Honestly, found this expansion to be quite overrated. The majority of quests are cut-scene heavy and didn't add anything particularly meaningful to the main story. My experience on PC was riddled with quite a few bugs from being unable to select certain things, Gwent not working for NPCs during quests, various visual bugs, etc. The art design and music remain great, with the battle system remaining mediocre. A big fan of the main game, but this didn't do a whole lot for me. Glad others are enjoying it.
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Hearts of Stone |OT| Heroes of Gwent
- Thread starter Karl Hawk
- Start date
MichaelFassbender
Member
Nah, I started it at that level, and there was still a fair bit of challenge brought by all the new enemies, not to mention the bosses.
iNvid02
Member
they provide a few new enemy types with different behaviours, and throw you in some awkward situations, plus everything seems more aggressive overall. i found it to be more difficult
Finished it last night. Awesome DLC. I had some trouble with a certain boss
I died a dozen time but it was manageable. Finished at lvl 40, I started at 37.
Rune enchanting was not really useful, didn't had time to enchant any of my armor and I used Replenishment on both of my swords.
Olgierd in the painting world
Rune enchanting was not really useful, didn't had time to enchant any of my armor and I used Replenishment on both of my swords.
Nope. It's been one of the more difficult streaks in the game. I found the first boss in the dlc easy but the second kicked my ass. 3rd was rather difficult too and the 4th was interesting and not easy though not too tough.
the side quest with a ton of enemies in a small area wasn't too easy either. Part of the beginning difficulty was probably remembering how to play, but now that I know and the game has ramped up in levels it's still rough.
HalfBakedProphet
Member
If I had one disappointment it would be the lack of new Witcher contracts. Those side contracts felt like Monster of the Week "episodes" to the main plot, a nice straight forward change of pace.
Plus they could have added some 40+ level contracts for a challenge once the storyline was finished, something to use the new gear for.
Plus they could have added some 40+ level contracts for a challenge once the storyline was finished, something to use the new gear for.
Well, why would they? This is a side story that canonically takes place whenever you want it to during the events of The Witcher 3.
Fine Ham Abounds
Member
I'm too busy realizing how much better the game runs after the PS4 patch along with the little improvements to the UI to get cracking on the expansion 
Cleaning out my treasure hunts before I start. So glad my bugged Bastion quest got fixed as well.
So, I really never bothered with Gwent, and the one time I tried it I got a dude killed... I take it this expansion is gwent heavy?
Cleaning out my treasure hunts before I start. So glad my bugged Bastion quest got fixed as well.
So, I really never bothered with Gwent, and the one time I tried it I got a dude killed... I take it this expansion is gwent heavy?
I'm too busy realizing how much better the game runs after the PS4 patch along with the little improvements to the UI to get cracking on the expansion
Cleaning out my treasure hunts before I start. So glad my bugged Bastion quest got fixed as well.
So, I really never bothered with Gwent, and the one time I tried it I got a dude killed... I take it this expansion is gwent heavy?
Not at all ? But it does offer new way to solve problems at two occasion. I was so glad they added a difficulty level to gwent, I've put it on hard as soon as I saw I could.
LonelyGreyWolf
Banned
Not at all.
Yeah, exactly. This is meant to be a more intimate story.
This expansion was amazing. Silly complaints are silly.
There are a lot of opportunities in the main quests to play Gwent, but as usual, it's always optional. If you don't want to play Gwent, you never have to.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
This is what I'd like to see in Blood & Wine, or a third, final expansion pack that's less massive narrative and more raw content. I'd love to see some contracts against new monsters, not variants of existing stuff and not built on the same monster type model.
To be fair though, Hearts of Stone did have a lot of boss fights that were essentially entirely new 'creatures', and that was very welcome.
Exentryk
Member
This.
LonelyGreyWolf
Banned
Hearts of Stone is more challenging than the base game. A few bosses will definitely pose a challenge to you.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
It was tough on Blood & Broken Bones. Outside of the level 48 Archgriffin in the main game, Hearts of Stone offers the hardest encounters, because it's built specifically for high level / end game play. So even wolves and knights are set at level 30-something.
It's kind of like applying early game style patience and reflex to late game gear and skills.
GavinUK86
Member
Kind of this. I would love more Contracts because the detective gameplay is super fun but I also want the narrative that accompanies those.
Just finished the first request last night
It's going to be a real treat in a few years when both expansions are out to play this game with all of the content included from the beginning.
the wedding. Oh my god it was amazing. That has to be one of my favourite quests in the entire game it was just too perfect and I was dying laughing the whole time. From Vlodimir non-stop hitting on Shani to the puffed out stance they have you walking around in. Perfection. Just perfection.
It's going to be a real treat in a few years when both expansions are out to play this game with all of the content included from the beginning.
That sounds appropriate for the difficulty level. Played the main game on Death March and the difficulty really felt at about level 20. Looking forward to the challenge!
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
I'm pretty sure that is based in Toussaint, so there will probably be a Bruxa contract in Blood & Wine.
Rawket Lawnchair
Member
I remember a lvl 45 royal archgriffin somewhere in Skeligge. I ran down the mountain again and jumped on my boat as soon as I saw its level. Didn't go back now that I am lvl 39, but I doubt Geralt'd be strong enough for it.
I am also hoping for a Striga contract in the next expansion.
lordfuzzybutt
Member
Turin Turambar
Member
Just looking at the title, Blood & Wine, I would even think the main story of the expansion is vampire related. Maybe not something like a Bruxa but high Vampires, intelligent and decadent, living among the ruling class. Imagine all the Vampire The Masquerade reference they could do!
Exentryk
Member
You're plenty strong for it. I beat him at level 34.
GavinUK86
Member
Where's that woman from? Don't think I've seen her before.
lordfuzzybutt
Member
GavinUK86
Member
Ohhh, I have done that one.
lordfuzzybutt
Member
A bruxa is a type of higher vampire. And what you describe reminds me of TW1.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
*fist bump*
Most of the tactics I used in base game (Griffin armour, almost all points spent on signs) seem to be not as effective against HoS enemies...
Igni though. Rips through anything that isn't a ghost and most of the time makes enemies unable to fight while they burn.
Igni though. Rips through anything that isn't a ghost and most of the time makes enemies unable to fight while they burn.
took almost 1/4th off of the frog boss with each blast, wasn't he supposed to be immune?
Denton
Member
Durrzerker
Banned
They nerfed Whirl's heal from Ekhidna decoction too, though in fairness that was insanely broken.
Still, I get by fine with a hybrid medium armor build. Legendary Griffon [soon wolf] set, whirl/fast attack talents, high sign intensity and aard/igni talents.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
I'm guessing you cant runesmith armour to a new weight tier and then add runeslots to make up for the loss?
Also, I'm confused what you mean by 'cut-scene' heavy when conversations are essentially cutscenes.
LonelyGreyWolf
Banned
Damn, just loaded my save after beating Hearts of Stone two days ago and the music is the main theme looping infinitely, and the weather is always stormy. Tried reloading saves, meditating and all kinds of stuff, but nothing works. Anyone else who beat the game with this issue? I can't play the game any more :/ It's a good song, but hearing this serious music no matter where I go or what I do just doesn't work.
Sounds like you triggered the apocalypse.
Fine Ham Abounds
Member
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Viper gear looks good.
iNvid02
Member
so glad they made a viable version of the cover armor, it has some slight differences to the actual warrior leather jacket but its my favourite looking armor. that's another request for blood and wine - some better armor, maybe even hooded.
Vulcano's assistant
Banned
The viper looks great, but I've embraced the swag of ornate clothes and may not be going back
edit: (plus I didn't reach lvl 39)
edit: (plus I didn't reach lvl 39)
Vulcano's assistant
Banned
The relic grade version inside (late expansion main quest)
Iris bedroom in the third request