The Witcher 3 quest “Gangs of Novigrad”: walkthrough without failure and its consequences

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a critically acclaimed RPG, offers vast landscapes, complex characters, and an abundance of quests to complete. Among these numerous quests is “Gangs of Novigrad,” a secondary quest that intertwines with the main storyline notably during “Get Junior.” This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the quest without failing and understand the consequences of your actions.

The Gangs of Novigrad: Overview

The Gangs of Novigrad becomes available during the “Get Junior” main quest after you speak with Sigismund Dijkstra in his bathhouse. From that point, the quest’s objectives can significantly affect your progress in “Get Junior” and your interactions with key NPCs.

How to Unlock The Gangs of Novigrad

You’ll unlock this quest during “Get Junior” after your initial meeting with Dijkstra. Ensure you speak to Cleaver (Carlo Varese) in Hierarch Square, Novigrad, to begin this journey.

Quest’s Missability and Failable Conditions

This quest is missable and may fail under certain conditions. Specifically, if you talk to Radovid during “Get Junior” before completing “Gangs of Novigrad,” the latter will automatically fail. Therefore, it’s crucial to prioritize completing this quest before proceeding further with “Get Junior.”

The Gangs of Novigrad Walkthrough

Initial Steps

1. Head to Hierarch Square and locate Cleaver, a Dwarven crime boss.
2. Engage in a conversation where Cleaver will enlist your help, asking you to assist in dismantling Whoreson Junior’s criminal operations. Agree to help his men to initiate the quest objectives.

Choosing the Path: Casino or Arena

You have the option to target Whoreson Junior’s two primary establishments first: the casino or the arena.

Casino Objectives

• Meet Cleaver’s henchmen outside Whoreson’s casino located near Oxenfurt gate.
• Engage the two guards outside the casino. Take them down using basic combat techniques.
• Once inside, eliminate the hostile casino staff using a combination of swordsmanship and signs like Igni.
• Clear the second and third floors. On the top floor, you’ll find a halfling tied to a chair. Interacting with him provides insight into Junior’s activities.
• You have the choice to let the halfling go (“run”) or keep him tied up (“stay a while”). Letting him go triggers another quest—”Honor Among Thieves.”

Arena Objectives

• Meet Cleaver’s men near the arena, which is located next to the city wall.
• Approach the arena entrance and defeat the two guards stationed there.
• Inside the arena, a series of battles will ensue against Junior’s henchmen. Use strategic combat to progress through the levels.
• One notable enemy is a shield-wielding thug who requires rolling or maneuvering to attack from behind.

Once both locations are cleared and Junior’s operations are significantly disrupted, you need to return to Cleaver.

Concluding the Quest

After successfully completing the objectives at both the casino and arena:

• Return to Cleaver at the same spot in Hierarch Square.
• Inform him that you’ve executed the tasks at Junior’s locations.
• Cleaver will reward you with 300 Crowns and 50 XP, concluding the quest.

Strategic Tips for Gangs of Novigrad

Combat Tactics:

• Employ heavy attacks combined with signs like Igni to deal with large groups of enemies effectively.
• Use Quen to absorb damage, particularly in the arena where enemies might be tougher.
• Keep an eye on your positioning, using dodging and rolling to evade attacks and defeat shielded opponents.

Quest Sequencing:

• Complete “Gangs of Novigrad” objectives before progressing too deep into “Get Junior” to avoid failing the quest.
• Consider triggering “Honor Among Thieves” by freeing the halfling in the casino for added storyline depth and potential rewards.

Consequences of the Quest

Completing “Gangs of Novigrad” leads to several immediate and long-term outcomes:

• Cleaver’s faction gains strength in Novigrad, which may impact certain interactions in the city.
• The progress in “Get Junior” is directly influenced, as choosing this path locks out other methods for completing the quest, such as using Gwent or sneaking into locations.
• You gain monetary rewards and experience, helping in character development and resource accumulation.

Overall, choosing to aid Cleaver in dismantling Whoreson Junior’s operations not only aids in progressing the storyline but also significantly impacts the socio-political dynamics of Novigrad.

With this guide, you should be able to navigate “Gangs of Novigrad” successfully, maximizing your rewards and understanding the consequences of your actions in the labyrinthine world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.