King's Gambit (Skellige)

Influence the Skellige succession in 'King's Gambit' by choosing between Cerys and Hjalmar, impacting the Isles' future.

The "King's Gambit" quest is a pivotal main quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, directly impacting the succession of the Skellige Isles and setting the stage for future events in the region. Your choices during this quest will determine who sits on the throne: the cunning Cerys an Craite, the valiant Hjalmar an Craite, or the treacherous Svanrige Tuirseach. This guide will walk you through every step, decision, and consequence.

Quest Prerequisites and Initiation

To begin "King's Gambit," you must first complete the main quest "The Coronation" and then "Possession" (if you chose to help Cerys) or "The Lord of Undvik" (if you chose to help Hjalmar). After completing one of these quests, you will receive a message from Crach an Craite, inviting you to a feast at Kaer Trolde. Fast travel to Kaer Trolde Harbor and head up to the castle to speak with Crach.

Walkthrough: The Feast and the Attack

1. Attend Crach's Feast: Upon entering Kaer Trolde, you'll find a lively feast in progress. Speak with Crach an Craite, who will express his concerns about the future of Skellige. He will then introduce you to his children, Cerys and Hjalmar, and other jarls.
2. The Bear Attack: During the feast, a druid will collapse, and shortly after, several berserkers (men transformed into bears by a potent potion) will attack the hall.
3. Defend the Hall: This is a chaotic combat encounter. Prioritize taking down the berserkers. They are strong but slow. Use Quen for protection and Igni for damage, especially if you have the Melt Armor upgrade. Focus fire on one bear at a time.
4. Investigate the Crime Scene: After the attack, the feast hall is in disarray. Crach will ask Geralt to investigate the incident. This is where the crucial choice regarding who to help comes into play.

The Crucial Choice: Cerys or Hjalmar?

Crach will ask you to help either Cerys or Hjalmar investigate the attack. This decision is paramount, as it locks you into one of two distinct questlines and directly influences who becomes the next ruler of Skellige. You cannot help both.

• Help Cerys: This path leads to the quest "The Phantom of Eldberg". Cerys believes the attack was a deliberate act of sabotage and wants to uncover the truth behind it. This path is generally considered the "detective" route, focusing on clues and cunning.
• Help Hjalmar: This path leads to the quest "The Lord of Undvik". Hjalmar believes the attack was orchestrated by the monstrous Ice Giant on Undvik and wants to hunt it down as a display of strength and leadership. This path is more combat-focused and involves a perilous journey.

Important Note: While you can only actively help one sibling, the other sibling's associated quest (The Phantom of Eldberg or The Lord of Undvik) will become unavailable. However, the outcome of "King's Gambit" will still be determined by the success of the sibling you chose to assist.

Consequences of Your Choice & Ruler Outcomes

The ruler of Skellige has significant implications for the political landscape and certain character fates. Here's a breakdown:

Choice	Associated Quest	Ruler Outcome	Key Consequences
Help Cerys	"The Phantom of Eldberg"	Cerys an Craite becomes Queen.	Skellige enters a period of peace and prosperity under Cerys's wise rule. Hjalmar survives and becomes a jarl, supporting his sister. Svanrige Tuirseach is exposed and exiled/imprisoned. Generally considered the "best" ending for Skellige.
Help Hjalmar	"The Lord of Undvik"	Hjalmar an Craite becomes King.	Skellige remains true to its warrior traditions, with Hjalmar leading raids. Cerys survives and becomes a jarl, supporting her brother. Svanrige Tuirseach is exposed and exiled/imprisoned. A more traditional, but potentially more volatile, future for Skellige.
Help Neither / Fail Both	(Not recommended)	Svanrige Tuirseach becomes King.	Svanrige rules with an iron fist, centralizing power and suppressing the jarls. Cerys and Hjalmar are either killed or exiled. Skellige becomes a more oppressive and less free society. This is generally considered the "worst" ending for Skellige.

Post-Investigation: The Accusation

Regardless of whom you helped, after completing either "The Phantom of Eldberg" or "The Lord of Undvik," you will return to Kaer Trolde. Here, the true culprit behind the bear attack will be revealed (either through Cerys's investigation or Hjalmar's return). The jarls will gather, and the accused will be brought before them.

• If you helped Cerys: She will present her evidence, meticulously piecing together the plot.
• If you helped Hjalmar: Hjalmar will return victorious, and the investigation will have progressed in his absence, leading to the same culprit.

The accused is revealed to be Birna Bran, mother of Svanrige Tuirseach, who orchestrated the attack to eliminate her rivals and secure the throne for her son. She will be condemned for her treachery.

Rewards for "King's Gambit"

• Experience Points: A substantial amount of XP upon completion.
• Gold: A moderate amount of gold.
• Story Progression: Unlocks the next main quest in the Skellige storyline, "Coronation", where the new ruler is officially crowned.

Common Pitfalls & Tips

• Save Frequently: Before making the choice to help Cerys or Hjalmar, save your game. This allows you to experience both paths if you wish or to rectify a decision you later regret.
• Prepare for Combat: The bear attack can be challenging, especially on higher difficulties. Ensure your gear is repaired and your potions/oils are stocked. Specter Oil is useful if you encounter any spectral enemies during the investigations.
• Follow Through: Once you commit to helping Cerys or Hjalmar, see their respective questlines through to the end. Abandoning them can lead to the "worst" outcome for Skellige.
• Explore: While investigating with Cerys or adventuring with Hjalmar, take the time to explore the areas. You might find side quests, hidden treasures, or points of interest.

By carefully navigating "King's Gambit" and making an informed decision, you will shape the destiny of the Skellige Isles and its people, leaving a lasting impact on your journey as Geralt of Rivia.