The Witcher 3: What Doesn’t Make the Leap to New Game Plus?

So, you’ve conquered the Wild Hunt, romanced (or failed to romance) your chosen paramour, and are itching for another go-around in the Continent? New Game Plus (NG+) in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a fantastic way to revisit the game with all the power you’ve accumulated, but it’s not a complete clean sweep. While Geralt carries over a considerable amount of progress, certain items and aspects of the game are left behind, forcing you to re-earn them in this fresh, enhanced playthrough. The most important things that do not carry over are quest items, Gwent cards, books & letters, trophies, and contracts. Let’s delve deeper into each of these categories and explore why they are excluded.

The Items You Leave Behind: A Detailed Breakdown

Quest Items: The Ephemeral Keys to Adventure

This is the most significant category. Quest items, by their very nature, are tied to specific storylines and objectives. Imagine trying to complete “Bloody Baron” with the Baron’s daughter’s doll already in your inventory! It would break the quest logic. These items – be it keys, plot-relevant artifacts, or anything crucial to advancing a questline – are removed to ensure a smooth and coherent narrative experience in NG+. Think of them as single-use keys that unlock specific doors in your first playthrough, only to be discarded afterward.

Gwent Cards: Rebuilding Your Deck

Gwent, the addictive card game within The Witcher 3, gets a reset in NG+. This means you’ll have to rebuild your deck from scratch, finding or buying cards again. While frustrating for some, this offers a great opportunity to try out new strategies, focus on different factions, and savor the thrill of collecting those elusive hero cards once more. Plus, it adds a reason to revisit merchants and areas that might have become less relevant in the late game of your first playthrough. The Gwent card reset ensures that Gwent remains an integral part of your NG+ experience, providing a continuous sense of progression.

Books and Letters: Reliving the Lore

While Geralt retains his alchemy recipes, the vast collection of books and letters accumulated throughout your first playthrough are left behind. These are tied to quests and story elements as well. This is a missed opportunity for many players because it removes an important source of lore in the world.

Trophies: Reminders of Past Glories

Monster trophies, those grisly souvenirs you proudly display on Roach, do not carry over to NG+. This makes sense from a gameplay perspective, as their bonuses would quickly become trivial if stacked with NG+ leveling. Besides, earning those trophies again provides a tangible reward for tackling tougher versions of familiar foes. You’ll have to hunt down and defeat those monsters again to earn their trophies anew.

Contracts

Like quests and Gwent cards, contracts do not carry over to NG+. A contract is a quest to find and slay a particular beast for a reward. These contracts will have to be acquired from various locations on the notice board, from village elders, or other sources, and completed again. This means taking down all of those monsters again for a grand reward.

Navigating the NG+ Landscape: Key Considerations

Starting NG+ is a strategic decision. Knowing what you’ll lose allows you to prepare effectively. For example, spending all your money before starting to buy crafting supplies can be beneficial, since the money would be carried over regardless. Similarly, crafting as many potions and oils as possible can give you an early advantage. Remember, preparation is key to maximizing your NG+ experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the nuances of New Game Plus in The Witcher 3:

1. Do I keep my level when starting New Game Plus? Yes, Geralt retains his level from the end of your previous playthrough. However, if you finished the game below level 30, you will be automatically bumped up to level 30 for the start of NG+.

2. What about my skills and abilities? All unlocked skills and ability points carry over, allowing you to continue developing your Geralt build.

3. Do crafting recipes carry over? Absolutely! All alchemy and crafting recipes are retained, making it easier to create powerful potions, bombs, and gear early on.

4. What happens to my stash? All items stored in your stash are also carried over to NG+, so feel free to hoard those valuable resources.

5. Are there any unique items I should acquire before starting NG+? The Aerondight silver sword is highly recommended. This sword levels up with you and is extremely powerful if properly managed. Completing the quest “There Can Be Only One” at Lake Lac Celavy in Toussaint awards the Aerondight.

6. Do enemies scale in NG+? Yes, enemies are significantly stronger in NG+, and their levels will scale according to yours, making combat challenging but rewarding. Enabling enemy upscaling in the settings is a good idea to maintain a balanced experience.

7. Can I change the difficulty level in NG+? Yes, you can adjust the difficulty at any time during your NG+ playthrough, allowing you to tailor the experience to your liking.

8. Can I start NG+ from an NG+ save? No, you can only start NG+ from a completed standard game save. You cannot chain multiple NG+ playthroughs together.

9. Is it worth playing NG+? Absolutely! NG+ offers a fresh perspective on the game, allowing you to experience the story with a more powerful Geralt, experiment with different builds, and tackle tougher challenges. It also allows you to find Grandmaster Legendary items.

10. What is the maximum level in The Witcher 3 NG+? With the Blood and Wine expansion, the maximum level cap is raised to 100.

11. Do I keep my mutations in NG+? Yes, mutations unlocked through the Blood and Wine expansion also carry over to New Game Plus.

12. What happens to quests I haven’t completed? Any uncompleted side quests, contracts, or treasure hunts will reset in NG+, allowing you to undertake them again with the increased difficulty and rewards of NG+.

13. Does money carry over? Yes! You get to keep all of your crowns (money). This means you can prepare for NG+ by selling all of your items to get as many crowns as possible, or buy crafting materials to ensure you’re ready to hit the ground running.

14. Do Witcher Gear diagrams carry over to NG+? Yes, all Witcher Gear diagrams carry over, but you’ll need to find the Legendary versions in NG+ to craft the upgraded sets.

15. Are there any new quests or content in NG+? While there aren’t entirely new quests, the enhanced difficulty, scaling enemies, and the opportunity to re-experience the story with a different perspective make NG+ feel fresh and engaging. You can also utilize the unique build you’ve developed, which changes the style of the game.

Understanding what you leave behind and what you carry forward is crucial for optimizing your New Game Plus experience in The Witcher 3. So, steel your swords, brew your potions, and prepare for another thrilling adventure on the Continent!

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