What Happens if You Kill the Crones in The Witcher 3?
The question of whether you can kill the Crones in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a popular one, and the answer is nuanced. While the game allows for combat with the Crones, specifically during the quest “The Battle of Kaer Morhen,” you cannot permanently kill them in the traditional sense during the early parts of the game. Attempting to do so often results in a premature and unsatisfying game over. However, the game’s narrative does lead to their eventual demise, albeit indirectly by the hands of Ciri and Geralt, not before various plot threads intertwine with their dark influence.
The confusion stems from the fact that during the quest “Ciri’s Story: Fleeing the Bog,” which immediately follows “Ladies of the Wood,” it appears possible for Ciri to return to the Crones’ cabin and engage them in combat. However, if you attempt to “kill” the Crones at this point, the game will trigger a game over screen because this encounter is not a sanctioned fight within the game’s programmed narrative structure. This is a game glitch rather than a legitimate combat encounter.
The game’s story is carefully crafted, and the Crones are designed to be significant antagonists with their deaths being more about narrative impact than a straightforward boss fight. Thus, attempting to circumvent the intended story progression by confronting them outside of designed encounters leads to a failure.
Later in the game, the Crones do indeed fall. The final showdown involves a two-pronged approach. During the “Battle of Kaer Morhen”, they are present and you may fight them, but this isn’t their ultimate fate. The ‘General’ Crone is confronted by Geralt, and Ciri hunts down the remaining two Crones as part of the main storyline. This conclusion aligns with the themes of vengeance and the passing of the torch, which is central to the conclusion of the game’s narrative.
Ultimately, the game’s design doesn’t allow you to prematurely kill the Crones through conventional means. Their demise is built into the core story progression of the game, with their defeat being a critical part of both Ciri and Geralt’s arc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Crones
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that provide further details on the Crones and related quests, designed to help you better understand their role in the game:
Can Ciri Actually Kill the Crones Before the Final Battle?
No, as previously mentioned, attempting to have Ciri kill the Crones during “Ciri’s Story: Fleeing the Bog” results in a game over. This is because the developers intended for their deaths to occur later in the game and during the ‘Battle of Kaer Morhen’ not through circumventing the storyline.
How Do You Fight the Crones Later in the Game?
During the final encounters, Geralt fights the ‘General’ Crone, while Ciri fights the other two during her part of the main quest. These are scripted battles, and their defeat progresses the narrative towards the game’s conclusion.
Why Does Geralt Not Just Kill the Crones Early?
Geralt acknowledges that the Crones are incredibly powerful, especially on their home turf within the Crookback Bog. Attacking them early on would be akin to committing suicide, a choice that does not align with Geralt’s practical approach.
Is There a Way to Save Anna if You Kill the Tree Spirit?
Yes, killing the tree spirit as instructed by the Crones during the quest “The Whispering Hillock” can prevent the Crones from turning Anna into a water hag and leading to her death. The negative consequence is that the Crones kill the orphans.
What Happens if You Free the Spirit Before Meeting the Crones?
If you free the spirit before meeting the Crones, Anna remains mad, and Baron takes her away. However, the children are still killed, and the town of Downwarren is massacred. It creates a different outcome, but does not change the overarching consequence of harm from this decision.
What is the “Best” Choice in the Whispering Hillock Quest?
There is no perfect choice in the “Whispering Hillock” quest. Killing the spirit saves Anna but leads to the deaths of the children. Freeing the spirit saves the children (temporarily), but leads to Anna’s transformation and death, Baron’s subsequent suicide and the destruction of Downwarren. The “best” choice is often debated based on individual player values.
Do the Crones Eat the Orphans?
Yes, if you kill the spirit, the Crones are implied to eat the orphans. This is the dark consequence of following their instructions.
What Are the Consequences of Dealing With the Crones?
Dealing with the Crones has major consequences. They can turn Anna into a water hag (if the tree spirit is released), leading to her death and Baron’s suicide. The consequences can extend to the fate of the children and the village of Downwarren.
Why is the Whispering Hillock Spirit So Important?
The spirit is a powerful entity and a source of conflict with the Crones, who seek to control it. The decision to free or kill the spirit has far-reaching consequences on other characters and the game world.
What is the Significance of the Dolls in the Cellar?
In the cellar, choosing the doll with the Hollyhock blossom is the correct choice. It represents Anna’s favorite flower and will ultimately lift the curse (but does not impact the major outcomes of the quest).
What Happens if Nilfgaard Wins the War?
If Nilfgaard wins the war, they will take over most of the Continent, with Temeria gaining a semblance of autonomy. The war will end, and a new era of prosperity may arise, but under Nilfgaardian rule.
What is the Bad Ending in The Witcher 3?
The “bad ending” occurs if you consistently make negative decisions towards Ciri. She loses faith in herself during the final confrontation with the White Frost. This can be indicated by a tapestry depicting Ciri fleeing the game’s world.
What is the Best Ending for Geralt?
The “best” ending is subjective but often involves Ciri becoming a witcher. It also depends on Geralt’s love life, settling down with either Yennefer or Triss. Ultimately it comes down to the player’s personal preferences.
Why is Nilfgaard Considered Evil?
Nilfgaard is often considered evil because of their imperialistic and expansionist nature. Their desire to conquer and dominate neighboring lands makes them the main antagonist in the game.
What are the Crones’ Motivations?
The Crones are driven by their hunger for power, manipulation, and a warped sense of tradition. They thrive on suffering and chaos, making them truly malevolent forces in the game’s story.