Witcher 3 New Game Plus: Everything You Need To Know

Nov 3, 2025 by Admin 53 views

So, you've conquered the Witcher 3, huh? Slayed the monsters, romanced your favorite sorceress (or both!), and navigated the intricate political landscape. But the world of Geralt of Rivia is so rich and captivating that one playthrough just isn't enough. That's where New Game Plus (NG+) comes in, offering a chance to relive the adventure with all your hard-earned gear and skills. Let's dive into everything you need to know about starting a New Game Plus in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

What is New Game Plus in Witcher 3?

Think of New Game Plus as a victory lap, a chance to experience the Witcher 3 all over again, but this time you're bringing your A-game. Essentially, it allows you to start a new game using your character from a completed save file. This means you get to keep your experience, abilities, money, and most of your equipment. It's not just a simple replay; it's a chance to make different choices, explore missed content, and face the challenges with a seasoned Geralt, making it a deeply enriching experience. This mode is a fantastic way to extend the lifespan of an already massive game and is an excellent way to try out different builds and playstyles.

The Witcher 3's NG+ is more than just a rehash; it's a cleverly designed system that enhances replayability. Enemies are scaled to your level, meaning the game remains challenging even with your advanced gear. You're not just breezing through the early stages; you're facing tougher opponents right from the start. It allows players to truly master the combat system and experiment with different approaches to encounters. For instance, you might decide to focus on alchemy in your NG+ playthrough, utilizing potions and bombs to devastating effect, or perhaps you'll embrace a sign-heavy build, unleashing powerful magical attacks upon your foes. The possibilities are endless, and it's this freedom of choice that makes NG+ so appealing.

Moreover, New Game Plus offers a fresh perspective on the narrative. Knowing the outcomes of certain decisions beforehand allows you to make informed choices, potentially leading to different alliances, romances, and ultimately, a different ending. Did you regret siding with a particular character in your first playthrough? Now's your chance to correct that mistake and see how things unfold differently. This narrative depth adds another layer of intrigue to the gameplay, making each playthrough unique and memorable. The ability to carry over your character's progression also creates a sense of continuity, as if you're truly guiding Geralt on an epic journey that spans multiple lifetimes. It's a testament to the game's design that even after multiple playthroughs, there are still new secrets to uncover and new stories to tell. Whether you're a seasoned Witcher veteran or a newcomer eager to delve deeper into the world, New Game Plus is an essential experience for any fan of The Witcher 3.

What Do You Keep in New Game Plus?

Okay, so what exactly makes the jump with you into this new adventure? Here's a breakdown of what you get to keep:

Character Level and Experience: Geralt retains his current level, meaning you can jump straight into higher-level quests and challenges.
Skills and Abilities: All those hard-earned skill points and mutations remain intact, allowing you to continue developing your character's strengths.
Money: Your crowns (the in-game currency) carry over, giving you a head start on purchasing new gear and upgrades.
Weapons and Armor: Most of your weapons and armor will transfer, including your Witcher gear. However, there are a few exceptions (more on that below).
Alchemy Recipes and Diagrams: All your crafting knowledge is retained, allowing you to brew potions and craft gear from the get-go.
Inventory Items: A significant portion of your inventory, including crafting materials, potions, oils, bombs, and food, will be carried over.
Gwent Cards: Your Gwent card collection makes the journey with you, making you a formidable opponent in the taverns.

Knowing what you keep in New Game Plus is crucial for planning your next playthrough. For example, if you're aiming for a specific build, you can focus on acquiring the necessary skills and equipment early on. The ability to retain your wealth also allows you to invest in better gear and upgrades from the start, giving you a significant advantage in combat. Additionally, keeping your alchemy recipes and diagrams means you can immediately start crafting powerful potions and oils, which are essential for tackling tougher enemies. The continuity of your inventory also ensures that you have a steady supply of resources, allowing you to focus on exploration and questing without worrying about running out of essential items. In essence, New Game Plus provides a seamless transition from your previous playthrough, allowing you to continue your adventure with a sense of progression and accomplishment. It's a well-designed system that rewards players for their dedication and encourages them to delve even deeper into the world of The Witcher 3.

Moreover, the inclusion of your Gwent card collection in New Game Plus adds another layer of depth to the gameplay. Gwent, the popular card game within The Witcher 3, becomes even more engaging when you have a diverse and powerful deck. You can challenge new opponents, participate in tournaments, and continue to refine your strategy. The ability to retain your Gwent cards also creates a sense of continuity, as if you're carrying your reputation as a skilled Gwent player into the new game. It's a fun and rewarding way to unwind between quests and battles, and it adds a unique element to the overall experience. Whether you're a seasoned Gwent master or a newcomer eager to learn the ropes, New Game Plus offers the perfect opportunity to hone your skills and build the ultimate deck.

What Doesn't Carry Over?

Now, for the things you won't be taking with you. This is important to keep in mind as you wrap up your current playthrough:

Quest Items: Any items specifically tied to quests will be removed from your inventory. This prevents any potential conflicts or glitches in the new playthrough.
Trophies and Relics: Monster trophies and other relics obtained from specific quests will not carry over. You'll have to earn those again!
Gwent Quest Progress: Any progress made in Gwent-related quests will be reset. You'll need to challenge opponents and complete the quests again.
Consumables: Most of them don't pass on, it´s a bummer.

Understanding what doesn't carry over in New Game Plus is just as important as knowing what does. For example, knowing that quest items will be removed from your inventory prevents you from relying on them in the early stages of the new playthrough. Similarly, the fact that monster trophies don't carry over means you'll have to re-hunt those formidable creatures and earn their trophies once again. This adds a sense of challenge and accomplishment to the new game, as you're not simply relying on your past achievements. Additionally, the reset of Gwent quest progress means you'll have to rebuild your reputation as a Gwent master and compete in tournaments from scratch. This gives you the opportunity to refine your strategy and test your skills against new opponents.

The exclusion of certain items and progress in New Game Plus is a deliberate design choice that aims to maintain a sense of balance and challenge. It prevents players from becoming overpowered too early in the game and ensures that they still have to work to achieve their goals. It also encourages players to explore different aspects of the game, such as hunting monsters and playing Gwent, and to rediscover the joy of overcoming challenges. In essence, New Game Plus is not just a simple replay; it's a carefully crafted experience that offers a fresh perspective on the game while still respecting the player's previous accomplishments. It's a testament to the game's design that even after multiple playthroughs, there are still new things to discover and new challenges to overcome.

How to Start New Game Plus

Ready to jump back into the Witcher 3? Here's how to initiate New Game Plus:

Complete the Main Story: You need a completed save file from a playthrough where you've finished the main storyline.
Load the Completed Save: Load the save file of your completed game.
Start a New Game: From the main menu, select "New Game."
Choose New Game Plus: You'll be prompted to choose between starting a regular new game or New Game Plus. Select the latter.
Select Your Save: Choose the save file from your completed playthrough that you want to use for New Game Plus.
Adjust Difficulty (Optional): You can adjust the difficulty level if you want an even greater challenge.
Begin Your New Adventure: And that's it! You're ready to embark on your New Game Plus journey.

The process of starting New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 is straightforward and user-friendly. The game guides you through each step, ensuring that you don't accidentally start a regular new game instead. The option to adjust the difficulty level allows you to tailor the experience to your preferences, whether you're seeking a more challenging playthrough or a more relaxed one. Additionally, the ability to choose the save file from your completed playthrough ensures that you're using the character and progression that you want to carry over into the new game. This level of customization and control adds to the overall appeal of New Game Plus.

Once you've started your New Game Plus adventure, you'll immediately notice the difference in the game world. Enemies are tougher, quests are more demanding, and the overall challenge is significantly increased. However, you'll also have the advantage of your previous experience, skills, and equipment, allowing you to tackle these challenges with confidence. As you progress through the game, you'll have the opportunity to make different choices, explore missed content, and uncover new secrets. You might even discover new strategies for combat and alchemy that you hadn't considered before. In essence, New Game Plus is a chance to rediscover The Witcher 3 in a whole new light, with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of excitement.

Tips for Your New Game Plus Playthrough

To make the most of your New Game Plus experience, keep these tips in mind:

Plan Your Build: Decide on a specific build or playstyle you want to focus on. This will help you prioritize skill points and gear acquisition.
Craft Witcher Gear Early: Witcher gear remains some of the best in the game. Crafting it early will give you a significant advantage.
Explore Missed Content: Use this opportunity to explore areas and quests you might have missed in your first playthrough.
Experiment with Choices: Make different choices in quests and dialogues to see how they impact the story.
Embrace the Challenge: Don't be afraid to crank up the difficulty. New Game Plus is designed to be challenging, even for experienced players.

Planning your build in New Game Plus is crucial for maximizing your effectiveness in combat and exploration. Consider what kind of playstyle you enjoy the most, whether it's a focus on melee combat, magic, alchemy, or a combination of all three. Then, prioritize the skills and abilities that support that playstyle. For example, if you're aiming for a sign-heavy build, invest in skills that enhance the power and duration of your signs. If you prefer melee combat, focus on skills that increase your attack power and critical hit chance. By planning your build in advance, you can ensure that you're making the most of your skill points and that you're always prepared for the challenges ahead.

Crafting Witcher gear early in New Game Plus is another essential tip for success. Witcher gear is some of the best in the game, offering excellent stats and bonuses that can significantly improve your combat prowess. Start by crafting the basic versions of the gear and then upgrade them as you progress through the game. The enhanced, superior, and mastercrafted versions of Witcher gear are particularly powerful, and they can make a huge difference in your ability to take on tougher enemies. Additionally, Witcher gear often comes with unique bonuses that complement specific builds, making it even more valuable. For example, the Griffin School gear is well-suited for sign-heavy builds, while the Feline School gear is ideal for melee combat. By crafting Witcher gear early and upgrading it regularly, you can ensure that you're always well-equipped for the challenges ahead.

So there you have it, guys! Everything you need to know to dive into New Game Plus in The Witcher 3. Get ready for a fresh, challenging, and rewarding adventure in the world of Geralt of Rivia!