Tutorials from The Witcher 3

Hearts of Stone

Welcome to the Hearts of Stone expansion!

In "standalone" mode, all the quests of the main storyline have been set as completed. As a result, your character has been duly leveled up and is ready for the new adventures that await you in Hearts of Stone.
Though core storyline quests are not available in this mode, you can still pursue and complete the main game's many side quests and monster hunts.

One last thing before you dive in: please remember to redistribute your Ability Points!

Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine

Welcome to the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions!

In "standalone" mode, all the quests of the main storyline have been set as completed. As a result, your character has been duly leveled up and is ready for new adventures.
Though core storyline quests are not available in this mode, you can still pursue and complete the main game's many side quests and monster hunts.

Blood and Wine

Congratulations! You can now begin your adventure with the Blood and Wine expansion!

Your currently tracked quest has been changed to the first quest of the Blood and Wine expansion, yet we only recommend starting it if your character level is at least 34.

Have fun and good luck on the Path!

Corvo Bianco - Garden

Welcome to the Corvo Bianco garden!

Here you will find the plants you need to create dyes to change the color of gear in witcher sets.

Any plants you pick will grow back after a certain time.

Corvo Bianco - Greenhouse

Welcome to the Corvo Bianco greenhouse.

Here you will find the herbs you need to create mutagens or change their colors.

Any herbs you pick will grow back after a certain time.

Character Development

Remember to distribute your unallocated Ability Points!

Temerian Armor Set

You can get Temerian gear from Bram, the merchant the witchers save from the griffin in White Orchard.

Beard and Hairstyle Set

Any barber can cut your hair or beard in the new styles. Note: your beard will stop growing after you change it to a style other than the default one.

New Quest - "Contract: Missing Miners"

Start this quest by taking its contract from the notice board in the village of Blandare in Skellige.

Alternate Yennefer Appearances

You can change Yennefer's appearance in the Game Menu.

Nilfgaardian Armor Set

You can get Nilfgaardian gear from the quartermaster at Crow's Perch castle.

Alternate Triss Appearance

You can change Triss' appearance in the Game Menu.

New Quest - "Fool's Gold"

To start this quest, talk to the bandits in the village of Lurtch in Velen.

"Ballad Heroes" Neutral Gwent Card Set

You can switch to the new look for neutral cards in the Game Menu.

NEW GAME +

You can start a NEW GAME + from the Game Menu after finishing the main storyline. If you finished the main storyline before installing this content, you need load a save made after completing the game and resave it for it to be eligible for use with NEW GAME +.

New Quest - "Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear"

To start this quest, buy a map from the merchant in Lindenvale, the armorer at Kaer Trolde, the armorer on Hierarch Square in Novigrad or Hattori. Alternatively, you can try to find the diagrams on your own.

Alternate Ciri Appearance

You can change Ciri's appearance in the Game Menu.

New Quest - "Contract: Skellige's Most Wanted"

You can start this quest by taking its contract from the notice board in the village of Fyresdal in Skellige or by talking to the man standing near the board telling a story about a monster attack.

Elite Crossbow Set

You can get the Nilfgaardian crossbow from the quartermaster at Crow's Perch castle, the Skellige crossbow from the blacksmith at Kaer Trolde and the elven crossbow from a merchant on the Gildorf market square in Novigrad (near St. Gregory's Bridge).

Skellige Armor Set

You can get Skellige gear from the armorer at Kaer Trolde in Skellige.

New Quest - "Where the Cat and Wolf Play..."

You can start this quest by taking its contract from the notice board in the village of Oreton in Velen or by traveling to the newly-added village of Honorton, also in Velen.

New Finisher Animations

Downloadable content has added new combat finisher animations to the game.

New Armor Set - White Tiger of the West

The White Tiger of the West armor set will be available in a chest at the Royal Palace in Vizima once you've met with Yennefer there.

Alternate Dandelion Appearance

You can change Dandelion's appearance in the Game Menu.

New Swords and Armor Set - Thousand Flowers

The Thousand Flowers armor and sword sets from Dol Blathanna will be available in a chest at the Royal Palace in Vizima once you've met with Yennefer there.

New Swords - Nine-Tailed Vixen

The Nine-Tailed Vixen steel and silver swords will be available in a chest at the Royal Palace in Vizima once you've met with Yennefer there.

Alternate Nilfgaardian Armor Appearance

You can change the appearance of Nilfgaardian soldier armor in the Game Menu.

New Quest - "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow"

You can start this quest by talking to the priest of the Eternal Fire near Devil's Pit.

New Control Options for Sign Casting

You can choose Standard Casting or Quick Casting in Gameplay options.

New Gwent Card - Roach

The new Roach Gwent card has been added to your Gwent deck.

Types of Items

Items you can create are divided into categories.

Created Item

Here you can find a description of the item you created.

Brewing Potions

Navigate to the Alchemy panel.

Ingredients

To create an item, you need the right ingredients.

Creating Ingredients

In the new row, you can select ingredients and create them immediately or buy them from the shopkeeper.

Alchemy Ingredients

Go near monster corpses to gather alchemy ingredients from them.

Replenishing Items

Oils, potions and bombs are consumed on use and can run out.

Replenish them automatically in the Meditation panel using hard alcohol from your inventory.

Select a Formula

Click Left mouse button on the required formula to select it.

Boats - Damage

Your boat is damaged! Critical amounts of damage will cause it to sink.

Boats

To take the helm of a boat, press E

Bombs

To throw a bomb, press Middle Mouse Button

You can also aim prior to throwing to increase your accuracy. To do this, hold Middle Mouse Button and aim. Then release Middle Mouse Button to throw the bomb.

Bombs - Aiming

Hold Middle Mouse Button and aim at one of the highlighted training posts, then release to throw the bomb.

Bombs - Motion Patterns

Step away from Vesemir and throw a bomb by rolling and turning the Joy-Con 2 (R) to the right.

Aiming Bombs - Gyroscope Mode

In Gyroscope Mode, you can rotate the Joy-Con 2 to make fine adjustments to your aim, allowing for greater precision. Hold Middle Mouse Button, aim at one of the highlighted training posts, and rotate the Joy-Con 2 to make adjustments to your aim. Then release to throw the bomb.

Character - Abilities

Choose an Ability and click on it using Right mouse button to develop it.

Character - Levels

Gain Experience Points by killing monsters and completing quests to level up.

Each level grants Ability Points, which you can spend to unlock or upgrade Abilities.

Abilities only take effect when placed in an open Ability slot. They can be swapped at any time.

Character

Click on the icon in the center of the screen to begin meditation.

Character - Ability Groups

An Ability's color indicates what branch it belongs to.

Character - Mutagens

Place a mutagen in a mutagen slot to activate it.

Mutagens override a group's color bonus and replace it with another one.

Character - Ability Points

You receive Ability Points every time you gain a level.

Using these points, you can acquire new Abilities or improve ones you already have.

Character - Leveling

You earn Experience Points when you complete quests and defeat opponents.

Once you pass a certain threshold number of Experience Points, you gain a level.

Each time you gain a level, you receive one Ability Point, which you can use to learn a new Ability or develop an Ability you already have.

To see your Abilities, go to the Character panel.

Blink

Hold Q to launch a surprise attack on up to five enemies.

The longer you hold the button, the greater the area of effect of your attack.

Ciri

When you play as Ciri, you cannot access the inventory or use Signs.

Energy

Each time Ciri uses her special powers, her Energy declines.

Some Energy is restored each time you attack a foe. You will regain access to Ciri's special abilities once your Energy has increased to the required level.

Taunt

Press Left Mouse Button to provoke an enemy into an immediate attack.

Climbing

Press Space to climb over obstacles, or press Space while running to leap over them.

Falling

Careful! Falling from a great height can lead to injury or even death!

Falling Damage

To decrease the damage you take when you fall, you can land with a roll.
To do so, press Space right before you land.

Grabbing Ledges

When jumping over large gaps, hold Space during your leap to grab onto any outcrops on the other side.

Adrenaline Points

Striking opponents generates Adrenaline Points .

Some abilities grant you special attacks which consume Adrenaline Points.

Your Adrenaline Points slowly decrease when you are out of combat.

Buffs

Here you can see all buffs currently affecting your character.

Fleeing the Battlefield

If a fight proves too difficult, you can flee and live to fight another day. Hold Alt to disengage from your target, then press Left Shift to run away during combat.

Monsters

Monsters are shown with a silver health bar above their heads, indicating you should fight them with your silver sword.

Press 2 to draw your silver sword.

Combat

Witchers use a range of weapons and combat techniques to exploit enemy weaknesses.

They wield two swords: steel, for humans and nonhumans, and silver for monsters.

They can also cast Signs – simple spells that can be used quickly during battle.

Witchers are also adept at basic alchemy, brewing potions, blade oils and bombs to gain an advantage against stronger or faster foes.

Counterattack

Press Right Mouse Button just before your opponent strikes to perform a counterattack.

Vitality

Keep an eye on your Vitality - if it becomes depleted, you die!

Vitality Regeneration

Regenerate Vitality by eating, drinking, or meditating for at least one hour.

Equip food and drink in Consumables slots and press R or F for quick use in combat.

You currently have food equipped in your upper Consumables slot. Press R to eat it and regenerate Vitality.

Gas Clouds

Gas clouds found in swampy areas are poisonous. If you remain in them too long, you will start to take damage.

These clouds are highly flammable - ignite them and they will explode in a fiery burst. Try to make use of this during combat.

Fast Attack

To mount a fast attack, press Left Mouse Button

If you have a key assigned to Modify Attack Type and strong attack, you can also mount a fast attack by holding the Modify Attack Type key and pressing the strong attack key.

Selecting Targets

Press Z to select a target. To deselect the target press Z again.

When you have a target selected, all your attacks are automatically directed toward it.

Targeting enemies isn't required, but doing so can help you focus on a specific opponent.

Parrying

Hold Right Mouse Button to parry attacks.

Stamina

Signs consume Stamina. If your Stamina level is too low, you can't cast them.

Dialogue Options

Click on a dialogue option to choose it.

Playstyle - Dual-Grip

To play in Dual-Grip Mode, detach the Joy-Con 2 controllers from the console. Motion Patterns can only be used when playing with the dual-controller grip. While using Motion Patterns, other features like Mouse Sensor and aiming in Gyroscope Mode will be automatically turned off for the Tutorial.

Dialogue - Time-constrained Options

Some dialogues demand you make a quick decision - choose your reply before time runs out!

Fast Travel

Signposts allow for Fast Travel between distant locations. To Fast Travel to a location, you must first visit it normally. Only then will a Fast Travel marker appear on the map for that location.

Settled Areas

In settled areas, such as cities, villages and camps, paths tend to be narrow and obstacles numerous. For this reason, your maximum movement speed in these locations is limited.

Deck Composition Rules

A deck must include at least 22 Unit Cards and may additionally include up to 10 Special Cards.

Note that adding more than 22 Unit Cards reduces your chances of drawing the most powerful cards from your deck.

End of Round

A round ends once both players have passed. The players then compare the total strength of their units to determine the winner.

All cards on the battlefield are discarded, and both players’ total strength is reset to 0.

Finding Cards

Acquire more powerful cards by completing certain quests, purchasing them from vendors, or beating opponents at gwent.

Gwent Deck

You've got a new gwent card!

You'll be able to examine it later in the Gwent Deck panel.

Basics

Gwent is an ancient dwarven card game that simulates the clash of two armies in battle. The players are generals, and the cards are their forces.

Starting a Game

To begin, you draw 10 cards. This will be your hand for the rest of the match.

You will NOT draw any more cards - so use these wisely!

Turns

During each turn, a player may place one card on the battlefield, or pass.

Leader Cards

Each deck has one Leader.

Each Leader has a unique ability - use it to turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Leader Cards that you do not own are locked. They will be available for you to use once you acquire them.

Life Gems

The player who loses a round also loses a Life Gem. The game is over once a player has lost both Life Gems.

Hero Cards

You’ve obtained your first Hero card!

Heroes are powerful units that are immune to special card effects.

Redraw

At the start of each game, you can select up to 2 cards to discard and redraw.

Total Strength

The number on the left side of the battlefield, by each player's icon, shows the current total strength of that player's units. The number next to a row shows the total strength for that row. Both values are updated when a card is played.

At the end of a round, the player with the highest total strength wins.

Unit Card Combat Row

Each Unit Card has an icon indicating its range: Close Combat, Ranged Combat or Siege Combat.

A Unit Card's range determines where you can place it on the battlefield.

Unit Card Special Ability

Some Unit Cards have special abilities.

For example, the Kaedweni Siege Expert's special ability is called Morale Boost, which grants +1 Strength to all units in the same row.

Unit Card Strength

The number in the upper-left corner of a card indicates its Strength.

When placed on the battlefield, this value is added to the total strength of the player who placed it.

Weather Cards

Weather Cards are a type of special card.

They reduce the strength of ALL cards of a given type on the battlefield, including your own.

Obstacles

Your horse will automatically jump over or navigate around any obstacles it encounters.

Mounted Combat

Mounted Combat:
Holding down an attack button will trigger a slow motion mode which makes it easier for you to strike your target. Geralt will decide for himself which side to attack from, based on your enemy's location.

Mounted Marksmanship:
Holding down the aim button will trigger a slow motion mode. While this mode is active, Roach will maintain her speed, so you do not need to hold down the gallop button.

Horses

Witchers spend most of their time on the road in search of their next contract. They must trek across wide valleys, climb over high mountain peaks and trudge through thick bogs.

Luckily, Geralt can always count on his horse, Roach, to help him in his travels.

To have Roach come to you, press X

Horses - Dismounting

Hold E to dismount.

Horses - Roads

When on a road, hold Left Shift without steering to automatically follow its path and conserve Stamina.

Horses - Cantering

Hold Left Shift to canter.

Horses - Galloping

Double-press Left Shift to gallop.

Your horse can't gallop with depleted Stamina.

Horse Gallop - Motion Patterns

Tilt each Joy-Con 2 slightly back, then slap them down to gain speed. Perform this multiple times to increase speed from a canter to a gallop.

Horses - Stamina

Once your horse's Stamina is depleted, you can no longer gallop.

Horses - Stopping

Hold X to stop your horse.

Horses - Summoning

To call Geralt’s horse, Roach, press X.

Stop Horse - Motion Patterns

To stop your horse, turn each Joy-Con 2 inward.

Call Horse - Motion Patterns

You can also call your horse with Motion Patterns. To do this, tilt the Joy-Con 2 (R) back.

Active Quest

Your current destination is shown on the minimap.

The trail shown on the map shows a route you can take to reach it.

Bleeding

The beast's attack has left you Bleeding!

The Bleeding will last for some time and cause a steady loss of Vitality.

If you have the Swallow potion or some food, you can consume them to temporarily speed up your Vitality regeneration and counteract the Bleeding.

You can also cast the Quen Sign to immediately stop any Vitality-depleting effects.

There are various other effects like Bleeding which can be applied to you in the game.
All currently applied effects are shown below your Vitality bar and in the Quick Access Menu.

Hearts of Stone

The Hearts of Stone expansion is now available!

To start the expansion, we recommend level 30 or higher and to follow the quest Evil's Soft First Touches.

Following a Character

The character you are supposed to follow is marked on the minimap.

Follow him or her to the marked destination.

Area Markers

When the exact position of an objective is not known, the minimap will indicate the area in which you should search.

Quick Access Menu

Press Tab to open the Quick Access Menu.

Here you can activate Signs, ranged weapons, special items and bombs.

The Quick Access Menu also shows all buffs currently affecting your character.

Objectives List

This list shows the objectives you are currently tracking.

If there are more than one, you can switch between them by pressing V

Minimap

The minimap shows your immediate surroundings.

The icon in the center indicates your current location and direction of travel.

Minimap and Objectives

The minimap in the upper right-hand corner of your display shows your current location and the surrounding area.

Underneath the minimap you'll find the objectives for your active quest.

Important Locations

Important locations, such as shops, are marked on the minimap with special icons.

Quest Updates

You just got a new quest.

When you see the notification on the left, press V to start tracking the quest.

Active Objective

If a quest has multiple objectives, press V to choose which one to track.

Points of Interest

Once you've explored a location, its icon on the minimap will become grayed out.

Objective Areas

Objectives will sometimes direct you to a general area when the exact position of your target is unknown.

Go to the marked area.

Return to Vesemir

Follow the trail shown on the minimap to return to Vesemir.

Game Saves

The game autosaves at key story moments.

You should still save often, as the Continent is full of predators, bloodthirsty beasts, bandits and countless other dangers...

List of Objectives

This list shows your current objectives.

Welcome to the Tutorial!

Welcome to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt!

This tutorial introduces the game’s core mechanics. You can disable tutorials in the Options menu.

Tutorial messages are saved in the Glossary.

Bees

A swarm of bees has attacked you!

You can use the Aard Sign to drive them off for a while, or the Igni Sign to kill them with a blast of fire.

Bees will attack anyone who gets too near their hive.

Destroying Objects

The hut's door won't open! Use your Witcher Senses by holding Right Mouse Button to see if there's anything you can do.

Fast Travel

Signposts allow you to travel directly from one location to another.

Press E at a signpost to fast travel.

Town Guards

Guardsmen try to keep the peace and don't like it when someone walks around with a drawn weapon. Sheathe your blade if you don't want any trouble…

Portals

To close a portal, toss a dimeritium bomb into it or get close and cast the Yrden Sign.

Alchemy Laboratory

In the lab, you can transform mutagens taken from monsters into their basic versions. For example, you can turn a wraith mutagen into a lesser green mutagen.

Notice Boards

You can find various offers of work for witchers on notice boards.

Stash

Store weapons, armor and junk in your stash for safekeeping.

Your stash can be accessed at multiple locations, and its contents are shared across all of them.

Theft

Guards won't tolerate theft - be careful!

Statistics

You can rotate your character by holding Left mouse button and moving the mouse. Zoom in and out using the Middle mouse button wheel. To change the camera's position, hold Right mouse button and move the mouse.

Travel Bag

Here are the other items currently in your possession.

Equipping Items

To equip an item, drag it from your bag to an appropriate slot, or double-click on it.

Stats

Here you'll find information about your most important character statistics.

Stats - More Information

NO DESIGN – DON'T TRANSLATE YET

Inventory Tabs

Select a tab to show the items of that type.

Inventory - Preview

Using the preview option, you can see how items will look which you cannot yet equip.

Inventory - Tabs

This tab shows oils, potions and bombs.

Inventory - Item Descriptions

You can toggle between large and small item descriptions by pressing Middle mouse button

Upgrading Armor

You have an armor upgrade! To use it, equip a piece of armor with an upgrade slot and go to the Inventory panel.

Books and Documents

To read books and other documents, open the Inventory panel.

Books and Scrolls

On the left, you can select books, scrolls and letters -- their contents will be shown in the center of the screen.

NEW GAME +

Welcome to New Game +!
A Potion of Clearance has been added to your inventory. You can use it to recover all your spent Ability Points so you can redistribute them.

Creating Items

The center of the screen shows the components needed to create this item.

Dismantling Items

In the Dismantle panel, you can break down items to obtain crafting components.

Item Diagrams

Take diagrams to craftsmen with the proper skills to have them craft the item for you.

Creating Components

In the new row, you can select components and create them immediately or buy them from the shopkeeper.

Pinning Formulae and Diagrams

In the Shop panel, select a crafting diagram or alchemy formula and Pin it to view its required components.

Pinning an item shows the required ingredients in the Shop panel, making it easier to track what you still need.

Witcher Gear

You've picked up the first item in a set of elite witcher gear.

Such items can be upgraded by taking them to a craftsman and providing an appropriate diagram, so hang on to them, even if you find something better.

Crossbow

Your mobility is limited underwater.

Use your crossbow to defend yourself against foes.

Darkness

You can use light sources, such as torches or lanterns, or the Cat potion to see better at night and in dark locations.

Damaged Items

One of your items is in bad shape. Repair it - otherwise it won't work as well.

Dyes

You can use dyes to change the color of your armor.

Enchantment Descriptions

A description of the selected enchantment appears here, along with its cost.

Enchantment Levels

Enchantments have various levels. A runewright can enchant an item of your choice only once he has reached a level equal to, or higher than, the level of the enchantment he is to cast.

Enchanting - Enchantments

This is the list of runewords and glyphwords that can be fitted in an item's sockets. Runewords are used to enhance weapons, while glyphwords enhance armor.

Enchanting - Items

Items that can be embedded with runewords and glyphwords, and thus enchanted, appear here.
Only items possessing three enhancement slots can be enchanted.

Enchanting Items

Enchantments on the list can be added, removed and filtered.

Food

You can equip food to gain quick access to it during gameplay. To do so, double-click on a food item or drag it to one of the consumables slots.

Placing Enchantments

You can have the Runewright place enchantments – Runewords or Glyphwords – in items, granting them new properties.

You can only place enchantments in items which have three sockets – but for a fitting price, the Runewright will add any missing sockets (even to items which do not currently have any).

Runewords are placed in weapons and Glyphwords are placed in armor. They can be removed or changed after placement.

Enchantments have various levels. The Runewright can only place an enchantment whose level is equal to or lower than his own. If you want him to place a higher level enchantment, you'll have to help him improve his abilities.

Oils

When facing foes armed with venom-tipped talons and skull-crushing jaws, a bare blade might not be enough. In such cases, witchers apply oils to their swords to tip the odds in their favor.

Applying an oil to your sword increases the damage it deals to a certain type of opponent.

Oils that damage monsters which are vulnerable to silver should be applied to your silver sword. Other oils should be applied to your steel sword.

Oils are applied using the Inventory panel. You can also use option “Automatically Apply Blade Oils” that you may find in the gameplay settings or apply oil via radial menu.

Every blow you land rubs a little oil off your blade. Once the oil is rubbed off completely, it no longer has any effect.

Potions

Witchers' bodies are mutated, allowing them to metabolize powerful potions.

You can brew potions using the Alchemy panel.

After a potion is brewed, you can consume it directly from the Inventory. You can also place it in one of the Consumables slots for quick use during combat.

To activate the potion in the first slot during combat, press R and to activate the potion in the second slot, press F

You have a limited number of doses of each potion. To gain more, enter Meditation. If you have hard alcohol in your Inventory, it will automatically be used to replenish your potions.

Potions add destructive toxins to your bloodstream. When your Toxicity reaches a critical level, you will start to lose Vitality.

Witcher School Bonuses

Wearing witcher gear of the highest quality will grant you special bonuses.

The bonuses are tied to the number of items from a given set you have equipped.

Each set grants two bonuses -- a partial set bonus and a complete set bonus. Equip all items from a given set and both bonuses will be granted simultaneously.

Shops

In the Shop panel, you can buy or sell items.

Prices change depending on the shopkeeper's needs and the local situation. The same items might have different prices in different shops.

Magic Projectiles

Press Middle Mouse Button to call down a fireball. It will strike your current location.

Explosion!

Step back, or the magic projectile will hit you!

Quest Items

You have a new quest item!

Prepare it for use by placing it in an appropriate slot in the Inventory Panel, then selecting it from the Quick Access Menu.

To use the item, press or hold Middle Mouse Button

Runestones

Runestones can be used to enhance your weapons.

Go to the Equipment tab in your inventory and click on a runestone.

Runewords and Glyphwords

You can enchant items with Runewords and Glyphwords to endow them with powerful traits.

Removing Upgrades

The cost of removing upgrades from this item is shown here.

Bestiary

Entries in the Bestiary provide additional information about monsters - including tips and strategies for how best to fight them.

Glossary

Click on the Glossary.

Quest Difficulty

Some quests might be too difficult for you at the moment. Each quest has a suggested level shown next to its name. Once your character reaches that level, you're ready to take on that quest.

Contracts

This list contains all monster contracts you have accepted.

Quest List

All the quests you have accepted are listed here.

To see more information about a quest, click on it.

Treasure Hunts

In this tab you'll find information about any rare objects you are currently looking for.

Rewards from the Ducal Camerlengo

You can collect rewards for your heroic deeds by visiting the ducal camerlengo, who can be found in his office on Knights Dormant Square in Beauclair.

Living the Knight Errant Life

Go to the camerlengo to collect a reward for your valor!

A Hanse's Reign of Terror Has Ended!

You've destroyed a hanse's base and killed its leader. That has put an end to its power over the area.

Deprived of their strong leader, bandits from nearby camps will now disperse and undoubtedly be picked off by knights errant or monsters.

Saint Lebioda's Statue Thrusts Closer to the Heavens!

It will take a day for the caravan to reach the statue's building site. Once that time has passed, Saint Lebioda's statue will tower even higher.

Meditation

During Meditation, you can prepare for combat, rest and create new alchemy items.

To enter meditation, rest by a fire or open the Quick Access Menu and click on the symbol in the center of the screen.

Meditation - Resting

Meditation replenishes oils, potions, and bombs using hard alcohol from your inventory. It also regenerates Vitality.

On "Blood and Broken Bones!" and "Death March!" difficulties, meditation does not regenerate Vitality.

To choose how long you will rest, double-click on a time.

Meditation - Preparation

Click on the Preparation tab.

Preparing for Combat

Preparation is key – brew potions, apply oils and visit craftsmen before combat.

Before attacking stronger enemies, consider completing side quests to gain experience and improve your chances.

Meditation - Mutagen Decoctions

Here you can activate mutagen decoctions.

Meditation - Oils

Applying an oil to your sword increases the damage it deals.

Meditation - Bombs

In the Inventory panel, you can activate bombs for quick use during combat.

Meditation - Potions

In the Inventory panel, you can activate potions for quick use during combat.

Replenishing Potions

To replenish potions and oils or create new bombs, go to the Meditation panel.

Your items will only be replenished if you are carrying strong alcohol, which used as an alchemical base in the brewing process.

Cat Potion

Use the Cat potion to see better in the dark.

Select it using the Inventory panel, then drink it right before descending into the well.

Potion Doses

You have a limited number of doses of each potion.

To replenish your supply, enter Meditation.

Potions

You have a witcher potion – equip it by dragging it to one of the consumables slots. During gameplay, press R to use the first slot or F to use the second slot.

Creating Items

In order to use an item during gameplay, it must first be equipped using the Inventory panel.

Consumable Slot 1 - Motion Patterns

With Motion Patterns you can use consumable items, such as potions. To use the item assigned to your primary consumable slot, tilt the Joy-Con 2 (L) back.

Consumable Slot 2 - Motion Patterns

To use the item assigned to your secondary consumable slot,
roll the Joy-Con 2 (L) to the right.

Jumping

Press Space to jump.

Stamina

Certain actions require Stamina in order to be performed. If your Stamina level is not sufficient, you won't be able to perform that action.

The amount of Stamina used differs from action to action.

Stamina regenerates automatically. If you don't have enough to perform a particular action, wait for it to regenerate.

There are various ways available to you in the game to increase the rate at which your Stamina regenerates. By making use of these, you will be able to perform powerful actions more often.

Leaping

Press Space while running to leap over obstacles.

Companion Travel

When traveling with companions, go near them and hold Left Shift to match your pace to theirs.

Sprinting

Hold Left Shift while running to sprint.

Mutagens

Witchers have hunted monsters for centuries. They know their prey well - including which parts of their bodies can be harvested and used for their mutagenic properties.

These ingredients are called mutagens. Gather them by looting the bodies of monsters you slay.

Mutagens can be used in the Character panel to enhance a group of Abilities and increase your Character stats.

They can also be used to prepare special mutagen decoctions.

Mutagen decoctions have more powerful and long-lasting effects than normal potions, however they also add more Toxicity to your bloodstream, leaving you less able to imbibe other potions before your Vitality starts to suffer.

Mutagen Decoctions

As part of their training, young witchers learn the difficult art of brewing mutagen decoctions - powerful potions that enhance their abilities and give them an edge in combat.

Mutagen decoctions can be prepared from mutagens using the Alchemy panel.

These decoctions have long-lasting effects, but they also add a large amount of Toxicity to your bloodstream, leaving you less able to imbibe other potions before your Vitality starts to suffer.

Mutations

Mutations let you alter the biochemical mechanisms governing Geralt's body. These mutations let Geralt gain new capabilities which normal men could never hope to acquire.

Strengthened Synapses

Strengthened Synapses is a special mutation, that develops automatically as you finish research on other mutations.

This mutation has several levels. Each time it gains a level, an additional Ability slot is unlocked in the Character Panel. The color of Ability which can be placed in a slot must match the color of the active mutation, so if a blue mutation is active, you can only activate a blue Ability, and so on. Yellow mutations are an exception -- when a yellow mutation is activated, you can use any Ability from the Combat, Alchemy or Signs groups.

Developing Mutations

You can develop several different mutations, but only one of them can be active at a time.

To develop a mutation, select it in the Mutation Panel and use the Research Mutation option. To complete research, you must devote Ability Points and mutagens of the right color. Once you confirm the research, the needed Ability Points and/or mutagens will be spent.

More advanced mutations require you to develop the basic ones first – look for information about this in the mutation's description.

Extra Slot

Thanks to the Strengthened Synapses mutation, you have an extra Ability slot at your disposal.

Advanced Mutations

Choose one of the advanced mutations.

Active Mutation

To see what mutation is currently active, open the Mutation Panel or the Character Panel.

Activating Mutations

Only one mutation can be active at any given time.

Researching Mutations

To research a mutation, you must have Ability Points and mutagens available. Return to this panel once you've gained enough of each.

Mutagens

If you have a mutation currently active, you cannot use mutagens to gain stat bonuses.

Required Mutations

To develop advanced mutations, you must first develop other, more basic ones. Information about this can be found in the mutation's description.

Mutation Research

For mutation research to finish successfully, you must use the required number of Ability Points and mutagens.

Oil Durability

Every blow you land rubs a bit of oil off your blade.

To apply a fresh coating, enter Meditation.

Oils

You have a blade oil in your inventory - to use it, apply it to your sword.

Signs - Aard

The Aard Sign stuns opponents or, in some cases, knocks them to the ground.

Quick Sign Casting – Aard

To cast Aard, hold Q and press Space

Quick Sign Casting – Axii

To cast Axii, press 7

Quick Sign Casting – Igni

To cast Igni, hold Q and press Right Mouse Button

Quick Sign Casting – Quen

To cast Quen, hold Q and press Alt

Quick Sign Casting

You have enabled Quick Sign Casting. This setting aims to eliminate the need for the Quick Access Menu when casting signs.

To use it, press one of the following keys:
3 Aard
7 Axii
6 Quen
4 Yrden
5 Igni

To cast the alternate version of a sign, hold the desired sign key instead of pressing.

Advanced Signs

To cast a Sign in its alternative mode, hold Q

Quick Sign Casting – Yrden

To cast Yrden, press 4

Signs - Axii

You can use the Axii Sign to temporarily disorient your opponents.

Signs - Igni

The Igni Sign deals fire damage and has a chance to apply a Burning effect on your opponents.

Casting Signs

To cast a Sign, press Q

Signs and certain other actions drain Stamina. Before you can cast a Sign again, you need to wait for your Stamina to regenerate.
To select a Sign, you can use the keyboard shortcuts 3 - 7

Signs - Quen

The Quen Sign protects you against damage and certain critical effects.

Combat

Wait for Vesemir to attack.

Casting Signs - Motion Patterns

To cast your active Sign, roll the Joy-Con 2 (L) to the left.

Signs - Yrden

Cast the Yrden Sign to lay a magic trap that slows anyone who enters its area of effect.

Diving

Hold C to dive or Space to swim toward the surface.

Breath

Keep an eye on how much breath you have remaining. Run out, and you'll drown!

Swimming - Speed

Hold Left Shift to swim swiftly.

Crossbow

Press Middle Mouse Button to let loose a bolt from your crossbow.

Crossbow - Motion Patterns

To perform a quick shot with your crossbow, roll and turn the Joy-Con 2 (R) to the left.

Drawing Swords

Press 1 to draw your steel sword.

Swords

You should use your steel sword instead of your silver sword against this opponent - remember to look at the color of your opponents' Vitality bars!

Tracks and Clues

When you find tracks or other clues, walk close, then press E to examine them.

Items

If you want to examine an item more closely, walk up to it and press E

Witcher Senses

Hold Right Mouse Button to use your Witcher Senses.

Tracks

Follow the dog's tracks.

Witcher Senses - Important Objects

Look for highlighted objects.

Filters

When you select one of the icon types, you can center the map view on each of the discovered locations of that type. To do so, click Left mouse button on the arrows beside the icon.

World Map

To jump to your current objective, press Tab