The Witcher 3: Should You Give the Baby to Udalryk? A Definitive Guide
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Whether you’re a seasoned Witcher veteran or a newcomer to the Continent, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt constantly throws you into morally grey situations with far-reaching consequences. One such instance arises during the quest related to Udalryk and the tormenting Hym. The question looms: do you give the baby to Udalryk? The simple answer is no, giving the baby to Udalryk is NOT the recommended course of action. It triggers a difficult boss fight and lacks the clever resolution of the alternative. Let’s delve into the reasoning and implications of your choices.
Understanding the Dilemma
The “baby” isn’t just any baby; it’s a prop intended to bait the Hym, a malevolent spirit feeding off Udalryk’s guilt and fear. You have two primary options:
- The Witcher Way (Fight): Face the Hym in direct combat, drawing it out with a ritual involving spending the night with the affected individual. This means directly confronting the Hym’s power.
- Trickery (Outsmart): Deceive the Hym into believing Udalryk has committed a heinous act, drawing it away from him by infecting someone else. This is where the “baby” comes in.
The Downside of Giving Udalryk the Baby
Giving the baby to Udalryk sounds like the correct course of action, a way to confront his demons head-on. However, in gameplay terms, it initiates a significantly harder and less rewarding encounter:
- Hym Boss Fight: You’re forced into a direct confrontation with the Hym, a challenging boss with unique abilities and a penchant for draining your vitality.
- No Guaranteed Benefit: While defeating the Hym this way does rid Udalryk of the curse, it doesn’t offer any additional advantages compared to the trickery method. The Hym does drop loot upon death via the Witcher Way.
Why Trickery Is the Superior Choice
The alternative – tricking the Hym – offers a more strategic and arguably satisfying resolution. You need to create the illusion of a monstrous act, convincing the Hym to latch onto Udalryk.
- Timed Dialogue Choice: You’re presented with a dialogue choice: put the baby in the oven or give it back to Udalryk. The oven option is the key to success.
- The Oven Scenario: Pretending to put the baby in the oven (you don’t actually do it!) is the catalyst. It convinces the Hym that Udalryk is capable of extreme cruelty.
- Consequences: You’ll have to fight two guards who attempt to stop you, but this is a far more manageable fight than the Hym itself.
- Successful Banishing: The Hym, believing Udalryk is truly depraved, is successfully tricked and banished. Udalryk is left confused but ultimately free of his curse.
The Benefits of Trickery
Choosing the trickery route offers several advantages:
- Avoids a Difficult Boss Fight: This saves you considerable time and resources, especially on higher difficulty levels.
- Strategic Gameplay: This allows you to showcase Geralt’s intelligence and cunning, playing into his role as a professional monster hunter who doesn’t always rely on brute force.
- Comparable Outcome: Udalryk is still freed from the Hym’s influence, achieving the primary objective of the quest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Hym and Udalryk’s Quest
1. What exactly is a Hym?
A Hym is a parasitic spirit that feeds on guilt, fear, and negative emotions. It attaches itself to individuals burdened by these feelings, amplifying their suffering and manipulating them.
2. How do I prepare for the Hym fight if I choose the Witcher Way?
If you decide to fight the Hym, make sure you’re well-equipped. Use Specter Oil on your silver sword, and consider using bombs like Moon Dust or Devil’s Puffball to disrupt its abilities. Dodging and quick attacks are crucial.
3. What level should I be to tackle this quest?
Ideally, you should be around level 16 or higher to comfortably handle the Hym questline, regardless of whether you choose to fight or trick the Hym.
4. Are there any consequences for failing to get rid of the Hym?
If you fail to get rid of the Hym, Udalryk remains tormented, and the quest remains incomplete, potentially impacting future events in the game.
5. Can Cerys help me fight the Hym?
Cerys can be involved in the quest, but she won’t directly participate in the Hym fight. Her role is primarily advisory and supportive.
6. Does the trickery method affect my relationship with Cerys?
No, choosing the trickery method doesn’t negatively impact your relationship with Cerys. She appreciates Geralt’s resourcefulness.
7. Is there a “good” or “bad” ending to this quest?
Ultimately, both methods of dealing with the Hym achieve the primary goal of freeing Udalryk. However, the trickery method is often seen as the more clever and efficient approach.
8. What loot can I expect from killing the Hym?
The Hym typically drops crafting materials, runes, and potentially a relic-level weapon or armor piece. The loot is random.
9. Is the Hym quest part of the main storyline?
The Hym quest is a side quest, but it is related to the main quest line in Skellige. It’s a valuable quest to complete for the experience and rewards.
10. Can I find more Hyms in the game?
The Hym encountered in Udalryk’s quest is a unique encounter. There are no other instances of this specific type of monster in the game.
11. What happens if I try to reason with the Hym?
Trying to reason with the Hym is futile. It’s a malevolent entity driven by instinct and a thirst for negative energy. Dialogue options to reason with it will not work.
12. Does my difficulty setting affect the Hym fight?
Yes, the Hym fight is significantly more challenging on higher difficulty settings. Its health, damage output, and attack patterns are all increased.
13. Can I use Udalryk’s story later in the game?
Udalryk’s fate is not relevant in future storylines within The Witcher 3 and does not change the main story.
14. Where can I learn more about the lore of The Witcher universe?
Aside from playing the games and reading the books, you can find extensive information on the Games Learning Society website (GamesLearningSociety.org) where they delve into the narrative and educational aspects of games, and also at other Witcher fan wikis and lore compilations. The Games Learning Society‘s website provides insights into the deeper meanings and themes within games.
15. Are there any mods that change the Hym quest?
Yes, there are various mods available that can alter the difficulty, rewards, and even the storyline of the Hym quest. Be sure to research mod compatibility before installing.
Conclusion
While both paths lead to Udalryk’s freedom, choosing to trick the Hym by faking the infanticide of the baby is generally considered the optimal choice. It avoids a challenging boss fight, highlights Geralt’s cunning, and achieves the same positive outcome. This is just another example of the difficult choices that come with being a Witcher. Good luck on the Path!