Achievement “Cow Killer” in The Witcher 3 (where to find 20 cows to kill)

“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is celebrated for its intricate quests, detailed world-building, and engaging combat. Among its myriad achievements is the humorous but aptly named “Moo-rderer” achievement, which challenges players to kill 20 cows. This guide will detail how to efficiently and effectively earn this achievement, including key locations in the game where cows can be found and the steps involved in the process.

Preparation for the Achievement

Before embarking on the quest to become a “Moo-rderer,” there are a few preparatory steps that players must undertake:

• Download the Hearts of Stone DLC: The “Moo-rderer” achievement is intrinsically linked to this expansion pack. Ensure you have it installed before you begin.
• Equipment Check: Equip a steel sword, as using any other method (such as signs) may not count towards the achievement.
• Stock Up on Supplies: While this task is not combat-intensive, having restorative items like food and potions can aid in maintaining health and reduce downtime.
• Meditation Knowledge: One key trick involves using the meditation mechanic to respawn cows after they’ve been killed. Ensure you are familiar with how to meditate in the game.

Primary Locations

Several locations within the game world of Velen and Novigrad are rich with cow populations. The knowledge of these locales will significantly reduce the time and effort required:

Martin Feuille’s Farmstead

Martin Feuille’s Farmstead, located just south of Yantra in the Velen region, is an ideal location for this achievement. It typically hosts a herd of around 8-10 cows, making it a prime spot for systematic “Moo-rderer” progression.

• Navigate to Martin Feuille’s Farmstead: Refer to the game’s map for precise locations. The farmstead is easily identifiable.
• Slay the Cows: Using your steel sword, kill all cows present in the field.
• Meditate: Meditate for a full day (24 hours) to respawn the cows.
• Repeat: Continue this cycle until the achievement is complete.

Despite being efficient, players should await about a full game day through the meditation mechanic for the cows to respawn. This method eliminates the need to traverse larger areas of the game world repeatedly.

Alternative Locations

If Martin Feuille’s Farmstead isn’t feasible or if players seek variety, alternative locations throughout the expansive game world can serve as substitutes:

• Whiterun Orchard: Another location teeming with cows, though players should be sufficiently leveled to handle potential challenges from the Bovine Defense Force Initiative, a protective measure triggered after killing cows in specific areas.
• Collective Farms in Novigrad: Several farms spread across Novigrad host cows. These farms vary in cow population but collectively serve the purpose when coupled with the meditation technique.
• Various Villages Across Velen: Smaller villages often have a few cows. While this option might extend the timeline for achievement completion, it provides an occasional change of scenery.

Combat Strategy

This achievement doesn’t demand high-level combat skills, but a few strategies can streamline the process:

• Use the Steel Sword: Confirm you are using a steel sword, as other methods like using signs (Igni, for instance) might not count.
• Swift Dispatch: Quickly slaying cows reduces the overall time spent. The crossbow can complement the sword but ensure the finishing blow is dealt by the steel sword.
• Meditation After Each Cycle: To optimize time, meditate immediately after each cow-killing cycle to trigger respawns without excessive delays.

Handling Potential Problems

Despite the relatively straightforward nature of the “Moo-rderer” achievement, issues may arise. Here are solutions to common problems:

• Respawn Delays: Restart the meditation process if cows don’t appear after the first cycle. Occasionally, adjusting the meditation time to more than 24 hours can resolve this.
• Avoiding the Bovine Defense Force Initiative: In White Orchard, killing too many cows might trigger this hostile force. Ensure you are high enough level to either handle or avoid these encounters, or simply choose another location.
• Varied Killing Tools: If an attempt using signs or other weapons does not register, revert to the steel sword and ensure consistency in this approach.

Time Management

To minimize time investment while ensuring efficiency, follow these additional tips:

• Frequent Saves: Regularly saving progress prevents any accidental loss of completion counts due to unexpected game events.
• Monitor Achievement Progress: Keep track of the number of cows killed to avoid redundancy or over estimation. In-game notifications and achievement trackers assist with this.
• Optimize Routes: If farming different locations, plan a route that minimizes travel time and utilizes in-game fast travel mechanisms effectively.

Sample Schedule

A representative plan to achieve the “Moo-rderer” status efficiently might look something like this:

Final Thoughts

Achieving the “Moo-rderer” title in “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is a testament to the game’s playful yet detailed achievement system. Following the outlined strategies, from location identification to efficient cow-dispatching techniques, players can proudly add another accolade to their accomplishment list. Focus on systematic killing, timely meditation, and strategic location choices ensures quicker and more efficient completion of the achievement.

Each step highlights attention to detail and strategic planning, perfect for players seeking comprehensive mastery of The Witcher 3 and all its expansions. Happy hunting, and may your “Moo-rderer” journey be swift and successful!