The Witcher

[deanb]

Later on for use monster decks you'll get two neutral cards with same effect: "if close combat is over 10 in power, destroy the highest value card". Great combo is to use the frost, which drops everything to 1/2 and if they've enough cards (which monster decks will) they'll have over 10 power (especially if they've a hero card which won't drop to 10) and boom you wipe out their entire row.

It's like defecating to the sunrise: Downright glorious.

 

But yeah, get decoys, lets you re-use the medic cards if they don't have spies, or lets you re-use their spies to build up your hand. This is a bit pointless for monster decks (since you don't want to be drawing more than one of each type into your hand)

 

As for building out other decks, make sure to check every innkeep for cards, and I think a couple of general merchants too. If you do the Gwent quests you should get some good cards from it (with the final leader cards coming from the tournament at the end as I recently found out).

 

Oh other advice: to protect against Scorch play a relatively high powered card, or only play cards lower than their hand (since Scorch is a two way street). Some of the monster swarms are built to do this automatically (aracheneas puts out a bunch of 4 in front row, then a 6 in the back, and the vampires have a shit ton of 4's then a single 5. But that's easy wiped out with the above technique)

 

I love there's just as much mechanics to discuss in the mini-game as there is in the main game

 

I've got a gwent module for Tabletop Sim if anyone would like to hit me up to try it out? (I've not loaded the game up at all so far mind).

[IDDQD]

I've been on a binge the whole weekend and I'm something like 30-40 hours in. Gotta say, this game gave me a raging boner. If it won't loose it's steam later on, or won't pull a Dragon Age Inquisition on me with some shitty, lackluster ending, then this is my game of the year. No contest. It's been a long time since game managed to draw me in to the point where I was literally screaming at my TV, not to mention the goosebumps, which also occured during gameplay and not just due to an awesome cutscene (although W3 managed to make me look like a plucked chicken for an entire first hour, also with cutscenes). Anyway, going back to my lair now to play the shit out of this game.

 

One question though - has anyone managed to spot a whale in it's entirety? Usually he stucks his ass on the surface only to tease you with it's tail when you get close but I've been chasing after that bastard for hours trying to take a closer look underwater. It seems like the devs are just teasing us though, because the only thing I managed to spot was a mere glimpse of the tail and rear half of the body before it disappeared into the depths.

[deanb]

I've seen two entire whales. They beached though. I imagine the tail is just for effect and not an actual giant wale under the surface you can hack at and instantly get burdened with it brain or something.

[Saturnine Tenshi]

I think the open world is working against the game for me. I enjoyed how focused the other games were. I end up too distracted in open world games. I mean, it does open world incredibly well, but I don't know if it's to its benefit or not.

[deanb]

I'd say it's quite nice, means you can go take a wee break from going through the main campaign to go n hack off a monsters head, or find some long lost witcher garments n such.

[IDDQD]

I've seen two entire whales. They beached though. I imagine the tail is just for effect and not an actual giant wale under the surface you can hack at and instantly get burdened with it brain or something.

You're probably right. A shame. Not that I wanted to hack him up, but it sure would be a majestic sight.

 

 

I'm also torn between Yen and Triss. Previously Triss was more like a fuckbuddy and Geralt had little business in treating her seriously but in this game Reds went out of their way to make her really likable. Not only her goals are noble but also romance with her is almost like a fairy tale (at least if you tell her you love her in the docks). Still, if anyone had read the books then you should know that Yen is the obvious choice. Thoughts?

 

[deanb]

See I've not read the books but I know that "The Last Wish" is

 

That Geralt and Yen be together forever

 

this however becomes much more flexible in the game since

 

Yen has you help her capture a Djinn to unmake the "last wish" so your love isn't magically created. Leaving the option entirely up to you. It makes sense for the game since you have Yenn for the book readers, and Triss for the folks that only played the games.

 

[deanb]

Ah man, the ending has a bit of "you're practically a god, go n hack things up, have fun" which I've enjoyed in a few games of late (IIRC Kingdoms of Amalur does it). Still gives you a proper boss battle(s) when you're playing the guy that isn't practically a god mind.

[IDDQD]

See I've not read the books but I know that "The Last Wish" is

 

That Geralt and Yen be together forever

 

this however becomes much more flexible in the game since

 

Yen has you help her capture a Djinn to unmake the "last wish" so your love isn't magically created. Leaving the option entirely up to you. It makes sense for the game since you have Yenn for the book readers, and Triss for the folks that only played the games.

 

 

 

Fair point. I actually like what they did with Triss's character. They are all great characters, otherwise I wouldn't be so hung up on a choice between fictional women  Still, I'm gonna go with Yen, partly because sweet and fluffy romance with Triss isn't my cup of tea and largely because of the books. Triss may be an option for a second playthrough though,

 

Right now I'm right after a battle for Kaer Mohren (manly tears were shed) and I've defeated Imlerith/Ladies of The Wood. Holy shit, crushing this son of a bitch's fried head with his own mace, whac-a-mole style was just glorious. That whole battle in the keep was something that I was actually expecting from DA:I's ending and in Witcher that was just a turning point in the story. Amazing.

 

 

 

 

Ah man, the ending has a bit of "you're practically a god, go n hack things up, have fun" which I've enjoyed in a few games of late (IIRC Kingdoms of Amalur does it). Still gives you a proper boss battle(s) when you're playing the guy that isn't practically a god mind.

Right now I'm at level 30-31. Is that too much or "just right"? Don't wanna go into that final battle overpowered so that I won't make the final dude look like a wuss.

Edited June 16, 2015 by IDDQD

[deanb]

Oh it's worth noting the "you're a god" is cos for parts of it you're Ciri, and she's

 

had a chunk of training after her wee little breakdown at Kaer Morhen, so you get in a position where you can one-hit kill like 8 dudes in one go with her abilities.

 

 

When fighting as Geralt I found it challenging enough and I was lvl 35 for the end. I think it scales up with you (no level recommendation is given for the Final Preperations quest lines)

[IDDQD]

It's done. I've finished the game. Man, these things are always tough to part with. I feel like going on another year-long binge, where I won't play anything but the Witcher series until I'm finally done with it (last time it was the Mass Effect trilogy).

 

So. Instead of pointing out every little detail that I thought was good or bad (because honestly - anoyone who played the game figured this shit out already), I'm just going to say that this is literally the best RPG I've ever played. I wish that all of the plot threads were neatly tied up but what the hell - most important things got closure and it was a really nice, satisfying ending. There was some crazy shit going on during the last battle, every major character arc was resolved and generally I had a big, shit-eating grin on my face troughout the whole thing. I only wish I was more responsible with the romance options because in the end Triss and Yen both dumped my stupid ass and now I am forever alone. Well, at least it adds more depth to characters and story to have this option, it was amusing in a way. I mean, I wouldn't mind having "two chicks at the same time, man", but I suppose even the Witcher power fantasy isn't going to fulfill my million-dollar dream. Fuck.

 

Anyway, I'm having some post-game blues so I'd welcome any conversation about the game and its ending right now. Damn, how I wish I could have another drink with Lambert and Eskel...

[Hot Heart]

So, following IDDQD's sad tale...

 

 

I chose to end things with Yen. I do really like her, but I'd rather just Geralt be faithful to Triss (on this playthrough anyway)

 

I felt so bad because you could tell she was heartbroken.

 

Later, she had thrown Triss' bed at Kaer Morhen out the window and then she threw me through a portal for a drop into a nearby lake. And I still didn't apologise when I got back just said it was a "nice view".

 

Then after she went to bed, we all got drunk and put on her clothes and used her megascope.

 

...I guess we're cool now.

 

 

Man, I love this game.

Edited June 26, 2015 by Hot Heart

[danielpholt]

So, following IDDQD's sad tale...

 

 

I chose to end things with Yen. I do really like her, but I'd rather just Geralt be faithful to Triss (on this playthrough anyway)

 

I felt so bad because you could tell she was heartbroken.

 

Later, she had thrown Triss' bed at Kaer Morhen out the window and then she threw me through a portal for a drop into a nearby lake. And I still didn't apologise when I got back just said it was a "nice view".

 

Then after she went to bed, we all got drunk and put on her clothes and used her megascope.

 

...I guess we're cool now.

 

 

Man, I love this game.

 

 

Bummed. Triss sailed off, and I decided if I couldn't have her, I didn't want Yen either. So now my Geralt is going to prawl the lands aimlessly having casual sex with whomever he pleases whilst secretly wishing Triss will come back one day to give him the love he craves. 

 

 

Anyway's, I think I'm about as close to finishing the game as I can be without starting the final push. I've got one main quest left 'get on boat'. I'm not sure if I'm ready for the adventure to end yet, or if I'm in need of a break. I worry that after completing the game I'll lose all interest in the world and thus, become unable to finish off some of the side quests.

 

When does the DLC hit? 

[deanb]

The DLC has been coming out in dribs n drabs since launch. I think 10 of the 16 are out so far. 

 

As for "get on the boat" if that's 

 

to Isle of Mists you've a while left.

 

If it's on Emyrs boat yeah you're pretty much done. 

 If it's Imleriths then you're in the finale.

 

 

@Hotheart

I went with  Yen, she still throws out the bed. Geralt n Vizimer are discussing it, both confused as it's a really good bed. Vizimer remarks Triss thought so too... then their Eitcher faces dawn on why the bed had a short shot at flying. 

I was a good Witcher n ddidn't do the megascope stuff,  but you still get berated about it next day by Vizimer which I think is an oversight.

 

 

For anyone who cares about my ending n how your eventual  end compares

Ciri is now empress of Nilfgaard. Geralt n Yen retired to a simple life. Witch hunters turned on non-humans due to my helping Triss spirit away mages. Baron took Anne to mountains. Emrys located n killed all his potential plotters n usurpers. And I think something else. 

[Hot Heart]

 

Bummed. Triss sailed off

 

D'oh. You didn't get the chance to tell her you love her before she left? That's what I did. She still walks off but then you start talking to Dijkstra who goes into a story and then suddenly stops with, "Turn around."

 

You turn around and there Triss is. It's a really nice moment.

 

@Dean. Sure Vesemir wasn't just berating you because of the hat?

 

Seriously, though, I think there is a bit of... not so much oversight, but slight incompatibility in the variables. Yen was running very hot and cold in the way some conversations went; where it was clear we were supposed to still be a couple (or at least me not just recently thrown into a lake).

 

 

The DLC has been coming out in dribs n drabs since launch. I think 10 of the 16 are out so far.

 

I'm guessing he means the big expansions rather than the little bits (not that the little bits aren't nice)? I don't think they're due until the end of October. Thinking I might replay this one after they're out.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Hot Heart

[danielpholt]

Yup, the expansion stuff was what I was talking about, I've been grabbing the weekly DLC as and when it's available. As for Triss, she got on the boat and I never saw her again. I believe I told Dijkstra I wasn't in the mood for one of his stories right now.

 

If I could redo one moment from this game It'd be that one.

 

@deanb - yup, Isle of Mist. I was under the impression I'll be watching a cutscene, and then heading back to Kaer Morhen (whatever), is that not the case?

 

I'm really bummed about fluffing my lines with Triss. [emoji20]

[Hot Heart]

To be wholly honest, I'm kinda wishing I hadn't gone that far with Triss.

 

Turns out Yennefer shares a lot in common with Miranda Lawson, which really revs my engine.

 

Ah, both are great women either way. Friggin' Geralt's "tough" decisions...

[deanb]

 

 

Bummed. Triss sailed off

 

D'oh. You didn't get the chance to tell her you love her before she left? That's what I did. She still walks off but then you start talking to Dijkstra who goes into a story and then suddenly stops with, "Turn around."

 

You turn around and there Triss is. It's a really nice moment.

 

@Dean. Sure Vesemir wasn't just berating you because of the hat?

 

Seriously, though, I think there is a bit of... not so much oversight, but slight incompatibility in the variables. Yen was running very hot and cold in the way some conversations went; where it was clear we were supposed to still be a couple (or at least me not just recently thrown into a lake).

 

 

The DLC has been coming out in dribs n drabs since launch. I think 10 of the 16 are out so far.

 

I'm guessing he means the big expansions rather than the little bits (not that the little bits aren't nice)? I don't think they're due until the end of October. Thinking I might replay this one after they're out.

 

 

You need to do certain actions to be allowed to tell Triss you love her (i didn't). Same with Yen. Same how it's always been with Witcher games,  Ciri is in most flux of them all, certain endings require quite specific circumstances that can be missed. 

 

@danielpholt there's some stuff on Isle of Mists

rescuing some of the seven dwarves

 

Then Kaer Morhen stuff. 

Then the final Act. (you're nearing the end of Act II) 

[danielpholt]

I got the option, but for some reason I figured I'd get another chance to tell her, so I opted for the second, less sappy conversation option and she basically said it was a mistake (IIRC) that we should forget about. I've not seen her since.

 

If I'm still a ways off I'll slow myself down then; enjoy the experience even more than I already have. Going to grab the rest of the Feline gear and finish off some more Witcher quests.

[danielpholt]

Finished the game last night; here's my ending.

 

 

Ciri leaves to destroy the White Frost; we figure she's dead. Two weeks later Garalt travels to see her father, tells him of her death. His war effort stumbles and Radovid takes the throne; Ciri's father is murdered by his people.

With Witches no more a threat in Novigrad, the Hunters turn to Non-Humans. Yenn stays in the North and then what-do-you-know, Ciri Lives!

Garalt and Ciri spend some time together wandering the world, and then eventually split up to do their own thing..

 

 

 

 

 

As an aside. Was it Dandelion doing the voice over on the loading screens? I figured it was Vesemire but then wasn't sure..

 

 

[deanb]

Yeah Dandelion does the voiceover. He writes your journal entries too, has done the past few games.

[danielpholt]

He talks with an American accent in the game though, yet in the cutscenes he sounds like bloody batman. Madness I tell ya, madness!

[Mr. GOH!]

The cutscene Dandelion is much older than the Dandelion in the rest of the game, which is why it's an older actor doing the narration.

 

Edit: Just got to Skellige for the first time. I truly love this game, but I feel like you level too quickly.

Edited July 12, 2015 by Mr. GOH!

[deanb]

Yeah if you do like all the sidequests that pop up you level up pretty quick, even more so if you equip Trophies that get more exp for certain mobs. I don't think they thought that folks would go around and do /everything/ and it's more scaled to doing the main quest and one or two sidequests now n then.

[Mr. GOH!]

Ok, so I think I'm about to hit a point of no return and I'd like advice on whether or not progressing will kill any side quests. Here comes the spoiler tag.

 

 

 

So I've just finished the Ugly Baby quest and have recruited my allies ( I think) and my next main quest is to head to the Isle of Mists. I'm at level 24 or 25. I have a ton of secondary quests and witcher contracts left to do, some of which are for level 30+. Will progressing to the Isle of Mists prevent me from ever accessing Skellige, Velen, and Novigrad in the future or auto-fail the quests I have not yet done?

 

I think I've wrapped up the major ally sidequests. I somehow fucked up the Dijkstra recruiting quest; I never found his money, so he won't help with the Wild Hunt at all. But I did recruit the an Craiths in Skellige, Roche, Zoltan, and the quest log indicated Keira Metz and Triss were recruited, too, though I completed their sidequests ages ago (I was wondering why they weren't at Kaer Morhen when I brought Uma there, though, because both appeared to teleport directly there at the close of their quests). Are there any other allies I might yet recruit?

 

I still have the Gwent tourney and a good number of other sidequests open. I also have a boatload of Witcher contracts and treasure hunts, but I don't care much about the treasure hunts. Are there any miscellaneous side quests/areas that will be locked off after I head to the Isle of Mists?