The Witcher 3 Catch-All

What MrDeVil909 said, basically. It helps reinforce the idea of The Continent living breathing world rather than a gaming arena. The story and side-missions are exquisitely design so that player generally takes the path of least resistance (or level-appropriate resistance), but that path does take in areas that the player simply cannot handle and must avoid until later in the game.

That said, the retreat mechanic does allow you to take on some enemies against whom you are marginally underlevelled. I played several of these, and - although they took repeated attempts (to find the optimum strategy and tactics) and a fair time to complete - I found them to be the most satisfying encounters of the game.

Red Skull enemies, though, are usually not worth battling, but - as RecreationalVillain says - the exploration and discover is a lot of what the game is about.

I've made it to Novigrad! Neat town. Immediately get pulled into the seamy criminal underworld. Also was reminded why I like Triss so much more than Yennefer. She's way more down to earth.

The proper Witcher 3 playthrough: f*ck Yennefer, marry Triss, kill Keira.

kuddles wrote:

The proper Witcher 3 playthrough: f*ck Yennefer, marry Triss, kill Keira.

Spoiler:

I actually had a bit of sympathy for Keira. So I suggested she head to Kaer Morhen. I felt bad that her choices were to stay in the boonies or lay her fate at the feet of a vindictive king.

maverickz wrote:
kuddles wrote:

The proper Witcher 3 playthrough: f*ck Yennefer, marry Triss, kill Keira.

Spoiler:

I actually had a bit of sympathy for Keira. So I suggested she head to Kaer Morhen. I felt bad that her choices were to stay in the boonies or lay her fate at the feet of a vindictive king.

Or indeed,

Spoiler:

death by your sword.

That's no choice at all!

maverickz wrote:
kuddles wrote:

The proper Witcher 3 playthrough: f*ck Yennefer, marry Triss, kill Keira.

Spoiler:

I actually had a bit of sympathy for Keira. So I suggested she head to Kaer Morhen. I felt bad that her choices were to stay in the boonies or lay her fate at the feet of a vindictive king.

Agreed. And I found it absolutely adorable

Spoiler:

that she and Lambert ended up together.

maverickz wrote:

I understand the challenge aspect of it, but, I don't even do chip damage to some of those things. Anyway, just a thoughtlet I had. Running from some of them is pretty exhilarating though, even if uncharacteristic for a badass like Geralt.

I don't find it uncharacteristic at all. He's badass, sure, but he is above all smart. He plans ahead, he prepares for a fight, and things don't go his way, he'll fall back and think of another angle, another way to tackle the issue. It's way he's been a Witcher this long. Badass, reckless Witchers don't live long at all.

I dunno, Ciri is still alive

Wait... is she a witcher or a witch? Witcherette? Witchess? Witcheratrix?

maverickz wrote:

I dunno, Ciri is still alive

Wait... is she a witcher or a witch? Witcherette? Witchess? Witcheratrix?

She's a Source.

Is that a spoiler? It sounds like a spoiler. I feel spoiled. Maybe that's just my dark cold soul though.

It's lore from the books, not really a spoiler. I think it's briefly touched on in the intro.

maverickz wrote:
kuddles wrote:

The proper Witcher 3 playthrough: f*ck Yennefer, marry Triss, kill Keira.

Spoiler:

I actually had a bit of sympathy for Keira. So I suggested she head to Kaer Morhen. I felt bad that her choices were to stay in the boonies or lay her fate at the feet of a vindictive king.

Per your spoiler, absolutely and well put. I'm surprised (more so from other corners of the internet) just how many folks consider the... precipitating incident an unforgivable assault on their ego. I'm a Yenn person (and would be any ways), however, Keira's fun to converse with even if doesn't end up going the same way. And sure, Triss is the easiest going temperament across the sorceresses but there's not the same depth there -- she's the player adoring male-wish-fulfillment option. Anyways, there were some good scenes in W3 with Keira. Memorable character.

Yenn --> Keira --> Triss
Hah, said it.

This entire game is wish fulfilment. Just a question of what's your fantasy. I didn't think Triss is any less real than Yen or Keira. I found Yen to be guarded and in some ways uninterested. And i don't believe i should go and chase some one in that way. Whereas Triss is open and genuine, traits that i prefer in a person. Yes, her relationship is simple, but some people prefer those. Like me. But that's just like my opinion dude.

^ Hah. Well, yes, absolutely to the first part; that knocks the wind out of the sails of the fun though My thoughts would usually reside in your camp.. I'm pulling some meta from the source material and an assumption that, while Yen is possessed of a certain base temperament there's (some?) culpability for any chill based on Witcher 2 (sort of an on-Geralt thing). You've got me dead to rights on the heavy handedness of the Triss comments. That said, the 'genuine' bit I have some issue with, RE aspects of her character based on the prior games, but that's an entirely separate ball of yarn I'll refrain from in this post (it's long).

I enjoy that the Witcher 3 elicits the same sort of opinions one might typically reserve for a favored tv show. I usually roll as the greedy rogue type in most RPGs because it's so, relatively, cartoonish whereas in the Witcher 3 'it matters' ;-P

edit|add: for amusement sake:

Spoiler:

the part you wrapped up with Keira at the tower. One of the dialogue bits will mildly tork her off and her retort is along the lines of ~ hey I don't piss in your cornflakes because you choose to be Yen's dog|let her treat you as such. I have a differing view of their relationship but seemed suitably apropos to your comment ;-P

Recreational Villain wrote:

^ while Yen is possessed of a certain base temperament there's (some?) culpability for any chill based on Witcher 2 (sort of an on-Geralt thing)

An 'on-Triss' thing, I would have said.

Recreational Villain wrote:

aspects of her character based on the prior games, but that's an entirely separate ball of yarn I'll refrain from in this post (it's long).

Oooh no need to refrain from it my friend, I'm always up for a bit of Triss bashing (I kid, I kid). But yeah, it's been discussed plenty of times in this thread already, though probably many, many pages ago, that some could not forgive Triss' deception in the earlier games, in so much as she knew Geralt was with Yennefer and it apparently slipped her mind the whole time he had amnesia. (Unless you were referring to a different Triss goof, in which case share!). Now, with that said, I totally get how lovely Triss is and why it's a perfectly valid choice for many, in fact I'd love to see some stats from CDPR on who chose what. It's just, well, my Geralt had some great reasons for letting her go.

It is interesting that people's reactions to the relationships seem to depend very much on the context they as players have going in to this game.

Is there anyone who read any of the books and played previous games who went with Triss?

I came in determined to do so, but actually couldn't do it when the time came to commit to her.

I'm going with Yen on my current playthrough after hearing how she is more filled out and crucial to the story. Honestly even after reading a few books though I stilll don't like Yen. Yen is very much the same character in the book and game and I have a pretty hard time finding any redeeming qualities with her. Triss on the other hand seems like a completely different character in the game, she is very easy to relate to and like.

Keira is still my favorite though, I love her voice acting and the way she banters with Geralt. I found her very charming.

Are these three woman the only significant female characters in the game (other than Ciri)? I've only recently made it to Triss, and Yen is just a name at this point. I liked sympathized with Keira and asked her to Kaer Morhen. Triss seems really likable and there is definitely some history between her and Geralt based on the dialogue options but I have no clue what that could be.

EverythingsTentative wrote:

Are these three woman the only significant female characters in the game (other than Ciri)? I've only recently made it to Triss, and Yen is just a name at this point. I liked sympathized with Keira and asked her to Kaer Morhen. Triss seems really likable and there is definitely some history between her and Geralt based on the dialogue options but I have no clue what that could be.

These theee are really the only significant love interests I believe and honestly Keira is really not even that. Yen is the canonical partner for Geralt if you go by the books, but Triss played a more significant role in the games so she has carried on as a much more endearing character in the games compared to how she is written in the book.

That's assuming by significant you mean love interest, if you mean women who have an impact on quests and story points then no. There are some really great female characters throughout the game and I hear the dlc adds another really good one.

Rave wrote:
EverythingsTentative wrote:

Are these three woman the only significant female characters in the game (other than Ciri)? I've only recently made it to Triss, and Yen is just a name at this point. I liked sympathized with Keira and asked her to Kaer Morhen. Triss seems really likable and there is definitely some history between her and Geralt based on the dialogue options but I have no clue what that could be.

These theee are really the only significant love interests I believe and honestly Keira is really not even that. Yen is the canonical partner for Geralt if you go by the books, but Triss played a more significant role in the games so she has carried on as a much more endearing character in the games compared to how she is written in the book.

That's assuming by significant you mean love interest, if you mean women who have an impact on quests and story points then no. There are some really great female characters throughout the game and I hear the dlc adds another really good one.

I guess I meant love interest. I mean The Crones are women...right?....and I already encountered them. Keira to me felt like a friend with benefits type thing. I think that was actually mentioned? That's doesn't feel like a "love" interest to me either.

kergguz wrote:
Recreational Villain wrote:

^ while Yen is possessed of a certain base temperament there's (some?) culpability for any chill based on Witcher 2 (sort of an on-Geralt thing)

An 'on-Triss' thing, I would have said.

Mah' words are all thumbs as of late. Yes, ultimately certain things are on Triss but as it relates to Yen and Geralt, if you are going that course, then it's 'on Geralt' to suck it up for a while till Yen's thaws over the Triss situation from prior games. Or to put it another way, you guys must be some sly devils if the whole 'but she came on to me!' is a thing that would actually work in your world

Yeah the main love interests are Yen and Triss. There is a whole complicated back story between the three of them. The original game takes place at a time when Triss and Geralt are together but the event that caused them to be together is very much glossed over. Yen never makes an appearance in the games until 3 despite having a much bigger role in the books then Triss.

Triss has done some pretty manipulative stuff in the books that are basically never touched upon in games. Yen on the other hand is a pretty complicated character that seems to have come over intact from the books because of this though she comes off a bit colder. This is why there is always debate on which one is the better love interest. Yen is the canonical partner if you have read the books. If you haven't though you really have no context for why people dislike Triss which is why some people prefer her in the game to Yen.

The books are really great if your interested in the series, and help flesh out the world and motivations that sometimes don't always seem clear. It's far from necessary to read them though I'd just go with who you like better in game.

Recreational Villain wrote:
kergguz wrote:
Recreational Villain wrote:

^ while Yen is possessed of a certain base temperament there's (some?) culpability for any chill based on Witcher 2 (sort of an on-Geralt thing)

An 'on-Triss' thing, I would have said.

Mah' words are all thumbs as of late. Yes, ultimately certain things are on Triss but as it relates to Yen and Geralt, if you are going that course, then it's 'on Geralt' to suck it up for a while till Yen's thaws over the Triss situation from prior games. Or to put it another way, you guys must be some sly devils if the whole 'but she came on to me!' is a thing that would actually work in your world

WE WERE ON A BREAK!!!

Rave wrote:

I'm going with Yen on my current playthrough after hearing how she is more filled out and crucial to the story. Honestly even after reading a few books though I stilll don't like Yen. Yen is very much the same character in the book and game and I have a pretty hard time finding any redeeming qualities with her. Triss on the other hand seems like a completely different character in the game, she is very easy to relate to and like.

Keira is still my favorite though, I love her voice acting and the way she banters with Geralt. I found her very charming.

Yeah, *I* still don't like Yen. But the Geralt I've both created and gotten to know over the years would definitely look poorly on Triss' deception and would still feel something for Yen. It seemed to me to be the obvious role-playing choice.

Having said that. I agree here:

It's far from necessary to read them though I'd just go with who you like better in game.

Just follow your instincts and make the choice you feel is right. While I did what felt right for me I wouldn't dream of being prescriptive.

I have not read any of the books. I've also never played W1. I did play W2, but I found the game so boring that, while I did finish it, I didn't pay any real attention to the story for the last third of the game. So to some extent, just some, I'm coming into W3 with a pretty blank slate. So that lack of background probably really influences my opinion on the Triss and Yen situation. To some extent, I'm probably getting a more surface level take on the whole, but that's something I'm going to have to live with as I don't have time to go through the background fiction.

Recreational Villain wrote:

That said, the 'genuine' bit I have some issue with, RE aspects of her character based on the prior games, but that's an entirely separate ball of yarn I'll refrain from in this post (it's long).

So this is probably on me because of that W2 thing where I didn't really pay attention to a lot of the story at the end. But I found my time with Triss in W2 pleasant enough.

Recreational Villain wrote:

I enjoy that the Witcher 3 elicits the same sort of opinions one might typically reserve for a favored tv show. I usually roll as the greedy rogue type in most RPGs because it's so, relatively, cartoonish whereas in the Witcher 3 'it matters' ;-P

I think this is a biggie! I too am finding myself much more invested in the story and the characters than in many other games. And that says a lot about the writing in the game. The last game where I got this involved was in Mass Effect, and that turned into my favorite game series. So while opinions differ, I think it's important to note that they exist, and strongly, which speaks highly of W3.

"Recreational Villain wrote:

edit|add: for amusement sake:

Spoiler:

the part you wrapped up with Keira at the tower. One of the dialogue bits will mildly tork her off and her retort is along the lines of ~ hey I don't piss in your cornflakes because you choose to be Yen's dog|let her treat you as such. I have a differing view of their relationship but seemed suitably apropos to your comment ;-P

I think I actually got that response, it sounds familiar, but I mostly brushed it off. I liked Keira, generally.

Yeah, *I* still don't like Yen. But the Geralt I've both created and gotten to know over the years would definitely look poorly on Triss' deception and would still feel something for Yen. It seemed to me to be the obvious role-playing choice

Feel the same that's a big reason why I went Yen this playthrough after losing my game save where I was going with Triss.

I really love Ciri as a character and want to get as much out of that story thread as possible and from what I've read it sounds like the Yen stuff has a slightly better payoff with her.

Rave wrote:

Triss has done some pretty manipulative stuff in the books that are basically never touched upon in games.

I suppose stealing someone else's partner while he has amnesia doesn't count.

Eleima wrote:
Rave wrote:

Triss has done some pretty manipulative stuff in the books that are basically never touched upon in games.

I suppose stealing someone else's partner while he has amnesia doesn't count.

Was that really dug into in the games? I didn't play a whole lot of 2 but I don't remember it being a real focal point. Maybe it caused some tention early on but they seemed to have moved on from it fairly early.

That's also the one book I haven't read (I've bought it just haven't gotten around to it get).

Maybe it's because I didn't read the books until Witcher 3 came out but I can't help but visualize them as the game characters. I find Yen comes off pretty unsympathetic in the books and I wonder how much of that is my preconceptions of her from the game.

Eleima wrote:
Rave wrote:

Triss has done some pretty manipulative stuff in the books that are basically never touched upon in games.

I suppose stealing someone else's partner while he has amnesia doesn't count.

We were just recently watching episodes of old Unsolved Mysteries and one of the episodes was about a man who was lost. His wife spent a year or more looking for him. Turns out he lost his memory and ended up in Key West. They got back together, for a couple of months. And then they separated, because it wasn't the same thing. The feelings were different now.

Relationships and feelings are weird, in that they are, in some ways, very dependent on time and place. I can see why Geralt may not have been interested in starting again with Yen at all. So putting all the blame on Triss may not be entirely fair to her. Based on my limited knowledge of the background lore.

Also, it's time to confess a sin.

Spoiler:

I got completely sick and tired of Geralt looking like a barrel with arms and legs in the Griffin armor. So I console command added the Wolven armor. I was level 15 and I know it's a level 14 armor. But reading about it, it turns out you can only really get it way into the game. At which point Geralt is supposed to be level 30 or something. So what good would it be then? That seems unfair, and his look was significantly impacting my enjoyment of the game. So there.

Armour doesn't seem to have a huge impact on the game in normal difficulty and I think each of the Witcher armour have upgrades that will take them to fairly high lvls and have decent set bonuses into the late 20's.

I personally roll with the cat school armour, I love the way it looks. Most of the armour looks ridiculous.

Rave wrote:
Eleima wrote:
Rave wrote:

Triss has done some pretty manipulative stuff in the books that are basically never touched upon in games.

I suppose stealing someone else's partner while he has amnesia doesn't count.

Was that really dug into in the games?

Spoiler:

Yen shouts at Triss how terrible a friend she is because the moment Gerard had amnesia, Yen was out of the picture, and instead of telling Gerald about her Triss took the opportunity to get him for herself.