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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For a first playthrough, finish The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s main story, play Hearts of Stone, then save Blood and Wine for last. That order is a spoiler-conscious pacing recommendation, not a rule imposed by the game: the first expansion feels like an additional contract for Geralt, while the second takes him to the new region of Toussaint and makes a satisfying final adventure.
Recommended order for a first playthrough
- Finish the main story of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
- Play Hearts of Stone.
- Play Blood and Wine last.
CD PROJEKT RED introduced Hearts of Stone as the first expansion and Blood and Wine as the second, but its announcement does not prescribe a required order or say that either must follow the main story. The sequence above is an editorial recommendation based on their settings and how naturally each fits into a playthrough. CD PROJEKT RED’s expansion announcement describes what each adventure offers.
Why play Hearts of Stone before Blood and Wine?
Hearts of Stone sends Geralt to No Man’s Land and Oxenfurt to take a contract from the Man of Glass. Its setting and premise make it feel like a substantial extra job for Geralt, so placing it after the main story gives it room without making it compete with the main quest. You can also approach it as an additional contract once Geralt is developed enough for its challenges.
Why save Blood and Wine for last?
Blood and Wine opens up Toussaint, a region described by CD PROJEKT RED as seemingly untouched by war, where knightly ritual and carefree indulgence conceal a secret. The change of setting makes it feel like a fresh chapter rather than another stop in the existing world. Saving it for last lets Toussaint serve as a final destination after the main story and the more contained Hearts of Stone.
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How the expansions compare
| Expansion | Setting and feel | Scope estimate | Level guidance | Suggested placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hearts of Stone | No Man’s Land and Oxenfurt; a contract from the Man of Glass. | CD PROJEKT RED estimated an adventure of 10-plus hours in its 2015 announcement; this is a publisher estimate, not a guaranteed completion time. | A nonofficial guide reports a quest-log recommendation of level 32. Treat it as guidance, not a confirmed minimum. | After the main story, before Blood and Wine. |
| Blood and Wine | Toussaint; a new region with a distinct atmosphere and a secret beneath its surface. | CD PROJEKT RED estimated a 20-plus-hour tale in its 2015 announcement; this is a publisher estimate, not a guaranteed completion time. | A nonofficial guide reports a quest-log recommendation of level 34. For a standalone start, game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz said in a 2016 interview reproduced on CD PROJEKT RED’s forum that the game sets Geralt to level 34, but he personally considered level 36 or 37 more appropriate because level 34 could be difficult. | Last, as a new-region closing adventure. |
The quest-log recommendations and the developer’s comments about a standalone start describe different contexts. Neither level should be treated as a universal entry requirement or a guarantee of difficulty for every build. Check the recommendations shown in your own quest log and consider how your build is performing. The level recommendations above come from the nonofficial Witcher 3 Remastered Wiki guide; the interview appears in a 2016 CD PROJEKT RED forum thread.
Can you start an expansion without finishing the main story?
Yes. The expansions can be started separately from the main menu, so you do not have to finish the main story first. A separate start is useful if you want to jump into an expansion, but it is distinct from continuing a character through the recommended first-playthrough order. For Blood and Wine, the standalone start sets Geralt to level 34; the developer’s historical advice was that level 36 or 37 could be a more appropriate starting point. Your quest log and build are more useful than treating those figures as a gate.
Rank #2
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How to access the expansions now
According to CD PROJEKT RED’s 2026 support FAQ, owners of the base game can update to install both expansions at no extra cost, and can still launch either separately from the main menu. Store and platform arrangements vary, so check the official expansion-access FAQ for the details that apply to your system. CD PROJEKT RED’s September 29, 2026 press release also confirms the Remastered release and inclusion of both expansions.
Quick Recap
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