If you’re wandering the war-torn lands of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you’ll quickly realize that gaining experience (XP) efficiently is key to surviving and thriving. Whether you’re a grizzled monster slayer or just starting out as Geralt of Rivia, leveling up isn’t just about power—it’s about unlocking your full potential, mastering your build, and keeping up with the game’s increasingly lethal enemies. This guide walks you through the most effective and rewarding ways to gain XP, while also helping you make the most of your time in the game.

Start with Side Quests and Witcher Contracts

The first major step is simple: do side missions and Witcher contracts. These aren’t just optional content—they’re your main pipeline for reliable XP and gold. Whenever you’re in a village or town, keep your eyes peeled for yellow exclamation marks on the map. Talk to the locals, pick up quests, and dive into monster contracts. These often come with rich lore, interesting encounters, and valuable monster trophies.

But there’s more: negotiating your reward before accepting a contract can earn you significantly more coin. Use the haggling mechanic when possible—Geralt is a professional, after all, and his services should be well-compensated.

Be warned, though—XP rewards scale based on your level relative to the quest. If you’re significantly over-leveled, you’ll get barely any experience for completing it. For example, doing a level 2 contract at level 15 might net you just 2 XP. To avoid wasting your time, aim to take on quests that are within a 5-level range of your current level.

Unlock the World with Notice Boards

To find the richest spread of side content and contracts, go to every notice board you come across and grab every available posting. Doing this populates your map with quest markers and, importantly, question marks. These mysterious markers represent hidden opportunities across the world—some of which are dangerous, and many of which are rewarding.

Explore the “?” Markers

The question marks scattered across the map hold a mix of challenges and surprises. Some are monster nests you can destroy for XP, others are abandoned sites you can clear to repopulate and receive a reward. You’ll also find guarded treasures, where you’ll need to fight a powerful foe for a chest of loot—while these don’t directly grant XP, the gear you find can give you a significant advantage in combat.

Before you dive into main quests in any major region—like Velen—take your time to clear as many of these question marks as you can. For example, in the starting region of White Orchard, you should fully explore every point of interest before moving on. It’s a way to grow stronger and more prepared for what lies ahead.

Tap Into Places of Power

As you explore, you’ll come across Places of Power—glowing stones that resonate with magical energy. Drawing from them grants you one free ability point, regardless of whether you’ve leveled up. This is one of the best ways to expand your skill tree early on.

These points don’t grant XP, but their value in terms of progression can’t be overstated. You’ll find them in every region—White Orchard, Velen, Novigrad, and beyond. Mark them, visit them, and collect every point you can. Even if you’re not planning to spec into signs, the early-game boost is worth the effort.

Convert Old Currency into Crowns

While looting, you’ll often find old-world coins like Orens and Florens. These won’t be usable until you convert them into crowns—the standard currency of the Northern Kingdoms. To do this, head to the banker named Vivaldi in central Novigrad. Speak with him to exchange your Orens and Florens: each Oren gives you 1 crown, while each Floren gives 3. This quick transaction can turn your forgotten coin stash into spending money for gear, repairs, and alchemy ingredients.

Use Axii and the Delusion Skill for Bonus XP

Want to earn XP passively while sweet-talking or intimidating people? Then invest in the Delusion skill under the Axii sign category. Once leveled up to rank 3, you can use it in conversations to influence NPCs—sometimes calming them, sometimes convincing them to help you.

These dialogue options appear with a swirl icon, letting you know Axii is available. Successfully using it grants you extra XP and can sometimes open up better or quicker quest paths. It’s subtle, but it adds up over time—and it fits perfectly into a clever, persuasive Geralt build.

Equip the Right Trophy

Whenever you complete a Witcher contract and slay a monster, you’ll be rewarded with its head as a trophy. These aren’t just creepy decorations for Roach—they grant bonuses when equipped. Some trophies provide a 5% XP boost when fighting humans and non-humans, making them extremely useful if you’re tackling a lot of enemy camps or skirmishes.

Always read the bonus descriptions and swap them out depending on what you’re doing. Fighting monsters? There’s a trophy for that. Planning to storm bandit outposts? There’s a bonus for that too. A few percentage points might not seem like much, but over time, they can shave hours off your grind.

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Leveling in The Witcher 3 isn’t about running on a treadmill—it’s about using your time wisely, exploring every avenue for growth, and knowing when and where to put your focus. Whether you’re clearing nests, charming your way through quests, or simply looting the right coins and turning them into crowns, every action has the potential to make you stronger.