A new The Witcher 3 patch is live with several fixes and quality of life changes, including one that has some of the RPG’s fandom divided. The Witcher 3 patch 4.03 adds the option to automatically apply oils to Geralt’s sword before initiating combat against monsters and humans (thanks, Kotaku).
Geralt can craft and use oils to gain an advantage against certain monsters who have a weakness against certain elements. Normally, the game expects you to look up the monster you’re facing in the in-game bestiary, find its weakness, and apply the right oil.
“I understand that this is something that people were clamoring for but it goes against the philosophy with which [sic] the game was originally designed,” one Reddit user commented. “The idea was that you were supposed to research a monster before you fought it and come prepared.”
Several commenters agreed, with one saying it made the game feel more fresh and exciting, especially to newcomers. One said it just makes sense to expect that Geralt, a seasoned Witcher, would see a monster and apply the right stuff automatically, without pausing to consult a book as if he were a novice.
Others pointed out that this option is, well, an option. No one is forcing you to automatically apply oils. If you’re like me – impatient and forgetful – and the 1.5 million people who downloaded a mod that automatically applies oils, then the toggle just makes the game more enjoyable.
The patch also removes the option to eat or drink anything while Geralt is underwater. Unless it’s a potion, which is fair game for some reason.
Meanwhile, The Witcher season three is coming up soon, while work on the from-the-ground-up remake of The Witcher continues.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
