How firm are The Witcher 2's minimum required specs?

Question

According to TotalPCGaming.com, Steam, and the official site, The Witcher 2 requires at least a Radeon HD 3850. How firm is this requirement? Has anyone managed to play with a lesser card? (Bonus points if you can talk about the other required specs as well.)

I ask because one of my PCs has a Radeon HD 3650* (later rebranded 4570/4580), and I'd prefer to use it if possible. I've also noticed that nowadays "minimum specs" are generally the specs required to have everything at medium detail and the like, rather than an actual hard minimum.

_{* The 3650 is actually superior in some respects, such as having twice the RAM. Memory bandwidth is a bit over half, though.}

Asked by Matthew Read

Answer

The answer: Pretty firm. The game is playable on the lowest settings, but pretty choppy. Not an enjoyable experience, but at least it's doable. The CPU requirements seem to be basically the same -- you can run it on a fast single-core, but not well.

Answered by Matthew Read

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House in the swamp in chapter 1, where is the key?

Question

If you cross the river using the broken bridge you get to a swamp with one single house. There are some bandits waiting before the house. The door is locked, if you open it you get the message "key needed" which indicates that the door can be opened if you get the correct key.

I have already played through chapter 1 once, but I never found the key to this house. Is it part of some specific quest or is that a dead end that was never implemented in the final game?

Asked by Fabian

Answer

You get the key during the troll quest, which is available as a DLC. If you have it, you can start the quest by selecting it on the town noticeboard.

Answered by Nia

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I've refused to help the captain in Flotsam and he took my swords?

Question

I've refused to help the captain in Flotsam and he took my swords? I was then beat to death by some people of Flotsam and I couldn't do anything against it because they have weapons and I don't? Where can I get me new swords? I don't have much ores left.

Asked by Chibox

Answer

When you leave Loredos area you get all your gear that you left back.

I needed to equip them once I got them back but you should definently have them in your inventory if you've left Loredo after your little talk.

Answered by mmmattias

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What does “when poisoned” mean in talent descriptions and how can I reliably become poisoned?

Question

The second half of the alchemist tree consist entirely of talents that depend on Geralt being poisoned. What exactly does it mean in the context and is there any way to induce poisoning at will?

Asked by kotekzot

Answer

Poisoned is a misleading term here - what really triggers this is toxicity, which is increased the more potions you drink at one time. The toxicity of each potion varies, but you can see it when you look at a potion's recipe or when you add it to your active potions during meditation. The bar that fills as you add potions is your toxicity meter.

Drinking a combination of potions that pushes your toxicity meter near the maximum will put you into a state where these bonuses are applied.

We also covered potion toxicity in this question:

How does Potion Toxicity work in The Witcher 2?

Answered by agent86

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How can I farm orens?

Question

Is there any way to "farm" for orens in The Witcher 2?

Asked by Extrakun

Answer

There are several ways to gain orens continually

• Farming monsters
• Playing dice poker
• Fistfighting
• Arm wrestling

There are certain monsters than respawn, so you can farm them for alchemy and crafting ingredients and sell them. The respawning ends in many cases once you complete the quest for eliminating those monsters.

The three minigames are also a possible source of money, there are usually opponents you can challenge an unlimited amount of times, each time earning money.

Answered by Fabian

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How do I destroy Nekker nests?

Question

In "The Nekker Contract" quest, I need to destroy all of the Nekker nests. I found my first Nekker nest, but when I try to destroy it, Geralt just says, "I've got to blow up this nest," and doesn't do anything.

So I assume that I need something to blow it up—what would that be?

Screenshot of a Nekker nest with the left-click "destroy nest" option:

Asked by Fabian

Answer

You find out the way to destroy the Nekker nests by obtaining enough knowledge about the Nekkers, either by reading a book about them (available in Flotsam) or by fighting them. If you're at knowledge level 3/3 (character screen -> Attributes -> Knowledge) there will be the following text about the Nekkers

Witchers can user their full range of skills and techniques when fighting nekkers. Signs, bombs, poisons and oils that augment bleeding are all extremely effective against the beasts. Nekker nests are best destroyed with Grapeshot bombs.

To build a Grapeshot bomb you first need the schematic, which is available from the elf Cedric. Just look out for the craftsman icon on the map in Lebinden to find him. After you bought the schematic you need to meditate and then build some Grapeshot bombs:

Thanks to Justin for the hint on how to destroy the nests.

Answered by Fabian

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Is food useful?

Question

You can purchase various items categorized as food in the inns.

Is there any use for this food? Does it restore vitality or vigor?

Asked by Damien Stark

Answer

Food has effect neither on vitality nor on vigor.
You cannot even use (eat) it.

It can, just like any other junk item, be traded or dropped.

Answered by Bora

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Is the gamepad support in The Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition the same as in the Xbox 360 version?

Question

The Witcher 2 already had gamepad support, I know that, but with the Xbox 360 "Enhanced Edition" this has been completely rehauled to better fit the Xbox 360 controller and console play, alongside the UI and all menus in the game.

What I want to know is: Does the current version of The Witcher 2, which I believe is also called "Enhanced Edition" (if not, I probably wouldn't even be asking this question) use the overhauled Xbox 360 control scheme when you're playing with a gamepad or does it use the older version?

Asked by Rukishou

Answer

While Witcher 2 has always had (really good) support for the 360 controller, the Enhanced Edition's revised 360 controls currently have not made it to the PC Enhanced Edition. Kotaku:

Weirdly, the 360's enhanced controller setup doesn't make its way over to the PC version of the Enhanced Edition, which bummed me out. I'm one of the odd ones who played The Witcher 2 with a controller on PC, and I find that I prefer the 360's button layout and targeting system, which feel a touch different (and are arranged differently) on the PC.

Answered by sean

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Why does The Witcher 2 run so Choppy?

Question

I have read through a couple of these forums discussing lag issues with W2; all of which seem to be running of questionable systems performance wise.

My rig is running:
Windows 7
16GB RAM
2600K-i7 Overclock :4.6Ghz 
GeForce GTX 560 Ti in SLI x2 (2GB each)
Acer GD235HZbid Widescreen 23.6" 3D LCD Display(three of these)
ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe MB

Id like to also say that I only run this game on one screen; not spanned across three.

I would consider my computer high-end and this game is defiantly not new. Whats really strange is that I don't really notice a performance difference between when I have the game running on one video card or both! So its seems that the obvious answer is that the graphics engine this game rolls with is horrible. So what element or combination of elements in the graphics engine are recipe for this choppy heart ache. From what I have played so far the game is loads of fun; but this lag is ruining my experience. ALSO NOTE: I have the latest drivers from nvidia and the most recent update for this game. Any insight as to what the spec issues are here would be greatly appreciated! I am really interested in why this graphics engine is such a flop and what aspects made it this way. Thanks for reading my post and thanks for any help you can present to this issue!

Asked by Wylie Coyote SG.

Answer

Witcher 2 is not optimized as it should be by default,then the new crossfire/SLI technology is known to make performance issues simply by bugging drivers/game engine especially in older games.

So having up to date drivers and game is a must.

Other than you are left only with tweaking the user.ini file in witcher and making it read-only.

Here are the values and more information.

Answered by Arremer

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How do I find books about a particular monster?

Question

I have a couple of side quests to kill monsters of a particular type, and they say I should read up on them. I can double-click the quest in my journal, and the tracking symbol appears, but it doesn't mark anything on my map.

Is there any way to track where these books might be? Or do I just have to ransack the area and hope I find what I need?

Asked by sjohnston

Answer

I am only at the first part of the game (Flotsam), and there is a book shop just opposite the Dwarven smith where there are books on monsters.

Answered by Extrakun

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What's the fastest way to get a new silver sword?

Question

I've just begun the first chapter of the game, but I find myself... lacking. I stabbed something big and mean with my Silver Sword as part of the Prologue, and now I'm stuck in a catch-22.

As a Witcher, most of my income comes from killing nasty things - and most of those nasty things die much faster when hit with a silver sword. However, I am short a key ingredient to forge a new one. I have no silver ore. The shopkeeper will sell me some, for ~200 orens a pop (I have around 150 currently), or I can go find some. The Witcher Wikia notes that "some bandits" carry some, but isn't specific at all about how to encounter these bandits.

What's the fastest way to get enough money to buy the ore, or what's the fastest way to acquire the ore without having to kill monsters?

Asked by agent86

Answer

By far the easiest way to earn small amounts of money is fistfighting. You can do that in Flotsam in the basement of the tavern, and you'll earn 20 orens per fight, a bit less for the first two or three. Fistfighting itself is a very easy minigame, just some quicktime events.

The mysterious merchant at the docks also sells a relatively cheap silver sword, I think it was around 200 - 250 orens. That would be an alternative to the crafted sword.

Answered by Fabian

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What's the cooldown on Geralt's Medallion?

Question

I'll admit it - sometimes I touch myself. My Witcher medallion, I mean. Afterwards, there's this orange glow that surrounds nearby items. However, sometimes when I touch it, nothing happens. This is disappointing to no end. Sometimes I resort to rapidly touching my... medallion in the hopes that something will happen, but this seems counter-productive.

The loading screens seem to indicate that there's a cooldown on Geralt's medallion's power, but how long is it? Is there any indication when it's ready for use again?

Asked by agent86

Answer

There is a 10-second cooldown between Medallion uses.
When it's ready, the Witcher Medallion next to your health bar will glow and pulse yellow, like so:
When it's on cooldown, the Medallion has no glow, like so:

Answered by Ampersand

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Where is the key to get out of the Catacombs in Hatred Symbolized?

Question

I think this may actually be a bug in my game but I want to make sure that I'm not missing something.

I have finished the Hatred Symbolized quest in Chapter 2 of The Witcher 2 following Roche's path. I am in the Catacombs where I meet Saskia and Zoltan. Saskia gives me the sword I need to complete the quest. There is a locked door behind them that I should be able to access at this point.

I looted the corpse in the main room and received a catacomb key. I have tried the door after acquiring this key and it still says it's locked. Should this key unlock that door or is there another key that I missed along the way? If so, what is the catacomb key actually for?

Asked by spugsley

Answer

I'm fairly late on this question but in case someone wanders.

So this is the path to the Saskia and Zoltan,what you have to do is just go back the same way.

Door behind them is used for Vergen Besieged

And acquired key is for the door marked with 7,really not shure why there is a door protecting few monsters.

Other marks:

• 1 Pontar Valley
• 2 Bullvore
• 3 Zoltan and Saskia – connected with Hatred Symbolized.
• 4 Adam Pangratt and the mercenaries – connected with Vergen Besieged.
• 5 Dethmold and Adam Pangratt – connected with Vergen Besieged.
• 6 Vergen exit – accessible only during Vergen Besieged.
• ! Nekkers, Rotfiends

Answered by Arremer

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Where can I find Altair?

Question

I was browsing Reddit the other day when I saw this amusing image from The Witcher 2:

I want to be able to find this for myself when I play the game. Where do I find Altair?

Asked by Mana

Answer

This is located in La Valette's castle, very early in the prologue (The King's Will, Part 2 - Barricade).

The king orders you to capture and use the ballista. You drop down the scaffolding on the wall and turn left to see the ballista. You'll have to fight several foes to reach it. Once you've beaten them, continue past the ballista, toward the closed gate. Poor Altair is on your right, slightly hidden by the castle wall.

Upon finding him, you'll receive a bonus ability, assassin, which grants you +25% damage when attacking an enemy from behind.

Answered by sjohnston

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I can't find the last Nekker Nest. Does anyone have their locations pinned on a map?

Question

I've spent the last 1.5 hours running around trying to find the last Nekker Nest... I'm starting to think the quest is bugged. Has anyone got their locations pinned on a map?

Asked by DaRKoN_

Answer

Here is a Youtube video guide to the locations of the nests. All credits go to the guy who put it up, I just happen to find it online.

Answered by Extrakun

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How do I avoid the Queen Endrega's poison and kill it?

Question

Getting poisoned by the Queen Endrega is pretty much a death sentence. It comes out quickly in a spray and hits you even if you're trying to roll out of the way.

Even if I'm able to kill the other Endregas around her (which re-spawn if you save after killing them...at least I can farm experience this way), fighting the Queen one-on-one is futile and suicidal.

Which signs and strategies are especially effective? Is it just another matter of having to have a perfect run to win the battle?

Asked by StrixVaria

Answer

I just killed my first Endrega Queen (I find out we have to kill two of the things. TWO!), and if you're getting hit by the poison, you're probably fighting much too close to the queen.

Hit and run tactics are your best friend here -- the greater distance you are to begin with, the easier it is to dodge the poison stream, the charge attack, everything.

The other useful thing was the Aard sign. The damage / daze effect it creates can stop most of the Queen's attacks mid-animation, giving you time to get in a swing or two. Dart in, blast her with the sign, strike a few times with your sword, dodge away, wait for vigor to recharge, and repeat.

I found that when fighting the queen, the quick attack style oftentimes did "minimal damage", so stick to heavy attacks when you can.

The last helpful advice I can give is that the Queen shakes her head just before spraying the poison, and rears back before her charge attack.

Answered by Raven Dreamer

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How do I play Dice Poker?

Question

I found two minigames in the first area of The-Witcher-2, an Arm-Wrestler, and someone who wants to play "Dice Poker". While the former is simply explained in the in-game help, there was no information on how to play Dice Poker.

What do the symbols on the dice mean?

What do the (unlabeled!) circles under the bet screen do? (I believe the left is forfeit, and the right is call, but I'm not positive)

Asked by Raven Dreamer

Answer

Here's the a very good explanation for Dice Poker including statistics. It's for the first Witcher game, but it's mostly the same, except for those symbols. One circle is 1, two circles is a 2, and for the rest count the points, so the triangle is 3, etc.

The unlabeled circles are a glitch. Restarting your game should fix it, but in most menus in Witcher 2, space is accept and Esc is reject.

Answered by Darrigo

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In The Witcher 2, is it possible to hit the man with the red plume?

Question

In the tutorial, the king gives Geralt the spyglass to aim for the "man with the red plume", while he adjusts the ballista. I felt like I had the cross-hairs right on the man, but when the bolt was fired, it was a bit high.

Is it possible to actually hit the target? If so, do you need to aim somewhere other than directly at him (perhaps a bit low)?

Asked by sjohnston

Answer

According to the Game Guide that came with my copy of the game, 1.5 degrees is the right angle. I've got my brother testing what that does currently, and will update when he succeeds (or fails).

Edit: It appears that if you get the correct angle and kill the "red-plumed man" you will not have to fight Count Etchverry after breaking through the barricade. (so it reduces the number of enemies you have to fight a little later on).

Answered by Raven Dreamer

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Where is Cedric during the quest “Where is Triss Merigold” in The Witcher 2?

Question

During the quest "Where is Triss Merigold" Geralt is tracking the elf Cedric by the blood trail he leaves.

I've done that, using my medallion to highlight the blood, but ended up at a dead end, some other dead humans:

So the trail I followed was a false trail. I backtracked but couldn't find any other trail diverging. Where is Cedric?

Asked by Fabian

Answer

You can use the Cat potion to easily see the blood trail in the forest. There are at least three trails to follow, all starting near the gate between Lobinden and Flotsam. By keeping (mostly) to your right, you will end at human corpses. But if you try to keep to your left, Geralt will mumble something about "he is getting weaker, can't be far now." That trail also ends in someone else's body. But from there turn around and keep to your left again. Cedric is not far from there.

Answered by Krytharn

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How do I defeat the Kayran in the first chapter of the Witcher 2?

Question

In the first chapter you are supposed to slay the Kayran, this enormous beast:

I'm having a hard time with it. I drank the Mongoose potion for poison resistance and I have the Kayran trap, but it just hits me too often with its tentacles. Especially when the Kayran swings a tentacle sideways, not from above, I have a very hard time evading it.

Is there any trick besides not getting hit by the tentacles?

With a lot of luck I'm getting as far as the point where it's throwing stones. Any idea what I'm supposed to do then?

Answer

After finally beating the Kayran, here are some tips on killing the beast.

You need to trap the tentacles using the Yrden sign (The 4 tentacles with the slightly glowing, thicker part). You can only trap the 4 rear tentacles with the glowing part, the front tentacles of the Kayran cannot be trapped!. If you crafted a Kayran trap, you can use that one for the first tentacle, the location is highlighted if you have the trap in your inventory. You need to place an Yrden trap at a location where the tentacle will hit the ground. The easiest way to achieve this is to stand in the same location as the trap, once the Kayran lifts its tentacles, immediately roll to the side. The tentacle will hit the trap and you can sever it.

Avoiding the tentacles is important, a direct hit can do a lot of damage. Watch the pattern, you'll quickly notice when the Kayran lifts its tentacles and it is time to evade. Sometimes it also hits you from the side with a tentacle, but I haven't found what triggers this attack. You also shouldn't stand directly in front of the Kayrans mouth, it can perform an attack that poisons you (if you didn't drink the Mongoose potion) and immobilizes you.

You can also use the Quen sign to protect yourself from damage, but you have to time the casting right or you'll just be hit by a tentacle while or shortly after casting it.

After severing the third tentacle you get a quicktime event (right click, repeated left clicks and space) which will cause parts of the old bridge to collapse. The Kayran now throws stones after you. You need to go to the left and go up the fallen down part of the bridge that now leads directly onto the Kayran. And then you've finished this fight. Don't forget to loot the Kayran for reagents and crafting material.

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