The Witcher 3 | The Witcher 3 Wiki

Non-linear, hand-crafted

The Witcher 3 features over 100 hours of non-linear gameplay, nearly half of which is devoted to the immersive main storyline, a narrative focusing on Geralt and those closest to him. None of this is automatically generated - both core and side quests are handmade with meticulous care, meaningfully weaved into the vibrant game universe. Forming or supporting the main and secondary storylines, they draw players into engaging, intricately-crafted adventures extending across the rich, living world.

Non-linearity is a core feature of the game, with player choices branching the adventures from the main storyline on multiple levels, from entire sub-stories, to trivial everyday matters. Saving a miller’s son from a wyvern attack may affect who will ultimately don a crown, while thwarting a plot to assassinate a noble lord could spell doom for his oppressed subjects.

Quests may be taken on in any order, completed one at a time or pursued in parallel with others. Regardless of the method, player actions will bring many consequences that change the story and affect the game world. These consequences culminate in three completely different playable epilogues set in one of twelve possible unique world states. Defined by the outcome of climactic events and the fate of key NPCs, these states provide a total of 36 different possible endings.

Choice and consequence

Choice and consequence, the former difficult and often grim, the latter delayed until a key moment, is a concept CD Projekt RED devised and developed into its key contribution to the genre. The core of CD Projekt RED’s RPG philosophy, this concept was the backbone of The Witcher 1 and 2. Naturally, choice features prominently in the story, as well as all game mechanics, of The Witcher 3. With the ‘lesser evil’ as a key concept, the story puts players before situations in which there is no clear good: do you help an alderman enchain all the village elves he claims are secretly working for the Scoia’tael, or do you stop him at the risk of enabling outsiders to storm the gates and letting outlaws in the city to massacre all the humans? Such hard choices are complemented by the interactivity of dialogue, letting players choose how they speak to other characters, how they shape their relationships, thus determining how NPCs treat them in return.

Each action impacts the story and the game world. NPCs, communities, monsters and locations all change based on player choice - you may rid a fishing village of drowners and watch its economy prosper, or kill a merchant in one town and see his trading partners in another go bankrupt for lack of goods.

A choice once made resonates, its effects both immediate and delayed. Revisit a location where an important story juncture played out, and you’re sure to find it transformed by your previous actions. Similarly, a choice made in one corner of the world, pertaining to specific characters, could well breed consequences in other lands, among other populations.

Game World

Stroll, ride, swim, sail, believe. The setting for Geralt’s greatest adventure? A vast, rich, completely open world, thirty-five times larger than that in The Witcher 2. By setting the game in this open world, CD Projekt RED has fulfilled its vision of the RPG, adding the last element needed to create complete immersion and true non-linearity.

Wide open roaming across regions is unspoiled by load times. Landscapes dotted with Points of Interest tempt players to venture off beaten paths in search of possible adventure. Players explore without interruption, encountering no barriers, choosing different means of travel to reach their destination. This whole new approach to exploration means players can vault over barriers, swim through rapids, ride a horse across the dangerous No Man’s Land, run through Novigrad’s narrow streets, or sail under a full moon amidst the Skellige Islands. The world provides an unprecedented feeling of open space and freedom, taking 40 minutes to traverse on horseback end to end. Players can stand atop a mountain, 1200 meters above sea level, breathless as they ponder the distant abyss and wind-swept isles, their look and feel rendered flawlessly.

A continent to discover

The world of The Witcher 3 is vast and continuous, yet diverse, with each of its lands distinguishable by a unique feel inspired by different sources and cultural references:

No Man’s Land: a sparsely populated, war-ravaged territory, based on Slavic mythology. Murky swamps and dark primeval forests cover this land, where monsters lurk behind every tree and no one can be sure whether they will see another sunrise. Its fields stripped bare by passing armies, No Man’s Land is a place of anarchy, where might makes right and gold buys life.

Skellige: a wind-swept and rugged archipelago, based on Nordic and Celtic legends and sagas. In these isles, inhabited by proud and noble people, warriors seek fame by facing legendary monsters, druids guard nature’s secrets, and bards sing of heroes past in torch-lit halls. Stubbornly independent, the Skelligers are rig their longboats and sharpen their spears, ready to lay down their lives defending against the inevitable Nilfgaard invasion.

Novigrad  and its surroundings: a port city inspired by medieval Amsterdam. In this grand city, as rich and colorful as it is corrupt, players witness the persecution of mages by an all-powerful cult, while at the same time dealing with underworld figures poised to profit from the ongoing world war.

A world that lives with or without you

Player actions, whatever their apparent weight, elicit reactions. This principle extends to the new in game economic system, with the price of goods varying based on the surrounding conditions or their place of origin versus Geralt’s current whereabouts in the world: the price of fish will differ depending on the distance from water, a village of trappers and hunters will have many tanneries and leather workers, affecting the price of crafting components and armor.

• Predators hunt their prey, villages defend themselves against monsters, lovers meet by moonlight.
• Communities react to temperature changes and other phenomena, seeking shelter when it rains or warmth when the temperature drops; they migrate to fulfill their needs or flee threats, while merchant caravans fill the roads and fishermen sail in search of the best catch.
• REDengine 3 incorporates location ambience and expanded dynamic lighting, which enables a realistic, highly-detailed day and night cycles as well as diverse weather conditions - players can observe an approaching storm before experiencing its might as they navigate a rough stretch of sea.

Visuals

The Witcher 3 is a beautiful RPG. Built from the ground up for modern PC hardware and taking advantage of the power of next-generation consoles, the game makes no compromises on quality and delivers stunningly beautiful visuals. Matching the level set by games of other genres, where graphics have traditionally been superior (high-end shooters and action games)

The Witcher 3 features extensive cinematic interactivity. Players can end conversations suddenly and brutally, speak in a whisper or hand items to NPCs. Spectacular cut scenes interwoven with gameplay heighten excitement while progressing the story. In-game conversations are natural and realistic thanks to cinematic camera work and varied character configurations: characters speak as they sit, walk or ride side by side. Game world presentation thus enhanced, The Witcher 3 blurs the line between game, cinema and reality.

Presentation of the game world is thoroughly realistic. Drawing on the newest available graphics technologies, the new, state-of-the-art renderer produces fully dynamic light and shadow effects throughout the game world, generating superior atmosphere and ambiance, generates detailed, realistic locations through a significant increase in polygon count, and provides a deep, role-playing experience through visually attractive, film-like presentation.

Improved Combat

Poetry in motion. The new combat system in The Witcher 3 has been redesigned in order to combine traditional RPG elements with the speed and precision of a dedicated fighting game. Smooth and responsive, the system gives players full control of Geralt’s blade, challenging them to match their reflexes against those of a master swordsman. They will feel what it’s like to be a true witcher, the ultimate monster slayer. Players familiar with the combat mechanics in The Witcher 2 will find that every aspect of the skirmish is now approached with a fresh perspective, expanded and polished to shine, while still retaining the spirit known from the previous game.

Players can unlock new blocking moves, attacks and evasions, discover ways to stun foes, ignite them and control their minds with enhanced witcher Signs, poison their blades, set traps and blow their enemies to bits with bombs. When combined, these attacks kill more efficiently, challenging players to experiment, think creatively and devise new tactics.

Through a series of new features, players can merge their skills with Geralt’s developing combat acumen. The number of attacks, parries and other combat moves has been greatly increased and rendered fluid with 96 new action sequences (compared to 20 in The Witcher 2). Three different sets of movement animations let Geralt adjust his stance to match the dangers he faces. Players enjoy complete control of Geralt in combat as there are no QTEs or scripted timing attacks. A new camera system, superior even to that utilized in the Xbox 360 version of The Witcher 2, shows fights in all their glory while keeping the focus on what the player needs to see. Geralt’s character development visibly affects his behavior in combat: obtaining a Swordsman skill might increase attack animation speed, while a Mage ability could turn the Igni Sign into a torrent of blue flame.

Use your brain, they’ll use theirs

Combat is realistic, dynamic and rewarding, featuring smart enemies and living battlefields:

• Each of the 80 monsters Geralt can encounter has its own habitat, strengths and weaknesses.
• Improved crowd AI means enemies communicate with each other in combat, coordinating their efforts to surround Geralt or deploy combo attacks.
• Monsters and other foes do not scale with the player: beasts that crush players with a single swipe at the outset become sword fodder by the game’s end.
• Enemy morale shapes their actions: opponents flee or fight more cautiously when scared, attack recklessly when desperate, and beg for mercy on their knees when defeat is inevitable.
• The environment is a factor in combat, and Geralt can use it to his advantage: he might destroy a hive to unleash an angry swarm of hornets on a foe, or cast the Aard Sign to bury a group of thugs beneath a toppled stack of barrels.

Rpg Mechanics

The next generation role playing game. The Witcher 3 integrates a robust RPG system into the heart of gameplay. Stats, abilities and items have clear and intuitive effects, changing Geralt and shaping his encounters: a new sword might fell swarming foes en masse, while an enhanced Axii Sign could sway a merchant in negotiations. A tutorial eases players into this system, guiding them through a smooth learning curve as they master the game world.

The new Witcher Senses system adds new depth to combat and gameplay in The Witcher 3, complementing Geralt’s wolf’s head medallion used to detect magic and danger in the previous games. The new Witcher Senses give players the traits of a master predator, the ability to hear like a cat, see like an eagle and kill like an enraged wyvern. Using these sharpened senses, players can act as huntsmen, following the tracks left by their prey, hunting it down and striking where it is weakest. When stalking a vampire, Geralt might first use his Witcher Senses to garner evidence off of a victim’s corpse and from the surrounding area. Having learned about the foe he faces, he might then prepare suitable bait. Lastly, during the actual encounter, he might use his Witcher Senses again to slow combat and pierce both the vampire’s hearts.

The new RPG mechanic binds player stats to gameplay, and does so visibly: players see their strength and dexterity alter their interactions with the game world. In addition, RPG elements such as skill trees, Alchemy and Crafting have become even more engaging and essential elements of the game:

• Players can combine skills from three specialization paths – Swordsman, Mage and Alchemist – to shape hybrid characters.
• Each ability gained has a visible and visceral impact on combat: players who unlock a precision enhancement on the Swordsman tree might then see their blows slice through opponents’ jugulars with deadly regularity.
• Under the expanded Sign casting system, each of Geralt’s five Signs has two different modes, broadening the creative use of magic in combat.
• Alchemy is highly intuitive, with potions used as easily as skills: players drink their brews before combat, then activate them when needed.
• Players can concoct an expanded array of potions, bombs and blade oils, including special mixtures for use against specific monster types.
• Greatly expanded Crafting allows players to create items like armor elements and weapons, significantly adding to Geralt’s deadly combat arsenal.

Recommended Specs

• OS: 64-bit Windows 7 or 8
• Directx Version: DirectX 11
• Processor: Intel CPU Core i7 3770 3,4 GHz or AMD CPU AMD FX-8350 4 GHz
• Memory: 6 GB
• Graphics Card: Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 770 or AMD GPU Radeon R9 290
• Storage: 40 GB

 

Minimum Specs

• OS: 64-bit Windows 7 or 8
• Directx Version: DirectX 11
• Processor: Intel CPU Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz or AMD CPU Phenom II X4 940
• Memory: 6 GB
• Graphics Card: Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 660 or AMD GPU Radeon HD 7870
• Storage: 40 GB

Where can I buy a crossbow The Witcher 3?

In The Witcher 3, Geralt can use small starter crossbows when he acquires one from Vesemir in White Orchard. On the other hand, crossbows can be acquired in different ways such as obtaining it as a reward for completing quests, you can craft one, through loot, and by purchasing one from a vendor or merchant. You can also look for Éibhear Hattori to check his wares, he is a blacksmith that you can find in Novigrad, at his house (West of Putrid Grove). For a full list of all the available crossbows and information on where to find them, you can check our Crossbows page.

Which painting should I buy in The Witcher 3?

For this query, this is related to the Hearts of Stone DLC quest, Avid Collector. For starters, do not share this information with Vimme, because  he’ll try  to outbid you for the painting, and you’ll end up paying three times the original asking price. The goal is to obtain the van Rogh painting and sell it for a higher value to the Novigrad book merchant, Marcus Hodgson. Now, the Art Dealer will challenge you by testing your knowledge about the paintings, he'll be dismissive, but tell him you know art and he'll ask you to pick out the one by artist E. van der Knoob. The correct painting is the Portrait of a Merchant. By doing this, Yaromir will give you information about the van Rogh painting, "Starry Night Over the Pontar". Again, do not share the information to Vimme, lie about it, and continue the quest by participating on the bidding.

Where can I buy Shells in The Witcher 3?

You can purchase all the shells and sea shells from the merchant in Hierach Sqaure in Novigrad. However, if you've just started the game, upon reaching Velen, head north and swim or take a boat to Novigrad. When you have the shells, proceed to a nearby armorer and dismantle the shells into pearls. You can then sell those pearls for great value.

Where can I find the Enhanced Vampire Oil in The Witcher 3?

A copy of this formula can be bought from Keira Metz. She can be found at a hut just outside of Midcopse. On the other hand, if you want to buy the actual item, the Enhanced Vampire Oil, you can purchase it from a herbalist in Rannveig, named Jonna. Just make sure you don't kill her in the secondary quest, The Nithing.

Where can I find Greater Glyphs The Witcher 3?

Diagrams for Greater Glyphs in The Witcher 3 can be purchased from multiple merchants, here are some of those Merchants:

• Keira Metz - Location: at her hut near Midcopse
• Gremist - Location: at Gedyneith on Ard Skellig
• Armorer in Kaer Trolde citadel
• Armorer - Location: in Larvik on Hindarsfjall

You can also try to find a smith (for runes) and an armorer (for glyphs) located in Kaer Muire.

Which Mask should I wear in The Witcher 3?

The Mask that you should wear is related to the quest, A Matter of Life and Death, in The Witcher 3. You'll need to buy Triss' Fox Mask from Elihal to give to Triss so Ingrid will recognize her at the party. And as for Geralt, it doesn't really matter which mask you should wear to the ball, you can choose whichever you feel that matches his outfit. And wearing a mask is only used as a key item, and it doesn't add any value or changes to Geralt's stats.

How do I sell Items for Full Price in The Witcher 3?

The most efficient way to sell items for their full price or at least at a greater value is by selling an item to its applicable merchant. Selling armor to an armorer, ingredients to an alchemist, weapons to a blacksmith, booksellers for books, and more. Novigrad is a good area to sell items since it has many rich areas.

Where can I find a Mandrake Root in The Witcher 3?

The Mandrake Root is an alchemy ingredient that is sold by the following merchants or herbalist:

• Tomira in White Orchard
• Herbalist at the roadside shrine in White Orchard

Where can I buy a Dancing Star Bomb in The Witcher 3?

The Dancing Star bonb produces a fiery explosion that can cause nearby opponents to start burning. Destroys nearby monster nests. You can craft this item by using 2x Sulfur and 1x Saltpeter. The Dancing Star Bomb in The Witcher 3 can be located in the following areas listed below:

• Harpy Feeding Ground in Velen,
• Herbalist's Hut in Novigrad (Northeast of Oxenfurt, 248 Crowns)
• Oxenfurt: The Manuscript for this bomb can be bought from the Blacksmith in Oxenfurt.
• Sund: Within a chest, on an island north of Sund would be another copy of the manuscript.

How do I craft swords in The Witcher 3?

In The Witcher 3, Geralt (or the player themselves) cannot craft a sword or any weapon. Swords in The Witcher 3 can only be crafted by blacksmiths that can be found in various places. But you'll need to gather the required materials and pay the crafting fee. You can check our Blacksmiths page to learn more about blacksmithing and to find a list of available Blacksmiths in The Witcher 3.

Who sells Fur in The Witcher 3?

Fur or Fur Scarp in The Witcher 3 is a common crafting component in the game. There are two way to acquire this, by purchasing it from a merchant or dismantling certain items. (1) Willis at his forge in White Orchard sells it and the (2) Quartermaster at the Nilfgaardian Garrison. On the other hand, it can be obtained by dismantling the following items:

• Rabbit Pelt
• Squirrel Tail
• Bear Hide
• Old Bear Hide
• White Bear Hide
• White Wolf Hide
• Wolf Hide

 

What is the Red Bar under the Stamina in The Witcher 3?

The red bar under the Stamina bar in The Witcher 3 is the Adrenaline Bar that fills up with Adrenaline Points. Adrenaline Points build up every time you strike an enemy, and it will slowly decrease when you're not attacking or out of combat. Adrenaline is mainly used to trigger certain abilities in combat. To learn more about other combat mechanics, as well as the HUD of the game, you can visit the Combat page.

How do I read letters in The Witcher 3?

To read letters, notes, and other documents in The Witcher 3, look for the document in the quest items and simply choose it to read what it written.

How good is Armor-Piercing in The Witcher 3?

Armor-Piercing in The Witcher 3 is essential since most enemies like monsters have armor, and weapons that have armor-piercing properties help with easily destroying its armor or pierce through it. The damage is calculated by ignoring that percentage of the armor when you are hitting the enemy and inflicting damage.

Where can I find Moon Dust in The Witcher 3?

The Moon Dust in The Witcher 3 is a bomb. You can craft this with the following materials, 1x Saltpeter + 2x Quicksilver Solution. And alternatively, you can purchase it from the following merchants:

• Sold by the Halfling Herbalist in Novigrad
• Keira Metz - Location: at her hut near Midcopse

Where do I sell Ancient Coins in The Witcher 3?

You can sell the Ancient Coins in The Witcher 3 at a shopkeeper near LaFargue's place or travelling merchants. Alternatively, you can dismantle these ancient coins to acquire crafting components that you can use to craft other items that you may need.

Which is the Best School Gear in The Witcher 3?

The Feline School gear in The Witcher 3 is considered to be the best armor in the game. It is a set of light armour but consists of unique bonuses. The Feline gear has increased resistance to elemental attacks, making it best to use when fighting against monsters, and each armour piece provides extra power to Geralt's attacks. Combining it with Feline swords, you'll receive a boost to critical hit chance and bleed status.

How do I get a house in The Witcher 3?

First, you'll need to own the Blood and Wine DLC, in which the DLC is already included in the Complete Edition. During the main quest, The Beast of Toussaint, you will receive the deed and the keys to the property, it cannot be missed, and you simply need to play through the quest. This estate is the Corvo Bianco Vineyard. At first, you'll find the vineyard to be in ruins and you can only use the estate to store items and to rest, but during the course of the side quest, Corvo Bianco, you can rebuild the vineyard.

Who sells the Albedo Diagram in The Witcher 3?

If you're lucky, you may find the Albedo Diagram early in the game inside one of the chests around White Orchard’s battlefield, since several players have reported that they were able to find it there. But if it's not, you can purchase this from a few merchants in the game. Gremist on Skellige mostly has it in stock and/or the merchant at the Bloody Baron’s castle. Just check their inventory to see if it's available.

Where can I buy Monster cards in The Witcher 3?

Monster Cards in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt are quite rare and requires you to keep playing against other NPCs who play Gwent. There are some quests that reward you with certain cards if you successfully complete it and there are random NPCs like merchants, blacksmiths, armorers, herbalists, and bankers whom you can challenge. And if you win, the cards you acquire as a reward are, of course, randomized. If you are lucky though, you may obtain a monster card. On the other hand, innkeepers and barkeepers also sell certain cards.

What is the last mission in The Witcher 3?

The last and final main quest in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt is Tedd Deireadh, The Final Age. It automatically is followed up after completing On Thin Ice. To learn more about possible endings of the game, please visit our Endings Guide page.

Where do I find the Bestiary in The Witcher 3?

The Bestiary in The Witcher 3 features a compendium of information on the different creatures in the game. All bestiary entries are acquired through listening to folktales and reading books, and once acquired, they can be found in the Journal.

How do I find ingredients in The Witcher 3?

The locations for the Alchemy Ingredients in The Witcher 3 varies, you can simply find them around the world by looting throughout different locations. These ingredients are common to find and players can gather them or simply buy them from merchants or herbalists. On the other hand, you can take note of these merchants for some recipes and such that are related to using alchemy ingredients; The Herbalist's Hut in Velen & Gedyneith in Skellige, the Halfling Herbalist in Novigrad, and the Druid Gremist in Skellige.