Castle. You’ll need to defeat some bandits who are hiding out in the castle before you can properly explore it. You’ll need to dispel an illusion on the far wall of the castle and use your Witcher Senses to gain access to a secret passageway, leading to a dungeon.
Progress through the dungeon until you reach the area guarded by the Elemental enemy. Defeat the boss and then explore the area. You can find the diagram for the trousers on a desk, the silver sword diagram is on a table, and the chest diagram is in a bookshelf.
