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The Witcher 3: Wild HuntExpansions HoS and B&W when should I start? (12 posts)(12 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted July 29, 2016
I haven't bought the 2 expansions yet. I will probably buy the Expansion Pass soon.
Currently level 18, still looking for Ciri in Novigrad. Haven't made the trip to Skellige yet. Explored most of Velen&Novigrad. Finished The Bloody Baron storyline. Lots of quests.

Playing Death March and recently added the Enemy Upscaling option for extra challenge. Those angry beefed up mobs!

Should I buy the Expansions now or later? Any benefits for having them installed without actually acessing them yet?

When should I start doing them?

Before the story's finale? After the credits? Once I done everything else to do?
Is there a recommended level for both?
Not sure if I'll play NG+ so I want to have a complete coherent story experience.
Please keep the thread Spoiler-free.
Thanks!
No posts in this topic were marked as the solution yet. If you can help, add your reply
Posted July 29, 2016
There's a level requirement for both. Not sure of BaW, but HoS is level 32 IIRC.
HoS and BaW are stand alone stories.
There's currently a bug with BaW that occurs if you travel from Toussaint and than go back to it.
I prefered to start HoS after the main quest and BaW after the HoS.
Weather or not you clear the entire map of question marks, is up to you. I did it the first time to get enough cash to make and upgrade all witcher gears. Some question marks contain treasure quests.
Post edited July 31, 2016 by HertogJan
Posted July 29, 2016
Honestly I recommend completing the expansions in the order in which they came out. In other words: Start by completing the original content and main-quests. Then move on to Hearts of Stone. When you are done with the first expansion finally move on to Blood and Wine. This will also award you the highest level in the end, as most quests will not get greyed out when playing this way. (I think I was level 53 when I finished the last content in the game - expansions included).
Posted July 29, 2016
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HertogJan: There's a level requirement for both. Not sure of BaW, but HoS is level 32 IIRC.
HoS and BaW are stand alone stories.
There's currently a bug with BaW that occurs if you travel from Toussaint and than go back to it.
I prefered to start HoS after the main quest and BaW after the HoS.
Weather or not you clear the entire map of question marks, is up to you. I did it the first time to get enough cash to make and upgrade all witcher gears. Some question marks contain treasure quests.

Spoilers below:
Hey I am trying very hard not to read this spoiler line, and it's rather difficult. Unless it's a very minor spoiler or very necessary - can you perhaps remove it? (I don't see an option to hide spoilers). I only read it's about Vesemir 0_0 shoot I hope it's not what I think. I am VERY far from finishing the main story and I avoided all spoilers till now.
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Jespersgaard: Honestly I recommend completing the expansions in the order in which they came out. In other words: Start by completing the original content and main-quests. Then move on to Hearts of Stone. When you are done with the first expansion finally move on to Blood and Wine. This will also award you the highest level in the end, as most quests will not get greyed out when playing this way. (I think I was level 53 when I finished the last content in the game - expansions included).
Thanks - one thing that bothers me the most about this game - is how slow you level up. I don't get any XP for finishing main quests that are lower level than me, nor do I get much for quests that are higher level. I am starting to fear I will never reach the mid-20 or 30s level... Did you experience this as well?
Post edited July 29, 2016 by RansomSeraph
Posted July 30, 2016
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RansomSeraph: Thanks - one thing that bothers me the most about this game - is how slow you level up. I don't get any XP for finishing main quests that are lower level than me, nor do I get much for quests that are higher level. I am starting to fear I will never reach the mid-20 or 30s level... Did you experience this as well?
I wouldn't worry too much about experience points and leveling up. Main quests will give you plenty of xp - if you're too low level for them now, you'll catch up pretty soon. When I first started playing, I came out of White Orchard at Level 4 and it felt like everything was higher level and I wasn't making any progress. However, that changed pretty quickly as I advanced through the story! I out leveled some side quests and was either at or above the correct level for all the main quests.

I agree with Jespersgaard: playing through the main game, then the expansions in order, is the way to go.
Posted July 30, 2016
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RansomSeraph: Thanks - one thing that bothers me the most about this game - is how slow you level up. I don't get any XP for finishing main quests that are lower level than me, nor do I get much for quests that are higher level. I am starting to fear I will never reach the mid-20 or 30s level... Did you experience this as well?
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Alyosha: I wouldn't worry too much about experience points and leveling up. Main quests will give you plenty of xp - if you're too low level for them now, you'll catch up pretty soon. When I first started playing, I came out of White Orchard at Level 4 and it felt like everything was higher level and I wasn't making any progress. However, that changed pretty quickly as I advanced through the story! I out leveled some side quests and was either at or above the correct level for all the main quests.

I agree with Jespersgaard: playing through the main game, then the expansions in order, is the way to go.
Ok thanks
Thing is, all the Main Quests are 6-8levels LOWER than mine (18) level. So are the "Main" characters' Side quests. So I got 1XP point for countless main quests recently...
Radovid', Roche, Triss' early quests, Pricella's, Dandalion seeking quests, all criminal underworld quests, many sidequests in Novigrad, races..
I am currently in The Play is The Thing which is also level 10/11 lower than previous Quests with Reuven and Triss.

I am level 18 almost 19...
So for dozens of quests now I have been getting no xp..

Edit:
Well I am not terribly worried about it. A pity the XP downscales so drastically, but I guess it balances out, kinda:
You do main quests at the right level then level up faster - so you can explore more challenging areas and deal with more challenging foes in the world.
OR - you level up a lot at exploring - thus being already high leveled- then you do some lower level quests and there's 'no need' to level you up as much - you will susposedly reach the same level.

Though they could have made it more cumulative - stacking to reach a higher level in the end.
Post edited July 30, 2016 by RansomSeraph
Posted July 30, 2016
avatar
Alyosha: I wouldn't worry too much about experience points and leveling up. Main quests will give you plenty of xp - if you're too low level for them now, you'll catch up pretty soon. When I first started playing, I came out of White Orchard at Level 4 and it felt like everything was higher level and I wasn't making any progress. However, that changed pretty quickly as I advanced through the story! I out leveled some side quests and was either at or above the correct level for all the main quests.

I agree with Jespersgaard: playing through the main game, then the expansions in order, is the way to go.
avatar
RansomSeraph: Ok thanks
Thing is, all the Main Quests are 6-8levels LOWER than mine (18) level. So are the "Main" characters' Side quests. So I got 1XP point for countless main quests recently...
Radovid', Roche, Triss' early quests, Pricella's, Dandalion seeking quests, all criminal underworld quests, many sidequests in Novigrad, races..
I am currently in The Play is The Thing which is also level 10/11 lower than previous Quests with Reuven and Triss.

I am level 18 almost 19...
So for dozens of quests now I have been getting no xp..

Edit:
Well I am not terribly worried about it. A pity the XP downscales so drastically, but I guess it balances out, kinda:
You do main quests at the right level then level up faster - so you can explore more challenging areas and deal with more challenging foes in the world.
OR - you level up a lot at exploring - thus being already high leveled- then you do some lower level quests and there's 'no need' to level you up as much - you will susposedly reach the same level.

Though they could have made it more cumulative - stacking to reach a higher level in the end.
Whoops! I think I also meant to say that if you are too high level for the current main story quests, you'll eventually get to story quests that are more your level. I don't think it will hurt your xp and levellng growth as you go through the game, though.
Posted July 31, 2016
avatar
RansomSeraph: Ok thanks
Thing is, all the Main Quests are 6-8levels LOWER than mine (18) level. So are the "Main" characters' Side quests. So I got 1XP point for countless main quests recently...
Radovid', Roche, Triss' early quests, Pricella's, Dandalion seeking quests, all criminal underworld quests, many sidequests in Novigrad, races..
I am currently in The Play is The Thing which is also level 10/11 lower than previous Quests with Reuven and Triss.

I am level 18 almost 19...
So for dozens of quests now I have been getting no xp..

Edit:
Well I am not terribly worried about it. A pity the XP downscales so drastically, but I guess it balances out, kinda:
You do main quests at the right level then level up faster - so you can explore more challenging areas and deal with more challenging foes in the world.
OR - you level up a lot at exploring - thus being already high leveled- then you do some lower level quests and there's 'no need' to level you up as much - you will susposedly reach the same level.

Though they could have made it more cumulative - stacking to reach a higher level in the end.
avatar
Alyosha: Whoops! I think I also meant to say that if you are too high level for the current main story quests, you'll eventually get to story quests that are more your level. I don't think it will hurt your xp and levellng growth as you go through the game, though.
Thanks or the help! Just leveled up to level 19 after Break Neck Speed. Been a while since I played the game and now went back playing it for the past few days. How did you enjoy the game as a whole, I assume you've finished it at least once?
EDIT: I've nearly 300 hours on record. 1st playthrough obviously.
Post edited July 31, 2016 by RansomSeraph
Posted July 31, 2016
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HertogJan: Spoilers below:
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RansomSeraph: Hey I am trying very hard not to read this spoiler line, and it's rather difficult. Unless it's a very minor spoiler or very necessary - can you perhaps remove it? (I don't see an option to hide spoilers). I only read it's about Vesemir 0_0 shoot I hope it's not what I think. I am VERY far from finishing the main story and I avoided all spoilers till now.
I have removed it. There's a HoS quest that gives you an extra chat option with Vesimir in Kaer Morhen, if you haven't finished that part of the main quest line. It's none essential, just some extra lines regarding a former love interest from Vesimir. Could be nice during a 2nd playthrough.
Posted August 01, 2016
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RansomSeraph: Thanks or the help! Just leveled up to level 19 after Break Neck Speed. Been a while since I played the game and now went back playing it for the past few days. How did you enjoy the game as a whole, I assume you've finished it at least once?
EDIT: I've nearly 300 hours on record. 1st playthrough obviously.
I've enjoyed it quite a lot. I finished the main game and I've started a death march playthrough to try some different build and story options.

My first impressions on Hearts of Stone were a bit mixed, but it grew on me fairly quickly. Blood and Wine caught me right away: the new region is fantastic. There's some excellent work done with the background sounds of birds and insects: you can hear that you are in a different biome. Both DLC campaigns are basically self-contained side stories that don't relate to the main game. All in all, if you enjoy Witcher 3 and want more, I'd recommend picking up the season pass.
Post edited August 01, 2016 by Alyosha
Posted August 01, 2016
avatar
RansomSeraph: Thanks or the help! Just leveled up to level 19 after Break Neck Speed. Been a while since I played the game and now went back playing it for the past few days. How did you enjoy the game as a whole, I assume you've finished it at least once?
EDIT: I've nearly 300 hours on record. 1st playthrough obviously.
avatar
Alyosha: I've enjoyed it quite a lot. I finished the main game and I've started a Deathmatch playthrough to try some different build and story options.

My first impressions on Hearts of Stone were a bit mixed, but it grew on me fairly quickly. Blood and Wine caught me right away: the new region is fantastic. There's some excellent work done with the background sounds of birds and insects: you can hear that you are in a different biome. Both DLC campaigns are basically self-contained side stories that don't relate to the main game. All in all, if you enjoy Witcher 3 and want more, I'd recommend picking up the season pass.
Thanks buddy! Will do once I finish the main game's content or get close to it.
I'll take your guys' advice and access the Expansions -after the story's ending, in this order: TW3 - HoS - B&W.

Thank you all once again/

By the way...
I know it's a matter of taste, but since you helped me, I'd like to recommend a certain mod-combo I've set up myself.
I don't tend to use mods often- usually not at all - but I do mix a few simple mods that aren't much of a game-changer - just enhance the immersion:

1) Gophers Immersive HUD Tweak - makes the map and quest details hidden -but it reappears when you use Witcher Sense. - my favorite mod!
2) Immersive Cam - nice mod that allows you to modify the camera. Also include a 3rd person meditation camera with free cam and time control ( free cam was my idea!).
3) Little Bear or 3 Pounds of Steel to have Geralt's armor appear as Ursine tier 1 or as Kear Morhen armor.
4)*I also set Buffs not to display on HUD.
With full HP - the HUD becomes 100% hidden - but it reappears when needed during fights or while using the Witcher Sense.

These are a few screenshots I've taken (quality slightly reduced since I uploaded it to Nexus):
https://staticdelivery.nexusmods.com/mods/952/images/689-1-1469659738.jpg
https://staticdelivery.nexusmods.com/mods/952/images/689-0-1469791935.jpg
https://staticdelivery.nexusmods.com/mods/952/images/689-4-1463769531.jpg
Posted August 03, 2016
SPOILER:
According to one video on Youtube, if you finish HoS before the main game, you can get a few hints on how to get the good ending in the main game.
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The Witcher 3: Wild HuntExpansions HoS and B&W when should I start? (12 posts)(12 posts)
(12 posts)