Playing Gwent with Dijkstra: A Comprehensive Guide

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So, you’re ready to face Sigismund Dijkstra, the master spy and calculating mastermind, across the Gwent table? Excellent! He’s a formidable opponent and holding a key card for your collection. The short answer: You can play Gwent with Dijkstra after completing the “Broken Flowers” main quest and progressing far enough in the “Get Junior” main quest line. More specifically, you need to reach the point where Dijkstra offers you a game of Gwent during the “Get Junior” quest. However, there’s a catch! You must play and defeat Dijkstra before you complete the “Reason of State” quest. Miss this window, and you’ll be locked out from obtaining his card. This guide provides a more detailed look into the specifics.

The Dijkstra Gwent Gauntlet: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Reaching the point where you can challenge Dijkstra requires careful navigation of The Witcher 3’s quest lines. Here’s a precise roadmap:

1. Complete “Broken Flowers”: This quest is a core part of the main story in Novigrad. Finish it.
2. Advance “Get Junior”: Progress through “Get Junior” until you reach the part where you are working alongside Dijkstra.
3. The Gwent Offer: At some point during “Get Junior,” Dijkstra will specifically offer to play Gwent. This is your green light! Pay attention to the dialogue options; don’t accidentally dismiss or postpone the offer.
4. Play and Win (Before “Reason of State”): Immediately accept his challenge and defeat him. This is crucial. Do not delay, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Beat Dijkstra before progressing too far into other quests, especially “Reason of State.”
5. Post-Victory Prize: Upon defeating Dijkstra, he will not only relinquish his card but also open up an opportunity to play the Scoia’tael trader in his bathhouse.

Why the Time Crunch? Understanding the Quest Dependencies

The limited window to play Dijkstra hinges on his role in the broader narrative. As the story progresses, his availability changes based on the choices you make and the quests you complete. Specifically:

• “Reason of State”: This quest is a major turning point in the political landscape. Completing “Reason of State” before playing Dijkstra permanently locks you out of playing Gwent with him. Dijkstra becomes unavailable, regardless of your previous progress.
• “Final Preparations” and “Blindingly Obvious”: Dijkstra is also unreachable at the start of “Final Preparations” or during “Blindingly Obvious.”

What Happens If You Miss Your Chance?

Unfortunately, if you miss the opportunity to play Gwent with Dijkstra before “Reason of State,” you’re out of luck. The card becomes unavailable, potentially hindering your progress towards collecting all Gwent cards in the game. This is why it’s essential to prioritize this interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Gwent and Dijkstra

Here are some of the most common questions players have about playing Gwent with Dijkstra:

1. What Gwent deck does Dijkstra use? Dijkstra uses a Northern Realms deck. He’s a challenging opponent, so be prepared with a strong deck of your own.
2. Where is Sigismund Dijkstra located in The Witcher 3? Dijkstra operates out of Sigismund’s Bathhouse, south of St. Gregory’s Bridge in the Gildorf district of Novigrad.
3. How do I start the Dijkstra quest? There isn’t a specific “Dijkstra quest” to start in the traditional sense. He becomes involved in your quests as part of the main storyline after you complete “Broken Flowers.” The opportunity to play Gwent arises during the “Get Junior” quest.
4. Can I miss Gwent cards in The Witcher 3? Yes, you can definitely miss Gwent cards! Many cards are tied to specific quests or characters, and if you don’t obtain them during the appropriate window, they become permanently unavailable. Dijkstra’s card is a prime example of a missable card.
5. I completed “Get Junior” but didn’t play Dijkstra. Can I still get his card? If you haven’t started or completed “Reason of State,” then it may be possible to go back and find him at the Bathhouse and initiate a game of Gwent. If you have completed “Reason of State,” it is unfortunately too late.
6. What happens if I choose to side with Vernon Roche in “Reason of State?” Will this affect my ability to play Gwent with Dijkstra? Siding with Roche is the trigger that makes Dijkstra no longer playable and missable.
7. Is there a way to check which Gwent cards I’m missing? There’s no in-game checklist to track missable Gwent cards. However, there are numerous online guides and resources that list all the cards and their locations, allowing you to compare them against your collection.
8. What is the best Gwent deck in The Witcher 3? The Nilfgaardian deck is widely considered one of the strongest, thanks to its emphasis on spies and decoys. However, the best deck depends on your play style, as well as the types of cards you are able to gather.
9. What’s the “Rule of 16” in Gwent? The Basic Rule of 16 is that in each normal game of Gwent, 16 cards are played from both sides, meaning that the maximum number of resources (provisions) has to be invested in those cards to generate the maximum possible value.
10. Who is the hardest Gwent player to beat in The Witcher 3? This is subjective, but many players find the Nobleman in Vizima to be a challenging early-game opponent. Sasha and the Bloody Baron also pose significant challenges.
11. Are all Gwent cards equally powerful? No, Gwent cards vary significantly in power and abilities. Some cards have special effects like spies, decoys, or scorch, while others simply provide raw strength. Building a balanced deck is key to success.
12. Where else can I learn about the mechanics of games? There are many great resources for further exploring video game mechanics. For a look into how games can improve engagement and learning, consider the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, which provides insights into game-based learning.
13. What are some tips for winning at Gwent? Focus on building a strong deck with a mix of unit cards, special cards, and hero cards. Use spies to draw out your opponent’s cards, decoys to reuse powerful cards, and weather effects to disrupt their strategy. Adapt your play style to your opponent’s deck and play conservatively when necessary.
14. Can you sell Gwent cards in The Witcher 3? You cannot sell unique Gwent cards obtained from quests or characters. These are essential for completing your collection. However, you can sell duplicate cards you find.
15. Does difficulty level affect Gwent in The Witcher 3? The game difficulty setting does not affect the difficulty of Gwent matches. Gwent’s challenge remains consistent regardless of whether you’re playing on “Story and Sword” or “Death March.”

Mastering Gwent, especially when it comes to acquiring missable cards like Dijkstra’s, requires a blend of strategic gameplay and meticulous quest management. With this guide and these FAQs, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the Gwent gauntlet and build a formidable deck! Good luck, and may your hand be ever strong!