Without the DLC expansions, The Witcher 3 has three main endings, two of which are much more ideal than the bad ending, though one is bittersweet.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains one of the more celebrated RPGs of recent memory, and the endings of its main narrative can be attributed to part of this reputation. Its story is a dynamic one, and presents memorable consequences for player actions. Many games provide players with multiple possible endings, and The Witcher 3 has a wide variety of outcomes, especially considering the endings in the Blood and Wine expansion that follow the base game's conclusion. The main story of The Witcher 3, however, has just three different conclusions.

It is, in fact, possible for two players to experience rather wildly different endings in The Witcher 3, but this is largely due to the game's large cast of characters. Each significant character will at some point have their story resolved, and many get a short summary of their fate near the end, if not at some earlier conclusion to a smaller arc. These come as small addendums to the most important cutscene, however, which will be one of three, dependent upon Geralt's actions and a few key dialog choices with Ciri.

The worst outcome possible in The Witcher 3 ends in the death of Ciri. Her dying in the final attempt to stop the White Frost is mainly a result of Geralt failing to encourage her in the leadup to the final quest. In this ending, the final scenes see Geralt returning to Crookback Bog to confront the Crone which previously took Ciri's witcher medallion. Geralt succeeds in retrieving the medallion, but is soon overcome with grief and surrounded by monsters. The screen fades to black, leaving the White Wolf's fate ambiguous, though ultimately this doesn't stop players from continuing after beating The Witcher 3.

The Witcher 3's Two Good Endings

There is one ending generally considered to be the more middling of the two good endings. It is still much more positive than the bad ending, owing simply to the fact that Ciri survives, but remains a bittersweet way for the story to draw to a close. Ciri halts the White Frost and returns alive, but is still subject to her familial obligations, ascending to the Nilfgaardian throne. Ciri survives the final battle because she received the proper support from Geralt, but cannot escape her obligation to Nilfgaard if Witcher 3 players made the choice to meet with the Emperor during the Blood on the Battlefield quest.

The best ending to The Witcher 3 is accomplished by refusing to meet the Emperor, and instead going with Ciri to Bald Mountain in Velen. Ciri also has to survive her encounter with the White Frost in the final quest, meaning proper encouragement from Geralt is also required for the best ending. At the game's close, Geralt will visit the Emperor and tell him Ciri was killed - a lie - before he returns to White Orchard. There, Geralt picks up a newly crafted silver witcher sword and brings it to an inconspicuous Ciri, who has shed her royal lineage to join her adoptive father in the witchering business before The Witcher 3's credits roll.

Next: When The Witcher 3 Released (& How It Changed After Launch)