Places of Power — Velen and White Orchard
Every Place of Power gives a free ability point the first time you interact with it. The boost lasts until you sleep or are hit, but the point is permanent. There are 30 total across the map; here are the early-game ones — the highest-ROI detours.
White Orchard (4)
- Igni — east of the Tomira's hut. Drowner pit nearby; clear it first.
- Aard — northeast corner, on a cliff. Easy.
- Yrden — west of the Mill signpost.
- Quen — south of the abandoned village, near a wraith spawn.
Velen (8 high-priority)
- Igni — Crookback Bog entrance. Easy at L8+.
- Yrden — Mire clearing. Wraith-guarded.
- Aard — Boatmaker's Hut north of Crow's Perch.
- Axii — abandoned village south of Lurtch.
- Quen — northeast of Vizima Gate, in a small grove.
- Igni — south of Reardon Manor.
- Yrden — Rotmold Ravine, east. Stamina-recharge for the wraiths there.
- Aard — west of Black Bog, on a stone outcrop.
Pro tip
- Cleansing a Place of Power gives the Sign Intensity buff until you next take damage. Save the cleanse for just before a boss — the temporary buff stacks with potion intensity.
If stuck: if a Place of Power won't activate, you're standing wrong — the prompt only triggers when Geralt is directly in the carved circle, not on the rim.