Act III: The Final Path

Once again you are going to find that Act III will be thrust upon you as soon as you complete the story missions for Act II - there is not a lot of freedom here at first.

With any luck before you arrived at Bald Mountain you stopped off so that Ciri could have that important chat with her father. When you were there if you refused the coin you will have scored major points with Ciri - either way though you two end up at the base of Bald Mountain and about to set off upon yet another adventure - this one to see Ciri complete a quest she feels is absolutely imperative.

It would be an idea to use repair kits on your weapons and armor as needed, and otherwise see to your Kit. If you need to meditate to recover potions do that now too.

Bald Mountain

Deal with the enemy

Flagged automatically as part of the story -- Suggested Level: 26

Vesemir's death tore a gaping hole in Ciri's heart and left only a burning drive for revenge to fill it. This drive burned all the higher when she learned from Avallac'h that Imlerith, the general of the Hunt who murdered Vesemir, would be attending the Crones'; sabbath on Bald Mountain.

Ciri smelled blood and decided at once to travel to No Man's Land and kill Imlerith. Geralt, that calculating, practical-minded Witcher, as usual caved immediately to his adopted daughter's wishes and agreed to accompany her on this expedition. The pair thus slipped out of Kaer Morhen in the cool light of morning and galloped off to find vengeance.

When you reach the base of the climb you encounter the elder you saw before during the first Act and get invited to join them at a fire and celebrate. That gives you a chance to get some more information, and then you learn that you need to be judged to proceed.

As you proceed you run into the Godling Johnny -- and Ciri gets to meet him while you catch up.

When you talk to Thecla you are given a challenge in order to proceed up the mountain as Ciri was approved but not you... She tosses a coin into the water and you have to retrieve it for her...

We used the Killer Whale Potion and then went down and looted the chest as well as claimed the coin -

Once you get inside you meet a beast who, once you hand over the coin, attacks! Yep, it was a trap... After you kill him tho you and Ciri split up the tasks and head on your way with you taking Ciri's role for now.

While you battle the three Crones remember Ciri's special charge attack - it is very useful. After you defeat the third Crone though you discover that all was not quite as you thought. And so one escapes. Then you change back to Geralt.

Geralt needs to reach the summit and deal with the elf there.

Have to admit he was a tough nut to crack - but crack it we did. By dodging and hitting his unprotected side until he finally dropped the shield and you kill him!

At this point you have pretty much completed the elements that were not optional and now sort of resume full control over Geralt... Oh and you completed this mission too...

Objectives

• Find a way to the mountain's summit

• Talk to Thecla and get permission to climb the mountain

• Retrieve the coin Thecla threw in the water by using your Witcher Senses

• Take the coin back

• Travel the path to the peak of Bald Mountain

• Penetrate to the heart of the tree's roots

• Kill the three Crones

• Find Imlerith

• Defeat Imlerith

Wrapping up Side-Quests

Completing this mission nearly brings you to the point where you regain full control over Geralt. You run through a few CS's as you and Ciri head for Novigrad, at which point after Ciri gets caught up with Dandelion and he delivers your messages, Ciri splits from your party and you have full control over Geralt again.

Before you begin the Final Preparations Mission it would be an idea - now that your level is high enough - to go ahead and clear away those pesky side-quests, right?

Once you have managed the outstanding quests and seen to any crafting, repairs, or resupply you need to tend to, it is time to return here for the next mission!

In the process of wrapping up the outstanding side-quests you should unlock the following:

Achievement: Geralt: The Professional (15g) Complete all Witcher Contracts

Final Preparations

Continue the story

Flagged automatically by the previous mission end -- Suggested Level: None

Ciri's spirits were high after killing Imlerith, but Geralt knew this fight had been but an appetizer before the full course of battle still to come. As part of their preparations, Geralt and Ciri rode to Novigrad, where Triss and Yeneffer were trying to reconvene the Lodge of Sorceresses.

Avallac'h was waiting there as well, and had his own ideas how to tip the scales of victory in our allies' favor during their final confrontation with Eredin...

Ciri needs to give thanks to some of the people who helped her it seems - and she would like our company while she does... This flags the mission "Payback".

Objectives

• Wait for daylight

• Talk to Avallac'h

• Talk to Triss

• Talk to Yennefer

• Help Ciri take care of her business in Novigrad

Payback

Hep Ciri

Flagged automatically by the previous mission -- Suggested Level: 28

Cities like Novigrad have their own, special magic. They attract folk from all corners of the world, becoming delicious stews of diverse flavors, giant circuses filled with colorful characters just waiting to extend a helping hand - or swing a sharp elbow.

Ciri had experienced the fullness of this during her stay in Novigrad, so when she found herself back in the city she decided to repay a few debts - and settle a few scores...

Now I would have sword I killed him! And... Yup! He IS dead! That is Dudu! Well you know what they say - all is well that ends well?

Next she visits a barmaid friend and then the circus. And hey, the circus needs your help obtaining some mounts to pull their wagons!

Inside the stables which you can access via the scaffold outside you will find the keys on the table by the front door. If you wake the guard you just need to KO him in a fistfight. No hoohoo!

Getting the horses completes this mission!

Objectives

• Wait for daylight

• Meet Ciri at the Gildorf market square

• Go with Ciri to see Whoreson Junior

• Follow Ciri into Whoreson Junior's hideout

• Follow Ciri

• Talk to Valdo

• Take part in the race

• Meet Ciri and Aegar near the Novigrad stables

• Sneak into the stables

• Find a way to open the stable doors with your Witcher Senses

• Calm the horses with the Axii Sign

Through Time and Space

Continue the story

Flagged automatically by the previous mission -- Suggested Level: 26

When you speak with Avallac'h you flag this quest.

News that Ciri and Geralt had defeated and killed Imlerith reached Avallac'h at once. I don't know how this happened, exactly, save perhaps that quickly learning of such things is the very essence of being a "Sage".

At any rate, a wild notion possessed him. What if they could now sway Ge'els, one of Eredin's most powerful allies? What if they could bring him over to their side? A key general and adviser, Ge'els was the individual Eredin relied on for reinforcements.

For his plan to work, he would need a dreamer, so Triss pointed him towards Corinne Tilly in Novigrad. Thus, by the time Geralt and Ciri rode into town, everything had been arranged. Now all they needed was Ge'els...

To reach him, Avallac'h and Geralt would need to travel to the land of the Aan Elle, a voyage that would involve inter-dimensional travel, which in turn meant a whole lot of teleporting. Geralt vomited a little in his mouth and prepared to face the music.

Oddly enough the journey was the hard part here - not the convincing of the general... Or so it seems. He pretty much has your number - this is one very smart Elf!

Once you return to the Inn in Novigrad the Sage takes you into the dream-memory and you see the death of the king. He confronts his own feelings and then gives you his advice - and his word that he will not support Eredin.

After the dream-memory Avallac'h escorts the general back to the gate and sends him through... He then returns and sums up the plan to you and Ciri... And that completes the mission!

You also unlock the Achievements: Xenonaut (15g) Visit Tir na Lia and convince Ge'els to betray Eredin.

Objectives

• Follow Avallac'h

• Find the next passage

• Wait until the passage opens

• Kill the monsters

• Find the next passage multiple times

• Get to the lighthouse

• Travel to the next world

• Follow Avallac'h

• Talk to Ge'els

Right so that just leaves two more tasks and side-missions to get done: Triss and Yennefer! Triss first - oh and just so you know, if you plan on romancing one of the sorceresses pick ONE - do NOT try to do both! Trust us on that.

When you arrive in Triss' room you have the option of having a rather lengthy chat with her that will cause her to fill you in on pretty much everything she has learned. The long version is what we recommend you listen to so that you get the big picture.

The fact that Phillipa was that bloody OWL?! Really?! Between the two of you and the feather that Triss has you should be able to do something - and THAT is your side-mission!

Triss casts the looking spell and you see the recent past - and you know where Phillipa is. That is the good news AND the bad...

Blindingly Obvious

Continue the story

Flagged automatically as part of the main mission -- Suggested Level: 28

Triss returned to Novigrad after leaving Kaer Morhen with one goal - to find Philippa Eihart. Soon after she made a shocking discovery - Philippa had been right under our very noses the whole time!

Turned into an owl by some malicious spell, she then wound up in the hands of Zoltan, who, ignorant of his new pet's true identity, strived to make of her a replacement for his former foul-mouthed parrot companion, Field Marshal Duda.

Triss was not the only one to uncover Philippa's whereabouts however. Coming to that conclusion slightly before her was Dijkstra, who shared with Philippa the strongest bond possible - love turned to seething hate.

The one-time spy and current mafia boss had captured Philippa and imprisoned her in his bathhouse. Triss and Geralt knew they must hurry - it was clear Dijkstra had not gone through all this trouble to chat with Philippa about old times. Vengeance was more likely on his agenda, vengeance for breaking his heart and daring to plot against him.

Right so basically this is a chase and rescue - but once you DO rescue her you have to convince Dijkstra to let her go....

What you tell him is well worth letting her go - and based on his parting words he may not actually think that the idea is a bad one!

After another brief CS that completes the side-mission!

Objectives

• Go to the fountain near the Passiflora

• Go to the bathhouse with Triss

• Look for Philippa in the bathhouse

• Sneak up on Philippa without making too much noise

• Catch Philippa Eilhart

So that is Triss managed - not it is time to talk to Yennefer! OR... Well, that side-mission has added another side-quest to the game -- Reason of State. Remember, Dijktra was not totally unconvinced,... Might be an idea to go ahead and see to that one now, since it is a side-quest and the mission can wait. Just saying....

With that minor side-issue settled it is time to talk to Yennefer!

After a brief chat in which you fill her in and she fills you in on things, feelings, etc. you learn why she is in this dump... And then the side-mission starts.

The Great Escape

Continue the story

Flagged by the main story mission -- Suggested Level: 28

In the mission to gather the member sof the former Lodge of Sorceresses, it fell to Yennefer to bring Margarita Laux-Anille to Novigrad. Yennefer's old friend had been captured by the witch hunters and was being kept in Deireadh, the best-guarded prison this side of Yaruga.

Geralt and Yennefer thus had a hard endeavor in front of them -- they would have to break into the sealed compound and sneak Margarita out. Good thing Yen had something even better than a file in a carrot cake: contact information for the one man who had managed to escape Deireadh.

Escaping seemed to be in his blood, for he attempted to make another getaway at the sight of Yennefer and Geralt, but eventually they caught him and sat down for a chat. He told them how to outfox the guards and enter the prison unnoticed. With no time to waste, Geralt and Yennefer raced off to Margarita's rescue...

Once you catch up to the escapee you talk - and he fills you in on what you need to know...

So first ask Zoltan to help get the guards drunk -- but if the witch hunters have taken to going after non-humans that will not pan out. So meet Yennefer at the bridge....

When you reach the well you part ways with Yen temporarily as she has no interest in that part of the journey...

As you make your way through the sewers you will fight some monsters and eventually find a locked door - and a way up into the prison where there are two guards you need to kill. Do NOT forget to grab the Sewer Keys off of the table here, right?

Now go in search of Margarita.... In the main cell room there are three guards to kill and then you encounter the Sorceress, She tells you where the keys are. You knew there was no way we were getting that key without killing the guards and warden right?

Once you call Yen and she portals the two of them out you can easily depart via the sewers thanks to the keys you looted on the table when you entered the prison. Once you reach the sewers that completes this side-mission! Well done you!

Objectives

• Catch the runaway

• (Optional) Ask Zoltan for help

• Meet Yennefer at the bridge into Oxenfurt

• Enter the prison through the well

• Search the ruins

• Find the missing part of the mechanism using your Witcher Senses

• Repair the mechanism and open the door

• Enter the sewers

• Find the Sorceress Margarita

• Get the key

• Open the cell

• Get out of the prison

Final Preparations Pt. 2

Continue the story

Flagged automatically by the previous mission end -- Suggested Level: None

Ciri's spirits were high after killing Imlerith, but Geralt knew this fight had been but an appetizer before the full course of battle still to come. As part of their preparations, Geralt and Ciri rode to Novigrad, where Triss and Yeneffer were trying to reconvene the Lodge of Sorceresses.

Avallac'h was waiting there as well, and had his own ideas how to tip the scales of victory in our allies' favor during their final confrontation with Eredin...

Ciri needs to give thanks to some of the people who helped her it seems - and she would like our company while she does... This flags the mission "Payback". As you talk to the others working your way through the first part of the mission you flag all of the other side-missions, until you finally complete them and that picks back up with this mission!

When you arrive at the Inn you encounter a very flustered Ciri... This is actually what you might call a cusp event. If you have been treating Ciri like a child all this time and second guessing her, going in with her will very likely be the deciding factor on the end game you get.

If on the other hand you have been showing her respect, then you should let her go in alone. As THAT will ALSO be a deciding factor for how the game ends. As we have been treating her with respect and all, we told her to go on her own... YMMV.

Yennefer seems a bit surprised by you letting her go in alone - but hey, you gotta do what you think is right, right? Right!

No matter what you decided that meeting completes this mission. Ciri will meet you in Skellige.

Objectives

• Wait for daylight

• Talk to Avallac'h

• Talk to Triss

• Talk to Yennefer

• Help Ciri take care of her business in Novigrad

• Meet Yennefer and the Lodge of Sorceresses at Dandelion's Inn

If you have ANY outstanding tasks that you need or want to complete in Velen or Novigrad now is the time to do them. Just saying... For example are there any "?" left on the map? Any Hidden Treasure you have not done? Anything? Because now is the time to do that!

Perhaps you don't want to spend ages clearing every monster den - that we can understand since failing to loot just ONE chest or bag in them will keep them bright white even if you have already cleared away the monsters from within.

That said though, the Hidden Treasure Markers and the "?" markers potentially shield a quest, so those you really probably maybe should do... We did. And that is why our guide is pretty much the best and most complete one available. Even if we do say that ourselves.

So once you have done all of the side stuff that you mean to do in White Orchard, Velen (No Man's Land), Novigrad, and Skellige Isles - and do not neglect Kaer Morhen! You should be ready to go.

At a bare minimum that should equal NO outstanding Secondary Quests - with the exception of the Collect 'Em All Quest which if you got hit with the bug despite our warning you will not be able to complete it anyway. Just saying.

Battle Preparations

Continue the Story

Flagged automatically as part of the main story -- Suggested Level: 28

Thanks to Triss and Yennefer's hard work, Ciri's team of defenders now had two more outstanding sorceresses in its ranks and the prospect of gaining yet another. With this, our heroes were ready to face the Wild Hunt, but to bring Eredin to their world and cut off his escape route, they also needed an elven artifact known as the Sunstone.

The team set off for the Skellige Isles to finish their final tasks before their final battle.

When you arrive at the port you trigger a CS in which you catch the tail-end of a conversation between the sorceresses -- and then engage in a conversation with Yennefer... You learn she has convinced the Emperor to offer pardons to the sorceresses who agreed to help. Something you find hard to believe.

When you go aboard the ship before you speak with Avallac'h you can do the following:

Speak to Yennefer about the past in some detail... That may be more important for gamers who did not play the previous games as it does help fill them in on the events that came before and between.

Speak to Ciri about her experiences with the Hunt and being able to travel between worlds.

Speak to Philippa to be insulted and to ask about Dijkstra...

Speak with Margarita to learn how she feels and learn some of what happened to her.

Finally speak with Avallac'h to get this show on the road! Doing so gives a really pretty red-sky CS and then a grey loading screen - sigh. When you arrive in Skellige this time around you do not end up shipwrecked which is nice - and everyone on this trip is a lot happier than they were on the last, obviously.

Yennefer seems to be having some issues - she dispatches a messenger bird when you approach the coast - apparently a signal to the Emperor which Ciri does not much care for. That CS ends and you get another loading screen and then another brief CS that segues into dialogue in which you learn about the Sunstone.

The conversation then turns to strategy - specifically your need to free the last sorceress - but as it turns out you are going to have to get on the ship yourself...

If you were not paying close attention what you have here are two new side-missions that were spawned off of the main mission -- the first is called Veni Vidi Vego and involves sneaking onto the ship, the second is The Sunstone, and has you asking Crach where Ermion is. Of the two the second - Sunstone - seems to be the more manageable to start with.

Objectives

• Meet Avallac'h on the ship

• Find the Sunstone

• Pick Fringilla up on the emperor's ship

• Find out of Avillac'h's hiding something

The Sunstone

Continue this branch of the story

Flagged automatically as part of the main story -- Suggested Level: 28

Geralt knew he could only defeat Eredin with the help of mages and on his own terms. Since the King of the Wild Hunt was traveling on the Naglfar, the spectral vessel known from Skellige legend, somewhere between worlds, our heroes had to summon him back and somehow cut off his escape route.

Such a feat could only be performed by a group of mages acting in concert and aided by a legendary elven artifact - the Sunstone.

Fortunately Crach is nearby on the dock - so you can go right to him and ask your question. Crach is NOT happy about the emperpr's fleet showing up off the coast and in Skellige waters! He tells you how to find Ermion and off you go to talk to the druid.

A quick trip down coast to Kaer Muire gets you to a CS in which you see just how well the negotiations are progressing - then you get to chat and things go pear-shaped. You end up killing Lugos and a few of his men before you and the Druid depart!

You know for as old as he is that Ermion is pretty quick! Ermion explains to you how what you did earlier has caused a lot of trouble in the Isles since the throne was taken... You get a CS as Ermion explains what is happening.

It turns out that killing Lugos was actually a sort of good thing. But then you get to chatting about why you are there... You ask him about the Sunstone and he tells you what he knows, pointing you at someone who may be able to help you. And he mentions the Pearl Divers too. His parting words with you are to caution you about the protection that the caves you are seeking have - and suggests that you bring a sorceress with you when you go.

When you find the bard you end up hanging out and looking for a white whale - which you see and he misses poor man... But anyway you need to give as harmless an answer to his questions as you can so you don't anger him... I opted for the novel and he is friendly enough.

As you obtain the location from the bard you do not need to talk to the Pearl Diver it seems... Instead you need to talk to Yennefer, so head to her and you learn about some secret laboratory that Ciri wants to investigate. Bear in mind this splits off and flags ANOTHER side-mission called Child of the Elder Blood!

As previously noted the only way to reach this place is by boat - at least until you DO reach it - then there is a Fast Travel Marker! Head in and hook up with P, She magically opens the ruins and you head inside...

After you defeat some monsters do not neglect to collect the Place of Power here - and then head up the stairs to trigger the CS that has P fix the stairs. Seriously! Man she is useful as all heck!

When the Golem attacks kill it and continue to follow P and she takes you to another passage that is blocked by blood magic it seems.. She opens the door with a little blood and in you go!

Once you reach the main chamber you are presented with a mirror puzzle you have to set up right to reveal the location of the artifact!

The good news is that it is not complicated at all -just defeat the ghosts and shift each mirror one time and voila! Location revealed! P grabs the Sunstone and then you have a suspicious conversation - during which she tries to convince you to go into a secret plot with her to help her replace Yennefer at court.

Basically she appeals to your selfish motive. And with that you part company, the side-mission ends, and well done you!

Objectives

• Ask Crach where Ermion is

• Talk to Ermion

• Defeat Lugos' men

• Talk to Ermion outside of Madman Lugos' territory

• Talk to the bard known as Eyvind

• Find and talk to the Pearl Diver Fishlung

• Talk to Yennefer

• Meet Philippa in the elven ruins

• Explore the elven ruins with Philippa Eilhart

• Set up the mirror system properly

• Examine the Sunstone

So yes at this point there is just the one side-mission left to be handled - but maybe not the one we looked the most forward to?

Veni Vidi Vego

Continue this part of the story

Flagged automatically by the main story mission - Suggested Level: 28

As an attentive reader you surely remember that the Wild Hunt could only be defeated with the help of powerful magic, and for this reason Geralt had recruited the most powerful sorceresses in the world, both those he liked and those he utterly detested, to join his cause.

When a chance arose to add Fringilla Vigo to the roster, Geralt seized it without a moment's hesitation and went straightaway to the emperor's ship, where the dark-haired sorceress was being held.

You know if you think about this, considering how important that she is to the plan, you would think that the emperor could just be asked to comply with this request. Sheesh.

Make your approach at night from the nearby docks where you Fast Traveled to - use Killer Whale to be able to stay underwater as long as possible. Once you reach the flagship when you surface you will be recognized and they will stop shooting - swim to the marker and you get a CS in which you talk to the Emperor and pass on the letter from Yen.

He makes it clear to you that you are on borrowed time - and he hands over the sorceress you came to get! Nice! That wraps up this side-mission and you now revert to the main mission - continued as part two below!

Objectives

• Sneak onto the emperor's flagship under cover of darkness

Child of the Elder Blood

Continue the side-story investigations

Flagged automatically by the main story missions -- Suggested Level: 31

Ciri pulled Geralt aside for a confidential heart-to-heart. She confided in him that Avallac'h had a hidden lair, a secret place that not even Ciri, his star pupil and long-time traveling companion, had been allowed to visit. Intrigued, Geralt decided to enter this secret lair and find out what the Seer was hiding.

The most important part of any conspiracy is for the co-conspirators to trust each other fully, and Ciri's revelation had cast a shadow of suspicion on Avallac'h. Geralt knew light must be shed on this shadow before it proved too late.

When you finally arrive at the island lab you talk to Yen and then Yennefer trips a Golem Trap when she opens the door! After you defeat the Golem you search the lab - and eventually you discover Cilla's family tree!

In the next chamber you run into Avallac'h's girlfriend! Not only is she a witch but she is also a beyatch! We say support Ciri! She wants to level the place, then hey, lets do it!

Gotta wonder what Avallac'h is going to think of all this?

When you get outside Ciri finds out that her friend Skjall is dead... She asks Geralt to visit his grave - you should agree (seriously it is important to her).

When you arrive at the graveyard you visit the grave together - and discover that he has not been properly buried! She decides she needs to do something about that -so you go with her and find the body, and help her to give him a proper send-off. Which is only right really...

His people are real jerks right? Sheesh! You two head back to the boat at this point, and that completes this side-mission thingy.

Objectives

• Travel to the island where Avallac'h's laboratory is located

• Talk to Yennefer

• Wait for the door to open

• Neutralize the golem

• Explore Avallac'h's lab using yoru Witcher Senses

• Talk to Yennefer

• Meet Ciri outside the lab

Battle Preparations Pt. 2

Continue the Story

Flagged automatically as part of the main story -- Suggested Level: 28

Thanks to Triss and Yennefer's hard work, Ciri's team of defenders now had two more outstanding sorceresses in its ranks and the prospect of gaining yet another. With this, our heroes were ready to face the Wild Hunt, but to bring Eredin to their world and cut off his escape route, they also needed an elven artifact known as the Sunstone.

The team set off for the Skellige Isles to finish their final tasks before their final battle.

When you arrive at the port you trigger a CS in which you catch the tail-end of a conversation between the sorceresses -- and then engage in a conversation with Yennefer... You learn she has convinced the Emperor to offer pardons to the sorceresses who agreed to help. Something you find hard to believe.

When you go aboard the ship before you speak with Avallac'h you can do the following:

Speak to Yennefer about the past in some detail... That may be more important for gamers who did not play the previous games as it does help fill them in on the events that came before and between.

Speak to Ciri about her experiences with the Hunt and being able to travel between worlds.

Speak to Philippa to be insulted and to ask about Dijkstra...

Speak with Margarita to learn how she feels and learn some of what happened to her.

Finally speak with Avallac'h to get this show on the road! Doing so gives a really pretty red-sky CS and then a grey loading screen - sigh. When you arrive in Skellige this time around you do not end up shipwrecked which is nice - and everyone on this trip is a lot happier than they were on the last, obviously.

Yennefer seems to be having some issues - she dispatches a messenger bird when you approach the coast - apparently a signal to the Emperor which Ciri does not much care for. That CS ends and you get another loading screen and then another brief CS that segues into dialogue in which you learn about the Sunstone.

The conversation then turns to strategy - specifically your need to free the last sorceress - but as it turns out you are going to have to get on the ship yourself...

If you were not paying close attention what you have here are two new side-missions that were spawned off of the main mission -- the first is called Veni Vidi Vego and involves sneaking onto the ship, the second is The Sunstone, and has you asking Crach where Ermion is. Of the two the second - Sunstone - seems to be the more manageable to start with.

So now that you have completed the four side-missions it is time to resume the main story mission!

So head back to the ship and talk to Avallac'h -- before you move the mission forward tho you should probably go ahead and exhaust the chat options he has available as you can learn some interesting things from him... Maybe not all true, but still.

At this point you have reached the point of no return. Be sure that you have done all you meant to do. Taken care of all the Kit, have the armor you want, have the weapons you want, and are ready to proceed. All set? Excellent!

Objectives

• Meet Avallac'h on the ship

• Find the Sunstone

• Pick Fringilla up on the emperor's ship

• Find out of Avillac'h's hiding something

• Let Avallac'h know everything's ready

On Thin Ice

Continue the Story

Flagged automatically as part of the story -- Suggested Level: 30

Every story, even the longest epic, must end, and so this one too now nears its conclusion. Geralt and his friends had acquired the Sunstone and secured the help of Fringilla Vigo. In other words, the long and the dangerous process of preparing was over at last and everything was in place for the final battle against the Wild Hunt.

All that remained was to summon the Naglfar to the shores of Undvik - and straight into their trap...

Once you have committed to the course following the loading screen you will get a CS of the plan - or at least Avallac'h's plan... Once he is done explaining everything the sorceresses go and then you address his plans for Ciri... At which point he issues an ultimatum - same one he gave to Ciri.

Blackmail works it seems. Avallac'h reminds you again that any preparations you need to make should be done now.

Yen shows up for a final chat - and she lets you know that if this works she wants you to go away with her. We are pretty sure that is the opening salvo in the whole final romance thing. Something to remember.

There is a Quartermaster here you can use, and he can also repair your Kit. There is a Fast Travel Sign as well so seriously if there is anything you need to do DO it.

After you speak with the Elf we get a long series of CS's and then eventually we end up in control of Ciri. She is initially tasked with facing three of the Hunt Warriors. Look, if you have not figured this out by now, the main strategic value of her special time-bending power is her ability to lunge through time and space at an opponent so that she appears behind them, and can thus deliver near-instant death to their unprotected backs.

Using that method you can instantly deal with the trio of Hunt Warriors. And you should. Practice that method mates, it works.

Part of the purpose for the warriors and dogs that keep spawning is to slow you down. And they will if you insist on battling every one of them! But really what you should be doing is following the marker to get to the confrontation - for Ciri.

Her job here is to destroy that staff and close the rift. Remember that the Hunt Master cannot count on reinforcements to arrive though he does not know that. As Ciri you battle him down to about 3/4 of health and then you get to destroy the staff in a CS. At which point a badly injured Ciri teleports out, and a mostly frozen Geralt thaws mostly out - heh.

Now we are back on more familiar terms as Geralt, and we get to deal with the remaining 3/4 of the Hunt Master's health! Note that the emphasis has changed from defeating Caranthir to killing him...

Battle Advice: You can fight this one any way you like - but I am telling you that the Ice Elemental thingies that he is summoning are just there to divert your attention AWAY from him. As boss battles go that is pretty smart really - but here is the thing - if you simply IGNORE them as targets and go after HIM they totally fail.

Just keep dodging, healing, casting your shield and attacking HIM. Only HIM. Heck his attacks on you miss thanks to your dodging around but will HIT his own minions. That is sweet justice indeed. And you will find that there is a rhythm you can catch to attacking him.

Once you whittle away his health you get the to-be-expected killing CS, at which point as his last act of defiance he teleports you both deep under the water.

So you need to swim to the surface - or close enough to trigger the you surface CS, at which point your objective becomes to Board the Naglfar... Before we do that though wanted to say hey, well done on killing your nemesis. Hopefully all that button-pushing as you dodged about did not strain a muscle or three, like it did to us!

As before bear in mind that all the Warriors and Hounds that are teleported in are really just there to slow you down. You do not have to stop and help each band of Skellige Warriors deal with them - unless you WANT to. In which case, sure, heck, go ahead!

Once you reach the ship tho you do need to sort out the enemy as best you can, and then when you do enough you will trigger a CS in which you see the tail-end of the fight with the Hunt King. You knew that you would have to face Eredin yourself right? I mean that was what this whole journey and saga was leading up to?

How to Best Kill Eredin

So here is the thing - the best way to beat Eredin is to treat this boss battle just like ANY other battle. There are no special moves, no secret tricks... Seriously! In fact all that you need to do is put into practice every basic and advanced battle skill you have learned so far.

Dodge his blows, dodge his magical attacks, and get your own in. All the while you need to heal, use the signs you prefer - we liked to Shield and every now and then shake things up with Igni - but otherwise the idea here is a war of attrition.

Once you do sufficient damage to him to cause him concern he will pull you through a portal. At the next battle site you just keep doing what you do best - dishing out the damage to a monster, because that is what he is!

Once you get him close to dead he opens yet another portal that takes you back to his ship, at which point you give him the final few blows that trigger the death CS, and he tries one last time to mess with your head. Then Yen rescues you from certain death by a pack of very angry Hunt Hounds, and you then discover that he may not have been messing with you after all!

That said your success and Yen's rescue effectively end this mission. Well done?

Completing this mission unlocks the Achievement: The King is Dead (30g) Defeat Eredin. If you have been following this guide you will ALSO unlock the Achievement: Munchkin (65g) Reach character development level 35.

Objectives

• Join Avallac'h and the sorceresses on Undvik

• Talk to Avallac'h when you;re ready to fight.

• Defeat Caranthir

• Kill Caranthir

• Swim to the surface

• Board the Naglfar

• Follow Eredin into the portal

• Kill Eredin

Speaking of Achievements...

At this point as we are nearing the end of the story your thoughts will be turning to the outstanding Achievements if you are interested in that sort of thing - and a lot of you are...

So hey, with the unlocking of those two story-based Achievements all that will be left in the Secret Category are two: Full Crew and What Was That?

The former depends entirely on how you played the game and which of the companions you had alive at the point in the game where you began to assemble the crew. As we had inadvertently killed one of them, that one is not going to get unlocked for us.

For the latter you can basically pick it up at any point in combat by doing a counter then quickly attacking and throwing a bomb all in under four (4) seconds. Not as hard as it sounds.

For the base Achievements what you will have left - assuming you did not actively pursue them earlier, are the game completion ones (which we will address later) and the odd ones like Humpty Dumpty, Kaer Morhen Trained, That is the Evilest Thing, Overkill, Master Marksman, and Card Collector.

The thing about those is they all (with the exception of Card Collector) require you to do actions that are not in keeping with traditional game play in order to unlock them. With that in mind, you may want to save them for your second play-through when you go for the higher-level completion ones as well as the optional content you missed the first time through thanks to the past events quiz.

Needless to say during your second play-through you will want to give different answers to the quiz that the General gives you... Also you will want to be sure that the Card Bug does NOT get you - either missing the purchase of cards OR the Distressed Merchant Bug. Just saying.

So! This is one of those rare games where there are really very few Achievements left in terms of clearing away the odd ones. And that is refreshing indeed!

Tedd Deireadh, the Final Age

The Story Approaches its End

Flagged automatically as part of the main story --- Suggested Level: 30

Eredin's words rang in Geralt's ears. Could Avallac'h truly have betrayed them? Could Ciri still be in danger, even with the Wild Hunt destroyed once and for all? Without a moment to lose and paying no heed to their wounds or exhaustion, Geralt and Yennefer plunged back into the post-battle chaos ravaging Undvik.

A few things you need to know... First the death raining down from the sky CAN hurt you and Yen. Second, you WILL need to keep an eye on your health and use healing items - especially once Yen needs to cast the shield bubble and you have to stay close to her to be protected from the White Frost.

Finally at that stage the teleporting elven enemy and hounds go from being a mild diversion to something you will have to deal with since they will block the path up to the tower. So try to remember that when you step outside of the bubble you not only get damaged by your combat with them but ALSO by the White Frost. With that in mind say healed and... Sorry mates, I simply cannot resist this... Stay FROSTY!

Yeah I will probably burn in hell for that one.

Once you reach the strategic point where the CS kicks in at the magic barricade at the tower Yen tries to fill you in on the plan you don't get much other than tear a hole, go get Avallac'h, that sort of thing :)

So heal up, repair your armor and weapons, then head to the top to confront Avallac'h!

Just as we get ready to kill the elven Sage everything goes pear-shaped again. Avallac'h drops his sword and Ciri comes out of hiding and explains things. Well, at least things from HER point of view anyway. Not sure how we feel about that or her lack of being truthful before about her plans.

You know a lot of suffering has taken place due to this little girl... Thing is she has it in her head that she sort of owes destiny to prevent the destruction of worlds. She points out that this is, after all, HER story, and not yours...

So what can you do? Nothing really. She has demonstrated that time and again. So the only thing we thought we COULD do was wish her luck! And so we did...

Ciri steps through the portal and once again we see the world from her PoV. And it is a nasty place she has teleported to. But that makes us wonder why she needed Avallac'h for this? After all she can skip between worlds and time pretty much as desired...

We then get treated to all of the really important and key choices that we made that basically shape the ending we are about to receive. Remember back when we pointed out that there were decisions that would have consequences? THIS is what we were talking about! There were like seven or eight of them - you get to see the decision outcomes you chose in this flashback.

What we did was send a very confident Ciri against the threat - whatever it was - that she faced - and then we got to watch as she apparently beat it and the ice began to fall in our world. We then get a loading screen and, when the game resumes, a CS of a peaceful winter scene in which Geralt of Rivia is doing what Geralt does best - hang out in an Inn with his mates.

Sitting at his table is Yen, and at a nearby table Zoltan and Dandelion. Yen reminds you that you have something to do - and that ends this mission!

Objectives

• Follow Yennefer

• Get tto the elven tower

Something Ends, Something Begins

The Story Finishes

Flagged automatically by the main story -- Suggested Level: 30

My story begins in Temeria, near Vizima, with Geralt dreaming a dream of Yennefer, Ciri and the Wild Hunt. It ends in Temeria as well, with winter in full force, a blanket of snow wrapping the earth tight, and the Witcher and his ward heading out to hunt rabbits.

Before you head to the hunter talk to Dandelion to learn what his fate has turned out to be. A rewarded fate as it ends up!

As you leave the Inn in White Orchard you flag a Side-Quest called Faithful Friend. Go do that now!

As you approach the peasant in the street you get a CS conversation and invitation, and then you will notice that the Notice Board has a quest on it! But you cannot see it now. Head on to the hunter and chat him up to learn that your ward is gone - went off to set traps herself.

You catch up with Ciri there and have a chat then you start to get to see the results of all of the choices that you made earlier and throughout the story. As you approach the nest Ciri gets careless and nearly gets attacked by a Forktail - which you kill - but this is the first indication in her reaction that you have that things are not as settled for her as they are for you!

After her outburst you suggest that you two go fishing - and head for the lake. When you arrive you find a bear there doing his own fishing and decide to scare him off with a bomb. What a bear is doing awake and not hibernating this time of year you have to wonder?

Throwing the bomb near the bear gets you a bunch of fish from the lake - collect them and then go for a walk with Ciri and continue the chat.

As you walk you go down memory lane - and play a bit - which seems to cheer Ciri up! Then an alien spaceship flies down and attacks while robot-like special forces troops throw Pokemon at you and the... Just kidding! Just kidding!

When you reach the town you get yet another CS in which you see the royal escort that has arrived... It seems that Ciri has been trying to avoid this topic and so it catches you completely by surprise.

Ciri is headed back to the palace - to take her place as the new ruler of the land. Yeah, that is the ending we got by supporting her and building her confidence. And to be honest, it is the one we actually like most of all...

There are several endings you can get depending on how you played the story and the important decisions you made - by replaying it and making different choices you can see them all if you want to - really want to we mean.

Cannot help but think that Geralt would feel at least a little betrayed by her choice - the thing is she is very clear that this is what she wants. And since we have always supported her decisions, well, we have to support this one.

Ciri's final gesture - and the one that is most loaded - is to hand you her sword. Yeah, she won't need that where she is going. Sigh. As she rides off into the sunset on her charging white steed we fade to black, and then the credits role.

You will then unlock the Achievements that apply here for completing the game and story. The narrator tells you what the results of all of your efforts turned out to be - for THIS path of the story and the choices that you made.

It was certainly not all bad news - sure the Emperor took his revenge against enemies real - and imagined. But Skellige turned out okay, and Ciri turned out okay too. Geralt and Yen settled down and lived out their lives in idyllic peace - which is what they really wanted so don't pity them right?

And with that the credits role! Well done you! You have completed the final act of the three-acts that make up the story of Geralt of Rivia and his quest to restore his life and memories, find true love, and settle the future of his ward. And how cool is that?

Objectives

• Talk to the hunter

• Go to the meeting place

• Go to the Griffin's nest

• Kill the Forktail

• Go to the lake

• Throw a bomb to scare off the bear

• Collect the fish 4/4

• Go for a walk with Ciri

Wrapping Things Up

Alright then that pretty much wraps up the story in the game. You can continue to play if you like but basically the game is set at a permanent save state that is at where you completed it.

A better idea is to replay the game - at a higher difficulty and with an eye towards making different choices and seeing the other optional content that you missed out on by necessity and circumstance the first time through!

In fact the replay value for this title is pretty high - so high that it may stay in your game play rotation list for quite a while after you completed your first run-through as a result.

That said, the following are the significant elements you may want to experience:

Optional Content - this results from the answers that you give to the general when he quizzes you about your past in the castle at Vizimia.

Various Endings -- The decisions that you make with respect to Ciri will largely shape the ending that you get to experience in the game - for our play-through for this guide we were very supportive of her, and that got us the ending where she becomes Empress. But what if we had been more protective? Or indifferent? The only way to see is to do it!

Play Styles -- Another aspect of the game that rarely gets commented on is the play style you choose. It may not be completely obvious to you but the choices that you made in shaping your character and what abilities you chose to invest points in radically impacted your game play experience!

As you replay the game you should make conscious effort to choose different abilities and so experience a different Geralt from the one you have already played! The following are the unique paths that you can follow for this type of replay:

• Combat -- is he a swordsman? Archer? Berserker? That is up to you!

• Signs - is Geralt the consummate Witcher? Expert at Signs?

• Alchemy - does the Wolf Witcher give Professor Snape a run for his money?

• General - is Geralt an all-around utility type?

You will note that there is no spot for Mutagen in the list above - that is because at best that is more of a supporting role. That said though, WHICH Mutagen you select will have a decided impact on how much damage that the Witcher can soak up. Just saying...

Once you decide on the paths you will take for your replay - and which (if any) Achievements you mean to unlock this next go through - remember that this is all about having fun! Playing a game - and especially a game in the Witcher series should NEVER be a chore.

Thank you for reading our guide - we hope that it helped you and that you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it!