Hi!

I'm in the first area of the game, fighting drowners and wolves. I've gotten a little bit better at it, but I think I'm still doing something wrong. According to various threads, dodging and then attacking is the key. However, many times after I've sidestepped an attack, Geralt subsequently does a flashy spinning hit... in the completely wrong direction.

"Re-aiming" after a dodge isn't a big issue, I suppose, but for example drowners seem to get their bearings during that time, and get a hit in. The effect seems to be slightly more pronounced when fighting wolves. It makes sense - they're pretty fast, so there's no reason to assume they'd be still for Geralt to hit them.

Still, most players say they're playing on Death March and never getting hit, and that their secret is "just dodge". So, should I be using the hard target lock, or just hope Geralt doesn't do the jumpy pirouette when attacking after a dodge?

Thank you!

Don't use the hard target lock for groups. When fighting monsters sidestepping isn't really that helpful since usually their reach is longer since a lot of them jump and don't step forward, so the combat roll would be a good idea because it helps you escape being surrounded (wolfs, ghouls and drowners like to do that especially) and attack from the rear. Also Quen helps by giving you a protective bubble. People use dodge to encompass sidestepping and combat rolling. Also you should try and sidestep/combat roll into a direction that leaves your opponent open for an attack. It will get easier once you have more tools at your disposal like Rend/Whirlwind, a better Igni and Aard.