The world of “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is filled with mysteries, dangerous foes, and hidden treasures, none more intriguing than those found in the expansion “Blood and Wine.” Among these quests is “The Prison Experiment,” which invites players to explore a forsaken site fraught with danger and history. This guide is your comprehensive walkthrough for navigating the abandoned Bastoy Prison, defeating the dangerously elusive Alp, and unearthing the hidden riches within.
Location and Introduction to Bastoy Prison
To embark on the adventure of “The Prison Experiment” treasure hunt, you must journey to the Bastoy Prison ruins. Situated south of the Fort Astre Ruins and southwest of the Chucote Cave signpost, this location is unmarked on the map initially. However, as you approach, a “?” transforms into a Hidden Treasure icon, marking the beginning of your quest. Notably, Bastoy Prison plays host to more than this quest alone—it also ties into the Scavenger Hunt for the Grandmaster Manticore Gear, offering a treasure trove of potential discoveries for the sharp-eyed witcher.
Encountering the Alp
The first significant challenge posed by “The Prison Experiment” is the guardian Alp, a formidable enemy that will test your combat readiness and strategy. This creature is more than a simple foe—modeled after the vampire-like Bruxa, the Alp combines agility and ferocity in combat. It transforms from a hooded woman at Bastoy into a deadly adversary. This monster is particularly susceptible to certain witcher tools and techniques, so plan your approach with care.
Strategy for Defeating the Alp
- Vulnerabilities: The Alp is vulnerable to Moon Dust bombs, Vampire Oil applied to your silver sword, Black Blood potion, and the Yrden sign. Each plays a critical role in rendering the Alp’s speed and power manageable.
- Moon Dust Bomb: This can prevent the Alp from turning invisible, thus making it easier to anticipate and strike.
- Vampire Oil: Enhancing your silver sword with Vampire Oil increases the damage dealt per strike and is essential against vampire-type enemies.
- Black Blood Potion: This concoction is particularly useful as it makes your blood harmful to vampires, causing them damage when they attack you.
- Yrden Sign: The magical trap set by Yrden slows the Alp, counteracting its agility and allowing you more time to react and land blows.
Through a mixture of careful preparation and tactical patience, the Alp can be defeated, paving the way to explore the surrounding ruins and seek the hidden treasure.
Exploring Bastoy Prison Ruins
With the Alp defeated, the next phase of the quest involves exploring the desolate Bastoy Prison ruins. Amongst the debris and decaying architecture, several important items must be uncovered to proceed. Key to this exploration is employing the witcher senses, a tool that transforms mundane search into a guided adventure.
| Item | Description and Importance |
|---|---|
| Clerk’s Diary | Found on the clerk’s corpse, it provides insights into Bastoy’s tragic history. Reading it reveals the location of hidden treasure within the ruins and sets up the narrative context for your journey. |
| Old Key | Located alongside the diary, it is necessary to unlock the chest containing the adventure’s spoils. |
| Librarian’s Memoirs | Additional lore-imbued documents enriching the background story tied to Bastoy and potentially relevant to other quests like the Manticore gear hunt. |
These discoveries not only advance the “Prison Experiment” quest but also provide additional context to the broader narrative of the “Blood and Wine” expansion.
Unlocking the Treasure Chest
With the diary and key in hand, finding and unlocking the hidden treasure chest is the final objective. According to the diary, the chest lies east of the prison marker, concealed behind a wall within the ruins. Using your witcher senses will prove helpful in pinpointing its exact location.
Upon locating the chest, the old key allows access, revealing a wealth of gold and other miscellaneous loot. While the gold may be the primary reward, a host of other valuable items may be present depending on the player’s progress and the world state.
Tying the Narrative Together
The revelation of Bastoy Prison’s treasure is a testament not only to Geralt’s tenacity and skill but also offers a glance at the lore underpinning the Witcher universe. The quest’s name alludes to the real-world Stanford Prison Experiment—a notorious psychological project studying the dynamics of power—giving players a philosophical element to ponder alongside physical exploration.
Moreover, the setting of Bastoy references a real island in Norway renowned for its progressive penal system, adding a layer of real-world connection to the in-game narrative. Through searching ruined walls and battling mythical beasts, “The Prison Experiment” intertwines the fantastical with reflections of human society, a hallmark of deep storytelling in “The Witcher 3.”
Embarking on “The Prison Experiment” is an adventure that encapsulates everything players love about “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt”—from complex combat scenarios to weaving compelling lore seamlessly into its broad tapestry. With strategy, a keen eye, and a bit of courage, it rewards with both material gains and immersive storytelling, characteristic of a truly engaging role-playing experience.
