The Witcher 3: How to Start the DLC (Heart of Stone & Blood and Wine)

So, you've been playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and finally feel like it's time to play some DLC content. The CD Projekt Red title has an abundance of expansions and DLC to play through, but the two most prolific packs of content are the Blood and Wine and Heart of Stone expansions. Before you venture into No Man's Land, you're likely wondering what criteria must you meet to start playing them, and how you begin playing through the quests.

In this guide, we explain how to start both the Blood and Wine DLC and Heart of Stone DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Read More: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Voice Actors & Cast

How to Start the Heart of Stone DLC

The Heart of Stone DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the first expansions for the game. The DLC takes Geralt to No Man's Land and Oxenfurt, with over ten hours of additional content to explore.

As soon as you begin your game, you'll notice that there is a quest named 'Heart of Stone' pre-existing in your journal. To commence with the DLC during your current game, all you need to do is select this quest and get going. However, it is recommended that DLC content is saved for late to endgame, as you'll want to be Level 30 or higher to stand a chance.

Alternatively, you can play through the DLC alone without impacting your current saved game. From the main menu, select the Heart of Stone DLC to begin the expansion with a predetermined character. This character will be Level 32, with a few abilities and some gear/weapons already acquired to help get you started.

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How to Start the Blood and Wine DLC

The Blood and Wine DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the biggest expansions for the game, notably for having an entire new region that you can venture around.

Much of the DLC takes part in Toussaint, a newly-added area to The Witcher 3 as a part of the expansion. To be able to actually get to Toussaint, you must first complete the 'A Poet Under Pressure' quest, then visit the Mulbrydale notice board in Velen to start the 'Envoys, Wineboys' quest. After finishing this off, you'll have access to Toussaint, and thus the entirety of the Blood and Wine DLC.

You should note that the DLC content is intended for late to endgame. Considering it is recommended that you're Level 34 before beginning the 'Envoy, Wineboys' quest, many of the enemies around Toussaint will also be above this level. So, if Geralt has more to learn, put the Blood and Wine DLC aside until you're of a better level.

Alternatively, much like the Heart of Stone DLC, you can play the Blood and Wine DLC as a standalone using a predetermined character. In this case, your character will be Level 35 with adequate enough equipment, abilities, and gear for you to take on the troubles in Toussaint.

Good luck taking on the quests of the Heart of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. To get more out of your time with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and see how much you can do as Geralt and Ciri, check out console commands and mods to enhance (or completely transform) your gameplay.