Table of Contents

How Many Dragons Has Geralt Killed?

Geralt of Rivia, the famed Witcher, monster slayer, and protagonist of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher saga, is renowned for his combat prowess and dedication to protecting humanity from dangerous creatures. While he’s battled countless monsters throughout his long life, the question of how many dragons he’s actually killed is surprisingly nuanced. The direct answer is: Geralt has only killed one true dragon – Villentretenmerth, also known as Borch Three Jackdaws, but only when he was in his golden dragon form. Geralt hesitated, and only killed the dragon after the dragon attacked him first.

Dragons in the Witcher Universe: More Than Just Monsters

Dragons in The Witcher universe are not simply fire-breathing beasts to be slain. They are complex, intelligent creatures with their own motivations and hierarchies. Some are destructive, others are ancient and wise, and still others disguise themselves and integrate into human society. This moral ambiguity plays a crucial role in Geralt’s encounters with dragons and influences his decisions regarding whether or not to engage in combat.

Understanding the Different Dragon Species

Before delving further into Geralt’s specific encounters, it’s important to understand the different types of dragons in the Witcher world:

True Dragons: These are the intelligent, often ancient beings with the ability to shape-shift into human form. They possess vast knowledge, magical abilities, and a strong sense of self-preservation.
Wyverns: These are more akin to beasts, lacking the intelligence and shape-shifting abilities of true dragons. They are often aggressive and pose a significant threat to humans.
Drakons: Similar to Wyverns, Drakons are large, winged reptiles, but generally less dangerous and more scavengers than predators.
Forktails: These are smaller, lizard-like creatures with venomous tails. They are not true dragons but share some physical characteristics.
Dragon-Hybrids/Mutations: Occasionally creatures are identified as draconic, like the Dracolizard, which exhibit traits of both lizards and dragons.

The Moral Dilemma of Dragon Slaying

Geralt, despite being a monster slayer, isn’t a mindless killer. He often assesses situations and makes decisions based on a complex code of ethics. The rarity and intelligence of true dragons lead him to question the necessity of slaying them. He often finds himself siding with dragons, recognizing their right to exist and understanding that their actions are sometimes driven by self-defense or a desire for justice. He sees many humans as the real monsters. This is why his answer to “How many dragons has Geralt killed?” is such a complicated one.

Geralt’s Encounters with Dragons: A Closer Look

Geralt’s interactions with dragons are pivotal moments in the Witcher saga, showcasing his moral compass and his nuanced understanding of the world.

The Golden Dragon: Borch Three Jackdaws

This encounter, detailed in the short story “The Limits of Reason,” is perhaps the most significant in answering the question of how many dragons has Geralt killed. Borch Three Jackdaws, a golden dragon who often takes the form of a human noble, is the only true dragon Geralt ever slays. However, the circumstances are crucial. Geralt initially defends Borch and his companions (Téa and Véa) against a group of dragon hunters eager to claim the dragon’s head. Borch attempts to end the conflict peacefully, even offering to leave. However, when the hunters persist in their aggression and Borch transforms into his dragon form and attacks, Geralt is forced to defend himself and his friends. The fact that Geralt hesitated until his own life was in danger, and then killed the dragon in self-defense, highlights the internal conflict he faces when confronted with the possibility of killing a rare and intelligent creature. This is the most accepted instance to answer the question: How many dragons has Geralt killed?

The Green Dragon of Caingorn

In the short story “The Sword of Destiny,” Geralt encounters a green dragon named Myrgtabrakke in the mountains of Caingorn. While the local villagers fear the dragon, Geralt discovers that Myrgtabrakke is relatively harmless, content to sleep and occasionally scorch the surrounding landscape. He learns that the dragon is mostly there to be left alone. He chooses not to engage the dragon, recognizing that it poses no real threat to anyone. Instead, he protects the dragon from a group of knights intent on proving their valor by slaying it. This decision underscores Geralt’s selective approach to monster hunting and his willingness to protect creatures he deems non-threatening.

Other Dragon-like Encounters

While Geralt hasn’t killed any other true dragons, he has encountered and dealt with various dragon-like creatures, including wyverns and drakons. These encounters are often more straightforward, as these creatures are generally less intelligent and more aggressive. They don’t usually elicit the same moral quandaries as encounters with true dragons.

The Importance of Context: Defining “Killed”

The question of how many dragons has Geralt killed also hinges on the definition of “killed.” Some might argue that even contributing to a dragon’s death, such as by weakening it for others to finish off, counts as a kill. However, based on Geralt’s actions and motivations, it’s generally accepted that he only truly killed Borch Three Jackdaws and then only in self-defense.

FAQs About Geralt and Dragons

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Geralt’s relationship with dragons:

Did Geralt ever regret killing Borch Three Jackdaws? It is implied he did. Geralt does not enjoy killing creatures, and he often reflects on his actions. The killing of Borch, a rare and intelligent being, would likely weigh heavily on him. The fact that he hesitated shows this.
Why doesn’t Geralt hunt dragons more often? Geralt’s aversion to hunting dragons stems from his understanding of their intelligence, rarity, and the potential consequences of their extinction.
Are all dragons in The Witcher evil? No. The Witcher universe presents a nuanced view of dragons, with some being benevolent, others indifferent, and still others malevolent.
Does Geralt have a dragon-slaying sword? Geralt doesn’t have a sword specifically designed for dragon slaying. He uses his silver sword for monsters and his steel sword for humans. Silver is more effective against magical beasts.
Does Yennefer ever interact with dragons? While Yennefer doesn’t have a direct interaction with a dragon on screen, she, as a powerful sorceress, likely possesses knowledge about them and may have encountered them off-screen.
How do Witchers train to fight dragons? Witcher training focuses on combat skills, potion-making, and knowledge of monsters. This knowledge can be applied to fighting any large beast.
Are dragons immune to Witcher signs? Dragons are resistant to many magical attacks, but not entirely immune to Witcher signs. The effectiveness of a sign would depend on the dragon’s strength and the Witcher’s skill.
What is the best strategy for fighting a dragon in The Witcher 3 game? In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the best strategy for fighting dragons or dragon-like creatures involves exploiting their weaknesses, using appropriate oils on your blade, and dodging their attacks.
Why are dragons so rare in The Witcher world? The reasons for the rarity of dragons are not explicitly stated, but it is likely due to factors such as hunting by humans, habitat loss, and low reproductive rates.
Did the Conjunction of the Spheres affect dragons? The Conjunction of the Spheres, the event that brought monsters and magic to the Witcher world, likely affected dragons, potentially introducing new species or altering existing ones.
Are there any dragons mentioned in The Witcher books that don’t appear in the games? Yes, many dragons are mentioned or appear briefly in the books that are not explicitly depicted in the video games. Myrgtabrakke, for example, is in the books but not the games.
What makes a true dragon different from a wyvern? The key difference lies in intelligence, shape-shifting ability, and magical prowess. True dragons are intelligent beings capable of speech and transformation, while wyverns are essentially large, aggressive beasts.
How long do dragons live in The Witcher universe? The lifespan of dragons is not explicitly stated, but it is implied that true dragons can live for centuries, if not millennia.
Do dragons have any natural enemies? Besides humans and Witchers, dragons likely have few natural enemies due to their size, strength, and intelligence. Other powerful magical creatures might pose a threat, although nothing specific is ever mentioned.
Are there any “good” dragons in the Witcher Saga? Yes, Borch Three Jackdaws, prior to his death, could be considered a “good” dragon, as he generally acted with nobility and tried to avoid conflict. Myrgtabrakke, the green dragon, was also peaceful.