The Witcher: What Are A Witcher's Powers Anyway? - CBR

Netflix's recently released adaptation of The Witcher shows that Andrzej Sapkowski's world is full of powerful figures. We aren't just talking about the skilled knights or kings of great reputation that populate The Continent. There are the mages of Aretuza and Ban Ard, and perhaps most interestingly of all, the witchers of various schools. No matter how familiar someone is with the fantasy genre, newcomers to the franchise might find witchers a little difficult to understand.

The core concept seems simple enough-- they're trained and mutated so they can effectively dispatch monsters for coin. It's they're abilities that might cause some amount of confusion. They're fighters like knights, they live as long as mages and are even adept at a few spells, by the looks of it. Geralt uses a few in the Netflix series, but none of them are ever explained. Not to worry. All your questions about what a witcher can and can't do in the series will be answered right here.

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COMBAT SKILLS

A witcher generally possesses one steel sword and a silver one for monsters of a magical nature. Swordsmanship is a basic requirement for witchers, as audiences would have gathered after watching the first episode of the Netflix adaptation. Because of their intense training and genetic mutations, witchers are better fighters than commoners or the average knight, partly because they're stronger and faster than most.

Geralt of Rivia briefly mentions the Trial of the Grasses, which, in Sapkowski's novels, was a process that involved several herbs, alchemy and unbearable pain. Only three in ten boys survive the trials and emerge with the augmented strength and reflexes, along with...

HEIGHTENED SENSES

The striking cat-like eyes aren't just for show. They allow witchers improved sight in the dark, where monsters tend to hide. But nightvision is just one facet of the monster hunters' heightened senses. Geralt displays a superhuman sense of smell in the series, notably in the episode "Betrayer Moon," in which he's able to determine Ostrit's connection to Adda's curse thanks to the former's scent.

The only other significantly heightened sense is a witcher's hearing. Interestingly, although the novels and video games make note of this, Geralt in the Netflix adaptation seems to be missing this particular ability. Still, given how faithful the live-action adaptation has been thus far, it's probably safe to assume that Geralt will exhibit this ability at some point.

POTIONS

At first glance, the ability to consume potions doesn't seem like something that would be exclusive to witchers, but keep in mind that the potions they drink are toxic to humans, so much so that the concoctions would prove lethal. It's the magical and genetic augmentations that allow witchers to consume them and enjoy their benefits.

That toxicity is present in the series. When Geralt consumes potions, his eyes turn jet black and black veins are visible beneath his skin. Potions can be useful in a fight, as they provide witchers with greater strength and abilities. They're not always necessary, but for monsters like giant kikimore or the striga, what little they offer can be the difference between life and death.

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AARD

Alongside their physical skills, witchers are educated in simple magic spells, referred to as Signs. None of these are anywhere near as powerful as spells cast by the mages of The Continent, but more often than not, they prove useful in a variety of situations.

Aard, for example, is a short but effective blast of telekinetic energy that Geralt seems to employ quite regularly throughout the series with varying strength. In "The End's Beginning," it merely staggers Geralt's opponents, but when he uses it in "Betrayer Moon" against the striga, Aard appears to be enough to knock the creature back and, at one point, break through the stone floors beneath them.

AXII

Geralt uses this just once in the series, and unsuccessfully at that. Blink and you might miss the small teal burst of magic at the witchers fingertips during his final conversation with Renfri. This is likely an attempt at casting the Axii sign, which allows witchers to influence minds, to an extent. In the novels, for example, Geralt often uses the Sign to calm Roach. At times, even casting another spell, Somne, to achieve a similar effect.

The fight with Renfri does serve as a perfect example of how witchers -- even with their magical skills -- are nowhere near as powerful as mages. Signs are relatively simple and don't always guarantee a witcher's victory over human opponents.

YRDEN

Sometimes the ability to masterfully wield a sword just isn't enough and a witcher must utilize more defensive skills. That's where Yrden comes in handy. This Sign takes the form of a magical force field of sorts, powerful enough to repel monsters, which is why Geralt uses it in "Betrayer Moon" to trap the striga in the crypt and protect himself in the sarcophagus.

The Sign is briefly visible as a wall of blue magical energy. It's just one of several, similar protective spells, each one a specialized shield against specific attacks. Yrden creates a physical barrier over any area, Quen serves as a personal shield and Heliotrop provides defense against other magical attacks.

The Witcher stars Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg, Freya Allan as Ciri and Joey Batey as Jaskier. The series is available on Netflix now.

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