The Witcher 3: What to Do First, Second, and Next

1. #1MainKaer Morhen → Lilac and GooseberriesTutorial, then arrive in White Orchard.
2. #2SideTwisted FirestarterHelp Willis in the village.
3. #3SideA Frying Pan, Spick and SpanShort nearby errand.
4. #4SideMissing in ActionResolve the battlefield request.
5. #5SidePrecious CargoInvestigate the merchant’s request.
6. #6Main + sideThe Beast of White Orchard; On Death’s BedStart the griffin investigation; help Tomira’s patient before leaving.
7. #7ContractDevil by the WellPrepare for a wraith fight.
8. #8Treasure / gearViper School Gear; nearby hidden treasureGather accessible diagrams and supplies.
9. #9Explore / GwentPlaces of Power; innkeeper cards; Gwent tutorialDo an opening-region sweep.
10. #10MainFinish The Beast of White OrchardComplete the griffin contract.
11. #11STOP / MainThe Incident at White Orchard → Imperial AudienceFinish opening side quests before telling Vesemir you are ready to leave.

Do not postpone the village’s early side quests until after departure. Start the griffin investigation early if needed to unlock Tomira’s dialogue; the numbered order is a route, not a requirement to avoid every main objective.

Sources: White Orchard side quests; On Death’s Bed cutoff

1. #12MainThe Nilfgaardian ConnectionFollow the first Velen lead.
2. #13SideFuneral Pyres; nearby village errandsHandle manageable encounters on the way.
3. #14MainBloody Baron; automatic Ciri segmentBegin the Crow’s Perch storyline.
4. #15SideCiri’s RoomDo it while already in the keep.
5. #16MainFamily Matters → A Princess in DistressProgress the investigation; Family Matters will pause until other leads are resolved.
6. #17MainHunting a Witch → Wandering in the DarkFollow Keira’s lead.
7. #18SideMagic LampHelp Keira before leaving the ruins.
8. #19SideAn Invitation from Keira Metz → A Towerful of MiceBegin her personal storyline.
9. #20SideA Favor for a Friend → For the Advancement of LearningResolve her chain; dialogue determines later availability.
10. #21SideForefathers’ EveFit it in when the pellar’s request appears.
11. #22MainLadies of the Wood → The Whispering HillockProgress the bog investigation; make a manual save before major choices.
12. #23MainFinish Family Matters and automatic Ciri segmentsReturn to the Baron when the bog investigation supplies the missing information.
13. #24SideReturn to Crookback BogFinish the Baron’s follow-up before moving on.
14. #25SideConditionalThe Fall of the House of Reardon → Ghosts of the Past, if availableThe second quest depends on the Witcher 2 world state.
15. #26SideWild at Heart; A Greedy God; other nearby low-level requestsClean up manageable village quests.
16. #27ContractWoodland Beast → Patrol Gone Missing → ShriekerRecommended early contract sequence; check journal difficulty.
17. #28ContractJenny o’ the Woods; The Merry Widow; Swamp ThingDo them as your gear and level improve.
18. #29GearGriffin School GearA useful first major school hunt; do not force dangerous fights.
19. #30Later sideIn the Eternal Fire’s ShadowReturn to Devil’s Pit when ready; commonly listed at level 15.
20. #31CraftingStart Master ArmorersCollect the request now; finish its Skellige objective later.

Recommended placement of optional errands is editorial. You do not have to clear high-level Velen contracts before entering Novigrad.

Sources: Velen side quests; Family Matters progression; Keira chain; Forgotten Wolven quest

1. #32MainPyres of Novigrad → Novigrad Dreaming → Broken FlowersFollow the city’s main trail.
2. #33Side / MainStart Get Junior; decide whether to do The Gangs of NovigradFor Cleaver’s route, speak to him before independently clearing the casino and arena. Alternative approaches are not all compatible.
3. #34MainCount Reuven’s TreasureDo this parallel investigation before finishing the city arc.
4. #35MainFinish Get Junior; automatic Ciri segment; A Favor for RadovidFollow the unlocked objectives.
5. #36SideRedania’s Most WantedBegin the political chain; deal with any Triss-related crystal dialogue while she is available.
6. #37MainThe Play’s the Thing → A Poet Under PressureComplete the Dandelion search.
7. #38SideA Dangerous GameResolve Zoltan’s request; Gwent collectors should consider the card reward.
8. #39SideConditionalThe Nobleman Statuette; The Soldier Statuette, if acquiredSafest before advancing Triss’s party / departure chain. Later access may return; this is not a universal permanent failure.
9. #40Side / GwentA Matter of Life and DeathPlay the optional party Gwent games before leaving the party.
10. #41SideNow or NeverResolve Triss’s chain; choices affect her relationship with Geralt.
11. #42SideAn Eye for an Eye → A Deadly PlotFinish these political prerequisites before the Isle of Mists.
12. #43SideCabaret → Carnal SinsFinish Dandelion’s follow-up chain.
13. #44SideConditionalAn Uncalled-for Favor, if triggered; other nearby requestsRespond to short companion follow-ups while available.
14. #45Gwent / activitiesGwent: Playing Innkeeps; Big City Players; Old Pals; Broken Flowers opportunitiesPlay named opponents promptly. Postpone High Stakes until your deck is strong; keep a separate save.
15. #46ContractAn Elusive Thief → The Apiarian Phantom → Deadly Delights → The White LadyRecommended city-area contract sequence.
16. #47Gear / craftingFeline School Gear; Of Swords and Dumplings when readyHattori’s crafting quest can be harder than early city quests.
17. #48HOLDFollowing the ThreadFor the extra Skellige quest Flesh for Sale, delay Lambert’s Seven Cats Inn conversation until after the Faroe visit.

Get Junior and Count Reuven’s Treasure overlap. The listed order is one practical route, not the sole valid sequence. Oxenfurt and Novigrad share the northern mainland travel area, so group objectives rather than making separate full sweeps.

Sources: Novigrad story structure; Statuette availability; Triss party timing; Political prerequisites

1. #49MainDestination: Skellige → The King is Dead – Long Live the KingArrive and open the island storylines.
2. #50SideFlesh for Sale, Trottheim on FaroeDo before Lambert tells you about Hammond in Following the Thread.
3. #51Return trip / sideFollowing the ThreadAfter Flesh for Sale, return to Novigrad, progress Lambert’s request, then follow its island objective and complete the chain.
4. #52ContractThe Phantom of EldbergDo before King’s Gambit if you want the associated early Arinbjorn sequence.
5. #53SideConditionalStranger in a Strange Land, if triggered → The Cave of DreamsFinish the cave before King’s Gambit. You can also approach Blueboy before the cutoff if the linked sequence is unavailable.
6. #54MainEchoes of the Past → Missing Persons → NamelessContinue Yennefer’s investigation.
7. #55MainAutomatic Ciri segment: The Calm Before the StormPlay when the story transitions to it.
8. #56SideIn Wolf’s ClothingResolve the Freya’s Garden storyline while in Hindarsfjall.
9. #57SideThe Last WishDo immediately when available; finish before collecting Uma during Ugly Baby.
10. #58SidePossession → The Lord of UndvikEither sibling quest can be first; this is the recommended sequence.
11. #59CraftingMaster Armorers: collect the Undvik toolsCombine the trip with Undvik exploration, then return to Yoana when ready.
12. #60STOP / sideKing’s Gambit → CoronationOnly advance after the Cave of Dreams sweep.
13. #61Side / activitiesThe Nithing; The Tower Outta Nowheres; Master of the Arena; island races and fistfightsOptional island cleanup, adjusted to journal levels.
14. #62GwentGwent: Skellige Style; Shock TherapyPlay named opponents before late-story changes.
15. #63ContractStrange Beast; Muire D’yaeblen; Here Comes the GroomSlot these in when nearby and ready.
16. #64GearUrsine School GearCollect as your preferred build and equipment requirements allow.
17. #65STOPBefore Ugly BabyFinish The Last Wish and Following the Thread before moving Uma from Crow’s Perch.

Do not let an automatic journal entry for Ugly Baby pressure you into collecting Uma immediately. Main-story prompts generally allow time to do the earlier companion work.

Sources: Flesh for Sale gate; Skellige succession; King’s Gambit / cave ordering; The Last Wish cutoff; Ugly Baby companion cutoff

1. #66MainUgly BabyProceed after the earlier companion checks.
2. #67MainDisturbance → To Bait a Forktail… → The Final TrialThese tasks can be completed in another order.
3. #68SideBerengar’s BladeResolve before leaving for the Isle; do not defer the Vesemir interaction.
4. #69Gear / explorationWolven School Gear; The BastionExplore accessible objectives; stronger enemies may need a later visit.
5. #70MainNo Place Like Home → Va Fail, ElaineFinish the keep’s story sequence.
6. #71Main / alliesBrothers in Arms: Velen → Novigrad → Skellige → NilfgaardVisit the available contacts. Recruitment success depends on earlier choices.
7. #72CleanupRemaining character quests; Gwent opportunities; ready-level contractsRecheck every region; do not confuse available with completed.
8. #73STOPMake a separate manual save before The Isle of Mists warningVerify Keira, Baron, Triss, Dandelion, Zoltan, political, succession, and ally work.
9. #74MainThe Isle of Mists → The Battle of Kaer Morhen → Blood on the Battlefield → Bald MountainFollow the story sequence; normal regional exploration is restricted for part of this stretch.

Berengar sources differ over whether to name the cutoff Isle of Mists or the later battle. Finish it before the Isle to avoid the disagreement. The main-game completion route does not require clearing every treasure chest or sea cache.

Sources: Act II and III quest list; Kaer Morhen side quests; Berengar cutoff table; Isle checklist

1. #75MainFinal Preparations: Payback → The Great Escape → Blindingly Obvious → Through Time and SpaceRecommended task order; some tasks allow rearrangement.
2. #76Conditional sideConditionalReason of StateIf unlocked, do it now. Earlier political quests and the peaceful information route with Dijkstra in Blindingly Obvious are important prerequisites.
3. #77Conditional sideConditionalIt Takes Three to Tango, if triggeredFollow the journal; depends on romance choices.
4. #78MainConditionalBattle Preparations: Veni Vidi Vigo → The Sunstone → Child of the Elder Blood → Skjall’s Grave, if availableFollow current objectives; some tasks and choices branch.
5. #79CleanupRemaining high-level contracts; gear upgrades; Kaer Morhen explorationUse the appendices below. Most ordinary contracts and treasure hunts can also wait until after the story.
6. #80STOPBefore On Thin IceFinish Reason of State if wanted and keep a separate save.
7. #81MainOn Thin Ice → Tedd Deireadh, The Final Age → Something Ends, Something BeginsComplete the base-game ending.

This is a spoiler-light route: quest titles reveal progression, but outcome choices are not prescribed. Finishing quests does not guarantee every ally, romance, or political ending.

Sources: Act III quest sequence; Reason of State requirements and deadline

1. #82MainEvil’s Soft First TouchesStart the expansion.
2. #83SideRose on a Red FieldPick it up near Olgierd’s estate and complete when ready.
3. #84MainDead Man’s PartyComplete the wedding objectives.
4. #85SideA Midnight ClearDo the Shani follow-up during the wedding’s closing sequence rather than leaving immediately.
5. #86Main / missablesOpen Sesame!: auction visitTalk to the auction guests and investigate optional purchases before proceeding.
6. #87MainOpen Sesame!: Witcher Seasonings; Breaking and Entering; The SafecrackerDo the required preparation tasks, then finish the heist.
7. #88Optional / treasureConditionalAvid Collector; A Dark Legacy, if unlockedDepend on auction interactions and purchases.
8. #89Side / craftingWithout a Trace; Enchanting: Start-up Costs → Quality Has Its PriceOptional countryside request and Runewright progression; budget carefully.
9. #90MainScenes From a MarriageContinue the expansion story.
10. #91STOP / MainWhatsoever a Man Soweth…Before the final meeting, follow the optional Shani / professor lead if offered; keep a save.

Dead Man’s Party and Open Sesame! can be tackled in another order. Base story → Hearts of Stone → Blood and Wine is the recommended narrative order here, not a mandatory game rule.

Sources: Hearts of Stone quest catalog; Side and treasure quest guide; Wedding side quest; Final optional lead

1. #92MainEnvoys, Wineboys → The Beast of Toussaint → Blood RunEnter Toussaint and progress its opening investigation.
2. #93Side / homeNo Place Like HomeBegin Corvo Bianco improvements when available; revisit between outings.
3. #94ProgressionTurn and Face the StrangeDo early once the letter arrives to unlock the mutation system.
4. #95Side / missableThe Warble of a Smitten KnightComplete the tournament well before Capture the Castle.
5. #96GearMaster Master Master Master!; chosen grandmaster school huntBegin with Lafargue; focus on one useful set before buying everything.
6. #97SideThere Can Be Only OneStart tracking the virtues; complete once the conditions are met.
7. #98Side / activitiesPaperchase; Till Death Do You Part; Father Knows Worst; Gwent: To Everything – Turn, Turn, Tournament! when readyDo accessible city and countryside requests; build the Skellige deck before its tournament.
8. #99MainLa Cage au Fou → Where Children Toil, Toys Waste AwayResume the central investigation.
9. #100Conditional sideConditionalThe Hunger Game, if unlockedRevisit Corvo Bianco after the relevant La Cage au Fou outcome.
10. #101Side / contractsWine Wars; Knight for Hire; nearby contractsFor the combined Wine Wars investigation, examine both vineyards and the sabotage clues before completing one claimant’s chain in isolation.
11. #102MainWine is Sacred → The Man from CintraProgress the next story chapter.
12. #103STOPBefore Capture the CastleConfirm the tournament is done; save and finish desired side outings before the long story sequence.
13. #104MainCapture the Castle → The Night of Long FangsBegin the expansion’s endgame.
14. #105BranchConditionalFollow the selected journal route: Beyond Hill and Dale… OR Blood Simple / What Lies UnseenThese are branching routes, not three mandatory quests to complete in succession.
15. #106Main / conditionalConditionalTesham Mutna → Pomp and Strange Circumstance OR Burlap Is the New StripeFollow the route produced by your choices.
16. #107EpilogueBe It Ever So Humble…Finish the epilogue, then continue remaining free-roam content.

The exact late sequence depends on choices. The Warble of a Smitten Knight is a documented failure at Capture the Castle; many other side activities are only temporarily inaccessible during the story stretch.

Sources: Blood and Wine guide; Expansion quest catalog; Tournament cutoff; Wine Wars progression