The Northern Realms — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Walkthrough

Navigate the treacherous Northern Realms with our comprehensive walkthrough for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Master combat, signs, alchemy, and more to conquer every quest and challenge.

Welcome to our guide for CD Projekt Red's The Witcher III: Wild Hunt. This walkthrough covers the game from beginning to end, offering strategies for combat, details on enemy types, guidance for Witcher Contracts, side-quests, and optional objectives, plus tips for mastering Gwent and unlocking achievements.

• Completed story walkthrough
• Side-quest guides for White Orchard, Velen, Novigrad, Skellige Isles, and Kaer Morhen (in progress)
• Gwent Guide (started)
• Completed achievement/trophy guide

Note: This guide aims for mission completion and highlights available options and outcomes. Due to the game's vastness, some obscure or hidden quests may not be covered. Contact the author with any errors, questions, or tips.

Gameplay Basics

Combat Techniques

Melee Combat

Geralt wields a Silver Sword for monsters and a Steel Sword for humanoids. Players can switch swords manually, though Geralt often auto-selects the correct one. Basic attacks include Fast/Heavy attacks, which can be enhanced via the Combat Skill Tree for critical strike %, bleeding effects, and damage. Advanced melee abilities like Whirl (AoE spinning attack) and Rend (armor-ignoring overhead slash) can be unlocked.

Ranged Combat

Geralt is equipped with a crossbow for ranged attacks. Time slows slightly when aiming, allowing for better precision. Different bolts can be crafted with various effects. The Marksmanship portion of the Combat Skill Tree can enhance crossbow abilities, including slowing time further, increasing critical hit damage, and disabling enemy abilities.

Finisher Attacks

Upon dealing enough damage, a button prompt appears, triggering a stylish execution. Automatic finishers are enabled by default but can be toggled off in the menu, recommended for higher difficulties.

Avoiding Attacks

Geralt can avoid damage through Blocking, Staggering, Dodging, and Rolling. Blocking nullifies most melee attacks but is less effective against magical damage. Staggering (timing block before an enemy attack) deflects and stuns opponents. Dodging is a quick sidestep to evade attacks, useful for unblockable strikes and boss fights. Rolling covers more distance, helpful against large monsters with area attacks. The Defence portion of the Combat Skill Tree offers additional abilities, such as Deflect Arrows.

Magical Signs

Geralt can use five magical Signs, consuming Stamina. These can be upgraded in the Sign Skill Tree.

• AARD: A force push that knocks down or staggers enemies; can also destroy weak walls.
• AXII: Temporarily stuns single enemies; used in conversations to persuade or calm animals.
• IGNI: A fire wave that damages enemies and can cause burning. Useful out of combat for lighting torches.
• QUEN: Creates a protective barrier that drastically improves defense, draining Stamina over time.
• YRDEN: Creates a magical trap that slows enemies and pulls spectral creatures into physical form.

Alchemy, Potions, Oils and Bombs

Geralt can craft alchemical items using reagents. Recipes can be bought, found, or received as quest rewards. Once crafted, Geralt remembers them and can automatically replenish them during meditation if he has sufficient alcohol. Alchemy items include:

• Bombs: Various throwable explosives with different effects.
• Potions: Provide buffs and advantages in and out of combat.