'The Mysterious Tracks' contract in The Witcher 3 is one that can catch even a seasoned Witcher off-guard. While searching for signs of Ciri throughout Velen, Geralt can peruse the notice board in Lindenvale to learn of some unidentified tracks near the village that have dumbfounded a local huntsman; a clear sign the town is in need of a Witcher.

Related: The Witcher 3: A Complete Guide To Monster Hunts

The huntsman will point Geralt to the set of mysterious tracks to start his investigation, but as often occurs in the Witcher's line of work, this hunt takes an unexpected turn, so keep that silver at the ready.

Updated on December 3, 2022 by Quinton O'Connor: You know what they say. Better safe than sorry. Our guide's been punched-up a bit so that you'll have an easier time hunting the hunter in 'Mysterious Tracks'.

How To Start 'Mysterious Tracks'

It's easiest and most prudent to pick up the Mysterious Tracks contract off the Lindenvale Notice Board, so Geralt can negotiate the terms of the contract with the huntsman that posted it and haggle for a better reward. Picking up the quest in Lindenvale will allow Geralt to track it on the minimap from the outset, giving the Witcher a head start in the right direction.

Locating And Following The Mysterious Tracks

Otherwise, Geralt will need to happen upon the mysterious tracks himself. Keep your eyes peeled for wolf corpses in the woods near Lindenvale, which indicates a more significant threat prowling the area. Using Geralt's Witcher senses will uncover the unusual tracks which he can follow to a large tree the beast has rubbed up against, leaving fur scraps and a scent trail that will lead the Witcher to a pile of dried dung and fiend's lair, which can be accessed from the hilltop.

You'll quickly come to find that the beast Geralt was initially after is no longer your concern, as it's been eaten by something worse.

How To Defeat The Chort

Preparing For The Encounter

Next, climb out of the cave and use some Fiend Dung to craft Chort Lure, the formula for which can be found on the Alchemy page after identifying the new threat. Both the dung and Crow's Eye plant needed to create the lure can be found around the hillside, but Geralt may already have both in his inventory if he's been practicing our quick leveling tips for smooth adventuring.

Geralt will then need to sprinkle the repulsive scent in four different spots around the hill, ironically to lure the Chort back to the cave.

Battle Strategy

Chorts or Howlers are an age-old threat and are susceptible to Relict Oil, so Geralt should give his Silver Blade a good coating before heading into this close-quarter encounter. The Howler can charge Geralt in a mad dash and hits like a battering ram, so be ready to roll out of harm's way and keep a Quen shield active at all times.

The most important thing is to maintain your spacial awareness and not let the beast back Geralt into a corner. Then it's all about practicing patience and whittling the Howler's health down in a systematic pattern of rolling out of the way until Geralt gets an opening to lunge in with Strong Attacks.

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An upgraded Igni blast may be beneficial here for those with an optimal sign build, though a basic cast probably won't do too much in this instance. All in all, it's best not to take on this contract lightly. Whether you're just here for the story or testing your metal in a Death March playthrough, ill-gotten Witchers are those who neglected their training and preparations.

Rewards

Substantial loot, experience, and payout make the Chort contract worth the trouble. Looting the Chort afterward yields Azure Wrath (a silver sword), the Chort Mutagen, and the Chort Trophy, which is needed to collect up to 193 Crowns in payment and 400 experiencepoints from the huntsman. There's also an additional 25 experience points rewards for deducing a Howler is the surviving beast from the scrap in the cave. Not too shabby.

Next: The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough