The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Beginner Guide – Mastering the First 20 Hours

Welcome to FizzyGames, your go‑to source for clear, actionable gaming advice. If you’ve just booted up The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and feel overwhelmed by the sprawling map, countless side quests, and deep combat system, you’ve landed in the right place. This witcher 3 beginner guide walks you through character creation, session planning, early‑game priorities, combat fundamentals, and resource management so you can enjoy a smooth, spoiler‑free start and avoid the common pitfalls that trip up new players.

Quick answer

  • Play time: Focus on the first 20 hours to unlock the main story, two Witcher contracts, and the first major gear set.
  • Session planning: Break your playtime into 2‑hour “chunks” – map exploration, quest completion, and skill points.
  • Key settings: Turn off auto‑save prompts, enable “Show Quest Markers,” and set combat difficulty to “Just Right.”
  • Mistake recovery: Use the “Reset Skill Points” option (available after Chapter 2) and re‑gather alchemy ingredients before tackling tougher monsters.
  • Core tip: Prioritise Geralt early game upgrades (signs, sword techniques) before chasing legendary loot.

Read on for the step‑by‑step walkthrough that turns a chaotic open world RPG starter into a focused adventure.

Step 1: Character Creation & Settings that Actually Matter

Even though The Witcher 3 doesn’t let you customize Geralt’s appearance beyond the default, the settings that actually matter can dramatically affect your early experience.

Settings to tweak

> Tip: Adjust these settings before you start the first quest. Changing them later can break immersion and force you to relearn mechanics.

Step 2: Session Planning – Your First 5 Hours

A solid session planning routine is the backbone of any open world rpg starter guide. Treat each play session like a mini‑mission.

  1. Hour 0‑1 – Tutorial & Prologue
  • Complete “The Beast of White Orchard” and the “Kaer Morhen” tutorial.
  • Allocate 2 skill points: one into Swordsmanship (Fast Attack) and one into Signs (Igni).
  1. Hour 1‑3 – Map Unlocked, First Side Quest
  • Open the world map; set a waypoint to Velen (the first major region).
  • Accept the “Missing Brother” quest – it introduces alchemy and corpse scanning.
  1. Hour 3‑5 – First Witcher Contract
  • Head to Novigrad for the “Contract: The Beast of the Woods.”
  • Gather silver ore, herbs, and a basic potion (Swallow) before the fight.

Why this works: You get a taste of story, side content, and combat variety without drowning in optional activities.

Step 3: Quest Prioritisation – Story vs. Side Content

New players often ask, “What should I do first?” The answer lies in balancing narrative momentum with mechanical growth.

  • Main Story (Priority 1) – Completes the “Prologue” and “Chapter 1” arcs, unlocking fast travel and the Geralt early game skill tree.
  • Witcher Contracts (Priority 2) – Provide decent XP, unique monster loot, and teach you to read enemy weaknesses.
  • Gwent & Treasure Hunts (Priority 3) – Fun diversions but can be postponed until after you have a reliable combat setup.

Quick prioritisation checklist

  • ✅ Finish all main story quests in White Orchard and Velen before tackling Novigrad’s side missions.
  • ✅ Complete at least two Witcher contracts before your first major gear upgrade.
  • ✅ Save Gwent decks for later; they’re rewarding but not essential for early survival.

Step 4: Combat Fundamentals – Geralt Early Game

Combat in The Witcher 3 blends swordplay, signs, and alchemy. Mastering the basics early prevents the “I can’t hit anything!” frustration.

Core combat loop

  1. Assess – Look for the monster’s telltale animation (e.g., a wolf’s crouch before a leap).
  2. Dodge – Roll to the side at the last possible moment; stamina will replenish quickly if you time it right.
  3. Sign – Cast Igni for fire damage on beasts, Quen for a protective shield, or Aard to stagger humanoids.
  4. Attack – Use a fast attack combo followed by a heavy strike for bonus damage.

Early‑game skill recommendations

> Tip: After each battle, open the Alchemy tab and brew a Swallow potion. It restores health over time and is cheap to make with common herbs.

Step 5: Efficient Resource Management

Your inventory can become a black hole if you don’t prune it regularly. Follow these evergreen witcher 3 beginner guide tips for a tidy backpack.

  • Sell or dismantle all low‑level gear (≤ +2) at the nearest blacksmith.
  • Organise alchemy ingredients by category (herbs, monster parts, minerals).
  • Craft “Repair Kits” early; they save gold when you need to fix your swords.
  • Use the “Quick Access” bar for potions, bombs, and signs you use most often.

Sample daily routine

  1. Loot – Collect everything from chests and corpses.
  2. Sort – Immediately sell or dismantle junk items.
  3. Craft – Make a Swallow potion and a basic bomb (e.g., Northern Wind).
  4. Upgrade – Apply a +1 sword upgrade at the blacksmith once you have enough ore.

Step 6: Mistake Recovery – How to Bounce Back

Even the best beginners make missteps. Here’s how to recover without losing momentum.

> Tip: The “Mistake Recovery” section is often overlooked in other guides, but at FizzyGames we know that a quick reset can save you hours of frustration.

Bonus Witcher 3 Tips for the Open World RPG Starter

These witcher 3 tips are perfect for players who love the freedom of an open world but need a roadmap.

  • Fast travel becomes available after the first main quest; use it to cut down on travel time.
  • Horse “Roach” can be summoned anywhere via the “Mount” button – keep her fed with oats to avoid losing her.
  • Night‑time travel is slower; plan long journeys for daylight to reduce random monster encounters.
  • Dialogue choices often affect quest outcomes – pick “Ask for more details” to unlock extra XP and lore.
  • Save often (manual saves) before major boss fights; the auto‑save can sometimes lock you into a bad outcome.

Bookmark this FizzyGames guide and revisit after your next session—small, repeatable improvements beat rewriting your whole plan every day.

FAQ

What is the best witcher 3 beginner guide?

For witcher 3 beginner guide: start with one core mechanic and practice it in a low-risk fight before scaling difficulty. FizzyGames readers usually lock one practice goal before changing loadouts or builds.

How do beginners start with witcher 3 beginner guide?

For witcher 3 beginner guide: avoid spreading points too thin—max your key skills before unlocking side branches.

What mistakes ruin witcher 3 beginner guide progress?

For witcher 3 beginner guide: track progress by whether fights get shorter and safer after each gear/skill upgrade.