Can Ciri Be a Witcher if Nilfgaard Wins the War? Exploring the Complex Endings of The Witcher 3
The question of whether Ciri can become a witcher if Nilfgaard wins the war is a common one among fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. The game’s ending system is complex, intertwining choices about Ciri’s personal journey with the larger geopolitical landscape. In short, Ciri cannot become a witcher if Nilfgaard wins the war and you take her to Emhyr. The key to Ciri becoming a witcher lies in a combination of specific decisions, the most crucial being avoiding taking Ciri to see her father, Emperor Emhyr var Emreis, if you desire the witcher ending. If you do bring Ciri to Emhyr and Nilfgaard wins, you will get the Empress ending, not the Witcher.
The game offers three primary endings for Ciri: she becomes an empress, she becomes a witcher, or she seemingly dies (a ‘bad’ ending). The factors determining her fate are nuanced. While Nilfgaard’s victory plays a crucial role, it is not in and of itself the sole determinant of Ciri’s future. The crux is whether you take Ciri to Emhyr, and this decision interacts with the outcome of the war.
Understanding the Key Variables
The path to the Witcher Ciri ending is contingent upon several factors, with the key point being whether you present her to the Emperor. If you avoid this meeting, and have accumulated a sufficient number of “positive” choices during your interactions with Ciri, the ending where she becomes a witcher is attainable, regardless of the war’s outcome. However, going to see Emhyr significantly changes the parameters of which ending is obtainable.
If you do take Ciri to Emhyr, Nilfgaard’s victory sets her on the path to becoming Empress. However, this is not a guarantee as you will still need to fulfil other conditions for her to be crowned.
The Significance of War Outcomes
The war between Nilfgaard and the Northern Kingdoms is a central conflict of The Witcher 3. Its resolution impacts the availability of certain endings, most notably, the Empress Ciri ending.
- Nilfgaard Victory: If Nilfgaard wins the war, and you presented Ciri to the Emperor, she is more likely to take the throne, becoming Empress of Nilfgaard. This scenario requires specific choices to be made during political quests like “Reason of State”, where you must side with Roche over Dijkstra after killing Radovid.
- Nilfgaard Loss: If Nilfgaard loses the war, primarily by siding with Dijkstra over Roche, this sets in motion events that make it impossible for Ciri to become Empress of Nilfgaard. Combined with the required “positive” interactions, this makes the witcher ending more likely (provided you did not visit Emhyr) .
Ciri’s Choices and Character Development
Throughout The Witcher 3, your interactions with Ciri contribute to an invisible point system. These choices affect her outlook and ultimately influence her decisions at the end of the game. These include:
- Encouraging Ciri to be independent and confident.
- Letting her handle challenges herself.
- Supporting her desires and ambitions, but in a realistic way.
- Not attempting to protect her too much
These positive interactions combined with other decisions are pivotal in her becoming a Witcher, regardless of the war outcome, as long as she does not meet her father in person.
The Empress vs. the Witcher: Two Paths Diverged
The contrast between Ciri as Empress and Ciri as a witcher is dramatic. The Empress ending, while seemingly a happy one on the surface (as she brings stability and prosperity to Nilfgaard), is an ending where Ciri is ultimately unhappy. She doesn’t want to be an Empress; her desire is for freedom and adventure.
The witcher path, in contrast, embodies Ciri’s spirit. It allows her to use her skills and unique abilities to help others, much like Geralt. This ending, while not as safe as being Empress, is where Ciri finds fulfillment, working with Geralt and living a life she chose for herself. The game itself suggests that this is the more fitting ending for Ciri’s character development.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Ciri’s Fate
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Ciri’s potential endings in The Witcher 3:
1. Can Ciri become Empress if I don’t take her to Emhyr?
No. Taking Ciri to Emhyr is a requirement for her to become Empress, assuming the other conditions for that ending are met. Avoiding meeting Emhyr opens the path for the witcher ending.
2. What are the positive choices I need to make for Ciri to become a witcher?
These involve supporting her, empowering her, and allowing her to make her own decisions. For instance, allowing her to trash the lab in Kaer Morhen, going to visit Skjall’s grave and encouraging her to visit the sorceresses alone.
3. Is the witcher ending always the “best” ending for Ciri?
It is argued to be the most fitting because it’s what Ciri desires. Ciri is happier being a witcher rather than an Empress who feels trapped. However, the best ending is subjective and depends on what you value for Ciri’s future.
4. What happens if I don’t get enough positive points?
If you don’t get enough positive points in your interactions with Ciri, she will supposedly die at the end of the game due to the White Frost. This is often referred to as the ‘bad’ ending.
5. Does Ciri lose her magical abilities if she becomes a witcher?
According to the lore, Ciri doesn’t lose her abilities completely. She loses the ability to actively draw from her magical potential, but the knowledge remains should she ever want to resume it.
6. Is Ciri a mutated witcher?
No, she is not mutated. She trained to become a witcher, but never underwent the mutations like Geralt. Her skill with a sword is good but she is not a superhuman like other witchers.
7. Can you get the Witcher ending and Ciri also be the Empress?
No. These are two mutually exclusive endings. If you want the Witcher ending, you must forgo Ciri’s ascension as Empress and not take her to Emhyr. If you go to see Emhyr and then meet certain conditions, she will end up an Empress.
8. What happens if Dijkstra wins the war?
If you side with Dijkstra and kill Radovid, he becomes the ruler of the North. This generally leads to a bleak outcome, with Redania becoming an industrial powerhouse under his authoritarian rule, but Nilfgaard loses the war. This sets Ciri on the path to being a witcher as long as she never visited Emhyr and had sufficient positive interactions.
9. Is Radovid a villain?
Radovid is portrayed as complex. While he is certainly cruel, he is also shown to have motivations rooted in his past and the manipulations of mages. He can be seen as a villain and a victim of circumstance.
10. Why does Radovid hate mages?
Radovid’s hatred for mages stems from his father’s assassination by an elf, orchestrated by the sorceress Philippa Eilhart. This experience created a deep-seated distrust and hatred for all magic users.
11. Is it always better to kill Radovid?
Radovid’s reign is cruel. So, killing him leads to a more favorable outcome for mages and non-humans. However, siding with Dijkstra has its own negative consequences as well. This is a nuanced decision with no perfect option.
12. What happens if I take Ciri to Emhyr for the horse, but then don’t help Nilfgaard win the war?
Taking Ciri to Emhyr initiates the set of choices that will make it impossible for her to be a witcher. You would need to not go to the emperor at all to guarantee the witcher ending. If you take her for the horse, you will be starting the set of requirements for her to be an Empress. If you do not help Nilfgaard win, she will be neither an empress nor a witcher, and it is implied she will disappear and possibly die.
13. Does Nilfgaard’s expansion always mean they’re bad?
Nilfgaard’s motives are complex. While they’re depicted as conquerors seeking territory, they also bring stability and order to regions. Their actions are not black and white, and the implications of their rule are open to interpretation.
14. How does Ciri’s Elder Blood contribute to her power?
Ciri’s Elder Blood provides her with unique magical abilities and makes her a figure of prophecy. It also explains why her blood could potentially allow for the creation of new witchers.
15. Can I pursue a romantic relationship with Ciri?
No, Ciri is not a romantic option for Geralt. The romantic interests in the game are limited to Triss Merigold or Yennefer of Vengerberg.
Conclusion
The question of whether Ciri can be a witcher if Nilfgaard wins the war is less about the war itself and more about your choices regarding meeting Emhyr and how you interact with Ciri throughout the game. The game emphasizes that Ciri’s personal journey is equally, if not more, important than the political landscape. By avoiding her father, making supportive choices, and navigating the war carefully, you can shape Ciri’s destiny and lead her down the path of a witcher, even when Nilfgaard emerges victorious. Ultimately, the ending of The Witcher 3 is a reflection of the choices you made and what you value for Ciri’s future, a testament to the game’s intricate and compelling narrative design.