Cockatrice

Draconids

Updated October 14, 2026 · Patch 5.01

Cockatrices are aggressive, territorial draconids found in Velen, Redania and Skellige, usually in remote rocky areas as well as caves, ruins and old cellars. Superstition claims their gaze turns people to stone, but that is nonsense, and the real danger is their sharp beak and whip-like tail. Their central tail feathers are valued because they make more durable quills than goose feathers.

Cockatrice is a monster from the draconid class in The Witcher 3. It is vulnerable to: Grapeshot, Draconid oil, Aard. Where to find it: Velen, Redania, Skellige. Loot includes Cockatrice egg, Cockatrice mutagen, Cockatrice stomach, Monster blood and 9 more.

Weaknesses

Oil for the silver sword, signs and bombs listed in the bestiary entry.

BombGrapeshot
OilDraconid oil
SignAard

Where it appears

Velen
Redania
Skellige

How to beat: Cockatrice

Coat your silver sword with Draconid oil and use Aard, Grapeshot or the crossbow to keep the cockatrice on the ground. In the air it makes a series of swooping talon attacks that you can roll or dodge sideways to avoid, and it lands after about three of them. On the ground it is most dangerous, striking quickly with talons, wings, beak and tail and often causing bleeding, and if you back off it may leap forward with a wide, stunning strike. If it covers its head with its wings after a few hits, stop attacking, because that is a parry that staggers you, breaks Quen and leads to a counterattack. The best approach is to stay behind its wings, since it turns slowly and most of its attacks miss there, letting you chain fast attacks.