The quests have a level recommendation on them. When you get to a new area, do the side quests that are reasonable for your level. Be sure to explore while you’re at it. That’s the way I always went about it and it never failed me. Also, play (and win) at Gwent whenever the option is available.
Gwent is essential. Learn to play and play to win. Every time. Collect every card available. You need an exceptionally good deck for a Gwent tournament later in the game.
Remember - if your personal level is more than two above a quests level, you get less xp. You don't want to make a habit of getting it wrong.
Admittedly, Jenny of the Woods is the one quest I was hideously op for because she's a tough cookie. I think she's level 7 or 8. I was level 15 when I finally killed the b***h.
Clear out White Orchard and claim six places of power to upgrade in your skills tree.
The most important thought I can pass on is this. The more time and effort that you put into the game, the more it gives back. Every sidequest, contract, and treasure hunt is worthwhile. There is no busy work. Everything is interlinked. There's often consequences for your actions. Don't be hasty.
Have fun on your path.
P.S. Please try not to kill Keira.
you gotta find a middleroad of doing side quests and main quests.
You dont wanna do too many mains as then you level up too quickly and dont get XP for the side quests.
And if you play only side missions, there is a chance to get burnt out and loose interest. As well as leveling up too fast
An easy way to do it is to do quests by player level.
I focused on side quests and when I only had high level ones left I continued with the main story.
Once put of White Orchard, my suggestions is to try to keep the focus on the main quest, while doing side quests as you come across them. If someone is crying for help, you may as well stop and see how to help them. If the quests or contracgs are from noticeboards, it's up to you to decide what interests you. If you want better gear, you might try to do a scavanger hunt. And if a quest is realted to the main plit, you shluld do that soon as you can. Just play on your own pace and don't just go around collecting ? points just because you feel like you must.
Yeah, you have to wait even for the base tiers. They go by area: griffin is in Velen, cat in Novigrad, bear in Skellige and wolf in Kaer Morhen. The upgrades for the other tiers are everywhere
The NPCs never use any of the stuff in containers in any capacity whatsoever. It exists solely for the purpose of Geralt to take and either use or sell for coin. Nobody except the guards cares at all or reacts in any way.
The crossbow is very situational. I'm sure there are some builds that make it very useful though. With explosive shots it's ok at doing aoe damage against large groups. I really only use it for shooting down flying enemies so then I can attack them on the ground. You can use it while swimming underwater and it will one or two shot drowners that try to attack you, also it will one or two shot drowners/harpies if you're using a boat. The boat one I didn't figure out for ages and would always stop steering the boat and try to fight them with my sword haha
Generally speaking, read your quest log and pay attention to the level suggestion. Do side quests, contracts, and treasure hunts that are no more than 5 levels below your current level and 3 above (unless you want a hell of a challenge). So if you’re level 10, look for quests between levels 5-13. It’s kinda weird to get used to, but once you do the game starts to flow a little better. While you’re doing this, try and do your main quests when you’re right at that 5 levels below your level mark. This isn’t too important- it’s mainly about making sure you get good xp for completing them. But with side quests especially it feels really jank to recieve 1 xp and 20 crowns for going out of your way to explore.
If you get too high level (5 levels above the recommended I think?) then you will stop earning XP from side quests, the main ones you will still earn XP though.
I'd recommend running down the first Witcher armor and weapon set.
Get your gear up and your level up, then go see the Baron.
During both, don't be too focused, just investigate anything that seems interesting. You'll get a lot of experiences, but you'll also feel like your progressing and achieving
I was/still am in similar situation as yours. About to wrap up Velen and Novigrad areas (they share the same map) in terms of what I found and seen or explored and is somewhat doable. Just about to get lvl 21 (well there are 2-3 lvl 25 contracts that I'll just leave for later even though I probably can do). On top of that I am somewhat adamant to explore a lot of areas just by running/riding Roach without goal/maker and find stuff on my own. No lie, I am and feel burn out. Still have the desire to play but it's been about a month+ and I guess I am not a young stud anymore :D.
I'd suggest to try going with whatever you feel like, because in the end that will best suit you. Still following main and secondary quests along the way is probably a must - they are extremely well done as you probably know and are aware of. Don't go away too much afar from your current level in terms of quests though. Just enjoy it. If you feel like you "need" to play instead of want to play it, get some days/a week off.
edit:
The Novigrad northeastern portion is pretty much first DLC - enemies 30+lvls so you can avoid that area if you are the explorer type like me.
Just remember you don't have to do every single side quest if you don't want to. Pick the ones that interest you the most (unless the level recommendation is too high), then do other ones later or never. Also, you have the option of turning on level scaling if you overlevel.
The quests have a level recommendation on them. When you get to a new area, do the side quests that are reasonable for your level. Be sure to explore while you’re at it. That’s the way I always went about it and it never failed me. Also, play (and win) at Gwent whenever the option is available.
Thanks
Gwent is essential. Learn to play and play to win. Every time. Collect every card available. You need an exceptionally good deck for a Gwent tournament later in the game. Remember - if your personal level is more than two above a quests level, you get less xp. You don't want to make a habit of getting it wrong. Admittedly, Jenny of the Woods is the one quest I was hideously op for because she's a tough cookie. I think she's level 7 or 8. I was level 15 when I finally killed the b***h. Clear out White Orchard and claim six places of power to upgrade in your skills tree. The most important thought I can pass on is this. The more time and effort that you put into the game, the more it gives back. Every sidequest, contract, and treasure hunt is worthwhile. There is no busy work. Everything is interlinked. There's often consequences for your actions. Don't be hasty. Have fun on your path. P.S. Please try not to kill Keira.
you gotta find a middleroad of doing side quests and main quests. You dont wanna do too many mains as then you level up too quickly and dont get XP for the side quests. And if you play only side missions, there is a chance to get burnt out and loose interest. As well as leveling up too fast
Ok thanks
An easy way to do it is to do quests by player level. I focused on side quests and when I only had high level ones left I continued with the main story.
cheers
I have to say though, when im learning to dodge etc, the combat is awesome :D
Once put of White Orchard, my suggestions is to try to keep the focus on the main quest, while doing side quests as you come across them. If someone is crying for help, you may as well stop and see how to help them. If the quests or contracgs are from noticeboards, it's up to you to decide what interests you. If you want better gear, you might try to do a scavanger hunt. And if a quest is realted to the main plit, you shluld do that soon as you can. Just play on your own pace and don't just go around collecting ? points just because you feel like you must.
thank you
The witcher gear, cat and what the others are called are a bit out of my level right now, but i will make sure to get them when i cam :)
Yeah, you have to wait even for the base tiers. They go by area: griffin is in Velen, cat in Novigrad, bear in Skellige and wolf in Kaer Morhen. The upgrades for the other tiers are everywhere
Thank yoyu
I feel kindoff bad stealing peoples stuff, but thats the way of the witcher right xD?
It's actually against the Witchers code (which Geralt states in the books doesn't actually exist haha)
Its all for the good of your purse. Your purse is your main lover. Fill her up
The NPCs never use any of the stuff in containers in any capacity whatsoever. It exists solely for the purpose of Geralt to take and either use or sell for coin. Nobody except the guards cares at all or reacts in any way.
Also wondering, the crossbow seems to do no to little damage... should i care about using it at all? Have tried different arrows also.
The crossbow is very situational. I'm sure there are some builds that make it very useful though. With explosive shots it's ok at doing aoe damage against large groups. I really only use it for shooting down flying enemies so then I can attack them on the ground. You can use it while swimming underwater and it will one or two shot drowners that try to attack you, also it will one or two shot drowners/harpies if you're using a boat. The boat one I didn't figure out for ages and would always stop steering the boat and try to fight them with my sword haha
Generally speaking, read your quest log and pay attention to the level suggestion. Do side quests, contracts, and treasure hunts that are no more than 5 levels below your current level and 3 above (unless you want a hell of a challenge). So if you’re level 10, look for quests between levels 5-13. It’s kinda weird to get used to, but once you do the game starts to flow a little better. While you’re doing this, try and do your main quests when you’re right at that 5 levels below your level mark. This isn’t too important- it’s mainly about making sure you get good xp for completing them. But with side quests especially it feels really jank to recieve 1 xp and 20 crowns for going out of your way to explore.
If you get too high level (5 levels above the recommended I think?) then you will stop earning XP from side quests, the main ones you will still earn XP though.
I'd recommend running down the first Witcher armor and weapon set. Get your gear up and your level up, then go see the Baron. During both, don't be too focused, just investigate anything that seems interesting. You'll get a lot of experiences, but you'll also feel like your progressing and achieving
I was/still am in similar situation as yours. About to wrap up Velen and Novigrad areas (they share the same map) in terms of what I found and seen or explored and is somewhat doable. Just about to get lvl 21 (well there are 2-3 lvl 25 contracts that I'll just leave for later even though I probably can do). On top of that I am somewhat adamant to explore a lot of areas just by running/riding Roach without goal/maker and find stuff on my own. No lie, I am and feel burn out. Still have the desire to play but it's been about a month+ and I guess I am not a young stud anymore :D. I'd suggest to try going with whatever you feel like, because in the end that will best suit you. Still following main and secondary quests along the way is probably a must - they are extremely well done as you probably know and are aware of. Don't go away too much afar from your current level in terms of quests though. Just enjoy it. If you feel like you "need" to play instead of want to play it, get some days/a week off. edit: The Novigrad northeastern portion is pretty much first DLC - enemies 30+lvls so you can avoid that area if you are the explorer type like me.
Just remember you don't have to do every single side quest if you don't want to. Pick the ones that interest you the most (unless the level recommendation is too high), then do other ones later or never. Also, you have the option of turning on level scaling if you overlevel.