13. Upgrade your horse to increase your inventory
Like many RPGs, The Witcher 3 limits your carrying capacity. You’ll be picking up lots of goodies on your adventures, so pick up some saddlebags for Roach as soon as you can. Roach can also be upgraded with blinders to help keep him steady in combat.
14. The world does not level with you
That said, you might want to be careful. The world does not dynamically level with you, which means you can wander into zones you’re just not ready for. It also means that you can return to troublesome areas once you’ve leveled up a few times and show your enemies who’s boss.
15. Don’t bother grinding
Even though the world is open and monsters are plentiful, they’re really not the best or most efficient way to level. Technically, it is possible, but there’s more than enough content to see you through without needing to meticulously search out random monsters.
16. Use your Witcher Sense
CD Projekt Red took a cue from the Batman Arkham games with the introduction of the Witcher Sense mechanic. In practice, it works a lot like the Arkham games’ detective mode, highlighting important things in the environment. You’ll be taught how to use it during missions but it’s important to give it a whirl when exploring on your own, too. For example, underwater areas often have hidden treasure that’s easy to miss without Geralt’s special abilities. Use it!
17. You only need to gather for potions the first time
Potions, as ever, are important to success. When you’re in the open world, you can usually ignore them for the quick and dirty battles that are wont to pop up, but on a contract, they can make the difference between life and death. Thankfully, you no longer have to collect the ingredients for every single potion. Instead, make sure to meditate with hard alcohol and your flasks will automatically refill when you come to.
18. Mutagens can also be used to enhance potions (and craft better mutagens!)
As you make your way in the world, you’ll unlock color-coded mutagens which can be used to enhance your abilities. You’re likely to find that sometimes these mutagens will simply go to waste when you don’t have an ability that needs enhancing. Instead, apply these mutagens to your potions to make a new, enhanced version. You can also combine certain mutagens to make new, improved versions of them!
19. Don’t rush the campaign
The biggest criticism of Wild Hunt thus far is that the campaign tends to draw out your search for information on Ciri, your ward and the driving force behind your adventure. It’s long and worth seeing through, but break it up with those side quests to keep from feeling burnt out by the many favors quest givers will be asking of you.
20. Remember to check notice boards
When you enter a new town, be sure to check the notice board. You’ll often find new tasks there but, more importantly, Witcher Contracts. You are, after all, a professional monster hunter. These missions pay handsomely and are often deeper and more rewarding that a “bulletin board” mission might at first seem.
21. Combat is overall easier, but don’t get cocky
Enemies come in swarms and are smart enough to tempt you into bad attacks. Don’t be overconfident! Some enemies will tempt you into a swing only to leap out of the way and return with a devastating attack.
22. Dodge instead of roll (unless it’s an AoE)
Veterans of The Witcher 2 will probably be familiar with the dodge-roll. You did it all. the. time. In Wild Hunt, rolling is somewhat of a last resort. It will keep you safe, sure, but it also uses endurance and puts your out of reach of a follow-up attack. Instead, save the rolls for big mobs with AoE attacks and instead use a plain “dodge” to stay safe and in range of the enemy.
23. Don’t dodge so much you can’t cast!
Evading and spell casting both rely on the same stat: endurance. If you’re evading too much, you won’t have endurance left to cast, which can put you in a tricky position. Be sure to keep an eye on your resources or pay the price. To speed up the pace of battle, sword swings no longer use endurance.
24. Remember to check the bestiary
As you encounter new enemies, you’ll unlock entries in your bestiary. They’re easy to ignore but take the time to read new entries. You’ll discover each enemy’s strengths and weaknesses giving you the upper edge in your next encounter and learn more of the game’s excellent lore to boot.
25. Read -- in the game and out!
Seriously, read all you can! The world of The Witcher is incredibly rich and interesting. Even though it might look like standard fantasy fare on the outside, things go considerably deeper making the game far more unique than you would first imagine. And good gracious, read the books! I’m going through The Last Wish right now and it is fantastic. The fairy tales the stories are based on are almost unrecognizable and when you do it catapults you into a new respect for just how creative the author really is. Snow White, for example, becomes a vengeful maybe-mutant out for murder hunting down the sorcerer that wanted to autopsy her! It’s gritty, creative, a touch ambiguous, and completely enthralling.
That’s all we have for this week? More to come? We’ll see when after we’ve had more time with the game! For now, share your own tips in the comments below!
