I'm trying to play this game. Everything I used to know has been forgotten. I'm in the laboratory trying to fight Savolla. I have used Thunderbolt, Tawney Owl and the Aard sign. The most I'm doing is knocking him down. Am I missing something?

See if anything in this thread helps you out.

Thanks Marian. I'll try that. Looks like they were having the same problem.

Good luck!

I remember this just being a long slog of a fight. Are you playing on your new laptop?!

Kill the guys around him first, then go after Savolla and hit him hard and repeatedly. If you can stun him with Aard when he's around 1/3 health or less, close in and start wailing on him. If he teleports, just wait until he appears again and attack him directly. Chasing him around just gives him time to recover. It's a nasty fight to get you used to combat.

No Draclvr, still waiting on pc. Read the tracking number for something else. Its a little confusing when you have multiple things getting shipped. Apparently they delivered a code for MS 365 1 yr subscription. Not sure why I bought it, except it came as part of a bundle. My pc is coming on Saturday (knock on wood). I'll post as soon as I get a look at it.

Trail Mystic - you ain't kidding. I remember how relieved I was the first time I fought him and finally won. My mistake here is that I stay too close and he keeps that force field around him. I watched a youtube video and they had a combination move that finally took him out. I haven't learned any moves yet. I'm going to have to read that darn manual to learn what I can do. I'm still using the first rusty sword I got at the opening. I didn't even realize I should be looting these guys I take down. My inventory is probably going to be limited. Haven't checked that yet. Is there a reason or need to take the weak ale they all seem to carry? It's really weird how little I remember to play this game. It's like a "Brand New Game!"

I loot every barrel and every body for everything. Sometimes there is enough food or weak ale to restore my levels just a tiny bit. You can always sell it later too.

It's been so many years since I played it, I'm sure it would be brand new for me too!

That Office 365 is likely a subscription to Microsoft Office that is good for a year.

If I recall correctly, the weak ale can be used as an alchemy component. EDIT: looks like only the stronger beverages can be used in alchemy. The ale may be just an item to sell for cash. Here's a good article on Witcher Alchemy.

TM

Yup, only the strong ale and wine can be used in alchemy. i mostly just sold it.

Thanks Trail Mystic and Draclvr. Will start looting at every chance. Installed Witcher 3. Beautiful Game. So far, so good. Must do a reinstall because it's on my C drive. Love this pc

Savolla is no more! He died a hard death. Now I finally found the system icon which lets me save and exit, etc. Kept looking, couldn't find anything so I did a task manager end game. I'm good to go now, learning, learning, learning

Have fun!

You'll enjoy Witcher 3, there's a reason it's received so many awards including game of the year from several outlets.

TM

Oooh!Someone's getting to play Witcher 3 for the first time! Lucky, lucky you! It's one of my top ten games of all time. Truly a masterpiece.

I have to confess to a shameful secret... (I never really played thru Witcher 1) I always seemed to get bogged down with it and never got back to really playing it. Now I'm making progress. Killed the ghouls in the crypt finally. Lots of trial and error there. Earned some orens unexpectedly from Abigail the witch. I had been killing those demon dogs and thinking it gained me some good practice and experience. Then I found a notice from her which said she would pay me for their skulls!!! Anyway, my next quest appears to be killing those drowners for Heren. Probably not going to be a walk in the park...

I am so enjoying this game and feel that I am really getting the hang of it now. And, did you know that GOG updates my saves across both computers? It doesn't matter which one I played from, I can always pick up where I left off on the other!! Thank you GOG!

I did run thru the opening of Witcher 3. How beautiful. I'm left thinking the little girl is his daughter? I didn't recognize the woman, but I haven't gone very far yet in the trilogy. Thanks Hagatha. I'm looking forward to that.

Merry Christmas,
SharonB

You'll find a lot of fun surprises in W3. When you get into it and are further along, you'll have to search our posts (or just ask about it , not bringing it out directly for fear of spoilers) for the discussion we had on a potential Witcher 3 crossover to another game coming out by CDProjekt Red. If the theories hold out, it could be some ground breaking stuff.

Oh, yes, be sure you always collect the notices in front of the taverns! There are some excellent side quests where you can earn orens and lots of experience.

Thanks Trail Mystic. Now I'm really curious. Thanks for the tip Draclvr. Got to earn those orens if I'm to buy books and drugs for my potions.

Once you've got Geralt doing his combat/spell ballet at higher levels, you'll be earning Orens right and left. You'll be out there positively looking for trouble...and sleeping in certain places where monsters respawn, just because you can.

Oh, yes indeed! Personally, I loved the combat in Witcher once I got used to the rhythm.

You know it's funny. For as much as I play combat games, it really took me awhile to get the rhythm of combat in the first Witcher. It was actually kind of frustrating. Not sure why, because the key bindings weren't that complex, but my brain just wasn't getting it. Course now I just set everything up on Macro keys, which makes it a breeze.

All this Witchering is making me think I will play it again.
Like others, it did take me a little while to get into the swing of the combat. I wonder if there is a bit of my brain that remembers and will just pick it up, or if I will have to teach it all over again.

Oh heavens! I've just been whacking away, trying to time it right, and using the signs. I have Aard & Ignii. The game is coming along. I'm at the part where I have to fight the Beast and a bunch of Barghast. This, I think, is the end of the first chapter.Not doing very well yet.Trying to figure out how to handle him. Have 1 Tawney Owl, and some diamond dust for my blade. No alcohol base to make another. Will have to look up key bindings & macros - don't know about them yet. Haven't even been using quick slots which would obviously help. Thanks for reminding me about that. Don't know where I'll get any more high quality alcohol, unless I go back further in the game. Really fun, but very frustrating to keep dying.

The Witcher games are ones that can be taken and enjoyed slowly; no need to rush through them - You'll get the hang of it. Remember, being a Witcher is hard work.

That was a tough fight. But if you've gotten all the side quests done and gotten leveled up, it's mostly just a matter of outlasting the Beast.

I don't think all my side quests are done. I've yet to get paid for the ghouls again in the crypt. The quest giver is gone with everyone else. There are more quests still listed, I don't remember what they were about. Still following up with the Salamandra and I haven't won at Dice yet. Got to level 3 or 4.

Plus there is a quest for a cave to the left of the Vizima bridge... a bunch of those plants if if I remember correctly - can't remember what you call them! Igni!

I restarted the game so I could buy more ingredients for my potions and make sure I did all the quests on the notice board. I don't think this cave has been mentioned yet. Trying not to miss anything this time. I have to kill the borghast now so I can earn that money. Then I need to buy the beastiary book so I can have that mentioned on my own journal and learn about drowners & ghouls before I fight them.

Restarting is a strategy I use pretty often when playing new games. Due to either the lack or complexity of some game instructions I tend to learn better through experience; especially crafting mechanisms. A lot of times I'll go into the game with the intention of just playing a few levels to get the hang of it, then restart.

Ah, yes. Those very expensive books! But you sometimes won't get the beasts to kill if you don't buy or find the books. I believe the cave to the left of the Vizima gate has those giant plants that you can only kill with Igni.

Oh man, If those are the ones I'm thinking of, I had as much trouble killing those nasty things as I did with Savolla. I think I had to load up on potions to get through that one. Hit them with Igni and then slash like crazy hoping you kill them before you go down; are those the ones Drac?

I'm sure that's them. Stun with Igni, run in and slash like the devil and RUN AWAY! Rinse and repeat!

Well this time I did better. Used that specter oil on my sword for the beast and he went down pretty quick, all in all. Made it to Chapter 2. Tired now, taking a break before I jump into this chapter. I'm finding that using the signs and potions makes things much easier. But I can't make anymore potions without more high quality alcohol. Hope I can find some here soon.
Edit: Coming along, escaped from prison but have to go back to get my stuff. Having problems with game now. There are glitches. Peoples hair jumps, etc. and then I lost my cursor and had to use task manager to quit the game. Is it my game settings? In the beginning everything worked perfectly on the highest settings. I'll try bringing them down some to see if that makes things better.

Hi Sharon, didn't catch your question - Apologies. There are a few glitches in Witcher, but generally it runs well. If you were running OK in the beginning it's probably not your performance settings unless some memory cache is getting overloaded. Usually, shutting down and restarting will take care of that kind of thing. As for the graphical glitches you mention, I don't recall coming across hair related ones. I did find myself blocked from progressing a couple times due to issues with the environment though. The lost cursor could be a number of things. Hitting certain key combination like Alt-Tab while in the heat of battle will sometimes cause that to happen in other games as well. All that said, dropping the game setting down a bit couldn't hurt, just to see how it runs...

I ran the game on far less hardware assuming you're using your new laptop? And I didn't have any glitches like that at all. Sorry, I didn't see your edit either! Have you figured out the saved game issue?

Those issues went away. Don't know what I did, if anything to correct them. Now I'm in Chapter 3 and I've done all active quests and killed a number of monsters for fun and profit. Don't know what to do now. -- I need a nap

Awesome, sounds like you're well on your way!

THERE you are! I was beginning to wonder where you were!

I assume you've been leveling up and spending your bronze coins and experience points? And of course, you can always see what quests and tasks you have to do yet in your Journal.

That's just it. My journal doesn't show anything active.I went to the swamp just to check with the heirophant to see if he could tell me anything more about lycanthropy and a cure for Vincent, but that didn't appear as an option. (Gave the fool's parsley to Carmen and he ripped it up.) Don't know where Sigfried is to ask him to become an allie (sp?) Don't know what to do next.Have a bunch of things in the journal, but they don't say what I need to do and they aren't active.

Anything on the map? I suspect there is someone you need to talk to. If you get desperate!


https://guides.gamepressure.com/thewitcher/guide.asp?ID=3705

Have you read ALL of the books you have? I seem to remember that at least one quest requires that you read certain books.

Yes, I read all the books I could get, although there is another one about a plant I think I need. This guide should get me going again. Thanks Draclver!

Apparently I've done this chapter all wrong. It looks like I'm going to have to go back to the beginning and start all over with a new game.

I don't "think" you should have to start the chapter over. I know you don't have to do things in any certain order. And if you don't have the plants book, you definitely need it.

Don't start anything over just yet.. Just see if there is anything you see in that guide that you missed. I know I didn't do any of the games I played in the order of that guide.

Well for what it's worth, I'm on my way again. In the Salamandra Camp with Sigfried. I've got the portal open and I've fallen thru and now have to deal witj the queen Krikamore. I hope I haven't made any catastrophic errors in the game. Is it important to win at dice? I'm terrible at it and usually lose. I don't want to play it anymore if I don't have to. I've not yet discovered Berengar's working for the Salamandra which was mentioned in the guide so I'm thinking I haven't played this game the right way so far. I plan or hope to replay it with the game guide once I've completed the playthru my way. Although that will mean postponing Witcher 2 or Skyrim next. Decisions, decisions... I couldn't even decide between bread or rolls today so I requested both . It's a great way to take my mind off my upcoming medical "procedures/surgeries". Rainy day here, so it is good to stay home and play. Cat is in hiding from the vacuum cleaner and refuses to come out. She thinks she is invisible where she is...

Sharon, each of the Witcher games has a"mini-game" that is more or less optional (aside from some achievement badge) so if you don't like the dice, I'm pretty sure you don't have to play.

Bear in mind that the Witcher games do eventually force you to make choices about which faction to side with. There is no right or wrong way to play. You make choices based on what you believe.

It's been a few years since I've played, but I don't remember finding out Berengar works for the Salamandra until later.

You don't have to play dice... it's just a way to make more money. I liked it once I got better at it.

Yes, I've been making moral choices all along. Glad the dice game is optional. Is Witcher 2 as good?

My personal opinion is that Witcher 2 is a good game and worth playing. Combat is changed up from the first game, the timing element isn't as important as which type of attack you choose. That system becomes more refined once you hit Witcher 3, so moving from 2-3 was easier for me than from 1-2. If I recall correctly, they also change up Alchemy as well, I don't think the potions are as effective in W2.

So, short answer - W2 takes a little getting used to, it feels a bit more linear than the first game, but it's a good story.

What Trail said! I've still gotta finish Witcher 3.

Thanks Trail-Mystic. I hope I enjoy it as well. Though I've still hot a ways to go on this one.
EDIT: Made it to chapter 4. Boy that Krikamore Lair was tough to get thru.

Excellent progress! You may be joining me in Witcher 3 someday after all.

This is awesome Sharon! So, just a word of advice once you get into Witcher 3, which as you've seen everyone wholeheartedly recommends. I say this only because of your past comments on not playing in the "right way" or "right order". The Witcher 3 story is complex and part of an open world with several expansions. It's done in the best manner of an RPG, your decisions will effect various outcomes including the end. Here's the deal though, DON'T be influenced by the Internet saying what the "best" or "good" ending is, in fact, if you're searching for answers and someone starts to guide you down a particular path, stop reading. If anything, just use guides as "How-To's." The beauty of an RPG like W3 is in it's re-playability. Maybe you don't get the happy ending where the prince kisses the frog and they run away to the Bahamas together. You just play again and wonder, "what would happen if I do it this way instead?" In other words, have fun! I read there's something like over 40 different ways the game can turn out, so lots of play time ahead.

Oh, I so remember the Kikimore lair! Well done on getting through it!

Trail, I still have to get back into Witcher 3 and you are tempting me mightily! Need to get some other house remodel and repair tasks out of the way first though.

Thanks Trail_Mystic. I am trying to play that way with just doing things my way in Witcher 1. Then, of course, I start to obsess about "the right way, as per the guides." But despite knowing that I'm doing things differently than the guide, I still am progressing - so I'm determined to see it thru and see what happens. Unless of course I get stuck - then I'm fortunate enough to be able to go back to the guide and figure out how to get unstuck. I'm really looking forward to Witcher 3, but I've got a long way to go considering I'm still working my way thru Witcher 1. But you're right... there is nothing like playing along not knowing what to expect.

Yes in deedy! I'll eventually get there.

Thanks for the advice Trail_Mystic. You're right of course, about playing it my way. I'm still striving to do that with Witcher 1. I am progressing so I must be doing something right. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. I really enjoy things just happening without my expecting them beforehand. (Does that make any sense?)
Anyway, I've got a long way to go and I'm determined to enjoy it!
EDIT: My previous reply disappeared, so I wrote this one. Now the first reply is back

There must be a glitch in the matrix, I lost two replies earlier today. Although, it could also be a glitch in my matrix

The two things I remembered that make things a bit more difficult in Witcher 2 are related to the new combat system and alchemy. When Geralt's choice of attack isn't the best for the enemy you're fighting, the game randomly simulates you getting stunned or staggered. This can be somewhat frustrating because while you're button mashing, your opponent is taking you apart a piece at a time. That gets kind of critical in the higher levels, when you're facing off with stronger opponents.

With Alchemy, they don't allow you to take a potion during combat. You can buff up before the battle, but once it's on your on your own. As a result, you'll figure out strategies for which potions to use that will compliment your attack against specific enemies or just keep you alive that much longer. Definitely adds more challenge to the frays.

That's why they came up with the saying to try, try, try and try again. Which is my usual modus operandi . I never seem to learn from my mistakes. I'm pretty darn sure that square peg will fit into that round hole! I've been taking a couple days break fro the Witcher. Unfortunately real life is intruding on my game time. But I'm ready to go back now, I think. When last seen Geralt was havung a talk with Beringar after taking care of some nasties in the crypt. I did not find the necklace I was looking for there, unless I missed something. Deciding whether to go back for one last look around or head on to Murky Waters. It's usually the last place you look, isn't it? (What would be the point in continuing to look once you found it? ) Well, thanks for the encouragement.

Well, I hope you are able to get things worked out with your laptop and such, so you can jump back into the Witcher series. Good luck on the procedure next week too.

TM

You know, I was driving myself into an anxiety attack about what's coming up, but a friend "talked me down" and reminded me of something the consultant said and I started to relax. Now, I'm not happy with it, but I'm no longer as afraid as I was. "WaHoo!!". Think I'm making a good choice of my new laptop. In the meantime, my I5 desktop is still going strong. So those monsters in Witcher don't stand a chance...

I wish you the very best of not just luck, but ease of mind about your procedure next week! I think you're doing just fine. My step-daughter's significant other just had a cardiac cath yesterday and he was SO nervous about it! But his surgeon said, "Got it!" Best thing to hear from your surgeon and he now has another stent and is doing awesome. So will you, no matter what your procedure is!

Best wishes from me, too, SharonB

Yes, I hope it goes well and you're back gaming in no time!

Glad to hear you still have a working gaming PC. Good thing about being a gamer is that you always have something to do while you're healing up. Geralt will be waiting when you get back

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and wishes. As for Geralt... His fighting skills improve every day. What does it take for him to get a gold coin to spend on skills? He's coming along. He just killed some kind of priest and went to tell the chief of the village. Time to get his sword reforged I think.

Hagatha I have just noticed your "signature" and laughed out loud.
Does it come from a game?

Haha. No. Well, I guess it does, indirectly. I was describing what I liked about the Gothic games a while back, and that just popped into my head. If you've ever played Gothic, you know what I mean...

I've been laughing at hagatha's "signature" ever since I first saw it.

Love it !!

I smile every time I see it.