The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with its rich lore, vast open world, and deep storylines, continually captivates players. One of its most notable expansions, Blood and Wine, introduces a new, vibrant region known as Toussaint. This guide will outline how to unlock and access Toussaint, whether you choose to play through the main game or jump directly into the expansion.
What is Blood and Wine and How to Get It
Blood and Wine is the second major expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released in 2016. This expansion offers a substantial amount of new content, including the lush and prosperous region of Toussaint, which stands in stark contrast to the war-torn areas of Velen and Skellige. Player must own the base game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, to access this expansion.
There are a couple of ways to acquire Blood and Wine:
- Separate Purchase: If you own the base game, you can purchase Blood and Wine separately for approximately $20.
- Expansion Pass: This pass includes two major expansions—Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. It’s a cost-effective option if you want both expansions.
- Complete Edition: Typically available on all gaming platforms, this edition includes the base game, all free DLC, and both expansions. It’s an excellent choice for new players.
Regardless of the method you choose, owning Blood and Wine is essential to embark on the new adventures in Toussaint.
How to Unlock and Access Toussaint
There are two primary methods to access Toussaint: through normal game progression or by starting directly in Toussaint with a pre-made character.
Progressing Through the Main Game
If you choose to access Toussaint through the main game, ensure you have progressed to a certain point in the storyline and reached the appropriate level requirements. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Reaching the Required Level
Toussaint is designed for higher-level players, with the starting quest having a recommended level of 34. If you’re playing through the main game, you need to advance your character by completing quests and defeating enemies to reach this level. Specifically, the quest “Poet Under Pressure” must be completed to trigger the Blood and Wine content.
After completing “Poet Under Pressure,” you will automatically receive the quest “Envoys, Wineboys” as a prompt to start your journey to Toussaint.
Picking Up the Initial Quest
To initiate the Blood and Wine expansion, visit any notice board in Velen. Look for a notice titled “Appeal to Sir Geralt of Rivia, the Bridge his Crest.” This notice is available at various notice boards throughout Velen, but a known location is the Inn at the Crossroads in central Velen.
Meeting the Knights
After reading the notice, your objective will update to meet the knights from Toussaint at Holloway (Stonecutter’s Settlement). This area is southwest of Oxenfurt in Velen. Upon arrival, you will find two knights, Palmerin de Launfal and Milton de Peyrac-Peyran, arguing with the peasants. Engage with them to trigger a cutscene.
The knights, who are on a mission from the Duchess of Toussaint, will invite you to their homeland. You will need to either help them defend the village from bandits or proceed directly to Toussaint by accepting their invitation.
Defending the Village (Optional)
If you choose to help the knights against the bandits, you will have an additional combat encounter involving around a dozen level 35 bandits. Whether you help or not, the storyline remains largely unchanged, and you will eventually proceed to Toussaint.
Traveling to Toussaint
Accepting the invitation from the knights will trigger another cutscene, depicting your journey to the picturesque and vibrant land of Toussaint. Upon arrival, you will immediately face a giant named Golyat, who is attacking a young knight. Defeating Golyat requires utilizing Geralt’s combat skills effectively.
Golyat uses a variety of attacks, including wide swings and stomping, but can be defeated with perseverance. Using Ogroid Oil and signs like Axii and Quen can be particularly effective against him. Defeating Golyat will officially mark your entry into Toussaint, starting the main quest “The Beast of Toussaint.”
Starting Directly From Toussaint
If you’d prefer to dive straight into the Blood and Wine expansion without playing through the main game’s story, you can start a new game directly from the expansion’s content. Here’s how:
From the main menu, select “New Game” and then choose “Blood and Wine Only.” This option will start you with a pre-made Geralt character, appropriately leveled and equipped for the challenges in Toussaint. You will begin with the quest “Envoys, Wineboys,” bypassing earlier game content.
First Steps in Toussaint
Upon arrival in Toussaint, several opportunities and quests await you. Here are a few recommended initial actions:
- Visit Merchants: Toussaint is home to several merchants, particularly in the capital Beauclair, where you can buy and sell items.
- Grandmaster Crafter: In Beauclair, find the Grandmaster crafter to start collecting items for Grandmaster witcher gear sets.
- Dye Vendor: Another significant merchant in eastern Beauclair sells dyes to customize your armor.
- Unlock Mutations System: Start the side quest “Turn and Face the Strange” to access the Mutations System, which adds new layers to your build customization.
- Obtain Aerondight: Embark on the quest to collect Aerondight, a powerful silver sword that scales with your level.
While exploring Toussaint, ensure you gather essential consumable items like superior swords oils (Insectoid oil, Hanged Man’s Venom oil, and Vampire oil) and potions (Superior Swallow, Superior Black Blood, and Superior Tawny Owl).
For new players, it’s advisable to refrain from tackling high-level quests such as the Mutations system and Grandmaster sets scavenger hunts until you have reached at least level 30-35. Lower difficulty settings might allow for more exploration at lower levels, but on higher difficulties, readiness is crucial due to the challenging level 35-40 enemies.
In conclusion, whether you choose to journey through the main story of The Witcher 3 or start directly in Toussaint, the Blood and Wine expansion offers a wealth of new adventures, characters, and lore enriching the world of The Witcher. Gather your potions, sharpen your swords, and brace yourself for the challenges that await in the lush land of Toussaint.
