Ten years after players first fell in love with Gwent inside The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the iconic mini-game has finally made its way from the screen to the table.
The Official Gwent: The Legendary Card Game is a faithful recreation of CD PROJEKT RED’s digital classic, designed by Rafał Jaki and Damien Monnier, now transformed into a premium boxed experience for collectors and card battlers alike.
And yes, this is the real deal, the official Gwent: The Witcher Card Game tabletop version, celebrating a decade of legendary strategy in true Witcher fashion. I was lucky that I was able to try out this game (along many others) during the High Stakes board game event last October 3-5 in Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Here is my quick how to play and review blog.
Five Factions. Infinite Strategies. One Table.
Step into the Northern Kingdoms once more and lead your chosen faction to victory. Each one brings its own playstyle and personality to the fight:
- Northern Realms – card draw kings
- Scoia’tael – tricksy elves with tactical flexibility
- Monsters – overwhelming swarms that thrive in chaos
- Skellige – battle-hardened warriors who get stronger as the fight goes on
- Nilfgaard – masters of deceit, control, and domination
Whether you’re a newcomer learning how to play the Gwent board game, or a Witcher veteran chasing that next perfect bluff, every faction offers a new puzzle to solve: a battle of patience, power, and wit.
What’s in the Box?
Inside the box, you’ll find what Geralt would probably call a treasure trove, almost 450 cards, covering all the factions and expansions from The Witcher 3. The art is stunning, lifted straight from the video game’s designs, so you can truly admire every piece of card art you once ignored while speed-running Novigrad.
You also get a small punchboard of tokens and a paper playmat, though, fair warning, they’re a bit flimsy. Think: “used tavern table” instead of “Kaer Morhen luxury.” Still, it gets the job done.
How It’s Played
Gwent is a battle of strategy, timing, and just a hint of luck, the kind of game that feels simple at first but has depth waiting under the surface.
You play over three rounds, and whoever wins two of them wins the match. You start with 10 cards, and here’s the kicker: that’s all you get for the entire game. No redrawing between rounds. Every decision you make, whether to hold back or go all in, matters.
Each card belongs to one of three rows: melee, ranged, or siege. You play cards to build up your total power, taking turns until one player passes. The player with the highest strength total wins the round.
So far, so simple (until the special abilities come in).
Abilities & Special Cards
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Spy – Play a card onto your opponent’s field to draw two cards for yourself. Risky but rewarding.
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Tight Bond – Double (or triple) the strength of cards with matching names.
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Medic – Bring a discarded card back from the dead, like a resurrection spell, Witcher-style.
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Weather Cards – These affect both players, like Frost or Fog, reducing strength in entire rows.
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Heroes – Strong, special cards immune to most abilities and effects.
Combos, counterplays, and calculated risks define every round. Play a Weather card too early and your opponent might Clear it in an instant. Hold it too long, and you might never get the chance.
The Real Game: Deck-Building
This is where the real strategy lies. You can build decks from five factions, each with its own quirks and playstyle. Each faction has its own leader with a unique ability, adding even more flavor to your strategy.
Game Modes Fit for Every Witcher
This official Gwent boxed set comes packed with multiple ways to play, whether you’re new to the Continent or ready to run a full-blown tournament.
- Initiation Mode – jump right in with pre-selected beginner decks
- 2v2 – team up for tactical showdowns
- Free-for-All (3–5 Players) – chaotic multiplayer battles
- Solo Challenge Mode – test your deck and skills alone
- Advanced Mode – fine-tune your strategy with full deckbuilding
- Tournament Format – competitive-ready rules for organized play
Whether you're a collector, casual fan, or seasoned Gwent player, this set offers the ultimate way to experience Gwent in the real world.
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About Gaming Library
Gaming Library aims to be the go-to resource for board games, providing not only titles that can be enjoyed by families, but also to be enjoyed by friends both newcomers and veterans alike. By pulling from different resources from all over the world, we at Gaming Library curate an impressive collection of games for consumers to choose from, suitable for anybody from casual players to hardcore hobbyists. In doing so, we hope to provide the best means to foster activities that strengthen family ties and friendships, while teaching relevant skills and practical critical thinking that can be applied to your everyday life.
