The Elusive Roach Gwent Card: A Comprehensive Guide for Witcher 3 Players
The Roach Gwent card in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn’t found through typical gameplay like quests or merchant purchases. This card is special. You unlock the Roach Gwent Card by downloading the next-gen update for The Witcher 3 and linking your GWENT account (GWENT: The Witcher Card Game) with the in-game client. Essentially, you need to have played the standalone Gwent game to receive this card in The Witcher 3. It was released as part of Patch 4.0, the next-gen update on December 14, 2022.
Diving Deeper into the Roach Card
The Roach card is a neutral card, meaning it can be used in any Gwent deck. It’s a close combat card. Its unique ability revolves around being “summoned” when you play certain other cards, specifically your Geralt and Ciri hero cards. Think of it as Roach always having Geralt’s back (or hooves, rather). By including Roach in your Gwent deck, the card automatically appears on the board when you play either Geralt or Ciri.
Why Roach is More Than Just a Card
Roach is more than just a card; it’s an homage to Geralt’s trusty steed. The consistent (and often humorous) presence of Roach across the Witcher games and books has made her a beloved character in her own right. The Gwent card reflects this, symbolizing the unwavering loyalty and indispensable role Roach plays in Geralt’s adventures.
Understanding the Gwent Ecosystem
To fully appreciate the Roach card, it’s helpful to understand the broader Gwent ecosystem within The Witcher 3. Gwent is more than just a minigame; it’s an integral part of the world, with its own quests, characters, and strategies. Collecting all the cards is a significant undertaking, providing hours of additional gameplay.
Finding Other Gwent Cards
Most Gwent cards are acquired through a few main methods:
- Winning matches: Challenging NPCs to Gwent and winning is a primary source of new cards.
- Purchasing from merchants: Keep an eye out for merchants selling Gwent cards, especially in larger towns and cities.
- Completing Gwent-related quests: Several quests revolve entirely around Gwent, rewarding you with unique and powerful cards.
Tracking Your Collection
To track your progress and find missing cards, you can start the quest “Collect ‘Em All”. This quest leads you to Albert Geert in White Orchard. Playing and defeating him will give you the ‘A Miraculous Guide to Gwent’ book. The book indicates the number of cards missing in each region.
Navigating the Gwent Meta
Understanding the different Gwent decks is key to mastering the game. The primary decks are:
- Northern Realms: Known for its siege engines and card multipliers.
- Nilfgaardian Empire: Focuses on spies and controlling the opponent’s hand.
- Scoia’tael: Relies on ambushes and elven synergy.
- Monsters: Emphasizes powerful monster units and graveyard recursion.
- Skellige: Utilizes self-wounding and resurrection tactics.
Each deck has its strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the right deck and strategy is crucial for victory.
The Importance of Games and Learning
Games, like Gwent, can offer valuable learning experiences. They promote strategic thinking, problem-solving, and resource management. The Games Learning Society understands this potential and explores how games can be used as powerful tools for education and engagement. Learn more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Roach in the Broader Witcher Universe
Roach is not only important to Geralt in the Witcher games but also in the novels and the Netflix series. The character represents loyalty, reliability, and a sense of continuity in Geralt’s often chaotic life. Each Roach is likely a different mare; Geralt simply names them all Roach. This consistency provides a sense of familiarity and comfort for the wandering Witcher.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I get the Roach card without playing GWENT: The Witcher Card Game?
No, playing GWENT: The Witcher Card Game and linking your account is a mandatory requirement to unlock the Roach card in The Witcher 3 after the next-gen update.
2. Is the Roach card missable?
No, the Roach card is not missable as long as you meet the requirements: having the next-gen update and linking your GWENT account.
3. What is the ID of the Roach card in The Witcher 3?
The card is simply referred to as “Roach” in-game. You don’t typically need an ID for it during normal gameplay.
4. How do I link my GWENT account to The Witcher 3?
The game should prompt you to link your accounts upon starting it after the next-gen update. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
5. What other benefits did the next-gen update bring to The Witcher 3?
The update included visual improvements, ray tracing, faster loading times, and various gameplay enhancements, as well as the Roach Gwent card.
6. What if I played GWENT on a different platform than The Witcher 3?
As long as you can link the same GOG account to both games, you should be able to unlock the Roach card, regardless of the platform.
7. What are the best strategies for using the Roach card in Gwent?
Since Roach is automatically summoned with Geralt or Ciri, focus on building a deck that leverages the strength of these hero cards. Consider including cards that buff close combat units or provide other synergies.
8. Are there any other cards that have similar summoning abilities like Roach?
No, the Roach card’s summoning ability with Geralt and Ciri is unique.
9. How many Gwent cards are there in total in The Witcher 3?
There are 482 cards (complete set of every official card) in The Witcher 3 after all the expansions and updates, including the next-gen update.
10. What is the “doomed” status in Gwent?
The “doomed” status removes a card from the game entirely after it is sent to the graveyard, preventing it from being resurrected or otherwise reused.
11. Which Gwent cards are easily missable?
Some easily missed Gwent cards include the Dandelion card (from the “A Matter Of Life And Death” quest), the Iorveth card (from the side quest “Shock Therapy”), and the Triss card (from the Lambert part of “Gwent Old Pals”).
12. Can I get Gwent cards in New Game Plus?
Yes, you can acquire Gwent cards in New Game Plus. However, your card collection does not carry over from your previous playthrough.
13. Where can I find rare Gwent cards?
Rare Gwent cards are typically found by winning matches against challenging opponents or by completing specific Gwent-related quests. Merchants may also sell rare cards.
14. What is the Basic Rule of 16 in Gwent?
The Basic Rule of 16 in Gwent refers to playing 16 cards from both sides in a full game. The maximum number of resources (provisions) has to be invested in those cards to generate the maximum possible value.
15. What are some of the best Gwent cards in the game?
Some of the best Gwent cards in The Witcher 3 include Cerys an Craite, Mysterious Elf, Decoy, Menno Coehoorn, and Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon.