Witcher 3 Hearts of Stone: Complete Quest Guide
Released in October 2015, Hearts of Stone remains one of the finest expansions in RPG gaming history. Clocking in at roughly 10–15 hours, it packs more narrative density, moral complexity, and memorable characters than many full-priced games. This Hearts of Stone guide walks you through every major quest, critical choices, hidden secrets, and the rewards that make replaying it worthwhile.
Getting Started: Entry Requirements and Setup
Hearts of Stone is accessible once Geralt reaches level 32, though level 34–36 is recommended for comfort. You can begin the expansion mid-playthrough or start a dedicated HoS save from the main menu. The expansion introduces a new region — the Oxenfurt-Ruyter canal area and the Deadwight Wood — alongside a revamped Runeword crafting system that fundamentally changes build optimization.
Before diving in, stock up on Dimeritium Bombs and Golden Oriole potions. Several boss encounters involve magical shields and poison mechanics that punish unprepared players hard. If you're playing on Death March, consider respeccing into a Sign-heavy build; Yrden and Axii shine throughout this expansion.
Evil's Soft First Touches: Meeting Gaunter O'Dimm
The expansion opens with Geralt accepting a contract from the mysterious Olgierd von Everec, which immediately triggers a confrontation with the Toad Prince — a grotesque boss inside Oxenfurt's sewers. Defeat it using Quen for damage absorption and Igni to strip its armor. After the fight, Geralt finds himself bound to Gaunter O'Dimm, the expansion's true villain and one of the witcher series' most chilling antagonists.
Gaunter O'Dimm — also known as Master Mirror — is a being of immense supernatural power who trades in wishes and souls. His polite, almost grandfatherly demeanor masks something genuinely terrifying. CD Projekt Red drew inspiration from Mephistopheles and folk devil mythology, and the execution is masterful. Pay close attention to every line of dialogue he delivers; the foreshadowing is extraordinary.
Olgierd's Three Tasks: Choices That Matter
To free himself from O'Dimm's contract, Geralt must complete three tasks for Olgierd von Everec. Each task is a self-contained quest with real consequences:
- Open Sesame! — A heist quest at the Borsodi Brothers' auction house. You can recruit different crew members, each affecting how the heist unfolds. Choosing between the Borsodi heirlooms at the end has permanent consequences for Horst Borsodi's fate.
- Dead Man's Party — Escort Olgierd's brother Vlodimir's spirit through a wedding. This quest is darkly comedic and features one of the game's best written side characters. Let Vlodimir possess Geralt and enjoy the chaos — it's worth it for the dialogue alone.
- Scenes from a Marriage — Visit the ruins of Iris von Everec's estate and piece together the tragic love story between Olgierd and Iris. The Caretaker boss here is brutally difficult; dodge constantly and strike only after his shovel slam animations complete.
The Final Confrontation: Defeating Gaunter O'Dimm
The climax of this Hearts of Stone guide centers on a puzzle, not a sword fight — and that's a deliberate, brilliant design choice. Geralt must identify O'Dimm's true nature using clues scattered across the expansion. Look for reflections that don't match, listen to villagers who describe "a man at the crossroads," and examine the lunar eclipse timing referenced in the contract's fine print.
At the moonlit crossroads, you must correctly identify O'Dimm's reflection in a mirror before time expires. The answer is the one reflection that shows him as he truly is — distorted, inhuman. Success frees both Geralt and Olgierd from the contract. Failure means O'Dimm wins, and Geralt loses his soul. Save before this sequence.
Olgierd's Fate: The Expansion's Defining Choice
Even after defeating O'Dimm, you face one final decision: save Olgierd's life or allow O'Dimm to take his soul as contracted. Saving Olgierd requires using the one wish O'Dimm grants you to spare him. In return, Olgierd gives Geralt his enchanted saber, Iris, and teaches him the Caretaker's secret technique.
Letting Olgierd die is the morally ambiguous path — he made his choices and his soul was legitimately forfeit. You receive a different reward: the Olgierds' Iris saber variant plus unique Runeword recipes. Neither outcome is presented as clearly right or wrong, which is quintessential witcher series storytelling at its best.
Runewords, Glyphwords, and Expansion Rewards
Hearts of Stone introduces Runewords and Glyphwords — powerful enchantments applied to fully-socketed gear. Standout options include:
- Severance — Extends Rend and Whirl range dramatically. Essential for combat-focused builds.
- Rejuvenation — Restores health and stamina on every strike. Excellent for sustained fights.
- Replenishment — Charges a Sign every time you use a strong attack, enabling hybrid builds.
These enchantments are craftable through the new master craftsman Yoana, whom you unlock during the Open Sesame! heist. Investing in her questline is mandatory if you want access to the full Runeword system before the expansion ends.
Tips for Getting the Most from Hearts of Stone
This Hearts of Stone guide would be incomplete without practical advice for maximizing the experience. Explore every question mark in the new regions — several unlock unique Runeword diagrams. Read all journal entries; O'Dimm's lore is embedded in merchant gossip and notice boards. And play the expansion at least twice: once saving Olgierd, once letting him go. The tonal difference in O'Dimm's final monologue alone justifies the replay.
Hearts of Stone is CD Projekt Red operating at peak creative confidence — a story about deals, regret, and the price of immortality told with wit, horror, and genuine emotional weight. It's not just a great expansion; it's a benchmark for what DLC can accomplish in RPG gaming.