Arth | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Gwent Strategy 1/3 - Vs. Nilfgaardian Nobleman x2 @arthogonal | Uploaded May 2015 | Updated October 2024, 18 hours ago.
Please read the full description for more info. This is the first part of a three-part series on basic Gwent strategy in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. First match (starting deck only) starts at 01:40, second at 06:50.
NOTE: As of v1.04, the leader cards for King of Temeria and Siegemaster have been swapped. That's why my King of Temeria might look like your Siegemaster, if you are confused.
-Music: "Drink Up, There's More!" from The Witcher 3 Soundtrack-
This video shows you how to win at Gwent in The Witcher 3 against the Nilfgaardian Nobleman at Vizima during the prologue. Defeating him rewards you with the Northern Realms Leader card Foltest the Siegemaster, which is extremely strong early on, as the best unit cards you'll have at the beginning of the game are Siege cards.
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CHOOSING TO PLAY
Bet the minimum when prompted and only play if your starting hand satisfies the following conditions, in order of importance:
- One Biting Frost card
- Either Prince Stennis or Dun Banner Medic
- No more than one each of Decoy and Impenetrable Fog
- At least two other Siege units with at least one strong card (Trebuchet or Catapult)
Use these rules to govern your redraws. Otherwise, try to optimize your Close Combat Bond cards, even at the expense of a [5] card.
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FIRST ROUND
The match is easier if the opponent is first to act, but you can win either way. Your goal in the first round is simple: bait out a Special, Hero, or Spy, then pass. If he doesn't use any of these cards, you'll still have a chance provided that the strength of your remaining cards is fairly high.
Generally, I recommend using up most, if not all, of your Long Range cards. These have decent power and serve as adequate bait. Furthermore, it frees you up to play Impenetrable Fog or your leader if and when he brandishes (or resurrects) Black Infantry Archer later on.
Sometimes, he'll start out with a Hero or his Siege card, neither of which you can do anything about. If this happens, either pass immediately or play your weakest non-Bond card, then pass the next turn. If the point differential is high enough, he might use one or even both Spies while you're idle in order to gain more cards. If you drew Dun Banner Medic, the joke will be on him when you turn them back around later.
If you have a Decoy card and no Dun Banner Medic, with the chance to use it on a Spy in this round, it's worth doing so, but be wary if his Black Infantry Archer is out because he might respond with his own Decoy, returning it to his hand to use in future rounds.
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SECOND ROUND
Assuming you lost the first round as intended, he'll try to use as few cards as possible during this round. He likes to open with a Hero if he has one. If not, he'll typically play his strongest card or use Etolian Auxiliary Archers to bring back the strongest card from the first round. He also likes to use his Leader during this round. Ideally, he'll pass fairly early on, essentially conceding the round. At this point, as long as you have Biting Frost and either Prince Stennis or Dun Banner Medic, you should feel comfortable proceeding on to the final round. Use the bare minimum needed to defeat him.
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THIRD ROUND
The most dangerous cards in this round are Menno Coehoorn (a Hero AND a Medic) and Scorch. Proceed with caution, starting with your weakest cards: Close Combat first, then any Kaedweni Siege Experts you have, then your stronger Siege. Then use your Spies, then any regular units that come out as a result. If you still have an Impenetrable Fog left, use it either against his Black Infantry Archer or as bait for a Clear Weather. Finally, finish off with your Biting Frost and, if you have her, Dun Banner Medic. With a little bit of luck and timing, you'll be victorious!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To see a complete deck comparison between you and this opponent, please visit this page:
arthellinus.wordpress.com/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt/gwent-intro-nn
Please read the full description for more info. This is the first part of a three-part series on basic Gwent strategy in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. First match (starting deck only) starts at 01:40, second at 06:50.
NOTE: As of v1.04, the leader cards for King of Temeria and Siegemaster have been swapped. That's why my King of Temeria might look like your Siegemaster, if you are confused.
-Music: "Drink Up, There's More!" from The Witcher 3 Soundtrack-
This video shows you how to win at Gwent in The Witcher 3 against the Nilfgaardian Nobleman at Vizima during the prologue. Defeating him rewards you with the Northern Realms Leader card Foltest the Siegemaster, which is extremely strong early on, as the best unit cards you'll have at the beginning of the game are Siege cards.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHOOSING TO PLAY
Bet the minimum when prompted and only play if your starting hand satisfies the following conditions, in order of importance:
- One Biting Frost card
- Either Prince Stennis or Dun Banner Medic
- No more than one each of Decoy and Impenetrable Fog
- At least two other Siege units with at least one strong card (Trebuchet or Catapult)
Use these rules to govern your redraws. Otherwise, try to optimize your Close Combat Bond cards, even at the expense of a [5] card.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST ROUND
The match is easier if the opponent is first to act, but you can win either way. Your goal in the first round is simple: bait out a Special, Hero, or Spy, then pass. If he doesn't use any of these cards, you'll still have a chance provided that the strength of your remaining cards is fairly high.
Generally, I recommend using up most, if not all, of your Long Range cards. These have decent power and serve as adequate bait. Furthermore, it frees you up to play Impenetrable Fog or your leader if and when he brandishes (or resurrects) Black Infantry Archer later on.
Sometimes, he'll start out with a Hero or his Siege card, neither of which you can do anything about. If this happens, either pass immediately or play your weakest non-Bond card, then pass the next turn. If the point differential is high enough, he might use one or even both Spies while you're idle in order to gain more cards. If you drew Dun Banner Medic, the joke will be on him when you turn them back around later.
If you have a Decoy card and no Dun Banner Medic, with the chance to use it on a Spy in this round, it's worth doing so, but be wary if his Black Infantry Archer is out because he might respond with his own Decoy, returning it to his hand to use in future rounds.
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SECOND ROUND
Assuming you lost the first round as intended, he'll try to use as few cards as possible during this round. He likes to open with a Hero if he has one. If not, he'll typically play his strongest card or use Etolian Auxiliary Archers to bring back the strongest card from the first round. He also likes to use his Leader during this round. Ideally, he'll pass fairly early on, essentially conceding the round. At this point, as long as you have Biting Frost and either Prince Stennis or Dun Banner Medic, you should feel comfortable proceeding on to the final round. Use the bare minimum needed to defeat him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD ROUND
The most dangerous cards in this round are Menno Coehoorn (a Hero AND a Medic) and Scorch. Proceed with caution, starting with your weakest cards: Close Combat first, then any Kaedweni Siege Experts you have, then your stronger Siege. Then use your Spies, then any regular units that come out as a result. If you still have an Impenetrable Fog left, use it either against his Black Infantry Archer or as bait for a Clear Weather. Finally, finish off with your Biting Frost and, if you have her, Dun Banner Medic. With a little bit of luck and timing, you'll be victorious!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To see a complete deck comparison between you and this opponent, please visit this page:
arthellinus.wordpress.com/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt/gwent-intro-nn
