The brilliance of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt lies not in its sprawling map or its visceral combat, but in the weight of its choices. Unlike many RPGs where the "good" and "bad" endings are telegraphed through a simple binary choice at the very end, Geralt of Rivia’s journey is shaped by subtle, seemingly mundane interactions. The fate of Ciri, the destiny of nations, and the quiet retirement of a legendary monster hunter are all determined by whether you played snowball with a grieving daughter or accepted a handful of gold from an Emperor.

To determine which conclusion reigns supreme, one must look beyond simple "happiness." We must evaluate narrative resonance, character growth, and the long-term stability of the Continent. This is the definitive ranking of The Witcher 3 endings, covering the base game, the political landscape, and the two masterful expansions.

The Three Fates of Ciri: Primary Endings Ranked

Ciri is the heart of the story. Her survival and her vocation are the primary metrics by which players judge their success. While the game tracks several "positive" and "negative" points during key moments in the final act, the results are starkly different in their emotional payoff.

1. The Witcher Path: The Greatest Narrative Triumph

The "Witcher Ending" is widely celebrated as the best possible outcome for Ciri’s character arc. In this conclusion, Geralt lies to Emperor Emhyr, claiming Ciri perished in the White Frost. Instead, he meets her at a humble tavern in White Orchard and presents her with a master-crafted silver sword, Zireael.

Why it ranks #1: This ending prioritizes Ciri’s agency and personal happiness over the crushing weight of prophecy and political duty. Throughout the game, Ciri expresses a desire to be free—to live a life on the path, similar to the one Geralt leads. By choosing this ending, the player validates Ciri’s identity. She is no longer the "Child of the Elder Blood" or a pawn of Nilfgaardian succession; she is a Witcher. The emotional resonance of seeing Ciri and Geralt hunt together in the epilogue provides a sense of closure that feels earned after hundreds of hours of searching.

The Experience Factor: In our playthroughs, this ending feels the most "canonical" to the spirit of the source material. While Witchers lead hard lives, Ciri’s joy in the tavern scene is palpable. It is the only ending where the bond between father and daughter remains untainted by the interference of kings and sorceresses.

2. The Empress Path: The Noble Sacrifice

In this ending, Ciri survives the White Frost but chooses to return to Nilfgaard to claim her birthright. She recognizes that as a Witcher, she can save individuals, but as an Empress, she can save the world.

Why it ranks #2: While many consider this a "good" ending, it is inherently bittersweet. It requires Geralt to take Ciri to see her father, Emhyr var Emreis, and for Nilfgaard to win the war. The farewell scene at White Orchard is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the game. Ciri isn't leaving because she wants to; she is leaving because she feels she must.

Ranking this second is a nod to its maturity. It is a more "adult" ending than the Witcher path. It acknowledges that sometimes, duty outweighs personal desire. However, it feels like a loss. Ciri loses her freedom, and Geralt loses his daughter to the cold halls of the Nilfgaardian court. The separation feels permanent and tragic, even if it brings stability to the Continent.

3. The Tragedy: The Ultimate Failure

Often called the "Bad Ending," this is the outcome where Ciri disappears into the White Frost and is presumed dead. Geralt, consumed by grief, returns to the swamps of Velen to hunt down the last remaining Crone (Weavess) to retrieve Ciri’s stolen medallion. The game ends with Geralt sitting in a hut, surrounded by hundreds of monsters, clutching the medallion as the screen fades to black.

Why it ranks #3: This ending is a masterpiece of atmospheric dread, but it is a narrative failure for the player. It stems from Geralt being overprotective, dismissive, or stifling Ciri’s confidence. If you don't let her vent her frustration in Avallac'h's lab, or if you refuse to visit Skjall’s grave, you effectively break her spirit.

From a writing perspective, it is a powerful exploration of grief. However, as a conclusion to a 100-hour epic, it is devastating. It suggests that Geralt’s quest was in vain and that he was unable to grow as a father figure. It is the ending no player seeks, yet it serves as a stark reminder that in The Witcher's world, failure has real, permanent consequences.

Ranking Geralt’s Personal Retirement

The "epilogue" slides describe Geralt’s life after the main conflict. This is primarily influenced by the romance choices made between Yennefer of Vengerberg and Triss Merigold.

1. Retirement with Yennefer (The Canon Feel)

If Geralt stays loyal to Yennefer and completes "The Last Wish," they retire to a quiet life away from politics. In the Blood and Wine expansion, she eventually joins him at Corvo Bianco.

Analysis: This ranks highest because it aligns with the decades of history between these two characters. Their relationship is complex and often toxic in the books, but in The Witcher 3, players can finally give them the peace they’ve sought for a century. Yennefer’s presence at the vineyard feels like a true "happily ever after."

2. Retirement with Triss (The Stable Life)

If Geralt chooses Triss, they move to Kovir, where she becomes a royal advisor and Geralt takes the occasional contract for fun.

Analysis: This is a much more "comfortable" ending. Life in Kovir is prosperous and safe. For players who found Yennefer too abrasive, Triss represents a healthier, more supportive partnership. It is ranked slightly lower only because it lacks the deep, fated resonance of the Geralt-Yen dynamic.

3. The Lone Witcher (The Path Continues)

If Geralt tries to romance both (leading to the infamous "three-way" trap) or romances neither, he remains a solitary Witcher until his hair turns even whiter and his reflexes finally fail him.

Analysis: While melancholy, there is a certain rugged dignity to this ending. It is the classic "Witcher" fate. However, given what Geralt has endured, most players find this outcome unsatisfying. He ends the game as he began it: alone on the road, haggling over crowns for drowner brains.

World Outcomes: The War for the North Ranked

The political fate of the Northern Realms is decided by the "Reason of State" questline. This determines who rules the North and how the non-human populations are treated.

1. Nilfgaard Wins and Temeria Becomes a Vassal

To achieve this, Radovid must be assassinated, and Geralt must side with Vernon Roche against Dijkstra.

Ranked #1 because: While nobody loves an empire, a Nilfgaardian victory brings the most stability. Emhyr is a tyrant, but he is a rational one. By striking a deal with Roche, Temeria regains some measure of autonomy. This path prevents the genocidal pogroms against mages and non-humans that characterize the alternative outcomes.

2. Dijkstra Rules the North

To achieve this, Radovid must die, but Geralt must allow Dijkstra to kill Roche, Ves, and Thaler.

Ranked #2 because: Dijkstra is a brilliant administrator. Under his rule, the North industrializes and prospers. However, the cost is the cold-blooded murder of Geralt’s allies. It is a "greater good" ending that leaves a foul taste in the player's mouth. It is efficient but morally bankrupt.

3. Radovid Wins (The Worst Outcome)

If Geralt ignores the assassination plot or fails to complete the prerequisite quests, Radovid the Stern conquers the North.

Ranked #3 because: Radovid is insane. His victory leads to the systematic slaughter of mages, herbalists, non-humans, and eventually anyone who looks at him sideways. The Continent descends into a dark age of fear and burning pyres. It is an unmitigated disaster for the world’s inhabitants.

The Throne of Skellige: Choosing a Ruler

The fate of the Isles depends on whether Geralt helps Cerys or Hjalmar an Craite, or ignores them entirely.

  • Cerys an Craite (The Best Ending): Cerys focuses on the internal development of Skellige. She brings peace and prosperity, moving away from the culture of constant raiding. It is the most forward-thinking choice.
  • Hjalmar an Craite (The Traditional Choice): Hjalmar continues the raids against the Nilfgaardian coast. While honorable in a Viking-esque sense, it leads to constant war and high casualties for the Skelligers.
  • Svanrige Bran (The Dark Horse): If Geralt does nothing, Svanrige takes the throne and institutes a bloody absolute monarchy. It is a surprisingly effective but brutal shift in Skellige culture.

DLC Endings: Hearts of Stone & Blood and Wine

The expansions offer some of the most philosophically challenging endings in the series.

Hearts of Stone: The Soul of Olgierd von Everec

  • Saving Olgierd (High Rank): By challenging Gaunter O’Dimm to a game of wits, Geralt saves Olgierd’s soul and banishes the Master Mirror. Olgierd is left with the "heart of stone" removed, forced to face the reality of his crimes but given a chance at redemption. This is widely considered the superior ending due to the incredible "Mirror Realm" sequence.
  • Letting O’Dimm Take the Soul (Low Rank): Geralt stands aside as Olgierd is reduced to a pile of bones. While Geralt gets a reward (like a never-ending carafe of spirits or a fast horse), it feels like a betrayal of the Witcher's role as a protector.

Blood and Wine: The Tragedy of Toussaint

  • The Sisters Reconcile (The Best/Hardest Ending): Requires Geralt to read every entry in the nursery rhyme book, get the ribbon for Syanna in the Land of a Thousand Fables, and talk her down in her cell. Syanna and Anna Henrietta embrace, and Toussaint is at peace. This is the "happiest" ending.
  • The Double Death (The Tragic Ending): If Syanna is not pacified, she kills her sister during the trial and is shot by Damien. Toussaint falls into mourning. It is a Shakespearean tragedy that feels fitting for the DLC’s dark themes.
  • Geralt in Prison (The Unique Ending): If Syanna dies but Anna Henrietta lives, Geralt is sent to prison. This is a rare, almost comedic ending that features a great cameo by Dandelion, though it’s technically a "bad" result for the main plot.

How to Get the Best Ending: The Critical Choice Guide

Many players are surprised to find they’ve triggered the "Bad Ending" because they were too "nice" to Ciri. The game tracks five pivotal moments. You need at least three "positive" choices to ensure Ciri survives.

  1. The Snowball Fight (Blood on the Battlefield): When Ciri is frustrated about her training, choose "I think I know what might lift your spirits." This leads to a snowball fight. Choosing "You don't have to be good at everything" is a negative point (it’s patronizing).
  2. The Lodge Meeting (Final Preparations): Let Ciri go alone to speak with the Sorceresses. This shows you trust her. Going with her is a negative point (it shows you don't think she can handle herself).
  3. Avallac'h's Laboratory (Child of the Elder Blood): When Ciri loses her temper, choose "Go for it" and help her trash the lab. This lets her vent. Choosing "Calm down" is a negative point (it suppresses her emotions).
  4. Skjall’s Grave (Child of the Elder Blood): Ciri wants to visit the grave of the man who saved her. Choosing "Yeah, I'll go with you" is a major positive point. Refusing is a negative point.
  5. The Emperor's Reward (Blood on the Battlefield): If you take Ciri to see Emhyr, he will offer you gold. Refuse the gold. Accepting it makes Ciri feel like you only found her for the bounty, creating a massive rift in her trust.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Witcher 3 Hierarchy

When we rank the endings of The Witcher 3, we aren't just looking at who lives or dies; we are looking at the legacy Geralt leaves behind.

The absolute "Gold Standard" of endings—the one that provides the most satisfying emotional and world-state closure—is as follows:

  1. Ciri becomes a Witcher (Her personal freedom).
  2. Geralt retires with Yennefer (The canonical peace).
  3. Nilfgaard wins the war with Temeria as a vassal (Political stability).
  4. Cerys rules Skellige (Progressive leadership).
  5. Olgierd is saved and the Sisters in Toussaint reconcile (Moral triumph).

This combination ensures that the people Geralt loves are safe, the world is as stable as it can be in a dark fantasy setting, and the legendary White Wolf finally gets to hang up his swords in the sun-drenched vineyards of Toussaint.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Witcher 3 Endings

What is the "best" ending in The Witcher 3?

Most fans consider the "Witcher Ciri" ending to be the best. It provides the most heartwarming epilogue and fulfills Ciri’s desire for freedom. However, the "Empress Ciri" ending is often considered the "better" ending for the world at large.

Can I change my ending after making choices?

No. Once the key choices in Acts 2 and 3 are made, the ending is locked. You would need to reload a save from before the "Blood on the Battlefield" quest to significantly alter Ciri's fate.

Does the DLC ending affect the main game ending?

The DLCs (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine) are largely self-contained. However, the very final scene of Blood and Wine ("Be It Ever So Humble") changes based on your main game romance and Ciri's survival. If you have no romance and Ciri is dead, Dandelion will visit you instead.

Is there a secret ending?

There are no "secret" endings, but there are hundreds of permutations of world states based on minor side quests. For example, the fate of the Bloody Baron or the mages in Novigrad doesn't change Ciri's fate, but it drastically changes the atmosphere of the world you inhabit.

Who is the best ruler for Skellige?

Cerys is objectively the "best" ruler for the islands' long-term prosperity. Hjalmar is for those who prefer the traditional warrior culture, but he leads his people into bloody, avoidable conflicts.