Does The Witcher 3 DLC take place after the main story?

Does The Witcher 3 DLC Take Place After The Main Story?

In the world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the main story revolves around Geralt of Rivia’s quest to find his adopted daughter, Ciri. The game is divided into two main components: the main story and the DLC (Downloadable Content) packs. Two of the most popular DLC packs, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, have sparked debate among gamers about their place in the story. In this article, we’ll explore the question: Does the Witcher 3 DLC take place after the main story?

Why Should You Care?

Understanding the chronology of the Witcher 3’s story is crucial, as it affects the order in which you play the game. If you miss certain events or quests, you might miss out on crucial plot points or miss the intended emotional impact. Additionally, knowing when the DLC takes place can enhance your overall gaming experience by providing context and depth to the story.

Spoiler Alert!

If you haven’t completed the game’s main story, this article may contain spoilers.

Hearts of Stone: A Prequel to the Main Story?

Hearts of Stone is the first DLC pack in the Witcher 3, and it takes place before the events of the main story. The pack introduces a new storyline, characters, and quests that are not crucial to the main narrative, but still offer a engaging experience. Geralt’s journey in Hearts of Stone is a prelude to the events of the main story, setting the stage for the Wild Hunt’s arrival.

Blood and Wine: A Direct Sequel to the Main Story?

Blood and Wine, the second and final DLC pack, is a direct sequel to the main story. The pack takes place after the events of the game’s final quest, featuring Geralt and Yennefer’s journey as they search for Ciri’s whereabouts. The storyline is heavily connected to the main narrative, and skipping it would mean missing important plot developments.

Recommended Play Order

To enjoy the Witcher 3’s story in the correct order, follow this suggested play order:

1. Complete the main story up to the point where Ciri is rescued.
2. Play Hearts of Stone, which takes place before the main story.
3. Complete the main story, including the final quest.
4. Play Blood and Wine, which is a direct sequel to the main story.

Benefits of Playing the DLC

Playing the DLC packs offers several benefits:

• Enhanced storytelling: The DLC packs provide additional context and depth to the main story.
• New characters and quests: Hearts of Stone introduces new characters and quests, while Blood and Wine offers fresh storylines and characters.
• Improved emotional impact: Completing the DLC packs can enhance the emotional impact of the main story.
• Increased replay value: The DLC packs offer replay value, as you can explore new areas, play new characters, and enjoy new storylines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Witcher 3 DLC packs, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, take place before and after the main story, respectively. Understanding the correct order in which to play the game is crucial for a seamless and enjoyable experience. By following the suggested play order, you can appreciate the game’s narrative, characters, and gameplay to the fullest.

Additional Tips

• Before playing the DLC packs, make sure you’ve completed the main story up to the point where Ciri is rescued.
• Take your time to explore the world, complete quests, and talk to characters before moving on to the next part of the story.
• Don’t forget to save your game frequently, especially before playing the DLC packs, to ensure you can return to a previous save if needed.

By following these tips and guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to fully experiencing the Witcher 3’s engaging story and DLC packs.