Iris in The Witcher 3: How to Get Olgierd's Sword, Stats and Effect
Witcher 3 Iris sword: how to get Olgierd's sabre (save him from O'Dimm), its stats, how the red charge works, and whether it's worth using.
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Updated October 2026. Iris is Olgierd von Everec's famous sabre and one of the most interesting steel swords in The Witcher 3. It isn't found or crafted: Olgierd gives it to you at the end of Hearts of Stone, and only if you save him from Gaunter O'Dimm. Here's exactly how to get it, what its unusual effect does, and whether it's worth using.
Quick answer
How to get it: in Whatsoever a Man Soweth..., the last Hearts of Stone quest, save Olgierd by beating O'Dimm's riddle. Olgierd then gives you Iris.
Missable: if you let O'Dimm take Olgierd's soul, you don't get Iris. It can't be crafted.
Stats: Relic steel sword, level 37 requirement, 327–400 damage at level 37, 3 slots.
Effect: 3–4 quick hits charge it red; your next strong attack hits much harder, breaks blocks and knocks down, but costs 15% of your Vitality.
How to Get Iris
Play through Hearts of Stone: Evil's Soft First Touches, Olgierd's three wishes (the last one is Scenes From a Marriage) and the final quest, Whatsoever a Man Soweth.... At the end, you choose between Olgierd and Gaunter O'Dimm.
| Your choice at the end | Iris? |
|---|---|
| Save Olgierd: challenge O'Dimm and solve his riddle | Yes. Olgierd gives you Iris as thanks. |
| Let O'Dimm take Olgierd's soul | No. You get O'Dimm's reward instead, but never Iris. |
The riddle is timed and has a specific solution. Our O'Dimm riddle guide walks through it step by step. If you take the rose in Scenes From a Marriage, Iris's cat and dog also give you a hint for it.
Save before the final choice. Iris is missable and can't be crafted. If you want both the sword and to see the other ending, keep a save from just before Whatsoever a Man Soweth...
Iris Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel sword |
| Tier | Relic |
| Level requirement | 37 (plus your starting level in New Game+) |
| Damage | 327–399.8 at level 37 (more per level in NG+) |
| Slots | 3 |
| Weight | 4.01 |
| Dismantles into | Leather scraps and iron ingots |
How Iris's Effect Works
- Charge it: land 3–4 fast attacks in quick succession. Blocked hits count too. The blade glows red.
- Release it: your next strong attack deals much more damage, cuts through blocks and knocks the enemy down, a bit like a strong Aard.
- Pay for it: the charged strike costs 15% of your maximum Vitality.
It also has a hidden bonus that both wikis mention: every strong attack hits twice, charged or not, including Rend. So Iris is best for players who lean on strong attacks.
Is Iris Worth It?
| Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|
| Strong-attack builds: every strong attack hits twice | The charged strike costs 15% of your Vitality, which hurts on Death March |
| Breaking blocks on shield users and humans | It's a steel sword, so it does little to most monsters |
| 3 slots: room for a runeword | Level 37, so it comes late, at the end of the expansion |
Its 3 slots mean it can take a runeword from the Runewright; see our Runewright guide. For general tips on fast and strong attacks, see our combat guide, and for other high-end gear our Grandmaster smith guide.
Video: How to Get Iris
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow do I get Iris in The Witcher 3?
Save Olgierd at the end of Whatsoever a Man Soweth... by solving Gaunter O'Dimm's riddle. Olgierd gives you the sword afterwards.
QCan I miss Iris?
Yes. If you let O'Dimm take Olgierd's soul, you don't get it, and it can't be crafted.
QWhat does Iris do?
Quick hits charge it red; the next strong attack deals heavy damage, breaks blocks and knocks down, at the cost of 15% Vitality. All strong attacks hit twice.
QWhat level is Iris?
It requires level 37 (plus your starting level in New Game+).
QCan I put a runeword on Iris?
Yes. It has 3 slots, which is what runewords need.
More: Olgierd von Everec explained, O'Dimm riddle and all Witcher 3 quests.
Sources: in-game quest text and journal; stats, effect and how to obtain it checked against the Witcher Wiki and Fextralife pages for Iris. Screenshots: gameplay frames from YouTube walkthroughs by SesimieStreetFighter, Quick Tips, Agh1_00 and B-Front-Soldier.
Kai Mercer covers game news, free games, release calendars and guides for xGamerss.
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