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Many of the side quests in The Witcher 3 are so compelling and well-written that they feel as important as the main ones. 'Redania's Most Wanted' is a prime example of one of those quests.
The quest isn't simple, as it includes multiple puzzles to figure out and a boss some players might struggle to beat. Plus, there are several choices in the quest that can change how it all plays out, yet the consequences of them aren't immediately obvious. Thus, here is a guide that can give players an assist.
Updated on December 10, 2022 by Quinton O'Connor: The tricky thing about 'Redania's Most Wanted' is navigating your way through it. Puzzles are often the bane of fast-paced players, and there are enough here to stymie your progress for hours. This latest update has clarified certain aspects to assist you in avoiding such pitfalls.
Meeting The Witcher Hunter's And Reaching Philippa's Hideout
After conversing with Radovid to initiate the quest, head to Est Taylar - the objective marker will show exactly where. At the location, there are a bunch of Witch Hunters. You'll need to talk with the two who are looking at the charred body.
They aren't particularly enthusiastic about the Witcher's presence. Yet not long into the conversation, they give Geralt the plate that opens Philippa's hideout.
With the object in hand, Geralt walks over to the hole; jump down. Once down there, Witcher senses reveal a wall behind Geralt that can be broken using Aard. Inside there's some Witcher gear; it's not important to the quest at hand, but hey, it's a nice find.
The only other direction to go while in the hole is down the stairs to the forcefield. Insert the plate into an opening on the right wall (Witcher senses can help to locate it). When the plate is in, the door opens.
Charging The Portal And Gaining The Crystal
Continue down the dark caves until they come up to a brightly lit portal which they need to go through. A couple of nekkers are waiting on the other side, luckily they're pretty easy to kill.
Behind the creatures is a dead portal that needs to be activated. To do that, use Aard on its crystal, which is next to it and highlighted by the objective marker.
When Geralt goes through the reactivated portal, he meets another Witch Hunter. The guy has a crystal in his possession, which he refuses to give to the Witcher. Players then have two options to acquire it: either use Axii (which requires delusion level 2) or fight the man. Fistfights can sometimes be tricky in The Witcher 3, but this one is not particularly difficult.
After getting the crystal, Geralt can loot the chests in that room and find an interesting letter to Philippa. Players then have to make their way through to where the objective marker is located. The marker is directly on where Geralt needs to put the crystal, but Witcher senses can help find the spot too. Once the crystal is in place, using Aard on it will activate another portal.
On the other end of the new portal is a few more nekkers that need to be put down. After you have dealt with the monsters, ignore the objective marker for now. Instead, turn left and drop the hole.
In this tunnel are yet more nekkers, who are defending a power cell, or more aptly, another crystal. Geralt must kill the creatures before picking up the important item. How to get back out of the tunnel isn't immediately obvious, due to the area being very dark, but you can simply jump back up the hole you sprang down from.
After getting out of the tunnel, Geralt can then head towards the objective marker, which is where he needs to put his newly found crystal. When it's in place, hit it with Aard to open a portal just like the previous times, and go straight through.
The Fire Elemental And The Polished Crystal
At this point, Geralt is at the lowest level of the hideout, yet it's still not safe as a Fire Elemental appears.
The best way to take it down is to use Aard to temporarily extinguish its flames and stun it, then attack while it recovers. Elemental oil and Northern Wind bombs can help the boss fight go even smoother.
With the monster dead and dusted, walk into Philippa's quarters. There are multiple things to examine in the room, but the most vital item to find is the polished crystal. It's located near the back right wall in front of three big glass tubes.
Now it's time to head back to the surface. You could travel back through all the portals they previously opened, yet there is a quicker way. After leaving Philippa's room, note the portal they came through on the left-hand side, but on the right side, there's another inactive one. Geralt can give it life by using Aard on its crystal. Going through this portal takes you much closer to the exit.
One Crystal, Three Ways
Once Geralt gets back to the surface, he reunites with the Witch Hunters and engages them in conversation.
During the talk, players can choose to give the Witch Hunters the crystal or fight them. It's no fistfight this time as Geralt has to kill the group of hunters. The decision of whether to keep the crystal or not plays a big part in how the rest of this quest plays out.
(Optional) Bring The Crystal To Triss
If players choose to hold onto the crystal, then they have the option of bringing it to Triss. This is only possible if the Sorceress is still around and available to talk. Thus, it needs to be done before the 'A Matter of Life and Death' quest.
Triss shows Geralt what's on the crystal, which reveals more information about Philippa and her plans. You then have the option of keeping the crystal or giving it to the Sorceress.
(Optional) Bring The Crystal To Yennefer
To give the crystal to Yennefer, you might have to wait until you're able to speak with her in Skellige or at Kaer Morhen.
Like with Triss, Yennefer shows Geralt the information about Philippa that's stored on the magical item. And, just like with Tress, you can keep the crystal or let Yennefer hold onto it.
Returning To Radovid
Regardless of what you choose to do with the crystal, you must go to see Radovid at the end of the quest.
If Geralt has the item in his possession, he can give it to the King to receive an award. But if he's given it to Triss, Yennefer, the Witch Hunters, or he just keeps it to himself, then Radovid will snub him. Whatever you decide, the quest ends after the conversation.