Now Or Never Side Quest Walkthrough
Quick Links
- Meet With Triss
- Talk To Triss
- Follow Triss
- Clear A Path Through The Sewers
- Katakan Fight
- Goodbye With Triss
One of the darkest, yet most compelling, subplots in The Witcher 3 revolves around the witch hunt commencing in Novigrad. Most of the story is told during Triss’ questline. So, it’s fitting that it all comes to an end in ‘Now or Never’, which is the last adventure in said questline. In it, you help Triss escort her fellow mages out of the city and get them to safety.
RELATED: The Witcher 3: All Of The Optional Side Quests You Should Follow Up On
While it might be considered a side quest, it has a significant impact on Geralt’s relationship with Triss and the state of the Witcher universe as a whole. It’s a long mission that tasks you with making some significant decisions. The consequences of those choices, plus explanations on how to do everything else in the quest, are detailed here.
Updated on December 9, 2022 by Quinton O’Connor: In truth, the above passage speaks volumes as to why we’d come back and give this guide just a touch more polish. ‘Now or Never’ is a big deal within a game that’s brimming with big deals, so coming into this one prepared will help you even more than usual.
Meet With Triss
To begin the quest, you need to meet Triss in her house in Novigrad, which is between Hierarch Square and Oxenfurt Gate. In front of her building is a group of guards. At some point, you’ll have to fight them. However, whether you want to battle them on your own straight away or wait until you’ve got one of the most powerful sorceresses by your side is up to you. If you fancy a skirmish now, you can interact with them and say, «Mind your manners.
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Regardless of what you do, you next need to head inside Triss’ residence. As you go upstairs, you’ll overhear a discussion between Triss and the homeowners. They ask for the Sorceress’ necklace to keep them silent. There are two ways to respond to the situation:
- Say «Hands off, Or I’ll Cut ’em Off» — Triss will keep her necklace, but she won’t be too happy with Geralt’s interference.
- Choose To Not React — The owners will force Triss to hand them her necklace. Yet, the Sorceress won’t be too heartbroken.
Neither option impacts the overall story.
Talk To Triss
The two of you then talk for a little while, and most of your responses don’t matter. Yet, you should avoid telling Triss you can’t help her, because, while the response doesn’t make the quest impossible, it does make you skip ahead. Plus, you hurt the Sorceress’ feelings for no reason.
Rude?
Eventually, the conversation gets to a point where you have to decide if you should help a young couple known as Anisse and Berthold. The implications of the choices are as follows:
- Help the couple — You save Anisse and Berthold, but Olivier from the Kingfisher will die. As a result, you won’t be able to buy Olivier’s Gwent cards unless you have already done so.
- Don’t go to them — It’s assumed that the two are killed by Witch Hunters. Yet, Olivier from the Kingfisher survives.
Whichever you choose, you need to exit the house. If you left the guards alive earlier, they’ll be ready to ambush you.
RELATED: The Witcher: The Biggest Differences Between Triss In The Books And The Game
Follow Triss
Whether you’re going straight to the Kingfisher hideout or looking for Berthold and Anisse first, you have to follow your Sorceress friend.
During the journey, try to stay close to Triss, and if you want to avoid a fight, let every guard patrol pass.
Try To Help Berthold And Anisse (Optional)
If you chose to help the young couple earlier, Triss will lead you to their house. Once there, you witness the two getting harassed by some Witch Hunters. If you want the best outcome, you need to attack the enemies quickly and stop them from killing the couple.
Either or both of Anisse and Berthold can die if you’re not careful. You then need to use Axii on whoever (if anyone) lives. Before leaving, you can engage in an optional conversation with their landlords if you wish, but it doesn’t matter.
Head To The Mage Hideout
Regardless of your choices earlier, at some point, Triss will lead you to the Kingfisher hideout — unless the two of you have been separated. If you took the detour to help Berthold and Anisse, you’ll have to kill some Witch Hunters at the Inn before heading underground to the hideout.
Otherwise, you go straight downstairs.
Waiting in the basement are all the other mages and magical beings. Also, down there, you’ll run into one of the best characters from the main questline, Sigismund Dijkstra. Then Triss will give a rousing speech to everyone.
Clear A Path Through The Sewers
You and Triss will now need to go into the sewers using the door she’s standing beside. This part can get a little confusing, so here’s a step-by-step guide.
- Follow the pathway, and take out all the monsters in the process — none of them are particularly tough.
- You eventually come to a dead-end, and Triss will be upset. However, you can enter the cross-shaped room to the right and find that the west wall is crumbling — you can tell which wall it is because the mini-map shows an entire room on the other side of it.
- Use Aard on the bricks to knock them down and create a pathway.
- You are now inside a library, but you can’t stay, so use Aard on the wall in the left corner of the room.
- Ther are some more basic enemies on the other side that you must take out.
- Go through the next two gates to enter the rat room.
- Head downstairs to deal with the little critters.
- Keep following the path forward and climb the wooden stairs to the left.
- Next, turn right, and keep following the pathway.
- In the rooms, you may notice some bodies to examine and scratches on the walls. These clues tell you that a Katakan is ahead.
RELATED: The Witcher 3: The Most Difficult Creatures To Fight, Ranked
Katakan Fight
Before going to battle the Katakan, you’ll need to prepare. Firstly, the creature is weaker during the day, so if it’s night, then meditate. Now, put some Vampire Oil on your sword, and craft any bombs you may want to use. Moon Dust, Devil’s Puffball, and Dancing Star can be useful in the skirmish.
You can use any tactic you fancy to take the beast down. However, anyone struggling with the battle might want to make use of the Quen sign to take more hits and use a Dancing Star bomb (if possible) to slow his regeneration. And most of all, make sure you constantly attack the creature to stop him from getting too much health back. Depending on your equipment and level, it might take a few tries, but it’s doable. After the monster is dead, you can leave out of the gate and head towards the sewer exit.
Goodbye With Triss
The Katakan isn’t the last foe you need to kill, as once you make it to the docks, you get attacked by some Witch Hunters. Once you kill them, you can say goodbye to your Sorceress friend.
- If you’re trying to pursue a romance with Triss, select «Stay with me» followed by «I love you.» These dialog options will make the romance possible, assuming you’ve already been pursuing her and not Yennefer up to that point.
- For those not wanting a relationship with Triss, say anything to her that doesn’t involve the words, «I love you.»
The final cutscenes depend on whether you’re romancing the Sorceress or not. Yet, neither path involves decisions that are vital to this quest. When the cinematics are done, so is Now Or Never.
NEXT: The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough
The Witcher 3 Romance — How to Romance Yennefer, Triss, Keira, and Others
Throughout his journey in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt of Rivia has several chances to engage in romantic activities with certain women. Some of them are part of the main quests, while others are more random in nature. This Witcher 3 Romance guide tells you all you need to know to romance Triss, Yennefer, and Keira in the game, as well as other characters like Jutta An Dimun, Madame Sasha, and others.
Watch on YouTube
- Witcher 3 Romance Guide
- How to Romance Keira Metz in The Witcher 3
- How to Romance Triss Merigold in The Witcher 3
- How to Romance Yennefer of Vengerberg in The Witcher 3
- How to Romance Jutta An Dimun in The Witcher 3
- How to Romance Madame Sasha in The Witcher 3
- How to Romance Strumpet of Crippled Kate’s in The Witcher 3
- How to Romance Harlots of the Passiflora in The Witcher 3
- Should You Choose Triss or Yennefer
Witcher 3 Romance Guide
Below, in our complete Witcher 3 romance guide, you’ll find info on how to romance all the main romantic options in The Witcher 3.
Follow our guide and you’ll be romancing in no time!
How to Romance Keira Metz in The Witcher 3
Geralt has the opportunity to become intimate with Keira Metz at the end of the Secondary Quest: A Favor for a Friend. Choose to have dinner with her, then select from the following conversation options as you see fit.
- Tell her she doesn’t have to ask twice.
- Tell her you’re not in the mood.
- Inform her that there’s someone else.
Keira and Geralt talk inside Keira’s secret hideout.
How to Romance Triss Merigold in The Witcher 3
This Carnal Knowledge Encounter is available at the conclusion of the Secondary Quest: Now or Never. Choose from the following conversation options to reach your desired outcome.
- Tell her farewell and she leaves.
- Tell her stay with you.
No matter what you choose, Triss will board the boat. It’s this list of conditions that you must meet if you still want things to lead to a Carnal Knowledge Encounter.
- Kiss her at the ball during Secondary Quest: A Matter of Life and Death.
- You agreed to help her with the mages during Secondary Quest: Now or Never.
- Tell her you love her and continue to be pleasant with her.
How to Romance Yennefer of Vengerberg in The Witcher 3
Geralt will have a chance to get to know Yennefer better at the end of the Main Quest: The King is Dead – Long Live the King. At a certain point in the quest you’ll need to choose from two dialogue options, determining exactly how things will turn out between the two of you.
- Tell her ‘We’re gonna choke and die.’
- Tell her ‘Damn, I wanna kiss you, Yen.’
Later on in the story, Geralt will have another chance to be intimate with Yennefer. The opportunity comes during the Main Quest: No Place Like Home. When the entire group is downstairs at the table, Yennefer will stand up and excuse herself.
If you’re romantically involved, she’ll request to speak to you in private, and after you’re done, you’ll return back downstairs to find your fellow witchers drunk.
If you aren’t romantically involved, you won’t get this chance, and instead, everyone around you will get drunk and talk about the past.
How to Romance Jutta An Dimun in The Witcher 3
Geralt can visit Jutta An Dimun after completing the Side Quest: Iron Maiden. Jutta will invite you back to her house. She’ll ask you to come around at about dusk. If you choose to accept the offer, her house is located beside the place where you fought Gundar.
If you aren’t interested in spending some one-on-one time with Jutta, simply agree to her request to help out with “Freya’s cruel trick”.
Yennefer and Geralt meet up in Vizima, although it’s strictly business during this visit.
How to Romance Madame Sasha in The Witcher 3
At the end of the Side Quest: Gwent: High Stakes, Geralt will be offered dinner at the Kingfisher Inn by Madame Sasha. She’s looking to score half the winnings from the contest, but if you’re willing to part with your hard earned Gwent Cards, Geralt can score another night out on the town.
After dinner is finished, the conversation quickly shifts to talk of heading upstairs for the night.
- Agree if you’re looking for a Carnal Knowledge Encounter with the Madame.
- Disagree and you’ll spend the night with your cards.
How to Romance Strumpet of Crippled Kate’s in The Witcher 3
If one of the previous Carnal Knowledge Encounters aren’t for you, you can always head over to Crippled Kate’s in Novigrad. Pay the Madame 20 Crowns, or don’t. It’s up to you to choose how you wish to proceed.
How to Romance Harlots of the Passiflora in The Witcher 3
If for some reason Crippled Kate’s isn’t your kind of place, head up to Passiflora in Novigrad. Speak with the Madame here, paying 40 Crowns, rather than the 20 you were charged at the previous establishment.
Should You Choose Triss or Yennefer
The big choice in terms of romance in The witcher 3 is whether or not to choose Yen or Triss . This is a debate that has raged on the internet for a fair while now, and who you should choose isn’t as simple as it may seem.
Ultimately it comes down to who you like the most, though if you’re looking to make the choice that makes more sense for Geralt within the confines of the story then there are a few things to consider. Firstly, Yen and Geralt are essentially made for each other in the lore. Their interactions are much more complex and romantic, and there are way more romantic encounters in the game for Yen. If you played the previous games you’ll likely have more of an affinity for Yen, though again if you’d rather hang with Triss then go for it.
If you found that helpful, why not check out our guide on the max level cap in Witcher 3? Or if you want to find one of the game’s best easter eggs, head right here.
Wild Hunt — FAQusha.RU [Wiki]
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Step 1: Check out Triss’ house
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Step 2: Explore Triss’ house
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Step 4: Follow the thief to the hideout of the King of Beggars
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Step 5: Meet the King of Beggars
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Step 6: Help Triss complete the order
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Step 7: Find the Recessed Package
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Step 8: Place the rat baits in the warehouse
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Step 9: Fight the thugs
Step 1: Look at Triss’s house
At the last stage of the mission «Family Matters» it turns out that Ciri saved the Bloody Baron from the basilisk using her gift, after which the girl had to flee from the Wild Hunt to Novigrad, so as not to bring trouble to defenseless people.
The only person who can help find Ciri is Triss. Her house is located in the market on Hierarch Square in the center of Novigrad. After the demonstrative burning of the sorceress Felicia Corey and the Doppler Lacharel, we turn into the courtyard of the house. We ask the marauders about Triss, they will mention the Rotten Grove, but they will not tell you how to get there.
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Step 2: Inspect Triss’s house
Caleb Menge will interrupt the conversation with the marauders, who will warn Geralt not to be weird and behave decently in the city, otherwise he will go to the dungeon or to the fire. After parting with the head of the Witch Hunters, we inspect three chests in the yard, pick up trinkets, craft materials, a random [drawing] and [recipe] (for example, a blueprint for assassin’s boots level 10 and a recipe for a black blood elixir). On the first floor of the house, on the floor, we find herbs and roots, on the table — a comb.
On the second floor on the counter we examine the amulets. On the third floor, on the floor, we find clothes and take the [MEMORY ROSE] from the table, plucked in the sacred elf grove in Flotsam in The Witcher 2.
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Step 3: Find the hideout of the King of Beggars
There are two ways to get to the Rotten Grove in The Witcher 3: talk to beggars or track down a pickpocket. A beggar sits on a crossbeam above the street opposite the Wim Vivaldi bank in the Hierarch’s Market Square. In a conversation with a beggar, it is important not to show interest in the Rotten Grove, then he will tell everything himself: he will boast of his excellent knowledge of the city, he will name the password “The old pig bred gilts” and point to the alley behind the brothel northeast of the Hattori forge. The hustler appears among the crowd at the forge in the market place of the Hierarch. To start tracking, just wait for pickpocketing. Witcher flair will help determine the victim and the performer.
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Step 4: Follow the thief to the hideout of the King of Beggars
Slowly follow the thief through the city streets. Keep your distance and don’t draw attention. We go into the «theatre» courtyard opposite the road sign with fast travel, give the beggar 20 coins so that he does not stick with stories and does not get in the way. In the market at the Tretogorsky Gate, where a meeting between accomplices takes place, we turn right, we go along the embankment along the river. At the warehouse gate at the fish market, we cross the bridge to the «Katarina the Lame Leg». We pass through the arch to the left of the brothel and get to the square in front of the Rotten Grove. We approach the locked door, at which a thief stopped a little earlier and passed the stolen goods through the window, call the password to the watchman, pay 50 coins, or simply persuade him to let him in with the pumped Aksy Sign (the “Deception” skill must be improved to at least level 2).
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Step 5: Meet the King of Beggars
In the house at the end of the alley, meet the King of Beggars and Triss. Francis Bedlam will briefly tell the witcher about the latest events in the city, about the omnipotence and impunity of the guardians of the Eternal Fire, about the balance of power among the Novigrad gangs and his plans for the future, and then he will prefer to leave the sorceress and the witcher alone with each other. Regardless of how the relationship with Triss ended in The Witcher 2 and the answers given to Morvran Voorhis at the King’s Audience in Vizima at the beginning of the adventure, the sorceress will greet Geralt coldly and be reluctant to remember the past. The Witcher will be very surprised by the big changes in Triss’s life and the rapid fall from the king’s adviser to the servant of the King of Beggars, but the sorceress in response will only ask about the purpose of the visit and, having heard about the «daughter», she will immediately understand that it is about Ciri.
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Step 6: Help Triss complete an order
On the way back from the Rotten Grove, the sorceress will ask the witcher to help complete a small order. We agree with the proposal. Together with Triss, we reach an underground merchant next to the herbalist’s house by the river, on the border of the quarters. It immediately turns out that Egghead threw the ingredients into the river when he came across a city guard patrol during the delivery. After the conversation, he examines the house, on three floors from bags, chests and shelves, we pick up ingredients, craft materials and a lot of alcohol.
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Step 7: Find the recessed package
We leave the house through the basement, open the floor hatch, get rid of the drowner and activate the retractable brick on the column to open the secret door. We go along the coast, leave the sorceress under the first bridge, and dive into the water ourselves and swim towards the port to the second bridge.
We turn on the witcher’s flair and examine the bottom of the river. Opposite the bridge support, among the wreckage of the boat, we find [leather bundle], dive after it, get it and return Triss. Nearby chests at the bottom of the river contain [blueprints], [recipes] and useful items (for example, blueprints for the level 26 Silver Sword of An’Ferhe and the level 13 Salmian Chestplate; recipes for Improved Anti-Hybrid Oil and Improved Oil against Beasts).
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Step 8: Place the rat baits in the warehouse
After examining the bundle, we go up the stairs to the embankment. We follow Triss to the grain warehouse at the fish market on the opposite bank. In a conversation with Brandon, we insist on full prepayment. Having settled financial issues with the client, we enter the warehouse. We install baits at the bars along the perimeter of the hall: at the ends of the first, second and third corridors. Places for setting baits are highlighted in red when scanning the floor with witcher’s flair.
After installing the bait, we approach Triss to talk by pressing the [E] key. We are waiting for the spell to work. We answer the questions of the sorceress, talk about Yennefer and the events that have occurred since the breakup.
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Step 9: Fight the thugs
The fleeing rats will attract the attention of the customer, who will appear in the warehouse along with the Witch Hunters. Having finished the dialogue, we kill three thugs, inspect the bodies and take everything useful. On the street, we punish the traitor with a double rate for the order and let him go away from the shock. Before parting, Triss will advise Geralt to seek help from Corina Tilly. Perhaps the oneiromancer will help you find out about Ciri’s location.
Resolved — The Witcher 3 — Stuck quest with Triss in Novigrad
#1
By the way,
«Brothers in arms.
Novigrad. Triss» — Redhead asked me to come later and help her, after half a minute there was no new dialogue.
Does everyone else need to be assembled first?
— Added: —
OMG!
I gathered everyone in Novigrad, only one quest remained — Help Triss, but there is no such dialogue
The question of life and death is done…
Now or never and never arose…
What to do, gentlemen and ladies!?
— Added: —
As an option — kill Triss, throw bombs, then the quest will be canceled at least, somehow.
..
But, the hand does not rise…
Maybe immediately wave on Skellige / Isle of Mists!?
Without getting the whole crowd?
0
#2
@Parsival bug. Enter in the console in turn:
addfact(q302_completed)
addfact(q302_post_mafia_completed)
addfact(sq302_start)
0
#3
Radevor said:
@Parsival, bug. Type in the console one by one:
addfact(q302_completed)
addfact(q302_post_mafia_completed)
addfact(sq302_start)
Click to expand..
.
The kid said — the other kid did.
However, the dialogue with Triss has not changed.
But the quest «Enemy of the People» appeared…
It must be completed and then the dialogue will change!?
0
#4
Parzival said:
The boy said — the other boy did.
However, the dialogue with Triss has not changed.
But the quest «Enemy of the People» appeared…
It must be completed and then the dialogue will change!?
Click to expand…
The dialogue should not appear, you end the quest with the console and a new one appears. All OK.
0
#5
Radevor said:
The dialogue should not appear, you end the quest with the console and a new one appears.
