This article will walk you through the Old Pals quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. During this quest you will have the opportunity to unlock four unique Gwent cards, each of which are likely to improve any deck that you currently have.
The prize of the four is definitely the Geralt of Rivia card. Not only is it a Hero card, but it also comes with a value of 15, making it one of the deadliest cards in the game. The rest of the cards aren’t exactly the kind you would throw away, however, as all three are Hero cards that will replace weaker options in your favorite decks.
Before we explain how to get each card, let’s first talk about some of the ways gamers can stumble. For example, many people online are having a hard time finding the Old Pals quest, or tracking down Thaler to get the Geralt of Rivia card they so desperately seek.
We began the Old Pals quest after we unlocked Ugly Baby, but before starting it. We had also finished A Deadly Plot. If you are at that point or even further beyond it, you should still be able to complete this quest. However, we advise you do this at your first opportunity to make sure you don’t miss the chance.
Eithné Card – Zoltan
After you complete A Deadly Plot, Zoltan can be found standing outside his place of business, residence or whatever it happens to be. The important thing to note is that it’s located very close to the Gate of Hierarch Signpost in Novigrad. You might even see an exclamation point at his place, but this is not what you are looking for. Instead, approach Zoltan and strike up a conversation with him. If the option to play Gwent is there, take it and defeat him. This will unlock the Eithné Hero card. Hero means it is not affected by Special Cards or Abilities. The card itself is a Ranged Combat unit with a value of 10. It can only be used with the Scoia’tael deck.
Saesenthessis Card – Roche
Leave Zoltan’s residence (place of business… whatever) and return to the Gate of Hierarch Signpost. You can then fast travel directly to the Temerian Partisan Camp northeast of Oxenfurt. If you track the Old Pals quest, you will see an objective marker for Roche’s location. Strike up a conversation and challenge him to Gwent. When you beat him, he’ll hand over the Saesenthessis Hero card. It is, once again, only available to the Scoia’tael deck, has a value of 10 and is a Ranged Combat unit. This, along with the previous card, should bolster your Scoia’tael deck or at least encourage you to build it up enough to use it.
Geralt of Rivia – Thaler
Before anyone freaks out because they can’t find Thaler, or the option to play Gwent with him is not there, hear us out. First we had to start the Old Pals quest by playing Zoltan, then move to Roche, and only after that could we challenge Thaler. The other factor is that Thaler is only at the Seven Cats Inn after you complete A Deadly Plot. If you met those two conditions, you can speak to Thaler at the Seven Cats Inn and play Gwent with him.
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If the circumstances above are met, fast travel from the Temerian Partisan Camp to the Seven Cats Inn Signpost to the southeast of Novigrad. Head inside and look for Thaler standing against a wall along one of the wings of the establishment. Once you beat him, one of the most sought after Gwent cards in the game will be yours, the Geralt of Rivia. This is Close Combat Hero card that can be added to any of your four decks, and it has a value of 15. The only card comparable to this is the Ciri card, but that’s for another article.
Triss Merigold Card – Lambert
This is another spot where panic might set in, but you shouldn’t worry. You can’t play Gwent against Lambert until you are smack-dab in the middle of the Ugly Baby quest, and you complete The Final Trial. If you talk to him before completing The Final Trial, the option to play Gwent will not be there. Just complete the quest and strike up another conversation to solve all of your issues.
Assuming you beat the first three opponents on this list and earned some powerful cards, you should have no trouble taking out Thaler. This will complete the quest, and your final prize is the Triss Merigold Hero card. Its value is only a seven, but it too can be used in any deck, and as a Close Combat option.
There are still truckloads of other cards you need to earn if you want to be a serious competitor at the Gwent tables. If you’re looking to find players or a place where you can purchase them, consider picking up The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt eGuide at the bottom of this page. You can also try the links in the middle of this page, as we’ve been kind enough to gather some of our finest content to help you survive your time in the Northern Realms.
