Overview
Novigrad is where The Witcher 3's narrative branches explode. This guide:
- Suggests a **safe quest order**.
- Points out **missable quests and choices**.
- Keeps Triss, Dandelion, and secondary characters in play.
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Phase 1 – Initial Arrival and Setup
1. Complete early main quests until you meet Triss.
2. Avoid rushing "A Matter of Life and Death" until you clear some side content.
3. Explore the city:
- Visit the **bits**, **docks**, and **hierarch square**.
- Grab notice board contracts.
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Phase 2 – Triss & Mage Evacuations
Key quests:
- **"A Matter of Life and Death"**
- **"Now or Never"**
Critical Choices
- Help Triss evacuate the mages.
- Express support at the dock; this affects **romance** options.
Secret: Spare a moment to talk to minor mages on the docks; they drop unique lore lines about the persecution that fleshes out Novigrad's atmosphere.
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Phase 3 – Dandelion & the Cabaret
Complete:
- **"Broken Flowers"**
- **"Get Junior"**
- **"A Poet Under Pressure"**
- **"Cabaret"** → **"Carnal Sins"**
Quest Order Tips:
1. Do "Broken Flowers" immediately after acquiring it; it introduces key players.
2. While chasing Whoreson Junior, make sure you:
- Search both his **Casino** and **Arena** thoroughly.
- Read any letters and notes.
Missable Lore
- Certain victims in "Carnal Sins" have unique diaries hinting at the killer's past.
- If you rush or ignore side clues, you'll miss a fuller understanding of Novigrad's sickness.
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Phase 4 – Secondary Stories You Should Not Skip
Highly recommended:
- **Gravedigger's quests** in the cemetery.
- Dwarven/halfling persecution side quests.
- Fistfights and Gwent games that introduce low-level mob bosses.
These smaller arcs deepen your sense of Novigrad as a living city, not just a quest hub.
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Phase 5 – Leaving Novigrad Cleanly
Before you push the main story too far:
- Finish Triss' line (decide romance or friendship).
- Solve the **serial killer** case properly if you want closure.
- Clear as many contracts and secondary quests as possible; some NPCs will **vanish or die** once the war escalates.
Following this path protects the most important character arcs in Novigrad while preserving the gritty, political tone of the city.