So, You’ve Conquered the Wild Hunt: What Next After Witcher 3’s Main Story?
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Congratulations, Witcher! You’ve navigated the treacherous political landscape, battled mythical beasts, and (hopefully) made the right choices to secure a satisfying ending to the main quest of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. But Geralt’s adventure doesn’t have to end there. In fact, the world is still teeming with contracts, quests, and experiences waiting to be discovered. The real question isn’t “What can you do?” but rather, “Where do you even begin?”.
The immediate answer is this: dive headfirst into the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. These aren’t mere add-ons; they’re practically full games in their own right, offering compelling narratives, new characters, formidable enemies, and significant additions to Geralt’s skill tree and equipment. But even beyond these expansions, there’s a wealth of content to explore, from completing unfinished side quests and Witcher contracts to mastering Gwent and simply wandering the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes of the Northern Kingdoms. The post-game of The Witcher 3 is all about solidifying your Geralt as your Geralt. It’s about exploring the corners of the map you neglected, facing challenges you weren’t ready for, and forging your own legend, one monster contract at a time.
Unfinished Business: Tying Up Loose Ends
Before embarking on grand new adventures, consider addressing any lingering tasks from the main game. This could include:
- Completing Side Quests: Many side quests offer intriguing storylines and valuable rewards, often fleshing out the world’s lore and providing moral dilemmas that rival those in the main quest. Did you leave any villagers stranded? Fail to help a distressed merchant? Now’s your chance to set things right (or wrong, depending on your Geralt’s moral compass).
- Finishing Witcher Contracts: These monster hunts are the bread and butter of a Witcher’s existence. Hunt down those challenging creatures, collect your rewards, and become a true master of the monster slaying arts. Pay particular attention to contracts scaled to your level – some can be brutally difficult if undertaken too early.
- Exploring Uncharted Locations: The Witcher 3’s world is vast and filled with hidden caves, abandoned villages, and guarded treasures. Now’s the perfect time to meticulously explore the map, uncover secrets, and loot every last chest and container.
- Romance Options: Did you commit to Yennefer or Triss? Or perhaps you tragically spurned them both? Revisit these relationships and experience the consequences of your choices. Certain dialogue options and side quests become available depending on your romantic decisions.
The Expansions: A Whole New World of Adventure
Once you’ve addressed the loose ends from the main game, it’s time to tackle the expansions, which are essential additions to any Witcher 3 playthrough.
Hearts of Stone: Dealing with the Devil
Hearts of Stone offers a standalone story centered around Geralt’s encounter with Gaunter O’Dimm, the enigmatic “Man of Glass.” This expansion features:
- A Compelling Narrative: A morally complex storyline involving curses, wishes, and the consequences of making deals with the devil.
- New Characters: Memorable characters like Olgierd von Everec and Shani, a beloved medic from the first Witcher game.
- Runewords and Glyphs: A new system for enchanting weapons and armor with powerful effects, adding a new layer of customization to your gear.
- Challenging Boss Fights: Prepare for some of the most difficult and unique boss encounters in the entire game.
Blood and Wine: A Farewell Tour in Toussaint
Blood and Wine transports Geralt to the vibrant and picturesque duchy of Toussaint, a land of knights, vineyards, and…monsters. This expansion is arguably larger and more ambitious than Hearts of Stone, and features:
- A Stunning New Region: Toussaint is a visual masterpiece, offering a stark contrast to the war-torn landscapes of the main game.
- A Gripping Mystery: Unravel a series of gruesome murders that threaten the peace of Toussaint.
- New Mutations: Unlock powerful new abilities through the Mutation system, further enhancing Geralt’s combat prowess.
- Grandmaster Gear: Obtain the ultimate Witcher gear, crafted from the finest materials and offering unparalleled stats.
- Corvo Bianco Vineyard: Acquire and upgrade your own vineyard, providing a home base for Geralt and a tangible reward for your adventures.
- More Gwent: An expanded Gwent experience with new cards and tournaments.
Beyond the Story: Mastering the Witcher’s Craft
Even after completing the expansions, there’s still plenty to keep you occupied in the world of The Witcher 3.
- Mastering Gwent: The Witcher 3’s addictive card game is a strategic masterpiece. Collect all the cards, master different decks, and challenge every merchant and noble you meet.
- Completing Treasure Hunts: These hidden quests lead to valuable Witcher gear diagrams, allowing you to craft powerful armor and weapons. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted set of Witcher gear!
- Maxing Out Your Character: Experiment with different builds, upgrade your skills, and find the perfect combination of abilities to suit your playstyle. The Mutation system in Blood and Wine offers even more customization options.
- Exploring New Game Plus: Start a new game with your existing character, skills, and equipment. Face tougher enemies and experience the story with a new perspective. This allows you to make different choices and see how they impact the narrative.
- Simply Exploring: Sometimes, the best thing to do is simply wander the world, soaking in the atmosphere, encountering random events, and discovering hidden secrets. The Witcher 3’s world is incredibly detailed and rewarding to explore.
- Modding the Game: On PC, the modding community for The Witcher 3 is incredibly active. You can find mods that enhance the graphics, add new quests, change the gameplay, and much more. Be cautious and only download mods from reputable sources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about what to do after finishing The Witcher 3’s main story:
1. When should I start the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions?
It is recommended that you tackle Hearts of Stone around level 30 and Blood and Wine around level 34-35. However, both expansions can be started at any time, although you may find them challenging if you are underleveled.
2. Can I play the expansions without finishing the main story?
Yes, both expansions can be played as standalone adventures, although you’ll miss out on some context and character relationships if you haven’t completed the main game.
3. What is New Game Plus, and how does it work?
New Game Plus allows you to start a new game with your character, skills, and equipment from a previous playthrough. Enemies are scaled to your level, providing a greater challenge. All Witcher gear, diagrams, and recipes carry over, making it easier to acquire the best equipment. You can trigger New Game Plus after completing the main story and/or expansions.
4. What is the best Witcher gear to aim for?
Grandmaster Witcher gear from the Blood and Wine expansion is generally considered the best, offering superior stats and unique bonuses. The specific set you choose will depend on your preferred playstyle.
5. How do I get the best ending in The Witcher 3?
The ending of The Witcher 3 depends on your choices throughout the game, particularly your interactions with Ciri. To achieve the “best” ending, prioritize Ciri’s well-being, support her decisions, and avoid making choices that undermine her confidence.
6. What are Mutations in the Blood and Wine expansion?
Mutations are powerful new abilities that can be unlocked in the Blood and Wine expansion. They offer significant boosts to Geralt’s combat skills and provide even more customization options for your character.
7. How do I get the Aerondight sword in Blood and Wine?
The Aerondight is a powerful silver sword that can be obtained by completing the quest “There Can Be Only One” in the Blood and Wine expansion. This quest requires you to demonstrate the five virtues of chivalry.
8. What’s the best way to make money in the post-game?
Continuing to complete Witcher contracts and selling loot are reliable ways to earn money. You can also dismantle monster parts for valuable crafting materials or sell valuable items like swords and armor to specialized merchants.
9. Can I still play Gwent after finishing the main quest?
Yes, you can continue to play Gwent and collect cards even after completing the main quest. Many merchants and NPCs throughout the world are willing to challenge you to a game.
10. Are there any missable quests or items in the game?
Yes, there are several missable quests and items, particularly those related to specific characters or events. Be sure to explore thoroughly and pay attention to dialogue choices to avoid missing out on valuable content.
11. What is the “Golden Oriole” potion for?
The Golden Oriole potion grants immunity to poison damage, making it invaluable when fighting toxic monsters or exploring areas filled with poisonous gas.
12. Is it worth crafting Witcher gear?
Yes, crafting Witcher gear is highly recommended. These sets offer superior stats and unique bonuses compared to most other armor and weapons. The upgrade paths also allow for further customization.
13. Where can I find crafting diagrams?
Crafting diagrams can be found in various locations throughout the world, including treasure chests, abandoned villages, and during specific quests. Completing Witcher contracts often rewards you with diagrams as well.
14. How do I respec my character’s skills?
You can respec your character’s skills by purchasing a Potion of Clearance from certain merchants, such as Keira Metz or the herbalist in Novigrad. This potion resets your skill points, allowing you to reallocate them as you see fit.
15. Are there any educational aspects of The Witcher 3 that I can explore further?
Absolutely! The Witcher 3 offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of game design, storytelling, and world-building. Delving into these aspects can enhance your appreciation for the game and provide valuable insights into the creative process. Organizations like the Games Learning Society explore the educational potential of video games, and you can learn more about their work at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Examining the game’s lore, its connection to Polish mythology and literature, and the complex moral dilemmas it presents can offer rich learning experiences.
So, Witcher, your journey continues! Embrace the challenges, explore the world, and forge your own unique legend in the Northern Kingdoms. The Wild Hunt may be over, but the adventure has just begun.