Does The Witcher 3 Complete Edition Have All DLC?
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The short, definitive answer is: Yes, the Witcher 3 Complete Edition includes all downloadable content (DLC) ever released for the game. This makes it the ultimate package for anyone looking to experience the full breadth of Geralt of Rivia’s epic adventures. Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of The Witcher or a seasoned veteran returning for another playthrough, the Complete Edition ensures you have access to everything the game has to offer without needing to purchase anything extra.
What’s Included in the Complete Edition?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition bundles the acclaimed base game with all additional content, both big and small, providing a seamless and comprehensive experience. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you get:
The Base Game: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
This is the main story of Geralt’s search for Ciri and his fight against the Wild Hunt. The base game alone offers a massive open world, numerous engaging quests, and a deep, compelling narrative. It provides countless hours of gameplay on its own.
Two Major Story Expansions
The Complete Edition includes two substantial story expansions, which significantly expand the game’s world, story, and gameplay:
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Hearts of Stone: This expansion sends Geralt to the region of No Man’s Land to fulfill a contract from the mysterious Man of Glass. It adds a compelling new storyline, formidable new enemies, and unique Witcher gear to acquire. It typically adds around 10+ hours of content.
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Blood and Wine: This expansion takes Geralt to the vibrant and beautiful region of Toussaint, far away from the familiar areas of the main game. Boasting a narrative on par with the base game, “Blood and Wine” is a massive expansion with a huge new world, new characters, and a whole new progression system through the introduction of mutations. This will typically add around 20+ hours of content.
All 16 Free DLCs
In addition to the major expansions, the Complete Edition comes with all 16 free DLCs released post-launch, further enhancing and enriching the gameplay experience. These include a variety of cosmetic items, equipment, and quests:
- New quests like ‘Contract: Missing Miners’, ‘Fool’s Gold’, and the ‘Scavenger Hunt’ series.
- Alternative looks for characters like Yennefer.
- New armor sets, such as the Temerian and Nilfgaardian sets.
- New weapons and gear, like the Elite Crossbow Set.
- The Ballad Heroes’ Neutral Gwent Card Set.
- Hairstyle and Beard sets for Geralt.
Accessing the DLC Content
The majority of the DLC, particularly the free items and cosmetic changes, are integrated directly into the game. To ensure the content is active or to manage some of the settings, you’ll typically need to access the Downloadable Content menu from the main menu options. You can toggle many of the free DLCs on or off from here before beginning your gameplay.
However, the two major story expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, are accessed via in-game quests. They are permanently available once you’ve reached a sufficient point in the main storyline, and you can freely move between the base game world and the DLC areas. There is no need to enable them specifically in the DLC menu.
Physical and Digital Editions
Importantly, both physical and digital versions of The Witcher 3 Complete Edition contain all DLC. The physical edition has the full game and all DLC on the game card, so you do not need to download the expansions or extra content separately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is The Witcher 3 upgrade only for the Complete Edition?
No, the next-gen upgrade for The Witcher 3 is available even if you own only the base game. However, the base game upgrade will not include the Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine expansions unless you own them separately. The upgrade provides visual improvements, performance boosts, and the integration of some new content, irrespective of owning the complete version or just the base game.
2. What is the maximum level in The Witcher 3 Complete Edition?
Geralt’s maximum level in the base game, either with or without the Hearts of Stone expansion, is 70. The Blood and Wine expansion increases the level cap to 100.
3. Will the Witcher 3 upgrade include DLC?
The PS5 upgrade for The Witcher 3 includes the two major expansions only if you already own them from the PS4 version. Otherwise, they will need to be purchased separately. The free DLCs are included with the upgrade automatically.
4. Should you complete Witcher 3 before playing the DLC?
The recommended way to experience The Witcher 3 DLC is in the order of release: the base game, followed by Hearts of Stone, and then Blood and Wine. While you can start the DLCs early, completing the main game first is advisable for story cohesion.
5. How many hours does The Witcher 3 take with all DLC?
A standard playthrough of The Witcher 3 including all DLCs typically takes over 105 hours. Completionists can expect to spend close to 180 hours to complete everything the game has to offer.
6. Does the Witcher 3 Complete Edition include all free DLC on PS5?
Yes, the PS5 version of the Complete Edition includes the base game, both paid expansions (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine), as well as all 16 pieces of free DLC.
7. What are the 16 free DLCs for The Witcher 3?
The 16 free DLCs include items like the Temerian Armor Set, alternative character appearances, new quests, the Nilfgaardian Armor Set, the Elite Crossbow Set, and more. These are cosmetic items or minor quests.
8. What should you do after finishing 100% of The Witcher 3?
After completing everything The Witcher 3 has to offer, you could collect all Gwent cards, start a New Game+ adventure, engage in monster contracts or treasure hunts, or even watch The Witcher on Netflix.
9. Can you start Blood and Wine before the main story?
While you can start the expansions early, it’s generally recommended to complete the main story first.
10. When should I start Hearts of Stone?
It’s recommended to begin Hearts of Stone shortly before finding Ciri or after the battle of Kaer Morhen. Starting after the main game is preferable from a narrative standpoint but not essential.
11. How long is the Hearts of Stone expansion?
The Hearts of Stone expansion provides a 10+ hour adventure.
12. How long is the Blood and Wine expansion?
The Blood and Wine expansion is far more extensive, usually offering 20+ hours of content.
13. Is Blood and Wine better than Hearts of Stone?
Whether Blood and Wine is “better” is subjective. Both DLCs are excellent, but Blood and Wine is more expansive with a bigger world, more to do, and introduces a completely new region to explore, which many players prefer.
14. What is the difference between the Witcher 3 Complete Edition and Game of the Year Edition?
There is no substantial difference between The Complete Edition and the Game of the Year Edition of Witcher 3. Both include the base game, both paid expansions, and all 16 free DLCs. The naming convention usually depends on the region of sale (e.g. “Complete Edition” in North America, and “Game of the Year Edition” in Europe or the UK).
15. Does the Witcher 3 DLC affect the main game?
The DLC can be played completely independently of the main game. The expansions do not alter the base story, although some choices in Blood and Wine do have some minor narrative impacts.