Maximizing Your Forces: How Many Allies Can You Recruit for the Battle of Kaer Morhen in The Witcher 3?
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The Battle of Kaer Morhen is a pivotal moment in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Facing the relentless Wild Hunt, Geralt needs all the help he can get. The number of allies you can recruit can drastically impact your experience and contribute to the overall success of the battle. The maximum number of allies you can recruit for the Battle of Kaer Morhen is 7: Triss Merigold, Letho, Keira Metz, Roche, Ves, Cerys, Hjalmar and Crach.
Securing Your Allies: A Detailed Breakdown
Recruiting allies isn’t simply a matter of asking nicely. It involves completing specific quests and making key decisions throughout the game. Let’s break down how to secure each potential ally:
The Automatic Recruits: Triss, Letho, and Keira
These three characters will automatically appear at Kaer Morhen if you’ve successfully completed their respective questlines and made the right choices:
- Triss Merigold: Ensure you complete the quests associated with Triss in Novigrad. Crucially, at the end of the quest “Now or Never,” you must tell Triss that you love her and that you want her to stay. If you let her leave for Kovir, she will not participate in the Battle of Kaer Morhen.
- Letho: This Witcher from the previous game can be recruited if you imported a save where you spared him, or if you simulated the decisions in the game. You need to complete the quest “The Ghosts of the Past” in Velen. Make sure you help Letho defend the manor.
- Keira Metz: Completing Keira’s questline in Velen and convincing her to go to Kaer Morhen instead of dying or running off with Lambert is essential. If you let her go to Radovid, she will die, and you will lose her aid.
The Skellige Contingent: Cerys, Hjalmar, Folan, Vigi, and Crach
These characters from the Skellige Isles require you to engage with the main and side quests of the region. Make sure to visit Crach in Skellige to obtain a weapon.
- Cerys and Hjalmar: You must complete the quest “King’s Gambit” in Skellige and choose either Cerys or Hjalmar as the ruler. Then, they will come to your aid at Kaer Morhen.
- Folan and Vigi: These warriors aid Cerys when she is chosen as ruler.
- Crach: This Jarl cannot join your cause as he has to take care of his own people, but he will give you the Winter’s Blade.
Roche and Ves: The Temerian Resistance
- Roche and Ves: Completing Roche’s questline in Temeria, specifically the quests related to rescuing Anais, is vital. After you have completed the “An Eye for an Eye” quest, visit Roche at the Temerian Partisan Hideout. The “Brothers in Arms” quest will then be completed.
The Impact of Your Choices: More Than Just Numbers
Recruiting all available allies is not just about maximizing your fighting force. It also enriches the narrative and provides a more satisfying conclusion to many character arcs. Seeing these characters united against a common threat adds emotional weight to the Battle of Kaer Morhen. Also, gaining the Full Crew achievement is a reward for your attention to detail.
Making the Right Choices: Key Considerations
Throughout your playthrough, remember that your decisions have consequences. The Witcher 3 is renowned for its branching storylines and morally ambiguous choices. Consider the long-term impact of your actions, not just for the immediate reward but also for the potential allies you might gain or lose. Take the time to complete side quests, explore different dialogue options, and immerse yourself in the world. The more you engage with the game, the more likely you are to secure the maximum number of allies for the Battle of Kaer Morhen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do you need the Full Crew at Kaer Morhen?
No, you don’t need the Full Crew to complete the Battle of Kaer Morhen. However, having all available allies makes the battle easier and contributes to a more rewarding experience. Furthermore, recruiting all allies unlocks the “Full Crew” achievement.
2. Can Dijkstra help at Kaer Morhen?
No, Dijkstra will never agree to help at Kaer Morhen. Even if you retrieve his treasure, he will only give you money and refuse to participate in the battle. His ambitions lie elsewhere.
3. Is it better to fix the wall or clear the armory before the battle?
It depends on your priorities. Patching the wall leads to fewer waves of the Wild Hunt during the battle. Clearing out the armory provides all Witchers with enhanced silver swords, boosting their damage output. Clearing out the armoury gives better weapons to your allies, while patching the wall prevents one wave of enemies from appearing.
4. What happens if you clear the armory?
Clearing the armory before the battle results in all participating Witchers receiving improved silver swords. This increases their effectiveness against the Wild Hunt and helps to even the odds.
5. Should I accept the sword from Crach?
Yes, you should accept the sword from Crach. While the “Winter’s Blade” might not be the best weapon at that point in the game, it’s a unique heirloom and worth keeping for its sentimental value. Besides, it’s always good to show appreciation for the support.
6. Can you save Vesemir?
Unfortunately, Vesemir’s death is a fixed plot point in The Witcher 3. There is no way to save him, regardless of your choices or the number of allies you recruit.
7. What happens if Dijkstra wins the war?
If you side with Dijkstra and he wins the war, he becomes the ruler of Redania. He rules with an iron fist, suppressing freedom but fostering economic prosperity through industrialization. It’s a morally grey ending.
8. Does killing Radovid change the ending?
Yes, killing Radovid significantly impacts the game’s ending. It opens the door for either Dijkstra to take control or for Nilfgaard to conquer the North, depending on your subsequent choices in the “Reason of State” quest.
9. How do I recruit Philippa Eilhart?
You cannot directly recruit Philippa Eilhart for the Battle of Kaer Morhen. She does not participate in that particular event. You encounter her during Triss’s questline in Novigrad, specifically when searching for her in the bathhouse.
10. How do you get the Emperor to help at Kaer Morhen?
You cannot convince Emhyr var Emreis to send his troops to Kaer Morhen. He will only allow his men to be led by General Voorhis, which Geralt refuses.
11. Can you find Keira Metz at Kaer Morhen after the main story?
Yes, Keira Metz can still be found at Kaer Morhen after the main story, provided you successfully recruited her for the battle.
12. What is the best silver sword in The Witcher 3?
The Aerondight is widely considered the best silver sword in The Witcher 3. It increases damage with each hit and deals critical damage when fully charged. This is usually obtained through Blood and Wine expansion.
13. Is the Wolven armor set good?
Yes, the Wolven armor set is an excellent choice for a balanced build. It provides a good mix of defense, Sign intensity, Adrenaline point gains, and attack power.
14. Which armorer pays best in The Witcher 3?
The master armorer and Grandmaster armorer in Toussaint pay the most for armor and non-sword weapons. In the main game, the armorers in Oxenfurt and Novigrad Square offer the highest prices.
15. Is it better to keep, sell, or dismantle items in The Witcher 3?
Generally, selling items is more profitable than dismantling them, as you’ll gain more gold. Dismantling is only useful when you need specific crafting materials.
By understanding the intricacies of recruiting allies and making informed decisions throughout your playthrough, you can significantly enhance your experience in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and maximize your chances of success in the Battle of Kaer Morhen. Your choices truly matter, shaping the world and the fates of those around you. Remember the lessons learned by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.