Secret Side Quests Everyone Missed In The Witcher 3

Summary

• The Witcher 3 is packed with hidden quests that most players miss out on, offering unique stories and challenges.
• From saving abandoned children to hunting down impostor Witchers, the hidden quests add depth and humor to Geralt’s adventures.
• Players can uncover hidden quests like dealing with taxmen and exploring creepy forests for valuable loot and unique experiences.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a massive game with lots to do. Players can spend hundreds of hours exploring this large continent and still not discover all of the quests and side stories this game has to offer. Hidden treasure, powerful weapons, tragic tales, and Geralt’s modeling career are some of the hidden quests that the average player has yet to discover in this great game.

Odds are, there are still quests to be found, and players will need the motivation to go out and search for them. Thankfully, given the amazing quality of The Witcher 3, it’s easy to see why most people won’t have a problem revisiting this world and checking out the many Witcher 3 missable quests that they didn’t find in their first playthrough.

Updated on December 23, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: The Witcher 3 is a game jam-packed with content that can get somewhat overwhelming after a point. Even after players do everything in their power to complete the many quests marked on the map, it’s only a matter of time before they find out that there is a whole host of Witcher 3 hidden quests that they were completely unaware of. Thankfully, a bit of exploration coupled with a guide will ensure that Geralt won’t miss out on these optional adventures in one of the greatest open-world RPGs ever made.

27

From A Land Far, Far Away

Region(s): Skellige, Gustlands

• Suggested Level: 13
• Rewards: 50 XP
• Notable Item: Stone medallion

To find this quest, players must make their way to the unmarked island of Hemdall’s Finger. Players are given no reason to check out this place, but if they choose to satisfy their curiosity, they’ll be rewarded with a quest that most players aren’t even aware of. The massive tree on this island houses a journal and a body. Reading the former kickstarts this Witcher 3 hidden quest.

Players must find wrecks in the sea to piece together this puzzle before heading to the Gustlands to find a woman who has apparently abducted a child. Geralt can either choose to let them be or help a warrior in his quest to rescue the boy. In typical Witcher fashion, none of these options are outright heroic, and choose to walk a middle ground instead.

26

At The Mercy Of Strangers

Region(s): Velen

• Quest Giver: John Verdun
• Rewards: 50 XP, 50 crowns

At the Mercy of Strangers is an intriguing Witcher 3 hidden quest that players can completely miss out on if they focus solely on the main story from the moment they arrive in Velen. This is a natural course of action to take since most players won’t choose to explore the world before feeling like they’re ready to face the many nightmarish challenges in The Witcher 3.

Geralt will find a bound man who is on the verge of being eaten by drowners. If players help this mysterious person, he reveals himself to be a deserter who angered a group of peasants. They proceeded to leave him to a grisly fate that the White Wolf could save him from. Later on, players can find this man, John Verdun, in a bandit camp where a bunch of refugees are butchered. With the truth coming to light, Geralt can either take the payment and leave it be or confront John and kill him for his brutal actions.

25

Blood Ties

Region(s): Velen

• Quest Giver: A noblewoman
• Suggested Level: 12
• Rewards: 10 XP, 50 crowns

Heading to the Nilfgaardian camp isn’t a requirement for Geralt, but the White Wolf can still head to this location and check out the war preparations firsthand. Along with some enlightening conversations, Geralt comes across an aggrieved mother who is trying to locate her son, who joined the war effort.

Examining this case reveals that the boy tried to desert the war and is currently missing. With a bit of searching, Geralt can find the woman’s son after a bit of hunting, but he’s too late. The deserter is dead, and all Geralt can do is inform the grieving mother and either tell him the full truth of his desertion or keep that information to himself.

24

Never Trust Children

Region(s): Novigrad, Skellige

The world of The Witcher 3 is far from welcoming, with people mostly looking out for themselves. A lot of children in this world are abandoned and need to secure food and money by any means necessary. This leads them down some unscrupulous paths, including the questionable act of helping bandits find fresh prey. Geralt can fall prey to this scheme not just once, but twice in one of The Witcher 3‘s missable quests.

The first instance occurs in Novigrad, where the White Wolf encounters a child crying near the crooked house where Triss resides. He runs away if the player comes too close, only to disappear and lead Geralt into an ambush that should be easy for the witcher to deal with. The second instance of such an act comes in Skellige on the western side of Ard Skellig, where players find a child who claims that his father was assaulted by a bear in the woods. Geralt can come to his aid, only to be blindsided by another bandit ambush.

23

Twisted Firestarter

Region(s): White Orchard

• Rewards: 75 XP, 20 crowns

Geralt is supposed to follow the path of neutrality as a witcher, but that shouldn’t stop the White Wolf from helping out someone in need. One such instance appears early on in The Witcher 3, where players can encounter a blacksmith in a lesser-known Witcher 3 hidden quest who laments the fact that his forge was burned down.

If the White Wolf decides to help him out, he can follow a set of clues to reach a house with the injured culprit nursing his hand after being attacked by drowners. Napp needs a bit of convincing to admit to his crime, and players can either beat him to a pulp or use Axii and force him to admit his crimes, wrapping up this short and sweet quest in no time.

22

Faithful Friend

Region(s): White Orchard

• Suggested Level: 30
• Rewards: 20 XP, 15 crowns

Most people want Ciri to embark on a path to become a witcher at the end of the game. They’ll usually take the decisions that lead her to this goal, but there’s another variant of the good ending if Nilfgaard wins the war and Ciri meets Emhyr. This leads to her begrudgingly accepting her role of becoming an empress, leading to a bittersweet moment where she tries to enjoy a fun day with Ciri before being whisked away to fulfill her regal duties.

During this ending, players can find a Witcher 3 hidden quest with a pretty simple premise. After leaving the inn in White Orchard, Geralt sees a peasant being thrown off the saddle by his horse, who ends up running towards a Temerian soldier. It turns out that this man is the horse’s original owner, and Geralt can clear up this misunderstanding to end a simple quest that makes the final section of the game more meaningful.

21

Death By Fire

Region(s): Velen

• Suggested Level: 10
• Rewards: 25 XP
• Notable Items: 20 crowns, Alder Folk boots

Nonhumans are constantly discriminated against by regular folk, and there are times when this hate reaches nuclear levels. Geralt can witness one such event where a group of thugs is watching a house burn down as its resident cries for help, with the bandits threatening Geralt if he comes too close.

If Geralt decides to save the unknown victim, then he’ll battle against the bandits and use Aard to remove the barricade and help out the she-elf who’s stuck inside. She’ll profusely thank Geralt for the timely intervention before directing him to the pile of gold that she was hiding from the bandits, prompting them to set fire to her hut in the first place.

20

Harassing A Troll

Region(s): Velen

• Rewards: 25 XP
• Notable Items: An elf head

Trolls are some of the funniest monsters in The Witcher 3, with players encountering these monsters in the funniest situations possible. Sometimes, they’ll be farting with no shame, talking at length about their food, or — in this case — trying to fight off an ambush from several nekkers. The latter instance is where Geralt can step in to save the troll from these monsters.

If successful, the troll will thank Geralt in one of the game’s funniest conversations before rewarding the witcher with a human head for his troubles. Moments like these add some levity to the player’s adventures, and players lucky enough to witness this encounter will be left with a broad smile on their faces as they help this troll out.

19

Witcher Wannabe

Region(s): Velen

• Suggested Level: 10
• Rewards: 85 XP

After completing Contract: The Merry Widow, players must wait for five in-game days to trigger one of the funniest quests in the game, where players revisit the town of Lindenvale and find out about another witcher that supposedly took a job only to get the contact giver’s daughter pregnant and running away. Geralt finds this to be suspect since witchers are infertile.

He goes to the cemetery nearby, only to see said witcher cowering in fear from a single ghoul. It turns out that an impostor was using the cover of being a witcher to earn some coin. Players can either reveal this lie to the villagers who contracted this fraud or cover for him. Regardless of what options players take, they’ll be pretty satisfied after completing one of the game’s more interesting quests.

18

An Eye For An Eye

Region(s): Novigrad & Velen

• Quest Giver: Vernon Roche
• Suggested Level: 12
• Rewards: 50 XP
• Notable Items: Wild Hunt warrior axe, Condottier’s boots, and Zerrikanian powder from Nilfgardian enemies

This side quest is part of the encompassing assassination quests that bring back Witcher 2 favorites Ves and Roche. Players should try and unlock this before The Isle of Mists, as it won’t be accessible after completing that mainline quest.

An Eye For An Eye has Geralt help Roche and Ves during an encounter with Nilfgardian soldiers. Players should be aware, however, that Ves can die if Geralt is not fast enough, failing the quest. Later on, the player is given a choice to either kill or spare the lone surviving soldier. The decision doesn’t have any effect on the mission’s outcome or the reward gained, so players should just go with their gut. Keeping Ves alive is important, however, as Roche will only help players in Kaer Morhen if she is.

17

Precious Cargo

Region(s): White Orchard

• Quest Giver: Forlorn Merchant
• Suggested Level: 1
• Rewards: 10 XP / 25 XP and 20 Crowns / 30 Crowns / 50 Crowns
• Notable Items: 5 Celandine and 4 White Myrtle if the player chooses to keep the box

During the prologue to the game, the player can find a merchant in the bog South of the Nilfgardian Garrison. The merchant claims to have been attacked by monsters and asks Geralt to find a small box. The player must then travel around the bog, killing drowners and learning that all is not as it seems.

After finding the box, the player can simply return it to the merchant and be on their way or accuse the merchant of lying. After a short chase, they will then learn the truth and must decide the merchant’s fate.

16

The Lord Of Undvik

Region(s): Skellige

• Quest Giver: Crach an Craite
• Suggested Level: 17
• Rewards: 600 XP
• Notable Items: Diagram: Mastercrafted Wolven boots in the area

Players get a crash course in Skellige’s history, traditions, and politics as soon as they arrive on the island. Geralt can get directly involved in helping choose a new king for the isle, potentially siding with Cerys or Hjalmar.

The Lord of Undvik follows Geralt as he aids Hjalmar and his companions in slaying an Ice Giant. The monstrous foe can put up quite a fight and should provide players with a fun challenge. This is one of the longer side quests on this list, so players should be ready and willing to invest as much time as they need to.

15

Ciri’s Room

Region(s): Velen

• Quest Giver: Automatic
• Suggested Level: 5
• Rewards: 100 XP

Players spend the majority of The Witcher 3 chasing after Ciri. While she isn’t reunited with Geralt until much later on in the game, players can gather some information about her early on.

While at Crow’s Perch, Geralt can explore the room Ciri stayed in and search for clues. After a few minor discoveries, Geralt can talk to the little girl Ciri saved before she arrived at Crow’s Perch and complete the mission.

14

A Dog’s Life

Region(s): Velen

• Quest Giver: Lone Dog
• Suggested Level: 5
• Rewards: 25 XP
• Notable Items: Bremervoord Blade on one of the bandits

Near a village called Drudge in the south of Velen, the player comes across a dog being attacked by some wolves. This quest can be easily missed as the dog will die if the player leaves and does not immediately come to its aid. Even after killing the wolves, the quest can still be failed if Geralt leaves so players should stick close to the dog if they want to get their rewards.

The dog leads the player into the wonderfully-named village of Drudge, where they will be attacked by bandits. After defeating them, players can search the area to find a letter about what happened to the dog’s owner, and the quest will be marked as complete.

13

The Gangs Of Novigrad

Region(s): Novigrad

• Quest Giver: Cleaver
• Suggested Level: 9
• Rewards: 300 Crowns / 50 XP

This sidequest revolves around the search for Whoreson Junior, so it won’t be accessible past a certain point in the story. In the mission, Geralt helps a gang boss named Cleaver find Junior.

Following through on the quest will bring Geralt to a Casino and arena, where players have to fight off some thugs. It’s a fun and easy way of making 300 Crowns and introduces some interesting characters in the process.

12

Carnal Sins

Region(s): Novigrad

• Quest Giver: Dandelion
• Suggested Level: 16
• Rewards: 100 XP / 500 XP
• Notable Items: Deargdeith and Katakan mutagen

Carnal Sins is one of the most interesting quests in The Witcher 3 and is not one that any player should miss out on. Players need to stumble upon this sidequest before completing The Isle of Mists.

The quest sees Geralt search for a serial killer following an attack on Priscilla. Players must travel to several locations within Novigrad, making some tough decisions along the way. Towards the end of the quest, choosing to talk to Nathaniel first will ensure that players get the most experience, as well as the mutagen, rubedo, and a unique silver sword.

11

On Death’s Bed

Region(s): White Orchard

• Quest Giver: Tomira
• Suggested Level: 2
• Rewards: 50 Crowns / 350 XP

This one is discovered in the White Orchard and presents Geralt with a moral dilemma. A woman has been injured by a Griffin and needs a valuable potion called “Swallow” to potentially heal her. Not only is the potion incredibly valuable to the player in combat but there’s another catch many won’t find out about until they tackle this quest at least twice.

If the woman takes the potion her body is healed but the brew destroys her mind leaving her a hollow shell. If the player refuses to give her the potion for whatever reason she dies a horrible, agonizing death. The player can take solace knowing they tried to help her, but it’s still a horrible ending either way.

10

There Can Be Only One

Region(s): Lac Célavy

• Quest Giver: Notice Board in the Gran’place
• Suggested Level: 43
• Rewards: 300-350 XP
• Notable Items: Aerondight

After overhearing a conversation between two men at the Tourney Grounds, players can take on a series of trials to prove their worth at the shores of Lac Célavy. The player must then perform, or have performed, five quests in a certain way to prove their valor, honor, compassion, generosity, and wisdom.

After proving their worth the player must then defeat the mysterious hermit who is not as they seem. Upon winning the duel the reward is the powerful sword Aerondight, which Witcher fans will be familiar with.

9

Cabaret

Region(s): Novigrad

• Quest Giver: Dandelion
• Suggested Level: 14
• Rewards: 220 XP & 80 Crowns / 245 XP
• Notable Items: Blunt sword

Not all quests are about monsters and bounties. After saving Dandelion, a hidden quest can be obtained by revisiting him. It turns out he wants to transform a run-down brothel into a cabaret. Geralt assists and makes the important decision of making the cabaret an upstanding theater or a scandalous boudoir.

Completing this quest creates a new business called The Chameleon. It’s a great hidden quest that sees a seedy business turning into a place of repute or a less seedy establishment through the player’s choices.

8

A Portrait Of The Witcher As An Old Man

Region(s): Beauclair

• Quest Giver: Painter
• Suggested Level: 43
• Rewards: 500-600 XP
• Notable Items: Portrait of Geralt and Toussaint Ducal Guardsman’s steel sword

This amusing quest can be discovered at the market square in The Gran’place. Conversing with an artist will reveal that the man thinks Geralt would make a fine model for his painting of an old man. The player has the choice of doing a tasteful nude with Geralt either lying down, standing with a shield, or riding a horse.

Before the painting is finished a griffin will attack and upon killing it the painter will offer to also add the corpse of the griffin into the painting. It can then be bought for 1,000 Crowns It’s a funny quest and will end up hanging in The Belles Of Beauclair.