Ciri: Witcher or Empress? Deciding Her Best Ending in The Witcher 3
The “best” ending for Ciri in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is subjective and depends on your interpretation of her character arc and desired future. Objectively, both the Witcher and Empress endings have their merits and drawbacks. However, considering Ciri’s inherent desire for freedom, her powerful connection to Geralt, and the potential for a fulfilling life that avoids the constraints of political power, the Witcher ending is arguably the more satisfying and ultimately better conclusion for her character. It aligns more closely with her personality and offers a future of adventure and purpose.
Why the Witcher Ending Resonates
Ciri’s journey throughout the game is one of self-discovery and coming to terms with her immense power. She grapples with destiny, familial expectations, and the constant threat of those who seek to exploit her abilities. Through it all, what shines through is her independent spirit and a longing for agency over her own life.
Freedom Over Duty
The Empress ending, while seemingly offering security and influence, ultimately confines Ciri to the rigid structure of the Nilfgaardian Empire. She becomes a symbol, a tool for political maneuvering, and her decisions, even with the best intentions, will always be scrutinized and potentially manipulated. The Witcher path, on the other hand, allows her to forge her own path, choose her own battles, and live a life of relative freedom, albeit one filled with danger.
The Importance of Family
Ciri’s relationship with Geralt and Yennefer is central to her character development. The Witcher ending allows her to remain connected to them, to continue learning from Geralt’s experience and building upon the family they have created. It allows for a degree of normalcy, even within the extraordinary circumstances of their lives. The Empress ending, even if Nilfgaard wins the war, separates her from this core family unit, placing her in a world of political intrigue and potentially isolating her from those who truly care for her.
A Life of Purpose
While being Empress could offer the opportunity to implement positive change, it also carries the burden of immense responsibility and the potential for corruption. Being a Witcher, while dangerous, allows Ciri to directly impact the world in a more tangible way. She can use her powers and skills to protect the innocent, hunt monsters, and contribute to the balance of the world, aligning her actions directly with her values. The Games Learning Society explores how narrative choices impact player investment, a concept directly applicable here as player choices heavily impact Ciri’s ultimate fate.
The Allure of the Empress Ending
Despite the arguments favoring the Witcher path, the Empress ending is not without its appeals.
- Stability and Security: As Empress, Ciri would have access to unparalleled resources and protection, ensuring her safety and longevity. This is a valid concern, given the constant dangers she faces as a Witcher.
- Potential for Positive Change: A benevolent Empress Ciri could enact reforms and improve the lives of countless citizens of Nilfgaard, potentially ushering in an era of peace and prosperity.
- Fulfilling a Destiny: Some might argue that Ciri’s immense power and royal lineage necessitate her assuming the throne, fulfilling a predetermined destiny.
Ultimately, the choice boils down to personal preference. However, for those who value Ciri’s independence, her connection to Geralt and Yennefer, and the potential for a fulfilling life based on her own choices, the Witcher ending offers a more compelling and satisfying conclusion to her story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What choices lead to Ciri becoming a Witcher?
To ensure Ciri becomes a Witcher, you must avoid taking her to see Emhyr, prioritize her feelings and independence in key dialogue choices (such as encouraging her to blow off steam after the Battle of Kaer Morhen), and avoid treating her like a child. Showing faith in her abilities and empowering her decisions are crucial.
2. What choices lead to Ciri becoming Empress?
Ciri becomes Empress if you take her to see Emhyr and encourage her to embrace her destiny. The specific dialogue choices matter less in this case, as simply meeting with the Emperor sets her on the path to potentially accepting the throne.
3. What is the “worst” ending for Ciri?
The worst ending is where Ciri dies defeating the White Frost. This occurs if Geralt makes several wrong choices that erode Ciri’s confidence and make her feel inadequate, leaving her unprepared for the final confrontation.
4. Can Ciri become a Witcher and Nilfgaard still win the war?
Yes, Nilfgaard can win the war even if Ciri becomes a Witcher. This outcome requires Geralt to complete specific side quests that ensure Nilfgaard’s victory, while simultaneously making choices that lead Ciri down the Witcher path.
5. Is the Empress ending inherently “bad”?
No, the Empress ending is not inherently bad. It presents Ciri with an opportunity to wield significant power and potentially make positive changes within the Nilfgaardian Empire. However, it comes with sacrifices and responsibilities that may not align with her personal desires.
6. How does romancing Triss or Yennefer affect Ciri’s ending?
Romancing either Triss or Yennefer doesn’t directly affect Ciri’s ending. However, the choice of romance affects the overall tone of the ending and who is present in Geralt’s life after the main quest. Romancing both leads to neither ending and a rather humorous outcome.
7. Can I see Ciri after she becomes Empress?
Yes, if you haven’t completed the Blood and Wine DLC, you can see Ciri after she becomes Empress. She will visit Corvo Bianco, your vineyard, after the main quest line concludes. However, if you’ve romanced neither Triss nor Yennefer and have completed Blood and Wine, Ciri will also visit Corvo Bianco regardless of her Empress status.
8. Does Ciri lose her powers if she becomes Empress?
No, Ciri does not lose her powers if she becomes Empress. She still retains her Elder Blood abilities, although her focus shifts from actively using them to governing and managing her empire.
9. Is it possible for Ciri to refuse the throne after meeting Emhyr?
Yes, it is possible for Ciri to refuse the throne even after meeting Emhyr. This outcome depends on certain dialogue choices and the overall tone of Geralt’s interactions with her throughout the game.
10. Does the Nilfgaardian war outcome impact Ciri’s ending?
Yes, the outcome of the Nilfgaardian war can indirectly impact Ciri’s ending. If Nilfgaard loses the war, it is less likely that Ciri will become Empress, as the political landscape shifts significantly.
11. Does Ciri have the Trial of the Grasses if she becomes a Witcher?
Despite her powers, Ciri hasn’t undergone the Trial of Grasses, so she doesn’t have the enhanced physical prowess or longevity of a Witcher. However, her Elder Blood abilities more than compensate for this, granting her unique powers and abilities that most Witchers can only dream of. She learns Witcher techniques from Geralt and can use her magic to enhance her abilities.
12. What if I ignore the main quest entirely?
Ignoring the main quest is not an option, as the game forces you to progress through the storyline. Ciri’s fate is directly tied to the choices you make within the main quest.
13. Why is it so difficult to get the “perfect” ending?
The “perfect” ending is subjective, and the game presents a complex web of choices with far-reaching consequences. The difficulty lies in understanding the subtle nuances of dialogue and actions and how they cumulatively impact Ciri’s confidence and decisions.
14. Does the game explicitly tell me which choices lead to which ending?
No, the game does not explicitly state the consequences of your choices. This ambiguity is intentional, forcing players to make decisions based on their understanding of Ciri’s character and their own moral compass. The GamesLearningSociety.org could analyze this further.
15. Can I reload a save to see a different ending?
Yes, you can reload a previous save file to explore different choices and see alternative endings. This is a common practice among players who want to experience all the possible outcomes of The Witcher 3.
In conclusion, while both the Witcher and Empress endings offer compelling conclusions to Ciri’s journey, the Witcher ending aligns more closely with her independent spirit and desire for freedom, making it a more satisfying and arguably better conclusion for her character. The choice, however, remains a personal one, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of the game’s narrative.