The Witcher 3: Navigating Novigrad’s Underworld – What Happens When You Talk to Cleaver?
Talking to Cleaver in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt kicks off a pivotal subplot within the main quest line “Get Junior.” Accepting Cleaver’s proposition initiates the secondary quest “Gangs of Novigrad,” altering your approach to infiltrating Whoreson Junior’s operations, specifically the arena and the casino. Choosing to align with him provides a more direct, aggressive pathway, allowing you to use Cleaver’s men to storm these locations. However, this decision also comes with consequences, most notably barring you from accessing the secret passage into Whoreson Junior’s hideout later on. You must carefully weigh the advantages of brute force against the potential loss of alternative strategies and information gathering. This alliance fundamentally shifts the narrative focus of this part of the game, potentially influencing the outcomes of other related quests and your relationship with other characters in the game’s world.
Deciding to Work with Cleaver
Advantages
- Aggressive Approach: Partnering with Cleaver offers a more straightforward, combat-focused way to deal with Whoreson Junior. You can lead Cleaver’s men to directly attack the casino and the arena, eliminating enemies swiftly.
- Expedited Gameplay: This alliance streamlines your progress through these locations, especially if you prioritize combat effectiveness over stealth or investigation.
Disadvantages
- Loss of Stealth Options: By accepting Cleaver’s help, you forfeit the opportunity to use the secret passage into Whoreson Junior’s hideout.
- Potential Bug Exploitation: While a workaround exists for the casino, it involves exploiting a bug and delaying specific mission objectives, which is not ideal for a clean, uninterrupted playthrough.
- Impact on Relationships: Your choice influences your relationships with other key characters, such as Vernon Roche, as the situation with Whoreson Junior is directly tied to the Temerian resistance.
The Arena and Casino: Two Paths Diverge
The Arena
If you accept Cleaver’s offer, you can launch an all-out assault on the arena. This aggressive approach eliminates the need to impersonate Zdenek, potentially losing out on the unique dialogue and experience that comes with that infiltration.
The Casino
Similarly, at the casino, you can lead Cleaver’s men in a frontal assault, eliminating guards and thugs with brute force. This approach, however, may require exploiting a bug in the game to ensure you meet all necessary objectives.
The Fate of Rico and the King of Beggars
Saving Rico
Regardless of whether you side with Cleaver, you can still find and free Rico in the casino. Untying him triggers the side quest “Honor Among Thieves.” Letting Rico go opens up the opportunity to collect a reward from the King of Beggars.
Claiming Your Reward
To claim your reward from the King of Beggars, you must navigate to the Putrid Grove. To get inside, you need to know the password: “the old sow’s farrowed piglets.” Speaking to the King of Beggars, you will receive a reward for freeing Rico.
The Alternative Route: Zdenek and the Secret Passage
Impersonating Zdenek
If you choose to ignore Cleaver’s offer, you can find Zdenek being killed near the arena’s entrance. Looting his corpse will yield a certificate allowing you to enter the arena by impersonating him.
The Secret Passage
Choosing the secret passage route offers a stealthier, more investigative approach. It provides opportunities to gather information and uncover secrets within Whoreson Junior’s operation, potentially leading to different strategic advantages later.
Weighing Your Options
Ultimately, the decision of whether to work with Cleaver is a matter of playstyle preference. If you favor combat and a direct approach, partnering with him can streamline your progress. However, if you prefer stealth, investigation, and a more nuanced approach, opting out of the alliance might be more rewarding, despite the added complexity.
Factors to Consider
- Your Playstyle: Are you more comfortable in combat or prefer stealth and investigation?
- Desired Outcome: Do you want a quick resolution, or are you willing to invest more time for a potentially richer narrative experience?
- Completionist Tendencies: Are you aiming to experience every possible outcome and side quest?
By carefully weighing these factors, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your preferred gameplay experience in The Witcher 3. Learning more about the design decisions behind games can be facilitated through resources like the Games Learning Society found at GamesLearningSociety.org, providing insights into the strategic and narrative implications of player choices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I tell Rico to run or stay?
When you find Rico in the casino, always tell him to run. This triggers the “Honor Among Thieves” side quest and allows you to claim a reward from the King of Beggars.
2. How do you get rewards for freeing Rico?
After freeing Rico, return to the Putrid Grove during the “Get Junior” quest. Speak to the King of Beggars, Francis Bedlam, to receive your reward.
3. How to pretend to be Zdenek?
Find Zdenek near the arena’s entrance. He is often killed by Whoreson Junior’s thugs. Loot his corpse to find a certificate, which allows you to impersonate him to gain entry.
4. Witcher 3: What Happens if You Find Junior Peacefully?
It is not possible to find Whoreson Junior “peacefully”. Your interactions with him always involve confrontation, whether through direct assault or more subtle infiltration methods.
5. What should I say to Cleaver?
When you first speak to Cleaver, choose the dialogue option “Fine, I’ll help your men.” This commits you to working with him against Whoreson Junior.
6. How do I get back to King of beggars?
Circle around to the northwestern wall of the Putrid Grove and knock on the door. Use the password or persuasion to gain entry and find the King of Beggars.
7. How do you get into King of beggars?
Use the password “the old sow’s farrowed piglets” at the Putrid Grove entrance. Alternatively, you can pay the guard or use Axii at level 2 to persuade him.
8. Where will I find the king of beggars?
The King of Beggars is located in the Putrid Grove, north of the Glory Gate fast travel point in Novigrad.
9. What order should I do to Get Junior?
A recommended order is to first visit Junior’s house, then the casino, and finally the arena. This order allows you to gather information progressively.
10. Do I do Get Junior or count Reuven’s treasure first?
Start “Count Reuven’s Treasure” but prioritize “Get Junior” first. Completing “Count Reuven’s Treasure” later will provide helpful context and background information.
11. What to do with igors key?
Igor’s key, looted from Igor’s body after the arena fight, opens a small box near his chair. Inside, you’ll find a message revealing a secret area in the arena.
12. Should I talk to Cleaver first?
Yes, you must accept Cleaver’s offer before investigating either the casino or the arena. Failing to do so can cause the quest to fail.
13. How do I collect a reward from the King of Beggars for freeing Rico?
Return to the Putrid Grove after freeing Rico. Use the password to enter and speak to the King of Beggars to claim your reward.
14. What is the password for King of beggars?
The password for the King of Beggars‘ hideout is “the old sow’s farrowed piglets“.
15. What is the King of beggars reward for Rico?
The King of Beggars rewards you with Freya’s Warriors’ armor and the steel sword Eirlithrad for freeing Rico.