Do Witcher 1 Decisions Carry Over to Witcher 3? The Ultimate Guide
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The short answer is: no, your decisions from The Witcher 1 do not directly carry over to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. While this might disappoint some long-time fans of the series, it’s crucial to understand the context and the actual impact of your choices throughout the trilogy. The Witcher 3 primarily focuses on the choices you made in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings which are then imported at the beginning of the game. Let’s dive into the specifics.
The Illusion of Continuity: Understanding the Witcher Trilogy
The Witcher video game series, developed by CD Projekt Red, is adapted from Andrzej Sapkowski’s popular fantasy novels. The series is known for its branching narratives, complex characters, and morally grey decisions. While the story of Geralt of Rivia spans all three games, the direct influence of The Witcher 1 on The Witcher 3 is minimal. This is largely due to technical limitations, design choices, and the desire to make The Witcher 3 accessible to new players. CD Projekt Red wanted players who started the series with Wild Hunt to feel just as immersed and informed as those who had played the previous installments. Therefore, while The Witcher 1 lays the groundwork for the world and introduces key characters, it doesn’t have a direct, playable consequence in the final installment.
What Choices Do Matter in Witcher 3?
While The Witcher 1 is sidelined in terms of direct save imports, The Witcher 2 is the game that truly shapes your experience in The Witcher 3. You are given a choice at the beginning of Wild Hunt to simulate a Witcher 2 save. If you choose to do so, you will be prompted with a series of questions asked by a Nilfgaardian interrogator. Your answers to these questions will determine the state of the world and the presence (or absence) of certain characters.
Key decisions from The Witcher 2 that affect The Witcher 3 include:
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Killing or sparing Aryan La Valette: This decision influences dialogue and the presence of certain characters in a specific side quest.
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Siding with Vernon Roche or Iorveth: This choice affects the political landscape and the characters Geralt encounters.
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Saving Triss Merigold in Loc Muinne, or saving Anaïs la Valette (Roche’s path) or helping Saskia lift her spell (Iorveth’s path): This choice dictates which characters you’ll interact with and the overall political dynamic. Your choice determines who is in charge of Temeria, either Anais, or Radovid.
These choices, made in The Witcher 2, have tangible effects on the story, side quests, and character interactions in The Witcher 3. They add depth and replayability, encouraging players to explore the consequences of their actions.
Why Doesn’t Witcher 1 Matter As Much?
Several factors contributed to the decision to focus on The Witcher 2 for save imports:
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Technical limitations: The Witcher 1 was built on a different engine than The Witcher 2 and The Witcher 3, making direct save transfers technically challenging.
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Accessibility: CD Projekt Red wanted to avoid alienating new players who hadn’t played the first game. Focusing on The Witcher 2 provided a more streamlined and manageable way to introduce players to the ongoing narrative.
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Narrative focus: The narrative threads in The Witcher 2 were more directly relevant to the central conflict of The Witcher 3, which revolves around the Wild Hunt and Ciri.
FAQs About Witcher Decisions and Their Impact
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the role of your past choices in the Witcher trilogy:
1. If I skip The Witcher 1, will I be lost in The Witcher 3?
No, you will not be lost. The Witcher 3 is designed to be accessible to new players. The game provides enough context and exposition to understand the story, even without playing the previous installments. However, playing The Witcher 1 will give you a deeper appreciation for the world and the characters.
2. Does having Aerondight from The Witcher 1 affect The Witcher 3?
No, your items and equipment from The Witcher 1 do not transfer to The Witcher 3. Aerondight is a powerful silver sword that appears throughout the series, but each iteration is a separate item with its own stats. You can’t bring it over from previous saves. However, you can obtain a new version of Aerondight in The Witcher 3 through the Blood and Wine expansion.
3. Does my romance choice in The Witcher 1 affect The Witcher 3?
No, your romance choices from The Witcher 1 do not have a direct impact on The Witcher 3. The game acknowledges Geralt’s past relationships, but they don’t significantly alter the main storyline.
4. What happens if I choose to simulate a Witcher 2 save?
If you choose to simulate a Witcher 2 save, you will be interrogated by a Nilfgaardian officer who will ask you about your past decisions. Your answers will determine the state of the world and the presence or absence of certain characters in The Witcher 3.
5. Is it better to simulate a Witcher 2 save or import one?
If you have a Witcher 2 save file, importing it is generally the better option, as it accurately reflects your choices. However, if you don’t have a save file or want to experiment with different outcomes, simulating a save allows you to customize the world to your liking.
6. What if I spared Aryan La Valette in The Witcher 2?
If you spared Aryan La Valette, he will appear in a side quest called “Ghosts of the Past” in The Witcher 3.
7. What if I killed Aryan La Valette in The Witcher 2?
If you killed Aryan La Valette, he will not appear in The Witcher 3, and the “Ghosts of the Past” side quest will not be available.
8. Does Letho appear in The Witcher 3?
Yes, Letho can appear in The Witcher 3 if you spared him in The Witcher 2. He will play a role in a side quest.
9. What is the default state of the world if I don’t import a save or simulate one?
If you don’t import or simulate a save, the game will default to certain choices, such as Aryan La Valette being dead. Simulating a save is recommended because, if you don’t, the default choices are considered the ‘bad’ choices and will lock you out of certain quests.
10. Are the Witcher games connected?
Yes, the Witcher games are connected, but each game tells its own story. While knowledge of the previous games enhances the experience, it is not strictly necessary to enjoy The Witcher 3.
11. What happens if I let the fake Witcher live in The Witcher 3?
If you let the fake Witcher live, you can choose to have him work off his debt by working for the village elder for a year.
12. Can you save Vesemir in The Witcher 3?
No, you cannot save Vesemir in The Witcher 3. His death is a pivotal plot point that drives the narrative forward.
13. Should I save Triss or Anais in The Witcher 2?
The choice between saving Triss or Anais in The Witcher 2 has implications for the political landscape of Temeria and your relationships with various characters. There is no “right” or “wrong” choice, as each decision has its own consequences.
14. Does siding with Roche or Iorveth matter in The Witcher 3?
Yes, siding with Roche or Iorveth in The Witcher 2 affects the characters you encounter and the political situation in The Witcher 3.
15. Are the Witcher games educational?
Video games such as The Witcher games offer invaluable insights into decision-making and narrative consequence, making them potentially valuable learning tools, which can be researched further through the Games Learning Society. You can find out more about the relationship between games and learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: Enjoy the Journey, Regardless of Your Past
While decisions from The Witcher 1 don’t directly translate into The Witcher 3, the journey through the entire trilogy is a worthwhile experience. The rich lore, complex characters, and morally ambiguous choices create a captivating narrative that will stay with you long after the credits roll. The focus on The Witcher 2 for save imports allows for a more manageable and accessible experience, ensuring that all players can enjoy the epic conclusion to Geralt’s story. So, whether you’re a seasoned Witcher veteran or a newcomer to the series, embrace the choices you make and immerse yourself in the world of The Witcher. After all, every choice, no matter how small, shapes your personal narrative.