While The Witcher franchise goes in a new direction with The Witcher 4since it will start another trilogy centered around Geralt's adopted daughter Ciri, the White Wolf remains relevant. Whether it's new novels from series creator Andrzej Sapkowski, Netflix projects or a supporting role in the new game saga, Witcher fans will be seeing a lot more of Geralt in the years to come. Not to mention that classic games like Wild Hunt will remain evergreen, ensuring Geralt's story is relived time and time again. In all these projects, one thing about Geralt is consistent: he is extremely strong and can outlast many video game characters in a fight.
While there are certainly some gaming icons that would have Geralt's number due to superhuman qualities, like Kratos, it's more interesting to compare him to a figure of similar status. Another swordsman with access to limited magical abilities, a mount, and an arsenal of gadgets like Geralt's bombs would be the perfect candidate. Surely there is a number that fits, and it is none other than The Legend of Zeldas link. But when you actually analyze who would win a fight between these two beloved figures, the answer is clear: in most cases, Geralt of Rivia would walk away victorious.
This article will compare BOTW and TOTK Link to Geralt, as it feels like the fairest possible match-up.
Why Geralt is stronger than modern Link
- Geralt's first video game appearance — The Witcher (2007)
- Link's first video game appearance — The Legend of Zelda (1986)
While Link made his gaming debut a good two decades before Geralt did, he is usually somewhere between the ages of 16 and 18 in most depictions. Obviously, being as skilled as he is despite his age is impressive Breath of the Wild Link ending up in the honor guard as a teenager indicates that he is not to be underestimated. But even after his 100-hour coma in the last few games, he's still just a teenager, meaning he lacks the experience of someone like Geralt of Rivia. Geralt was born in 1211, and with the Blood and Wine expansion taking place in 1275, that means the last time Geralt was playable was 64 years old. With four times the life experience of Link, Geralt has had much more time to refine his skills, learn more techniques from experts like Vesemir, and fight different types of combatants, ensuring that he is more well-rounded than his enemy.
In addition to experience, Geralt of Rivia has other advantages to consider. He is much larger than Link and has superhuman speed and strength thanks to enduring the Trial of the Grasses. This puts Link at an immediate disadvantage in simple battles, as Geralt's extra reach and power can make it difficult for Link to land attacks properly. The following battle scenarios are all battles that would favor the Butcher in Blaviken:
- Hand-to-hand combat: The Witcher 3s fighting side quest showed that Geralt can win a fist fight against almost anyone, as he even managed to take on a bear with his bare hands.
- Sword fighting: While Link is no slouch and the Master Sword is a very powerful tool, Geralt's expertise with silver and steel is almost unmatched. He moves fluidly with pirouettes, and this ballet-like movement can easily outmaneuver some of Link's basic attacks. While Flurry Rush can be difficult for Geralt to react to, it would come in at normal speed if Geralt had consumed a Blizzard potion before the fight, nullifying Link's scariest close-up maneuver.
- Fasteners: While the infinitely buggy Roach was a source of memes in Wild HuntGeralt bonds well with every horse he names, and he's proven himself to be an expert rider in the games with all the races he's won. Links Epona and Roach would only bring the two adventurers closer together, and when they are within swinging distance all of Geralt's usual advantages come into play.
It's also important to consider that Geralt can basically buff himself with potions, slow down the surrounding environment, speed up healing, increase his damage, and so on. While Geralt can quickly consume these pre-made concoctions before a battle, Link would have to go and be blessed by figures like the Great Elves to boost his own abilities, which wouldn't be an option if the fight started suddenly. With all of this in mind, it's reasonable to believe that if Geralt and Link happened to come into contact while traveling in The Legend of Zeldas Hyrule or The Witchers continent, the butcher in Blaviken would show victory.
While Geralt is a clear winner, there are ways Link could pull off some underdog wins
While Geralt would certainly dominate a simple fist fight or a sword fight, there are some scenarios where Link can win. To use the old “Batman with prep time” argument, Link could set up some complex traps with Ultrahand should he know the fight was coming and manipulate the environment to his advantage. Also, in a simple gadget battle, Link has an advantage. While Geralt's bombs and crossbow are fairly rudimentary, with the former lacking in accuracy and primarily a tool for demolishing monster nests, Link combines the two to great effect with Bomb arrows. There's little Geralt can do when an explosive arrow is stuck on him, so if Link manages to attack from a distance before Geralt can close the gap or deflect the shots, he can drop him with a few well-placed Bomb Arrows.
It's also worth noting that other versions of Link have more powerful tools at their disposal. Not only could Ocarina of time Link uses the Ocarina itself to manipulate the weather in his favor, but he was able to equip the Golden Gauntlets to give himself immense strength. A link to the past is a similar story, with the Golden Sword dealing different magic blasts with each swing, the Red Mail reducing damage and the Magic Cape providing invisibility. Not to mention the benefits of Fairies in both games, or having access to a Loftwing mount Skyward sword to rain fire from above. However, this particular fight doesn't compare Geralt to overpowered versions of Link from older games, as it instead looks at the latest version of the character. And with that in mind, Link is at a noticeable disadvantage.
Characters are the true differentiator for Geralt
While the magic Geralt uses may be rudimentary compared to the sorceresses of the continent, it's still a very powerful tool that can give him the edge in most battles, whether canonical or hypothetical like this proposed. BOTW Link battle. Just as Link was able to create some Ultrahand traps and tools to catch Geralt in disarray, the prep-time argument could favor Geralt, as he could set Yrden traps that would doom Link if he fell into them. Depending on how you balance Quen when looking at this fight, the magic shield can completely deflect the arrows and Bomb arrows that could have made an argument for Link to emerge victorious. Then there's Axii, which Geralt can use to stun Link if he's susceptible to it, while Aard can push Hylian into terrain and Igni can burn him.
While it's true that Link has access to his own magic, he doesn't lean on it in battle nearly as much as the wolf school member. As such, those on Team Link would bet on him thinking quickly to adapt and provide fire with tools he rarely relies on, while it's much easier to expect Geralt to work signs into his attack combos. So while the latest iteration of Link has surpassed some incredible forms of Ganondorf, it doesn't seem reasonable to expect him to topple Geralt. The titular Witcher has the edge up close, with and without blades, while characters like Quen are a cheat code to thwart Link's ranged attacks. With all this in mind, Geralt is noticeably stronger than the Hero of the Wild, and a battle between them wouldn't be very close at all.
