The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt is celebrated for its deep narrative choices that completely reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Continent. Among the most impactful late-game secondary assignments is the assassination plot against King Radovid V the Stern. Navigating this questline requires careful planning and forces players to make an intense moral choice between lifelong allies.
Prerequisites for Unlocking the Assassination Plot
Players cannot access this specific political mission without completing several foundational storylines earlier in the campaign. You must successfully finish the side quests involving Triss Merigold, Sigismund Dijkstra, and Vernon Roche in Novigrad. These introductory stages establish the conspiratorial network necessary to move against the Redanian monarch.
During the final preparations in Act III, Geralt must complete the main quest titled Blindingly Obvious. While dealing with Philippa Eilhart, you must share crucial intelligence regarding Ciri with Dijkstra rather than using physical force. Choosing diplomacy over aggression prompts the former spymaster to extend a secret invitation to the Passiflora brothel.
Navigating the Ambush on the Redanian King
Once you meet the conspirators at the designated location, the operation to draw out King Radovid officially begins. Philippa provides a unique quest item that acts as bait to lure the paranoid ruler onto the St. Gregory Bridge. Geralt must guide the king into an isolated alleyway where the partisan ambush waits to spring the trap.
A massive combat encounter ensues against the royal palace guards and witch hunters protecting the crown. Players must assist Roche, Ves, and their Temerian guerillas to clear out the hostile forces in the area. Utilizing defensive signs like Quen and fast sword strikes ensures the battlefield remains under control.
The Final Choice and Its Major Consequences
Following the successful ambush, the true climax unfolds as Dijkstra unexpectedly betrays the rest of the conspiracy. He demands that Geralt step aside so his mercenaries can execute Roche, Ves, and Thaler on the spot. This sudden turning point forces players to make an immediate decision regarding the future of the North.
Walking away allows Dijkstra to successfully unify the northern kingdoms under a powerful new industrial regime. Alternatively, defending your companions triggers a deadly brawl where you must defeat the former spy and his guards. This choice dictates whether Nilfgaard wins the war or if Redania maintains its independence.
Long Term Political Impact on the World
Intervening to save the Temerian partisans allows the Nilfgaardian Empire to successfully conquer the remaining free territories. This pathway grants Temeria status as a self-governing vassal state while Emhyr var Emreis secures total dominance. It also opens up specific paths for Ciri to potentially claim the imperial throne.
Allowing the conspiracy to collapse results in an entirely different outcome for the ordinary citizens of the Continent. Dijkstra rules with an iron fist, fostering technological progress at the expense of individual freedom and civil liberties. Players should weigh these long-term historical effects before finalizing their tactical position in the alleyway.
