You’re wandering through the muddy, monster-infested docks of Novigrad when you see three brothers arguing. Typical, right? But in The Witcher 3, a simple family squabble usually ends with someone getting eaten or a curse that lasts a century. This is exactly how Witcher 3 Father Knows Worst begins—a quest that feels like a standard "go here, kill that" contract but quickly spirals into a mess of sibling rivalry and a father’s questionable parenting choices. It’s a secondary quest, sure, but it captures that gritty, no-win feeling CD Projekt Red is famous for.
Honestly, the first time I played this, I expected a quick reward. Instead, I got stuck in the middle of a domestic dispute involving a high-tech (for the 1200s) filter and a bunch of drowned dead guys.
Finding the quest and those bickering brothers
You’ll stumble upon this mess near the fish market in Novigrad. Look for Hugo, or rather, look for the absence of Hugo. His brothers, Amery and Verner, are standing around looking suspicious. They tell Geralt that their brother Hugo has gone missing in the caves near the coast. They’re "worried," or at least that’s the story they’re sticking to.
Getting to the cave is the easy part. It’s located along the coast, north of the city. Once you’re inside, you realize Hugo isn’t just lost; he’s hiding. He’s terrified. And he has every right to be. He’s found a specialized still filter that their father left behind, and his brothers want it. Badly.
The cave itself is a bit of a hazard. It’s filled with toxic gas. You’ll need to use the Aard sign to clear out the fumes or just chug some Golden Oriole if you’ve got it handy. Dealing with the gas is a minor annoyance compared to the moral headache waiting at the end of the tunnel.
The confrontation at the shore
When you escort Hugo out of the cave, his brothers are waiting. They aren't alone. They’ve brought "persuasion" in the form of hired thugs. This is where Witcher 3 Father Knows Worst shifts from a rescue mission to a tense standoff.
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Hugo claims his brothers tried to kill him. The brothers claim Hugo is a thief who’s trying to cut them out of their inheritance. It’s a classic "he-said, he-said" situation, and Geralt is stuck playing the world’s grumpiest mediator.
You have a few ways to play this:
- Kill the brothers and the thugs. If you take Hugo’s side and choose the aggressive dialogue, you’re going to have to paint the beach red. Hugo survives, you get paid, but a family is permanently shattered.
- Negotiate a peace. If you’re feeling diplomatic, you can convince them to talk it out. It’s the "good" ending, or as close as you get in this world. They agree to share the filter and the business.
- Let the brothers take the filter. This usually feels like the wrong move for a hero, but hey, maybe you just want the Crowns and don't care about the family drama.
Why the rewards matter more than you think
Most people finish this quest, grab the Crowns, and move on. Don't do that. If you manage to resolve the situation without turning the brothers into monster bait, you actually unlock a shop.
Hugo is a chemist. If he stays alive and on good terms with his family, he sets up a shop in the Novigrad docks. Why do you care? Because he sells alchemy ingredients at a decent price. In the mid-game, finding a reliable source for high-quality spirits and herbs is a lifesaver for crafting Superior oils and potions. It’s one of those subtle ways The Witcher 3 rewards you for not being a total murder-hobo.
If you kill the brothers, Hugo is too traumatized or busy hiding to really be a useful vendor. Peaceful resolution is the "meta" play here, even if those brothers are massive jerks.
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The hidden complexity of the "Father"
The title of the quest, Witcher 3 Father Knows Worst, is a play on the old "Father Knows Best" trope, and it’s layered. Their father was a brilliant chemist but apparently a terrible dad. He left behind a valuable piece of technology (the filter) but didn't leave a clear will or a way for his sons to work together.
He set them up for this conflict.
This is a recurring theme in Geralt's world. Whether it's the Bloody Baron or the King of Skellige, fathers in this game are constantly failing their children. This quest is a micro-cosm of that theme. It shows that you don't need to be a king to ruin your kids' lives; a simple merchant with a secret formula can do it just as well.
Avoiding the common bugs
Because this quest involves NPCs following you and a specific trigger point at the cave entrance, it can occasionally glitch. I’ve seen Hugo get stuck on a rock more times than I can count.
To keep things smooth:
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- Clear the cave of gas first. Don't try to lead Hugo through it while you're still figuring out the path.
- Save before exiting the cave. The transition from the cave interior to the exterior cutscene is where the game is most likely to crash or bug out.
- Don't wander too far. If you run off to fight a Drowned nearby, the quest script might break, leaving the brothers standing there like statues.
The fallout of your choices
There is no "perfect" ending here. If you force them to talk, they still clearly hate each other. There’s no hug at the end. They walk away with a tense business arrangement that feels like it will fall apart the second Geralt leaves the area.
But that’s why we love this game.
It doesn't give you a gold star for being a nice guy. It gives you a world that feels lived-in and messy. In the grand scheme of the war with Nilfgaard or the hunt for Ciri, the fate of the three brothers and their filter is a footnote. Yet, for the thirty minutes you’re playing it, it’s the most important thing in the world.
Practical Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re currently standing in front of those brothers or about to enter the cave, here is exactly how to handle it for the best results:
- Prep your signs. Have Igni ready for the thugs if things go south, but keep Axii equipped for the dialogue. Sometimes a little Jedi mind trick (Delusion level 2 or 3) can smooth over conversations, though it doesn't solve everything here.
- Check your alchemy tab. If you are low on Alcohest or Dwarven Spirit, prioritize the peaceful ending. You really want Hugo’s shop to open. He's one of the few vendors in that specific part of Novigrad who isn't a total rip-off.
- Look for the loot. Don't just rush out with Hugo. There are some chests in the back of the cave with decent crafting diagrams.
- Watch the dialogue. If you want the peaceful ending, avoid picking the options that call the brothers out as murderers right away. Keep it cool. Let them explain their side, even if it sounds like a load of rubbish.
Once you’ve finished the quest, wait a few in-game days. Head back to the fish market area and look for Hugo’s shop. If he's there, you've successfully navigated one of Novigrad’s most annoying family dinners. If not, well, at least you got some XP.
Witcher 3 Father Knows Worst reminds us that Geralt isn't just a monster hunter; he's a witness to the slow-motion car crash of human relationships. Sometimes you can pull people out of the wreckage. Sometimes you just watch it burn. Regardless of what you choose, the Crowns still spend the same.