What’s new for Ciri in The Witcher 4? Developers reveal key details

The Witcher 4 developers CD Projekt Red have announced changes to Ciri’s abilities. Her teleportation powers and ability to zip around will be drastically toned down or completely removed.

Ciri will have new strengths in The Witcher 4. This includes full access to Trial of the Grasses potions and even more advanced magic combat abilities than Geralt’s signs.

In an interview with GamesRadar, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga discussed new adjustments to Ciri’s skills. “If you’re asking me whether we want to raise the bar again, the answer is yes,” said Małgorzata Mitręga.

However, she acknowledged she had a challenge in matching the level of Ciri’s invincibility at the end of The Witcher 3, including her abilities in the new game’s trailer. Mitręga hinted that “something totally happened in between,” referring to the changes. 

The developers wanted The Witcher 4 to have an original story but also related to the lore of the books and the lore of the other games. Mitręga said this was one of the first challenges they solved in development, allowing them to base an interesting story around Ciri’s role as the protagonist.

The Witcher 4 trailer shows Ciri using a spell called “Bolt”

With her upbringing by Geralt, she will now be faster and far more agile, but her combat style will be dominated by advanced magic. One example that is shown in the trailer unveiled at the Game Awards is the spell “Bolt.”

It is much better than Geralt’s signs and seems to go beyond anything Geralt is capable of. Mitręga pointed out that Ciri’s changes make her more different from a witcher-like character.

Games director Sebastian Kalemba previously told Eurogamer that Ciri’s depowering is explained logically throughout the story. After keeping the details under wraps, Kalemba said that the team worked hard to give the fans a clear and satisfying explanation of the full story when it launches.

These changes may ease fans’ fears about Ciri’s abilities in The Witcher 2. Her teleporting was flashy yet still too easy. 

Ciri’s spacetime powers have been lost throughout the entire series. Lore enthusiasts have been speculating the reason behind it. Some think she had willingly given them up, or they disappeared after the defeat of the White Frost. Therefore, the adjustments seem to ensure that The Witcher 4 will be a more balanced and fun take on Ciri.

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