The Witcher 3: “Contract: Mysterious Tracks” — how to spread the bait around the hill, walkthrough

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers players a plethora of quests and contracts that challenge their witcher skills. Among these is the side quest titled “Contract: Mysterious Tracks,” set in the region of Velen. This contract invites Geralt of Rivia to investigate a series of perplexing tracks and face off against a formidable beast known as Howler, a variant of the Chort. Below is an exhaustive walkthrough of how to complete each segment of this quest, emphasizing key strategies and steps to spread the bait effectively around the hill to lure and ultimately defeat Howler.

Initiating the Quest: Contract Details and Preparation

The quest begins in the village of Lindenvale within Velen. You can unlock it by visiting the notice board and picking up the contract details. It directs you to a local hunter who will provide more insights about the mysterious tracks discovered nearby. Before venturing into the wilderness, you have the opportunity to negotiate your reward, potentially increasing it by up to 30 crowns.

Engaging in conversation with the hunter uncovers more details about your impending challenge. He recounts tales of a monstrous creature that ravaged a pack of wolves. Prepared with this information, it’s advisable to gear up appropriately with alchemical supplies and enhancements that might aid in the confrontation with the beast.

Tracking the Beast: Following the Mysterious Tracks

Employing Geralt’s witcher senses is crucial in kicking off the investigation. Follow these steps to locate the beast’s lair:

• Initial Examination: Move south from the hunter’s cabin to a location marked by a pile of slain wolves. Use your witcher senses to inspect the area and find large tracks leading away from the scene.
• Trail Movement: Continue following the tracks up the hill in a south-west direction until you arrive at a tree adorned with grey fur. Further scrutiny reveals a scent trail only detectable by a witcher.
• Following the Scent: Continue along the scent’s path until you reach a rocky and slightly elevated area that poses a challenge to direct access into the cave. Seek alternative routes to penetrate the beast’s domain.

Entering the Lair: Discovering the Beast’s Hideaway

Access to the cave where the beast hides requires some maneuvering. Instead of the primary entrance, located high up on a hill, Geralt must find a secret entry:

• Climbing and Discovery: Ascend to the top of the hill where you find a small hole covered under the foliage of trees. Drop into it to access the monster’s lair.
• Inside the Cave: Once inside, activate Geralt’s witcher senses again, examining the body of a Fiend, a previous victim of the Chort.

Crafting the Bait: Ingredients and Alchemy

Before facing Howler, you’ll need to craft a “Chort Lure” to bait the monster out from hiding. Gathering the necessary ingredients is straightforward, given their proximity:

• Fiend Dung and Crow’s Eye: Both can be located just outside the cave entrance or around the hill. The game conveniently provides these elements nearby to facilitate the task of alchemical preparation.
• Alchemy Process: Use the collected ingredients to craft the Chort Lure from your crafting menu. Ensure it is equipped before you proceed to the next step.

Spreading the Bait: Preparing for the Confrontation

The pivotal part of this quest lies in laying down bait strategically across specific points around the hill. This lures Howler out into the open:

Consult your minimap to find four designated spots encircling the hill. Spray the Chort Lure at each of these positions. Completing this task to specification ensures that Howler senses the bait and emerges from hiding.

Awaiting and Battling Howler

With the bait laid, return to the cavern and prepare for the encounter. Use the time to ensure your silver sword is coated in Relict Oil and your pocket contains other consumables:

• Attack Strategy: Howler, being a Chort, is vulnerable to certain strategies and items:
  • Relict Oil: Apply this to your silver sword to inflict significant damage.
  • Devil’s Puffball Bombs: Use these explosive devices to cause consistent damage over time.
  • Yrden and Axii Signs: Deploy Yrden to slow Howler’s movements, and cast Axii to briefly stun the creature. These tactics provide crucial windows to attack and retreat when needed.
• The Fight: The fight demands agility and informed timing. Balance offense with quick dodges to minimize damage from Howler’s powerful charges and swipes.

Post-Battle: Claiming Victory and Rewards

After successfully defeating Howler, collect your rewards by looting the corpse. This includes a valuable Chort Trophy, which can be equipped for additional gameplay bonuses. Additionally, retrieve other items from the carcass that may prove beneficial during your journey.

With the beast vanquished, exit the cave and make your way back to the hunter in Lindenvale. Upon returning, present the trophy as evidence of your success and finalize the quest by collecting your agreed-upon remuneration. The added reward includes experience points and the rare sword Azure Wrath.

Conclusion

The “Contract: Mysterious Tracks” within The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt highlights the blend of investigatory skill and combat prowess essential for any adept witcher. By meticulously planning each step—from the initial investigation to the combat strategy against Howler—players can effectively complete the quest while reaping its plentiful rewards.

Each step of the quest stands as a testament to the detailed world crafted by CD Projekt Red, offering players a chance to immerse in the fulfilling life of a witcher—a calling involving monster tracking, critical thinking, and deft skill in battle.