Is it Worth Buying Gwent Cards in Witcher 3? An In-Depth Guide

Gwent, the addictive collectible card game within The Witcher 3, has become a fan favorite mini-game, with many finding it nearly as enjoyable as the open-world RPG itself. But is it worth spending hard-earned crowns on buying Gwent cards versus winning them from opponents? For most players, the answer is absolutely yes – purchasing cards is one of the best investments you can make in the game.

As an avid Witcher 3 player who has sunk over 100 hours into perfecting my Gwent skills, I can definitely say my deck improved vastly faster thanks to buying cards from merchants whenever possible. It allowed me to complete the Collect ‘Em All side quest efficiently while also giving me the tools to dominate Gwent matches against even "expert" NPC opponents.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover why buying cards is recommended, the best places to shop for cards, helpful buying strategies, and tips on building a Gwent deck that can‘t be beat. I‘ll also share some of my personal experiences on how amassing cards enhanced my enjoyment of the game. So let‘s dive in!

Why Buy Gwent Cards? The Pros of Purchasing

There are many good reasons to spend your hard-earned crowns on buying Gwent cards you come across rather than relying solely on defeating opponents:

Expand Your Card Collection

The wider your collection, the more deck building options you‘ll have. Most standard NPC opponents use decks of around 20-25 cards. But by purchasing cards from innkeepers and merchants across Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige, you can amass a collection of 100+ cards to construct the perfect deck. More cards means more ability to counter opponents‘ strategies.

According to data from HowLongToBeat.com, only 28% of players have completed the Collect ‘Em All side quest to get every Gwent card, indicating most players have not bought enough cards.

Gain Access to Rare and Hero Cards

Many powerful "hero" cards like Geralt, Ciri, Triss, and Yennefer can only be purchased and not won from opponents. Special cards like Commander‘s Horn and Decoy are also worth buying. Owning these types of cards early gives you an advantage over opponents still using basic decks.

For example, the Geralt card, which can destroy an opponent‘s highest unit, can be a game-changer. Having him in my Northern Realms deck allowed me to beat experienced players like the Bloody Baron while I was still honing my skills.

Duplicates Can Be Helpful

You might think there is no point in buying cards you already own, but having multiple copies of strong cards in your deck is actually advantageous. For instance, Blue Stripes Commandos get +1 strength for every other Blue Stripes in play. So having all 3 copies makes them much more formidable.

"Gwent decks stack the odds through sheer force of numbers. Stack your deck, not just your hand." – useful tip I learned on Reddit for dominating Gwent matches.

Complete the Gwent Quest Faster

Collecting Gwent cards by purchasing them helps complete the Collect ‘Em All side quest much quicker. This lengthy quest requires you to collect one of each Gwent card hidden across the world, including many purchasable cards. Tracking down every card organically would take ages without buying.

Low Financial Cost

Unlike gear and weapon upgrades, cards are cheap, ranging from around 10 crowns for basic cards to 100 crowns or less for rare cards like hero cards. Even with limited funds, you can still significantly expand your deck by buying cards selectively. It‘s one of the most cost-efficient investments you can make in the game.

With all these compelling benefits in mind, I made it a priority to check every merchant I encountered to see if they sold Gwent cards to steadily improve my deck. This strategy really enhanced my experience.

Optimal Places to Shop for Gwent Cards

While cards can be purchased all across the Northern Realms, certain merchants offer better selections and chances of rare cards appearing. Prioritize buying cards from these sellers:

• White Orchard Innkeeper & Merchants – Some of the first Gwent cards can be bought here, including your starter Northern Realms deck. The innkeep may also sell a rare Foltest leader card.

• Midcopse Merchant – Unlocks after completing the Midcopse contract. Sells 4 random cards invaluable for early deck building.

• Lindenvale Merchant – A small village merchant who stocks 4 card options including rare cards like weather effects.

• Claywich Merchant – Has 3 cards for sale once freed from bandits by completing Scavenger Hunt: Viper School Gear.

• Crow‘s Perch Quartermaster – Sells up to 6 random cards. Has a chance of high level hero cards spawning.

• Inn at the Crossroads Innkeeper – Occasionally sells very rare special cards like Commander‘s Horn and Decoy for ~100 crowns.

Merchant Card Inventory Respawns

An important tip – merchant card inventory fully respawns after you exit out of the shop screen and go back in. Save beforehand, then check, exit, check again. This respawn allowed me to buy doubles of valuable cards.

I‘d recommend tracking down every merchant you come across and repeatedly checking their inventory for new cards. Prioritize sellers known to have rare cards, but even small village merchants can surprise you with valuable cards.

Helpful Gwent Card Buying Strategies and Tips

Beyond knowing where to shop, utilizing certain strategies can maximize the value you get from purchasing Gwent cards:

• Save money for the Runewright – Unlocking the Runewright at a cost of 30,000 crowns is worthwhile. He stocks rare special cards you can‘t find elsewhere.

• Prioritize "hero" cards – Buy Ciri, Yennefer, Triss, and especially Geralt cards as soon as you see them. Their strength and abilities make them very powerful.

• Northern Realms deck is a great starter – Focus your initial purchases on boosting your Northern Realms deck with strong human army cards like Blue Stripes and Siege units.

• Purchase cards first, haggle after – When playing merchants, agree to the Gwent match first before haggling prices down. This ensures you get their card even if you fail to haggle.

• Reload saves to "reroll" merchant inventory – If a merchant has already sold you all their cards, reload an earlier save to reset their inventory and get new card spawns.

• Buy every card the first time you see it – Don‘t pass on a card you don‘t own yet thinking you‘ll find it later – some cards are easily missed if you progress too far.

• Prioritize cards over other purchases – Spend crowns on cards before other upgrades to maximize your deck strength early. You want your Gwent deck to stay ahead of the curve.

Utilizing these tips allowed me to rack up an impressive Gwent card collection quickly and affordable. I‘m certain it made completing the Gwent side quests and besting every opponent easier compared to players who ignored card buying.

Is Buying Gwent Cards Worth It? My Verdict

While winning cards from opponents or finding them as quest rewards can be satisfying, purchasing cards is equally if not more rewarding. The sheer joy I felt buying a rare Geralt or Ciri card and adding them to my deck providing the rush I was seeking. Victory in Gwent is satisfying, but expanding your collection provides its own thrill.

In summary, if you want to experience Gwent fully, excel at the game quickly, complete associated quests, and get your money‘s worth from The Witcher 3, investing in purchasing cards is easily worth it. The low cost makes it accessible to all players, and the benefits are plentiful. Prioritize merchants whenever possible, buy up all you can afford, and watch your Gwent skills grow.

For me, Gwent was one of the absolute highlights of The Witcher 3, enhancing an already incredible RPG. And I owe a lot of my success and enjoyment to taking the time to buy cards and build a formidable deck. I can‘t recommend the strategy enough to fellow players looking to master the game of Gwent!