Through Time and Space

Navigate treacherous dimensions in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Through Time and Space quest. Prepare for toxic gas and spectral foes.

The quest "Through Time and Space" is one of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's most visually striking and narratively significant missions, taking Geralt and Avallac'h on a perilous journey across several distinct dimensions. This challenging quest is crucial for understanding the Wild Hunt's motivations and Ciri's past, offering unique environmental hazards, diverse enemy encounters, and a glimpse into the broader Witcher universe. Prepare for a test of your combat skills, environmental awareness, and quick reflexes.

Quest Overview

Following the events of "Payback," Geralt and Avallac'h must track down Ge'els, the emissary of the Wild Hunt King, Eredin, to convince him to betray his master. To do this, they use Avallac'h's knowledge of dimensional travel, leading them through a series of bizarre and dangerous worlds. Each dimension presents its own unique challenges, from toxic environments to aggressive fauna and hostile Aen Elle forces.

Recommended Preparations

• Level: This quest is typically undertaken around Level 30. Ensure Geralt is adequately leveled and equipped.
• Potions:
  • Swallow/Superior Swallow: For consistent health regeneration.
  • Thunderbolt/Superior Thunderbolt: To boost attack power against various enemies.
  • Golden Oriole/Superior Golden Oriole: Absolutely essential for the toxic gas dimension.
  • White Raffard's Decoction/Superior White Raffard's Decoction: For emergency health recovery.
• Oils:
  • Specter Oil: For spectral enemies.
  • Cursed Oil: For certain monstrous foes.
  • Elementa Oil: For golems and elementals.
• Bombs:
  • Northern Wind: To freeze fast-moving enemies.
  • Dancing Star/Devil's Puffball: For area-of-effect damage and crowd control.
• Gear: Ensure your armor is repaired and your swords are sharpened. Consider equipping gear that boosts Aard or Igni intensity, as these signs are particularly useful.

Walkthrough: Navigating the Dimensions

1. The Desolate Desert World

Your journey begins in a scorching, desolate desert. The primary challenge here is environmental: navigating the vast, featureless landscape and avoiding the monstrous sandworms. Avallac'h will guide you, but staying close to him is crucial. The air here is clear, but the heat can be disorienting.

• Objective: Follow Avallac'h through the desert.
• Hazards: Giant sandworms that emerge from the sand. They are largely invulnerable and best avoided. Their presence is usually indicated by tremors in the ground.
• Strategy: Stick to the higher ground or rock formations when possible. When a sandworm emerges, sprint away from its path. Do not engage.
• Enemies: None directly hostile to Geralt, but the sandworms are a significant environmental threat.

2. The Toxic Gas World

This dimension is perhaps the most dangerous due to its immediate environmental threat. The air is thick with a green, poisonous gas that rapidly depletes Geralt's health. Avallac'h will provide a temporary protective shield, but it has limitations.

• Objective: Reach the portal at the end of the toxic cavern.
• Hazards: Constant health drain from the poisonous gas.
• Strategy:
  • Activate Golden Oriole: This potion is a lifesaver here, as it negates poison damage. Drink it immediately upon entering this dimension.
  • Stay Close to Avallac'h: His shield offers protection, but it's not foolproof.
  • Sprint: Move as quickly as possible through the cavern.
  • Watch for Gaps: There will be small gaps or ledges you need to jump across. Don't fall into the lower levels of gas.
• Enemies: None, but the environment is your primary adversary.

3. The Underwater World (Aen Elle Outpost)

You'll emerge into a submerged Aen Elle outpost, a haunting ruin filled with water and spectral enemies. This dimension requires careful navigation and combat against specific foe types.

• Objective: Find the next portal while dealing with spectral guardians.
• Hazards: Drowning if you stay submerged too long without surfacing for air.
• Strategy:
  • Use Specter Oil: Apply this to your silver sword before engaging the spectral enemies.
  • Aard Sign: Effective against specters, often knocking them down for a finishing blow.
  • Igni Sign: Can also damage specters.
  • Surface for Air: Keep an eye on Geralt's breath meter and find air pockets or surfaces to breathe.
• Enemies:
  • Drowners: Standard aquatic monsters, easily dispatched.
  • Foglets: Can appear in misty areas, use Igni or Aard.
  • Spectral Hounds/Warriors: These are the primary threat. They are fast and hit hard. Dodge and counter-attack.

4. The Frozen World

This dimension is a desolate, ice-covered wasteland, reminiscent of the Wild Hunt's own world. The primary threats are the extreme cold and the Aen Elle warriors.

• Objective: Traverse the frozen landscape and defeat Aen Elle patrols.
• Hazards: The cold itself isn't a direct health drain, but the environment can obscure enemies.
• Strategy:
  • Quen Sign: Always keep Quen active for protection against the Aen Elle warriors.
  • Igni Sign: Highly effective against armored Aen Elle, especially if you have Igni intensity upgrades. It can set them ablaze, causing continuous damage.
  • Dodge and Counter: Aen Elle warriors are skilled swordsmen. Prioritize dodging their attacks and looking for openings.
  • Focus Fire: Take down archers first, as their ranged attacks can be annoying.
• Enemies:
  • Aen Elle Warriors: Armored elves with swords.
  • Aen Elle Archers: Ranged attackers, often positioned on higher ground.
  • Hounds of the Wild Hunt: Fast, aggressive beasts. Use Igni or Northern Wind bombs.

5. The Plant-Infested World

The final dimension before reaching Ge'els is a lush, overgrown world dominated by aggressive flora and monstrous creatures.

• Objective: Navigate the dense vegetation and reach the final portal.
• Hazards: Environmental traps (spore clouds, thorny vines) and powerful monsters.
• Strategy:
  • Yrden Sign: Can be useful against some of the faster, more ethereal plant creatures.
  • Igni Sign: Excellent for clearing patches of aggressive plants and damaging plant-based monsters.
  • Dodge and Roll: Many enemies here have wide-sweeping attacks.
• Enemies:
  • Archespores: Plant monsters that spit acid and can burrow. Use Igni.
  • Slyzards: Flying reptilian beasts. Use Aard to knock them out of the air, then finish them.
  • Golems/Elementals: Occasionally encountered, use Elementa Oil and strong attacks.

Encountering Ge'els

After successfully navigating the final portal, you will arrive at Ge'els' location. This is not a combat encounter. Instead, it's a pivotal dialogue sequence where Geralt and Avallac'h present evidence to Ge'els about Eredin's betrayal and his true intentions regarding Ciri. Your dialogue choices here will influence Ge'els' decision, but ultimately, the quest progresses towards his agreement to help.

Story Implications and Rewards

Successfully completing "Through Time and Space" is a major turning point in the main storyline. Ge'els' testimony is crucial for turning the tide against Eredin and the Wild Hunt, providing vital intelligence for the upcoming confrontation. This quest deepens the lore of the Aen Elle and the Elder Blood, offering insights into Ciri's heritage and the broader cosmic conflicts at play.

• Experience Points: A significant amount of XP is awarded upon completion, commensurate with the quest's difficulty and importance.
• Story Progression: Unlocks subsequent main quests, leading directly to the final confrontation with the Wild Hunt.
• Lore: Provides invaluable insights into the Aen Elle, their world, and the true nature of the Wild Hunt.

Common Pitfalls and Tips

• Don't Rush: While some dimensions require speed (like the toxic gas world), take your time in others to manage combat encounters effectively.
• Save Frequently: Due to the varied challenges, save often, especially before entering a new portal.
• Listen to Avallac'h: He provides crucial environmental cues and warnings.
• Adapt Your Strategy: Each dimension demands a different approach. Don't rely on a single combat style.
• Inventory Management: Ensure you have enough potions and oils for the entire journey, as you won't have opportunities to restock.

"Through Time and Space" is a memorable and challenging quest that pushes Geralt's abilities to their limits while expanding the rich narrative of The Witcher 3. With proper preparation and a keen understanding of each dimension's unique threats, you'll guide Geralt and Avallac'h to their objective and uncover critical truths about the Wild Hunt.