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Does Ciri Become Empress If You Kill Radovid? A Deep Dive into Witcher 3 Endings

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The short answer is: Yes, Ciri can become Empress if you kill Radovid, but it’s not as simple as just eliminating the King of Redania. The sequence of choices you make throughout The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt dramatically impacts Ciri’s fate, and assassinating Radovid is just one piece of a complex puzzle. To get the “Empress” ending, you must not only kill Radovid but also ensure that Nilfgaard wins the war and that you’ve taken Ciri to Emhyr before the Battle of Kaer Morhen. The political landscape of the Northern Kingdoms is volatile, and your decisions determine whether Ciri ascends to the throne or forges a different path.

Unraveling the Empress Ending: Key Decisions & Consequences

Achieving the Empress ending for Ciri requires navigating a web of interconnected quests and dialogue options. Killing Radovid is a necessary but insufficient condition. Here’s a breakdown of the critical factors:

Radovid’s Assassination: This happens during the “Reason of State” quest. However, who you side with after Radovid’s death – Roche and Ves or Dijkstra – significantly alters the outcome. Siding with Roche and Ves is crucial for Nilfgaard’s victory, which is a prerequisite for Ciri becoming Empress.
Nilfgaard’s Victory: If you allow Dijkstra to kill Roche and Ves, Dijkstra takes control of Redania, effectively pushing Nilfgaard to defeat. Ciri will not become Empress in this scenario. To ensure Nilfgaard’s victory, you must side with Roche.
Meeting with Emhyr: You MUST take Ciri to Emhyr in Vizima before the Battle of Kaer Morhen. This sets the stage for Emhyr’s plans for Ciri to inherit the Nilfgaardian throne. Refusing to take her to Emhyr eliminates the Empress ending as a possibility.
Positive Choices for Ciri: Throughout the game, you’ll have several opportunities to guide Ciri’s development. Making supportive and empowering choices for her is vital. These include:
- Letting Ciri vent her anger after Vesemir’s death.
- Taking Ciri to Skjall’s grave.
- Playing in a snowball fight with Ciri.
- Allowing Ciri to speak to the Lodge of Sorceresses alone.
- When Ciri asks to go to The Isle of Mists, you must travel to the Isle of Mists to find her.

Failing to choose these positive choices will result in the ‘Bad Ending’ where Ciri enters The White Frost and dies.

The Weighing of Choices: Is Empress Ciri the “Best” Ending?

While the Empress ending is often presented as the “best” ending, it’s more nuanced than that. Ciri becomes a powerful ruler, ensuring stability and ending the witch hunts. However, many argue that it’s not the ending where Ciri is happiest.

Arguments for the Empress Ending: Proponents argue that it provides Ciri with the safest and most influential future. She has the potential to improve countless lives and shape the empire for the better. Also, it allows Ciri to have contact with her father.
Arguments Against the Empress Ending: Critics contend that Ciri is ultimately happier as a witcher, where she can embrace her freedom and independence. The Empress ending, while powerful, forces her into a role she may not truly desire.

Ultimately, the “best” ending is subjective and depends on your interpretation of Ciri’s character and desires.

The Impact of Radovid’s Death

Radovid’s death is a catalyst for significant changes in the Northern Kingdoms, regardless of whether Ciri becomes Empress. His reign was marked by paranoia and religious extremism, resulting in widespread persecution and instability. Eliminating him creates an opportunity for a more just and equitable society, but that opportunity can easily be squandered depending on who rises to power in his wake. If Radovid wins the war the witch hunts will continue and the war with Nilfgaard will be more bloody. Radovid’s policies are not effective and create more harm than good.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Ciri, Radovid, and the various endings in The Witcher 3:

Can Ciri become Empress if Radovid wins the war? No, Ciri cannot become Empress if Radovid wins the war. Nilfgaard must emerge victorious for her to be considered for the throne.
What happens if I kill Radovid but side with Dijkstra? If you kill Radovid and side with Dijkstra, he becomes the ruler of Redania. He rules with an iron fist, but Nilfgaard is defeated. Ciri will not become Empress.
Does killing Radovid automatically make Ciri Empress? No, killing Radovid is only one step. You also need to ensure Nilfgaard’s victory and take Ciri to Emhyr before Isle of Mists.
Can Ciri become a witcher if I kill Radovid? Yes, Ciri can still become a witcher if you kill Radovid. This ending requires that you do not take her to Emhyr before the Battle of Kaer Morhen and that you make supportive choices for her.
Is it possible to kill both Radovid and Emhyr? Radovid can be assassinated during the Reason of State quest. However, while the game mechanics don’t allow you to directly kill Emhyr, some endings imply that he is assassinated if Nilfgaard loses the war.
Who replaces Radovid if I side with Roche and Ves? If you side with Roche and Ves, Nilfgaard conquers the north, effectively replacing Radovid’s rule with Nilfgaardian influence.
When is the best time to kill Radovid? The assassination of Radovid occurs automatically during the “Reason of State” quest, which becomes available towards the end of the game after completing several prerequisite side quests.
How does the “Reason of State” quest affect Ciri’s ending? The “Reason of State” quest is crucial because it determines who controls the North. Siding with Roche and Ves is necessary for Nilfgaard to win the war, paving the way for Ciri to potentially become Empress.
What are the requirements for Ciri to not become Empress? For Ciri to avoid becoming Empress, either Nilfgaard must lose the war, or Geralt must not take Ciri to meet Emhyr before the Battle of Kaer Morhen.
Is Radovid truly a “bad guy”? Radovid is a complex character. While he is presented as a ruthless and tyrannical ruler, his actions are motivated by a desire to protect Redania and eliminate perceived threats, particularly mages. His methods, however, are undeniably brutal.
Does the game explicitly state that Ciri is happy as Empress? No, the game does not explicitly state that Ciri is happy as Empress. Many players and critics argue that she seems more fulfilled as a witcher.
Can I still complete “Reason of State” after finishing the main story? No, the “Reason of State” quest must be completed before finishing the main story. It directly impacts the game’s ending.
Who is the “best” ruler for Skellige, and how does it affect the ending? Cerys an Craite is often considered the best ruler for Skellige. Her progressive policies and focus on diplomacy contribute to a more stable and prosperous Skellige, which positively impacts the overall ending.
What is the “bad” ending for Ciri? The “bad” ending is where Ciri dies during her confrontation with the White Frost. This occurs if you make a series of negative choices when guiding her in her journey, leading her to doubt her own abilities.
Does Philippa Eilhart play a role in Ciri becoming Empress? While Philippa is a significant figure in the Witcher universe and involved in the events leading up to Radovid’s assassination, she doesn’t directly impact Ciri becoming Empress. Her actions primarily influence the political landscape of the North.

Understanding the Nuances: A Choice-Driven Narrative

The ending of The Witcher 3 is a testament to the power of player choice. While the prospect of Ciri becoming Empress might seem like the “best” outcome on the surface, it’s essential to consider her individual desires and the broader implications of your decisions. Exploring the complexities of morality and consequence is central to what makes the game so compelling.

For more on how games influence learning and understanding, check out the work of the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Their research highlights the educational potential of games and how they can be used to promote critical thinking and decision-making skills.