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The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone has a release date, new game mechanic, teaser video

The Witcher 3 expansion Hearts of Stone has been given an exact release date along with a teaser video and according to CD Projekt RED, it contains a new game mechanic called Runewords.

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The new Runewords system "significantly affects gameplay" as each Rune word impacts different aspect of in-game mechanics. It allows the players to "experiment with various strategies and tactics."

The DLC is expected to last around 10 hours and will run you $8.50/£7 at present, as it's 15% off for the moment. It introduces new weapons, characters, monsters, a "unique romance" and a new storyline.

The second DLC Blood & Wine is expected to be even larger, comes out during Q1 in 2016 and will run you $20.

Players can save money by buying an expansion package through GOG. The Witcher 3 is also on sale for 30% off until tomorrow.

There's also a special boxed version of the expansion that includes two physical decks of Gwent for $19.99/€19.99.

If you have already purchased the expansion, head to the Witcher Store which will generate a special code enabling you to buy the Monsters and Scoia’tael deck set.

As announced earlier today, Hearts of Stone is playable for those at level 30 and above, works during and after the main storyline, and scales with the recently added New Game Plus.

New screenshots of the expansion are below, and you'll notice Shani in one of them.

The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone will be released on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 13.

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