Forums - CD PROJEKT RED

newbie needs some tips/guidance

Hi all,

With TW3 getting delayed I decided to borrow a friends 360 and buy a copy of TW2. I'm on the "indecent proposal" request, currently wandering around waiting for dusk to hit and could use some general tips/pointers for combat, crafting, and anything else longtime TW2 players can share.

I'm dying fairly regularly in combat, so my questions are:

1. Is its recommended to focus more on sword offence, and are there better button combos to use between light and strong strokes?
2.Should I be using "buffs" before fights on my weapons? I found a nekkar cave while waiting for dusk and I'm having a tough go:/.
3. What is with all of the crafting materials and herbs? I found a book seller and smith in the town, and have upgraded my sword but there's still tons of herbs left. How do I make use of them?
4. Any other guidance/tips for success in fights? Is one magic better than the rest early in the game?
5. How The heck do level upgrades and the giant path branches work? Doesn't look Ike I can apply any changes at level 5 yet...?


Any guidance would be great