Should I Do DLC Before Finishing Witcher 3? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of whether to tackle The Witcher 3’s acclaimed DLCs, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, before completing the main story is a common one among players. The short answer is: it depends on your priorities and playstyle, but generally, it’s best to complete the main game first. While the game allows for considerable freedom, progressing linearly typically yields a more coherent narrative and gameplay experience.
Why Completing the Main Game First is Recommended
Story Cohesion and Emotional Impact
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s main story is a sprawling epic centered on finding Ciri and confronting the Wild Hunt. Its narrative arc is designed to build gradually, culminating in an emotionally charged finale. Jumping into DLCs beforehand can disrupt this flow, especially if you finish Blood and Wine, which is set chronologically after the main game, before actually seeing how the main story resolves. The emotional resonance of key moments in the base game can be lessened if you’ve already experienced the high notes of the expansion content.
Level Scaling and Difficulty
The DLCs, particularly Hearts of Stone, are designed for higher-level characters. Hearts of Stone recommends a starting level of 30 or above, while Blood and Wine starts at around level 35. Attempting these expansions at a lower level can lead to frustrating difficulty spikes, potentially hindering enjoyment. Playing the base game first allows you to gain the necessary levels and skills, making the DLCs more rewarding and manageable.
Gear and Character Progression
The main game provides a gradual introduction to the world, its mechanics, and character progression. As you play through the main story, you’ll gather better gear and hone your Geralt’s combat skills. By the time you start the DLCs, you’ll be adequately equipped to tackle the challenges they present, both in terms of equipment and understanding of the gameplay systems.
The Argument for Experiencing DLC Early (with Caution)
While generally not advised, it is possible to play the DLCs before completing the main quest. Hearts of Stone, in particular, can be accessed early without major story contradictions. Here’s why some players may consider it:
Variety and Fresh Content
After hours spent in the main game, the allure of new environments, characters, and storylines found in the DLCs is strong. For players seeking a break from the main campaign, Hearts of Stone offers a compelling side story with its own unique feel and challenges.
Avoiding Burnout
The sheer size of The Witcher 3 can be daunting. Adding DLC in the middle of the main campaign can provide a much-needed change of pace, preventing player burnout and maintaining engagement.
However, bear in mind that starting the DLCs early might make the main game easier if you gain experience and powerful gear. It is also important to understand that only Hearts of Stone has an effect on the main game if completed before it.
Blood and Wine: Best Saved for Last
The consensus among players and critics alike is that Blood and Wine is best experienced after the main game. It’s not only chronologically designed to follow the main campaign, but it also provides a satisfying conclusion to Geralt’s overall journey. The expansion’s new region, Toussaint, is stunning, and its story feels like a proper epilogue to Geralt’s adventures. Furthermore, starting it too early can dramatically affect the balance of the main story’s final encounters, making them less challenging than intended.
In Conclusion
While you are given freedom to tackle the DLCs at different points in your playthrough, playing the base game first is generally the most rewarding and narratively consistent experience. It allows for organic progression, ensuring you are properly equipped and leveled for the increased challenges that the expansions present. Save Blood and Wine for last to give Geralt a fitting end.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the recommended order to play The Witcher 3 and its DLCs?
The recommended order is: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (main game), Hearts of Stone DLC, and then Blood and Wine DLC. This order ensures the best narrative flow and a smooth difficulty curve.
2. Can I start Hearts of Stone before finishing the main story?
Yes, you can. Hearts of Stone can be accessed relatively early and does not heavily impact the main story if completed beforehand, though it is generally recommended to be above level 30.
3. Does completing Hearts of Stone before the main story affect the base game?
Yes, Hearts of Stone is the only DLC that can have a minor effect on the main game if completed prior to finishing the main questline.
4. Can I start Blood and Wine before finishing the main story?
Yes, but it is strongly discouraged. Blood and Wine is meant to be played after the main campaign, and doing it beforehand can make the latter part of the main story feel easier and may also feel out of context.
5. What happens if I finish Blood and Wine before the main story?
Blood and Wine has no direct impact on the main game’s story. It simply won’t feel like a proper conclusion to Geralt’s overarching arc, and the difficulty curve could feel uneven.
6. At what level should I start Hearts of Stone?
The recommended starting level for Hearts of Stone is level 30 or above. Attempting it at a lower level will prove very challenging.
7. At what level should I start Blood and Wine?
The recommended starting level for Blood and Wine is level 35 or above. Players can attempt it at a lower level, but it will be much more difficult.
8. How long does it take to beat The Witcher 3 without DLC?
The average playtime for The Witcher 3 main story is around 51½ hours. Completing all side quests and reaching 100% completion can take up to 173 hours.
9. How long are the Witcher 3 DLCs?
Hearts of Stone takes an average of 10-15 hours to complete, while Blood and Wine is significantly longer, ranging from 20 to 40 hours, depending on your playstyle and the number of side activities you engage in.
10. Is the DLC better than the main game?
Many players consider Blood and Wine to be of exceptional quality, with some even deeming it better than the main game due to its incredible visuals, rich storyline, and engaging quests. Hearts of Stone is also highly praised but for different reasons, like its intricate plot.
11. What is the max level in The Witcher 3?
The max level in the base game and with Hearts of Stone is 70. The Blood and Wine expansion raises the maximum level to 100.
12. Can you romance Anna Henrietta in Blood and Wine?
No, you cannot romance Anna Henrietta. However, you can romance her sister Syanna in Blood and Wine.
13. How many endings are there in Blood and Wine?
There are three main endings in Blood and Wine, concerning the fate of Anna Henrietta, Syanna, and Detlaff.
14. Is Blood and Wine bigger than the base game?
While Blood and Wine is a sizable DLC, it’s not bigger than the main game in overall scope. However, its new region Toussaint is large and features numerous quests and activities.
15. What is the best weapon in Blood and Wine?
Aerondight is commonly considered the best silver sword in the game, acquired through a quest in Blood and Wine. It gains damage with each hit, making it incredibly powerful.