A detailed guide for completing 'Now or Never' in The Witcher 3

'Now or Never' is one of the better side quests in The Witcher 3, and there are some tricky choices that you'll need to make along the way.

From saving characters to defeating a tricky boss, there are plenty of in-game tribulations that might get in the way of your progress here - but the romantic reward might definitely be worth it!

How to complete 'Now or Never'

Firstly, you’ll gain this quest after completing the main mission 'A Poet Under Pressure'. After this has been completed, the side quest 'A Matter of Life and Death' will automatically unlock, which leads into 'Now or Never' once completed.

After completing these prerequisites, 'Now or Never' will begin. You will find yourself engaging in a quest that revolves around Triss, one of the game’s love interests, and this is the specific mission you will gain the ability to romance her.

To kick things off, go and visit Triss to begin this quest, where she will inform you of two mages known as Anisse and Berthold who haven't shown up for this mission. Your first choice will be to either save them or leave them to their fate. It doesn’t matter which one you pick, but I'll dive into each option.

Choose to rescue Anisse and Berthold

Follow Triss who will lead you to their home. Be sure to watch out for witch hunter patrols along the way. Eventually, you’ll arrive at your destination and be met with a gang of witch hunters, who you will need to kill to progress. You’ll need to be quick if you want to save Anisse and Berthold, as they can die during this encounter.

If one of them does die, they will be understandably upset, but it won’t jeopardize your quest. However, if they both survive, you will need to use your Axii sign to bring them along with you to Kingfisher Inn. It’s worth noting if you choose this option that your informant Oliver will die.

Leave Anisse and Berthold to their fate 

If you want to avoid all of the above, you can decide to leave them to their fate. This will skip everything above, Oliver will still be alive, but Anisse and Berthold will die.

Continuing Now or Never

After convening at the Kingfisher Inn, your next port of call will be to ensure the escape route of your plan is clear of enemies. With Triss, visit the tunnels and clear it of enemies such as Drowners. Use your magic and allow Triss to help make quick work of these foes and proceed to the next objective.

Eventually, you will reach a wall that you need to use your Aard sign on to destroy. Do so, and you will find a secret library residing behind the wall. You find another wall inside here in which you need to use Aard again to advance. More enemies will be awaiting you as you advance, including more Drowners and rats, so be sure to be ready for the fight ahead.

After a fight with three Drowners, use this as an opportunity to meditate and heal up. Your next objective will require you to have as much health as possible if you want to emerge victorious.

How to defeat Katakan in The Witcher 3

Once you’re ready, your next battle will be against a vampiric boss known as the Katakan. Being a vampire, this boss has the ability to regenerate health, meaning you’re going to need to play this tactically. Your best bet is to use your Yrden sign, which will slow down Katakan and give you ample opportunity to attack.

With him in a vulnerable state, use this time to get in as many attacks as you can. Keep firing this sign and use it to your advantage. Be sure to refill your health and mana if you’re in a tricky spot as this can be an incredibly challenging fight if you’re not well-prepared.

How to romance Triss

After you’ve completed this boss fight, you will exit back to the docks and need to take out another gang of witcher hunters. Dispose of them and a cutscene will play out with Triss. This is where you’ll be able to gain the ability to romance her, as long as you pick the correct dialogue options.

Prior to this, ensure you’ve kissed Triss in A Matter of Life and Death, and helped her as soon as the Now or Never quest began. Now, during this dialogue sequence, pick the following two options to complete the romance:

• "Stay with me"
• "I love you"

You’ll be able to identify if you’re correctly romanced Triss as she will reappear whilst Geralt is speaking to Dijkstra. Having done all of this, you will now have secured Triss as a romance option.

Of course, if you don’t want to romance Triss, then go against these options and she will sail away without returning.

We also have a guide on how to complete Where the Cat and Wolf Play in The Witcher 3.