Witcher 3 Gwent Opponent Decks

Every Gwent opponent's deck in The Witcher 3, taken from the game files: leader, deck size on each difficulty, the full card list and how to beat them, for all quest players and both tournaments.

Ever wondered what the Bloody Baron or Count Tybalt actually has in their hand? We pulled every Gwent opponent’s deck straight from The Witcher 3’s game files. Below you’ll find the leader, the size of the deck, the full card list and a few pointers on how to beat it, for every quest opponent and both tournaments.

How opponent decks work

  • Each opponent has three versions of their deck, one for each setting of the Gwent Difficulty Level option. For most opponents the easy deck is the core, and Normal and Hard add more cards on top. If a match is giving you trouble, lowering the setting really does make it easier.
  • On top of that, the game files list a few bonus cards that the game can add to many opponents’ decks, mostly strong neutral cards like Geralt of Rivia, Villentretenmerth or Dandelion. So you may see a card that isn’t in the lists below.
  • The files also hold stock decks for every faction in easy, normal and hard versions. Those are most likely what ordinary players, such as merchants and innkeepers, play with, so they aren’t listed here.
  • Computer opponents don’t follow the deck rules you do. Some carry more than 10 special cards or more copies of a card than you can ever collect, so don’t be surprised by a fourth Catapult.
  • Want to test your own deck against these? Build it in our Gwent deck builder and use the rating and opening-hand test.

Jump to: Velen · Novigrad and Oxenfurt · Skellige · High Stakes · Pheasantry tournament · Hearts of Stone

Velen

The Bloody Baron · Northern Realms

How to beat it: It plays 2 spies, so expect it to draw extra cards. A Decoy lets you take a spy back and play it yourself. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: John Natalis, Catapult, Ballista, Siege Tower, Trebuchet, Crinfrid Reavers Dragon Hunter ×3, Keira Metz, Prince Stennis, Síle de Tansarville, Zoltan Chivay, Blue Stripes Commando ×3, Yarpen Zigrin, Poor Fucking Infantry ×3, Thaler

Special and weather: Decoy ×2, Scorch ×2, Biting Frost, Torrential Rain ×3

Only on Normal or Hard: Scorch, Torrential Rain, Yarpen Zigrin, Zoltan Chivay, Decoy ×2, John Natalis

Haddy, the card prodigy · Northern Realms

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Siege, so Torrential Rain hits it hard. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Yennefer of Vengerberg, Catapult ×4, Ballista ×2, Crinfrid Reavers Dragon Hunter ×3, Siegfried of Denesle ×2, Blue Stripes Commando ×3, Poor Fucking Infantry ×3, Redanian Foot Soldier ×2

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×4, Decoy, Scorch ×2, Clear Weather ×5, Impenetrable Fog ×5

Only on Normal or Hard: Catapult ×2, Commander’s Horn ×3, Impenetrable Fog ×3, Clear Weather ×3, Siegfried of Denesle, Scorch ×2, Decoy, Yennefer of Vengerberg

The Old Sage · Monsters

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Draug, Leshen, Arachas Behemoth, Crone: Brewess, Crone: Whispess, Fire Elemental, Arachas ×3, Botchling, Vampire: Bruxa, Vampire: Ekimmara, Vampire: Fleder, Vampire: Garkain, Endrega, Nekker ×3, Ghoul ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn, Decoy ×2, Scorch ×2, Biting Frost, Clear Weather ×6, Impenetrable Fog ×3, Torrential Rain ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Impenetrable Fog ×2, Torrential Rain, Clear Weather ×4, Scorch ×2, Decoy ×2, Commander’s Horn, Leshen, Fire Elemental

The boatwright in Oreton · Nilfgaard

How to beat it: It plays 2 spies, so expect it to draw extra cards. A Decoy lets you take a spy back and play it yourself. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Morvran Voorhis, Black Infantry Archer ×2, Heavy Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Stefan Skellen, Assire var Anahid, Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach, Siege Engineer, Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Vattier de Rideaux, Impera Brigade Guard ×2, Morteisen ×2, Nausicaa Cavalry Rider, Siege Technician

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy ×3, Scorch, Biting Frost, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Torrential Rain, Morteisen, Commander’s Horn ×2

The innkeep at the Inn at the Crossroads · Nilfgaard

How to beat it: Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Black Infantry Archer ×2, Heavy Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Shilard Fitz-Oesterlen, Renuald aep Matsen, Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Impera Brigade Guard ×4, Morteisen ×2, Rotten Mangonel ×2, Nausicaa Cavalry Rider ×3, Etolian Auxiliary Archers ×2, Siege Technician

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn, Scorch ×3, Clear Weather ×3, Impenetrable Fog ×5

Only on Normal or Hard: Scorch ×2, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog ×3, Morteisen, Rotten Mangonel

Novigrad and Oxenfurt

Vimme Vivaldi · Scoia’tael

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return. It carries 5 weather cards, so pack a Clear Weather.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Saesenthessis, Dennis Cranmer, Mahakaman Defender ×5, Vrihedd Brigade Veteran ×2, Dwarven Skirmisher ×3, Toruviel, Havekar Healer ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×3, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog ×3, Torrential Rain

Only on Normal or Hard: Impenetrable Fog, Commander’s Horn ×2, Isengrim Faoiltiarna

Marquise Serenity · Nilfgaard

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It plays 2 spies, so expect it to draw extra cards. A Decoy lets you take a spy back and play it yourself. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Letho of Gulet, Stefan Skellen, Shilard Fitz-Oesterlen, Assire var Anahid, Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach, Fringilla Vigo, Renuald aep Matsen, Rainfarn ×2, Impera Brigade Guard ×2, Puttkammer, Nausicaa Cavalry Rider ×3, Etolian Auxiliary Archers ×2

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×3, Decoy ×2, Scorch ×3, Biting Frost ×5, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Commander’s Horn ×2, Scorch ×2, Biting Frost ×3, Torrential Rain, Rainfarn, Decoy ×2

Sigismund Dijkstra · Northern Realms

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Siege, so Torrential Rain hits it hard. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: John Natalis, Yennefer of Vengerberg, Catapult ×2, Ballista ×2, Siege Tower, Trebuchet ×2, Dun Banner Medic, Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff, Keira Metz, Blue Stripes Commando ×2, Yarpen Zigrin, Kaedweni Siege Expert, Redanian Foot Soldier, Thaler

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn, Decoy ×3, Scorch, Biting Frost ×3, Clear Weather ×2, Impenetrable Fog ×3

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Biting Frost, Impenetrable Fog, Clear Weather, Scorch, John Natalis, Yennefer of Vengerberg

The Scoia’tael merchant · Scoia’tael

How to beat it: It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. 3 heroes ignore weather, which makes weather a weaker answer than usual.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Iorveth, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Saesenthessis, Milva, Barclay Els, Dennis Cranmer, Filavandrel aén Fidháil, Ida Emean aep Sivney, Yaevinn, Havekar Smuggler ×2, Ciaran aep Easnillien, Elven Skirmisher ×3, Toruviel ×2, Riordain

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×3, Decoy ×2, Scorch, Biting Frost ×2, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog ×2, Torrential Rain ×3

Only on Normal or Hard: Commander’s Horn ×2, Biting Frost, Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain ×2, Decoy ×2, Scorch, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Saesenthessis

Zoltan Chivay · Scoia’tael

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Isengrim Faoiltiarna ×2, Ida Emean aep Sivney, Havekar Smuggler ×2, Mahakaman Defender ×4, Vrihedd Brigade Veteran ×2, Vrihedd Brigade Recruit ×2, Dwarven Skirmisher ×3, Havekar Healer ×2

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×4, Scorch ×3, Biting Frost ×2, Impenetrable Fog ×2, Torrential Rain ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Scorch ×2, Biting Frost, Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain, Mahakaman Defender, Vrihedd Brigade Recruit, Commander’s Horn ×4, Isengrim Faoiltiarna

Vernon Roche · Northern Realms

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Siege, so Torrential Rain hits it hard. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: John Natalis, Yennefer of Vengerberg, Catapult ×2, Ballista ×2, Siege Tower, Trebuchet ×2, Dun Banner Medic, Yarpen Zigrin, Kaedweni Siege Expert ×2, Poor Fucking Infantry ×3, Redanian Foot Soldier ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×3, Decoy ×3, Clear Weather ×2, Impenetrable Fog

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Commander’s Horn ×2, Redanian Foot Soldier, Yennefer of Vengerberg

Lambert · Scoia’tael

How to beat it: It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return. 3 heroes ignore weather, which makes weather a weaker answer than usual.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Saesenthessis, Yennefer of Vengerberg, Filavandrel aén Fidháil, Yaevinn, Havekar Smuggler, Mahakaman Defender ×4, Dol Blathanna Archer, Elven Skirmisher ×2, Toruviel, Riordain, Havekar Healer ×2

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy ×3, Scorch ×4, Biting Frost, Clear Weather

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Scorch ×3, Commander’s Horn ×2, Saesenthessis

Thaler · Scoia’tael

How to beat it: It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It carries 13 weather cards, so pack a Clear Weather.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Eithné, Barclay Els, Dol Blathanna Scout ×3, Filavandrel aén Fidháil, Ida Emean aep Sivney, Yaevinn, Havekar Smuggler ×2, Vrihedd Brigade Veteran ×2, Dol Blathanna Archer, Vrihedd Brigade Recruit, Ciaran aep Easnillien, Dwarven Skirmisher ×2, Toruviel, Havekar Healer

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn, Decoy ×2, Biting Frost ×5, Clear Weather ×3, Impenetrable Fog ×2, Torrential Rain ×3

Only on Normal or Hard: Clear Weather, Biting Frost ×3, Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain ×2, Decoy ×2, Commander’s Horn, Eithné

Stjepan · Nilfgaard

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Ranged, so Impenetrable Fog hits it hard. It plays 3 spies, so expect it to draw extra cards. A Decoy lets you take a spy back and play it yourself. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Black Infantry Archer ×2, Heavy Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Stefan Skellen, Shilard Fitz-Oesterlen, Assire var Anahid, Fringilla Vigo, Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Cynthia, Rainfarn, Vattier de Rideaux, Impera Brigade Guard ×3, Sweers ×2, Etolian Auxiliary Archers ×2

Special and weather: Decoy ×3, Biting Frost ×3, Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Biting Frost, Torrential Rain, Sweers

Olivier · Monsters

How to beat it: It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. 3 heroes ignore weather, which makes weather a weaker answer than usual. It carries 9 weather cards, so pack a Clear Weather.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Draug, Leshen, Kayran, Arachas Behemoth, Earth Elemental, Fiend, Fire Elemental, Grave Hag, Griffin, Ice Giant, Plague Maiden, Arachas ×3, Botchling ×2, Endrega ×2, Wyvern ×2, Ghoul ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Biting Frost ×2, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog ×3, Torrential Rain ×3

Only on Normal or Hard: Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain, Biting Frost, Botchling, Endrega, Wyvern, Commander’s Horn ×2, Clear Weather, Kayran, Draug

Skellige

Crach an Craite · Monsters

How to beat it: In the base game Crach plays Monsters, not Skellige. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. It carries 9 weather cards, so pack a Clear Weather.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Leshen, Arachas Behemoth, Earth Elemental, Fiend, Fire Elemental ×2, Frightener, Grave Hag, Griffin, Ice Giant, Werewolf, Arachas, Botchling ×2, Endrega ×2, Gargoyle, Wyvern

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×3, Decoy, Scorch ×2, Biting Frost ×2, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog ×3, Torrential Rain ×3

Only on Normal or Hard: Commander’s Horn ×2, Impenetrable Fog, Biting Frost, Torrential Rain ×2, Botchling, Endrega, Scorch ×2, Decoy, Clear Weather, Leshen, Fire Elemental

Ermion · Monsters

How to beat it: Ermion’s deck is the biggest of any quest opponent, with 47 cards on Hard, so he rarely runs out of options in round three. Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Kayran, Arachas Behemoth, Crone: Weavess, Crone: Whispess, Earth Elemental, Fire Elemental, Frightener, Griffin, Werewolf, Arachas ×2, Botchling, Vampire: Bruxa, Vampire: Ekimmara, Vampire: Fleder, Vampire: Garkain, Endrega, Nekker ×3, Ghoul ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×6, Decoy ×6, Scorch ×2, Biting Frost ×2, Clear Weather ×3, Impenetrable Fog ×3, Torrential Rain ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×4, Commander’s Horn ×4, Scorch, Biting Frost, Impenetrable Fog ×2, Torrential Rain, Clear Weather ×2, Kayran, Fire Elemental

Gremist · Nilfgaard

How to beat it: Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return. It carries 8 weather cards, so pack a Clear Weather.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Tibor Eggebracht ×2, Black Infantry Archer, Siege Engineer, Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff, Young Emissary ×2, Rainfarn, Vanhemar, Albrich, Sweers ×2, Etolian Auxiliary Archers ×2, Siege Technician

Special and weather: Decoy ×5, Biting Frost, Clear Weather ×3, Impenetrable Fog ×2, Torrential Rain ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain, Clear Weather ×2, Sweers, Decoy ×5, Siege Engineer, Tibor Eggebracht

Madman Lugos · Monsters

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It carries 13 weather cards, so pack a Clear Weather.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Leshen, Kayran, Earth Elemental, Fire Elemental, Frightener ×2, Grave Hag, Griffin, Plague Maiden, Werewolf ×2, Botchling ×2, Vampire: Bruxa, Vampire: Ekimmara, Vampire: Fleder, Cockatrice, Endrega, Foglet, Nekker ×4

Special and weather: Decoy ×3, Biting Frost ×2, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog ×5, Torrential Rain ×5

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Biting Frost, Impenetrable Fog ×3, Torrential Rain ×3, Botchling, Clear Weather, Leshen, Fire Elemental

Sjusta · Northern Realms

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It plays 2 spies, so expect it to draw extra cards. A Decoy lets you take a spy back and play it yourself. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Crinfrid Reavers Dragon Hunter ×3, Keira Metz, Prince Stennis, Síle de Tansarville, Ves, Zoltan Chivay, Blue Stripes Commando ×2, Sabrina Glevissig, Sigismund Dijkstra, Dandelion, Yarpen Zigrin ×2, Poor Fucking Infantry ×2, Redanian Foot Soldier ×4

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy ×3, Scorch

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Redanian Foot Soldier ×2, Yarpen Zigrin, Commander’s Horn ×2

High Stakes tournament

The four High Stakes opponents in the order you meet them at the Passiflora. Each one plays a different faction, which is how we matched them to the tournament decks in the files. See our Gwent tournament guide for the whole event.

Bernard Tulle (round 1) · Northern Realms

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Siege, so Torrential Rain hits it hard. It plays 3 spies, so expect it to draw extra cards. A Decoy lets you take a spy back and play it yourself. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Esterad Thyssen, Philippa Eilhart, Catapult ×2, Ballista, Siege Tower, Trebuchet, Dun Banner Medic, Prince Stennis, Blue Stripes Commando ×2, Sigismund Dijkstra, Thaler

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy, Scorch ×2, Biting Frost ×2, Impenetrable Fog

Only on Normal or Hard: Scorch, Commander’s Horn, Thaler

Sasha (round 2) · Nilfgaard

How to beat it: It plays 3 spies, so expect it to draw extra cards. A Decoy lets you take a spy back and play it yourself. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Letho of Gulet, Menno Coehoorn, Morvran Voorhis, Tibor Eggebracht, Black Infantry Archer ×2, Heavy Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Stefan Skellen, Shilard Fitz-Oesterlen, Fringilla Vigo, Young Emissary ×2, Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Vattier de Rideaux, Etolian Auxiliary Archers ×2

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy ×3, Scorch ×2, Clear Weather

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Commander’s Horn, Vattier de Rideaux, Letho of Gulet, Etolian Auxiliary Archers

Finneas (round 3) · Scoia’tael

How to beat it: It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return. 3 heroes ignore weather, which makes weather a weaker answer than usual.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Iorveth, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Saesenthessis, Milva, Barclay Els, Dennis Cranmer, Filavandrel aén Fidháil, Ida Emean aep Sivney, Yaevinn, Havekar Smuggler ×3, Havekar Healer ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn, Decoy, Scorch ×2, Biting Frost, Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain

Only on Normal or Hard: Scorch, Saesenthessis, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Havekar Healer

Count Tybalt (round 4) · Monsters

How to beat it: Note that Tybalt plays Eredin: Bringer of Death as his own leader, even though the card you win from him is Eredin: Destroyer of Worlds. Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It carries 4 weather cards, so pack a Clear Weather.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Imlerith, Leshen, Arachas Behemoth, Crone: Brewess, Crone: Weavess, Crone: Whispess, Earth Elemental, Vampire: Katakan, Arachas ×2, Vampire: Bruxa, Vampire: Ekimmara, Vampire: Fleder, Vampire: Garkain

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy ×2, Clear Weather ×2, Torrential Rain ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy, Commander’s Horn, Leshen, Crone: Whispess

Pheasantry tournament (Blood and Wine)

The four opponents of Gwent: To Everything – Turn, Turn, Tournament! in Beauclair, again matched by faction. You have to play Skellige here.

Hamal ogn Dangbahli (round 1) · Monsters

  • Where: The Pheasantry, Beauclair
  • Leader: Eredin: Bringer of Death
  • Deck size: 20 cards on Easy, 22 on Normal, 22 on Hard (15 units, 7 special or weather cards, 79 unit strength on Hard)

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. 3 heroes ignore weather, which makes weather a weaker answer than usual.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Imlerith, Leshen, Mysterious Elf, Arachas Behemoth, Crone: Brewess, Crone: Weavess, Crone: Whispess, Earth Elemental, Vampire: Katakan, Arachas ×2, Vampire: Bruxa, Vampire: Ekimmara, Vampire: Fleder, Vampire: Garkain

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy ×2, Clear Weather, Skellige Storm ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Commander’s Horn, Leshen, Crone: Whispess, Mysterious Elf

Ambassador von Hinn (round 2) · Nilfgaard

  • Where: The Pheasantry, Beauclair
  • Leader: Emhyr var Emreis: The Relentless
  • Deck size: 22 cards on Easy, 24 on Normal, 24 on Hard (16 units, 8 special or weather cards, 113 unit strength on Hard)

How to beat it: It plays 3 spies, so expect it to draw extra cards. A Decoy lets you take a spy back and play it yourself. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Letho of Gulet, Menno Coehoorn, Morvran Voorhis, Tibor Eggebracht, Black Infantry Archer ×2, Heavy Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Stefan Skellen, Shilard Fitz-Oesterlen, Fringilla Vigo, Young Emissary ×2, Zerrikanian Fire Scorpion, Vattier de Rideaux, Etolian Auxiliary Archers ×2

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy ×3, Scorch ×2, Clear Weather

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Commander’s Horn, Vattier de Rideaux, Letho of Gulet, Etolian Auxiliary Archers

Count Monnier (round 3) · Skellige

  • Where: The Pheasantry, Beauclair
  • Leader: Crach an Craite
  • Deck size: 25 cards on Easy, 30 on Normal, 30 on Hard (24 units, 6 special or weather cards, 121 unit strength on Hard)

How to beat it: It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. Tight Bond pairs double up when they land together, so hold weather or Scorch for that row. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, Geralt of Rivia, Cerys, Yennefer of Vengerberg, Mysterious Elf, Villentretenmerth, Olgierd von Everec, War Longship ×3, Berserker, Clan Drummond Shield Maiden ×3, Light Longship ×3, Roach, Birna Bran, Dandelion, Draig Bon-Dhu, Young Berserker ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn ×2, Decoy, Scorch ×2, Biting Frost

Only on Normal or Hard: Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, Geralt of Rivia, Roach, Olgierd von Everec, Draig Bon-Dhu, Birna Bran

Yaki Rafiberg (final) · Scoia’tael

  • Where: The Pheasantry, Beauclair
  • You win: King Bran (according to the game files, if you beat him after the tournament)
  • Leader: Francesca Findabair: Queen of Dol Blathanna
  • Deck size: 22 cards on Easy, 23 on Normal, 23 on Hard (16 units, 7 special or weather cards, 93 unit strength on Hard)

How to beat it: It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return. 3 heroes ignore weather, which makes weather a weaker answer than usual.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Iorveth, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Saesenthessis, Milva, Schirrú, Barclay Els, Dennis Cranmer, Filavandrel aén Fidháil, Ida Emean aep Sivney, Yaevinn, Havekar Smuggler ×3, Havekar Healer ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn, Scorch ×3, Biting Frost ×2, Torrential Rain

Only on Normal or Hard: Saesenthessis, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Havekar Healer, Schirrú

Hearts of Stone

Shani · Scoia’tael

How to beat it: It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit. Its Medics bring units back, so the cards you destroy may return.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, Eithné, Iorveth, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Saesenthessis, Yennefer of Vengerberg, Mysterious Elf, Milva, Barclay Els, Dennis Cranmer, Filavandrel aén Fidháil, Yaevinn, Havekar Smuggler ×3, Vrihedd Brigade Veteran ×2, Ciaran aep Easnillien, Dwarven Skirmisher ×2, Toruviel, Havekar Healer ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn, Decoy ×3, Scorch ×2

Only on Normal or Hard: Scorch, Decoy, Commander’s Horn, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, Iorveth, Yennefer of Vengerberg, Mysterious Elf, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, Eithné, Saesenthessis

Olgierd von Everec · Monsters

  • Where: The Alchemy in Oxenfurt
  • You win: Toad
  • Leader: Eredin Bréacc Glas: The Treacherous
  • Deck size: 18 cards on Easy, 26 on Normal, 29 on Hard (22 units, 7 special or weather cards, 117 unit strength on Hard)

How to beat it: Most of the deck’s non-hero strength sits in Close Combat, so Biting Frost hits it hard. It leans on Muster groups that put several cards on one row in a single move, so weather on that row is the cleanest answer. It can Scorch, so don’t put all your eggs in one big non-hero unit.

Full deck list (Hard)

Units: Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, Draug, Leshen, Kayran, Mysterious Elf, Arachas Behemoth, Crone: Brewess, Crone: Weavess, Crone: Whispess, Earth Elemental, Frightener, Griffin, Arachas ×3, Vampire: Bruxa, Vampire: Ekimmara, Vampire: Fleder, Vampire: Garkain, Nekker ×3

Special and weather: Commander’s Horn, Decoy ×2, Scorch, Clear Weather, Impenetrable Fog, Torrential Rain

Only on Normal or Hard: Decoy ×2, Torrential Rain, Clear Weather, Arachas, Crone: Brewess, Mysterious Elf, Draug, Leshen, Commander’s Horn, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon

More Gwent help

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