Enemy Upscaling is an optional Gameplay setting that makes foes more challenging when a level difference would otherwise make them too easy. It does not increase experience, loot, or quest rewards, according to CD PROJEKT RED’s Patch 1.20 notes.
What Enemy Upscaling does
The setting is designed for situations where Geralt has outleveled a foe. CD PROJEKT RED describes its effect this way: “If foes are too easy to defeat due to level difference, upscaling will render them a challenge.” It is a gameplay difficulty adjustment, not a reward multiplier.
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The documented setting is under Options > Gameplay. The official changelog does not explain a precise level-matching formula or enumerate which enemy types are affected, so it is not accurate to say that every foe is simply set to Geralt’s level.
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No. The Patch 1.20 changelog explicitly says changing the option does not affect experience-point gain, loot, or quest rewards. Its stated purpose is to adjust the challenge of foes who would otherwise be easy because of the level difference.
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Can you change it during combat?
Yes. The Patch 1.20 notes say Enemy Upscaling can be toggled at any time, including during combat. Changing the setting fully restores foes’ Vitality/Essence, so an enemy’s health is replenished when you switch it on or off mid-fight. See CD PROJEKT RED’s Patch 1.20 changelog.
How to tell whether a foe is above or below your level
The PC game manual says the targeted enemy’s health bar shows its name, level, and remaining health. The color of the level number indicates the relative level:
- Gray: Geralt is at least five levels above the enemy.
- Green: The level difference is within five levels.
- Red: The enemy is stronger than Geralt.
A skull icon marks a major threat. These indicators are described in the official PC manual; they are not a platform-by-platform explanation of Enemy Upscaling’s mechanics.
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Turn Enemy Upscaling on if familiar or lower-level foes have become too easy and you want them to remain a challenge. Leave it off if you prefer those encounters to reflect Geralt’s level advantage. The documented effect is limited to enemy challenge; the changelog says rewards are unchanged.
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The feature was added in Patch 1.20. The cited patch note establishes the behavior described above, but it does not provide a complete account of every current platform or version.
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