The Definitive Witcher 3 Playthrough Order: A Deep Dive for Seasoned and New Witchers Alike
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a sprawling masterpiece, a game so rich in narrative, side quests, and monster hunting that it can feel overwhelming at first. But fear not, aspiring Witchers! While the beauty of The Witcher 3 lies in its open-world freedom, a thoughtful approach to the order you tackle its content can dramatically enhance your experience. The ideal order is to progress through the main story until just before the Isle of Mists quest, then complete Hearts of Stone, return to the main story, and finally cap off your adventure with Blood and Wine. This maximizes narrative impact and keeps the difficulty curve smooth.
Unpacking the Ideal Order: Why This Works
This recommended order is based on several factors: narrative coherence, level scaling, and the emotional resonance of each component of the game. It is the best way to experience DLC expansions for The Witcher 3.
Main Story Until Isle of Mists: Laying the Foundation
The main story of The Witcher 3 is the anchor of your entire experience. It introduces you to the world, its inhabitants, and the driving force behind Geralt’s quest: finding Ciri. Playing through the main story up to the Isle of Mists provides crucial context for everything that follows. The Isle of Mists quest is often seen as the point of no return since there is no turning back, triggering significant events and culminating in the game’s climax.
Hearts of Stone: A Perfectly Timed Interlude
Hearts of Stone, the first major expansion, is best experienced before the Isle of Mists for several reasons. First, its narrative is largely self-contained and can be slotted into the main story without feeling disjointed. Second, completing it before Isle of Mists provides a boost in levels, gear, and abilities, giving you an edge in the final act of the main story. Storywise Hearts of Stone could be done before going to the Island of Mists.
Return to the Main Story: The Final Push
After completing Hearts of Stone, return to the main story and proceed through the Isle of Mists and the remaining quests to reach the game’s conclusion. Having tackled Hearts of Stone will make you better prepared for the challenges ahead.
Blood and Wine: The Grand Finale
Blood and Wine is best saved for last. This expansion is designed to be a true epilogue, offering a satisfying conclusion to Geralt’s journey in the Continent. Its setting, Toussaint, is a vibrant and idyllic land that feels like a well-deserved vacation after the hardships of the main story and Hearts of Stone. One of the best, and maybe the best expansion in history for a game. The story is as good or maybe better than the base game.
Adapting to Your Playstyle
While the above order is recommended, The Witcher 3 is flexible. If you prioritize exploration over narrative cohesion, feel free to deviate. There’s no single “wrong” way to play.
Level Considerations
Pay attention to the recommended levels for each questline. Starting Hearts of Stone too early can be frustrating, as enemies will be significantly tougher. The Hearts of Stone DLC is basically a huge side quest to the main story. I would recommend to start it shortly before you find Ciri or after the battle of Kaer Morhen. Blood and Wine is intended for even higher-level characters, so saving it for last makes sense.
Secondary Quests and Contracts
Don’t neglect side quests and Witcher contracts! They add depth to the world, provide valuable experience and resources, and often offer compelling stories of their own. These secondary quest do not get put into the secondary section of the quest journal they are in the main.
The Gwent Factor
Gwent, the in-game card game, is a compelling diversion. You can play it throughout your journey, seeking out new cards and challenging opponents. However, Gwent is not really involved in quests that aren’t about Gwent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to provide additional valuable information for the readers of the Games Learning Society.
1. Do I need to play The Witcher 1 and 2 before The Witcher 3?
Thankfully, the first two games aren’t entirely necessary to play through. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt focuses on the last chapter of Geralt of Rivia’s written tale, culminating several games’ worth of decisions and consequences.
2. Is it okay to play The Witcher 3 without playing the others?
Unfortunately, some fans may be too wrapped up in the hype to realize that playing the first two games isn’t necessary to enjoy the third.
3. Should I do Hearts of Stone before Isle of Mists?
Storywise Hearts of Stone could be done before going to the Island of Mists. If you already are at the level when you can complete the HoS quests like level 32’ish, you are already overpowered for the endgame.
4. When should I start Hearts of Stone?
I would recommend to start it shortly before you find Ciri or after the battle of Kaer Morhen.
5. What is max level in Witcher 3?
When playing the base game on its own or with the Hearts of Stone expansion, Geralt’s max level is 70. However, the large Blood and Wine expansion increases this cap up to level 100.
6. How good is Blood and Wine DLC?
One of the best, and maybe the best expansion in history for a game.
7. How long is Hearts of Stone?
When focusing on the main objectives, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone is about 10 Hours in length.
8. When should I start Blood and Wine?
After you complete the main quest “Poet Under Pressure” (recommended level 13), you will be given the first Blood and Wine quest “Envoys, Wineboys” automatically. This quest is for level 34 and it will give you access to Toussaint.
9. Is The Witcher 3 hard for beginners?
The Witcher 3 can be incredibly overwhelming for newcomers diving into its vast and dangerous universe.
10. How long is Blood and Wine?
When focusing on the main objectives, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine is about 15 Hours in length.
11. Can you start Blood and Wine before main story?
You can start them when you want, but it’s best to do so after you finish the main story of the base game.
12. Should I play Hearts of Stone before or after Skellige?
If you wish to play the first expansion before finishing the Wild hunt story, you’re best doing so after returning from Skellige.
13. Should I do Hearts of Stone before Final Preparations?
The best time to play them may depend on what your priorities are. If you want the expansions to make the most narrative sense in terms of fitting into the story, I would say play Hearts of Stone while doing the main quest “Final Preparations” in Novigrad (close to the end of the game).
14. What level should you be for Isle of Mists?
Rescuing Ciri on the Isles of Mists is the start of the last quest and recommended as level 22.
15. Can you jump straight into The Witcher 3?
If spoilers aren’t a concern, jump straight into 2015’s The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt — the first two games are skippable.
Embrace the Journey
Ultimately, the best way to experience The Witcher 3 is the way that brings you the most joy. This guide provides a recommended framework, but don’t be afraid to deviate and forge your own path. The Continent is vast, the monsters are plentiful, and the stories are unforgettable.
Remember, video games, including The Witcher 3, can be an important way for students to learn and develop valuable skills. See more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Go forth, Witcher, and make your mark!