The Best Witcher 3 Mods For New And Returning Players

Witcher 3 is back in the spotlight thanks to the Netflix TV series and the game’s Nintendo Switch version. Many new players are discovering the game while others are returning for another playthrough.

This is a good time to refresh our list of the best Witcher 3 mods. While the vanilla game is already one of the greatest PC games of all time, there are many ways to improve it and add something fun, especially if you’re playing for a second time.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the most popular and useful Witcher 3 PC mods for 2021 and beyond. They’re broken down into convenient categories like quality of life, immersion, gameplay, fun factor, Gwent, and overhaul mods.

All of these mods are available on NexusMods and should work with the current 1.32 patch. Let’s get started!

How to Install Witcher 3 Mods

Before you start modding Witcher 3, we recommend making sure your graphics and any other Windows drivers are up to date. Also, make sure you have some free space available (ideally, 10 GB or more).

There are 3 ways to install Witcher 3 mods:

• The Witcher 3 Mod Manager
• The NexusMods Vortex Manager
• Manual installation

Overall, we’d recommend using manual installation, but here’s a breakdown of the available options.

*Whichever option you choose, it’s best to run your game after you install every individual mod to make sure that everything works, or at least after every couple of mods. This makes it easier to fix any potential issues.

Mod Manager

The easiest way to install Witcher 3 mods is by using the Witcher 3 Mod Manager. Although NexusMods has its dedicated Vortex mod manager, it simply doesn’t work that well for Witcher 3.

The Witcher 3 mod manager allows you to install/uninstall and enable/disable all mods in one place. Having said that, some mods will require a manual installation. That’s why it’s always best to read through the mod instructions. 

If you run into any problems installing a mod, check the instructions on the mod page as well as the posts tab — chances are, someone’s had a similar issue.

Manual Installation

Alternatively, you can also install Witcher 3 mods manually. This option is considered safer and less prone to errors, but it does take more time:

1. Go to your Witcher 3 installation folder (…GOG/The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt)
2. Make a new folder called “Mods”
3. Download a mod and find the folder/file that starts with “mod” inside
4. Move that folder/file it into your Witcher 3 Mods folder

Resolving Mod Conflicts

We also highly recommend installing Script Merger. It’s common to run into conflicts when you’re running multiple Witcher 3 mods because they may be trying to modify the same game files. Script Merger will resolve these conflicts and allow you to start the game.

Must-Have Mods

If you’re new to modding Witcher 3 and just want to make clear-cut improvements to the game, we recommend starting with the 5 mods below. 

These mods are relatively easy to install, whereas more serious Witcher 3 modding can take time due to mod conflicts and the need for manual installation.

Fast Travel Anywhere

A highly practical mod, fast travel anywhere allows you to fast travel from any point in the game without having to find a signpost. This can save you quite a bit of time.

A word of caution, however: this mod is known to break some quests (most notably the Get Junior quest) so we recommend not using it when you’re in the middle of a quest. 

All Quest Objectives On Map

One of the biggest limitations in Witcher 3 is that you can only track one quest at a time. This mod takes care of that problem by adding pins for all quests from your journal onto the map. 

You can also mouse over the pins to see more info like the recommended level and click to change your current tracked quest. Another great no-brainer improvement over the vanilla version of the game.

AutoLoot

This mod fixes another annoying component of Witcher 3 — the cumbersome looting system. It will automatically loot all dead enemies in range and loot items when you open containers or gather ingredients.

You can also customize what and how this mod loots so be sure to follow the installation instructions.

Auto Apply Oils

Applying weapon oils in the vanilla version of Witcher 3 is time-consuming and inconvenient. Nobody wants to open their inventory every time they enter combat. 

This addon takes care of that by automatically applying the right oil whenever you encounter a specific type of enemy. This is another great quality of life improvement mod.

The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project

The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project remains the most popular Witcher 3 mod to date, with over 3 million downloads. It significantly improves the game’s graphics by modifying textures and models.

It will update the terrain, buildings, rocks, water, grass, trees, NPCs, monsters, animals, and other visuals. This is the go-to mod if you want your game to look better, at least until CDPR releases the Witcher 3 next-gen edition.

Quality of Life Mods

These mods will make Geralt’s life easier. If you’re modding Witcher 3 mainly for convenience, this is the category for you.

Over 9000 – Weight limit

As the name implies, this mod raises your weight limit by 9000. If you’re frustrated by the Witcher 3’s weight limits, this mod will make that a thing of the past and you’ll be able to loot virtually everything you see without worrying about hitting the limit. 

Always Full Exp

This mod makes it so you always get some experience even from grey quests. It has five different settings: 

• Always full (100% exp from all quests)
• Always difficulty (more exp on higher game difficulty)
• Always mixed (grey quests give 50% exp)
• Always DLC (more exp for quests above your level, less for those below)
• Always Neovalen (half exp for grey quests and more exp per difficulty)

Be sure to read the mod description to help you choose the right version for your preferences.

Slots Slots Slots

If you dislike the restriction to 12 skill slots then this is the mod for you. It allows you to have as many as 96 skill slots equipped at the same time. 

While this is a bit too much, you can always toggle how many skill slots you want in the game’s gameplay options after installing the mod.

Disable Storybook Videos

This mod removes the videos that show when you start the game as well as the recap storyboard videos that play when you load a save. If you’re annoyed by these videos, the mod will save you quite a bit of time.

In that sense, it’s ideal for players who already finished the game or played enough of it to skip the storyboards and not miss out on anything.

Immersion Mods

Thanks to its amazing storytelling and characters, Witcher 3 is already a very immersive game. Still, these mods can take things to the next level and really make you feel like a witcher.

Lore-Friendly Witchers

You’ve probably heard Geralt being called a mutant, ugly, or freak in the game. That’s what Geralt is supposed to look like, according to the books and previous games.

However, Geralt is a handsome bastard in Witcher 3 so it kind of breaks the immersion. 

This mod changes the appearance of Geralt and other witchers so they actually like how they’re portrayed in the books. For example, it makes Geralt’s skin paler and the eyes more cat-like, makes his scar look more realistic, and matches the color of his eyebrows and hair.

Lore-friendly Silver Swords

Similar to the mod above, this mod makes Geralt’s silver swords look more like they’re described in the Witcher books by giving them shine and reflections. 

Friendly Meditation

This mod changes the game’s meditation into real-time. Once you meditate, time will fast-forward quickly and you will see the world change around you, with the sun rising and going down, stars and moon appearing, and other neat environmental effects. 

A really cool way to add immersion to the game.

Preparations

The preparation mod takes immersion to the next level. It makes meditation much more important by forcing you to meditate whenever you want to spend new skill points, use alchemy, repair items, and more. It also prevents you from eating and drinking during combat.

If you want to make your game more realistic, this is a great pick. You can modify the exact options with an in-game menu.

Gameplay Mods

These mods alter or improve the Witcher 3’s gameplay in some way.

Friendly HUD

This comprehensive HUD mod makes many improvements to the Witcher 3’s UI. Some key features:

• 3D markers for tracked quests – makes it easier to follow quests without having to open the map constantly
• Turn some or all parts of the HUD off — great for immersion or taking screenshots
• Using Potions/Bombs/Oils through radial Sign menu for easier access in combat

FCR3 – Immersion and Gameplay Tweaks

This mod was made by a senior designer who worked directly on Witcher 3. It makes numerous tweaks to the game to make it more immersive and challenging, as well as fixing some bugs. 

However, most players feel that this mod doesn’t do enough to fix the game’s issues. If you’re willing to spend more time setting things up, the Ghost Mode overhaul mod (discussed below) is a far more comprehensive option for fixing and balancing the game.

Ultra Gore 2 – A Dismemberment Mod

This mod makes it so you always dismember an enemy when you kill them (if that enemy can be dismembered). A fun little mod if you want to spice up Witcher 3’s combat.

E3 Inspired Gameplay Mod (E3IG)

This mod changes the game’s walking, combat, and other animations to better match how the game was presented at E3 back in 2014.

Many people felt that those early animations were superior to the released game.

Increased Creature Loot

Loot is a major component of any RPG game, so it can be frustrating when you don’t get anything from killing monsters. This mod increases the amount and chance of getting loot. It comes with 5 different rulesets, so choose the one that fits your needs best.

Jump in Shallow Water

This simple mod allows you to jump in shallow water, which can save you a lot of time.

Brutal Blood

This mod makes the game’s combat a lot more gory by adding more blood, dismemberments, and related visual features.

Item Levels Normalized

As the name implies, this mod makes all of the game’s items scale with your level (except for quest items). This is pretty cool for two reasons: 

• Immersion
• You can use your favorite armor and weapons throughout the whole game

Although Witcher 3 has many other armor and weapon mods, we really like this one because it’s a simple solution to the problem of not being able to use the gear you want.

Overhaul Mods

These mods make big changes to The Witcher 3, overhauling the combat, loot, crafting, and other systems. They will be harder to install if you’re already using other mods, so you may have to spend some time reading the instructions and using the Script Merger to get them to run.

However, it’s certainly worth it if you feel like the vanilla game needs major changes.

Ghost Mode

In our humble opinion, this is the best overhaul mod for Witcher 3. It seeks to improve the gameplay while still keeping the game close to its roots. Quite simply, this is an enhanced version of vanilla Witcher 3.

Ghost mode modifies virtually every game system, including the combat, damage, loot, descriptions, crafting, and economy. It fixes many bugs, makes weak skills better, nerfs overpowered skills, and makes many other changes to make the game more challenging and balanced.

It’s best to use Ghost Mode when you’re starting a new game from scratch rather than overriding an existing playthrough.

Witcher 3 Enhanced Edition

Another major overhaul of the vanilla game, this mod seeks to make Witcher 3 more realistic and immersive. It changes the combat, economy, crafting, and other systems of Witcher 3. 

We recommend this mod over Ghost Mode if you dislike the feel of the vanilla game because it makes drastic changes. For this reason, it’s best used for your second playthrough.

The Enhancement System

This mod started out as a way to improve the game’s weapons but grew into an overhaul mod. Its key features include:

• Relic weapons upgrades and access to NPC weapons, such as the ones used by the Wild Hunt
• Improved crafting system and new armors and upgrades
• Improvements to Gwent
• More money and loot added to the game world
• New animations

Be sure to read the complete description of changes to see if this mod is for you.

Gwent Mods

Let’s face it: many of us spend way too much time playing Witcher 3’s Gwent card game. Here are some mods to make Gwent more fun and delay your quest progression even more.

Gwent Plus Plus

This is the go-to mod for making Gwent more balanced and fun to play. It introduces new abilities and cards, lore-friendly decks, balance adjustments, and better card descriptions that make Gwent more fair and strategic. Say goodbye to the main questline.

The Gwent Car Dealer

This mod adds a new Gwent vendor to Crows Perch who sells most cards, making it easy to access all of them right away instead of slowly collecting as you progress through the game. This mod is already bundled into the Enhancement System overhaul mod described above.

Fun Mods

These mods are strictly for fun and messing around.

Geralt Cloak

This neat mod gives Geralt the badass cloak you can see in the game’s cinematic trailer and storybooks. It not only looks cool but adds immersion to the game since a cloak could help with the rain and obscure Geralt’s identity. You also have the option of keeping the hood up or taking it off.

Henry Cavill and Anya Chalotra

This mod changes the model for Geralt into Henry Cavill, the actor playing Geralt in the Netflix Witcher series. 

Optionally, you can also change the appearance of Yennefer to Anya Chalotra, the British actress who plays her on the show. This mod is a fun addition for fans of the show.

Mads Mikkelsen Face

This mod replaces Geralt’s face with Mads Mikkelsen, the popular Danish actor who many believe is the ideal man to portray the grizzled witcher.

Geralt Dad Bod

As the name implies, this mod gives Geralt the infamous dad bod many middle-aged men are proudly sporting these days. While it may take a bit too far — Geralt IS old and his testosterone probably isn’t as high as it used to be (are there mutagens for that?), it’s unlikely he would let himself go this badly.

But it’s still a fun mod if just to see how it changes your gameplay experience from a roleplaying viewpoint.

Money Mods

Although there are some mods that can give you free money, the best and easiest approach to making money in Witcher 3 is to use the debug console. When you have it enabled, all you have to do is write the command “addmoney(amount)” and it will add however many crowns you want.

For example, “addmoney(1000)” will give you 1000 crowns.

Enabling the Debug Console

The Witcher 3 debug console allows you to write different commands that can spawn enemies, change your player character, add money, and do other cool stuff.* If you’re messing around with mods, we definitely recommend enabling the debug console as well.

You can enable it in two ways: manually (recommended) or by using a mod. 

Here’s the manual method:

1. Navigate to your Witcher 3 game folder and find the general.ini file.
2. (Optional) Make a copy of the general.ini file (this is done in case you make a mistake).
3. Open the general.ini file with a text editor (Notepad usually).
4. Find the line ConfigVersion=2.
5. Paste “DBGConsoleOn=true” (without the colons) below that line.
6. You can now access the debug console by pressing ~ in-game.

For the mod method, download and install the Native Debug Console for 1.32 Patch mod.

*Here’s a list of the commands you can use with the debug console.

Summing Up

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the best Witcher 3 mods as there are literally thousands of them, with new ones coming out every month. Having said that, we focused on the most popular, interesting, useful, and up-to-date ones for 2021 and beyond.

We also avoided some of the mods that cause too many issues to run properly, such as the realistic weather mod. If you run into any issues, be sure to use the Script Merger, read the mod page, and disable conflicting mods if needed.

We hope you found this list useful. If you have any suggestions for other mods or any other feedback feel free to share below; we’re always looking to update and improve this list.

Next, check out our guides to the best Witcher 3 skill builds and weapons.