One ofThe Witcher 3’scontracts has Geralt hot on the trail of the “Apiarian Phantom”, a monster that has been seen prowling around beekeeping apiaries at a meadery near Novigrad. The monster had already claimed the life of a farmhand before Geralt can take on the job.

Related:The Witcher 3: Suspicious Shakedown Side Quest Walkthrough

This contract pits Geralt against a tougher version of a monster that he will frequently battle later in the game. While this is another contract, no two contracts in the game are identical. If you are struggling with staying on its trail or defeating it, this guide will help you with all that and more.

This quest can be startedin three ways.

Picking Up The Contract

Like most witcher contracts, Geralt can literally pick the contract up at a notice board. This one is inthe town of Yantra.

Visiting Honeyfill Meadworks

Talking to the owner,Holofernes Meiersdorf,inside the meadworks will start the quest.

Finding The Tracks

This monster leavesdistinctive tracksin the dirt. Its identity is enough for Geralt topursue the monster immediately.

While you will be rewarded, you will beunable to negotiate the rewardthrough this method.

A screenshot of The Witcher 3’s map showing where the quest might start.

Some additional, if inconsequential, dialogue will be added if you finished the questHonor Among Thieves, referencing Rico Meiersdorf.

Assuming that youpicked up the contract or talked to Holofernes Meiersdorf,the job begins as soon as payment is agreed on. His son, Franklin, willbring Geralt to the apiarythat the monster was sighted, letting you begin your investigation.

An annotated screenshot of The Witcher 3, with orange circles around a trio of hints at a site.

Tracking The Monster

The apiary in question iscovered in frost,just like Heatherton in the questThe Nilfgaardian Connection. There arethree cluesto investigate at this location.

Tracks

These tracks willlead you toward the monster.

Investigate the tracks for Geralt to begin following the monster. The trail is quickly broken bythe monster entering the lake,making Geralt lose the tracks and search for the rest on the other side.

There aredrowners and Drowned Deadclose to the trail. They are difficult to avoid and are likely to attack you.

A screenshot of Geralt’s Witcher Senses picking up a monster’s trail next to a lake.

The trail picks up at thesouth end of the lake,leading toan abandoned building. Unable to squeeze through the same opening, Geralt will have tocircle around to the east side of the houseto find the entrance.

The boxes and barrels around the houseare full of useful items such as Dwarven Spirit and Alcohest.This supply can keep your alchemical items topped up for a good while.

Geralt chases a monster on horseback, following it through a field at night.

One of the Meiersdorf halflings willgive Geralt the keyto the house once he reaches the entrance, letting you uncover the monster’s lair.

Fighting The Apiarian Phantom

The Apiarian Phantom turns out to bea Hound of the Wild Hunt,separated from its masters and gone feral. It willrun out of the houseand through the fields, forcing you to chase it down. Geralt willwhistle for Roachshortly after, letting you keep up.

Roach’s questionable intelligence is a recurring theme in this game. If you are unlucky,Roach may get stuck on terrain,forcing you to whistle for her again in order for her to catch up.

A screenshot of Geralt fending off an icy attack from a monster in a field at night.

The Apiarian Phantom will beinvulnerable to damageuntil it stops running, near a windmill. Once that happens, the fight truly begins. It is essentially adeadlier Hound of the Wild Hunt,with both more health and harder-hitting attacks. You should be aware oftwo kinds of attacks.

Bites

The Apiarian Phantom willlunge and bite at Geraltlike an ordinary Hound. Simply dodging and using Quen should keep you protected from such attacks.

Ice Wall

While other Hounds have this ability, the Apiarian Phantom’s version ismuch largerand deals more damage. Getting caught within its radius willstun Geralt.

As an ice-based creature, you can useFire damageto great effect against it.Dragons Dream bombs and the Igni signwill deal more damage than usual against the Phantom. It is also considered an elementaand is vulnerable to Elementa Oil.

you’re able to take thisfight on horseback,especially if you are struggling with the fight. The extra speed willhelp you evade its attacks.Geralt’s sword attacks are alsoharder-hitting when on horseback.

ensure tomanage Roach’s panicto prevent Geralt from getting bucked off.

Once you defeat the Apiarian Phantom,loot it for the Wild Hunt Hound trophy.

With the job done, you can ride back to the main building, where the Meiersdorf family is waiting for you. They will pay the agreed-upon amount, ending the quest.

Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough