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The Battle of Kaer Morhen is one of the most pivotal events in the story of The Witcher 3. During this quest, you'll reconnect with old buddies, save Ciri from the Wild Hunt, and even suffer some losses. It's the big climax at the end of its respective story arc, and what you do next will determine the fates of many characters and plotlines.
It's also a lengthy quest with a lot going on at once, so you might need some tips and guidance on how to complete it. We've got you covered.
Updated on January 3, 2023 by Quinton O'Connor: We've added an extensive section to this guide that will ensure you bring as many allies to the field as you wish. Which, for most of us, means as many as you can.
Recruitment Phase
Not every character you try to recruit for the giant battle will agree to help. And because The Witcher 3 is all about choices and consequences, you may assume these people refuse due to the decisions you've made. However, that's not the case. Some characters are impossible to recruit, no matter what you do. These people are as follows:
- Cerys An Craite: If she's Queen, she recommends her brother instead.
- Crach An Craite: Helps by giving you a sword.
- Sigismund Dijkstra: Will give you money if you've helped him locate his treasure.
- Emhyr var Emreis: Won't help in any way.
People Who Join No Matter What
Some of the series' best supporting characters don't require entire questlines to be completed for them to lend a hand. These friends are ready to put themselves at risk to help Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri regardless of what you do and say. These saints include:
- Vesemir, Eskel, and Lambert: The Witchers are already at the keep.
- Zoltan: Just ask for his aid during "Brothers In Arms: Novigrad."
- Ermion: Simply request his help in "Brothers In Arms: Skellige."
Recruitment Phase: Keira
To enlist the help of Keira Metz, you have to complete her entire questline. It starts with "An Invitation From Keira Metz" and ends with "For The Advancement Of Learning."
Although, simply beating all the quests will not be enough to acquire Keira's help. You also need to pick the right dialog options in her final mission, or she'll suffer one of the game's most tragic fates.
After she leaves the tower in "For The Advancement Of Learning," say these things:
- "What's with the notes?"
- "Radovid never forgets."
- "It's suicide."
- "Go to Kaer Morhen."
Don't worry about finding Keira elsewhere after the conversation closes. Keira will, indeed, be located at Kaer Morhen from this point forward.
Recruitment Phase: Letho
Letho's significant presence in The Witcher 2 is one of the game's hallmarks. The muscular witcher is a very entertaining character, and if he survives the events of the second game, he appears in The Witcher 3. Not only that, but you can recruit him for the Battle of Kaer Morhen.
To do so, you first need to complete "Ghosts Of The Past." Regardless of the outcome of the quest, Letho questions where he can go next. It is then that you can invite him to Kaer Morhen. He'll accept and later fight The Wild Hunt when they arrive.
Recruitment Phase: Vernon Roche And Ves
Despite being one of Geralt's loyal friends, Vernon Roche's help doesn't come free. Before he comes to Kaer Morhen, he needs your help with a quest of his own.
Thankfully, it's pretty easy as all you have to do is help defend Ves from some Nilfgaardian soldiers. If you do, they'll both be eligible for recruitment during "Brothers In Arms: Novigrad." Although, if Ves gets killed by the Nilgaardians, neither will join you at Kaer Morhen.
Recruitment Phase: Triss
Triss might not always be the perfect person, but she's willing to help out Geralt and Ciri. Albeit after her own serious problems are sorted out. You need to complete her entire questline to be able to have her join the crew.
The final mission of hers is titled "Now or Never," and it sees Geralt help Triss lead the mages out of Novigrad. At the end of it, you don't need to ask her to stay as she'll always return for the battle.
Recruitment Phase: Hjalmar, Folan, And Vigi The Loon
The one member of the An Craite clan that you can convince to assist in taking on the Hunt is Hjalmar. Before you can invite him, you have to help either him or Cerys become the ruler of Skellige.
This means completing the "Possession," "The Lord of Undvik," and "King's Gambit" quests. In that last one, you need to agree to help one of the An Craite siblings, or neither will become ruler. Then later, you can recruit Hjalmar as part of "Brothers In Arms: Skellige."
What's more, if you rescue and protect Folan and Vigi during "The Lord of Undvik," they'll join too. For Vigi, that means releasing him from the cage before battling the giant.
Once you've recruited everyone, you're ready to complete the Battle of Kaer Morhen.
Advantages To Having A Full Crew
Surprisingly, having a full crew to battle The Wild Hunt doesn't change things too much. You'd expect that having everyone there would lead to a better outcome for the protagonist team, but instead, the main scenes stay the same. That being said, there are still a few benefits to putting the team together:
- You earn the 'Full Crew' achievement or trophy (Letho, Folan, and Vigi don't count towards it)
- Some scenes and sequences are slightly different. For instance, Letho helps you and Lambert fight outside the barrier.
- Lambert is guaranteed to survive with Kiera around as she saves him from danger. The pair then become romantically involved and end up together. Without her, you need to save Lambert partway through the quest.
Preparation Phase
This main quest will start immediately after finishing "Isle of Mists." You don't need to start tackling the objectives, though. Kaer Morhen will be open for you to explore, with a few hidden things to find, monsters to fight, as well some of the characters hanging around if you want to get to know them a bit better.
You won't be able to fast travel for the duration of this quest.
Fail Triggers
It's crucial to note that there are a ton of side quests and other things you must do before you finish the Isle of Mists quest, as they will fail and become inaccessible if you don't.
Some of the more important quests and questlines that must be finished before the Battle of Kaer Morhen include the ones involving the Bloody Baron's, Triss Merigold's, Skellige's new ruler's, Keira Metz's, the fate of Redania, and the "Brothers in Arms" quests. Make sure you've completed these main story arcs of the earlier parts of the game before you miss your chance.
Choices At The Meeting
Grab some swords, repair kits, and make sure all your potions, bombs, and abilities are set and ready to go. It's finally time to start. The first part of this quest will involve a short meeting with the allies and fighters on your side.
You'll have to make an important choice here: brew some potions or create traps. Here's what you'll get if you choose potions:
- Superior Swallow
- Thunderbolt
- Runestone
If traps are your choice, they'll be installed around the keep, which can help to automatically whittle away the enemy's numbers to some extent.
Now for the second decision: digging out the armory or repairing some damage to the fort's walls. If you go for the armory, you'll receive a decent silver sword, Rose of Shaerrawed. If you decide to patch up the holes, there'll be fewer waves of the Hunt to fend off during the attack.
Battle Phase
After the meeting wraps up and your preparations are finished, the battle will begin. There are three portals that the Hunt will use to send in soldiers. Work with Lambert and Letho (if he's present) to close them up using the Dimeritium Bombs or Yrden.
This is fairly straightforward and simple, you might just have trouble fighting off all the soldiers. It's wise to use Yrden and save your bombs for later, though.
Battle Phase: As Ciri
Next, you'll switch to playing as Ciri. Triss is in trouble and needs your help. You can use Ciri's powers in tandem with a magic amulet that Triss gives you.
The amulet will summon fireballs that cause huge damage in an area around you, though they'll hurt Ciri too, so be careful. Kill the enemies around Triss using the amulet and Ciri's Charge attack, and you'll finish this portion with ease.
Battle Phase: Return To The Keep
Next, you'll switch back to Geralt, who is with his horse, Roach. You will need to race back to the keep as fast as possible, dodging attacks and fireballs on the way.
After arriving, Vesemir will be fending off some of the Hunt. You can close the gate with the lever past where Vesemir is and cut off the Hunt from attacking inside the fort.
If Ermion was recruited for this fight, there will be gas traps that can be ignited with Igni and cause some damage to the Hunt.
During this portion of the battle, Lambert is in a pinch. If you didn't recruit Keira, you'll have the option to save Lambert yourself. If Keira is there, though, she saves you the trouble and rescues Lambert herself. The two go on to become lovers later. Go figure.
Battle Phase: Helping Eskel
In the next section, Yennefer's powers will start to diminish. The soldiers will be making gains against the keep, and Geralt will have to fight quite a few of them off before moving on to helping Triss.
Next up is another portion where you play as Ciri. Eskel is fighting Caranthir and needs help, and you will have to assist him as Ciri. Then, once you've fought off some enemies, open the gate.
Battle Phase: Back To Geralt
Return to playing as Geralt, and you'll have to close some more portals. There are Dimeritium Bombs in crates if you need some more once the portals are closed, but they'll replace the higher versions if you have them, meaning you'll have to craft them again later. Alternatively, you can just use Yrden like earlier to avoid running out of bombs.
Triss will call for help, and you'll need to aid her again. Once you get near enough, though, the battle will automatically end and a cutscene will play.
Finale
It's no understatement to say that a great deal occurs afterward. The battle comes to a close, but not before some appropriately dramatic events finish it off with bittersweet flourish. What happens next?
The next quest, "Blood on the Battlefield", is chiefly concerned with the battle's aftermath. Each of Geralt's allies will update him on what they're planning to do from here. During "Blood on the Battlefield", there are some crucial decisions you'll need to make that will help determine whether Ciri lives or dies later on.
During this quest, there are some crucial decisions you will have to make that will determine whether Ciri lives or dies and what her role will be going forward. Read this guide on Ciri's endings for more information.
With the battle completed and the funeral done, your time defending Kaer Morhen is finished. You'll next need to track down the leaders of the Hunt and accompany Ciri on her quest toward whatever's next. If you want her to remain alive, and really, why wouldn't you, consult our guide on how to unlock The Witcher 3's best ending.