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Simulate save choices - The Witcher 3

Should you import or simulate a save in The Witcher 3, and what choices should you make?

Bill Lavoy

February 11, 2020 11:10 AM

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When players fire up The Witcher 3 they will be asked if they would like to import a save, simulate a save, or not simulate a save. In this guide, I’ll explain what choices you should make in order to get your preferred outcome and start your journey as Geralt off on the right foot.

Simulate save choices

Before you take your first steps as Geralt, the game will ask you how you want to handle your choices from The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. If you still have a save file from that game, you can import it and carry your choices over to begin The Witcher 3. If you don’t have a save file, you can choose whether you want to simulate one. If you do not simulate a save, The Witcher 3 will proceed to make the following choices for you:

• Spared Aryan La Valette
• Sided with Vernon Roche
• Saved Triss in Loc Muinne
• Left Síle de Tansarville to die
• Killed Letho

If you simulate a save, you’ll have a conversation several hours into The Witcher 3 with Morvran Voorhis. He will ask you questions that will play a major part in the characters that are in your game and how they view Geralt. You will get to choose how you handled the above situations.

Choice #1: Spare or kill Aryan La Valette?

This is a minor choice compared to others. It will have a minor impact on a quest called Broken Flowers, but nothing groundbreaking. If you spared Aryan La Valette, you’ll be greeted pleasantly by Mary Louisa. If you killed Aryan La Valette, Mary Louisa won’t be pleased to see her son’s killer, and will retreat into the house. The quest will progress regardless of her reaction, but there appears to be no harm in sparing him. 

• Recommendation: Spare Aryan La Valette

Choice #2: Roche or lorveth?

This choice branches off a bit while you’re speaking with Morvran Voorhis, leading to questions about the fate of Triss Merigold. No matter what you choose things won’t get too crazy, but my advice is to side with Vernon Roche, then follow up that you saved Triss Merigold. Triss will live regardless, as will Roche, but they can both prove to be powerful allies to Geralt in his quest, so let’s side with them.

• Recommendation: Side with Roche and Save Triss Merigold

Choice #3: Warn Sile de Tansarville?

This only changes a small portion of a quest called The Great Escape, but warning Sile means a sad but cool experience during that quest. Save her, as not doing so won’t benefit the game whatsoever.

• Recommendation: Warn Sile de Tansarville

Choice #4: Kill or spare Letho?

This one has a major impact. I’m not talking about ending changes, but it will change how several quests play out, or if they show up in your game. Again, there is no benefit to killing Letho, as him being alive means you get to complete a quest called Ghosts of the Past, and Letho will be available for a major story quest called The Battle of Kaer Morhen.

• Recommendation: Spare Letho

Generally, there is no benefit to killing any character in this conversation. If you want to stay true to your playthrough of The Witcher 2: Assassin’s of Kings, that’s fine, but if you’re not married to any of the above options, go with our advice, which we’ll summarize nicely in the list below:

• Spare Aryan La Valette
• Side with Roche and save Triss Merigold
• Warn Sile de Tansarville
• Spare Letho

Now that you know the simulate save choices, get your journey started off on the right foot by acquiring the Serpentine (Viper School) Gear in White Orchard. You'll be glad you did.

Bill Lavoy

Managing Editor

Bill, who is also known as Rumpo, is a lifelong gamer and Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He made his mark early in his career through guide writing and a deep understanding of editorial SEO. He enjoys putting in the work to create a great content, be it a wild feature or grinding out an in-depth collectible guide. Tweet him @RumpoPlays if you have a question or comment about one of his articles.