When to do side quests and POIs?

[Lumpia.]

I'm on my first playthrough and I'm completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of side quests and question marks. Should I finish the main story first then complete any additional side quests and POIs?

[Vellari]

Contracts, map poi and treasure hunts can be done after the main quest. Sidequests with "important" NPC may fail if not finished before main quest.

[DyingBreed]

While i usually do side quests first, i switch over to main quest if im like 3 levels higher than the suggested level for thw main quest. (Once youre 5 levels higher than the suggested level, you dont really get any xp for the quest)

As far as POI, i ususally do them as i do the quests, although you wont be at hogh enough level for some of them

[Fort Yves]

I usually do the side quest if I'm withing the recommended level. A lot of gears can be found with the quests and some Main Quest outcome change depending on the side quests done.

[Kalvix]

I just do every side thing in each new area as I arrive in it and do the main quest after. I now get 1xp from the main quest and I have a sneaky feeling the end boss is going to feel like a chump

[The Bear]

I advice you to start your first mission in main quest in region you are and see what "ways" it will take you after. You can make PIOs and side quest then, or as they just come along your way and level.

Most important thing is to remember that some quest will not be possible to finish after main quest end.

But you get the warning at some point.

[Lumpia.]

Originally posted by The Bear:

I advice you to start your first mission in main quest in region you are and see what "ways" it will take you after. You can make PIOs and side quest then, or as they just come along your way and level.

Most important thing is to remember that some quest will not be possible to finish after main quest end.

But you get the warning at some point.

I'm currently 48 hours in and level 22, I'm at the part where I talk to Uma at the crow's perch. This is my first playthrough, should I hold off on the POI and witcher contracts after beating the game?

[The.Spaz.]

Hey a fellow newcomer like myself. I generally start by exploring whats closest to me. The story will take you areound the entire map and also unlock a few areas and people/vendors via quests and the like. Some of these encounters might be too high level but you can beat them... I took down the beast of oxenfurt when I was level 12 and the suggested level is 32. Anyway you will likely get some decent gear that are incrementally better till you start collecting those withcher diagrams.

Also what do you mean talk to Uma? I only saw him the one and only time once I decided to help the baron confront the witches in the bog.

[/⁠ᐠ⁠｡⁠ꞈ⁠｡⁠ᐟ\]

you can scale enemies to your level so if you miss a lot you can play them later

[Mr. Flibble]

After you download the mod Enhanced Edition.. Then you go around the map like others have said. Doing things along the way from point A to point B. Gives off more of an organic feeling.

EE changes a lot around (not just combat.) for the game and IMHO is how the game should have been made, with alchemy/meditation/oils/ oh boy the list goes on and on! It also does away with the leveling system and scales enemies, IMHO, just right! Along with this, it changes how skills are added to the game and how many of them work.

I won't lie, it took me awhile to ever install EE, not because it is hard to do, but I was hesitant on all of the changes it would bring. Now looking back on it? I can't believe I tried playing Witcher 3 without this mod. Can't go back to vanilla now.

I'd go as far to say that even newcomers to the game, should go ahead and get this mod and install before even playing. It changes things for the best... My opinion of course!

[alicerinz]

Witcher Contracts and Witcher Gear Treasure Hunts can be just as fun as the main game.They can also influence the main quest

[Lumpia.]

Originally posted by Not A CIA Agent:

Witcher Contracts and Witcher Gear Treasure Hunts can be just as fun as the main game.They can also influence the main quest

Really?! How big of an influence is it?

[Lumpia.]

Originally posted by Mr. Flibble:

After you download the mod Enhanced Edition.. Then you go around the map like others have said. Doing things along the way from point A to point B. Gives off more of an organic feeling.

EE changes a lot around (not just combat.) for the game and IMHO is how the game should have been made, with alchemy/meditation/oils/ oh boy the list goes on and on! It also does away with the leveling system and scales enemies, IMHO, just right! Along with this, it changes how skills are added to the game and how many of them work.

I won't lie, it took me awhile to ever install EE, not because it is hard to do, but I was hesitant on all of the changes it would bring. Now looking back on it? I can't believe I tried playing Witcher 3 without this mod. Can't go back to vanilla now.

I'd go as far to say that even newcomers to the game, should go ahead and get this mod and install before even playing. It changes things for the best... My opinion of course!

Alright thanks I'll take a look!

[Lumpia.]

Originally posted by The.Spaz.:

Hey a fellow newcomer like myself. I generally start by exploring whats closest to me. The story will take you areound the entire map and also unlock a few areas and people/vendors via quests and the like. Some of these encounters might be too high level but you can beat them... I took down the beast of oxenfurt when I was level 12 and the suggested level is 32. Anyway you will likely get some decent gear that are incrementally better till you start collecting those withcher diagrams.

Also what do you mean talk to Uma? I only saw him the one and only time once I decided to help the baron confront the witches in the bog.

Yea I guess I'll just do the "!" when they pop up as I do quests.

You'll see when you get to Skellige, I'm not gonna spoil anything :P

[alicerinz]

Treasure hunts dont do anything at all,but some side quests ( For example "Now or Never" ) can eliminate/add some characters or make them treat Garord Stuckwalker differently.

[The.Spaz.]

Originally posted by SketchyKing:

Originally posted by The.Spaz.:

Hey a fellow newcomer like myself. I generally start by exploring whats closest to me. The story will take you areound the entire map and also unlock a few areas and people/vendors via quests and the like. Some of these encounters might be too high level but you can beat them... I took down the beast of oxenfurt when I was level 12 and the suggested level is 32. Anyway you will likely get some decent gear that are incrementally better till you start collecting those withcher diagrams.

Also what do you mean talk to Uma? I only saw him the one and only time once I decided to help the baron confront the witches in the bog.

Yea I guess I'll just do the "!" when they pop up as I do quests.

You'll see when you get to Skellige, I'm not gonna spoil anything :P

Some of those "?" can end up being a "!" too.