What happens if you fail a side quest in Witcher 3?

What Happens if You Fail a Side Quest in Witcher 3?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a vast open-world game filled with engaging storylines, memorable characters, and thrilling action sequences. One of the most captivating aspects of the game is its numerous side quests, which offer an immersive and rewarding experience for players. However, not all players may complete all the side quests, either due to time constraints, difficulty level, or player choice. In this article, we will explore what happens if you fail a side quest in Witcher 3.

Spoiler Alert
Before we proceed, it’s essential to note that this article may contain spoilers for the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Failing a Side Quest Won’t Affect the Main Story

Unlike some other RPGs, failing a side quest in Witcher 3 does not impact the main story. You won’t face any significant repercussions or lose any critical companions or quests. The side quests are designed to enrich the world and provide extra challenges for players, so failing them won’t make a difference in the long run.

Some Important Side Quests May be Missed

While the main story won’t suffer from side quest failures, some of these quests offer significant storylines, dialogue, and character development opportunities. It’s crucial to note that certain side quests have unique consequences, particularly those associated with specific storylines, characters, or regions.

**Significant Side Quest Consequences: White Orchard**

• Missed Questlines: Failing to complete quests in the White Orchard region may cut off side questlines permanently, eliminating the possibility to complete the associated story quests.
• Impact on Characters: Not completing essential quests for specific characters (e.g., Triss or Yennefer) may impact their story developments and final outcomes.

These exceptions illustrate the importance of completing essential side quests for a rich and immersive gameplay experience. Players should aim to finish these quests if possible.

What’s the Best Approach?

To ensure the maximum enjoyment and engagement with Witcher 3, prioritize completing essential side quests with significant story developments or implications. These include quests from:

• Specific characters: Important quests that advance character arcs or develop relationships.
• Core storylines: Quests that reveal important plot elements or influence game outcomes.

For other, less impactful side quests, feel free to skip them or tackle them later on. Don’t worry too much about missing some opportunities; there’s always an opportunity to revisit them when you restart the game on a NEW GAME PLUS (NG+) experience.

NEW GAME PLUS (NG+) Experience

Starting a new playthrough after completing the base game on NG+ gives you access to a few benefits, including:

• Revisit Essential Side Quests: Relive side quests with greater understanding of the world, characters, and story without worrying about consequences.
• Unlock New Paths: Revisit key storyline decisions or complete missed side quests without impacting the initial story’s progression.

If you encounter a side quest that becomes inaccessible due to your in-game choices or story progress, consider exploiting the NG+ experience.

Concluding Thoughts

Witcher 3 is an exceptional role-playing game with engaging world-building and captivating storylines. When it comes to side quests, the worst-case scenario is that failing a few might not compromise the main story. However, prioritizing essential side quests with significant story developments and implications ensures a richer gameplay experience. Remember, missing some opportunities is forgivable, as the NG+ experience provides a chance to revisit essential quests and develop a deeper understanding of the world.