The Witcher 3: A Guide to Playing Gwent

The Witcher 3: Mastering Gwent

As The Witcher 3 gears up for its Remastered update on December 14, players old and new will have the chance to revisit the game’s beloved card game, Gwent. Whether you're a returning player or someone who missed out initially, this is the perfect moment to dive into Gwent and explore its evolving strategies and secrets.

Getting Started with Gwent

Before diving into a Gwent match, you’ll need to place a wager. The game begins with a coin toss, determining which player will start. Each player then draws 10 cards from their deck and has the option to exchange up to two cards. The match progresses with players taking turns placing cards on the field until one either passes or runs out of cards.

Each card you play contributes to your overall score. The goal is to have the highest score at the end of the round. To win a Gwent game, you must win two out of three rounds. While Gwent may seem like a game of numbers, it involves strategic depth with decisions on when to play cards, when to pass, and when to make a comeback. Victory in matches earns you Gwent cards as rewards.

Understanding Gwent’s Mechanics

Here’s a closer look at Gwent’s core mechanics:

- Game Field: The battlefield consists of three rows on each side—Close Combat, Ranged, and Siege. The type of card you place depends on which row you choose.

- Deck Composition: Every deck is tied to a faction, has a leader, and includes unique abilities.

- Card Types: Gwent cards are categorized primarily into unit cards, which are used frequently. Some unit cards have special abilities that activate when placed or under certain conditions, indicated by a white icon.

- Weather and Special Cards: Weather cards affect the entire battlefield, while special cards have unique effects that can influence the game’s outcome.

Tips for Success in Gwent

1. Play with NPCs: Engaging with NPCs in Gwent matches helps improve your skills and rewards you with new cards.

2. Conserve Resources: Avoid using your strongest cards early. Save them for crucial moments.

3. Use Decoys Wisely: Decoys can be used to retrieve valuable cards from the field for future use.

4. Build a Compact Deck: Focus on creating a deck of 25-30 strong cards to enhance consistency.

5. Strategize Rounds: Don’t be afraid to skip a round to save resources for later. Prioritize winning the last two rounds.

6. Favor Nilfgaard and Northern Realms: These factions are more effective than Monster and Scoia’tael decks, especially because of the spy card, which allows you to draw two additional cards.

7. Decoy and Medic Cards: Use decoys to reclaim strong cards before losing a round. With two medic cards, you can use one in the second or third round and recover the other for additional cards.

8. Manage Scorch Card: Deploy Scorch only when your opponent has high attack power cards, as it eliminates cards with an attack power of six or greater.

9. Collect All Cards: Acquire every Gwent card available, even duplicates, for a complete deck.

10. Embrace NPC Challenges: Don’t miss opportunities to play Gwent with NPCs during quests, as they can lead to legendary rewards, such as Triss.

11. Choose Your Leader Wisely: Opt for Foltest: Lord Commander of the North to counter weather effects effectively.

12. Optimize Your Deck: Limit your deck to no more than 22 unit cards for a balanced hand. Ensure you include at least one Commander’s Horn card to potentially turn a lost round into a win.

The Witcher 3 Remastered offers a renewed opportunity to enjoy Gwent, adding depth to the overall experience of the game. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, immersing yourself in Gwent can lead to exciting new adventures and rewards, including the intriguing romance with Sasha. Don’t miss out on this chance to master Gwent and enrich your The Witcher 3 journey!