In the same task, after the scene with the monk, do not rush to follow the king. Behind them, there is a door that leads to large rooms with chests and boxes of all sorts of junk. We lose everything we have collected when completing the quest “Dungeons of La Valette Castle”, but when we go to the first chapter, everything that we picked up will return to us.

Maximum load +50. It is necessary in a conversation to convince Arian La Valette and his soldiers to lay down their arms. And later, when escaping from the dungeon, help him get to the oil storage room.

Chapter I

The first secret, which is not so useful as it is simply pleasant as a fact: in the east of Flotsam, under the destroyed bridge (see screenshot) you can find Kord:

A very good sword in the first chapter can be obtained using the task “Trouble with the Troll” when you kill the bandit Dimitar, we will take the key from his corpse. But nothing is said about what to do with the key. With its help, you can open a bandit house, which contains an “Excellent Cord” with damage 16-23 and two slots for reinforcement:

Best silver sword in the first chapter he lies in a clearing with a crab spider. After defeating the monster and talking with Iorvet, at the end select “I need to prepare” to stay in the clearing. And using the “Z” backlight search the clearing.

Chapter II

In search of.

Chapter III

This secret was sent by Dagmir.

"Roche's Way. Memory of old years. Do you all remember this old fart who summons gargoyles? So, when we have passed through the portal and are going down the stairs, take your time so as not to start a dialogue. Stand so that you can see your grandfather, take a dagger and throw it at him, he will run up to you and then it’s a matter of technology, it’s not difficult to kill him (we use Quen bombs and daggers).

When you have killed him, we go into the room and MIRACULALLY another grandfather appears and begins a dialogue, select reset skills, distribute them as we need, get up, take the bag containing the dragon skin staff and other things that we knocked out from the grandfather’s last reincarnation and boldly leave to the portal.

Of course, you can choose the battle again and get the entire drop in duplicate."

The story of the monster killer has already become a cult in the post-Soviet space. This is not surprising, because the adventures of Geralt of Rivia are completely imbued with the Slavic atmosphere, colorful characters and exciting quests, which cannot but please all fans of role-playing games. Unlike the first part, the sequel acquired a much larger number of “bosses”, the battles with which are quite unique and exciting. Overall, this is one of the most complex and impressive sights in a game like The Witcher 2. Keiran is one of the first bosses, which we will talk about in our article.

Mini review of the game

Back in 2007, the CD Projekt studio released a product of the highest quality for everyone to see, earning the loyal love of fans, and the sickly sequel was a little delayed in release, but 2011 again opened the door to the amazing adventures of Geralt, who became embroiled in political strife. The game quickly throws us into the very epicenter of events, against the backdrop of which it unfolds. After the murder of the king, our gray-haired alter ego finds himself in a stalemate, because the murder was blamed on him, and the evidence was obvious. However, by good fortune, our hero still manages to avoid a fatal outcome, but on the condition that he helps find the real killer.

"The Witcher 2" gives players an unforgettable experience, showing a truly fascinating story, interesting relationships between characters, a delightful atmosphere of the Slavic Middle Ages, and an excellent technological side, where the graphics flaunt all the newfangled effects, and the orchestral music will linger in your memory for a long time. As for the gameplay, it has also taken a major step forward. The combat system has been completely redone, with an emphasis on attacks and rolls. Plus, the magic that the signs perform here has also undergone significant changes. Most quests are multi-level, and have several paths.

"The Witcher 2" - how to defeat Keiran? Preparing for battle

In addition to actually completing side quests to gain the coveted experience and skills, you also have the opportunity to complete 2 quests that will help you in the battle with Keiran. First of all, during the task “Indecent Proposal”, a certain man will approach your company with Vernon Roche, offering his help. After listening to him, you will learn that Loredo is hiding valuable material in the courtyard of the residence, which is part of the trap for Keiran. A pointer will appear on the mini-map showing the location of this item. Take it, you'll need it. You will read further description of the task further.

The second quest is the preparation of the Mongoose elixir, which protects Geralt from the harmful effects of the poisonous Keiran. To do this, you will have to find a tenecost. Where exactly? You can ask Cedric about this, or you can immediately go to the cave under the waterfall. A valuable plant awaits you there. Prepare a potion to make it easier to complete the game "The Witcher 2". Keiran will not forgive mistakes, and therefore he will have to prepare for a long time and efficiently. Drink the elixir immediately before the battle and quickly go to battle!

"The Witcher 2" - how to kill Keiran

We will receive the task to kill Keiran automatically after talking with Dandelion and Zoltan in the tavern. The quest takes place in several stages, which we will tell you in more detail now. First of all, after a short conversation in the tavern, a short video will await you, demonstrating the attack of the monster. In the harbor you will see a black-haired woman fighting Keiran with magic. After the cutscene ends, you will need to talk to her and find out more detailed information about the monster. Afterwards, a certain Ludwig Mers will approach you, who will offer you to kill Keiran for an appropriate reward from the merchants. This will unlock a new quest in the game "The Witcher 2" - "Kayran: a question of price." Next, we go to Cedric, who can tell you even more information about the monster. He lives in Bindyug - a poor quarter located outside the city. Cedric will indicate the place of residence of Keiran, to which we will have to go.

By the way, Cedric can sell you a drawing of a trap for Keiran. If you complete the quest “Indecent Proposal” immediately before the battle with the monster and find an iron frame in the courtyard of Loredo, you can significantly ease your fate by creating such a useful item as the Kayran trap. The Witcher 2 is a fairly complex game, and therefore any help will be useful.

Near the monster's lair you will be met by a crowd of drowners. We quickly deal with them and approach the unpleasant-looking essence. Triss will take a sample and indicate to you that Keiran is sick and very poisonous, and therefore some kind of protection will be required. We have already written about the latter. If you have completed everything at the preparation point, you can go to Sheala, and then directly to the battlefield. As you approach the lair, drink all the necessary potions and get ready for the spectacle.

When the battle itself begins, do not stand still, because the monster is constantly trying to hit you with its tentacles. Do you see the growths on the tentacles? They are the ones who need to be destroyed. We remember the approximate trajectory of the strike, use the “Irden” sign, and when the monster is preparing to attack you, we quickly roll. After the tentacle is chained to the ground, cut it off. Don't forget also that you can use a trap by simply placing it on the battlefield. As soon as Keiran loses three tentacles, a QTE scene will start. Its sequence is as follows: RMB - LMB - Space. Afterwards you should climb up its ruins and blow up the monster (Geralt will do this automatically). The battle is over! Take valuable items and go to Flotsam for your reward.

Finally

In The Witcher 2, Keiran is one of three bosses along with the Dragon and Draugir. Of course, there are also mini-bosses, which include Queen Endriag, duckcatchers, elementals and the harpy queen. Each of them requires a special approach, so approach battles wisely. Speaking of Keiran: if you play on medium difficulty or higher, we strongly recommend completing all the secondary quests in order to gain experience and the necessary skills.

Special skills that can be obtained during the game:

Prologue

Hitman(max level 1) Damage when attacking from behind +25%. You need to approach the body in a white robe with a hood in the castle courtyard (located a little further than the ballista, which was repelled from the soldiers of La Valeta).

Strong back(max level 1) More things can fit in the backpack. Allowable weight: +50. It is necessary in a conversation to convince Arian La Valette and his soldiers to lay down their arms. And later, when escaping from the dungeon, help him get to the oil storage facility. Alternative lose a fist fight.

Experienced(max level 1) Bonus to experience gained +10%. Quote:
Prologue (Foltest Army Camp) killed 5 dummies;
1 chapter (Flotasma Marketplace, passage to Bindyuga) 2 mannequins;
Chapter 1 (Inhuman Quarter, passage to the forest) 2 mannequins;
Chapter 1 (Flotasma Marketplace, near Vilmos Bartok’s shop there is a guard’s house, there are 2 mannequins on the second floor) 1 mannequin.
He killed in this order: In the prologue there are 5 dummies at once. In the first chapter, immediately after the release of Buttercup and Zoltan from the gallows, I walked along the above mentioned places behind the mannequins. It turns out I killed 10 dummies, all in different places.

Note: Killing only counts when you gain experience. When you subsequently kill the same dummy, no experience is given and the kill is not counted.

Chapter I

Screen(max level 1) Damage reduction: +10%. At the beginning of Chapter 1, you must constantly be under Triss's protective barrier while Roche carries her.

Trade(max level 1) Prices of all items in stores: -20%. It is necessary to convince the merchant at the Flotsam docks to double the reward for the destruction of Kayran, using the Axii sign. After killing Kayran and taking the reward from the merchant, the skill will be obtained. Alternative [Chapter 2: Roche's Path] Receive the "Good Book" from Julian in the cafeteria of the Kaedwen camp by making a donation. And then, in a conversation with Raimund Gessler, a dwarf near the tent brothel, get a discount in the store by showing this book.

Strong stomach(max level 1) Critical Resistance: Poison: +10%. Before the fight with Keiran, you need to drink the Mongoose elixir, and then kill Keiran.

Thrower(max level 1) Damage when throwing a knife: +5. You need to defeat Bianca in a mini-game of knife throwing while drinking with Roche's friends (come to the house where the Blue Stripes are based in the evening).

Magic Resistance(Resistance to Magic: +20% Resistance to Magic) Obtained by completing the quest “Roses of Memory” (Act 1). After falling into the elven bath, you need to approach the brick wall where the exit from the ruins is and use the “Aard” sign (left mouse button). Next, Triss will speak to you, in the dialogue with whom you must select the answer “Let’s get out of here” (i.e. skip the cut-scene in the bathhouse), which will allow you to independently break the wall at the exit with the “Aard” sign (the second use of the sign, a condition for obtaining the ability ).

Chapter II

Pathologist(max level 1) Damage to people: +10%. [Chapter 2: Iorveth's Path] You need to search the body and remove the sword fragment (to do this you need tools) in the catacombs, during the side quest "With a Trembling Heart".

Ornithologist(max level 1) Damage to harpies: +10%. [Chapter 2: The Path of Iorveth] Required to complete side quests “Contract for the Harpy Queen” and “Contract for the Harpies”.

Child of the Night (Child of the Night)(max level 1) Health recovery at night: +2. [Chapter 2: Iorveth's Path] You must sneak through Kaedwen's camp undetected during the quest "Where is Triss?" (part 2).

Exorcist(max level 1) Damage to all spirits and ghosts: +10%. [Chapter 2: Roche's Path] The skill will be obtained after removing the curse from King Henselt.

Swordsman(max level 1) Sword damage in battle: +4. [Chapter 2: Roche's Path] The skill will be obtained after repelling the attack of two assassins on King Henselt.

David(max level 1) Damage to opponents is much greater than Geralt: +10%. [Chapter 2: Roche's Path] You need to kill 3 elementals in the kingslayer's hideout.

Chapter III

Secret knowledge(max level 1) Sign Power: +0.5. [Chapter 3] You must complete the side quest "Gargoyle Hunt" (with all the puzzles solved).

No binding

Coercion sign Axii(max. level 3) Allows you to use the Axii Sign during a conversation to obtain the necessary information or other benefits. It is necessary to use items marked with the Axis Sign in dialogues;

Intimidation(max. level 3) Allows you to intimidate interlocutors in order to obtain information or other benefits from them. It is necessary to use in dialogues items marked with the “eye with lightning” icon

Belief(max. level 3) Allows you to convince interlocutors that you are right in order to receive information or other benefits from them. It is necessary to use in dialogues items marked with the “eye with a star” icon

Illusionist(max level 1) “Sign damage: +3.” Automatically obtained when using in dialogues items marked with the Axis Sign

Arsonist(max. level 1) Chance of critical effect: arson: +20%. Given for Geralt receiving a certain amount of burn damage. It needs to light up ~20 times. The easiest way to catch fire is to walk into the fire of any camp (or somersault into the fire).

Archer Storm(max level 1) Probability of killing an enemy with a deflected arrow: +20%. It is necessary to invest 2 talents in the “Reflect Arrows” skill of the Training branch. Then you need to kill more than 5 opponents with deflected arrows.

Parry(max level 1) Chance to automatically riposte after a block: 10%. You just need to do “Riposte” many times ~15-20.

The list is not complete. There are many more skills, the acquisition of which is still a mystery:

List of absentees (English):

Rugged: +20 Vitality
Veteran/"Seasoned in Battle": Combat Vigor Regeneration +5%
Healthy Eating: +20% to Vitality Regen Outside of Combat
Toxic Blood: 30% Chance to Poison Opponents Who Hit Geralt
Minesweeper: 50% Chance to Avoid Trap Damage
Precision: +5% to All Critical Effects
Pirouette: +10% to Resist Incineration, Poison, and Bleeding
Executioner: +1% to Instant Kill Chance

If you have information on them, write in the comments.

Coercion by the sign of axii 3 levels (you must use the answer with the corresponding icon in dialogues)
Intimidation: similar
Belief: similar
Screen Level 1: 10% damage reduction (given if in the 1st chapter you do not leave the dome that Triss puts up when Roche is carrying her)
Trade Level 1: -20% to prices (Chapter 1. The quest “Kayran: the price of the question” needs to be forced (compelling with the axii sign) the merchant to give a double reward. When we kill Kayran and turn in the quest, they will give the skill. Chapter 2. Skill trade can be obtained by talking to a dwarf near the brothel. To do this, you need to have the "Good Book" which will be given to you in the soldiers' canteen for a donation to the foundation of the prophet Lebeda. Next, go and persuade the merchant.)
Strong stomach Level 1: 10% resistance to critical effects - resistance to poisoning (to obtain, you need to drink an elixir based on tenecost (mongoose) before the fight with Keiran)
Illusionist Level 1: increased sign damage by 3 (Given for using coercion with the Axii sign during the pogrom in Flotsan at the end of Chapter 1. You can also get it in the prologue, if you use Axii to convince soldiers in the task “Woe to the Vanquished”).
Hitman Level 1: increased damage from the back +25% (In the prologue, in the courtyard of the castle not far from the ballista (from which you need to shoot at the tower gate) there is a nook with a body in it. You just need to approach it)
Strong back: + 50 to the carried load (can be obtained if you do not kill Arian on the roof of the tower in the prologue, and then free him in the torture room)
Swordsman: +4 to sword damage (after protecting King Henselt from the attack of witcher killers in Chapter 2 (Roche's Path)).
David: 10% more damage to enemies larger than Geralt (Kill 2 golems in Chapter 2 (Roche's Path)).
Exorcist: Damage against ghosts +10% (Remove the curse from King Henselt in Chapter 2 (Roche's Path)).
Secret knowledge: strength of all signs +0.5 (obtained in the quest with gargoyles - in each of the 3 dungeons, when solving problems with verses and runes of power)
Ornithologist: + 10% damage to harpies (destroy all 7 harpy nests on the quest “Contract for the Harpies” in Chapter 2 (Iorveth’s Path)).
Thrower Level 1: damage when throwing a knife +5 (given for defeating Bianca in throwing knives during a drinking session in Chapter 1)
Pathologist: +10% damage to people (Chapter 2, Iorveth’s path. In the quest “with a fluttering heart”, examine the remains in the catacombs. To extract the fragment you need tools, they can be bought from the herbalist near the entrance to the city).
Child of the night: gives +2 to regeneration at night (We get this: when playing as Iovert, the task “Where is Triss?” - after meeting with Roche, when we choose the path to enter the camp from the side of the cliff. We go to the cliff, jump over and get to the eastern part of the camp . The hidden movement mode turns on, and we must move to the western part of the camp unnoticed. Along the way, we can stumble upon the cook, and in order not to kill him, we use Axiy. After exiting through the western gate, we stun the guard and when descending into the dungeons under the camp, we will get this skill ).
Arsonist: +20% to burn (1. Presumably obtained by shooting a strong enemy with fire bombs. 2. Obtained after 10 fires in the fire in the prologue, in the first scene, in the Foltest camp. Possibly obtained after any 10 fires) .
Archer Storm: The probability of killing an enemy with a deflected arrow is 20% (Requires the ability to deflect arrows to level 2. Appeared after I placed a block, and several archers were killed with my deflected arrows).
Parry Level 1: probability of automatically making a riposte after a block: 10% (for the accumulated number of successful ripostes with a steel sword.)
Experienced: + 10% to the experience gained (given if you break 10 training dummies out of 13 available in the game - 5 in the prologue, 2 near the exit from the market in Flotsam, 2 near the exit of nonhumans, 2 in the barracks on the market square on the second floor and 2 in Loredo residence).
Executioner: +1% chance to kill in one hit (Unconfirmed: Allow Roche to kill King Henselt at the end of Chapter 2 (Roche's Path). May also need to kill Arian and Adam Panggatt).
Magic Resistance: reduction in damage from magical attacks +20% (Take Triss with you in the “Rose of Memory” task and refuse sex).

Skills are displayed in character properties: C button by default or through meditation. We go to the character menu, at the bottom right it will say “Properties”, go into them, at the top right there will be three icons: properties, knowledge, skills. Select the rightmost icon - skills, and get into the list of acquired skills.

I played through the game many times and did all 16 endings.
Of these, I completed it once on insane (!!!) and 7 times on dark (the set of cursed items is worth it).

So.
Step-by-step tips for passing.

The first rule is that the game has useful (and not so useful) abilities that can be obtained as the game progresses.
And also talents...
How to distribute them?
Many people ask this question, wanting to create a real legendary witcher Geralt of Rivia... And I will try to help.
Reminders - what and how to do.

TALENT DISTRIBUTION DURING THE PROLOGUE.
Be sure to take “Throwing Knives” and “Parry” (the first level is enough)
Then I recommend “Reflecting Arrows” (immediately to the 2nd level of the skill) - then we can not only defend against arrows, but also reflect them back at the archers!
By the way, later we can further improve this useful skill with the help of the “Archer Storm” ability, which I will describe in the first act.

"Grit" - also pumped to maximum - gives a good increase in energy recovery
DURING BATTLE, this is very useful,
regardless of whether you follow the path of a sorcerer or whether you prefer a strong swordsman.

Alternative skills that I do not recommend downloading
- this is “energy restoration OUTSIDE OF BATTLE” and Hardening (+10 to health).
Outside of combat, you can always be patient a little so that the energy is restored - this is not critical.
And “Toughening” gives too little bonus to health to pay attention to when there are more useful skills.

CAPABILITIES.

First of all, let’s immediately look at some slightly unusual dialogue abilities that allow
get additional benefits, learn more or avoid unnecessary bloodshed when communicating.

There are only three of them and each has 3 levels of pumping (that is, to get the 3rd level of an ability, you need to successfully use it 3 times
-I recommend saving before each dialogue just in case until you level them up!

“Coercion by the sign of Axiy” (or Illusionist) - allows you to enchant the mind of your interlocutor.

“Intimidation” - the witcher is very good at threatening his enemies - I advise you to choose intimidation (eye with lightning) wherever possible until you level it up to the 3rd level.

“Persuasion” - we also try to choose until there is a 3rd level of ability - 3 successful applications, eloquence has never harmed anyone.)

I advise you to level up all three skills as quickly as possible - there are cases when, for example, even a leveled up skill does not work in the dialogue, or the most leveled one (for example, Intimidation) is for some reason missing from the dialogue.

Now consider
Once you find yourself in Foltest's camp, don't forget:

1. Experienced skill - 10% additional experience.
If you destroy 10 dummies, you will receive an extremely useful skill that gives a 10% bonus experience.
As soon as we leave the tent where we indulged in lovemaking with Triss, I strongly recommend going straight to the courtyard where the soldiers are training, there are 5 mannequins.
Destroy them and the skill can already be considered half acquired.

2. Hired killer - Damage when attacking from behind +25%.
Everything is simple here, go down to destroy the ballista, as soon as you finish off the soldiers, look around near the convoys near the walls - there will be a corpse of a dude, dressed as an assassin from the game Assassin Creed.
When you approach him, Geralt will say something like “They still don’t understand what’s going on” and you get this ability.
What the developers wanted to say is of course an interesting question, but there is room only for guesswork.
However, combined with somersaults, this is a very useful skill!

3. Arsonist (other translations also include Pyromaniac or Pyromaniac) - chance to set the enemy on fire with a blow +20% (!)
An easily obtained and, oddly enough, very valuable ability in battle, which is worth getting as soon as possible.
To get it you need to light up 20 times.
We look for the nearest fire, take off our clothes...
We jump into the fire 20 times and immediately jump out...
We wait until health is replenished and repeat until we receive the ability
(I recommend saving after each fire just in case)

4. Before we go up to Ariane La Valette, we have an involuntary choice, which I recommend making in advance...
We should decide right away whether we will follow the path of Roche, or the path with Iorvet.
Roughly speaking, we are with people or non-humans.
For those who are going through it for the first time, I recommend the Roche path (it’s a little easier for him), and then the Iorvet path.
Unfortunately, making the typical choice of a witcher - “my house is on the edge” - will not work; in this game we cannot be neutral.

A) We decided to choose the Roche path.
Then we can get the useful Executioner skill - +1% to kill with the first blow.
To do this, we kill Arian La Valeta. (In the dialogue we should immediately decide what we want, you can fight him one on one, or you can fight with the whole crowd. But if you are passing on a difficult level or you are new to this game, I’ll say right away, fight very difficult with all the code).
To gain the skill in the future, we kill Adam Pangratt and allow Roche to kill Henselt.
Thus, we have had this skill since the beginning of the third chapter.
By the way, maybe I’m wrong, but it seems to me that it works more often than if there was a 1% chance...
In any case, we won’t regret it!

B) We decided to choose the path of Iorveth and further help the dwarves with the elves.
In this case, I recommend persuading Aryan to surrender.
Then, we will begin the first chapter with the “Strong Back” skill - +50 to the carried weight.
A useful skill at the beginning of the game!

P.S.
A small correction - they say that you can get the Strong Back skill by losing any fist fight 1 time and/or entering the fight overloaded.
Personally, it didn’t work out for me, but many people succeed...
In any case, you can try it!

P.P.S.
In the monastery, when talking with Tyler, I recommend choosing “hit” in the dialogue - this way we’ll be more likely to level up “Intimidation”

Also, during the conversation with Small, which begins the quest “The Heart of Melitele,” I recommend saying that you doubt that the amulet brings good luck.
In this case, Small One will meet you in armor when you leave the dungeon and, in gratitude, will give you a book about dragons.
Then he will take the soldiers aside...
I strongly advise you to go and beat up all three of them - as soon as they see you, even Petty will get involved in the fight (ungrateful brute!)
somersaults + quen + gizarma will help you cope with them with ease.
After the battle, we take the drop and remove the “Heart of Melitele” amulet from Small’s corpse.
While the quest “Heart of Melitele” has not been completed, I recommend that you deposit the amulet at the first opportunity in Act 1, since the effects from it are given if we carry it with us, and at this stage it only gives -10% armor - which is obvious to us no need...
Act 1.

CAPABILITIES:

1. "Barrier" - Ignoring damage: +10%.
Definitely a most valuable skill, recommended for acquisition as one of the most useful in battle!
Getting it is relatively simple - when we get off the ship, surrounded by Triss and Roche, as soon as Triss puts up a protective field from arrows, we NEVER go beyond this barrier!

P.S.
I suspect that if you searched everything and everywhere, even going into all the doors in the houses and collecting a bunch of rubbish and more, thanks to which you began an act of overload...
My advice is you can try to do it with overload, but it will be a difficult task...
Or you can throw out everything unnecessary at once in one bag - having reached Flotsam under the shield, you should immediately return for the drop and the thrown things.
By the way, along the way there will be a chest with drawings of a silver sword...
Be sure to take it - there is nothing to do in the forest without a silver sword!

Immediately after saving our old friends, Zoltan and Dandelion from the gallows, we have the quest “Indecent Proposal” (“Indecent Proposal” in other translations).

2.Ability "Experienced", part two.
Before completing quests, I recommend that you finally obtain the “Experienced” ability, which gives additional experience +10%.
Since we have already broken 5 dummies in the Foltesta camp, we still have 5 more left.
Choose from here:

Location of the remaining mannequins.
2 pieces in the barracks, on the second floor, which are on the shopping area.
It's easy to find - a couple of guards are standing/sitting near the entrance.
Important point - save!
By taking out a weapon in front of the guards, you risk getting hit on the head by the guards.
And if you kill them, you will find yourself in an awkward situation or a large fine - about 200 orens
(at this stage of the game money is especially scarce)
The best thing is to take off the sword and beat the mannequins with your fists; in some cases, the guards will then not show aggression and you will do it calmly.

2 pieces in the shopping area, between the gates to the city and leading to the forest.

2 pieces between the gate to the city and leading to the forest, in the quarter of non-humans.

P.S.
There are 2 more mannequins in Loredo's residence...If the others don't suit you)

Then, in order not to run around once again, I advise you not to rush to complete the quest “Infamous Proposal” - after receiving the ability, it is better to go to the tavern.

Having completed the fist fighting championship (by the way, a good way to make money if everything is critical for you financially), we receive an offer to take part in underground fights that will take place at Loredo’s residence.
In the evening, near the tavern, there will be a man who will take us to him, and this is a good opportunity to immediately complete the quest “Infamous Proposal” at the same time, immediately after the fist fights.

P.S.
By the way, don’t agree to lose the fight for Loredo, otherwise they won’t give you the money, and you’ll be stupidly kicked out...

P.P.S.
In the quest "The Vile Proposal", when you sneak past the soldiers, save often.
If you complete this stage well (I recommend stunning all the soldiers so as not to interfere with our looting), then you:
1. Eavesdrop on Sheala’s conversation (the completeness of the plot is always interesting)
2. Make some good money in the backyard - by the way, when you're sneaking, overload doesn't bother you)
3. Get the trap piece on the kayran-iron frame. The trap drawing can be purchased from Cedric.

3. Ability "Trade" - discounts in stores 20%.
Definitely a “must have” - even a well-pumped witcher, but poorly dressed, is a rather weak threat to his opponents, and what else, if not financial assistance, will help to dress him up?
Getting the ability is easy.
In the quest-Keyran: Question of price - first we demand a reward 2 times larger and CONVINCE AXIEM.
Having killed Kayran and received the agreed reward, we receive this ability, which will be useful to us in the future.

P.S.
There is also an alternative way to obtain the ability if we follow Roche's path, but the truth is only in the second chapter.
In the Kaedweni camp, near the dining room, the religious Julian hangs out.
By donating a small amount to him, we receive the book of the prophet Lebeda.
After reading it, we go to the brothel, outside the camp gates, there is a dwarf named Raimund Gessler.
We show the book and we get the ability.

3. Poisonous blood - 30% chance to poison the enemy who struck Geralt.
A very unusual ability, since the chance is added not to the witcher’s blow, but as a punishment to the enemy who hit him.
It's quite easy to get, you just need to be poisoned 3 to 5 times.
I get this - when communicating with the elf Cedric, we study his goods, find the recipe for the “Devil's Mushroom” bomb, make 5 of them at once, reach some dead end and throw the bomb at our feet several times. After being in this poisonous cloud, we gain this ability.

4. “Thrower” - damage to knife throw +5.
Immediately after completing the quest "The Vile Proposal" go to visit Roche's squad - you will go to a party of the Temerian special squad.
Save now!
Then we talk with Bianca - she invites us to compete in knife throwing.
We agree, because if we win, we will get this ability.
P.S.
Many players have problems passing the game because they don’t see where to aim.
Everything is simple here.
There are only three goals.
There's an oar in the corner. To the right, a ham is suspended from the ceiling. And even further to the right is a map that is hard not to notice.
We listen, where to throw and throw!

P.P.S.
After we calm Roche down, convincing him with words or fists so that he does not give a thrashing to the peasants, we will be offered to compete in arm wrestling.
There are two opponents.
Having defeated the second one, we will get a good sword (considering our meager arsenal at this stage of the game, it won’t hurt, and it’s never too late to sell it if you have something better.

5. “Sapper” - probability of avoiding damage from traps and bombs +50% (although for me, the ability works more often),
As soon as we go out into the forest, we are faced with the fact that there are quite a lot of traps in the forest.
To get the ability, you must either set a trap 50 times (in my opinion, an unwise choice)
or choose an easier way to get it - interrupt Geralt 5 times while disarming the trap (the easiest way is by clicking “defuse” - immediately click on the medallion with the “Z” button)
P.S.
Traps are my favorite trap!
Firstly, they get it for free and in large quantities while walking through the forest.
Secondly, after being triggered, they are not destroyed, so the used ones can be collected again for repeated uses.
Thirdly, when encountering a trap, the enemy is delayed for a couple of seconds, which is also very useful in difficult battles.

"Crown of Summer" - replaces the standard quen sign with a solar quen.
When an enemy hits a Quen shield, there is a 10% chance that the enemy will catch fire!
As for receiving it, you can, of course, immediately run to the altar, behind the bandit hut, but I don’t advise you, you’ll still have to come back...

The best way is to go complete the quest “Trouble with the Troll”.

(If you haven’t yet got the “Collect all the herbs on the way” rule, I recommend getting it.
Grass has no weight and will not lead to overload, but we always need elixirs, and bombs can come in handy...)

First, we fight the troll and remove half of his health.
(before approaching him, I recommend placing all the collected traps in one place and then luring them out)

Then we communicate with him.
He tells us that his “baba” was killed by some bandits.
We promise to help.
We look around in this stream and find a good sword - “Strong Cord” (!)
We run back to Flotsam and begin the quest “Poker with Dice: Flotsam.”
We beat everyone, after which we are offered to play with the Burnt from Bindyugi.
Having won against him, we get the troll's head and the troll's tongue
(which will be useful to us in the quest "The Heart of Melitele")
Let's find out about Dimitar...
Having threatened the bandit with violence in the tavern, we learn that Dimitar is in the cemetery.
We are preparing for battle - we drink elixirs, use talents...
(I’ll mention how best to level up Geralt later)
Having dealt with Dimitar, we take from him the key to the bandits’ hut.
Personally, I didn’t get there during my first playthrough and, as it turned out, I shouldn’t have.

Let's go to the troll, talk first(!) about the head - he gives us a drawing of the wonderful Raven armor

(although in the original they are called hunter’s armor, but that’s not the point, the stats were not affected by the translation) - if you are not completing the game on a dark level and are not trying to collect the damned armor of the Sacred, then this armor is the first worthy armor, until you meet the Kayran.

From the troll we visit the bandits - in the shack we select the best sword of the first act - “Excellent cord”.
Attention! We're not in a hurry to leave!

6. “Crown of Summer” ability! Your Quen shield becomes solar - anyone who hits it has a 10% chance of catching fire! There is an altar behind the bandits' shack - we approach it and get a bun!

Now a little trick for the quest with the troll - since we didn’t kill him, we go to Bindyuga and receive 200 orens as a reward from the headman (although he doesn’t pay right away, it’s worth threatening)
And immediately after that we go to the troll again.
We say “And yet I have to kill you...”
We kill him.
We get the best damage trophy in the game!
+9 to damage.
Then, returning to the city, on occasion we’ll look into Ludwig Mersa and AGAIN we will receive a reward for the troll (Mers needed him dead), although he will only give a hundred orens.
But considering that we get a troll tongue, a wonderful troll trophy, a skin and another 100 orens, this is also a very good bonus!

7. "Strong stomach" - resistance to poisoning +10%.
Before the battle, drink the mongoose elixir from the tenecost (the tenecost is in a cave hidden behind the waterfall)

By the way, in this cave you can gain good experience and earn extra money (by making runes from Yigist) - the drawing requires the essence of water (the recipe is worth taking) and the hearts of nekers - of which we can fill enough in the cave.
If you are interested, then we do this: we clear the cave, return to the exit, meditation for a day - we clear the cave of creatures, meditation... In general, until you get tired of it.

After killing Kayran, we have a continuation of the main storyline and the opportunity to gain the ability:

8. "Magic resistance" - protection from magical damage + 20%
(note that this is a very rare, but in some cases incredibly useful stat)
The point is simple - we go for the rose of memory with Triss, but we don’t have sex with her, instead choosing in the dialogue “let’s get out of here,” we destroy two walls with Aard, for which we get the ability (supposedly we did not succumb to the love spell of the elven bath).

9. “Storm of the Archers” - chance to kill with a repelled arrow + 20%.
It turns out quite simple.
Standing in a block, if our arrow reflection is pumped up to the second level, we periodically deflect the arrow in the opposite direction. After the fifth killed archer, we get the ability!
(Personally, when I came across the Scoiataels, those who got into close combat, I killed, leaving the archers, whom I finished off with their own arrows.
It may be too early, you can get it later, but in other acts this is a very useful ability!
So, “we’re preparing the sled for the summer.”..=)

10. "Parry" - when blocking, the chance to riposte automatically +10%.
You need to successfully riposte about 20 times.
Although I personally strongly advise against spending money on a skill.
Somersault and immediately hit the enemy in the back(!), where the damage is higher than a frontal attack... And if you also use the “Hitman” skill, it’s more effective, since the damage is higher, the chance of receiving it yourself is minimal. and at the same time we do not receive any damage at all and do not waste energy, as we do if we stand in a block.
Even in the original story, the witcher was a mobile fighter, and not a tank that fights in one place!

Act 2.
Everything is simple here, the abilities that we can get depend on the chosen path.

Roche's way.

1. Exorcist-damage to ghosts +10%.
We get it when we disenchant Henselt according to the plot.
In fact, the ability is so-so... Since we get the ability only at the end of the act, and in the third act there are almost no ghosts.

2. “Swordsman” - bonus to sword damage + 4.
A small thing, but nice. We get along with the plot, repelling the attack of two assassins who attacked Henselt.

3. "David" - damage to large monsters +10 percent.
It’s easy to get and again according to the plot.
After inspecting the killers' hideout, we kill three elementals.
When faced with the dragon in the third chapter, for example, you will be very glad that you have this ability!

4. "Executioner" - chance to kill with the first blow +1%.
If we killed Arian la Valette in the prologue, and in the second act we do not spare Adam Pangratt, and later Henselt, then we are given this wonderful bonus for our cruelty.

The Path of Iorveth.
1. “Ornithologist” - additional damage to harpies +10 percent.
To obtain it, you must complete two quests: “Contract for the Harpies” and “Contract for the Harpy Queen.”
There is little benefit from the ability; we get it by killing almost all the harpies, and in the third act there are almost none of them. Of course, you can work hard with clearing out the quarry and getting daily sleep, but for me, there are easier ways to gain experience and earn money, which I will also mention...

2. "Pathologist" (I suspect that he was originally a pathologist, but this is a typo in the translation)
- Damage to people: +10%
Obtained during the quest "With a Trembling Heart", when we take out sword fragments from a corpse.
I think it’s unnecessary to explain that the skill is very useful...

3. "Child of the night" - +2 to the speed of health recovery at night.
A small thing, but a pleasant one!
We get the ability if we decide to sneak through the Kaedweni camp to Henselt.
A little more difficult than the other path, but the ability is worth it in my opinion.

ATTENTION!
There is a wonderful quest “Memory of Old Years”, which, as is commonly believed, can only be completed if you choose the Rocher path, but this is a mistake!

Passing behind Iorvet, leaving the camp and passing through the bridge, we turn towards the brothel and go beyond it and move on...
After passing through the crevices, we find ourselves at a house by the river.
We destroy the barrels, go down to the basement, activate three candles in the correct sequence (personally, I acted by brute force, I was too lazy to remember, there were still few options)
Having opened the secret room, we get an encrypted manuscript, taking which we begin the quest “Memory of Old Years”.

An easy way to earn money at the end of the second chapter if you play as Iorveth.
During the quest "Siege of Vergen" we must climb the wall and activate the switch with burning oil...
Personally, I was in no hurry.
The soldiers barely had time to climb the stairs and received lyuli.
Methodically and slowly interrupting them, I raised my experience quite well, but most importantly, EVERYONE dropped a drop of “Kaedweni sword” (well, and occasionally dredge and other little things). I collected an incredible number of swords (the overload was about 1200) and only after that I activated the oil...
Having gone down, as soon as the gate was knocked out by the magician, I walked (overload after all) slowly through the second gate. Zoltan was running nearby. As soon as the gates closed, Saskie suggested checking the catacombs; on the way we looked into the tavern (strangely enough, it was open, although there were almost no visitors and there was blood on the floor)
Having driven all these swords, I received approximately 10,000 orens of net profit and after that I continued the quest.
3 Act.
Capabilities.

1. “Secret Knowledge” - +5 to sign damage if you have completed the “Gargoyle Contract” and solved all the puzzles.

2. “Shroud of Winter” (Winter Shroud) - your Aard sign is transformed into “ice” and a 20% chance of freezing the enemy with Aard is added.
We must approach the altar by the third act.

Finding it is relatively simple - from the road along which we went down, overturned carts are visible - we go to them - there are two head-eyes there.

(Having defeated them, among the carts we find a sword that will be useful to us in the last battle with the dragon, called Deytven (+25 percent damage to large monsters - with three fire runes - ideal for fighting the dragon))

Coming out of this crevice, we look at the left rocky edge and see a barely noticeable cave.
We go in, find a way out and climb up... we go up, we walk along a mountain path... almost approaching the city wall we see some kind of drifting snow under our feet and we find a book about rituals. Next to the book is a place, standing on which we press the “use” button .
Personally, I almost didn’t use Aard in the game, I was interested in the moment itself, to see “what it is”)

Weapon mark.
If you open the gargoyle chest, there is a wonderful sword "Kerm".
Most players, unfortunately, even experienced ones. They claim that this is the strongest steel sword...
So, if you play as Roche, then you have a chance to see how wrong they are...

If you decide to save Anais (Triss will still save Leto), going out into the street the former spy Roche turns to us, if you agree to help, the quest “Lilies and Snakes” starts...
Study the location carefully!
You will find a cave with a corpse with a book about certain wolves...
And then a real werewolf attacks you!!!
We wet it, look further at what is left... At the battle site we find a good silver sword and a wonderful steel sword “Dancer”!
Look at his stats.... Preferably insert three runes from Yigist...
You will see monstrous damage with good critical stats!)

And a note on the quest Memory of Old Years - in some versions of the game a bug occurs - when the keeper of the corvids is standing in the hall, and we have not yet gone down, throw a couple of knives at him! He will rush at you in hand-to-hand combat (easy prey) and he will drop useful drops, such as corvid armor, a good staff and dragon skin. We raise our heads - BA.... And he is still standing there as if nothing had happened!
Let's talk - he gives us a chance to redistribute all our talents from scratch.

MY METHOD OF TALENT DISTRIBUTION, WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE.

Educational thread.

"Fortitude" - 2nd level
Deflecting arrows-2nd level
Knife throwing-1st level
Parry-1st level

Then I rocked the warrior branch.
Protection-1st level
Footwork-2nd level
Power-2 level
Mill-2nd level.

After this, the alchemist branch focuses on intoxication and the resulting bonuses

Sintez-1y
Elixir Specialist-1st
Reaper-1st
Catalysis-2nd
Oil specialist-1st
Taster-2nd
Metathesis-2nd
Condensation-1st
Mutant-1st
Magnification-1st

Then the sorcerer branch:
Magic power-1
Improved Quen-2
Reflection-1st
Igni-1st
Irden-1st
Magic power of life-1st
Sense of Magic-1st

Bottom line.
We get a dexterous witcher, cunningly avoiding attacks with somersaults, wielding a sword well and “painfully”, with a pumped-up Quen and a bunch of special abilities, which allows him to feel comfortable in an average battle.
But once he drinks the elixirs
(considering the number of ingredients in the game, you can constantly walk under them),
when intoxicated, we get a sick psycho who can withstand serious blows and very actively increases the adrenaline scale.
And when using adrenaline, not only Berserk damage is activated, but also the Heliotrope sign, which allows strong opponents slowed down by Heliotrope to be killed in a couple of Berserker hits, taking out the entire squad or flock during the duration of the sign, even without receiving damage and still under the active Quen, according to which God forbid you hit someone from behind - the response from the shield will severely punish the scoundrel who loves to meanly hit him in the back... =)