In the expansive world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Gwent stands out as a popular game within the game itself. Known for its strategic depth and the allure of card collecting, Gwent has captivated players who appreciate tactical gameplay alongside Geralt’s monster-slaying quests. One of the intriguing side quests related to Gwent is titled “Gwent: Playing Innkeepers.” This secondary quest offers players the opportunity to win unique and powerful Gwent cards. This article will delve into the details, strategies, and tips required to conquer this quest and secure these coveted cards.
Overview of “Gwent: Playing Innkeepers”
The “Gwent: Playing Innkeepers” quest is part of the secondary quests in the Velen, Oxenfurt, and Novigrad regions. As players progress through the main story, they can encounter this quest by interacting with specific innkeepers in these areas. The objective is to defeat them in Gwent matches to earn unique cards, with each victory bringing new additions to your deck. Successfully completing this quest is essential for players aspiring to achieve the Card Collector achievement in the game.
Quest Initiation
The journey begins typically in one of the early regions of the game. Players are likely to cross paths with the Inn at the Crossroads’ innkeeper soon after the main storyline unfolds. However, initiating the quest is possible by taking on Gwent matches against any of the three key innkeepers:
- Stjepan – Found in The Alchemy in Oxenfurt.
- Olivier – Based in The Kingfisher Inn in Novigrad.
- Innkeeper at the Inn at the Crossroads – This innkeeper is encountered early in the Velen region.
In some instances, the quest can also be kick-started by picking up a notice from the Oxenfurt notice board, encouraging players to test their prowess against these seasoned innkeepers.
Innkeepers and Their Decks
Each innkeeper uses a distinct deck with unique strategies and card compositions. Understanding their decks and adapting your strategy is crucial for success.
1. Stjepan at The Alchemy
- Location: Oxenfurt
- Deck: Nilfgaardian
- Leader Card: Emhyr var Emreis: The White Flame
- Strategy: Stjepan’s deck heavily relies on spy, medic, and decoy cards. It is essential to counter his spies effectively as they allow him to draw more cards, potentially overwhelming you in subsequent rounds. His leader card negates your leader’s ability, demanding strategic flexibility on your part.
- Reward: Yennefer of Vengerberg card and a monetary reward.
2. Olivier at The Kingfisher
- Location: Novigrad
- Deck: Monster
- Strategy: Olivier’s Monster deck thrives on the Muster ability, which can quickly fill the battlefield with numerous cards. Using Weather cards like Biting Frost is an effective way to counter his predominantly close-combat card tactics. A focus on ranged and siege units can help mitigate the effects of his card maneuvers.
- Reward: Tibor Eggebracht card.
If Olivier is killed during the “Now or Never” quest, players can find his unique card in a lockbox within the Kingfisher Inn’s vicinity.
3. Innkeeper at the Inn at the Crossroads
- Location: Velen
- Deck: Nilfgaardian
- Leader Card: Emhyr var Emreis: Emperor of Nilfgaard
- Strategy: Similar to Stjepan, this innkeeper utilizes strong Nilfgaardian tactics. Key strategies include minimizing his effective use of spies and leveraging cards that can eliminate high-value units, like Scorch, to counteract his Medic ability, which can resurrect powerful discarded cards.
- Reward: Menno Coehoorn card.
Gwent Strategy Tips
To maximize your chances of winning against these formidable innkeepers, consider the following strategies:
- Build a Balanced Deck: Ensure your deck has an even mix of combat units across different lines – close, ranged, and siege. It offers versatility and adaptability against varying opponent strategies.
- Conserve Your Cards: Focus on winning rounds with minimal card expenditure. Utilize spies wisely to draw more cards from your deck without sacrificing gameplay advantage.
- Leader Abilities: Choose leader abilities that complement your deck’s strengths or counter your opponent’s potential strategies.
- Weather Cards: Prepare specific weather cards (Biting Frost, Impenetrable Fog, etc.) specially tailored to neutralize your opponent’s key strengths. Muster-based Monster decks are particularly vulnerable to Weather effects.
- Decoys and Scorch: These card types are invaluable for mitigating opponent card advantages, allowing you to retrieve valuable board-presence cards or eliminate high-value enemy units at crucial moments.
- Understand Opponent Patterns: Familiarize yourself with patterns specific to each innkeeper. Foreknowledge will allow you to predict their moves and alter your strategy accordingly, providing a tactical edge.
Concluding the Quest
Successfully defeating all three innkeepers concludes the “Gwent: Playing Innkeepers” quest, awarding you powerful cards that enhance your Gwent deck substantially. Completing this quest also lines you up for further challenges and achievements in the GAME, notably the Card Collector achievement, as it steadily builds your card inventory, rendering you a formidable opponent in subsequent Gwent challenges.
The journey through “Gwent: Playing Innkeepers” offers more than card battles; it provides a narrative of strategy, skill, and the pursuit of excellence within The Witcher 3’s rich lore. As you face off against seasoned contenders, each victory signifies a deeper understanding of Gwent and reflects Geralt’s strategic acumen, parallel to the intricate dance of diplomacy and danger in the Witcher’s world. Aspiring to master Gwent through this quest not only enriches the gameplay experience but also encapsulates the true essence of engaging virtual storytelling, as seen in the vast expanses of The Witcher series.
