The Witcher 3 endings explained: What to choose to get good, bad and best endings
How to see each version of the game's finale.
The Witcher 3 endings see the main story conclude in a variety of ways.
Each of the three endings are defined by the actions you take in the late game, specifically the missions; Battle Preparations, Blood on the Battlefield, and Final Preparations.
It's worth saying before we go on, there are spoilers ahead, so read ahead at your own risk!
The key points in each of these three mission come down to your choices when talking to Ciri during them, as such, we've listed the responses needed when chatting to her during these missions.
The only thing that doesn't rely specifically on her, is whether or not you visit the emperor during Blood on the Battlefield. To get the best ending, you need to do so, but we'll go into the specifics below.
On this page:
If you're looking for more assistance, our Witcher 3 walkthrough can help.
How to get the Good Ending in The Witcher 3
Make the following decisions when talking to Ciri:
Battle Preparations choices: Go For It, Yeah I'll go with you, to Ciri
Blood on the Battlefield choices: Think I know what might lift your spirits, don't go see the emperor
Final Preparations choices: You'll do fine on your own.
This ending sees you telling the Emhyr Var Emreis that Ciri sacrificed herself during the last battle to save the world. Geralt then journeys to White Orchard where he receives a very special silver sword, meets up with a disguised Ciri, and they live happily ever after.
How to get the Best Ending in The Witcher 3
Make the following decisions when talking to Ciri:
Battle Preparations choices: Go For Iti, Yeah I'll go with you, to Ciri
Blood on the Battlefield choices: Think I know what might lift your spirits (see emperor, Deny the money)
Final Preparations choices: You'll do fine on your own.
This ending has you in the inn in White Orchard meeting Zoltan and Dandelion in the winter. You'll then head to meet Ciri and take part in some rather cute father/daughter moments before she ascends to the Nilfgaard throne.
How to get the Bad Ending in The Witcher 3
Make the following decisions when talking to Ciri:
Battle Preparations choices: Calm Down, No Time
Blood on the Battlefield choices: Relax. You don't have to be good at everything. (see emperor, accept the money)
Final Preparations choices: Going with you.
This ending has Ciri dying during the last battle, which is bad on its own. Then Geralt tries to kill the Crone Weavess who had stolen Ciri's medallion, he eventually defeats her but breaks down upon retrieving the medallion and is then shown to be swarmed by a horde of monsters. There's no way of knowing what happens after.
Our Witcher 3 walkthrough and guide can help you with the main story, including the Wandering in the Dark and Family Matters missions, and eventually, one of several Witcher 3 endings. There's plenty of side content, too, including Witcher 3 Contracts, White Orchard quests, Velen quests, Novigrad quests and Skellige Isles quests. Elsewhere, learn about the best Witcher 3 builds, the best Witcher 3 mods, how to make money in Witcher 3, find Places of Power locations, and learn how to do Witcher 3 crafting and Witcher 3 Alchemy And when you're done with all those - we can help you through expansions with our Hearts of Stone walkthrough and Blood and Wine walkthrough.
How to get individual character endings in The Witcher 3
Along with the overarching story, there are plenty of smaller endings that you'll see depending on your choices in the game.
Geralt of Rivia
This silver-haired fox has three possible endings as long as you didn't get the bad ending.
If you choose to romance neither Triss nor Yennefer, or, if you foolishly went for both, then you'll remain a Witcher and spend your remaining days fighting monsters.
If you romance Triss then you'll retire to Kovir with her. This has Triss earning a good living as an advisor to the king, while Geralt relaxes and occasionally takes on a Witcher Contract for fun.
If you decide that Yennefer is more your type, then you'll both retire together far away from the hustle and bustle of your previous lives.
Emperor Emhyr var Emreis
What happens to the Nilfgaardian emperor is dependant on your decisions during A Deadly Plot, and Reason of State. If you choose not to help kill Radovid, or you side with Sigismun Djikstra, then the empire will lose the war and be overthrown.
If instead you do help kill of Radovid and you side with Vernon Roche in Reason of State then Nilfgaard will conquer the north. This is followed by the emperor killing off those who he deems traitorous.
The Bloody Baron, Phillip Strengar
What happens to the Baron is entirely dependent on your choices during The Whispering Hillock. If you kill the spirit, either by tricking it during the ritual or fighting it, then Strengar will rescue his wife and travels to the Blue Mountains to seek a cure for her.
If you chose to free the spirit, then the curse that claims the Baron's wife's life causes the Baron to take a dark turn. It drives the Baron to end his own life.
Radovid the Stern
Assuming you haven't killed him off, Radovid pushes back the Nilfgaards and ends the war. Not content with that, he then continues to kill off mages, non-humans, healers, and even pellars. He's not a good guy.
Sigismund Djikstra
If you've killed of Radovid, and sided with Djikstra in Reason of State, then he'll rise to power and claim the north as his own. He rules with an iron fist and his subjects aren't pleased with that at all.
The Leader of the Skellige Isles
There are three potential rulers of the Skellige Isles depending on your choices during Clan an Craite and King's Gambit. If you ignore both of these quests, then Svanrige Bran will conquer the isles and unite them under a reign that started with bloodshed.
If you do the two missions and side with Hjalmar then he will be the ruler, but his crews will die fighting the Nilfgaardian soldiers.
If you choose to side with Cerys instead, she will bring a new age of peace and prosperity to her people. She values her people above all and is probably the best choice.