Originally released in 2015, The Witcher 3 still has a ton of hype and continues to be an extremely popular game. The release of the Witcher television series also gave it quite a boost to a new crowd, as well. But, what is the Witcher series, initially a series of novels, about? As the third game in the series continues to gain popularity, there’s a ton of backstory and a few mechanics that the game kind of assumes players will know.
If the Witcher 3 is your first foray into the series, never fear. Even though you might not be an expert on the background story, it’s easy to pick up and the game stands alone rather well. Here are some of the gaps that you might have when you start, explained.
10 What It’s About
Each Witcher game has its own story. The Witcher 3 in particular follows Geralt, a witcher from the School of the Wolf, as he sets out to find his adoptive daughter, Ciri. She’s being hunted by an otherworldly group of elves called the Wild Hunt.
They are trying to find her because she has Elder Blood, which permits her many powerful abilities. Ciri is also the daughter of the Emperor of Temeria, Emhyr, who is engaged in a large war against the northern kingdom of Redania.
The game begins with Geralt meeting his old friend (and sometimes lover) Yennefer, a sorceress, in White Orchard. From there, the two set out to try and find Ciri.
9 Witchers
So, Geralt is a witcher, but what exactly is a witcher? Sometimes beloved, sometimes feared, witchers are powerful humans that undergo extensive mutation, conditioning, and training to become superhuman and gain new powers, including a painful potion-consumption called the Trial of the Grasses. Witchers are specifically built for hunting, making them powerful monster slayers-for-hire.
Witcher powers include sign-casting (kind of like spells), resistance to disease and fast-healing of injuries, incredible endurance, speed, and strength, long lifespans and prolonged youth, and a boosted immune system that allows them to consume powerful potions that would kill a regular human. Witchers are sterile and have physiological differences from ordinary humans, including their notable cat eyes.
8 Monsters
Witchers make most of their living hunting monsters. Traveling the land and slaying monsters is often referred to by witchers as “The Path,” a term you’ll hear often during a game.
These monsters, of which there is a wide array, came to the world of the Witcher series during an event called the Conjunction of the Spheres. During this cataclysm, many parallel realms collided, leaving creatures in different worlds where they didn’t exist before.
Now, a large diverse group of monsters and terrifying creatures inhabit the same world as Geralt. Humans also came to this world during the Conjunction and learned to harness mystical powers to defeat the Elder Races and eventually rule the world.
7 Signs
One of the abilities at the disposal of witchers is the limited ability to cast signs. These signs are like combat spells with different functions. There are five of them in total: Yrden, Quen, Igni, Axii, and Aard.
Yrden is a magical trap that slows enemies and harms them. Quen is like a shield with limited durability that protects the user from harm. Igni allows the user to blast flames outward. Axii is somewhat of a mind-control or influencing spell that can be used on humans or monsters for different effects. Finally, Aard is a kinetic blast of air or pressure that can knock enemies flying. Each of these signs can also be upgraded to add new effects.
6 Contracts
One of the most aspects of a witcher’s life are contracts, often called Witcher Contracts. These are want-ads put out by locals asking for help slaying a monster or investigating some phenomena.
They typically come with a cash reward and can be found posted on notice boards around the Continent.
5 Regions
There is an entire world built into the series of the Witcher consisting of the Continent and the countries and regions within it. In the Witcher 3, the main regions you’ll visit are Velen, Skellige, Kaer Morhen, Novigrad, Oxenfurt, and White Orchard, all contained within the Northern Realms. Toussaint is another region you can visit if you have the Blood & Wine DLC expansion.
Nilfgaard, in the southern part of the continent, is led by the aforementioned Emperor Emhyr var Emreis. This empire is at war with Redania, one of the Northern Realms. This war makes up a lot of the game’s story and overarching plot.
4 Choices
Certain choices throughout the game will affect various aspects of the game’s story. The decisions you make during the game can affect who Geralt ends up with romantically, Ciri’s fate, who wins the war, and whether some characters live or die (and much more).
Often, the game presents you with seemingly innocuous choices that can have important effects down the line. Occasionally, you’ll receive a choice between two responses with a timer. You’ll need to act fast during these quick-time events.
3 Silver vs. Steel
Witchers carry two swords at all times. You’ll probably notice that Geralt has two on his back early on in the game when you start. One of these swords is made of silver and is used to kill monsters. Monsters cannot be killed with steel swords.
The steel sword is for humans. Though it’s not advised, you can kill humans with silver swords. Throughout the game, you’ll acquire a variety of steel or silver swords. They are not interchangeable, so beware of that when discarding or selling extras.
2 Gwent
Arguably one of the best parts of the Witcher 3 is its built-in sidequest and side-game, Gwent. This card game requires you to “battle” an opponent with troops on an imaginary field. It’s a complicated game but is pretty easy to learn.
Throughout the game, Geralt can collect different cards through purchase or defeating opponents in a match. It’s important to pick up how to play early on because you’ll probably be playing it a lot.
1 Start Menu Options
When opening the main menu scheme in The Witcher 3, you’ll be presented with seven options. Sometimes, it can be difficult to understand the full function of each sub-menu.
The first is the Glossary. This contains a full glossary of the characters you’ve met and their stories, a bestiary that explains the weaknesses and features of different monsters and beasts, a tutorial section that can give you some tips for playing, and a crafting menu that lets you build new items and break them down.
The second option is Alchemy, which lets Geralt blend different alchemical ingredients to make potions, bombs, and other creations. The third is the Inventory, followed by the Map and then Quests, all of which are pretty straightforward. Inventory also shows what Geralt currently has equipped and what he can equip.
Next is Character, which is where you can use ability points to upgrade Geralt in a few different categories, or place mutagens picked up from monsters in slots that add more effects.
Finally is the Meditation menu. Meditating heals Geralt, clears any Toxicity and potion effects, and uses alcohol from your inventory to replenish all of your potions and bombs. This also passes time to whatever time you select, which can be useful in many instances.
NEXT: The Witcher 3: Everything You Need To Know About A Matter of Life And Death
