The most recent installment in The Witcher franchise was filled to the brim with exciting and wild stories like no other. The main quests were enough to satisfy any player's craving to fight monsters, nurture relationships, and defeat the Wild Hunt. While following the main game is very fun, exploring the abundance of side quests is key when playing The Witcher 3.
There are so many hidden adventures waiting for Geralt to find, from saving friends from serial killers to heartwrenching deaths to exploring fairy tale worlds. Here are 10 secret side quests you may have missed during your first playthrough.
10 Avid Collector
Entering the Borsodi Brother's Auction House is required in the Witcher 3 DLC, Hearts of Stone, however, following this optional hidden quest can lead Geralt to make some coin. When Vimme Vivaldi introduces the witcher to his acquaintance Yaromir, the painting expert will test Geralt on his art knowledge. If he can pick the correct painting, which can be found by reading the painting before speaking with Yaromir, he will gain some valuable knowledge on what to buy during the upcoming auction. Then Geralt can resell this painting in Novigrad for 500 crowns, only having bought it for 20.
9 A Final Kindness
Geralt can go on this quest if during his time with Keira Metz at the beginning of the game he did not persuade her to not see King Radovid or did not finish all of her quests. After killing Imlerith, Geralt will speak with Triss about finding Keira to join them during their efforts to gather up Lodge members. The sorceress will reveal that Radovid had ended up murdering Keira. The two can retrieve her body and give it a proper burial. It's definitely not one of the happiest or rewarding quests out there.
8 Paperchase
Of all the fantastical and magical stories that take place in the Witcher world, this side quest is the most realistic one of them all. A man who once owed Geralt paid him back by putting money in an account at the bank in Geralt's name. The witcher has to then face the struggles of paperwork and banking in order to get his deserved coin.
The hilarious and absolutely maddening quest involves Geralt having to find and fill out so many forms, wait in lines, and visit during strict bank hours. The player can choose to end the quest early through violence or wait it out a whole week to get paid (this option leads to a much greater reward).
7 Beyond the Hill and Dale...
The Witcher 3 included so many classic fairy tale references in it, from Ciri and the seven dwarves to fighting Little Red the werewolf. So during the Blood and Wine expansion, it was no large surprise when Geralt was transported into another fairy tale world called the Land of a Thousand Fables. He will have to follow a yellow brick road until he eventually comes across Jack, who speaks of magical beans. The whole quest is so quirky and unlike any other, making it a must-play when tackling the expansion DLC.
6 The Taxman Cometh
A funky looking taxman will confront Geralt to start this mini side quest once the witcher is carrying over 35,000 crowns at once. The number of crowns Geralt has will look very suspicious to the taxman, no matter how the player earned it all. He will ask Geralt three specific questions that can be answered yes or no. Depending on the answers, the collector will either commend Geralt for being a good taxpayer or will fine him 1000 crowns that must be paid to the Vivaldi bank.
5 Saving Moritz
Geralt can stumble upon Moritz, Triss' friend from the party, being set afire on a pyre built by witch hunters. It is totally optional and almost too easy to miss, but if Geralt uses Aard on the fire and defeats the witch hunters, it will unlock a cutscene with Moritz and the witcher.
Geralt will point the burned man to go find Triss in Novigrad and can be seen once again in the game when the mages are escaping from their stronghold in the city.
4 A Dangerous Game
This side quest is all about helping Zoltan pursue his desired Gwent cards that he wants for his card trading endeavors. There are three cards that Geralt needs to find and secure, and none of them are quite easy to get his hands on. There will be multiple fights between bandits, traders, and thugs who are all after the legendary cards. The end of this lengthy side quest will lead to Geralt either gaining some pretty good coin or the three cards to add to his Gwent deck.
3 The Soldier Statuette
This hidden side quest can be unlocked if Geralt takes on the A Dangerous Game quest and picks up a peculiar statuette in Ceasar Bilzen's house and brings it to Triss. Triss will determine that the artifact had someone hiding within, so she takes Geralt to a hidden place to perform a decompression spell. The statuette turns into a Nilfgaardian soldier who was transformed in battle many years ago. Though not very important in the storyline, it feels good to know that Geralt's thieving led to a life being saved.
2 It Takes Three to Tango
This quest can't be unlocked unless Geralt chooses to romantically pursue both Triss and Yennefer throughout the game. The two sorceresses will find out about Geralt's two-timing and will gang up on him to teach him a lesson.
The quest is short and leads to no rewards, only leaving Geralt with no romantic partner by the end of the game. For players looking to achieve this quest, make sure to woo Triss in "Now or Never" and Yennefer in "The Last Wish."
1 Carnal Sins
This quest is optional but is very rewarding in many ways. Dandelion and Geralt are told that Pricilla was brutally attacked and is on the brink of death, but will fortunately live. The two must set off on a detective adventure to find who attacked the blonde and who they will be attacking next. The quest is long and full of mystery and heart-racing plot twists that will leave the player on the edge of their seat. It will also leave Geralt with some pretty good rewards for stopping the serial killer.