Gwent in The Witcher 3 can be quite difficult to understand when you first start playing the game. You have to manage three rows and make use of different card abilities, while also conserving enough cards to last three rounds. You may not realize this, but winning this card game is less about having the highest score and more about knowing when to play your cards.
This article explains how to win at Gwent in The Witcher 3.
How to win at Gwent in The Witcher 3
Gwent in The Witcher 3 is a best-of-three card game, meaning you need to win at least two rounds to defeat your opponent. During the match, each player places cards into three rows: melee, ranged, and siege. Basically, the total strength asserted by your cards determines victory.
However, it is important to note that the cards in your hand are shared across the match. Since you do not get a completely new hand after every round, spending too many cards early on can put you at a disadvantage later.
1) Learn when to pass
Knowing when to pass is one of the most important parts of playing Gwent in The Witcher 3. You do not have to fight for every round, especially if your opponent has already committed several cards.
If the opponent has a significantly higher score and you would need to spend most of your hand to catch up, it can be better to just let them win. You can then enter the next round with more cards available and turn the tide in your favor.
2) Keep your deck small

A larger deck does not necessarily make your setup stronger. The more cards you include, the harder it becomes to draw the cards you need. As such, aim for a slim deck of better cards to win most of the games. This increases your chances of drawing useful cards such as Spies, Medics, Decoys, and more.
You should also focus on building around a single faction instead of constantly changing your deck. The Northern Realms faction is particularly useful for beginners because it has several cards that work well together.
Also read: 7 strongest characters in The Witcher 3
3) Use Spies and Decoys

Spy cards can give you a major advantage despite being placed on your opponent’s side of the board. In exchange for increasing their score, you draw additional cards. The extra cards can be more valuable than the points you give your opponent because they provide more options for later rounds.
Furthermore, you can combine it with Decoy, which allows you to return a unit from the board to your hand. You can use it to take an opponent’s Spy from your side of the board and place it in your hand. You can then play it on the opponent’s side and receive its card-drawing effect for yourself, resulting in an amazing Gwent combo in The Witcher 3.
Take advantage of card abilities

Another thing to keep in mind is not to judge cards only by their strength number. Many of the most useful Gwent cards provide value through their abilities. For example, Medic cards, while not very powerful, can bring a unit back from your discard pile. Therefore, keeping a Medic for a later round can give you another opportunity to use an important unit.
Opt for the long game
You should not approach every round with the goal of immediately reaching the highest possible score. The first round can be used to see how many cards your opponent is willing to spend as well as to gain intel about their deck.
If the opponent spends heavily, consider passing and saving your stronger cards. You can then focus on winning the remaining rounds with the cards you have preserved. Alternatively, if your opponent looks to preserve cards in the first round as well, aim to win the round by using the least amount of cards possible to conserve your heavy hitters for the final round.
Basically, focus on winning the match and not just the individual rounds when playing Gwent in The Witcher 3.
Also read: Top 10 most difficult bosses in The Witcher 3
Are you stuck on today’s Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.
Edited by Virat Fumakia