Should You Beat Witcher 3 Before DLC? A Definitive Guide
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The short answer is a resounding yes, you should absolutely finish the main story of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt before diving into its exceptional DLCs, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. While the game structure allows you to technically play the DLCs at certain points during the main storyline, experiencing them after the main game provides the most satisfying and narratively cohesive experience. Let’s delve into why this order is so crucial.
The Witcher 3: A Story Best Served Complete
The Witcher 3 isn’t just a game; it’s an epic saga. The narrative is intricately woven, with character development and plot threads that build upon each other. Jumping into the DLCs prematurely can disrupt this flow, leading to a less impactful and potentially confusing experience.
Narrative Coherence and Emotional Impact
The main story of The Witcher 3 revolves around Geralt’s search for Ciri, a powerful and deeply loved adopted daughter figure. The emotional weight of this quest, the sacrifices made, and the relationships forged along the way are central to the game’s appeal.
Hearts of Stone, while largely self-contained, benefits from the player’s existing understanding of Geralt’s character and his place in the world. Blood and Wine, on the other hand, feels like a true epilogue. It provides closure not only to Geralt’s story but also to the overarching narrative of The Witcher 3. Seeing Geralt retire to his vineyard in Toussaint after the tumultuous events of the main game is a poignant and fitting end. Plunging into Toussaint before resolving Ciri’s fate diminishes this emotional resonance.
Level Scaling and Gameplay Balance
The DLCs are designed for higher-level characters. Hearts of Stone is recommended for players around level 30, while Blood and Wine is best tackled at level 34-36 or higher. Attempting these quests at lower levels can lead to frustrating difficulty spikes and a reliance on cheese tactics rather than skillful gameplay.
More importantly, completing the DLCs early can break the game’s progression. As the article you provided states, one of the main downsides to doing B&W and HoS before you complete the Vanilla Main Quest and other quests is that it’ll render any remaining quests outside Toussant to the low level sub 50xp for completing a quest zone and most aren’t even above 30xp when labeled low level. This can greatly impact the experience of completing the main storyline and make the entire experience of completing the game less fulfilling.
Avoiding Spoilers and Contextual Misunderstandings
The DLCs may contain spoilers for the main game, even indirectly. Characters, events, and lore introduced in the main story are often referenced in the DLCs, assuming the player has prior knowledge. Experiencing these references out of context can dilute their impact and potentially spoil crucial plot points.
Furthermore, the DLCs often build upon the established world and characters of The Witcher 3. Understanding the political landscape, the various factions, and the relationships between key characters is essential for fully appreciating the nuances of the DLC stories.
The Ideal Order: Main Game, Hearts of Stone, Blood and Wine
The recommended order is clear:
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Main Story): Focus on the main questline and any side quests that interest you. Explore the world, develop Geralt’s skills, and immerse yourself in the rich narrative.
- Hearts of Stone: Once you’ve completed the main story, dive into the dark and compelling tale of Hearts of Stone. This expansion offers a challenging and rewarding experience that complements the main game perfectly.
- Blood and Wine: Finally, embark on Geralt’s final adventure in the vibrant and picturesque region of Toussaint. Blood and Wine provides a fitting conclusion to Geralt’s journey and offers a satisfying sense of closure.
This order ensures that you experience the story as intended, with each chapter building upon the previous one. It allows you to fully appreciate the character development, the world-building, and the emotional impact of The Witcher 3.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing The Witcher 3 and its DLCs:
1. What level should I be to start Hearts of Stone?
The recommended level for starting Hearts of Stone is around level 30. However, you can attempt it at a slightly lower level if you’re confident in your skills.
2. What level should I be to start Blood and Wine?
Blood and Wine is designed for level 34-36 and above. It’s a more challenging expansion than Hearts of Stone, so it’s best to be well-prepared.
3. Does Hearts of Stone affect the main game’s ending?
Hearts of Stone has minimal impact on the main game’s ending. It’s largely self-contained and doesn’t significantly alter the main storyline.
4. Does Blood and Wine affect the main game’s ending?
No, Blood and Wine can only be started once the main storyline is complete and will not impact its ending in any way.
5. Can I play the DLCs out of order?
Technically, yes, you can play Hearts of Stone before Blood and Wine. However, it’s generally recommended to play them in release order for the best narrative flow.
6. What happens if I finish Blood and Wine before the main quest?
Completing Blood and Wine before the main quest can make the remaining quests feel trivial and less rewarding due to level scaling issues. It also diminishes the emotional impact of the DLC’s ending.
7. Is Blood and Wine better than the main game?
This is subjective, but many players consider Blood and Wine to be superior to the main game due to its stunning visuals, engaging story, and satisfying conclusion.
8. Is Hearts of Stone better than Blood and Wine?
Both DLCs are excellent, but they offer different experiences. Hearts of Stone is a darker, more intimate story, while Blood and Wine is a grand, sweeping adventure. It depends on your personal preferences.
9. Can you romance Anna Henrietta in Blood and Wine?
Unfortunately, no, you cannot romance Anna Henrietta in Blood and Wine.
10. Can you meet Ciri after beating The Witcher 3?
Yes, if you make certain choices during the main game (specifically, not romancing either Triss or Yennefer), Ciri may visit you at Corvo Bianco, your vineyard in Toussaint, at the end of Blood and Wine.
11. What is the max level in The Witcher 3 with DLC?
The maximum level you can reach in The Witcher 3 with both DLCs is level 100.
12. Can you free roam after beating The Witcher 3?
Yes, you can continue to explore the world and complete side quests after finishing the main story and the DLCs.
13. Which ending is the best in Blood and Wine?
The “best” ending in Blood and Wine is subjective, but many consider the one where Syanna survives and reconciles with Anna Henrietta to be the most satisfying.
14. Are the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine DLCs worth buying?
Absolutely! Both Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are considered some of the best DLCs ever made and offer countless hours of high-quality content.
15. Can you become a vampire in Blood and Wine?
No, while Blood and Wine revolves around vampires and introduces new vampiric abilities, Geralt cannot become a vampire himself.
In Conclusion: Experience The Witcher 3 Holistically
The Witcher 3 is more than just a game; it’s an experience. By playing the main story first and then diving into the DLCs in their intended order, you’ll ensure that you get the most out of this masterpiece. You’ll understand the characters, appreciate the world-building, and fully immerse yourself in the epic saga of Geralt of Rivia. For more insights into the gaming world and its educational aspects, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website. This approach allows you to experience the narrative with the proper context, character development, and emotional weight that CD Projekt Red intended. So, slay those monsters, find Ciri, and then raise a glass of Toussaint wine. You’ll be glad you did.