Should You Take the Bribe in The Witcher 3? A Witcher’s Dilemma
Ah, the age-old question. Every witcher worth his salt has faced it: should you take the bribe in The Witcher 3? The answer, as with most things in this morally grey world, isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on your Geralt. Are you role-playing a pragmatic monster hunter motivated by coin? Or a noble, principled protector of the innocent? Let’s delve into the complexities of this decision and explore the consequences of each path.
Generally, taking a bribe in The Witcher 3 offers immediate rewards like crowns and experience, simplifying quests and avoiding conflict. Refusing a bribe often leads to challenging fights with better loot and the satisfaction of upholding justice. Ultimately, the decision hinges on your preferred playstyle and your role-playing intentions for Geralt.
The Allure of Easy Coin: Why Take the Bribe?
Let’s face it, witchering isn’t a lucrative profession. You’re constantly scraping by, haggling for a few measly crowns after risking your life battling monsters. So, when someone offers you a sizable sum to look the other way, the temptation can be strong. Here’s why accepting a bribe might be the right choice:
- Geralt of Rivia is not a saint: He’s a mutant, a monster hunter, a survivor. Sometimes, survival means making difficult choices, even if those choices aren’t entirely ethical. Taking a bribe might be necessary to finance your gear, potions, and other essential supplies.
- Time is money: Engaging in fights, especially tough ones, takes time and resources. If you’re on a tight schedule (say, searching for Ciri), accepting a bribe allows you to move on to the next lead without wasting precious time.
- Risk assessment: Sometimes, the potential consequences of refusing a bribe outweigh the benefits. A fight might be too difficult, or the reward might not be worth the risk. A wise witcher knows when to cut his losses.
- Neutrality: Geralt strives for neutrality, often refusing to take sides in political conflicts. Accepting a bribe can be seen as a way to avoid getting involved in messy situations and maintain a neutral stance.
Upholding Justice: The Case Against Bribes
While the lure of easy money is undeniable, there are compelling reasons to refuse bribes in The Witcher 3.
- Moral compass: For some players, role-playing a virtuous Geralt is paramount. Refusing bribes aligns with a strong moral code and reinforces the idea that Geralt is more than just a monster hunter; he’s a force for good in a corrupt world.
- Long-term consequences: Sometimes, accepting a bribe has unforeseen repercussions down the line. A seemingly minor decision can have a significant impact on the storyline, potentially leading to negative outcomes.
- Loot and experience: Refusing a bribe often leads to a challenging fight, but the rewards can be substantial. You might obtain valuable loot, including weapons, armor, and crafting materials, as well as gain experience points that help you level up.
- Satisfaction: There’s a certain satisfaction in standing up to corruption and fighting for what’s right, even when it’s difficult. Refusing a bribe is a way to assert your agency and make a meaningful impact on the game world.
- It is who you are: In the video game, Geralt of Rivia, also known as The White Wolf, is known as the person he is because of his choices in the game. A witcher should make the right choice and not be tempted by easy money.
Case Study: The Chaplain’s Offer
One of the most memorable bribe scenarios occurs during the quest involving the Chaplain. He offers Geralt crowns and experience to keep quiet about his illicit activities. Here’s a breakdown of the two choices:
- Accepting the bribe: You receive the promised crowns and experience, allowing you to quickly complete the quest and move on. However, you’re essentially enabling the Chaplain’s corrupt behavior.
- Refusing the bribe: You face the Chaplain and his goons in a challenging fight. If you emerge victorious, you can loot the Chaplain for a significantly larger sum of crowns. You also have the satisfaction of bringing a corrupt individual to justice.
In this particular scenario, many players find the potential rewards of refusing the bribe to be more appealing, especially considering the moral implications of accepting it.
The Witcher’s Code: Is There One?
While there isn’t a strict, codified “Witcher’s Code,” Geralt operates based on a set of principles that guide his actions. These principles often involve protecting the innocent, fighting monsters, and maintaining neutrality. However, the interpretation of these principles is subjective and can vary depending on the player’s role-playing choices. This is further clarified by the work of the Games Learning Society which explores complex decision-making in games. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to take a bribe is a personal one. There’s no right or wrong answer, as long as it aligns with your chosen path.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Witcher 3 Dilemmas
Here are some frequently asked questions that touch upon other moral quandaries and gameplay decisions in The Witcher 3, which may help you determine your general philosophy for your playthrough.
1. Would Geralt accept bribes in the books?
It depends. Book Geralt is pragmatic but also possesses a strong sense of justice. He’d likely weigh the consequences of his actions and choose the option that serves the greater good, even if it means sacrificing personal gain. The answer is, again, not a clear yes or no.
2. What happens if you bring the priest to Reinald in the quest “The Fall of the House Reardon”?
If you convince Reinald to let go of the past with the priest’s help, Geralt helps Reinald find peace. Refusing to bring the priest leads to Geralt burning the witcher’s body to prevent him from becoming a wraith.
3. Should I give the kids food or money in The Witcher 3?
Both options lead to happy children, albeit in a disturbing context. The choice is purely role-playing based, with no tangible gameplay difference.
4. Should I go to Novigrad or Skellige first?
Novigrad is generally recommended first due to the chronological order of the Ciri storyline. However, you’ll eventually need to visit both regions to progress the main quest.
5. What level should I be for Novigrad?
Around level 10 is a good starting point. You’ll level up quickly by completing quests within your level range.
6. Can you give the girl Swallow potion in the quest “The Whispering Hillock”?
You can suggest it, but it’s risky as Swallow is designed for witchers and could have adverse effects on a normal person.
7. Should I sacrifice the children in the quest “The Whispering Hillock”?
Sacrificing the children leads to Anna and Philip’s survival, while freeing the spirit leads to their demise but saves the orphans of Crookback Bog.
8. Should I spare Junior in the quest “Get Junior”?
Sparing him results in him becoming a homeless beggar, while killing him allows Dudu to take over his criminal empire and legitimize it.
9. Is the Forgotten Wolven armor good?
Yes, it’s a well-rounded medium armor set suitable for a balanced combat playstyle.
10. What happens if I don’t bring the priest to Reinald?
Geralt burns the witcher’s body to prevent him from becoming a vengeful wraith.
11. Should I accept the drink from Menge?
Accepting the drink is the best way to avoid a fight and progress the questline smoothly.
12. Is Geralt toxic in The Witcher 3?
Geralt’s Toxicity level increases when he consumes potions. Managing Toxicity is crucial to avoid negative effects.
13. Can Geralt get Ciri’s sword?
Yes, Geralt can acquire Ciri’s sword and gift it to her.
14. Did Geralt cheat on Yennefer?
The relationship between Geralt, Yennefer, and Triss is complex. Due to amnesia, Geralt wasn’t fully aware of the implications of his relationship with Triss.
15. Can you save the orphans of Crookback Bog?
Yes, you can save them by freeing the spirit in “The Whispering Hillock” before completing the “Ladies of the Wood” quest, though this leads to a different outcome for Anna.
Ultimately, the moral choices in The Witcher 3 are what make the game so compelling. There’s no easy answer to the question of whether or not to take a bribe. The decision rests on your shoulders, and the consequences will shape the fate of Geralt of Rivia and the world around him. Choose wisely, Witcher.