The Sunstone Cave

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Walkthrough

The area in the order you play it. Tick things off as you go: they tick off in the checklists below too.

1. 1

   Breach the Crypt Entrance

   Arrive at the seaward cave entrance northeast of Kaer Trolde by boat or via the Ancient Crypt signpost, where Philippa Eilhart waits outside. Watch her cast an incantation to remove the magic barrier, then follow her into the cavern. Take the first tunnel detour to confront a solitary Wraith that teleports around the corridor.

   Key fight: Wraith Encounter

   Tip: Trap the wraith inside Yrden to force it into physical form before striking with Specter Oil.

2. 2

   Clear the Flooded Cavern

   Follow Philippa down into a flooded chamber swarming with a Siren and several Drowners. Bring the flying Siren down to ground level and burn through the packs of Drowners wading through the shallow water. Before advancing, move along the right-hand rock face to draw power from the Igni Place of Power.

   Key fight: Flooded Chamber Battle

   Tip: Knock diving Sirens out of the air using Aard or your crossbow for rapid finishers, and rely on Igni against the Drowners.

   Watch out: Do not proceed up the path before drawing power from the Igni Place of Power, as it grants an easy ability point.

3. 3

   Explore the Left Trap Chamber

   Continue forward until you reach a ruined stairway, then search to the right of the steps to loot two alchemy and crafting diagram chests before Philippa magically reassembles the walkway. Cross the restored bridge and take the left fork into a side cavern to kill a Venomous Arachas and loot three diagram chests scattered across its den. Head past the beast into the puzzle room, spot the floor pressure plates, search a nearby corpse or container for the Elven-made key, and open the hidden elven chest.

   Key fight: Arachas Cavern Encounter
   Active trigger plates for floor spikes can be detected with Witcher Senses, or bypassed with Quen and well-timed rolls.Elven-made key: Left side fork past the reassembled stairs, inside the spike trap roomHow: loot from a nearby corpse or containerMissable because: navigating backward into the cave after leaving through the Rogne exit is notoriously difficult Don't miss NewAlchemy / Crafting Diagrams: Ruined Stairway, on the right side of the collapsed steps before Philippa reconstructs themHow: loot the two chestsMissable because: navigating backward into the cave after leaving through the Rogne exit is notoriously difficult Don't miss NewAlchemy / Crafting Diagrams: Arachas Cavern along the left fork, one submerged on a sunken stone slab, one on dry ground, and one near the entrance ledgeHow: loot the three chestsMissable because: navigating backward into the cave after leaving through the Rogne exit is notoriously difficult Don't miss New

   Tip: Quaff Golden Oriole potion to convert the Arachas's toxic spit into healing, and target its softer flank instead of its armored rear.

   Watch out: Watch your footing in the puzzle room: active floor spikes will impale you unless you highlight pressure plates with Witcher Senses or roll across with Quen active.

4. 4

   Slay the Guardian Golem

   Return to the fork and follow the right-hand main path into a wide chamber where an ancient Golem ambushes you. Defeat the construct while Philippa provides ranged magical support, then head directly north into an alcove chest to claim the Relic Silver Sword Naevde Seidhe. Approach the elven mural and sentry door to trigger a cutscene where you can debate Philippa over her ambitions regarding Ciri and Emperor Emhyr.

   Key fight: Guardian Golem Battle
   Naevde Seidhe: Guardian Chamber, from the spot where the Golem is defeated to the alcove directly northHow: loot the chestMissable because: navigating backward into the cave after leaving through the Rogne exit is notoriously difficult Don't miss New

   Tip: Cast Yrden to dramatically slow the Golem's heavy strikes, and dodge laterally rather than trying to parry its unblockable slams.

   Watch out: Make sure to check the alcove just north of the fallen Golem before opening the sentry door so you do not overlook Naevde Seidhe.

5. 5

   Reposition the Great Hall Mirrors

   Pass through the sentry door into haunted corridors patrolled by spectral Wild Hunt warriors, looting a diagram chest behind breakable pillars along the way. Enter the Great Sunstone Hall, eliminate the remaining ghosts, and search the upper walkways for additional diagram containers. Once Philippa illuminates the overhead magic focus, operate the levers beside the three large mirror pedestals on the platforms to redirect their beams toward the central dais.

   Alchemy / Crafting Diagrams: Haunted Corridors, behind breakable pillars near the patrolling Wild Hunt ghostsHow: loot the chestMissable because: navigating backward into the cave after leaving through the Rogne exit is notoriously difficult Don't miss NewAlchemy / Crafting Diagrams: Great Sunstone Hall, along the upper platforms and walkways near the mirror pedestalsHow: loot the chestsMissable because: navigating backward into the cave after leaving through the Rogne exit is notoriously difficult Don't miss New

   Tip: Ghosts will disrupt you while you turn the mirror levers, so clear out all Wild Hunt specters before solving the puzzle.

6. 6

   Claim the Sunstone and Escape

   Head down to the central dais as the focused light reveals the Sunstone, prompting a cutscene where Philippa extracts the relic and departs. Scavenge the surrounding dais area before proceeding along the ascending pathway through water and stairs past lingering ghosts. Use an illusion to disperse the barrier and exit through the overland tunnel leading into the hills near the Monster Den north of Rogne.

   Watch out: Re-entering the crypt from the Rogne overland entrance post-quest is notoriously difficult to navigate in reverse without Philippa, so pick up everything you need before leaving.