What do you recommend I upgrade first of all?
I always have a similar thought process when I start a new RPG. I don't want to waste points.

First of all, what difficulty are you playing on?

Quan, the electric shield.


You can upgrade it so if they hit you, they shock themselves and are vunerable. So pretty much you can just lay down a barrage without having to worry about dodge or parry.

My advice would be: read the descriptions in the manual so you vaguely remember what can be upgraded. Then play for a while until you find suitable strategies. See if you like the combat, alchemy, magick. List things you don't like, but would like if were improved. List things you won't be using. Then return to the skill list again and you'll make a character that's not "the best possible", but one that fits your personal preferences and style of play.

Don't let anyone tell you the right way to play! Just have fun!

I'm playing on normal. All paths are locked to me apart from the witcher training path.
Is the skill to throw daggers any good?

Well I never used Quan in TW1, only Igni and Aard.

All paths will be unlocked as soon as you invest a minimum of 6 points in the basics.

If you plan to throw daggers it's a must!

Quan is also completely different to how it was in 1. It fades after a set amount of damage, or when it expires, and you are ablle to attack while using it. It's the new Igni, pretty much. But seeing as your playing on normal you probably wont need it terribly.

Daggers are good for range, but I personally use signs and bombs for ranged damage, so I felt no need to get that talent. But its your playstyle. If you want to rogue it up, go for it ;)