Table Of ContentTABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD ............................ ................................................3
INTRODUCTION AND CHARACTERS ................................. ... .. ............. .4
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ... ......................................................... 16
TRAINING: SURVIVING AS A WITCHER .......................... ...... ..... ........... 22
Character Abilities and Mutations .......................................................................6 0
Witcher Archetypes ...................................................................................7 7
GWENT:AGAME OF CARDS ........... ..................... ...... .. ..... .............. 92
Q!}EST WALKTHROUGH
Critical Path .........................................................................................1 40
Prologue ..........................................................................................1 45
Act I ..............................................................................................1 54
Act II ..............................................................................................2 36
Act Ill .............................................................................................2 52
Episode 1: Hearts of Stone ...........................................................................2 84
Episode 2: Blood and Wine ...........................................................................3 14
Secondary Quests ....................................................................................3 58
Gwent Quests ........................................................................................4 81
A Hero's Pursuits ....................................................................................4 96
Witcher Contracts ...........................................•........................................ 504
Treasure Hunts ......................................................................................5 50
Scavenger Hunts .....................................................................................5 77
ATLAS OF THE NORTHERN REALMS AND THE DUCHY OF TOUSSAINT .............. .. 614
Introduction .........................................................................................6 16
White Orchard .......................................................................................6 20
Vizima Royal Palace ..................................................................................6 23
Velen-No Man's Land ................................................................................6 24
Novigrad ............................................................................................6 42
The Skellige Isles ....................................................................................6 62
Other Worlds ......................................... ·. ..............................................6 84
Kaer Morhen ........................................................................................6 85
Toussaint ...........................................................................................6 88
APPENDICES AND COMPENDIUMS .................................................. . 714
Bestiary ............................................................................................7 16
Places of Power ......................................................................................7 74
Carnal Knowledge ....................................................................................7 80
Gwent: A Complete Card Checklist ...................................................... ·. ............... 782
Merchants of the Northern Realms .....................................................................8 16
Achievements and Trophies ............................................................................8 24
A Witcher's Tools .....................................................................................8 29
2
THE WITCHER 3: WILD HUNT - PRIMA STRATEGY GUIDE FOREWORD
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a game about
experiences that evoke emotion. It is a game
about the wonder of exploring a giant world,
the heartbreak of seeing lives crushed by grand
politics or supernatural forces, and the thrill of
jumping into the fray against them all. Most of all,
it is a game about you, as you decide who to
become, who to love, who to save, and who to light
aflame. It was one of the greatest adventures of our
lives creating this game for you and, judging by the
outpouring of positive sentiment we received from
the gaming community, one of the most memorable
gaming experiences you have had playing it.
Many months have passed since we first invited
you to join our Wild Hunt, yet that does not mean we
have stopped growing the game, polishing it, making
it an even better RPG experience. Immediately after
launch, we began work on two massive expansions,
Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, which added
numerous quests, characters, places of interest,
monsters, items, and an entire realm for you to
wander-Toussaint. In addition, we have kept up
a steady stream of updates which have changed
The Witcher significantly. From interface tweaks
to balance adjustments and additional dialogues,
these changes- many based on feedback gathered
from passionate garners like you- have made the
game more immersive, more memorable, and-
as a result-more truly yours.
The guide you now hold in your hands will help
you navigate this extended world in the most
comprehensive and approachable way I can think of.
Key staff from CD PROJEKT RED worked with Prima
to update the previous edition of the guide, fleshing
it out with new content and making it more detailed
and accurate. I hope it will serve as a trustworthy
companion in your travels, as you embody Geralt
and experience his dangerous, dark and, hopefully,
unforgettable world.
Thank you for playing The Witcher and supporting
us. Safe travels!
-Adam Badowski and the entire
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt team
3
WITCHERS: NOT QUITE THE DEVILS YOU THOUGHT FAIRYTALES AND STORIES
A conviction has arisen amongst both mages and the hoi polloi that Witchers Then the fairy said to the Witcher: "I will tell you what to do: put on a pair of iron
barely rise a hair's breadth above animals, that they are deformed and shoes and pick up an iron staff. Walk in the iron shoes to the end of the world,
bloodthirsty mutants, and that in slaking this thirst they do not limit themselves pat the ground before you with the staff, and sprinkle it with tears. Walk through
to the fluids of monsters. Meanwhile the research and observations of Virgil of fire and water, do not stop, do not look back. And when your shoes wear out, and
Ban Ard paints an entirely different picture of this caste. when the iron staff shatters, when the wind and the heat dry your eyes so that
you cannot shed another tear, then you will have reached the world's end, and
Of course, it is an indisputable fact that the mutations Witchers undergo
you will have found what you seek and what you love. Perhaps."
influence their temperament, immune system, strength and endurance, yet one
cannot consider them unthinking beings forged only for killing as a result. In fact, And so the Witcher walked through fire and water without looking back.
Witchers cultivate a unique culture, a specialized body of knowledge, an effective But he took neither the iron shoes nor the staff. He took only his Witcher's sword.
training system, and even a code of honor. They know an incredible amount He did not heed the words of the fairy.
about the effects of ingesting various organic and inorganic substances, and also
And that's a good thing, because she was an evil fairy.
a small amount, but nevertheless, something about the fundamentals of magic
(by which I mean the simple spells they call "Signs").
On the suriace the Witchers appear to be a homogeneous social entity, but in
truth their fighting styles, training regimens, and world views differ significantly
depending on which school they adhere to. The best-known Witcher schools on
the Continent are: the Wolf School, the Bear School, the Griffin School, the Viper
School, and the Cat School.
4
THE WITCHERS OF KAER MORHEN
GERALT OF RivlA
Known to the elves as Gwynbleidd, and to
those seeking his services, as the White Wolf,
Geralt is a member of the Wolf School. He is
no mere swinger of swords, but thoughtful,
cunning, resourceful, and an exceptional
warrior. Beneath a rather stoic exterior are
murmurings of good humor, a readiness to help
out those in distress, an offering of goodwill
and a mastery of both his blades to help those
requesting his aid.
CIRILLA FIONA ELEN RIANNON
Heiress to several thrones, the bearer of
Elder Blood, and a powerful Source endowed
with exceptional magical talent, Ciri is also
known as the Lady ofTime and Space. She
seems to be living up to this name, as she
has disappeared during this time of torment,
forcing Geralt (who was bound to Ciri by
destiny, and helped train her after she escaped
a massacre in Cintra as tragedy and war
deprived her of her real family) to search
the lands of the Northern Realms for her-
the "ashen-haired one".
5
VESEMIR ESKEL LAMBERT
------------~~r------------
The oldest surviving member of the Wolf School Although he doesn't command the renown of his Among the very last to train within the walls of Kaer
of Witchers, Vesemir's bones may creak louder brethren, Eskel is a methodical, competent, and Morhen, Lambert is the youngest of the remaining
than the battlement floors of Kaer Morhen, but he supremely talented Witcher that met the White Wolf School Witchers. He has a reputation for
shows no signs of hanging up his swords, especially Wolf when they were boys, thrusting their wooden slaying the most ferocious and ravenous beasts of
since he can better any man in combat, with a practice swords at Kaer Morhen. Eskel walks the the Continent, but also a bluntness, arrogance, and
combination of his blades and magical prowess. Witcher's Path separately from Geralt, but returns sardonic wit that many find offputting. Despite these
Though harsh and demanding of his students, he to winter at Kaer Morhen, and drinks to past shortcomings, he remains loyal to his companions.
has become something of a mentor in these later successes and fallen friends.
years. His respect is now earned, not demanded.
SORCERESSES OF THE LODGE
YENNEFER OF VENGERBERG TRISS MERIGOLD
--------------------~~r---------------------
A formidable sorceress, Yennefer first met Geralt more than twenty years ago, When one turns to a dictionary to look up the word "sorceress," there should
when a djinn intertwined their fates together. Even though the intervening time be little surprise to find a painting of Triss Merigold. The perfect example of
has proved their relationship to be strong, it is frequently as stormy as the this profession, this former mage advisor to King Foltest holds none of the
waters off Undvik. Completely the opposite of Geralt, Yennefer is more socially pretentions and haughtiness so apparent in some of her sisters of the Lodge.
competent, adept at politicking, but was in the wrong place when the Wild Hunt A warm and personable charm has won over many cold hearts, not least that
captured her. Fleeing their grasp, she now stands at the right hand of of Geralt of Rivia. She was last seen in the city of Novigrad, helping her fellow
Emhyr var Emreis. mages from the pogrom against their kind.
KEIRAMETZ
--------------------~,~·~--------------------
While Miss Eilhart was also an advisor to a king (Vizimir II), she took a more Geralt first met this sorceress when she was flung out of a window and fell
avid interest in the power her standing provided, with the Council of Mages on his head during a coup. Then he stumbled upon her deep in the Velen
and eventually the Lodge of Sorceresses itself. She has incredible talents, but a countryside. When her employment with King Foltest came to an end
rather prickly nature about her. It is said that several kings found out just how (as had the king himselfj, she was chased out of Temeria and forced into exile,
prickly, since she was implicated in Vizimir's death, as well as the assassinations as she had earned the wrath and hatred of King Radovid. Geralt discovers she is
of two other monarchs. Little wonder that she has vanished into hiding, and is now eking out an existence as a witch-a wisewoman stuck curing ailments of
now the quarry of King Radovid's special forces. animals and peasants alike, all the while waiting for the winds of fate to blow in
her favor.
6
DANDELION ZOLTAN CHIVAY AVALLAC'H
~
The flamboyant troubadour and Oxenfurt academy A veteran of the Battle of Brenna, Zoltan Chivay is a Though little is known about this elven sage of the
graduate, Dandelion would be a court jester if his ferocious force when armed with an axe, a master Aen Elle, it is apparent Avallac'h's path had crossed
not-inconsiderable charisma hadn't allowed him tactician when given a hillside and an ambush Geralt's in the preceeding years. Displaying an unnerving
to skirt any trouble-whether it was the numerous to attempt, and offers an ascerbic tongue when interest in the child of the Elder Blood, his exact motives
dalliances and affairs with the fairer sex, or skilled placated with mead. A soldier of fortune, player of remained unclear. With some investigation, it seems
negotiations or stirring oratory to avoid the wrath Gwent, and loyal to both Dandelion and Geralt, he Avallac'h was a one-time tutor and mentor to Cirilla, as
of the powerful gentry. However, as his current is a true force for good, and proves that no one is well as the chief advisor to the King of the Aen Elle-a
whereabouts are unknown, this actor of some repute more loyal than a dwarf. monarch whose demise had precipitated a conflict
may have ruffled feathers one too many times. between Avallac'h and the successor, Eredin.
THE NILFGAARDIANS THE REDANIANS
EMHYR VAR EMREIS RADOVID V THE STERN
The-re- a-re- -fe-w- m-o-re- f-or-m-id-a-bl-e -fi-gu-r-es~ a,li·ve~ t-o-da-y- th-a-n -E-m-h-yr- v-ar- E-m-r-ei-s,- -- An -u-nc-a-rin-g- a-n-d -p-ar-a-no-id- -ru-le-r,- se-e-k~inJg .ve;n-g-ea-n-ce- -ra-th-e-r t-ha-n- c-o-m-p-ro-m-is-e,
Deithwen Addan ya Carn aep Morvudd (the White Flame Dancing on the Grave and allegiance or a slow and wretched death, Radovid seeks to thwart Nilfgaard
of his Foes), otherwise known as the Emperor of Nilfgaard. While he rules half while continuing to slaughter as many mages as he can find, believing them the
of the known world, he has conquering aspirations for the other half. His path root cause of all evil in the world. Setting his sights on the Free City of Novigrad,
crossed that of Geralt's, after the emperor learned his daughter Ciri was in great he hopes to gain control of its treasury and strategic location. An intelligent man
danger, and that the Witcher was a better tracker than any in his army. That, and and puppet master, but one trapped in his own world of disturbing visions.
a friendship with the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg, forged an unlikely
(and mostly strained) alliance.
THE ZEALOTS OF NOVIGRAD
The persecution of the mages, under orders from Radovid himself, has spread to Novigrad. The Church of the Eternal Fire (a religious organization comprised of
fanatics with a hunger for group executions) runs the city, at least on the surface. Caleb Menge, the commander of the Temple Guard, is an opportunist and paranoid
force of fear in this city, helped by preachers such as Nathaniel Pastodi, who have their own hypocritical deviancy to hide. Now the Eternal Fire allies itself with witch
hunters (such as Graden) sworn loyal to Radovid. This is a marriage of the most frightening aspects of zealotry.
7
THE BIG FOUR OF NOVIGRAD
SIGISMUND DIJKSTRA FRANCIS BEDLAM, KING OF BEGGARS
~;---------------------
The former head of Redan ian intelligence and a man Geralt had many dealings Without a ruler for nigh on two hundred years, Novigrad's only "monarch" is
with in the past, Dijkstra the spy is masquerading as a count named Sigi Reuven, the self-styled King of Beggars, a title that mocks the pomposity of such power.
and has amassed a great wealth in the city of Novigrad as part of the Big Four Managing a network of cut-purses and beggars, he offers them protection in
crime families. Embroiled with Philippa Eilhart, and Radovid's frenzy of hatred exchange for the gossip they overheard as well as a cut of their ill-gotten gains.
for the sorceress, Dijkstra fell out of favor with the King, and has wisely gone to He holds court in the aptly titled Putrid Grove area of the city.
ground under the assumed name of "Sigi Reuven". But you can never keep a
good political wrangler down ...
CARLO "CLEAVER" VARESE CYPRIAN "WHORESON JUNIOR" WILEY
------------------~.~·;-------------------~
A violent and terrifying dwarf, "Cleaver" lives up to his nickname as he enjoys One of Novigrad's most dangerous criminals, Whoreson Junior has inherited
torturing his victims by feeding them to pigs and hacking off their fingers with his father's businesses across the city, as well as his sadistic and shocking
his namesake blade. Unbalanced even during periods of peace in Novigrad, a foibles toward the harlots he encounters. With the unwritten armistice between
recent attack by his rival, Whoreson Junior, has left Cleaver spitting blood. Novigrad's criminal groups broken, thanks to Whoreson's willingness to murder
He means to hunt down and murder every one of Whoreson's men, even if that his three rivals, he has turned an already tumultuous time in Novigrad into utter
results in leaving the city in ruins. chaos. Perhaps there is method to his madness?
THE TEMERIAN TWO
VERNON ROCHE YES
------------------~·~·;---------------------
Before his forces were driven from his homelands, and he was forced to camp Once a veteran officer of the Blue Stripes, and one of a handful of soldiers to
in a gorge in the woods close to Oxenfurt, Vernon Roche was the commander of survive the war with her commander. While Roche is stoic, Ves is much more
the Temerian Special Forces, and one of King Foltest's most trusted subordinates. headstrong, and but driven to reckless despair by the current situation of the war.
Few matched Roche's expertise in acts ranging from the modest (slaying a band It is fortunate, then, that her skills with the sword and the crossbow are nothing
of Scoia'tael) to the impressive (putting down rebel ions). But now, he has lost short of magical. Her sharpshooting and knife skills are utilized whenever she
everything; his king, his lands, and most of his men. Now he stages ambushes sees fit, a troubling tendency that Roche hopes to rein in.
against the overwhelming forces that occupy the land.
8
