The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a vast, open-world RPG that has captivated gamers since its release in 2015. Set in a rich, detailed universe based on the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, the game follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter for hire, as he navigates political intrigue, hunts deadly beasts, and searches for his adopted daughter, Ciri. With its complex gameplay mechanics, rich story, and massive world, The Witcher 3 can be overwhelming for beginners. This guide aims to provide new players with the essential tips and strategies needed to get started on their journey in the Northern Realms.

Understanding the Basics

1. Story and World Overview

The Witcher 3 is set in a world that is both beautiful and brutal, filled with political intrigue, war, and monsters. As Geralt of Rivia, your primary objective is to find Ciri, your ward, who is being pursued by the Wild Hunt, a group of spectral riders who bring death and destruction in their wake. Along the way, you’ll undertake countless side quests, interact with a variety of characters, and uncover secrets that add depth to the game’s lore.

Key Areas to Explore:

• White Orchard: The game’s tutorial area, where you’ll learn the basics of combat, exploration, and crafting.
• Velen: A war-torn region filled with dark secrets and challenging enemies.
• Novigrad: A bustling city-state, the center of trade and political machinations.
• Skellige: A collection of islands inhabited by fierce warriors with their own unique culture.

2. Character Development

Geralt’s abilities can be customized to suit your playstyle through leveling up, choosing skills, and mutating his DNA. The three main skill trees are:

• Combat: Focuses on enhancing Geralt’s swordsmanship, with skills that improve his ability to dodge, parry, and deal damage.
• Signs: Magical abilities that provide both offensive and defensive options. Each Sign can be upgraded to increase its effectiveness.
• Alchemy: Improves Geralt’s ability to concoct potions, bombs, and oils that enhance his combat prowess.

Tips for Skill Selection:

• Start with Survival Skills: Invest in skills like Gourmet (which allows health regeneration from food for a longer period) and Sun and Stars (which regenerates health during the day) early on.
• Focus on One Tree: While it’s tempting to spread your points across all trees, it’s often more effective to focus on one or two skill trees to create a more powerful build.
• Upgrade Quen: The Quen Sign is invaluable for beginners as it provides a protective shield that can absorb damage. Upgrading it early can save you from many tough situations.

3. Combat System

Combat in The Witcher 3 is fluid and dynamic, requiring a balance of offense, defense, and strategic use of abilities and items. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:

Swordplay:

• Light and Heavy Attacks: Light attacks are fast but deal less damage, while heavy attacks are slower but more powerful. Use light attacks for quicker enemies and heavy attacks for heavily armored foes.
• Dodging and Rolling: Dodging is a quick sidestep that is effective for avoiding single attacks, while rolling covers more distance and can be used to escape from multiple enemies or large area-of-effect attacks.
• Parrying and Counterattacks: Parrying allows you to block enemy attacks and can lead to a counterattack if timed correctly. However, some enemies have unblockable attacks, so don’t rely on this exclusively.

Signs:

• Quen: Provides a protective shield that absorbs damage.
• Igni: A fire-based attack that can incinerate enemies and cause them to panic.
• Aard: A telekinetic blast that can knock down or stun enemies.
• Yrden: Creates a magical trap that slows enemies and is particularly effective against specters.
• Axii: A mind-control Sign that can stun enemies or make them fight for you.

Alchemy:

• Potions: Provide temporary buffs, such as increased health regeneration or enhanced damage resistance. Be mindful of your toxicity level, as drinking too many potions can harm Geralt.
• Oils: Applied to your sword, oils increase damage against specific enemy types (e.g., necrophages, specters). Craft and use these before engaging in combat with known enemies.
• Bombs: Useful for crowd control, bombs can deal area damage, apply debuffs to enemies, or destroy monster nests.

4. Exploration and Quests

The world of The Witcher 3 is filled with things to discover. From hidden treasures to monster nests, there’s always something new to find.

Navigating the World:

• Fast Travel: Once you’ve discovered signposts throughout the world, you can fast travel between them, saving time on long journeys.
• Roach: Geralt’s trusty horse, Roach, is your main mode of transportation. You can call Roach at any time, and she will come to your side. You can also store extra items in Roach’s saddlebags.
• Swimming and Sailing: Some quests and treasure hunts require you to explore underwater or travel by boat. Be mindful of your breath meter while swimming, and watch out for aquatic enemies like drowners.

Quest Management:

• Main Quests: These are story-driven and critical to advancing the plot. Follow these to progress in the game.
• Side Quests: Optional but rewarding quests that can provide unique items, additional lore, and experience points.
• Witcher Contracts: Special side quests that involve hunting a specific monster. These are great for earning money and honing your combat skills.
• Treasure Hunts: These quests involve finding hidden gear, often leading to diagrams for crafting powerful Witcher gear.

5. Crafting and Economy

The Witcher 3 features a deep crafting system that allows you to create powerful weapons, armor, and alchemical items.

Gathering Materials:

• Loot Everything: You’ll find crafting materials everywhere—from looted enemies, chests, and plants. Always be on the lookout for herbs and ingredients.
• Dismantling: Unwanted weapons, armor, and junk items can be dismantled at a blacksmith to obtain crafting materials.
• Alchemy: Craft potions, bombs, and oils using ingredients gathered in the wild. Always keep a stock of useful potions, like Swallow for health regeneration and Thunderbolt for increased attack power.

Crafting Gear:

• Visit Blacksmiths and Armorers: Different craftsmen specialize in different types of gear. Blacksmiths craft weapons, while armorers craft armor. Make sure to visit the appropriate craftsman when you have the necessary diagrams and materials.
• Witcher Gear: Some of the best gear in the game is Witcher gear, which can be found through treasure hunts. Each set of Witcher gear has multiple upgrade levels, allowing you to enhance it as you progress.

Managing Your Finances:

• Barter Wisely: Merchants and craftsmen will buy your loot, but prices vary. Some items sell for more in certain regions, so shop around to get the best price.
• Repair Your Gear: Weapons and armor degrade over time, so keep them in good condition by repairing them at blacksmiths or using repair kits.
• Don’t Hoard: Sell items you don’t need, especially if they’re weighing you down. Geralt has limited inventory space, so it’s essential to manage your resources efficiently.

Essential Tips for Beginners

1. Save Often

The Witcher 3 can be unforgiving, with sudden encounters or tough fights that can catch you off guard. Save your game frequently, especially before entering dangerous areas or engaging in combat. Utilize manual saves in addition to autosaves to ensure you can backtrack if needed.

2. Master the Art of Preparation

Before engaging in a tough fight, prepare by:

• Applying the right oil to your sword for the enemy type.
• Drinking potions to boost your health, stamina, or attack power.
• Equipping bombs that can disrupt enemy tactics or deal significant damage.

Preparation often makes the difference between victory and defeat, especially on higher difficulty levels.

3. Use Your Witcher Senses

Geralt’s Witcher Senses are essential for exploring the world and completing quests. Use them to:

• Track enemies and follow scent trails.
• Highlight lootable items and hidden objects.
• Investigate crime scenes and solve mysteries.

These senses are also useful in combat for identifying weaknesses in enemies and finding the best approach to taking them down.

4. Understand Enemy Types

Different enemies have different weaknesses, and understanding these can give you a significant advantage in combat. The bestiary provides detailed information on each monster you encounter, including their vulnerabilities to specific Signs, bombs, and oils.

5. Manage Stamina Wisely

Stamina is used for both physical attacks and Sign casting. Always keep an eye on your stamina meter and avoid spamming attacks or Signs. Managing stamina effectively ensures that you always have enough to dodge, parry, or cast a crucial Sign when needed.

6. Explore Thoroughly

While it’s tempting to stick to the main quest, *it’s highly rewarding to explore the world of The Witcher 3 thoroughly. The game is packed with hidden treasures, side quests, and lore-rich locations that can significantly enhance your experience and make Geralt stronger in the process.

7. Upgrade Your Gear Regularly

As you progress through the game, enemies will become tougher, and sticking with basic gear will make battles more challenging. Regularly upgrading your weapons and armor is crucial. Look out for Witcher gear sets, which are some of the best in the game and can be upgraded as you level up. To find these, follow treasure hunts that lead you to diagrams scattered across the world.

8. Use Signs Effectively

Geralt’s Signs are powerful tools that can turn the tide of battle when used correctly. Each Sign has a specific use, and learning when and how to use them is key:

• Quen: Always have Quen activated before entering combat. It acts as a shield and can save you from taking damage.
• Igni: Useful for dealing damage over time with its burning effect, especially against enemies weak to fire.
• Aard: Great for knocking down multiple enemies or breaking through shields.
• Yrden: Essential against wraiths and other specters, as it forces them into physical form, making them vulnerable to attacks.
• Axii: Handy for crowd control and can even be used in dialogue to persuade NPCs.

9. Complete Contracts and Side Quests

While the main story is compelling, the game’s side quests and Witcher contracts offer deep, engaging stories of their own. Completing these will not only provide you with experience points and valuable loot but also offer insights into the world and its inhabitants. Witcher contracts, in particular, are great for earning coin and practicing combat against a variety of monsters.

10. Manage Your Inventory

Inventory management is crucial in The Witcher 3. Geralt can carry a lot, but there’s a limit. Regularly sell or dismantle items you don’t need, and only keep what’s essential. Investing in saddlebags for Roach can increase your carrying capacity, allowing you to hold more items without becoming encumbered.

11. Learn to Brew Potions and Bombs

Alchemy is an important aspect of The Witcher 3. Potions, bombs, and decoctions can provide you with significant advantages in combat. Learn to brew essential potions like Swallow (for health regeneration), Thunderbolt (for increased attack power), and Cat (for night vision). Bombs like Grapeshot and Dancing Star are also useful against certain enemies and monster nests.

12. Invest in Repair Kits

Weapons and armor degrade over time with use. Always keep a few repair kits on hand, especially when venturing far from towns or blacksmiths. Repairing your gear regularly ensures that it remains effective in combat.

13. Make Use of Roach

Roach, your trusty steed, is more than just a means of transportation. She can carry extra gear, making inventory management easier, and her speed is invaluable when covering large distances or escaping from dangerous situations. You can also upgrade Roach’s saddles, saddlebags, and blinders to improve her stamina, carrying capacity, and ability to stay calm in battle.

14. Read the Bestiary

The bestiary is a comprehensive guide to the creatures you’ll encounter in The Witcher 3. It provides details on their strengths, weaknesses, and the best strategies to defeat them. Before facing a new monster, take a moment to read up on it in the bestiary and prepare accordingly. This knowledge can save you from a tough fight.

15. Utilize Gwent

Gwent is a strategic card game within The Witcher 3 that can be played with various NPCs across the world. While not essential to the main story, it’s a fun diversion that also rewards you with new cards and sometimes even coin. Building a strong Gwent deck can lead to victories in Gwent tournaments, which are some of the game’s most enjoyable side activities.

16. Master the Art of Dodging and Rolling

In combat, positioning is key. Learning when to dodge, roll, and parry can mean the difference between life and death. Dodging is useful for quick sidesteps, while rolling puts more distance between you and your enemy, which is essential when facing larger foes or groups of enemies. Always keep moving to avoid being surrounded.

17. Be Mindful of Your Environment

The world of The Witcher 3 is full of environmental hazards and opportunities. Use them to your advantage in combat. For instance, you can lure enemies into narrow spaces where they’re easier to manage or use the environment to escape overwhelming odds. Fire, water, and cliffs can all be used strategically to outmaneuver your foes.

18. Experiment with Different Builds

The beauty of The Witcher 3 lies in its flexibility. You can tailor Geralt’s skills and abilities to match your preferred playstyle. Whether you prefer a build that focuses on swordplay, Sign usage, alchemy, or a combination of these, the game offers plenty of room for experimentation. Don’t hesitate to try out different skill combinations and gear setups to find what works best for you.

19. Manage Your Toxicity

Potions and decoctions are powerful, but they come with a cost—toxicity. Consuming too many can harm Geralt or even kill him if the toxicity level becomes too high. Always keep an eye on your toxicity meter, and use the White Honey potion to reduce it when necessary. This allows you to keep using potions without risking your health.

20. Take Time to Enjoy the World

The Witcher 3 is a game that rewards patience and exploration. Take the time to enjoy the scenery, talk to NPCs, and immerse yourself in the world. The game is filled with small details, hidden stories, and Easter eggs that add depth to the experience. Rushing through it would mean missing out on the rich world CD Projekt Red has created.

21. Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust the Difficulty

If you find the game too challenging or too easy, don’t hesitate to adjust the difficulty level. The game allows you to change the difficulty at any time, so you can tailor the experience to your liking. Whether you want a casual playthrough to enjoy the story or a hardcore challenge that tests your skills, The Witcher 3 accommodates all playstyles.

22. Engage with the Community

The Witcher 3 has a passionate community of players who have shared countless tips, mods, and guides online. Engaging with the community can enhance your experience, providing you with insights and strategies you might not discover on your own. Whether it’s through forums, YouTube tutorials, or Reddit discussions, there’s a wealth of information out there to help you on your journey.

23. Understand the Importance of Choices

The Witcher series is known for its morally complex choices, and The Witcher 3 is no different. Your decisions can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the outcome of quests but also the fate of entire regions and characters. Think carefully about your choices, as there are often no clear right or wrong answers. Each decision adds to the richness of the story and can lead to different endings, making each playthrough unique.

24. Prepare for Expansions

Once you’ve completed the main game, consider diving into the expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. These expansions offer new storylines, regions, and challenges, along with some of the best content in the game. They’re well worth playing, providing a fitting conclusion to Geralt’s story and adding even more depth to the world of The Witcher.

Conclusion

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a monumental game that offers a deep and rewarding experience for those willing to invest the time to learn its systems and explore its world. For beginners, the game can be overwhelming, but with patience and practice, it reveals itself to be one of the most richly detailed and engaging RPGs ever made. This guide provides a solid foundation to help you get started, but ultimately, the best way to learn is by playing and discovering the game’s intricacies for yourself. Whether you’re drawn in by the story, the combat, or the world itself, The Witcher 3 has something to offer every type of player. So, sharpen your swords, prepare your potions, and step into the boots of Geralt of Rivia—the Northern Realms await.