The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers numerous quests that add depth to its rich narrative, one such quest being “Precious Cargo.” This quest is located in White Orchard, where players engage with a merchant entangled in a web of deception. This article provides a detailed walkthrough of the quest, outlines rewards, and describes the consequences of different choices.
- Precious Cargo Location and Rewards
- How to Unlock Precious Cargo
- Is Precious Cargo Missable or Failable?
- Precious Cargo Walkthrough
- Consequences and Best Choice
- Outcome 1: Immediate End
- Outcomes 2, 3, and 4
- Escape and Capture Sequence
- Precious Cargo Tips and Strategies
- Combat Strategies
- Drowners
- Bandits/Humans
- Is Precious Cargo Worth It?
Precious Cargo Location and Rewards
The quest “Precious Cargo” is set in the White Orchard region. To initiate the quest, players must speak to a merchant located south of the Nilfgaardian Garrison, who is sitting beside a campfire.
Quest Rewards:
- Gold Reward: 30 or 20 or 50 Crowns
- Experience Reward: 25 or 10 XP
- Item Reward: 5 Celandine (in some outcomes)
How to Unlock Precious Cargo
To unlock the “Precious Cargo” quest, you need to approach the merchant near the campfire south of the Nilfgaardian Garrison. He will tell you about a lockbox that he lost in the swamp and ask for your help.
Is Precious Cargo Missable or Failable?
This quest is both missable and failable. You will miss and fail the quest if you start the Main Quest: “Imperial Audience” before completing it. In addition, if you accuse the merchant of lying and fail to catch him, the quest will fail.
Precious Cargo Walkthrough
| Objective | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Investigate the Clues | Head to the road near the Nilfgaardian Garrison and use your Witcher Senses to examine the clues. |
| 2. Investigate the New Quest Area | Move into the swamp area and defeat the Drowners that appear. |
| 3. Return to the Merchant | Go back to the merchant and speak with him. |
| 4. Chase Down the Merchant | If you accuse the merchant of lying, he will try to escape. Summon Roach and chase him down. |
| 5. Deal with the Merchant | Once you’ve caught him, you will be given a set of choices regarding what to do with him and the medicine. |
Consequences and Best Choice
Outcome 1: Immediate End
If you choose to give the medicine to the merchant right away, the quest ends immediately. You will receive 25 XP and 10 Crowns. This option provides the minimum benefit and does not expand the narrative.
Outcomes 2, 3, and 4
Escape and Capture Sequence
Choosing to further investigate sets into motion another sequence where you have to chase down the fleeing merchant. Upon capturing him, you’ll have three choices:
- Turn Him in to the Nilfgaardians: You will receive 10 XP and 30 Crowns. This option aligns with siding morally with the Nilfgaardians.
- Let Him Go with the Medicine: You will receive 10 XP and 30 Crowns. This choice indicates a tendency to side with the Temerian cause.
- Let Him Go but Keep the Medicine: You will receive 10 XP, 50 Crowns, and 5x Celandine. This is the most lucrative option monetarily.
It is important to note that none of these outcomes negatively affect Geralt in terms of reputation or future quests.
Precious Cargo Tips and Strategies
Combat Strategies
Drowners
- Use Necrophage Oil: Coat your Silver Sword with Necrophage Oil to deal additional damage.
- Cast Igni: Use the Igni Sign to burn the Drowners and create openings for attacks.
Bandits/Humans
- Use Hanged Man’s Venom: Coat your Steel Sword with Hanged Man’s Venom for extra damage against humans.
- Cast Aard or Axii: Utilize the Aard or Axii Sign to stagger enemies, giving yourself an advantageous window to strike.
Is Precious Cargo Worth It?
Deciding whether to undertake the “Precious Cargo” quest is often influenced by the player’s current standing in the game. The rewards can be modestly beneficial, particularly in the early game. Completing the quest provides a small amount of experience, gold, and sometimes additional alchemical ingredients. However, the decision ultimately relies on whether these rewards align with your current needs and goals within the game.
To summarize, “Precious Cargo” is a side quest that offers players in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt insights into the nuanced morality and complex decision-making that characterize the game. Its outcomes can subtly influence your stance in the world without drastically altering the main story. Engaging in this quest helps ground players in the morally gray universe The Witcher series is celebrated for.
