How to Get Drowner Brain in Witcher 3: A Complete Guide – In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, gathering materials and crafting items is a core part of the gameplay. One item that many players find themselves searching for early on is the Drowner Brain, a crafting ingredient essential for brewing the Swallow potion, which is vital for healing and survival in the game. However, tracking down a Drowner Brain can be challenging for new players unfamiliar with where to look or how to obtain it effectively.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about finding Drowner Brains in The Witcher 3. From identifying Drowners, their habitats, and farming strategies to crafting recipes and tips to optimize your search, you’ll be well-prepared to gather this valuable material.
What is a Drowner Brain in The Witcher 3?
The Drowner Brain is a crafting material that drops from Drowners, one of the most common water-based monsters in the game. This material is particularly important because it is used in the recipe for the Swallow potion, which is an essential healing potion early in the game.
Key Features of Drowner Brain:
- Crafting Importance: Essential for creating the Swallow potion and other alchemy recipes.
- Monster Drop: Obtained by defeating Drowners in the wild.
- Rare Drop: While Drowners are common, Drowner Brains are not guaranteed drops, making it somewhat rare.
Where to Find Drowners in Witcher 3
Drowners are one of the most common monsters in The Witcher 3. These creatures are typically found near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, swamps, and along the coastline. They are aggressive and will attack on sight, making them relatively easy to farm.
Best Locations to Find Drowners
1. White Orchard:
- The river near the Mill is an excellent early-game spot to encounter Drowners.
- Drowners often spawn near the small bridge west of the Mill.
2. Velen (No Man’s Land):
- The swampy areas around the Crookback Bog are teeming with Drowners.
- The coastline near the Ferry Station is another great location.
3. Novigrad Coastline:
- The beaches and riverbanks around Novigrad are popular Drowner spawn points.
- Check the areas near the Oxenfurt harbor for additional opportunities.
4. Skellige Isles:
Coastal areas around Skellige are home to higher-level Drowners. Be cautious, as these Drowners may be more challenging to defeat.
How to Farm Drowner Brains
To maximize your chances of obtaining Drowner Brains, you’ll need to defeat multiple Drowners and use strategies that improve your efficiency. Follow these steps to farm Drowner Brains effectively:
Step 1: Prepare for Battle
Before heading out to hunt Drowners, ensure you are well-equipped:
- Equip the Right Weapon: Drowners are weak to silver swords, so make sure your silver sword is repaired and ready for use.
- Use Necrophage Oil: Applying Necrophage Oil to your silver sword will increase damage against Drowners, as they are classified as necrophages.
- Carry Healing Potions: Drowners can swarm you, so have potions like Swallow or food items ready to heal during battle.
Step 2: Find a Drowner Spawn Point
Locate a body of water where Drowners frequently spawn. Once you’ve identified a spot, save your game before engaging.
Step 3: Engage and Defeat Drowners
- Use strong attacks to break through their defenses, and dodge their lunges to avoid damage.
- Utilize Igni or Aard Signs to stagger or damage groups of Drowners for crowd control.
Step 4: Loot the Corpses
After defeating Drowners, inspect their corpses for loot. Drowner Brains are not guaranteed drops, so you may need to defeat several before finding one.
Crafting Recipes Using Drowner Brains
Once you’ve obtained Drowner Brains, you can use them to craft important potions and items. The most notable use is the Swallow Potion, which is critical for healing Geralt in combat.
Swallow Potion Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 Drowner Brain
- 1 Dwarven Spirit
- 5 Celandine
Effect: Gradually restores vitality, making it one of the most useful potions in the game.
Swallow is particularly important in the early game, as it allows you to heal effectively without relying on food items.
Tips and Tricks for Farming Drowner Brains
While farming Drowner Brains may seem straightforward, these tips can help make the process more efficient and enjoyable:
1. Save Before Fighting
Since Drowner Brains are not guaranteed drops, saving before engaging a group of Drowners can save time. If you don’t get a Drowner Brain, reload your save and try again.
2. Use Necrophage Oil
Applying Necrophage Oil to your sword significantly increases damage to Drowners, making fights quicker and more efficient. Necrophage Oil can be crafted using the following ingredients:
- 1 Dog Tallow
- 4 Blowball
3. Target Weak Spots
Drowners are vulnerable to strong attacks and the Igni Sign, which can deal area damage to groups. Use dodge rolls to avoid their lunges and counterattack when they’re staggered.
4. Visit Multiple Spawn Points
If you don’t find enough Drowners in one location, move to another. Drowners respawn over time, so revisiting areas like White Orchard or Crookback Bog can yield more opportunities.
5. Take on Witcher Contracts
Certain Witcher Contracts and side quests feature Drowners as primary enemies. Completing these quests can provide a steady supply of Drowner Brains while earning additional rewards like crowns and experience points.
Drowner Brain Alternatives
If you’re struggling to find Drowner Brains or don’t want to farm for them, consider these alternatives:
1. Purchase from Alchemists
Some merchants and alchemists may sell Drowner Brains. Check vendors in major hubs like Novigrad or Oxenfurt to see if they have any in stock. Keep in mind that purchasing materials can be expensive.
2. Explore Monster Nests
Monster Nests in areas with necrophages may contain valuable loot, including crafting materials like Drowner Brains. Be prepared to destroy the nests using bombs like Grapeshot.
Why Drowner Brains are Important
Drowner Brains may seem like just another crafting material, but their importance lies in their use for crafting critical items that aid Geralt’s survival. Having a stockpile of Swallow potions ensures you can heal effectively during tough battles, making Drowner Brains an invaluable resource.
Additionally, hunting Drowners and collecting their brains adds depth to the gameplay by encouraging exploration, combat mastery, and crafting proficiency.
Conclusion
Obtaining a Drowner Brain in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a crucial step for crafting the Swallow potion and advancing in the game. By understanding where to find Drowners, how to defeat them efficiently, and how to use Drowner Brains in crafting, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of Geralt’s journey.
Remember to explore White Orchard, Velen, and Novigrad for Drowner hotspots, and always come prepared with Necrophage Oil and the right combat strategy. With persistence and careful planning, you’ll have all the Drowner Brains you need in no time.