Overview
Some tips about Madman achievement
Introduction
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings was released more than three years ago. But at the time of writing this guide only 0,4% of players got Madman. I bought boxed version of the game on release day and spent countless hours playing it but after few deaths I looked for some guides to calm down and improve my chances. I was unable to find any so after getting achievement and analysing all my mistakes I’ve decided to create it.
I got Madman on Iorveth’s path which I know much better than Roche’s.
I ASSUME YOU’VE FINISHED THE GAME BEFORE. SPOILERS ARE AHEAD AND I WON’T DETAIL EVERY SINGLE THING
Ten Commandments
I. If peacuful solution is possible follow it.
II. Unlocking&upgrading Alchemist(Improves bomb damage), Position(Receive less backstab damage), Feet work(Improves dodge distance) and vitality- increasing skills coupled with Magic build makes beating achievement considerably easier.
III. Always have at least twenty Grapeshots(bombs required for Nekker Contract) and use them against bosses and normal enemies alike.
IV. Have Quen on during boss fights.
V. Be on your guard when fighting necrophage- type opponents- drowners, rotfiends and nekker warriors. They are though, attack fast, fight in packs and deal high damage. In early game one regular attack plus one backstab equals one death. Your death. Same with wraiths. Harpies’ packs are bigger but individuals are weaker.
VI. When fighting humans keep your distance, hit at most three times and retreat.
VII. Disable hard QTE.
VIII. Thou shall craft Vran Armor.
IX. Thou shall F5 often and F9 if vitality drops below 40%.
X. Thou shall not do stupid things. Like dying.
Prologue
- Kill Etcheverry.
- When escaping from La Valettes’ dungeons reload immediately if guard notices you. If quicksave doesn’t help use autosave.
Act I
- Don’t complete Melitele’s Heart, Ostmurk, Malena, In the Claws of Madness and monster contracts. Nekkers and Wraiths will most likely kill you. Endrega queens are too powerful to risk.
- It’s easier to kill troll than face Dmitri.
- When fighting Kayran reload if you’re hit without Quen active, poisoned or immobilized. When it frenzies after losing tentacle keep close to ledge you came from.
- Craft Kayran Armor.
- When fighting Arachas use grapeshots or use two strikes- dodge or two strikes- Aard- two strikes- dodge tactic.
- Buy Robust Cutlass or better steel sword before facing Letho. During fight roll around him when he uses Quen. Use Arachas tactic when he’s vulnerable. Bombs appeared to have lesser effect on him.
- If you follow Iorveth’s path it’s easier to give him sword and pretend he’s prisoner.
Act II
- When going through mist to Vergen or kaedweni camp attack only wraiths which capture Philippa/Detmold.
- Bullvore goes down riddicoulusly fast if struck by grapeshots.
- Iorveth’s: abandoned quarry is the most dangerous place in game. Harpies spawn in very large groups, with many erynias and celaenos. The most dangerous group is led by harpy queen- it appears when you collect Letho’s dream. In every case get away from harpies’ spawn point and bomb them. If you get in their melee range reload or return to prologue.
- Iorveth’s: if you’re detected while sneaking reload.
- Iorveth’s: beware Vanhemar’s fireballs.
- Roche’s: Vinson Traut’s hideout is small and it’s hard to dodge there.
- The hardest part of the mist is arrow dodging. Luckily few arrows won’t kill you immediately but don’t risk. Keep an eye out at vitality all the time and reload if it drops too low. Draug is rather easy, just dodge fireballs and whirlwinds, stay out of his melee reach, bomb him mercilessly and reload if you’re hit without Quen on.
Act III
- Best idea is to craft Vran Armor and go to finish main quests.
- Watch out for rotfiends in the sewers.
- Gargoyles are real threat. Fortunately they don’t appear often if you follow main quest. They are quite weak to upgraded Aard.
- Dragon: second easiest moment to die. 8th Commandment is important because dragon will kill you in one hit without Vran Armor. Quen is the most important in that fight. Reload if hit- even if hit with Quen on. Don’t stay in one place. Try to dodge fire breath. Bomb dragon whenever you can.
Epilogue
Follow I Commandment.
The End
Thank you for reading.
UP THE IRONS!