The Witcher’s arsenal has stayed largely the same since the series' debut in 2007. EveryWitcherentry sees players wield one steel sword, for taking down humans, and one silver sword, for slaying monsters. Along the way, Geralt of Rivia can equip a range of other medieval-era weaponry, such as maces, axes, and clubs, andThe Witcher 3introduced a crossbow. Based on its reveal trailer,The Witcher 4is going to expand the series' arsenal quite a bit.
Originally shown during last year’s Game Awards,The Witcher 4’s debut trailer showed an adult Ciri setting off on her own monster-slaying adventures. Along with the classic duo of swords, Ciri wielded some kind of chain weapon during the trailer that kept the Bauk creature at bay. This chain looks like it could be a great addition toThe Witcher 4’s combat, especially if one teased ability comes to fruition.
The Witcher 4’s Chain Weapon Has a Lot of Potential
What The Chain Weapon Could Add to The Witcher’s Combat
WhileThe Witcherserieshas had plenty of close-range melee weapons, and even a handful of ranged weapons withWitcher 2’s daggers andWitcher 3’s crossbow, it’s rarely had an effective mid-range weapon.The Witcher 4’s chain could be just that.
InThe Witcher 4’s reveal trailer, Ciri uses her chain weapon to ground her monstrous adversary, wrapping it around their neck and throwing them to the ground with it. Along with grabs like the one shown in the trailer,Witcher 4’s chain weapon could be used for crowd-control, with players potentially being able to throw it in an arc in front of them to attack multiple enemies at once.
Ciri’s higher level of agility also paves the way for some fancy chain weapon combos that include plenty of spectacular flourishes and flips.
The Chain Weapon Could Be Hiding a Powerful Ability in Plain Sight
But whileThe Witcher 4’s chain weaponcould add a lot to the series' combat formula, its most useful trait could combine Ciri’s agility, her prowess with weaponry, and her inherent magical abilities. DuringThe Witcher 4’s announcement trailer, Ciri imbues her chain weapon with fire, seemingly by using the Igni Sign.
Though the feature hasn’t been confirmed in any official capacity, this brief sequence in the trailer could hint that players will be able to imbueThe Witcher 4’s chain weapon with the various Signs at Ciri’s disposal. This could lead to a wealth of exciting gameplay opportunities, and could add a lot more variation to the weapon.
For instance, players might be able to imbue their chain withthe Aard Sign, and use their chain to knock back enemies standing in front of them. Quen could be used to grant the chain defensive abilities. Yrden could be used to briefly shock and stun opponents. And an Axii-imbued chain could be attached to monsters and animals and used to calm them down. These Sign synergies would be a great way to giveThe Witcher 4’s new weapon even more importance in gameplay.
