Play Witcher 3, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. I sat there staring at the screen in complete disbelief. “You have to be kidding me,” I muttered as I watched the game’s epilogue. After over 100 hours of gameplay and emotional attachment to these characters, I could not believe this was the ending of the game. I made a strangled sound as I considered flipping the coffee table over. I started furiously texting gamer friends to take them to task for putting me through this only to learn none of them had gotten the same ending.
Witcher 3 is not the first game to have consequences for in-game decisions. Indeed, it’s a staple of this very series, but as a first time Witcher player, I was genuinely taken by surprise by the depth of those outcomes. Many small choices have an impact on characters and quests, but some specific choices drive three significantly different endings. Geralt’s decisions with Ciri direct what will eventually happen to her and other characters. The player can choose to shelter her or help her learn her own strength.
If you want to avoid a possibly unpleasant surprise, here are the ways to achieve the ending of your choosing. Needless to say, MAJOR SPOILERS ahead.
#1. Everyone Dies (this is the ending I received on my first playthrough)
Witcher 3 ► THE WORST ENDING: Ciri and Geralt Die
- Ciri chooses to fight the White Frost.
- Geralt watches as she disappears.
- In the ice and snow, Ciri remembers the key moments with Geralt that determine the ending before advancing on the White Frost.
- Geralt watches as the wall of ice glass around the temple shatters.
- One week passes, and Geralt hunts down the last remaining Crone.
- After killing the Crone, Geralt finds Ciri’s stolen Witcher medallion and waits for the onslaught of monsters swarming to kill him.
To get this ending, choose at least three of the following decisions:
- After the Battle of Kaer Mohren, tell Ciri she cannot be good at everything and choose to drink with her.
- Take Ciri to see Emhyr and accept the reward.
- When approached by the Lodge of Sorceresses, refuse to let Ciri go alone.
- At Avallach’s lab, tell Ciri to calm down.
- Tell Ciri there is no time to visit Skjall’s grave.
#2. Ciri becomes the Empress
Witcher 3 ► CIRI IS EMPRESS & Leaves Geralt - Bittersweet/Sad Ending
Ciri chooses to fight the White Frost.
- Geralt watches as she disappears.
- In the ice and snow, Ciri remembers the key moments with Geralt that determine the ending before advancing on the White Frost.
- Geralt watches as the wall of ice glass around the temple shatters.
- Some time passes, and Geralt is back at White Orchard talking to Dandelion and Zoltan.
- After talking, Geralt says he is going rabbit hunting.
- He talks to the hunter from White Orchard and meets up with Ciri.
- Ciri is distracted as they spend time hunting and fishing.
- When they return to the inn, a host of Emyhr’s men are waiting to escort Ciri to Vizima.
- Ciri admits she decided to take her place as Empress and couldn’t bear to tell Geralt.
- Though bittersweet, they part on good terms.
To get this ending, you must complete the side quests necessary to ensure that Nilfgaard wins the war (“An Eye for an Eye,” “A Deadly Plot,” and “Redania’s Most Wanted”). Also, choose four of the following decisions (going to see Emyhr must be one of them):
- After the Battle of Kaer Mohren, tell Ciri you know what might lift her spirits (snowball fight).
- Take Ciri to see Emhyr, but turn down the reward.
- Encourage Ciri to meet with the Lodge of Sorceresses alone.
- Help Ciri vent by making a mess of Avallach’s lab.
- Go with Ciri to visit Skjall’s grave.
#3. Ciri Becomes a Witcher
Witcher 3 ► THE BEST ENDING - Ciri Becomes a Witcher. Triss Romance
- Ciri chooses to fight the White Frost.
- Geralt watches as she disappears.
- In the ice and snow, Ciri remembers the key moments with Geralt that determine the ending before advancing on the White Frost.
- Geralt watches as the wall of ice glass around the temple shatters.
- Two weeks later, Geralt goes to see Emhyr and tells him that Ciri died fighting the White Frost.
- Emhyr says he never wants to see Geralt again, and Geralt leaves.
- Geralt meets with a swordsmith who has crafted a Witcher’s sword.
- After obtaining the sword, Geralt goes to the inn in White Orchard and meets Ciri.
- He gives her the sword and tells her she’s a Witcher.
To get this ending, you must choose four the following decisions (choosing NOT to see Emhyr must be one of them):
- After the Battle of Kaer Mohren, tell Ciri you know what might lift her spirits (snowball fight).
- Do NOT take Ciri to see Emhyr.
- Encourage Ciri to meet with the Lodge of Sorceresses alone.
- Help Ciri vent by making a mess of Avallach’s lab.
- Go with Ciri to visit Skjall’s grave.
Each epilogue following the three main cutscene endings is also based on decisions made throughout the entire game and can vary in up to 36 ways.
Can’t get enough of facing your in-game decision consequences? Try playing the Blood and Wine and Heart of Stone expansions for Witcher 3. Both expansions heap a whole new set of satisfying decisions and results on the player, but be warned, they are not all happy endings either. Good luck!
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