Basic Controls and Techniques

This page contains information on the basic controls and settings in the game The Witcher 3. Read on to see the functions of each button when swimming, on the ground and during combat, as well as when sailing or horse riding.

Controls

Ground and Combat

PS4	Switch	Function
	B	Jump / Climb / Dodge (Combat Only)
	A	Interact / Roll (Combat Only)
(Hold)	A (Hold)	Sprint
	Y	Fast Attack
	X	Strong Attack
	Up	Consumable 1
	Down	Consumable 2
	Left	Sheathe Steel Sword / Draw Steel Sword
	Right	Sheathe Silver Sword / Draw Silver Sword
	Left Stick	Movement
	Right Stick	Camera Movement
	L3	Call Horse
	R3	Select or Deselect Target (Combat Only)
	L	Quick Access Menu
	ZL	Counter Attack (Combat Only)
(Hold)	ZL (Hold)	Witcher Senses / Parry (Combat Only)
	R	Throw
	ZR	Cast Sign
	+	Game Menu
	-	Pause Game

Horse Riding

PS4	Switch	Function
(Hold)	B (Hold)	Dismount
(Double Tap)	A (Double Tap)	Gallop
Hold	A (Hold)	Canter
or	X or Y	Attack / Draw Sword
	B	Jump
	Up	Consumable 1
	Down	Consumable 2
	Left	Sheathe Steel Sword / Draw Steel Sword
	Right	Sheathe Silver Sword / Draw Silver Sword
	Left Stick	Movement
	Right Stick	Camera Movement
	L	Quick Access Menu
	ZR	Cast Sign
(Hold)	ZL (Hold)	Witcher Senses

Swimming

PS4	Switch	Function
	A	Interact
(Hold)	A (Hold)	Swim Quickly
	Y	Sumberge
	B	Surface
	Up	Consumable 1
	Down	Consumable 2
	Left Stick	Movement
	Right Stick	Camera Movement
	L	Quick Access Manu
(Hold)	ZL (Hold)	Witcher Senses

Sailing

PS4	Switch	Function
	A	Accelerate
	Y	Stop
	B	Disembark
	Left Stick	Movement
	Right Stick	Camera Movement
	R3	Select / Deselect Target
(Hold)	ZL (Hold)	Witcher Senses
	L	Quick Access Menu

Techniques

Switching Consumables

Holding Up or Down on the D-Pad after opening the quick access menu switches the currently equipped consumable, giving you easy access to 2 more items without opening the Inventory.

Quick Meditation

You can quickly start meditation without opening the Game Menu by holding L1 and pressing the Square button on PS4 or holding the L button and pressing Y on Switch. This is especially useful when you need to recover HP quickly after a battle.

Changing Bolts

Switching Bolts for your crossbow can easily be done without opening the Invontory by accessing the Quick Game Menu and pressing the Left or Right Button while selecting the Crossbow.

Doing a Somersault

When holding the run button, you can then jump and then press the run button right upon landing to make Geralt do a somersault. The most useful application of this is to stop-drop-and-roll when you are on fire. Somersaulting will immediately extinguish a fire.

The Witcher 3 Related Links

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