White Orchard

1. The Basics

After a dream of Ciri, you and Vesemir arrive in White Orchard. Use this zone to learn the essentials:

• 1

  Combat & Signs

  Practice light/heavy attacks, dodge (roll for big hits, sidestep for small), and cast Quen before every fight. Try each of the five Signs.

• 2

  Roach, meditation & oils

  Whistle for Roach to travel fast, meditate to refill potions and pass time, and always apply the correct blade oil for the monster type.

• 3

  Witcher Senses

  Hold the senses button to highlight clues, scents and tracks — the core of every contract and investigation.

2. Yennefer's Trail

Head to the village and the inn. A Nilfgaardian officer knows where Yennefer (and Ciri's trail) leads, but he'll only talk once you help the locals with their griffin problem. Along the way, grab the free Place of Power for an early Ability Point, and pick up the Griffin School gear scavenger hunt.

3. Boss: The Royal Griffin

• 1

  Prep

  Coat your silver sword with Hybrid Oil, brew Thunderbolt and Swallow, and craft a few Crossbow bolts — shooting the griffin grounds it while it flies.

• 2

  The fight

  Keep Quen up, dodge its dive and tail sweeps, and punish after it lands. Aard can stagger it. Bombs like Grapeshot help too.

4. On to Velen

With the griffin dead, the officer points you toward the Bloody Baron in Velen, who last saw Ciri. Vesemir rides with you. The real adventure begins.