Based on the known lore behind the series, The Witcher 4 seems bound to inevitably break a major tradition with its choice of protagonists, as Ciri takes on the same mantle as her father, Geralt. While The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has multiple different endings, it seems that The Witcher 4 will officially confirm which were canon, given that Ciri will lead the next game as its Witcher protagonist. However, despite some of these endings suggesting Ciri will follow in Geralt’s footsteps and train to become a Witcher, the recent The Witcher 4 announcement raises new questions about when and how Ciri finally achieved this.
More specifically, Ciri’s transformation into a Witcher in The Witcher 4 raises questions regarding the series’ lore with the Trial of the Grasses, a specialized alchemical concoction individuals must take in order to become a Witcher. Even with the release of The Witcher 4 trailer, many players have expressed confusion about how Ciri could be the new game’s Witcher protagonist, due to the series’ lore suggesting only men can survive the trial. As a result, it seems that The Witcher 4 is already in a position where it is guaranteed to break a few series’ traditions thanks to Ciri’s upcoming role as the game’s titular Witcher.
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The Significance of How Ciri Became a Witcher in The Witcher 4
While there are various schools of Witchers, virtually all have their own version of the Trial of the Grasses that its candidates are required to take, and crucially, only three in every ten boys are expected to be strong enough to survive. Girls, on the other hand, do not typically survive the trial, which has raised doubts about how Ciri can be a Witcher despite her training and prophesied destiny in The Witcher 3. Even when accounting for details like her Elder Blood lineage, it seems unlikely that Ciri would be able to survive the School of the Wolf’s Trial of the Grasses, just as Geralt had.
However, there are some exceptions found in The Witcher‘s lore that could allow Ciri to become a Witcher herself, and if true, this could mean The Witcher 4 will be breaking new ground for its gameplay and player experience. For instance, as players may have learned during The Witcher 3, the School of the Cat is one example where female Witchers are possible due to differences in the Trial of the Grasses. Combined with CD Projekt Red teasing a cat-like pendant instead of Geralt’s wolf, it’s possible that Ciri became a Witcher through a different school and trial than her father.
What This Could Mean For The Witcher 4
Though the logistics of how Ciri became a Witcher may not be the focus of The Witcher 4‘s themes or story, the difference between her and Geralt could lead to changes in gameplay reflecting this. While The Witcher 4‘s trailer has already teased details like Ciri using magic, signs, and potions, undergoing the trial with a different school could give Ciri different powers and traits than those seen with Geralt. But based on the design of the pendant showcased by CD Projekt Red, it seems Ciri may have joined a never-before-seen school in the games due to its resemblance to a lynx.
With a potential armor reference to the School of the Lynx in The Witcher 3, The Witcher 4 could be using this school to switch things up from Geralt. Though players should be cautious not to confuse fan-made content with potential The Witcher 4 news, the choice of a lynx instead of a cat could be to retain the power or aggression of the Wolf School as a compromise for Ciri becoming the first female Witcher. But with only The Witcher 4‘s trailer reveal and CD Projekt Red’s confirmation that Ciri has completed the Trial of the Grasses, players can only speculate until more news is given.
