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[isamu]

So I just started playing The Witcher 1 for PC a few minutes. Just got into my first battle. Really seems like a nice RPG and after coming right off Skyrim I'm continuing my RPG fix. However, controls with KB&mouse are giving me a headache. I'm having trouble with attacking my opponent. It says point the cursor to the enemy and then left click. I do that but Geralt will only *sometimes* swing his sword. I'm button mashing the fuck out of my mouse but he seems only swing at random and I'm getting my ass kicked. How do I attack in this game? Combat is very frustrating so far and I'm about ready to give up. Help

 

[Hypron]

You need to click once to launch an attack. Then wait for your cursor to change shape (or if you are playing on hard your sword should change colour), and click again. This will initiate a combo. Rinse and repeat.

 

[rouken]

timing is key into attacking enemies. one click to engage them then wait for the sword icon to change then click again to fully maximize your damage. that's what i remember of it, it seems hard at first but you'll get used to it just practice

 

[dinosaur_hunter2]

I'm exactly at the same situation (also just finished Skyrim). And also having problems with the combat controls.

 

[PetrCobra]

Button mashing will get you nowhere. Make sure you don't play on the highest difficulty and always wait for the cursor to change its shape before clicking again. If you click sooner, you will break the attack sequence.

Edit: yeah, two people said it before me. Anyway, if it's still unclear - I seem to remember that the game actually gave you some hints about the combat, how about reading them? I didn't need to read the manual but I imagine that should also help.

 

[water_wendi]

In addition to the icon there is an audible cue as well. Kind of like a swish-swish sound. i havent played more than a handful of hours of TW2 but i vastly prefer the first game. Enjoy.

 

[Jac_Solar]

If you use the wrong fighting style against an enemy, your sword will be deflected/Geralt will stop attacking. For big, powerful monsters (Big looking.) you need to use Strong stance. For smaller mobs you can use Fast stance in most cases, and if there are more than 1 attacking you (In melee range.), you should switch to Group stance. Group stance is somewhat dependant on several mobs at once to function properly.

And you need to use the right sword as well -- silver for magical creatures/monsters, steel for humanoids.

You click on a mob, in the right stance, then the sword icon on the screen will change -- when it lights up, you attack again, and so on. You only have about 2-3 combos per stance unless you choose to raise them through the skill menu. A combo sequence, assuming you manage to time the attacks, is a set number of attacks that continues to grow in power the higher up you get in the combo chain. And they are really cool IMO.

Witcher 1 has, by FAR, the best combat system out of the 2 Witchers. I'm disappointed that they didn't include the Witcher 1 system in Witcher 2 -- they could have greatly improved upon it by adding more layers of gameplay mechanics on top of it in the sequel.

 

[isamu]

A humble thank you to EVERYONE that replied! Your advice is greatly appreciated. Yeah, I'm getting the hang of it now. Turning out to be pretty fun. Already starting to chain a few combos.

Jac, your post in particular was very helpful. Quick question....you mentioned that Witcher 1 has by far the best combat system out of the 2 Witchers. What exactly was changed from part 1 to 2? Was it dumbed down? If so, how?

 

[water_wendi]

A humble thank you to EVERYONE that replied! Your advice is greatly appreciated. Yeah, I'm getting the hang of it now. Turning out to be pretty fun. Already starting to chain a few combos.

Jac, your post in particular was very helpful. Quick question....you mentioned that Witcher 1 has by far the best combat system out of the 2 Witchers. What exactly was changed from part 1 to 2? Was it dumbed down? If so, how?

Be prepared: you will feel like an absolute fucking badass. Soon.

 

[Easy_D]

Be prepared: you will feel like an absolute fucking badass. Soon.

Group Style fully upgraded is pretty badass.

 

[Canis lupus]

Its a shame this game doesn't support the xbox controller. :/

 

[JustinBB7]

Ah man, one of my friends is playing through this right now. And I checked my screenshots for it on Steam. Such a great game. Great atmosphere. The combat is a bit weird and boring, and the swamp is horrible too... but stick to it and it's a great game. One of my favorites.

I still need to get 2, is it just as funny with mostly the same NPC's/big boobed girls all over the place/random funny lines etc? That really made the first game for me, just randomly walking around town and hearing a dwarf say "SHIT IN MY BOOTS!" just cracked me up.

 

[Ceebs]

A humble thank you to EVERYONE that replied! Your advice is greatly appreciated. Yeah, I'm getting the hang of it now. Turning out to be pretty fun. Already starting to chain a few combos.

Jac, your post in particular was very helpful. Quick question....you mentioned that Witcher 1 has by far the best combat system out of the 2 Witchers. What exactly was changed from part 1 to 2? Was it dumbed down? If so, how?

TW2 plays more like the recent Batman games. He jumps from enemy to enemy really quickly. They did away with the stances in favor of that more actiony approach. You have stuff like manual blocks and parries.

I also much preferred the combat in the original as well.

You also do not have to worry about switching swords until Act II. You only have a steel sword until you get the Silver one through a story quest.

Early in the game you really need to "stance dance" if you will and change based on what you are fighting. As you get more powerful, you can rely on the just strong and group attacks more.

 

[JustinBB7]

TW2 plays more like the recent Batman games. He jumps from enemy to enemy really quickly. They did away with the stances in favor of that more actiony approach. You have stuff like manual blocks and parries.

I also much preferred the combat in the original as well.

Really? I haven't played Witcher 2 yet but if it's like the batman games I would really welcome that. Combat in the first game was so slow/sluggish and boring to me. Can pretty much do it with your eyes closed and just listen to the sounds to time it correctly if I remember it right.

Batman (specially Arkham City's) combat was amazing for me. Getting amazing combos up to a 100x without getting hit feels really awesome. Witcher 1 combat was just stand still and wait. But to each their own I suppose. Still need to play 2 so can't say too much yet haha.

 

[Iceblade]

You get told how to do rhythmic combat within the first however many minutes of the game. I mean, really now.

 

[Sentenza]

My main problem with the battle system is how it was tragically easy even on the hardest setting and it lacked any decent variety to keep interest high, but beside that I really have no idea of what's supposed to be too complicated in it, especially to the point of "giving a headache".

Its a shame this game doesn't support the xbox controller. :/

I really can't see how that could fit in this control system, to be honest.

 

[Typographenia]

Glad you were able to get the attack issue sorted out. I had the same problem when I first started playing. The next step is getting the hang of knowing when and what style to use in a situation!

I hope you really enjoy the game, because it is easily one of my favorites. Still undecided which I prefer more- Witcher 1 or Witcher 2.



edit: If you find the system for having to go to an Inn/Bar to deposit items or don't like having to find a campfire to meditate, I highly recommend the mod "Stuff that Makes Geralt's Life Easier." http://en.thewitcher.com/forum/index.php?/topic/14811-tw1mod-stuff-that-make-geralts-life-easier/

You have to have an account on the site to download it, so I uploaded the mod for another user the other day if you like -
http://www.mediafire.com/?l7qs4flm2grmdqb

Instructions should be in a txt file when you unzip it.

 

[goodfella]

Yeah, you really want to pay attention to the tutorials in this game.

Also, if you get bored during certain parts, just keep playing; this game goes from good to amazing the more time you spend with it.

 

[zonipoi]

Pinnacle Game Profiler has a profile for this one to be played with Xbox controller. Has anyone tried it?

Just getting started again on PC gaming and I have serious problems getting used to the KB+M as I can't get comfortable playing with them on my laptop.

 

[Brandon F]

Pinnacle Game Profiler has a profile for this one to be played with Xbox controller. Has anyone tried it?

Just getting started again on PC gaming and I have serious problems getting used to the KB+M as I can't get comfortable playing with them on my laptop.

I played through the entirety of Witcher 1 using an Xbox controller with a Pinnacle profile last year. I found the custom controller layout very pleasant and well suited for the pad(though I made some very minor edits myself to the site's profile).

Really though, the best reason to use a 360 controller is for the analog stick movement. Witcher 1 spends most of the player's time meandering back and forth through countrysides, swamps, and large environs. Giving your 'w' key a rest in place of stick movement was worth the effort of getting the Pinnacle profiler. Just for a pure comfort level.

You will likely still keep your mouse close by for faster menu/inventory management(though I got plenty conditioned to using the right-stick instead over time). As for combat, I dug being able to quickly and efficiently switch stances and swords via the face buttons. Instead of tapping the mouse buttons in tune for sword combos, you now hit a trigger. Perfectly translatable. Combat is not really "improved" with a gamepad, but all the functionality translates really well(and rumble is a nice touch with the controller).

It takes a bit of conditioning to wrap your head around using the triggers so much(acting in place of a mouse click, they will initiate dialog and world interaction), but once you do, the stick movement and the snappy stance changes made it my preferred control method for Witcher 1.

 

[Monarch]

Too bad it's stuttering like shit on my rig

 

[Ysiadmihi]

I really can't see how that could it fit in this control system, to be honest.

I made an Xpadder profile for it when I played it last year and it worked just fine (well, except for using the inventory).

 

[zonipoi]

I played through the entirety of Witcher 1 using an Xbox controller with a Pinnacle profile last year. I found the custom controller layout very pleasant and well suited for the pad(though I made some very minor edits myself to the site's profile).

Really though, the best reason to use a 360 controller is for the analog stick movement. Witcher 1 spends most of the player's time meandering back and forth through countrysides, swamps, and large environs. Giving your 'w' key a rest in place of stick movement was worth the effort of getting the Pinnacle profiler. Just for a pure comfort level.

You will likely still keep your mouse close by for faster menu/inventory management(though I got plenty conditioned to using the right-stick instead over time). As for combat, I dug being able to quickly and efficiently switch stances and swords via the face buttons. Instead of tapping the mouse buttons in tune for sword combos, you now hit a trigger. Perfectly translatable. Combat is not really "improved" with a gamepad, but all the functionality translates really well(and rumble is a nice touch with the controller).

It takes a bit of conditioning to wrap your head around using the triggers so much(acting in place of a mouse click, they will initiate dialog and world interaction), but once you do, the stick movement and the snappy stance changes made it my preferred control method for Witcher 1.

Sounds great and I can keep mouse close all the time if needed. Thanks for the response.

 

[Sentenza]

I made an Xpadder profile for it when I played it last year and it worked just fine (well, except for using the inventory).

Well, I'm quite sure it didn't.
At least for everyone who doesn't have some sort of fetish to use a pad at ANY cost.

It's essentially a point and click game, for god's sake. It would be almost like playing Starcraft or DOTA using a controller.

 

[isamu]

Glad you were able to get the attack issue sorted out. I had the same problem when I first started playing. The next step is getting the hang of knowing when and what style to use in a situation!

I hope you really enjoy the game, because it is easily one of my favorites. Still undecided which I prefer more- Witcher 1 or Witcher 2.



edit: If you find the system for having to go to an Inn/Bar to deposit items or don't like having to find a campfire to meditate, I highly recommend the mod "Stuff that Makes Geralt's Life Easier." http://en.thewitcher.com/forum/index.php?/topic/14811-tw1mod-stuff-that-make-geralts-life-easier/

You have to have an account on the site to download it, so I uploaded the mod for another user the other day if you like -
http://www.mediafire.com/?l7qs4flm2grmdqb

Instructions should be in a txt file when you unzip it.

Typographenia.....there simply are no words.....you are a GOD AMONG MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you VERY much for uploading this mod!!!!!!!!! I'm downloading it now! This is JUST what I've been looking for! I am currently roaming the outskirts of Vizima and man, running back and forth between the inn, the campfire, the reverand, etc JUST to mediate is fucking PAIN IN THE ASS!!!! Ditto with having my inventory filling up so quickly! So this mod is a freakin' BLESSING!!!!

But yeah, getting the hang of the game and so far so good.

OK a few questions....

1)Still gotta learn the ins and outs of alchemy and how to make potions properly. It's all still quite confusing to me. Which potions should I concentrate on making first?

2)Which attribute should I focus putting my skill points in? I'm still currently at bronze level and have put them mostly in strength, steel sword/strong and steel sword/fast and a couple in dexterity. Where should I go from here?

3)When do I get additional sign abilities? Just have that one so far.

 

[1-D_FTW]

You get told how to do rhythmic combat within the first however many minutes of the game. I mean, really now.

Oh please. If games wouldn't inundate you with so much boring blah, blah, blah everyone would pay more attention. It's perfectly natural to not pay attention to text walls when games are so cookie cutter and you're not expecting the battle system to be totally unique. Clearly Witcher is a victim since people should have paid attention, but I had the same issue. As far as I'm concerned, it's a totally natural reaction given the state of gaming.

 

[Typographenia]

Typographenia.....there simply are no words.....you are a GOD AMONG MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you VERY much for uploading this mod!!!!!!!!! I'm downloading it now! This is JUST what I've been looking for! I am currently roaming the outskirts of Vizima and man, running back and forth between the inn, the campfire, the reverand, etc JUST to mediate is fucking PAIN IN THE ASS!!!! Ditto with having my inventory filling up so quickly! So this mod is a freakin' BLESSING!!!!

But yeah, getting the hang of the game and so far so good.

You're very welcome, hahaha

I've never been a fan of encumbrance, and that was what pushed me to originally track the mod down. Glad it's been a big relief for you playing!

OK a few questions....

1)Still gotta learn the ins and outs of alchemy and how to make potions properly. It's all still quite confusing to me. Which potions should I concentrate on making first?

2)Which attribute should I focus putting my skill points in? I'm still currently at bronze level and have put them mostly in strength, steel sword/strong and steel sword/fast and a couple in dexterity. Where should I go from here?

3)When do I get additional sign abilities? Just have that one so far.

I would say focus on the Swallow as your primary potion at the start. It's your health potion, and learning how to make one potion will help you get down the concepts for making potions in general. If you're not using the cateye/night vision thing from the mod, I'd also recommend looking into making the Cateye potion. It can really help out in those dark crypts and when walking around in dark places in general!

I think just put skill points into whatever you want. I would personally recommend keeping your steel/silver sword skills a little more balanced, but you should be good doing whatever seems to be to your liking.

Uh, I believe you find the symbols on rocks around the environments, if I remember right. There will be a very noticeably different look to them. If you just keep your eyes peeled for a glowy rock formation here and there, you'll find them. I think there's more than a single stone for each of the signs, so don't worry too much about passing them up.

 

[Camilos]

I played through the entirety of Witcher 1 using an Xbox controller with a Pinnacle profile last year. I found the custom controller layout very pleasant and well suited for the pad(though I made some very minor edits myself to the site's profile).

Really though, the best reason to use a 360 controller is for the analog stick movement. Witcher 1 spends most of the player's time meandering back and forth through countrysides, swamps, and large environs. Giving your 'w' key a rest in place of stick movement was worth the effort of getting the Pinnacle profiler. Just for a pure comfort level.

You will likely still keep your mouse close by for faster menu/inventory management(though I got plenty conditioned to using the right-stick instead over time). As for combat, I dug being able to quickly and efficiently switch stances and swords via the face buttons. Instead of tapping the mouse buttons in tune for sword combos, you now hit a trigger. Perfectly translatable. Combat is not really "improved" with a gamepad, but all the functionality translates really well(and rumble is a nice touch with the controller).

It takes a bit of conditioning to wrap your head around using the triggers so much(acting in place of a mouse click, they will initiate dialog and world interaction), but once you do, the stick movement and the snappy stance changes made it my preferred control method for Witcher 1.

Thank you kind sir. I'm close to completing Skyrim and want to go back to Witcher1. But I dislike the keyboard controls. So this give me hope.

The 25$ price tag seems a bit steep but it looks like it will be worth it.

 

[Hoplatee]

edit: If you find the system for having to go to an Inn/Bar to deposit items or don't like having to find a campfire to meditate, I highly recommend the mod "Stuff that Makes Geralt's Life Easier." http://en.thewitcher.com/forum/index.php?/topic/14811-tw1mod-stuff-that-make-geralts-life-easier/

You have to have an account on the site to download it, so I uploaded the mod for another user the other day if you like -
http://www.mediafire.com/?l7qs4flm2grmdqb

Instructions should be in a txt file when you unzip it.

Thanks for this. Awesome.

 

[isamu]

You're very welcome, hahaha

I've never been a fan of encumbrance, and that was what pushed me to originally track the mod down. Glad it's been a big relief for you playing!


I would say focus on the Swallow as your primary potion at the start. It's your health potion, and learning how to make one potion will help you get down the concepts for making potions in general. If you're not using the cateye/night vision thing from the mod, I'd also recommend looking into making the Cateye potion. It can really help out in those dark crypts and when walking around in dark places in general!

I think just put skill points into whatever you want. I would personally recommend keeping your steel/silver sword skills a little more balanced, but you should be good doing whatever seems to be to your liking.

Uh, I believe you find the symbols on rocks around the environments, if I remember right. There will be a very noticeably different look to them. If you just keep your eyes peeled for a glowy rock formation here and there, you'll find them. I think there's more than a single stone for each of the signs, so don't worry too much about passing them up.

Awesome. Good lookin'!

 

[heringer]

Only 3 hours in, but loving it so far. The soundtrack is beautifull, and so is the art direction. Atmosphere feels different than something made from Bioware or Bethesda, somehow.

Game runs fairly well on my GeForce 525m, but it can take a hit in some situations. Hopefully it won't get too bad later on.

And a question, where can I find torches? And are books worth buying?

 

[Typographenia]

Game runs fairly well on my GeForce 525m, but it can take a hit in some situations. Hopefully it won't get too bad later on.

And a question, where can I find torches? And are books worth buying?

Don't be surprised if the poor performance at times comes from less than stellar optimization and not the fault of your hardware.

You should be able to find torches just around in various locations. I think you can buy them..?
I would recommend highly buying books when possible. It will help you understand some enemies better, and I believe it will also allow you to take more ingredients and parts from enemies when you defeat them. I might be mistaking that for W2, but I'm fairly certain it's in both. Just immediately read them and sell them back when you do. Be sure to keep track over what you have and haven't read, though.