Why Does Geralt Have Two Swords?
Geralt of Rivia, the renowned Witcher, carries two swords for a very specific reason: to tackle the diverse range of enemies he encounters, including both human and supernatural creatures, with the steel sword being used for humans and the silver sword reserved for monsters. The use of two different types of swords highlights Geralt’s preparedness and adaptability as a monster hunter, allowing him to face various challenges with the most effective tools at his disposal.
Understanding Geralt’s Swords
Geralt’s decision to carry two swords is rooted in the nature of his work as a Witcher, a profession that involves mutated humans trained from a young age to hunt monsters. The steel sword, being more durable and versatile, is ideal for confronting human enemies, while the silver sword, with its inherent magical properties, is more effective against supernatural creatures. This distinction underscores the complexity of Geralt’s role and the need for specialized tools in his line of work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Geralt Use a Two-Handed Sword?
Geralt’s steel sword is typically a one-and-a-half hand sword, which can be wielded with one or two hands, offering flexibility in combat situations.
2. Why Does Geralt Wear His Swords on His Back?
Geralt wears his swords on his back to distribute the weight evenly and avoid hindrance during combat, as having them on his hips could destroy his balance and get in the way of his footwork.
3. What Happened to Geralt’s Second Sword?
Geralt’s silver sword often disappears and reappears throughout the novels and is usually carried by his horse, Roach, not on Geralt’s back.
4. Can Geralt Get Ciri’s Sword?
In the books and the game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt acquires Ciri’s sword as a gift for her, symbolizing her unique position as the first and only girl trained as a Witcher.
5. Why Doesn’t Geralt Have Two Swords in the Netflix Series?
The absence of the second sword in the Netflix series can be attributed to gameplay convenience and the unavailability of Roach in the early games, making it a narrative choice rather than a strict adherence to the original book lore.
6. Why is Geralt the Only Witcher with Yellow Eyes?
Geralt’s yellow eyes are a result of the additional mutations he underwent as a child, making him unique among Witchers, who typically do not have such distinguishing features.
7. Why Doesn’t Geralt Use His Silver Sword on Humans?
Geralt avoids using his silver sword on humans because it doesn’t offer any special advantages against them, and he reserves it for fighting monsters where its magical properties are beneficial.
8. What Fighting Style Does Geralt Use?
Geralt employs a unique fighting style involving powerful slashes, straight thrusts, and quick transitions, often utilizing a reverse grip and leveraging the forte of his sword for maximum effect.
9. How Heavy is Geralt’s Sword?
The replica of Geralt’s Steel Sword from the TV series is approximately 108 cm long and weighs about 1.9 kg, indicating the substantial weight and craftsmanship of his weapon.
10. Can You Use Ciri’s Sword?
Ciri’s sword, given to her by Geralt, is a gift and not typically used by him; it’s a symbol of her strength and potential as a Witcher, though in the context of the story, it’s more of a ceremonial or plot-driven item.
11. What Happened to Geralt’s Silver Sword?
Geralt’s silver sword is often carried by Roach and appears at critical moments, emphasizing its importance in Geralt’s battles against monsters.
12. Why Does Geralt Wear His Swords on His Back?
This is again to ensure balance and ease of movement, as having two swords on the hips would be cumbersome and hinder his combat effectiveness.
13. Why is Geralt the Only One with Weird Eyes?
Geralt’s yellow eyes are a result of his enhanced mutations, making him stronger and more resilient than other Witchers, who do not undergo the same level of mutation.
14. Why Does the Witcher Only Have One Sword in Some Depictions?
This can be due to narrative choices or the specific context of the story, as the dual sword concept is deeply rooted in the lore but may not always be practical or necessary in every situation depicted.
15. Why Did Henry Cavill Leave The Witcher?
Henry Cavill’s departure from the role of Geralt is reportedly due to creative differences, with Cavill expressing a desire to adhere closely to the original source material by Andrzej Sapkowski, suggesting a divergence in the show’s direction from the book’s storyline.