Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
For a first playthrough, choose Just the Story for the least combat friction, or Story and Sword if you want a moderate challenge while learning the game. Turn subtitles on, keep the minimap visible, and start with Motion Blur off if camera turns look smeared or the effect bothers you. These are starting points, not permanent commitments: you can change difficulty during play and revisit your settings as you learn what suits you.
What difficulty should I play Witcher 3 on?
Choose Just the Story if you want combat to interfere as little as possible with the story. Choose Story and Sword if you want a moderate challenge while learning combat and game systems such as dodges, Signs, oils and inventory management.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
There is no need to treat the opening choice as a test of skill or a permanent decision. The game supports changing difficulty during play, so you can begin with the level that makes you comfortable and adjust if combat later feels too easy or too demanding.
Just the Story: prioritize the story
This is the lowest-friction starting option in the recommendations for a first run. It is the better fit if you mainly want to follow the narrative or would rather not spend as much attention on combat while learning the world.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Story and Sword: learn with a moderate challenge
This is the moderate beginner option. It gives you room to learn how dodging, Signs, oils and inventory choices fit into combat without making the easiest setting your default.
Should I turn subtitles on?
For a first playthrough, turn Subtitles on. The official manual describes this option as displaying subtitles for character dialogue, which can help you follow speech that is hard to catch amid combat, accents, distance or overlapping NPC chatter.
Subtitles are a readability aid rather than a combat setting. They are especially useful when dialogue competes with other sounds or when characters are not close to Geralt. If you later find them distracting, you can revisit the option; the recommendation is a practical default, not a requirement.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Should I hide the minimap?
Keep the minimap visible while you are learning routes and quest geography. If its markers make the display feel busy, reduce clutter by hiding individual categories rather than removing the map altogether.
Reduce clutter in the Remastered interface
In the Remastered release, open Settings → Video → Interface to find controls for hiding herbs, boats and corpses from the minimap. CD PROJEKT RED describes these controls as a way to create a cleaner, less distracting view. The release notes also rename the former HUD Configuration area to Interface, so older instructions may use a different label.
This gives you a middle ground: keep navigation help on screen while removing categories you do not want to see. The recommendations here concern the Remastered interface; the available menu labels or controls in other editions are not established by the release notes cited for these changes.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Is motion blur better on or off in Witcher 3?
Start with Motion Blur off if camera turns make the image smear or the effect causes discomfort. Turn it on if you prefer its more cinematic presentation and find it comfortable to view.
CD PROJEKT RED’s 2026 Remastered release notes describe an improved, higher-quality and more cinematic Motion Blur effect. That changes the effect’s presentation, but does not make it the right choice for every player: visual clarity and comfort remain personal preferences.
NVIDIA’s guide explains that Blur and Motion Blur use velocity-based or radial/Gaussian blur effects. It gives only a qualitative estimate that the two settings together may cost a few frames per second in combat, and says the precise impact is difficult to determine for a dynamic game. Treat that as a qualified estimate, not a guaranteed frame-rate gain from switching either setting off.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Widely Compatible: Transform any USB-C port into a USB-A port and USB-A port into a USB-C port, and connect up a wide range of USB-C(including MacBook, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iPhone models with USB C ports, Samsung Galaxy series, and Google Pixel series. ) and USB A devices(including external hard drives, phones, mice, printers, and more)
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
How should I set up these options before starting?
Use this sequence to establish a comfortable baseline, then change settings as needed once you have played for a while.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Pick a difficulty: select Just the Story for the least combat friction or Story and Sword for a moderate learning challenge.
- Enable subtitles: turn Subtitles on so character dialogue is displayed on screen.
- Keep the minimap available: use it while learning routes and quest geography. In Remastered, open Settings → Video → Interface if you want to hide herbs, boats or corpses.
- Choose a Motion Blur baseline: leave it off if you notice smearing or discomfort; otherwise, try it on if you prefer the cinematic look.
- Reassess after the opening hours: adjust difficulty or visual options if they are making the game less comfortable or engaging for you.
The point of this setup is to remove avoidable friction without locking you into one style. Difficulty is explicitly changeable during play, and the minimap and Motion Blur recommendations are preferences you can revisit as your familiarity and comfort change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bard’s Ballad require starting a new game on Just the Story?
No. CD PROJEKT RED says its Bard’s Ballad accessibility preset can be enabled when starting a new game on Just the Story or during play in the Accessibility section. That makes the in-game Accessibility section the route if you are already underway.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What does Motion Blur do in The Witcher 3?
NVIDIA describes Blur and Motion Blur as effects that add velocity-based or radial/Gaussian blur. Their purpose is visual presentation; whether that look helps or distracts depends on your preference and comfort.
Are the minimap clutter controls available in every version of The Witcher 3?
The cited release notes describe the herbs, boats and corpses controls for the Remastered interface. They do not establish whether the same controls or menu path appear in every other edition, so check your own settings menu rather than assuming the labels match.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
