Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, is a spinoff title in the Witcher series. It is a free-to-play card collectible game developed for multiple platforms. CD Projekt introduced the game for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2018. The studio also made further editions for iOS and Android mobile platforms. CD Projekt, the studio behind other Witcher titles, developed the game based on the card game from the Witcher novels and games. Let’s unpack what makes Gwent special and how you can get a leg up with cheats or other means.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game Premise
Gwent is a turn-based card duel between two players, each trying to win two out of three rounds. To win a round, you need to amass more points than your opponent by playing cards from a deck of 25. These decks are linked to one of six factions, each offering distinct play styles. While the game is familiar from The Witcher 3 and its expansions, the game’s mechanics are more evolved than those in The Witcher 3 minigame. As one of the most important changes, the game removed the Siege row, leaving only Melee and Ranged rows for card placements.
The game has a crucial concept of power, a point system that determines the winner of each round. The cards you play contribute to your total power on the board. Cards come with special abilities, ranging from damaging enemy units to boosting the point values of your units. The match ends when a player wins two rounds or both players run out of cards.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game Characters
Gwent doesn’t have characters in the traditional sense but features dozens upon dozens of cards representing figures from the Witcher universe. These cards fall under different factions like Northern Realms, Scoia’tael, and Nilfgaard, each contributing to the strategy in unique ways. Here are some of the more important characters from the Witcher franchise that this game also features as cards, although too many great and important cards exist to list them all.
Key Characters
- Geralt of Rivia: Geralt is a professional monster hunter and the main protagonist in the Witcher series. In Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, he is a Legendary card that has a Strength of 3 and a Deploy ability, which destroys an enemy with 8 or more power.
- Yennefer of Vengerberg: Yennefer is a powerful sorceress with a deep emotional connection to Geralt. In the game, her card has a Deploy ability that damages all other melee units by 2 and boosts ranged units by 2.
- Viraxas: Viraxas is a Northern Realms leader who represents a newer generation. There are two cards representing the character, Viraxas: Outcast and Viraxas: King, both of which can reset an allied non-Neutral unit’s Order ability and give it Zeal.
- Ciri: Also known as Cirilla, she is Geralt’s adopted daughter with a mysterious lineage. Her card in Gwent has a power of 4 and a Deploy ability that damages 3 enemy units by 1. The card also returns to your hand from the battlefield when a round is lost.
- Triss Merigold: Triss Merigold is another sorceress and a close friend to both Geralt and Yennefer. Her card is legendary and Faction Neutral with a deploy, ranged ability that reveals a random unit from the deck and damages an enemy according to that card’s power.
- Dandelion: Dandelion is a bard and one of Geralt’s closest friends. Also known by the name Jaskier, his Legendary card has strength of 11. It has a Ranged ability that boosts an allied unit by 1 for each Charge they gain.
- Vesemir: The eldest Witcher at Kaer Morhen and Geralt’s mentor. His Gwent card has a Deploy ability, which summons Eskel and Lambert from the deck to that row.
- Emhyr var Emreis: The Emperor of Nilfgaard, he is a calculating and ambitious ruler. He is the main antagonist in The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. His Legendary card is from Nilfgaard Faction and has a Strength of 6.
Games in the Series
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game is an offshoot of the card game featured in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. That game in turn is part of a larger series of Witcher games, based on the literary works of Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. Since the release of Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, it has received a roguelike single-player expansion Gwent: Rogue Mage, released in 2022.
- The Witcher (2007)
- The Witcher: Crimson Trail (2007)
- The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (2011)
- The Witcher Adventure Game (2014)
- The Witcher Battle Arena (2015)
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone (2015)
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine (2016)
- Gwent: The Witcher Card Game (2018)
- Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales (2018)
- The Witcher: Monster Slayer (2021)
- Gwent: The Witcher Card Game – Rogue Mage (2022)
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game Cheats
While Gwent is primarily a game of skill, there are no traditional cheats due to the fact that is played against other human opponents. Cheats would completely remove the competitive aspect and aren’t therefore allowed. However, the game does feature daily quests and other means that can accelerate your card collection progress. We can also give the newer players some valuable tips that might make it easier to advance.
Don’t Underestimate the Training Mode
Many people want to advance quickly to multiplayer battles that require in-depth knowledge of the game. However, starting with the basics and mastering them before venturing to harder battles can be incredibly valuable. That’s why the game features a Training Mode, which allows new players to learn the game’s basics. Better yet, there’s no timer for turns, which makes for a much better learning environment. Take advantage of the Training Mode to learn about the user interface and various types of cards.
Go With a Starter Deck
New players are encouraged to use a starter deck, as they have a good balance for each Faction, which is one of the more important factors when building a deck. If you don’t have a strong knowledge of the types of cards you can come across, it’s better to trust the preconstructed decks. After you are familiar with the game, you can update your deck with the cards that you prefer.
Rewards
There are some exceptions to the rule of the one Faction. Completing Daily Quests is an excellent way to acquire new cards, so you might want to use different Factions to achieve those. There are other great additional ways to get cards, including Reward Books.
The only time players should use other Factions is to complete Daily Quests. The daily win bonus, Daily Quests, and Reward Books are the most efficient ways to earn cards.
Focus on One Faction
You might be tempted to venture out into the amazing world of cards from various Factions. However, you might want to hold your horses in terms of expanding your cards and decks. Perhaps the most influential way to get good at the game is to master one Faction first. Not only will you learn the mechanics and rules of the game more easily when you are in a familiar environment, but you get much more synergy with your new cards.
FAQ
Is Gwent a standalone game or part of The Witcher series?
It started as a mini-game in The Witcher 3 but is now a standalone title with its own expansion and slightly altered gameplay.
What platforms can I play Gwent on?
Gwent: The Witcher Card is available on Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android, and macOS.
Are there any cheats for Gwent?
No, Gwent doesn’t offer traditional cheats but we have a collection of tips and tricks that might help new players significantly.