Are you a dedicated Witcher fan looking to extend your adventures with Geralt of Rivia after completing the main story? Or perhaps you are one of the many US gamers, around 87 percent, who regularly dive into virtual worlds, balancing epic quests with real-life responsibilities. For those who value their precious gaming hours and want to maximize the investment in a beloved title, understanding what is New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 is essential. This in-depth guide is tailored for you, the busy but passionate gamer, offering clear, actionable insights into how NG+ works, what carries over, what challenges await, and why it is the perfect way to revisit the Northern Realms. Discover how to carry over your powerful gear, hard-earned skills, and precious alchemy ingredients into a fresh, more challenging playthrough, ensuring your journey continues without the grind of starting completely from scratch. Learn how New Game Plus optimizes your time, enriches your experience, and provides new reasons to explore a world you thought you knew inside out, making it an ideal choice for a second or even third playthrough. We will cover everything from how to activate it to specific strategies for success, ensuring you are well-prepared for Geralt's next epic saga.
How do I activate New Game Plus in The Witcher 3
To activate New Game Plus in The Witcher 3, you must first complete the main story questline of the game. Once you have seen an ending, ensure you have the free New Game Plus DLC installed, which is usually included with modern versions. Then, from the main menu, select the 'New Game' option. You will be presented with a choice to start a 'New Game' or 'New Game Plus'. Choose 'New Game Plus' and select your completed save file when prompted. It is a straightforward process to jump back into Geralt's world.
What gear and items carry over to New Game Plus in Witcher 3
In New Game Plus for The Witcher 3, a significant amount of your progression carries over. This includes all your equipped gear such as armor, swords, and crossbows, along with nearly all items in your inventory like crafting components, alchemy ingredients, food, and unspent skill points. Your character level also transfers, though if you are below level 30, the game will automatically boost you to that minimum. All your gold, alchemy formulas, and crafting diagrams also make the jump, allowing you to retain your wealth and knowledge.
Does the difficulty scale in New Game Plus for The Witcher 3
Yes, New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 significantly scales the difficulty. All enemies and creatures you encounter will have their levels increased to match or exceed Geralt's current level from your previous playthrough. This ensures that even with your powerful carried-over gear and skills, combat remains challenging and engaging. Enemy stats, health, and damage output are also boosted, making strategic planning and combat mastery essential for success in this tougher version of the Continent. It's designed for players seeking a true test of their Witcher abilities.
Are there new quests or story content in Witcher 3 NG+
No, New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 does not introduce entirely new quests, story content, or unexplored areas. Its primary purpose is to allow you to replay the existing main story, side quests, and expansions with your carried-over character progression and an increased difficulty. However, it provides an excellent opportunity to make different narrative choices, explore alternative quest outcomes, or complete any side content you might have missed in your first playthrough, effectively offering a fresh perspective on the familiar world and narratives.
What level is recommended to start New Game Plus in The Witcher 3
While there is no strict level requirement beyond completing the main story, it is highly recommended to start New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 around level 30 or higher. If your character is below level 30, the game will automatically scale you up to level 30, but you will not receive the corresponding skill points for those levels. Aiming for level 30-40, especially after completing both major expansions like Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone, ensures you have a robust character build and ample skill points, preparing you optimally for the increased difficulty of NG+.
Does my Gwent card collection transfer to New Game Plus Witcher 3
No, your Gwent card collection does not transfer over when you start a New Game Plus playthrough in The Witcher 3. All your previously acquired Gwent cards will be reset, and you will begin NG+ with the basic starter deck. This means you will have the opportunity to re-collect all the Gwent cards by challenging various NPCs, purchasing them from merchants, and completing specific quests, providing a renewed objective for Gwent enthusiasts during their second journey through the Northern Realms.
Can I change difficulty settings during a New Game Plus playthrough
Yes, you can absolutely change the difficulty settings at any point during your New Game Plus playthrough in The Witcher 3. Just like in a standard game, you can access the options menu and adjust the difficulty level to suit your preferences. This flexibility is beneficial if you find the initial NG+ challenge too overwhelming or, conversely, if you desire an even greater test of your skills. It allows you to fine-tune your experience, ensuring a balanced and enjoyable second adventure.
Ever finished a massive RPG like The Witcher 3 and felt that bittersweet pang? You have invested hundreds of hours, mastered combat, explored every nook, and now it is over. For many of us US gamers, balancing a full-time job, family, and life means game time is precious. We want to maximize every minute, every dollar spent, and truly dive deep without constant restarts. That is where New Game Plus NG+ in The Witcher 3 comes in, offering a perfect solution to keep Geralt s adventures alive without losing all your hard-earned progress. This guide will unravel exactly what is New Game Plus Witcher 3, how it works, and why it is a fantastic option for a second playthrough, especially for the 87 percent of US gamers who regularly enjoy their digital escapes. With average gamers dedicating over 10 hours a week to their passion, optimizing that time is key, and NG+ is a prime example of value for money and continued fun.
We know you love the immersive stories and deep gameplay that The Witcher 3 offers. But starting completely fresh after spending countless hours building Geralt into an unstoppable monster slayer can feel daunting. NG+ eliminates that initial grind, letting you jump straight into the action with your powerful gear and abilities, facing new challenges on a scaled difficulty. It is about enhancing your enjoyment and skill-building, without adding unnecessary friction to your valuable gaming sessions. Let us dive into everything you need to know about New Game Plus to make your next journey through the Continent truly legendary.
What exactly is New Game Plus in The Witcher 3
New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 is a game mode that allows you to start a fresh playthrough of the main story and expansions, but with a significant portion of your progress from a completed save file carried over. This means you do not have to abandon all your hard work after the credits roll. Instead, you get to relive Geralt s epic journey, tackle quests, and face enemies, all while retaining the powerful equipment, vast wealth, and honed skills you accumulated in your previous run. It is designed to offer a more challenging experience by scaling enemy levels to match your increased power, providing a fresh perspective on combat and character progression. Think of it as an encore performance where Geralt is already a seasoned legend from the outset.
How do I start New Game Plus in The Witcher 3
Starting New Game Plus is straightforward, but it requires specific prerequisites. First, you must have completed the main story questline of The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt. This means you have seen an ending and are back in the open world, usually just before the final quest or having finished the epilogue. Second, you need to ensure you have the free New Game Plus DLC installed. Most modern versions of the game, especially on consoles or PC via platforms like GOG or Steam, include this automatically. Once those conditions are met, simply navigate to the main menu, select New Game, and then you should see the option for New Game Plus. Be sure to select a save file from your completed game when prompted. It is a quick process, getting you back into the action in minutes.
What carries over to New Game Plus
One of the biggest draws of New Game Plus is what you get to keep. The game generously carries over most of your character s progression, allowing you to hit the ground running. Here is a breakdown of what makes the jump:
- All Equipped Gear: Swords, armor, crossbows, and even your horse s saddle and blinders.
- All Inventory Items: This includes crafting components, alchemy ingredients, food, drinks, mutagens, glyphs, runes, and quest items that are not crucial for story progression.
- Character Level: Your level from the previous save carries over. If you were below level 30, the game will automatically boost you to level 30 for NG+ to ensure a baseline challenge.
- Skill Points and Abilities: All unlocked skills and unspent skill points are retained, letting you continue to refine your build.
- Money: Your Orens will transfer, meaning you can continue to afford the best gear and crafting services.
- Alchemy Formulas and Crafting Diagrams: All your learned recipes for potions, oils, bombs, and gear will be available from the start.
This comprehensive carry-over ensures that your second playthrough feels like a true continuation of Geralt s journey, building upon his already formidable abilities.
What does not carry over to New Game Plus
While a lot transfers, some key elements reset to ensure a fresh experience and prevent game-breaking scenarios. Understanding these helps you prepare:
- Quest Items: Any items specifically tied to main or side quests will be removed. This is crucial for quests to function correctly again.
- Gwent Cards: Your prized Gwent collection resets, giving you a reason to re-collect them and challenge opponents.
- Trophies: Monster trophies will not carry over.
- Map Exploration and Fast Travel Points: The entire map will be fogged again, and all fast travel points will need to be rediscovered. This encourages exploration.
- Crafted Potions and Bombs: While the formulas carry over, your stock of ready-to-use potions and bombs resets. You will need to craft new ones from scratch.
- Bestiary and Character Entries: Your knowledge of monsters and characters will reset, letting you re-experience the discovery.
These resets are intentional, ensuring that while Geralt remains powerful, the world itself offers new opportunities for discovery and challenge, keeping the game engaging for busy players seeking value from their purchases.
Is New Game Plus harder in The Witcher 3
Yes, New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 is designed to be more challenging than a standard playthrough. The primary reason for this is enemy scaling. All enemies and creatures in the world will have their levels increased to match or exceed Geralt s current level, ensuring that even with your powerful gear and skills, combat remains a significant test of your abilities. Additionally, their stats, health, and damage output are boosted, making fights more intense and requiring more strategic thinking. This difficulty bump is perfect for players who found the original game a bit too easy by the end, or for those who truly want to test their mastery of Geralt s combat system. It is a great way to rekindle the thrill of exploration and combat, much like how many modern gamers seek out harder modes to truly feel skilled, a trend seen across various genres from soulslikes to competitive esports.
Is it worth playing New Game Plus for The Witcher 3
Absolutely, playing New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 is highly recommended, especially for gamers who balance life and play. It offers incredible value by extending the lifespan of an already massive game without feeling repetitive. You can:
- Experiment with New Builds: With all your skill points, you can re-specialize Geralt or try out different combat, sign, or alchemy builds you did not explore before.
- Experience Different Choices: Make alternative decisions in the main story or side quests to see new outcomes and endings.
- Higher Difficulty: The scaled enemies provide a fresh challenge for seasoned players, making combat feel impactful again.
- Complete Missed Content: Tackle any quests, contracts, or points of interest you overlooked in your first playthrough.
- Obtain Grandmaster Gear: If you have the Blood and Wine expansion, you can craft even more powerful Grandmaster tier Witcher gear, a major incentive for many.
- Dive Deeper into Lore: With the pressure of a first playthrough gone, you can take your time to appreciate the intricate lore and rich storytelling.
For gamers who invest 10+ hours a week, NG+ is an efficient way to get more from their gaming time and money, a key consideration for the average 36-year-old US gamer.
What level should I be to start New Game Plus
While there is no strict level requirement other than completing the main story, it is generally recommended that you finish your first playthrough at a relatively high level. If you are below level 30 when you start New Game Plus, the game will automatically boost Geralt to level 30. However, this boost does not grant you additional skill points for those levels, so you would miss out on some potential character growth. Ideally, aim to be around level 30-40, especially if you plan on doing the Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone expansions in your first run. This ensures you have a robust set of skills and a good foundation of experience points to continue building upon in NG+, giving you a smoother and more enjoyable transition into the increased difficulty. It ensures you are ready to tackle the challenges that scale with your previous progress.
Are there new quests or content in New Game Plus
No, New Game Plus itself does not introduce any brand-new quests, story content, or areas that were not present in your initial playthrough. The primary purpose of NG+ is to allow you to replay the existing game world and story with your carried-over progression and an increased difficulty. However, this does not mean there is nothing new to experience. As mentioned, you can make different choices in existing quests, which can lead to entirely new quest outcomes or even different main story endings. If you missed any side quests or contracts the first time around, NG+ is the perfect opportunity to seek them out and complete them. Additionally, the heightened difficulty forces you to approach combat and character builds with fresh strategies, effectively creating a new experience within the familiar framework. For many, this re-exploration and strategic rethinking is precisely what they are looking for.
How does DLC work with New Game Plus
The expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, integrate seamlessly into your New Game Plus playthrough, but with a similar scaling mechanism to the main game. If you played them in your original run, their content will be available again at an appropriately scaled level in NG+. For example, if you were level 50 when you started NG+, the DLC content will also scale to provide a suitable challenge for a level 50+ Geralt. This means you can re-experience their fantastic stories, characters, and challenges, including hunting for the powerful Grandmaster Witcher gear from Blood and Wine, which is often a major goal for NG+ players. If you never played the DLCs in your first run, NG+ offers a fantastic opportunity to tackle them with a fully developed character, making their challenging content more accessible while still providing a robust test of skill. It is an ideal way to get more value from your game purchase.
Tips for a successful New Game Plus run
To truly master your New Game Plus journey, consider these essential tips:
Max Out Your Character Before NG+: Before starting NG+, finish all side quests, contracts, and points of interest in your original save. This maximizes your level, skill points, and gold, giving you the best possible head start. Aim to craft and equip the best possible gear, including Grandmaster Witcher sets if you have Blood and Wine.
Gather All Alchemy & Crafting Diagrams: Ensure you have all potion, oil, bomb, and gear diagrams from your first playthrough. They carry over and save you significant time in NG+.
Sell Excess Gear for Gold: Gold transfers, so sell any valuable but unneeded items before starting NG+. A fat coin purse makes a big difference for repairs and new crafting.
Clear Your Stash: While many things carry over, some players like to organize their stash before NG+. Items in your stash transfer, so no need to take everything out.
Stock Up on Mutagens: These carry over and are vital for character progression. Gather as many as you can.
Consider Your Build: Think about what build you want to run in NG+. You will have a Potion of Clearance to reset your skills, but having a plan helps you optimize your progression from the start.
Adjust Difficulty: Do not be afraid to adjust the difficulty up or down as needed. NG+ is meant to be challenging, but also fun. Fine-tune it to your preference.
By following these tips, you will set yourself up for an incredibly rewarding and engaging second playthrough.
New Game Plus Witcher 3 FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about New Game Plus in The Witcher 3, summarized for quick answers.
Does New Game Plus reset achievements?
No, starting a New Game Plus playthrough in The Witcher 3 does not reset any achievements or trophies you have already earned. You will retain all your previous achievements. However, you can earn any achievements you missed on your first run or those tied to specific choices or difficulty settings during your NG+ playthrough. This allows you to complete your achievement list without starting a completely fresh game.
Can I play New Game Plus on a different difficulty?
Yes, absolutely. When you initiate a New Game Plus save, you will be prompted to select your desired difficulty level, just as you would when starting a standard new game. This means you can switch from Story and Sword to Death March, or vice versa, to tailor the challenge to your preferences for your second playthrough. This flexibility is a great feature for gamers looking for either a tougher challenge or a more relaxed narrative experience.
Do Gwent cards carry over to New Game Plus?
No, your Gwent card collection does not carry over to New Game Plus. This means you will start your NG+ journey with a basic Gwent deck, requiring you to re-collect cards from merchants, crafters, and defeated opponents throughout the world. For avid Gwent players, this offers a fresh opportunity to master the card game and build a new formidable deck, adding another layer of replayability to NG+.
Can I access my previous save files after starting NG+?
Yes, starting a New Game Plus game creates a completely separate save file from your original completed game. Your original save files will remain untouched and accessible. You can switch between your NG+ game and your older save files at any time via the load game menu. This ensures you do not lose any progress or access to your previous playthroughs, giving you full control over your game data.
Is there a level cap in New Game Plus?
The effective level cap in The Witcher 3, including New Game Plus, is generally considered to be level 100. While theoretically you might gain more experience, reaching level 100 usually marks the point where further leveling becomes incredibly slow and offers minimal practical benefit. Most players will not reach this cap even after multiple NG+ runs through the main game and both expansions, meaning there is ample room for continued character progression and skill point acquisition.
Do potions and bombs carry over to NG+?
No, your current stock of crafted potions, oils, and bombs does not carry over to New Game Plus. However, all the *formulas* and *diagrams* you learned for crafting these items *do* carry over. This means you will need to re-craft a fresh supply of your favorite elixirs and explosives at the start of your NG+ playthrough, but you will have immediate access to all the recipes without needing to rediscover them. This balances progression with a slight re-engagement with alchemy.
Conclusion
New Game Plus in The Witcher 3 offers a phenomenal way to extend your adventure, providing an optimized and challenging experience for those who value their gaming time. It is a testament to the game s enduring quality and CD Projekt Red s commitment to player satisfaction. For US gamers who juggle work, family, and a passion for immersive worlds, NG+ delivers maximum fun and value without the early-game grind. So, gear up, Geralt, and prepare for another unforgettable journey through the Continent. What is your biggest gaming challenge when replaying a favorite title? Comment below!
Carry over all your gear, skills, and crafting items to a new, harder playthrough. Experience enhanced enemy scaling and challenging combat. Enjoy the story and explore new choices without the early game grind. Perfect for maximizing playtime and achieving overlooked quests or endings.