Panthers
The Witcher 3 Remastered Beasts

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been? I’ve been to Cintra to look at the queen Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you there? Run, fool, that’s not a cat but a panther!

– rare variant of a traditional folk rhyme

Panthers are dangerous predators found in forests and other woodlands. They are quick, agile and, like all cats, diabolically cunning. In many less-than-thoroughly-urbanized areas, folk still believe panthers are the stranded souls of those who die in their sleep. Superstition thus holds anyone perishing in this way should be dragged to the nearest woods and left there without a burial. The panther-spirit of the deceased may then devour its own body, thereby passing on to the nether realms.

This belief must be eradicated by any means, for it leads to epidemics of cholera and other contagious diseases born of rotting corpses.

Besides, it is patently ridiculous, given panthers are not necrophages and will not consume carrion of any sort. They prefer more spry and lively prey, such as deer or even humans, provided they are not ill and do not stink too badly.

Panthers (and their tawny-coated cousins, mountain lions) are incredibly swift and able to sneak up on prey undetected to gain the advantage of surprise.

As soon as they enter open terrain, they leap to attack with astonishing speed, mauling their prey with their sharp claws, long teeth and the sheer force of their momentum.

Panthers are known to retreat mid-fight, yet do not let yourself be fooled into a false sense of security. This is but a ruse to allow them to attack again, by surprise. Never drop your guard until you see the animal drop dead.

Panthers are vulnerable to the effects of all the Signs, as well as bombs and oils.