Witcher 3 - B&W to Introduce Enemy Scaling

Blood and Wine will introduce enemy scaling to The Witcher 3, according to a German video. There was already a mod for it, but official content is always nice.

Due to the prevalence of this Reddit thread and various European previews of The Witcher 3's Blood and Wine expansion, we're learning that CD Projekt RED has added an option to introduce "feinde skalieren" or enemy scaling to the RPG with the accompanying patch. The thread contains a screenshot of the option in question, and level designer Miles Tost apparently does not refute it at the 19:50 mark during this 27-minute preview (I know zero German, unfortunately):

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I hope it's implemented well, not simply that everything in the gameworld is tracking your level, so there's no sense of progression.

My German is pretty rusty but from what I understand the scaling will apply only to underleveled enemies (to avoid Geralt becoming op). I personally hate scaling of any kind but thankfully it's completely optional.

I've never seen level-scaling implemented an as option before. CD Projekt continues to impress me.

As an option it is ok, but usually level scaling is a very bad idea.

Originally Posted by Ron Obvious
My German is pretty rusty but from what I understand the scaling will apply only to underleveled enemies (to avoid Geralt becoming op). I personally hate scaling of any kind but thankfully it's completely optional.

Your German seems about fine. That's what he said.

Witcher 3 was one of the few games where I think I would have really appreciated enemy scaling. There was so much side content that I wanted to pursue, but I outleveled so much of it so quickly that it was never challenging. Scaling weak enemies while keeping tough ones tough would have solved that problem without killing my sense of progression.

Actually not scaling trashmobs that are phoenix in disguise is the reason why I loved TW3. I have no time to waste on something I've killed so many times already. I want new things to experience so lemme onehit/oneshot those undying trashmobs. Trashmobs that exist only because some "critics" would say that the world is empty if those weren't there.

If nonrespawnable mobs were scaling, that's something I wouldn't have anything against. But in fact I've followed quests mostly on recommended level basis so it didn't feel too easy. On the other hand it wasn't challenging much (played on normal) but then again TW3 is supposed to be a heavy story game, not boss after boss fighting without a reason and irrelevant story or ignorable sidecontent.

Originally Posted by JDR13
I've never seen level-scaling implemented an as option before. CD Projekt continues to impress me.

Indeed, I'm very interested in trying this. It could end up being the best solution for everyone.

It's great that it is an option, but I'd like to see rpg's move past the crude Hp/damage ratios here. Scripts that increases mob size, their speed and agression factor would be a better improvement.
Especially with open worlds that have to keep consistency and immersion in check.

Originally Posted by BoboTheMighty
It's great that it is an option, but I'd like to see rpg's move past the crude Hp/damage ratios here. Scripts that increases mob size, their speed and agression factor would be a better improvement.
Especially with open worlds that have to keep consistency and immersion in check.

Yes, I think these huge open worlds with tons of content are impossible to balance without some form of scaling. The challenge is finding a better way of doing it than just having everything in the world mutate into tougher forms around you.

I think I would approach it by identifying the hub points in the game, and then defining the level ranges of the quests that emerge from it, from your level when you discover it. Leave the bulk of the world static, but have it so that a good proportion of the newly discovered quests will be challenging at any level.

Originally Posted by Ripper
Yes, I think these huge open worlds with tons of content are impossible to balance without some form of scaling.

Gothic games shown it's possible.

As long as it's forced on the player, it's not a problem for me.

Originally Posted by joxer
Gothic games shown it's possible.

Yup. I love their model of "open-world" and think it's my favorite system that I've played.

Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul and Nehrim are also great examples of open-worlds done with minimal or no level scaling.

In OOO, enemies get stronger the further away from the road you get. In Nehrim, it's basically like OOO meets Gothic design. I expect Enderal to be more of this as well.

Originally Posted by joxer
Gothic games shown it's possible.

Gothic 1 and Gothic 2 are very small compared to Witcher 3 and Skyrim so that they don't really come into level scaling issues.

How does it work in Gothic 3? (never finished it). I think they have different level mobs for different regions?

Haven't really checked around, but after 200 hours I'm 'only' level 37-- and I've finished the story & done about 90% of the original content, to include contracts/map-clearing. Folks on the Steam boards are talking about being in the 60's. Not sure if they are full of shit but I cannot imagine how they are getting that high unless they are grinding Drowners or something.

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory
Haven't really checked around, but after 200 hours I'm 'only' level 37-- and I've finished the story & done about 90% of the original content, to include contracts/map-clearing. Folks on the Steam boards are talking about being in the 60's. Not sure if they are full of shit but I cannot imagine how they are getting that high unless they are grinding Drowners or something.

You can't farm XP past a certain level, everything is grey and doesn't give you any XP. They probably did a New Game+.

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory
Haven't really checked around, but after 200 hours I'm 'only' level 37-- and I've finished the story & done about 90% of the original content, to include contracts/map-clearing. Folks on the Steam boards are talking about being in the 60's. Not sure if they are full of shit but I cannot imagine how they are getting that high unless they are grinding Drowners or something.

Once you finish the game choose the New Game + option and you will start a new game keeping all the exp (level), money and items except food, books, quest items, trophies and Gwent deck. It's the only way to use those swords with high lvl requirement. It makes the game harder as all enemies will scale to your level.

Bg2 had best scaling system, it added stronger and stronger enemies on top of base numbers as the party level went up. So a base lvl 9 undead encounter had an additional Lich for you to face if you came there at lvl 12 or a Lich and greater Mummy if you were lvl 14.