One of the best parts of The Witcher 3 is its game-within-a-game, Gwent. This card game functions like a mini battlefield, where the player with the largest point total across all their units wins the round. The first person to win two rounds wins the game.
An important aspect of this game is collecting cards, as Geralt will not be in possession of very many at first. This can be done by purchasing them or winning them from Gwent opponents. Despite the simple rules, the game is very complex and it can be a bit difficult to win at first. Here are some pro tips for those who need a few pointers for their Gwent dominance.
10 Collect Cards
At its core, Gwent is a deck-building game. It's a matter of finding, collecting, and using better and better cards, and often, winning them from your opponent. At the very least, the Collect 'Em All quest requires you to collect every card in the game, so if for no other reason, try to find them all to complete the quest.
However, you'll want to be collecting as many cards as you can if you want to build a good enough deck to win. Check every shopkeeper's stock and challenge every person to a game that you have the option too. Eventually, you'll have so many great cards that you'll be unstoppable.
9 Try The DLC
One might easily notice that the different factions of the cards line up with all the major factions Geralt interacts with over the course of the game: Nilfgaard, the Northern Realms, the Scoia'tael, and Monsters. However, Skellige is notably absent, despite many of the game's major events taking Geralt to this island nation.
However, a Skellige deck was added with the Blood and Wine DLC expansion. It's a good idea to pick up this deck not only because it's even more cards to use, but because the Skellige faction's Cerys card is one of the most powerful cards in the game.
8 Missable Quests
When trying to collect every card, there are actually a few that you can miss if you aren't careful. This is because they're won during quests that, once completed, lock out the ability to win certain cards if you didn't already.
The easily missable cards are Dandelion's, from the quest "A Matter of Life and Death," Iorveth's card, found during "Shock Therapy," and the Triss card, won from Lambert in "Gwent: Old Pals."
7 Self-Inflicted Weather
A powerful strategy during Gwent is to imply the weather cards: Biting Frost, Torrential Rain, Impenetrable Fog, and Skellige Storm. These cards reduce the units in their respective sections to a single power point. It can be quite the buzzkill when this is used by your opponent, but it can also be a bummer when you want to use it against them, just to find that it applies to both sides of the field.
However, it isn't always bad when you apply this to yourself. Sometimes it's worth the risk to kill off one of your own rows if it's going to significantly affect your opponent. Don't be afraid to use weather if it's going to hit your opponent harder than you.
6 Sacrifice The Round
Speaking of making sacrifices — Gwent is a game where this is frequently a great strategy, specifically in terms of throwing a round. There are three rounds in Gwent, with the winner being the first to two wins. You only get to use the ten cards you draw at the beginning, plus any you can draw through special effects throughout the game.
It can be a very useful strategy to throw the first round when your opponent has used up some cards. Burn your bad cards to make the opponent play a bunch, then forfeit the round. This lets you save your good cards and leaves your opponent with very little going into round two and three, which you can then win with ease.
5 Learn The Deck Styles
Each of Gwent's factions tend to lean toward different things, and it's invaluable to learn these trends. With this knowledge, you can see what your opponent's faction is going to tend to do and counter it properly.
For example, the Scoia'tael deck is filled with ranged units, so hanging onto an Impenetrable Fog card is crucial. The Monsters deck deals in Close Combat and sheer numbers of units, with many of them summoning friends; Nilfgaard has a ton of Hero cards and Spies, and the Northern Realms specialize in Siege Units. Learning each deck's strengths and weaknesses is critical.
4 Learn How To Counter
Gwent is far from just a sheer numbers game — it's often about trickery and deceit. Many rounds are decided by how well you can screw over your unsuspecting opponent. But, while you're trying to ruin their side of the field, they'll be doing the same to you, often in ways you wouldn't even predict.
This is why it's important to learn how to counter cards. For example, saving your Clear Weather card in case the opponent is going to play an additional one after you clear a first.
3 Save High-Power Cards
Often, saving your higher-point cards for later in the game can ensure a victory. The AI in the game loves to use Scorch cards, and you'll find yourself disappointed constantly that your high cards are killed off early. Furthermore, playing high cards early in the game can often leave you without much to work with in the later rounds.
It's a good strategy to play weaker cards first, especially since you can figure out what the opponent is working with before knowing what you need to do with your high-power cards. Also, playing your bad cards first allows you to more easily throw the first round.
2 Decoys & Spies
Many, many, many games of Gwent come down to who uses their Spy cards better. These cards let you draw two more at the price of putting them on your opponent's side of the field, granting them the power points. However, this can be used against your opponent with Decoys, which allow you to pick up any non-hero card on your field.
It's a great strategy to bring as many Decoys as possible and pick up your opponent's Spies once they play them, allowing you to then play them too. At the end of the day, the person with the most cards often wins, so you'll want to have access to all of your own Spies, as well as your opponent's.
1 Leader Cards
Leaders cards are powerful, but they're also frequently forgotten. Since they're on the side of the field, somewhat out of view, it can be very easy to forget they're even there. However, don't make this mistake, as it can often lead to a preventable loss.
It's sometimes a good idea to save your Leader card for later, as it can be a Hail Mary in times of trouble. Just don't forget to use it!