How to Conquer Gwent with a Full Skellige Deck in The Witcher 3
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Getting your hands on a complete Skellige Gwent deck in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a rewarding endeavor, adding a powerful new dimension to your Gwent gameplay. This guide will walk you through exactly how to acquire this unique deck and address common questions about its acquisition and use.
The Skellige Gwent deck isn’t available from the start. You will need to travel to Toussaint, which is part of the Blood and Wine DLC. Once in Toussaint, you can begin accumulating the Skellige cards by defeating merchants and craftsmen in Gwent. Each victory against these opponents will grant you a Skellige card and initiate two related quests: “Gwent: Never Fear, Skellige’s Here” and “Gwent: To Everything – Turn, Turn, Tournament!”. Additionally, the base Skellige deck itself is given to you by Count Martin Monnier in The Pheasantry after you agree to enter his tournament. This quest item is not visible in your inventory but it will unlock the Skellige faction for you. Completing these quests will unlock further opportunities to gather more Skellige cards and refine your deck.
Gathering Your Skellige Gwent Cards
Initiating the Skellige Gwent Quests
The first step is, as mentioned, reaching Toussaint via the Blood and Wine DLC. This should be done when you are around level 35 or higher. Once you’ve arrived, you can begin your quest for the Skellige deck by looking for the merchants and craftsmen. Don’t be shy about challenging them to a round of Gwent. Every victory adds a new card to your collection. As you collect the cards, both of the “Gwent” quests will become active.
Count Martin Monnier and the Base Deck
Seek out Count Martin Monnier at The Pheasantry, and you’ll receive the base Skellige deck as part of his tournament. This marks the beginning of your journey to build a formidable Skellige faction. This is a critical step to unlock the entire faction.
Completing the Gwent Quests
The quests “Gwent: Never Fear, Skellige’s Here” and “Gwent: To Everything – Turn, Turn, Tournament!” are your primary avenues for amassing a complete Skellige deck. These quests will lead you to more challenging Gwent matches against powerful players, who will reward you with more Skellige cards. The tournament itself also provides opportunities to gain valuable cards. Engage in all of them to further enrich your deck.
Gwent Opponents in Toussaint
Focus on seeking out the numerous merchants and craftsmen throughout Toussaint. These are your primary sources for the Skellige cards. It’s a good strategy to challenge every new NPC you encounter. Persistence will be key to completing your deck.
Skellige Deck Strategies and Strengths
The Skellige deck is a powerful faction that utilizes several unique strategies. Though it may not be considered the absolute “strongest” deck, it can certainly be incredibly effective. A key strategy with Skellige is the “Discard” mechanic, which can give you a significant advantage. Many of the Skellige cards are powerful and can easily turn the tide of a game in your favor. For example, some cards are able to bring back from the discard pile. The use of various “Clan” cards also works well to enhance your deck’s power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it possible to obtain the Skellige Gwent deck before the Blood and Wine DLC?
No, the Skellige Gwent deck is exclusive to the Blood and Wine expansion. You must travel to Toussaint to begin collecting its cards.
2. At what level should I travel to Toussaint for the Skellige deck?
It’s generally recommended to be at least level 35 before venturing into Toussaint and attempting to build the Skellige deck.
3. How does one start the “Gwent: Never Fear, Skellige’s Here” quest?
This quest activates when you begin defeating merchants and craftsmen in Toussaint after you arrive in Toussaint. It is triggered when you begin winning Skellige Gwent cards.
4. What triggers the “Gwent: To Everything – Turn, Turn, Tournament!” quest?
This quest also initiates when you begin winning Skellige cards and are given your base deck from Count Monnier.
5. Where do I find the base Skellige Gwent deck?
The base deck is given to you by Count Martin Monnier at The Pheasantry in Toussaint.
6. How do I know which Gwent cards I’m missing?
You will need to speak to Albert Geert in White Orchard and beat him in a game of Gwent. This initiates a quest and provides you with ‘A Miraculous Guide to Gwent,’ which indicates missing cards in each region.
7. Can I buy Skellige Gwent cards?
No, the Skellige cards cannot be purchased from merchants. They must be won in Gwent matches. This is very different than the other factions.
8. How many cards are in a full Gwent deck?
While you can have up to 40 cards in a Gwent deck, you only need a minimum of 25 cards to play. This includes both unit and special cards.
9. What are some of the best cards in the Skellige deck?
Skellige has many great cards with unique abilities. Some examples would be those that bring cards from the discard pile back to your hand, or strengthen cards with the Clan ability. It is good to experiment to find what works best with your playing style.
10. Is the Skellige deck considered the strongest in the game?
While the Skellige deck is powerful and has unique strategies, it’s not universally considered the “strongest.” The Nilfgaardian deck is often seen as a top contender, but any deck can be effective with the correct strategy.
11. Can I miss any Skellige Gwent cards?
Yes, like other cards in the game, it is possible to miss some Gwent cards if you neglect challenging certain NPCs. Therefore, it’s wise to challenge all opponents that you encounter.
12. Where is Skellige located in the Witcher world?
Skellige is an island chain located to the northwest of the main continent. You can travel to it by speaking with a captain in Novigrad. In the real world it is inspired by the Skellig islands in Ireland.
13. Do I have to pay to travel to Skellige?
Yes, you initially have to pay 1000 crowns to Captain Wolverstone to sail to Skellige. However, you get your money back (plus interest) later.
14. Is there Skellige armor in the game?
Yes, the Skellige Armor set DLC provides access to Skellige themed heavy armor. This can be purchased from the Armorer in Kaer Trolde Citadel.
15. Is it possible to get the Skellige deck if I complete the game?
Yes, the DLC content for the game is playable after you complete the base game. Therefore you can start your Skellige deck as soon as you gain access to Toussaint.
By following these steps and tips, you’ll be well on your way to conquering Gwent matches with a complete and formidable Skellige deck. Good luck on the battlefield!