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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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A Quieter Time in Kaer Morhen

By
Nathan Garvin

At the beginning of the game you’ll be asked (among other things) if you want to simulate a Witcher 2 save. If you pick “off” the game will automatically choose a world-state for you based on the possible events of The Witcher 2. If you pick “on”, you’ll be able to answer some questions later that will select these for you. The questions and their effects will be discussed later. You should only pick “off” if you have no interest in learning the back-story of The Witcher 2 and trust the game to make such decisions for you.

Geralt enjoys a bit of leisure in Kaer Morhen.

Kaer Morhen Walkthrough

Guest Room

The game begins pleasantly enough; the sexy feet that frustrated Conan so much belong to Geralt of Rivia, who just so happens to be enjoying a warm bath… Until he gets molested by a crustacean, the machinations of his sorceress lover Yennefer. She proceeds to chastise him about training Ciri, the two get dressed, and a day in the life of a Witcher begins.

Or rather, the game’s tutorial begins. Your first task is to procure a key for the door, which you’ve rather wisely locked to keep prying eyes out. Aside from pointlessly extinguishing candles, examining various objects and getting some commentary from Geralt and Yennefer, there’s not much else to do. In the north-western corner of the room, on a book on a table near the door, you’ll find your wayward key. Of course, you’re supposed to be trying out your swanky new “Witcher Senses”, so hold the relevant button for your system down to highlight interactable objects. Grab the key and open the door…. and yes, the game even gives you a tutorial for opening doors. Turns out you have to face them and press. Who knew?

Unlock the door and strut downstairs, Geralt-style. Once on the ground floor Geralt will note that the elder Witcher of the Kaer Morhen school, Vesemir, has failed at keeping an eye on Ciri. Instead of some dull book-work, Ciri decided to terrorize some training dummies while Vesemir caught forty winks. After some chatter with Vesemir, Geralt heads down to chastise the young aspiring Witcher. After chatting with Ciri for a bit, she’ll ask if you want to “run the walls”, which is a handy, more in-depth tutorial covering basic mobility.

Running the Walls in Witcher 3

If you choose to “run the walls”, start out by heading west and climbing a ladder, then scale two platforms to the north [Circle] and climb onto a wall to the west. Drop off a ledge to the north, then another to the south before climbing down a ladder to the east. Head down some stairs to the south and climb down another ladder, then navigate some wooden walkways to the west, going down two more flights of stairs and another ladder. Once all this is done, your goal is to head east into a sunken courtyard to find Vesemir, who is waiting with Lambert and Eskel, two other resident Witchers. Vesemir will give Ciri the angry old man treatment before finally moving on to combat training. Accept the tutorial if you wish to learn more about combat (why wouldn’t you?) or pass.

The Fundamentals

Geralt instructs Ciri as she trails (left), then spars with Vesemir to keep his own skills honed (right).

Choose to “start with the fundamentals” and Geralt will claim a sword for him to use. The game will briefly introduce you to the three basic tools of a Witcher-swords, signs, and alchemy. For now, we’re focusing on swords. Press [Left] on the D-pad to quick-draw your steel sword (useful for fighting humans, who tend to be clad in pesky armor). Silver swords [Right] will come into play later when we’re hunting monsters, who are vulnerable to silver-plated weaponry.

Once your sword is out, lock onto Vesemir by pressing down on the Target button, then perform a series of Fast Attacks as instructed, followed by Strong Attacks . Next up, dodging. Vesemir gives ample warning before he attacks, so you should have no trouble scoring two dodges that this task requires. Next you’ll need to roll out of the way twice , which is more of the same, except Vesemir’s attacks are even more obvious. What’s the difference? Dodges are shorter and faster, best for dodging quick enemies and retaliating. Rolls are good for dodging heavy, slower attacks. Parrying is the next order of business, simply hold down [L2/right mouse] to parry all of Vesemir’s attacks. Finally, it’s time to practice ripostes. Hit [L2] as Vesemir attacks to block-and-counter him.

Now it’s time to move onto Signs. Press [L1/Tab] to to open the Quick Menu, from which you can select your Signs. The first up is the Quen Sign. Select it, then cast it by pressing [R2/Q]. Quen blocks damage, and is eminently useful for mitigating damage. Cast it and let Vesemir hit you… to no effect. Then switch to the Igni sign, which projects a cone of fire at your foe, which is handy for harming or dispatching a group of weaker foes, or perhaps setting a stronger critter on fire. Next up is the Axii Sign, which Geralt can use to disorient foes. It’s also handy for gaining the upper hand in diplomacy. Last up is Yrden, which places a magical trap on the ground that slows enemies who enter.

Swords and Signs are done, which leaves only alchemy. First up are bombs. Press [L1] again and access the lower half of your radial, which contains equipped alchemical items (potions, bombs and oils). Once selected, chuck a bomb at Vesemir [R1], then head to the selected spot and toss some more bombs at some training dummies, this time holding down [R1] to free-aim.

You can now freely train with Vesemir, and it’s nice to have the gloves off. Practice dodging, countering, attacking… all that good stuff. The training ends when you sheath your sword. After an unsettling intrusion, so does the dream in which the tutorial occurred.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    CD Projekt
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS4, Switch, XB One
  • Genre
    RPG
  • Guide Release
    24 June 2015
  • Last Updated
    2 January 2023
    Version History
  • Guide Author
    Nathan Garvin (Haeravon)

Share this free guide:

You are Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster-hunter known as a Witcher. You’ve fully regained your memories since your miraculous revival and escape from the Wild Hunt, and have cleared your name of the false accusations of regicide. In the wake of the assassination of Foltest, king of Temeria, the north have been rent by warfare as Nilfgaard launches its third major invasion, and the northlands have been united under the insane king Radovid. Overshadowing these petty politics is the mysterious return of Ciri - Geralt’s adopted daughter, who is now being pursued by the Wild Hunt.

The guide offers the following:

  • A full walkthrough that’s more than just a listing of quests-it’s an “ideal chronological order” that will get you through the whole game and allow you to see and do everything the game has to offer.

  • Side quests, including monster contracts and treasure hunts for obtaining powerful Witcher sets.

  • Descriptions of decisions, quests, and events that influence the various endings of the game.

  • Crafting and Alchemy information.

  • General strategies on how to take down foes large and small, monstrous and humanoid, boss or mundane.

  • Information on how to complete all the Gwent quests and obtain all the Gwent cards, including detailed Gwent strategies.

  • Trophy/Achievement information.

MASSIVE UPDATE: 7th September 2016 ongoing

  • Added DLC quests “Fool’s Gold” and “Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear”.
  • Organisational changes in the Velen section of the walkthrough to reflect the increased level of Griffin School Gear.
  • Organisational changes throughout the walkthrough to provide a “no skulls” path through the game.
  • Added Death March difficulty tips and commentary throughout the guide.
  • More XP reward numbers included.
  • Walkthrough now includes additional information based on patch changes.
  • Various typo and grammar fixes.
  • Added DLC pages for Blood & Wine, Heart of Stone
  • Lots more quality of life improvements

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