Sometimes it isn't a monster or soldier that poses the greatest threat to you in The Witcher 3, but a simple deck of cards. Gwent is arguably as deep and enjoyable an experience as the rest of the game, even earning itself a standalone spin-off, and Geralt is as big a fan as any.
Despite only going up against NPCs, the 'High Stakes' side quest is not for the unprepared. These Gwent masters will put your deck and strategy to the test, especially the final opponent Tybalt. If you need some pointers on how to win this 'High Stakes' tournament, check out our guide.
Updated on December 7, 2022 by Quinton O'Connor: In addition to adding more detail to our match strategies, we've also included sections on the post-tournament phase of this quest for a more complete walkthrough experience.
Winning The Tournament
You kick off this quest in Novigrad by reading a post on the notice board by St. Gregory's Bridge. Follow the waypoint to Passiflora and you can enter the tournament, but before you do make sure you have your deck built up and ready. Once you enter the tournament, you will not be able to leave to collect more cards, so make a save here if you think you might need to go out and collect some stronger cards.
After paying the entry fee, you are able to go around speaking to the players if you wish, or just get right down to playing after talking to Sasha. While you technically do not need to win a single match to complete the quest, winning all your matches, including Tybalt at the end, will reward you with unique cards you can't get anywhere else in the game. You won't get another shot at them.
If you intend to win, strongly consider saving before each match just in case.
Round One: Bernard Tulle
The first match is against Bernard Tulle. He uses a Northern Realms deck, which we recommend you use as well. If you're more comfortable with another deck, and have built it up with strong cards, by all means use that one instead. This first round isn't too hard, as long as you're familiar with Gwent. He has the Triss and Ciri hero cards, and some decent back row units, but nothing else too dangerous.
Round Two: Sasha
Once you win that round, Sasha will approach you again to propose teaming up to take the prize money once the tournament is over. For the best rewards, have Geralt agree. As it turns out, Sasha is your next opponent. She turns out to be just as difficult, if not harder, to beat than even Tybalt.
Sasha has a Nilfgaardian Empire deck with a ton of spy type cards backed up with very powerful attack units and heroes like Letho and Tibor. Your best bet is to try and use her own deck against her with spy cards of your own, plus swapping out her spies with decoys.
Round Three: Finneas
To be frank, if you've bested Sasha — heck, even Bernard — Finneas is a complete cakewalk. He's narratively weak at Gwent, and it's well reflected within the confines of the actual match. Just about any conceivable strategy ought to do the trick here. The twist comes in the form of a fistfight thereafter. Take down to the sore loser and you'll move on to the final bout.
Final Round: Tybalt
Tybalt has a nasty Monster deck, so make sure you've got the Biting Frost weather card to neutralize his units as much as possible, so they don't overwhelm you. Let him play out his deck and run low on cards, or let him pass his turn before freezing his units to make it an easy win. Spy cards are also very strong against a Monster deck.
The Cinnamon-Scented Crown-Stealer
Following the match against Tybalt, it's quickly announced that the coin's been stolen. Sasha insists it wasn't her, and offers to work together to find the culprit. If you have Geralt decline, the quest ends here. We recommend staying the course here.
As is customary, use Witcher Sense to investigate the scene of the crime. You're looking for a.) a body; b.) a crossbow bolt; c.) a trail. Follow along outside, tracking things further until Sasha notes the crate. Join her at the warehouse, and wrap around its premises when the way in proves to be barred.
If Geralt spots a wagon and notes that its scent matches the cinnamon from a moment ago, you're on the right course. He'll soon find a way in through a window in the warehouse once you've reached its posterior. It won't be long before the thief's identity is revealed: none other than Bernard Tulle. A scuffle ensues, but Tulle's hardly some contract-connected monster, so he and his flunkies should go down swiftly.
To Romance Or Not To Romance
Whether you choose to have Geralt accept Sasha's dinner invitation has no effect other than an additional cutscene. Furthermore, you can keep things to just dinner rather than having the two consummate their acquaintanceship. Either way, this won't affect The Witcher 3's main romance arcs, so it's simply a matter of role-playing perspective.