The Witcher has taken the world by storm. Not only are Andrzej Sapkowski's books as popular as ever, but the games by CD Projekt Red have steadily grown into one of the most beloved fantasy RPG series in recent memory. This, in turn, has led to even further success on TV.
2019 saw The Witcher TV series, focusing on titular monster slayer Geralt as he is caught up in a story bigger than himself. Recently, however, fans got The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. This is an anime-style prequel about Geralt's mentor, Vesemir, detailing how he became the paternal voice of reason and tying it in with the witchers' increased hostility from the world around them. Some viewers were caught by surprise, for though they share the same mutagens and training, Geralt and Vesemir couldn't be more different as heroes.
10 Vesemir: Backstory
Nightmare of the Wolf spends much of its time on Vesemir's past. Viewers see where he started, what motivates him to pursue the witcher path, and the toll it takes on him. Not only does this illustrate his arc as a character, but it also provides a compelling account of the personal sacrifices the witcher must make. Look no further for this than Vesemir's relationship with Illyana.
The mainline Witcher show only gives hints to Geralt's backstory and motives. While this strengthens the "man of mystery" image and intrigue, some viewers may be disillusioned by how impersonal he feels next to his predecessor.
9 Geralt: Experience
By the time viewers encounter the titular witcher, he's already a veteran of his craft. This isn't even mentioning the fact that the show itself spans decades, giving Geralt even more time to hone his skills. He knows more about monsters than most folks, and he's fully aware of what to expect from his lifestyle, as content as he could be when each day might be his last.
During Nightmare of the Wolf, Vesemir has only been a witcher for around sixty years. That may seem like a long time, but these guys' mutations cause them to age more slowly than regular humans. As such, he's still got the lingering naivete of youth.
8 Vesemir: Charm
Because he's still got the vim and vigor of youth, Vesemir comes with an infectious swagger that Geralt lacks. He enjoys the glamour of being a witcher, basking in creature comforts and his reputation as a roguish swashbuckler.
While this somewhat diminishes the idea of witchers are emotionless killers, it does make him exceedingly fun to watch. It's easy to enjoy an adventure with such an upbeat guy who still has the devil-may-care attitude that fans love. Moreover, he's a breath of fresh air after spending several hours with the more understated, dry humor of Geralt.
7 Geralt: Pathos
The seasoned witcher carries himself with a palpable sadness and world-weariness. With his hunched earing, gruff voice, and sorrowful eyes, viewers can practically see the years of death and loneliness weighing on him. Any further misfortune is all the more poignant thanks to the subtle nuances reflecting yet another tragic tale in his face.
Whenever Vesemir is distressed, it never hits quite as hard. Sure, he's more emotionally expressive, but he lacks the measured gravitas of Geralt. Sometimes, less is more.
6 Vesemir: Agility And Gadgets
It's no secret that mutagens enhance a witcher's senses and abilities, and Vesemir gives a supreme demonstration of those gifts. As he jumps 30 feet in the air and spins around like Spider-Man, his sword moves so rapidly that it's practically a blur. Furthering his mobility is his retractable chain, which helps him reach places that Geralt can only dream of.
Granted, some of this comes down to the medium. Creators can simply do more with animation than they can with live-action. Plus, anime is perhaps the best form of that medium with which to showcase fluid action scenes.
5 Geralt: Gets By On The Essentials
Much of Geralt's lifestyle is low-impact and minimalist. Most of the time, he sports the standard setup for a witcher: his horse, his sword, a few potions, and a handful of basic spells. There's nothing fancy about his approach, nor does there need to be. He's still an immensely capable fighter and an even better monster-slayer.
You have to admire a guy who just gets the job done. He doesn't force any vain flourishes or flaunt his riches for all to see. He's simply trying to survive, and he gets straight to the point as a result. If witchers have a blue-collar everyman, Geralt is it.
4 Vesemir: Fights Mages
Wielding the power of Chaos, mages are among the most powerful entities in the Witcher world. Their mastery over the elements makes them practically insurmountable as foes.
Nevertheless, Vesemir fearlessly faces these foes.
Not to give too much away, but he capably holds his own against a sorceress and her seemingly endless onslaught of projectiles. Deftly dodging and countering, he even manages to put the mage at a disadvantage. This speaks to his undeniable prowess as a warrior; the superhuman skills he shows can only come from countless battles as a determined witcher.
3 Geralt: Befriends Mages
Geralt is somewhat out of his element when it comes to magic, disliking such parlor tricks and caught off-guard whenever they're used against him. It's a good thing that he's not combative toward mages. In fact, some of his closest allies are sorceresses.
Fans first see him with Triss, a down-to-Earth mage who helps Geralt deal with a striga plaguing Foltest's kingdom. Later on, the witcher enters a fateful romance with Yennefer, a volatile sorceress who drives seemingly everyone away except for Geralt.
Both of these ladies find his directness and practicality charming in a world full of hollow heroes. He's not condescending like Vesemir or discriminatory like most other folks. He simply sees things how they are. It's easy to be drawn to such bluntness when their entire profession is about misdirection.
2 Vesemir: Takes Charge
When the movie starts, Vesemir is a cocky braggart, content in his own fortune and unwilling to lift a finger to help others unless it furthers that fortune. He doesn't even want anything to do with the new recruits, who desperately require guidance in their new profession.
When his world and those close to him are threatened, however, Vesemir realizes he can't simply watch and wait. He rallies the other witchers and leads them into battle, overruling his superior and resolving to defend their home. This paves the way for his noble action toward the end: taking the children under his wing in hope of molding the next generation into better men. Fans, of course, know he succeeds.
1 Geralt: Knows The Wisdom Of Silence
As sharp as he is, Geralt is by no means the wisest person around. He's seen far too many people play at knowing it all when they really know nothing; it's why he prefers not to take sides or make moral choices.
He knows the power of a witcher. Abusing that power would not only destabilize things but would also lead to further conflict and chaos. It's all part of the noninterventionist attitude of a witcher. Geralt lives that philosophy to the best of his ability. It's just too bad destiny has a bone to pick with him.