I skipped Gwent altogether, never even learned how to play it. Still managed to put 200 hours into the game.

I think IMU played Gwent and enjoyed it, but you can definitely skip it completely and the game is still awesome.

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I enjoyed it. I definitely wasn't gonna leave the Inn without beating that elitist Libtard professor.

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I played it heavily the first time I played. I'm very casually playing the game a second time through (maybe I play a couple of hours in a month) and this time I'm foregoing it.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I love the side quests in games like these. I could just play those and not even play the main quest. I imagine I will dedicate many hours to it.

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You don't know the half of it. It is all good. Main story, side quests...and the stuff you just find out in the wild.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Hearts of Stone and Blood & Wine are some of the best expansions ever for a game.

Game of the decade for me

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I'm hooked... partially because it's a great game and partially because I've been dying to play an RPG. Skyrim for PS4 was probably my last one.

One challenge I have with binge playing now is my family (they're a complete burden). I played till about midnight last night and woke up at 6:00 to play this morning. Late night and early morning are the only times I can play without interruption.

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I lucked out on Witcher 3. My gf saw me playing with headphones on and asked what game is this? I turned the sound on and she was hooked.

She woke me up early so we could finish the Bloody Baron quest. The one and only time I've been able to binge without getting side eye

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Don't have kids. They'll pretty much ruin your whole life.

My wife actually got into "The Last of Us"... it came with my PS4. It was pretty cool to have her watch and actually get into it. She tried playing once, and we are in agreement that that's never happening again.

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I am awful at the combat right now. I have to sit down and actually put time into working on dodging and doing counterattacks. A pack of drowners effed me up pretty bad today because I'm just button mashing.

Also, tried to fight a creature in a quest that was waaaay out of my league... it tried to warn me to go back and level up before attempting the fight, but I didn't listen. It killed me with one hit.

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With the freedom to explore almost anywhere right from the beginning, you can find yourself into some shit you aren't ready for. Part of the fun.

Combat can be very challenging on some difficulties. Much better than previous Witcher games. Still not the best Action RPG combat in the world, but very serviceable.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Watch out for random Leshens. Those will fuck your day up if they out level you.

Try mixing up your signs and bombs, and work on armor sets. Good set of armor will make a huge difference. Wolf or viper is good if your trying to be quick.

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You guys have any advice on this werewolf?

I’ve tried every spell and weapon combination, and I can’t win. He disappears and regenerates at 100%. It’s stupid.

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Is this the missing wife quest or a contract?

Do you have silver bombs?

Do a treasure quest and get some new gear and then come back to it?

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I must really suck.

I’m level 7 and have two quests I’d like to finish...Family Matters and the one where I try to find out what killed the townspeople (can’t remember the name).

The Baron’s dead kid in the first and the werewolf in the second seem impossible, and I’m playing on the easier difficulty.

I don’t have silver bombs, no. I think I may just have to level up and come back.

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Are the quests rated about your level?

Generally, you should be able to complete most of everything in NW Velen. I don't remember where the first werewolf quest was located, but it is early in the game. If you don't have the right potions, bombs or oils yet for werewolves, just come back to it later.

On average, I'd have 30 or more active quests at any one time probably.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I'm a little foggy on the details of the game, but make sure you get your Q sign up and working. That one is the most important for combat early on. Also learn the sign where you can make people do your bidding for you or at least freeze in their tracks. That's a good sign for early combat. And I spammed the fire sign a lot early on to help offensively.

And make sure you are using silver swords for monsters and the other kind of swords for people.

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Also use your Witcher sense all the time. You'll find a lot of unseen treasure chests that way.

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I think the lack of specific bombs, potions, etc is probably my issue because I'm right at the recommended level. It recommends 7, and I'm at 7. I'll probably just do some side quests and come back. I'm also not button-mashing anymore and using the spells strategically so I'm thinking some bombs or potions will help.

Also just hooked up with the witch. Niiiiice...

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I’ve come a looong way. This is an outstanding game.

I figured out my issues early on. I’m playing on the 2nd hardest level now.

I just killed Whoreson Jr. and am at level 16. What a sick fuck. As far as video games go, that’s probably the closest I’ve come to actual emotion.

Getting pretty good at Gwent too but I still occasionally run across someone I stand no chance against.

IMU - loving the Dandelion avatar.

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This is great advice, BTW. You can miss a lot of shit otherwise.

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Nerds

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

It’s also basically a porno. Not sure if that makes it better or worse.

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How is this going for you leash?

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I tried this a couple months ago and thought it was just ok. Made it past the first town and then stopped playing it. Does it get better as the story unfolds? Maybe I was expected too much from all the hype.

It's a 200 hour game so yes, things pick up past the few hours you've put into it so far.

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I will give it another shot. Trying Dragon's Age inquisition ATM.

Anyone play any MMO's? Last one I enjoyed was Black Desert Online, but every time they did an update, I had to re-install the game.

DA:Inquisition is absolute garbage compared to the Witcher. I tried so hard to get into that game but man is it the worst combination of kill x / fetch y quests that would test my patience in an MMO, let alone an open world single player RPG.

Stick with the Witcher. It is a far more immersive world, filled with things to do and discover, and each quest has a storyline or color to it. The dialogue and voice acting is better. Graphics. Etc.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I play FFXIV for a few months at a time, quit for 6-9 months, and then play a few more.

A lady friend and I are playing through LOTRO but I'm not really going to do any end-game or anything.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.