This is as close to the advice I can give you to how I deal with the nightmares
The mechanic is simple once you get used to it. However, I am a dark soul series gamer so figuring out the mechanics and patience was always my way
The only time those alternate look DLCs will ever be useful is for the NG+.
It's seriously a low blow for the players who have already completed the game and yet they decide to release alternate looks as one of the last DLCs. I see no logic in whatever reason they decided Triss's alternate looks...
Especially due to the fact that he's the only one who actually killed one of the main characters in the Battle of Kaer Morhen and his old-school-before-fight villanous appearance being surrounded by topless succubus and what not
I thought Lambert gives you the Triss card? You can win it again once you get to the Kaer Morhen main story quest during the drinking game with the Witchers
Edit: NVM you said hammond