The Witcher III: The Wild Hunt is the final installment of CD Projekt Red's The Witcher series. The video games were adapted from novels originally penned by Andrzej Sapkowski. Though the series already has a place in many gamer's hearts, there will never be a The Witcher IV starring the primary protagonist, Geralt of Rivia.
All of this attention on The Witcher series has inspired fans to once again enter the fantasy world crafted by Sapkowski. The third installment of the game is the largest of the trilogy. Gamers may have skipped out on side quests to rush Geralt and Ciri's reunion. There isn't a better time to replay The Witcher 3 and uncover those lost side quests. Even if players think they played the best quests of the game, there's still plenty more to experience.
This list compiles hidden quests that gamers may have completely missed during their fight against the Wild Hunt. For anyone planning another playthrough, it's important not to miss out on these great treasures and rewards. If you're new to the game, be warned that there are massive spoilers throughout the list.
Updated July 25, 2021 by Russ Boswell: The Witcher 3 may have been Geralt's last journey but CD Projekt Red ensured that the iconic character would never be forgotten with an expansive game that's easily one of the greatest open-world titles ever released. Players are still discovering things about The Witcher 3 years after its release and a healthy dose of amazing DLC gave content-hungry fans even more to enjoy. There is so much content that there are a ton of Witcher 3 missable quests out there. It should take non-completionists at least a couple of playthroughs to discover all of the Witcher 3 hidden quests available. To help any first-timers (or even veteran players) ensure that they don't end up with a large list of Witcher 3 missable quests or Witcher 3 hidden quests undone, this guide has been updated with additional entries and better photos.
28 X Marks The Spot
The Witcher 3 isn't just a "run of the mill open-world game." Developers packed as much content as they could into the title, and it definitely shows across the breadth of sidequests available. To make things even better (or worse, for any completionists out there), the Witcher 3 features a staggeringly large map. Because of this, many players will miss out on potential quests and hidden items during their first playthrough.
The sidequest, "X Marks The Spot," is a good example of an easily-missed mini-adventure. To start this journey, players first need to discover the abandoned shack southeast of Blandare. The quest itself isn't very "elaborate" and will only lead to a treasure chest behind a waterfall, but loot is always a welcome thing.
27 Lord Of The Wood
One of the main selling points for The Witcher 3 is doing battle against cryptids and creatures of folklore. After all, it's a Witcher's job to rid the world of these sinister beings (even if some of them do turn out to be a bit benevolent). Because of this, players are going to want to snag any contracts they can throughout Geralt's lengthy journey. One of them, however, is a must-see for monster-hunting adventurers and shouldn't be missed.
The Lord of the Wood can be snagged from the Cunny Of The Goose or Farcorners Notice Board and will lead players to a grisly sight at a lumberjack camp south of Novigrad. Players should feel immediately uneasy in their surroundings after witnessing what became of the workers at the logging camp and the ensuing quest will force them to face a truly terrifying foe.
26 Beyond The Hill And Dale
The Witcher 3 is definitely no stranger to the paranormal and magical but some quests adopt these themes much better than others. One of the best sidequests in the game, from a mystical standpoint, is Beyond Hill and Dale. Players won't get access to this particular quest until they're almost done with The Night of Long Fangs.
The journey sees Geralt entering a specialized zone called the Land of a Thousand Fables, which was constructed by a powerful illusionist as a wholesome fairytale-style escape for Anna Henrietta and Sylvia Anna. It's not exactly a side quest, but a "potential" main quest in the Blood and Wine expansion. Still, it's a must-play for its impressive visuals and aesthetic.
25 The Gangs of Novigrad
When Geralt first stumbles into the Novigrad bathhouse, there is a meeting in progress. In "The Gangs of Novigrad," Geralt learns that there is unrest within the group of crime lords.
Carlo "Cleaver" Varese wants to take out Cyprian Wiley, who runs all of the casinos and is one unsavory character. This aligned with Geralt's interests in speaking to Wiley about Ciri's whereabouts. Though this doesn't help Geralt take down the gangs, it will at least put an end to one of his casinos.
24 Honor Among Thieves
Many of the side quests in The Witcher III will open up opportunities to complete others. After finishing "The Gangs of Novigrad," Geralt can spare Wiley's helper, a Halfling named Rico. It will begin another quest called "Honor Among Thieves." Rico will thank the Witcher and promise that his boss, the King of Beggars, will reward him. All Geralt has to do is visit the Beggar King to obtain the Eirlithrad, a silver sword, and Freya's Warriors' armor.
23 On Death's Bed
In White Orchard, a griffin is hurting the local townspeople. During "On Death's Bed," Geralt will have to make a choice. He can either keep a valuable health regeneration potion called "Swallow," or use it to help someone else. The potion can treat a peasant girl named Lena injured by the Griffin. If she uses the magical potion, it will harm her mentally. If Geralt walks away, Lena will pass on to the next life painfully. Either way, Geralt will have to make a difficult choice.
22 Cabaret
Dandelion has always helped Geralt in times of need. Geralt will have the opportunity to make his friend's dream come true in "Cabaret." Dandelion wants to transform the remains of the Rosemary and Thyme building into a cabaret but needs decorating help.
Geralt will help Dandelion with all of the smaller details to transform the shop into The Chameleon. Though the quest may not be as exciting as fighting monsters, Geralt can never have too many friends to help him along the way.
21 Magic Lamp
The world of The Witcher plays off of old fairy tales and magical creatures. Geralt will have the opportunity to obtain a Magic Lamp for a sorceress named Keira Metz. She helps Geralt find more information about Ciri's whereabouts, so it's only fair he helps her as well.
Geralt will have to travel with Keira inside of a series of underground passageways to find the magic item. After some detective work and puzzle-solving, Geralt will obtain the lamp for Keira.
20 The Taxman Cometh
It can be challenging to earn a large number of Crowns, which is a type of currency in The Witcher III. With hard work and fulfilling monster contracts, Geralt may come across a nice chunk of change. If he has at least 35,000 Crowns in his possession, he is confronted by Walthemor Mitty in "The Taxman Cometh." Mitty will ask Geralt a series of questions, which either implies Geralt is a thief, cheating, or is selling pearls for profit. If players answer yes to two or more questions, Geralt must report to the Vivaldi Bank to pay a tax of 1000 Crowns.
19 Novigrad, Closed City
After the events of The Witcher II, King Radovid has hired fighters to capture magic users, specifically sorceresses. In "Novigrad, Closed City," Geralt is led to believe that bandits are searching for their beloved friends.
In reality, they were seeking the witch hunter who destroyed their goods. The next part of the quest will lead Geralt to the missing bandit. They all have a set of keys. All of the keys are needed to unlock a safe which holds treasures for the ones who open it.
18 Ciri's Room
Geralt is searching for his adoptive daughter for most of The Witcher 3. He hears that she previously stayed at Crow's Perch, home of Phillip Strenger. During her stay, he'll learn that Ciri rescued a little girl named Gretka. Geralt will have the opportunity to visit the room she stayed in. During "Ciri's Room" he will discover more information about Ciri's travels, including her clothes, a book about curses, and a spinning top. The quest will give players insight on Geralt's pain as he searches for Ciri.
17 A Portrait of the Witcher as an Old Man
Geralt has the opportunity to help all kinds of humans and non-humans along his journey. In Beauclair, Geralt has an unusual offer during the quest "A Portrait of the Witcher as an Old Man." A painter is intrigued by Geralt's unusual appearance and asks to use the Witcher as a model. If Geralt agrees, the pair will go on a quest to find his art supplies, then travel for the perfect amount of light. Unfortunately, Geralt will have to take down a fearsome beast before the painting can begin.
16 Paperchase
In most RPGs, the protagonist is assigned to take out a terrible enemy or rescue a princess. In The Witcher III, Geralt not only deals with monsters but also taxes and banks. During "Paperchase," a man thanks Geralt for saving him several years ago.
Since the stranger didn't have a chance to say thanks, he set up a bank account in Geralt's name. Travel to the Cianfanelli Bank and Geralt can take out all of the Crowns. If he decides to wait a week, he can take out the Crowns, with interest, plus a steel sword named The Reckoner.
15 The Lord of Undvik
Once Geralt arrives in Skellige, he will get mixed up in political matters. He will be asked to help take down an ice giant in "The Lord of Undvik." The ice giant tormented the town a year ago. Taking down the beast will help Hjalmar an Craite convince his father that he's worthy to be king. Not only will helping Hjalmar aid in his quest to become king, but players also have the opportunity to ask him to help battle against the Wild Hunt at Kaer Morhen.
14 Without a Trace
Witchers may slay monsters, but they take on other jobs. Villagers will often ask for Geralt's help to find loved ones or take out villains. In "Without a Trace," an Herbalist named Otto Bambler is looking for his missing apprentice, a Halfling named Folkert. No one else will help him, except for Geralt. Using his Witcher sense, Geralt will discover what happened. An elderly couple has captured the apprentice and in desperation for food, used Folkert as forbidden meat. Geralt can either tell the herbalist the truth or allow the senior couple to continue their terrible ways.
13 It Takes Three to Tango
The Witcher III is the final game in the series, and Geralt is forced to choose between two sorceresses: Triss Merigold and Yennefer of Vengerberg. If a greedy Geralt decides to romance them both at the same time, he'll have to face the consequences in "It Takes Three to Tango."
Triss and Yennefer will both convince Geralt he's in for a treat, only to be chained up overnight. Dandelion will then discover Geralt the next morning and scold Geralt on how to treat women.
12 An Eye for an Eye
Vernon Roche and the Blue Stripes have been loyal since the previous games. Roche continued to help Geralt without demanding payment. In "An Eye for an Eye," Geralt has the opportunity to help his old friend. Ves, Roche's second-in-command has gone rogue to take out Nilfgaardian soldiers. After being assigned the quest, Geralt will have to hurry. Ves can meet her end here. One Nilfgaardian soldier will survive the battle, and it's up to Geralt if to allow Ves revenge or stop her.
11 A Dangerous Game
Zoltan is one of Geralt's oldest friends. In the previous game, he found himself in trouble after a failed engagement and getting mixed-up with the Scioa'tael. Zoltan has once again found himself in trouble. During "A Dangerous Game," Zoltan is now in debt to the King of Beggars.
He needs to find and sell several GWENT cards to pay back the debt. If Geralt has discovered a fondness for GWENT during the game, he can also choose to keep them, which may cost him a longtime friendship.
10 Rose On A Red Field
Olgierd von Everec has kept bandits and various fighters at his side after leaving his wife. If Geralt takes the time to meet with his group, he'll learn that one of their friends, Kluivert, was recently hurt.
After an investigation, Geralt will discover that it was members of the Order of the Flaming Rose, now the Fallen Knights, who committed the terrible act. They were no longer a fighting force and were now manufacturing substances. Geralt will have no choice other than to stop the operation for good.
9 Extreme Cosplay
Though the Blood and Wine Expansion contains a gripping new storyline, there are still plenty of secondary quests to unlock. While traveling East, players can discover a man named Gaston helping another who's wounded. In "Extreme Cosplay," Geralt is led to the Doren Alma Estate, where the group will discover a spooky scene. Geralt knows he has to uncover the monster or monsters behind the scene. Instead of a massive battle, Geralt and his companions will have to example various "cosplay" armor and weapons and give offerings to statues before uncovering the truth.