Choosing the Right Difficulty Setting in The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3 remains one of the premier RPGs, especially after its impressive next-gen update, which has reinvigorated player interest. CD Projekt RED has set a high bar with this title, and there’s widespread hope that The Witcher 4 will either meet or exceed those expectations.

Despite the game offering a wealth of content, it leaves some questions unanswered, notably regarding difficulty settings. Players may find it unclear which difficulty is most suitable for their gameplay experience. To assist, this guide will provide valuable insights on how to adjust difficulty levels in The Witcher 3 and what each option entails.

How to Change Difficulty Settings in The Witcher 3

To alter the difficulty setting in The Witcher 3, follow these steps:

Load your current game.
Navigate to the Options menu.
Click on the Gameplay settings.
Find the Difficulty level option.
Select your preferred Difficulty level.

It’s essential to note that difficulty changes can only be made while in an active game session; adjustments cannot be made from the main menu. Fortunately, you can switch difficulty as often as desired, allowing you to tailor the challenge to your preferred playstyle. Regularly saving your game is advisable to easily revert to prior states and safeguard your progress.

What Difficulty to Choose in The Witcher 3?

Before diving into your gameplay, let’s explore the available difficulty levels in The Witcher 3:

Just the Story!
Story and Sword!
Blood and Broken Bones!
Death March!

Choosing the right difficulty level depends on your gaming preferences:

If your focus is on enjoying the narrative, opt for Just the Story! – ideal for casual players.
If you want to experience the game as it was designed, Story and Sword! is your go-to choice.
For the more experienced RPG enthusiasts, Blood and Broken Bones! will provide a satisfying challenge.
If you’re accustomed to challenging games like Bloodborne or Dark Souls, try Death March! for the ultimate test.

As you consider these difficulties, keep the following statistics in mind:

Difficulty Level	Just the Story!	Story and Sword!	Blood and Broken Bones!	Death March!
Enemy Health	-50%	+10%	+20%	+80%
Damage Bonus	None	+40%	130%	+230%
XP Gain	100%	100%	90%	80%
Meditation Vitality	Yes	Yes	No	No
Coin Loss after Guard Knock Out	25%	50%	75%	100%