Should you finish Witcher 3 before Blood and Wine?

To answer the question directly, it is highly recommended to finish the main story of Witcher 3 before diving into the Blood and Wine expansion, as this order provides the most coherent and impactful narrative experience. By completing the base game first, players can fully appreciate the storyline and character developments in Blood and Wine, which offers a unique and separate adventure with new characters, areas, and quests.

Introduction to Blood and Wine

The Blood and Wine expansion is a significant addition to the Witcher 3 game, offering around 30-40 hours of gameplay and a brand new region to explore in Toussaint. With almost 100 new quests, including main quests, side quests, and question marks, Blood and Wine is an substantial expansion that enriches the overall Witcher 3 experience.

FAQs about Blood and Wine

General Information

1. What is the recommended order to play Witcher 3 and its DLCs? The recommended order is to complete Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, followed by Hearts of Stone, and finally Blood and Wine.
2. Can you play Blood and Wine before finishing the main story? While it is possible to play Blood and Wine before completing the main story, it is not recommended as it may spoil the narrative and make the remainder of the campaign too easy.
3. Does the Witcher 3 ending affect Blood and Wine? No, the Witcher 3 ending does not affect Blood and Wine, as it is a separate adventure with its own storyline.

Preparation and Gameplay

4. What level should you be to start Blood and Wine? It is recommended to be around level 30-35 to start Blood and Wine, although players can start the expansion earlier, it will be more challenging.
5. What side quests should you complete before Capture the Castle? The only quest that needs to be completed before venturing into Capture the Castle is The Warble of a Smitten Knight.
6. How many hours does it take to complete Blood and Wine? Completing the main objectives in Blood and Wine takes around 15 hours, while achieving 100% completion requires approximately 40½ hours.

Story and Characters

7. Which ending is the best in Blood and Wine? The best ending in Blood and Wine is when Syanna survives, and Geralt is forced to kill Detlaff, resulting in a ceremony where Geralt receives a heroic honor.
8. Is Blood and Wine the end of Geralt’s story? Yes, Blood and Wine provides a conclusive ending to Geralt’s story, giving him a happy retirement on his own estate.
9. Does Ciri appear in Blood and Wine? Yes, Ciri appears in Blood and Wine during the epilogue quest Be It Ever So Humble, but only under specific game scenarios.

Game Mechanics and Features

10. Can you become a vampire in The Witcher 3 Blood and Wine? No, it is not possible for Geralt to become a vampire, as vampires are a separate species in the Witcher universe.
11. Is Blood and Wine better than Hearts of Stone? Blood and Wine is generally considered better than Hearts of Stone due to its larger game world, better visuals, and more extensive content.
12. How big is Blood and Wine compared to Witcher 3? Blood and Wine is significantly larger than Hearts of Stone, offering 30-40 hours of gameplay and a new region to explore.

Additional Tips and Information

13. What to do after finishing Blood and Wine? After completing Blood and Wine, players can continue to explore the game world, complete any remaining side quests, and engage in other activities.
14. Should you finish the main story first in Witcher 3? It is highly recommended to finish the main story first to fully appreciate the narrative and character developments in Witcher 3 and its expansions.
15. How many endings does Blood and Wine have? Blood and Wine features three main endings, which concern the fate of its central characters: Duchess Anna Henrietta, her sister Syanna, and vampire Detlaff.