How to Play Gwent in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Learn to master Gwent in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This guide covers collecting cards, deck building, and winning matches in the in-game card game.

Mastering Gwent in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt involves understanding its core mechanics, building a strong deck, and strategically outmaneuvering your opponent. This guide will walk you through the basics of playing this addictive in-game card game, from collecting cards to winning matches.

Understanding Gwent

Gwent is a collectible card game played within The Witcher 3. Two players face off by deploying unit cards onto a battlefield divided into three rows: Melee, Ranged, and Siege. The goal is to win two out of three rounds by having a higher total strength score than your opponent at the end of each round. Each player starts with a hand of 10 cards and a deck of at least 22 cards.

Core Mechanics

• Card Types: Unit cards have a strength value and can belong to one of four factions: Northern Realms, Nilfgaardian Empire, Scoia'tael, and Monsters. Special cards offer unique effects, such as boosting allied units, destroying enemy units, or drawing cards.
• Rows: Cards are played into specific rows (Melee, Ranged, Siege). Some cards have abilities that affect specific rows or all rows.
• Rounds: A match consists of up to three rounds. To win a round, you must have a higher total strength in play than your opponent when both players pass.
• Passing: You can choose to pass your turn at any time. Once you pass, you cannot play any more cards in that round. Your opponent can then choose to play more cards or also pass.
• Deck Building: Your Gwent deck is crucial. You start with a basic deck and can acquire more powerful cards by winning matches against NPCs, purchasing them from merchants, or completing specific quests. Aim for a balanced deck with strong unit cards and useful special cards.

Starting Your Gwent Journey

Geralt's Gwent adventure begins early in the game. You'll have opportunities to play against various characters. Your first few matches are often tutorial-like, introducing you to the basics. Don't be discouraged if you lose; you can often replay opponents to win their unique Gwent cards.

Key Strategies for Winning

• Card Advantage: Try to force your opponent to use more cards than you do in the early rounds. This gives you an advantage in later rounds when you have more cards to play.
• Bluffing and Baiting: Sometimes, playing a weaker card or passing early can bait your opponent into overcommitting their best cards. Save your strongest cards for when they are most effective.
• Faction Strengths: Each faction has unique strengths and playstyles. For example, the Northern Realms have cards that boost their own strength, while Monsters can summon other monster cards. Understand these to counter your opponent effectively.
• Special Cards: Utilize special cards wisely. Cards like 'Scorch' can destroy the strongest units on the board, while 'Decoy' can return a unit to your hand to be replayed.
• Know Your Opponent's Deck: As you play more, you'll learn the common cards and strategies of different opponents. This knowledge is invaluable for planning your moves.
• Winning the First Round: It's often beneficial to win the first round, even if it means using many of your strong cards. This forces your opponent to play their best cards in the second round, potentially leaving them with fewer options for the final round.

Collecting Gwent Cards

The most exciting part of Gwent for many is collecting all the cards. You can acquire cards through:

• Winning Matches: Most NPCs will offer a Gwent card as a reward for beating them.
• Purchasing: Certain merchants, especially innkeepers and traders, sell Gwent cards.
• Quests: Some quests involve playing Gwent or reward you with unique cards.

Keep an eye out for the "Play Gwent" dialogue option when speaking to NPCs. Not all NPCs can be challenged to a game, so pay attention to who offers the option.