Unveiling the Wild Hunt: Your Ultimate Guide to The Witcher 3's Monster Contract Locations and Notice Board Quests
Stepping into the war-torn, monster-infested realms of Velen, the bustling city of Novigrad, or the windswept isles of Skellige as Geralt of Rivia, one of the first things you'll notice are the weathered notice boards in every settlement. These aren't just for decoration; they are your primary gateway to the life of a Witcher. Pinned with desperate pleas and official decrees, these boards are where your most rewarding and lore-rich adventures begin: the monster contracts.
This guide is your comprehensive companion to navigating every corner of the Continent in search of these lucrative and thrilling Witcher 3 monster contract locations. We'll demystify the process of finding notice board quests in The Witcher 3, ensuring you never miss a contract and are fully prepared to tackle the beasts that await. From the fetid swamps to the highest peaks, we’ve got you covered.
Why Monster Contracts Are the Heart of the Witcher Experience
Before we dive into the specific locations, let's talk about why these quests are so essential. They are not mere fetch quests or simple monster-slaying errands. Each contract is a self-contained story. You'll investigate crime scenes, talk to witnesses, and use your Witcher Senses to piece together what kind of creature you're dealing with. This preparation is crucial; knowing whether you need a Specter Oil or a Necrophage Oil, whether to prepare Yrden or Igni, can mean the difference between a swift victory and a messy reload.
Completing these contracts is also the most reliable way to earn good coin. You'll get paid by the quest giver and can also loot valuable trophies from your kills, which you can sell to merchants. Furthermore, they are a fantastic source of experience points, helping you level up Geralt's abilities and unlock powerful new skills. For any player looking to fully complete the game, finding all Witcher contract locations in Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige is a non-negotiable and highly enjoyable task.
A Region-by-Region Breakdown of Contract Locations
Let's embark on a journey across the Northern Kingdoms, breaking down where you can find these pivotal quests.
White Orchard: The Proving Grounds
This starting area serves as the perfect tutorial for the contract system.
- Contract: Devil by the Well: Your very first contract is found on the notice board in the central part of White Orchard. It tasks you with hunting a Noonwraith, teaching you the core mechanics of investigation, preparation, and combat against spectral foes. It's an unmissable introduction to the life of a Witcher.
Velen & Novigrad: A Land of Despair and Deceit
This vast region is packed with danger and opportunities. The notice board quests in Velen are often the most harrowing, reflecting the despair of the war-ravaged land.
- Contract: Missing Brother: Found in the village of Blackbough. This quest teaches you that not all contracts are what they seem, and the "monster" isn't always a non-human creature.
- Contract: Swamp Thing: Posted on the notice board in Crookback Bog. This leads you to a fearsome Water Hag and delves deep into the eerie, unsettling atmosphere of the Velen swamps.
- Contract: The Mystery of the Byways Murders: A particularly dark and investigative contract found in Oxenfurt. It plays out like a detective story, where you must uncover a serial killer preying on travelers.
- Contract: The Phantom of Eldberg: While this is technically in the Skellige Isles, many players access it during their time in Novigrad. The contract is on the notice board in Arinbjorn, leading to a thrilling fight on a storm-lashed lighthouse isle.
Skellige: Terrors of the Isles
The monster contracts in Skellige often involve ancient, powerful beasts tied to the local clans' history and sagas.
- Contract: The Creature from the Oxenfurt Forest: Actually located in Velen (despite the name), but it's a key contract many seek. For a true Skellige experience, look for:
- Contract: Lord of the Wood: Found on the notice board in Larvik. This quest involves a Leshen, one of the most formidable and ancient creatures in the game, and offers multiple ways to resolve the situation.
- Contract: Missing Miners: Located in Fyresdal, this contract sees you venturing into a cave system to deal with a terrifying Troll.
- Contract: The White Lady: Pinned on the board in Kaer Trolde, this is a classic wraith-hunting contract with a tragic backstory, perfect for those seeking a challenging fight.
Mastering the Contract Workflow: A Witcher's Methodology
Simply finding the notice board isn't enough. To truly excel and earn your pay, follow these steps:
- Investigate the Notice: Read the notice carefully. It often contains vital clues about the monster's behavior, victims, and location.
- Talk to the Quest Giver: Always seek out the person who posted the notice. They will provide more context, the offered reward, and often point you to the initial investigation site.
- Inspect the Area with Witcher Senses: This is the core of your work. Look for footprints, bloodstains, specific scents, and other clues. Your Witcher Senses will highlight these in red. This investigation phase will almost always reveal the specific type of monster you're hunting.
- Prepare for the Hunt: Once you know your foe, it's time to prepare. This is the most critical step for success on higher difficulties.
- Bestiary: Check your Bestiary. It will tell you the monster's weaknesses, including which oils, bombs, and Signs are most effective.
- Gear Up: Apply the correct oil to your silver sword. Craft the recommended bombs (e.g., Moon Dust for wraiths, Devil's Puffball for necrophages). Meditate to ensure your potions and bombs are fully stocked.
- Track and Eliminate the Beast: Follow the final trail to the monster's lair. Use your prepared tactics in the fight. Don't just hack and slash; use your Signs strategically and exploit the weaknesses you learned about.
- Claim Your Reward: Once the beast is slain, provide proof (usually its head or a trophy) to the quest giver to receive your hard-earned coin and experience. Sometimes, you can negotiate for a higher reward through dialogue choices.
Pro-Tips for the Aspiring Monster Slayer
- Explore Thoroughly: Not every contract is on a main settlement's board. Check every notice board you see, even in tiny, out-of-the-way villages.
- Level Check: Before accepting a contract, check the recommended level in your quest log. Taking on a level 30 contract when you're level 15 is a recipe for a quick death.
- Loot Everything: After the battle, scour the area. Monster nests often contain valuable alchemy ingredients, and the beasts themselves can be looted for rare mutagens and crafting components.
- The Trophies Matter: The trophy you hang on Roach's saddle isn't just for show. Each provides a permanent passive bonus, such as increasing your gold rewards from humans or boosting your chance to find dismemberment.
By understanding the importance of these quests and systematically exploring the Witcher 3 monster contract locations from White Orchard to the farthest Skellige isle, you will not only become a wealthy and experienced Witcher but also experience some of the most compelling stories The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has to offer. So saddle up, check those boards, and happy hunting
