Eight Inconsistencies Between The Witcher Games And Books

The Witcher games have done a great job bringing the Witcher universe of the books into the spotlight. Having said that, there’s no doubt that they differ from the source material in many ways.

Fans who have read Sapkowski’s epic Witcher saga will find many inconsistencies with the games. Here’s a look at eight major differences between the Witcher games and books. 

Triss’ Penchant For Fire Magic Is Exclusive To The Games

Triss Merigold is as endearing as they come, and her powers are on full display in the Witcher games whenever she whips out fire magic to incinerate her foes.

However, in the books, Triss isn’t shown to wield fire magic at all. Her most impressive display of sorcery comes when she teams up with Yennefer to summon a hailstorm during the Rivian Pogrom. Her hair color may be the sole reason why CD Projekt Red decided to make her a fire-wielding mage, but this is nothing more than fan speculation.

Ciri’s Scar Is Way More Disfiguring In The Books

During her adventures in the books, Ciri ends up being captured by a bounty hunter by the name of Leo Bonhart. She stages a successful escape attempt, but not before a well-aimed throwing star by Stefan Skellen leaves a sizeable wound on her face.

The scar this injury leaves behind disfigures Ciri’s face for good, leaving her very insecure when it comes to her looks. Meanwhile, in the game, Ciri’s scar looks almost picturesque and makes her look unique, which is a far cry from the depiction of this prominent scar in the novels.

Geralt Is Nowhere Near As Attractive As The Games Make Him Out To Be

In the books, Geralt is described numerous times as pale and skinny. His smile in the books is notoriously ugly, too. While that might be true in the first Witcher game, in Witcher 2 and especially Witcher 3 Geralt is an absolute hunk. 

But one thing does remain consistent between the two mediums: his successful track record with the ladies, proving that it’s not all about looks.

Regis’ Return From the Dead

Regis’ comedic holier-than-thou attitude and helpful nature make him a beloved member of the group that accompanies Geralt in his quest to find Ciri. During a climactic encounter at Stygga Castle, the vampire heroically comes to Yennefer’s aid just when a sorcerer is about to kill Geralt’s love.

What follows is a brutal execution as Regis is ripped apart by Vilgefortz and melted by his powerful fire magic. Even if Blood & Wine’s revival of this character was certainly welcome, book readers find it hard to believe that Dettlaff was able to heal Regis, presumably only from a buddle of blood. The games do claim that only higher vampires can kill other higher vampires, though. 

Triss Is Nowhere Near As Important In The Books

Fans of the Witcher trilogy are led to believe that Triss is one of the major characters in this series. This may apply to the games, but her role in the books is fairly muted.

She’s mostly present in the first book for quite some time as she helps Ciri in more sensitive matters, something that she couldn’t ask for help from all the men in Kaer Morhen. Eventually, Triss leaves the limelight after contracting diarrhea during her adventures with Geralt. 

The duo engages in a romantic tryst around this time too, but that’s only because Triss slips him love potions from time to time.

Geralt Is Constantly Broke In The Novels

It doesn’t take long to attain a sizeable fortune in the Witcher games. This may make sense from a gameplay perspective to avoid any needless frustration, but it’s not an accurate depiction of what life as a witcher is all about.

In the books, Geralt is constantly scrounging for orens, with most monster hunting contracts not paying enough to cover the costs of his food, stay, and weapon maintenance, among other things.

The Signs Are Way More Powerful In The Games

Combining swordplay, alchemy, and Signs is a huge part of what makes The Witcher games such a blast to play. The magic that Geralt wields is incredibly effective in combat.

Meanwhile, in the books, the Signs that Geralt and the other witchers use are pretty weak and rarely used in combat. In the books, it’s explained that these Signs are meant to emulate a fraction of the powers that mages use and are more useful for other purposes outside of combat.

Geralt And Yennefer Are Both Dead By The End Of The Saga

One of the biggest changes in the games revolves around the fate of Geralt and Yennefer. At the end of The Lady of the Lake, after everyone assumes that things are back to normal, a pogrom is incited in Rivia, with humans taking up arms and killing every nonhuman in sight.

While defending himself during this riot, Geralt is lethally impaled by a pitchfork. A distraught Yennefer tries to heal him using her magical power but fails to do so and dies after the strain this effort takes on her body. The first game takes place after this event with Geralt appearing perfectly healthy except for having amnesia.