Unlocking the ‘Old Pals’ Questline in The Witcher 3

In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you stumble upon a captivating and cunning game of Gwent, an in-game card-based strategy game. The charm of Gwent lies in its unique mechanics, varied factions, and the intellectual engagement it offers. As a game that Geralt plays to pass the time in the expansive world of The Witcher 3, Gwent serves as a delightful and strategic distraction.

Origins and Gameplay Mechanics

Gwent originated from Skellige and over time, it became a popular pastime throughout the Continent. The game is played by two participants, with each player having a minimum of 22 unit cards and up to 10 special cards in their deck.

Here’s an overview of the key mechanics:

• Beginning of the Game: Each player draws 10 cards from their deck. This will be their hand for the rest of the match;
• Round Play: Players take turns to play cards on a battlefield. The battlefield is divided into three rows: Melee, Ranged, and Siege;
• Winning a Round: The player who has more total strength points on their side of the battlefield at the end of a round wins;
• Victory: The first player to win two out of three rounds wins the game.

The unique structure of Gwent encourages players to apply strategic thought and careful planning. It becomes an intricate dance of knowing when to hold back or go all-in, making Gwent a game of both wits and chance.

Decks and Card Types

In the game of Gwent, there are four distinct factions: Northern Realms, Scoia’tael, Monsters, and Nilfgaardian Empire. Each faction has its own unique abilities and a set of cards that represent their faction’s strengths and strategies. Additionally, the Skellige faction was introduced later in the “Blood and Wine” expansion, bringing further variety to the game.

When constructing a deck in Gwent, players can choose from different types of cards, each serving a specific purpose:

Card Type	Description
Unit Cards	Unit cards are the core component of a deck. They represent the various characters, creatures, and entities that can be deployed onto the game board. Unit cards have their own strength points, which contribute to the player’s overall power on the board. They are also assigned to a specific row on the game board, determining their position and potential interactions with other cards. Some unit cards may possess special abilities that can enhance their effectiveness or influence the game board in unique ways.
Special Cards	Special cards encompass a range of cards that have distinct effects on gameplay. These include Weather cards, which can impact row efficiencies by affecting the strength of units in specific rows. Decoy cards allow players to strategically withdraw a card from the game board back into their hand, granting tactical advantages. Scorch cards, on the other hand, can be used to obliterate high-power units on the game board, potentially shifting the balance of power.
Leader Cards	Each deck in Gwent is associated with a leader card. Leader cards provide a one-time ability or effect that can be activated during a match. These abilities are often strategic in nature and can greatly influence the course of the game. Choosing the right leader card and utilizing its ability at the opportune moment is crucial for achieving victory.

The ‘Old Pals’ Questline

While the main game focuses on Geralt’s quests, one of the most compelling side stories involves Gwent. The ‘Old Pals’ questline is a series of games Geralt plays against his friends, each match offering a more challenging deck to defeat and a unique card to win.

Zoltan Chivay

Zoltan is an old friend of Geralt, known for his boisterous spirit and loyalty. He is the first ‘Old Pal’ you face in Gwent. His deck is relatively straightforward to beat, primarily focusing on the Scoia’tael faction. Upon defeating Zoltan, you’ll win the Eithné leader card, a unique and strong leader card for the Scoia’tael deck.

Vernon Roche

Vernon Roche is the commander of the Blue Stripes, Temeria’s special forces. He is a trusted friend and ally of Geralt. Located at the Temerian Partisan Hideout, Roche is the next opponent. His deck is a step-up in difficulty from Zoltan’s and focuses on the Northern Realms faction. His strategy involves a mix of strong hero cards and tight bond cards. Overcoming Roche’s deck yields the Ves card, a strong and valuable card for the Northern Realms deck.

Thaler

Formerly a Temerian spy, Thaler is found at the Seven Cats Inn, but only after the completion of the secondary quest ‘A Deadly Plot’. Thaler’s Northern Realms deck focuses on utilizing spy cards to gain card advantage and outmaneuver the opponent. Defeating Thaler awards the Geralt of Rivia card, one of the strongest hero cards in the game.

Lambert

The final challenge comes from Lambert, a fellow Witcher who can be found at either the Nowhere Inn or the Old Watchtower, depending on your progress in the main story. Despite being the last of the old pals, Lambert’s deck is more straightforward than Thaler’s. His Northern Realms deck is rich in hero cards. Upon defeating Lambert, you win the Triss Merigold card, a highly effective hero card.

Gwent Strategies for ‘Old Pals’ Questline

The ‘Old Pals’ questline offers a deeper appreciation of Gwent and the strategic depth it provides. Here are some tips for success:

• Card Advantage: It’s crucial in Gwent to always aim for the last play. With the final move, you can dictate the game’s outcome;
• Strategic Sacrifices: It’s okay to lose a round if it means you’ll be in a stronger position for the remaining rounds. Use the first round to bait out strong cards from your opponent;
• Deck Optimization: Keep your deck lean and mean. An optimal Gwent deck typically contains 22 unit cards and a handful of special cards.

Conclusion

The ‘Old Pals’ questline enriches the already sprawling universe of The Witcher 3, providing a deeper dive into the strategic world of Gwent. Remember, every card won, every strategy honed, and every ‘Old Pal’ defeated brings you one step closer to becoming a Gwent master. In the end, it’s about the joy of the game. After all, as Zoltan says, “It’s not just about the cards. It’s about the player.”

FAQ

In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you stumble upon a captivating and cunning game of Gwent, an in-game card-based strategy game. The charm of Gwent lies in its unique mechanics, varied factions, and the intellectual engagement it offers. As a game that Geralt plays to pass the time in the expansive world of The Witcher…