Went in for Gwent, tempted to put the game down...

I'm level 31, alchemy build, doing preparations for the end of the game on Death March. I figure, might as well see if I can finish off this Gwent deck before it's over, and I proceed to knock out a few of the card collection quests.

Decided to take part in the Passiflora tournament; I haven't had a challenging game of Gwent since the Baron (took me a few tries to beat him, I only had two other losses to innkeepers that drew better hands since him).

So I sign up, pay in the 1000 and get paired against a little halfling farmer. This guy is nice, and you can tell he's worked his ass off to get there. I felt bad knocking him out; but he went down pretty easy. Then I play against lady luck; actually took me four tries to win against (was nice to see a challenging Gwent game again!) and only won as I realized I could have her burn her decoys early and then work my spy game. She took the loss gracefully (as I had in other non-saved games as well).

I then square off against Fin-e-ass. This guy doesn't want to play against me, is asked to forfeit, decides to play instead. We are told no cheating, fighting, spells... etc. I kick his ass super easy, he was easier than the prior two decks. He claims *I* cheated and decides to fight. They permit this, and ugh...

I can't Axii him to calm down (put points into it). I can't use spells or potions to bolster me. Instead I have to play my least favorite minigame in Witcher 3; fist fighting. I over level this guy by four levels, have heaps of vitality from my build. He needs only four-five taps on me to take me out (that's over 1.5k each hit). Me? I need to hit him 20+ times (hitting 100-200). I'm A WITCHER. I am supposed to be faster, quicker at reflexes, hit harder, etc... I killed *Imerlith* in only two tries (his second shield-free style surprised me). This clown already has made me reload twelve times. The closest I get is two thirds down, then he hits with my parry never going back up.

I only was this frustrated with the game when I did a lighthouse quest against a revenant and couldn't calm down the two aggro locals AFTER the quest was over. So much free and open play only to be railroaded can annoy. But when it seems ludicrously impossible!?

I know people have posted tips on how to take this elf out. I've learned a lot on how to do it. But I also have a crappy mouse and that parry/counterattack rarely works for me (took me a lot of tries in the tutorial alone). Oh well, back to the slog...

**TL:DR** Opponent in Gwent Tournament fist fights you, he's stupid strong for being against a witcher. Ruins this quest in pacing and fun.

EDIT: For any future readers. I took a break. Then one day I sat down and decided to try my luck. To stop thinking about it like a game, and instead thing about it like a command line. Three slightly frustrating tries later I took a deep breath and not only kicked his butt, but did it without taking a hit. Got myself a few achievements out of it. SO! Do take your time with this, it is doable. Just really annoying.