Witcher 3 New Game Plus: Everything You Need To Know

So, you've conquered the Wild Hunt, navigated the treacherous political landscape of the Northern Kingdoms, and maybe even romanced a sorceress or two. What's next for Geralt of Rivia? Well, that's where New Game Plus (NG+) in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt comes in! This feature allows you to relive the epic adventure with all your hard-earned gear and experience, but with a significant increase in difficulty. Think of it as a victory lap where you get to truly flex your Witcher muscles.

What is New Game Plus?

New Game Plus is essentially a replay mode offered in many games, including The Witcher 3. It's designed for players who have already completed the main storyline and want to experience the game again, but with a twist. Instead of starting from scratch, you begin with most of your progress intact. This means you get to keep your character level, skills, and equipment, giving you a significant advantage in the early stages of the game. However, don't get too comfortable, because the enemies are scaled to match your higher level, providing a new challenge even for seasoned Witchers. The purpose of New Game Plus is to give a fresh experience, allowing players to make different choices, explore previously missed content, and generally enjoy the game with a more powerful character. It's a great way to extend the lifespan of a game and offer a compelling reason to revisit a beloved world. In The Witcher 3, New Game Plus offers just that – a chance to dive back into the Continent, face tougher monsters, and perhaps even achieve a different ending.

What Carries Over to NG+?

Alright, so you're thinking of diving into New Game Plus in The Witcher 3? Awesome! But what exactly do you get to bring along for the ride? Let's break it down, so you know what goodies you'll have at your disposal from the get-go. First and foremost, your character level makes the jump. That means all those hours you spent grinding and leveling up Geralt won't go to waste. You'll also keep all your acquired skills and abilities, meaning you can continue to develop your character along the same path or respec and try something new. As for equipment, most of your armor, weapons, and crafting materials will carry over, which is a huge bonus, especially if you've already invested in some top-tier Witcher gear. Inventory items like potions, oils, bombs, and food also make the trip, ensuring you're well-prepared for whatever dangers lie ahead. Plus, you get to keep your hard-earned gold and any quest items that aren't tied to specific storylines. However, there are a few exceptions. Quest items related to main story quests won't transfer over, as they're essential for progressing through the narrative again. Similarly, Gwent cards and trophies will be reset, giving you a reason to collect them again. But overall, the majority of your progress carries over, giving you a significant head start in New Game Plus. This allows you to focus on exploring new content, making different choices, and generally enjoying the game with a more powerful and versatile Geralt.

What Doesn't Carry Over to NG+?

Okay, so while you get to keep a ton of cool stuff in New Game Plus, there are a few things that don't make the cut. Knowing what gets left behind is just as important as knowing what you keep, so let's get into it. First off, quest items are a no-go. Any key items you picked up during your first playthrough that were essential for completing quests will be removed from your inventory. This is because the game needs to reset the questlines so you can experience them again. You also won't be able to bring your Gwent cards with you. Sorry, Gwent enthusiasts! You'll have to start collecting them all over again. This actually adds a fun element of progression, as you get to rebuild your deck and try out new strategies. Furthermore, any trophies you've earned will be reset. This means you'll have to hunt down those challenging monsters and complete those difficult quests again to fill up your trophy room. Also, remember those one-time-use items that are tied to specific quests? Yeah, those are gone too. Basically, anything that would break the game or prevent you from progressing through the story will be left behind. While it might seem like a bummer to lose some of these items, it's all part of the New Game Plus experience. It ensures that you still have a sense of progression and that the game remains challenging and engaging. Plus, it gives you a reason to explore the world and interact with its inhabitants all over again.

How to Start New Game Plus

Ready to dive into New Game Plus? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to kick things off. First, you'll need to have a completed save file from your original playthrough. This is the foundation for your New Game Plus adventure. Make sure you've finished the main storyline and saved your game. Once you have that, head to the main menu of The Witcher 3. Look for the "New Game" option and select it. You should see an option that specifically says "New Game Plus". Select that, and the game will prompt you to choose the save file you want to use as the basis for your New Game Plus playthrough. Choose the completed save file you created earlier. After selecting your save file, the game will ask you to confirm your difficulty level. You can choose any difficulty level you want, even if you played on a different difficulty in your original playthrough. If you're looking for a real challenge, consider bumping up the difficulty to Death March! Finally, you'll have the option to simulate your decisions from The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. This will impact the story and characters you encounter in The Witcher 3. Once you've made all your selections, the game will start your New Game Plus adventure. Get ready to relive the story with a powered-up Geralt and face new challenges along the way!

Level Scaling in NG+

One of the most significant changes in New Game Plus is the level scaling. This means that the enemies you encounter will be much tougher than they were in your original playthrough, even from the very beginning. The game adjusts the levels of monsters and quests to match your character's higher level, providing a fresh challenge even for experienced players. This scaling applies to almost every enemy in the game, including those in side quests and contracts. So, don't expect to breeze through the early areas just because you have powerful gear. You'll still need to use your Witcher senses, craft potions and oils, and utilize your combat skills to survive. The level scaling ensures that you're constantly challenged, no matter where you go or what you do. It also makes exploring new areas and completing side quests more rewarding, as you'll face tougher enemies and earn better loot. While the level scaling can be challenging, it's also what makes New Game Plus so engaging. It forces you to adapt your playstyle, experiment with new builds, and truly master the game's combat mechanics. So, embrace the challenge and get ready for a whole new level of difficulty in The Witcher 3.

Tips and Tricks for NG+

So, you're ready to tackle New Game Plus? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the most of your adventure. First, optimize your build before starting. Respec your skills and experiment with different builds to find one that suits your playstyle and complements your gear. New Game Plus is a great opportunity to try out new builds and strategies, so don't be afraid to experiment. Also, craft and upgrade your Witcher gear as soon as possible. Witcher gear is some of the best armor and weapons in the game, so it's worth investing the time and resources to craft and upgrade it. Look for diagrams and materials early on, and prioritize crafting the gear that matches your build. Furthermore, take advantage of the increased difficulty to challenge yourself and improve your skills. Don't be afraid to take on tough monsters and challenging quests, as they'll provide valuable experience and loot. New Game Plus is all about pushing your limits and mastering the game's combat mechanics. Plus, explore the world and complete side quests. New Game Plus is a great opportunity to revisit areas you may have missed in your original playthrough and discover new secrets. Side quests often offer valuable rewards and insights into the world and its characters, so don't skip them. Finally, have fun and enjoy the ride. New Game Plus is all about reliving the adventure with a new perspective and a more powerful character. So, relax, explore, and enjoy the journey. With these tips in mind, you'll be well-prepared to conquer New Game Plus and experience The Witcher 3 in a whole new way.

Preparing for NG+

Before you jump into New Game Plus, it's wise to do a little prep work. Think of it as packing your bags for a grand adventure. First, gather as much gold as you can. You'll want a hefty stash to buy new gear, repair your equipment, and craft potions and oils. Completing contracts, selling loot, and clearing out bandit camps are all great ways to amass wealth. Also, stock up on crafting materials. You'll need a variety of materials to craft and upgrade your Witcher gear, so gather as many as you can before starting New Game Plus. Hunt monsters, explore caves, and loot chests to find valuable materials. Furthermore, complete any unfinished quests or contracts. New Game Plus is a fresh start, so it's a good idea to tie up any loose ends before beginning your new adventure. Plus, completing quests and contracts will reward you with experience, gold, and valuable items. Additionally, optimize your skill build. Experiment with different builds and find one that suits your playstyle and gear. Respec your skills if necessary, and invest in abilities that will help you survive the increased difficulty of New Game Plus. Finally, craft the best Witcher gear you can. Witcher gear is some of the best armor and weapons in the game, so it's worth investing the time and resources to craft and upgrade it. Look for diagrams and materials, and craft the gear that matches your build. With these preparations in mind, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the challenges of New Game Plus and experience The Witcher 3 in a whole new way.

Differences between NG and NG+

Okay, so you might be wondering, what's the real difference between just starting a New Game and diving into New Game Plus? Well, the key difference lies in the progress you carry over. In a standard New Game, you start from scratch with nothing but Geralt's basic gear and skills. You have to level up, gather resources, and craft your way to becoming a formidable Witcher. In New Game Plus, on the other hand, you start with most of your progress intact. This means you keep your character level, skills, and equipment, giving you a significant advantage in the early stages of the game. However, the enemies are scaled to match your higher level, providing a new challenge even for seasoned players. Another difference is the availability of certain items and quests. In New Game Plus, some items and quests may be adjusted or removed to ensure that the game remains balanced and engaging. For example, quest items related to the main storyline will be reset, and some quests may be altered to provide a fresh experience. Also, the difficulty level is generally higher in New Game Plus than in a standard New Game. This is because the enemies are scaled to match your higher level, and the game is designed to be more challenging for experienced players. Basically, New Game Plus is a way to relive the adventure with a powered-up character and face new challenges along the way, while a standard New Game is a fresh start with nothing but the basics. Both options offer a unique experience, but New Game Plus is particularly appealing for players who want to continue their journey with Geralt and test their skills against tougher enemies.

Is New Game Plus Worth It?

So, the big question: Is New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 worth your time? Absolutely! If you loved your initial playthrough and crave more Geralt action, New Game Plus offers a fantastic way to extend the experience. You get to revisit the compelling story, make different choices, and explore areas you might have missed the first time around, all while wielding a more powerful version of Geralt. The increased difficulty adds a fresh challenge, forcing you to adapt your playstyle and truly master the game's combat mechanics. Plus, you can experiment with different builds, craft new gear, and hunt down those elusive Gwent cards you missed the first time. But beyond the gameplay benefits, New Game Plus allows you to deepen your connection with the world and characters of The Witcher 3. You can appreciate the nuances of the story, explore the rich lore, and make choices that reflect your evolving understanding of the world. It's a chance to see the game in a new light and experience it in a way that wasn't possible during your initial playthrough. So, if you're looking for a reason to return to the Continent, New Game Plus is definitely worth it. It's a chance to relive the adventure, face new challenges, and deepen your appreciation for one of the greatest RPGs of all time. Now, saddle up Roach and get ready for another epic journey!