Witcher 3 Easy Way to Beat the Game
Projekt Red's The Witcher 3 is by no means an easy game. On the Sword and Story (normal) or Blood and Broken Bones (hard) difficulty, it's a challenge to get through the game without a few (or a few hundred)deaths. While challenging on these difficulties, the game is still do-able. On the Death March difficulty, however, that claim depends on the preparation of the player.
On Death March, where the enemies do over 200% more damage than their base values and have 80% more health; every potion, oil, and extra piece of information is necessary. For those brave souls who decide to take on this daunting task, here are the essential tips players will need to help them complete this adventure.
10 Invest In A Good Early-Game Set Of Armor
In a difficulty setting where everything counts, good gear is going to be your best friend. In the early game, good enough gear can be hard to find, but the Temerian armor set is a great option that can be found right near the start.
Only requiring the user to be level 4 to equip, this cheap (while the DLC is free, there is an in-game cost) DLC armor set is a godsend for a Death March run. It can be bought from the merchant Bram in White Orchard, at the Woesong Bridge fast travel post. When this armor loses its effectiveness, you can find another great DLC armor set in the Nilfgaardian armor at Crow's Perch for levels 11 and up.
9 Find And Craft The Viper Silver Sword
Struggling with damage output is another area in which Death March will test one's mettle. Without upgrading your sword early on, some enemies that were once a minor inconvenience on lower difficulties will be nearly insurmountable. Thankfully, the Viper swords will help to even the odds.
The Viper Silver Sword schematic can be found in the chapel basement at the White Orchard Cemetery. Once found, it can be crafted for the measly cost of 1 leather strap, 2 silver ingots, 1 emerald dust, and 1 venom extract.
8 Find And Craft The Viper Steel Sword
The Viper Steel Sword is quite comparable to the Silver, but for human enemies rather than monsters. This swords schematic can be found at the Amavet Fortress Ruins in White Orchard and will help the player gain an early upper hand on bandits and soldiers.
Once found: the sword can be crafted with these simple ingredients: 1 leather strap, 1 iron ingot, 1 emerald dust, and 1 venom extract.
7 Do Every Quest You Can
While these armor and weapons are going to be great boons in the early game, you will no doubt find their effectiveness dwindle as you continue the story. You can counter this by taking every available side quest.
Some of these are scavenger quests that will offer new schematics to constantly be upgrading your version of Geralt. Other sidequests will provide experience and monetary rewards that will put you steps ahead of the monstrous difficulty curve. You can see a quest's recommended level before you decide to take it on. A good rule of thumb is to take a break from the main quest with side activities whenever you see your level dip below the recommended.
6 Upgrade Quen
In Death March, Geralt can often only withstand a hit or two before perishing, even when facing relatively benign enemies. In this case, Quen can double the amount of hits you can take as it essentially provides one free mistake without health loss.
It is recommended to upgrade Quen to the point that you get the active shield, which will allow you to absorb hits and regain health as you hold the shield open. This ability is a necessity for this difficulty as you will spend much of your time at lower health than desired.
5 Do Your Research
A good portion of The Witcher 3 is researching the monster you'll be facing and learning their weaknesses before being thrust into battle. This research has higher benefits at higher difficulties, as the enemies have even more health.
This means that, at Death March, the oils you choose to apply can mean the difference between life and death. If a monster hunt has optional conditions, make sure to do these first, and apply the oil that the monster is weak to BEFORE going into battle with it.
4 Stock Up On Consumables
Geralt can eat quite a lot, even in the middle of a battle, so stocking up on healing items which don't raise toxicity is good practice for any aspiring witchers. The chicken sandwich is a good health per oren choice, but there is one option that stands out from the rest.
This option is the baked potatoes, which can be bought from the merchant/quartermaster in Crow's Perch, the bloody baron's homestead. These are only sold here and White Orchard, so be sure to stock up as they are the best food options health-wise, in the game!
3 Brew Lots Of Swallow
Swallow is a starting potion, and one of the most valuable in the game, as it can raise Geralt's Vitality regeneration. It can be brewed using 1 dwarven spirit, 5 celandines, and a drowner brain. The first two are fairly common ingredients, and the drowners are one of the game's most populous enemies, so don't be afraid to go drowner hunting and brew a healthy stock of Swallow before, or during, any challenging battle.
Swallow can also be used alongside food to increase the health gains you receive. Be on the lookout for Swallow upgrades at different merchants as well, as this only increases your benefits.
2 Respec Your Upgrades
Starting Death March from New Game Plus mode grants the player a Respec potion to begin the game with. Don't be afraid to completely respec Geralt's abilities, as some that were useful in the normal difficulties are sure to take a back seat on Death March.
As stated before, Quen s essential, but putting points into quick attack to raise damage output is crucial as well. The ability to deflect arrows gains much more use as these have the potential to kill Geralt with much greater efficiency on Death March. Points in Brewing can make Geralt's potions and oils that much more effective as well. It's recommended to hold off on signs other than Quen until you are comfortable with your build, as these are not going to be as effective as necessary as the other skills mentioned, on this difficulty.
1 Learn That Running Away Is A Viable Technique
There will be times during your Death March play-through where you will be caught woefully unprepared for a battle. In these cases running away is not just a viable option, it is often the only choice that you will survive. In the other difficulty options, nearly every situation is surmountable with a high enough skill level.
Death March doesn't play by these same rules. Even the most skilled gamer will find themselves in unwinnable situations and wish they had run rather than lost valuable progress and time. Running away may hurt your pride, but staying behind to fight may hurt your sanity. Calling your trusty steed Roach to carry you out of danger will allow you to return later, more prepared for the encounter. The enemies can, and will, wait.
Source: https://www.thegamer.com/the-witcher-3-death-march-tips/