Arguably the most unique of these side activities are the Witcher contracts - quests that can be found throughout the world but most notably at various notices boards in the game’s many settlements. Witcher contracts are essential to providing the ultimate Witcher experience as they let players take part in the dangerous profession of monster hunting. And while most Witcher contracts tend to end with Geralt killing whatever monstrosity is terrorizing people, one particular mission called “Master of the Arena” makes players think twice about brandishing their swords and pulling out Witcher signs.
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How Do Witcher Contracts Usually Go Down?
Witcher contracts typically start by responding to a notice about a monster that is terrorizing the local populace. Talking to the person who put up the notice will reveal some information about the task at hand but to learn more, Geralt must first ensure that his witcher services will be properly compensated with coin. Once Geralt and his contractor have agreed upon a certain amount, players can begin their work by questioning those involved and searching the monster’s last known location for clues. These clues are essential, as it helps Geralt identify just what type of beast he is dealing with and where it can be found. Inspecting clues can also lead players to follow a set of tracks that will point to further leads or, if players are lucky, the monster’s exact location.
Using the clues they have gathered during the investigation stage, players can apply the proper oils, equip bombs, and drink the right potions that the monster is weak against. Just to give an example, an Ekimmara is a lower vampire and is thus weak to Vampire Oil, the Igni sign, and Devil’s Puffball bombs. With the right equipment, monster hunting can become just as much of a cerebral fight as a physical one as players slowly become accustomed to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s massive bestiary. Once the monster is defeated, players must loot the body for a trophy as proof they have vanquished the creature. This can be turned in to the contractor whereupon Geralt is promptly compensated for his work.
What’s So Different About The Master of the Arena Side Quest?
“Master of the Arena” is a secondary quest that players come across in the village of Hov in the Skellige archipelago. Here, players are told of a wraith that haunts the local fighting arena where warriors from all over the land come to test their mettle. Upon further investigation, it is discovered that the wraith’s identity is that of Ulle the Unlucky - a Skellige warrior who was cursed by a former jarl to haunt the location and never win a single battle. Talking to Ulle once inside the arena shows how unenthusiastic he is to be beaten once again by another challenger. He asks Geralt to spare his idle banter and just get on with fighting him.
Previous adventures should help players realize that they must pay close attention to a curse in order to lift it. In this case, the jarl’s curse stipulates that Ulle is to forever haunt the arena and lose every fight he comes across. Defeating Ulle by normal means will cause him to disappear for a few days, only for him to return soon afterward - reinforcing the fact that the curse has not been lifted. To break the curse permanently, players should let Ulle beat them in a fight - the easiest way of which is to do nothing and let the wraith beat Geralt down to a sliver of health. Once Geralt is on his last leg, a cutscene will trigger and Ulle the Unlucky will be free to pass on to the afterlife.
By requiring players to do the exact opposite of what they have been doing throughout the game (i.e. killing monsters), “Master of the Arena” shows just how provocative and thought-inducing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can be. There are no direct hints or quest markers to show how the quest can be completed, either. It all boils down to players’ clever thinking and how they use what they have learned to their advantage. Thanks to their experiences and knowledge of the game’s systems, players can set a wayward soul to rest without lifting their swords.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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