Dandelion (also known as Jaskier) is proof that fans might just as easily fall in love with a supporting character. Every hero needs a best friend, ever a hero as gloomy and grumpy as Geralt of Rivia sometimes is. Dandelion is that best friend - but so much more. His role in the Andrzej Sapkowski The Witcher books is somewhat small but still notable. Dandelion has a talent for getting in trouble but he also stands by his friends' side whenever they need him.
The games changed Dandelion's character in multiple ways. Sometimes the change was debatable, sometimes for the best. But there's no denying the games fixed some of the character flaws Dandelion had in the books.
10 Flaw: He Doesn't Think Before He Acts
In the books, Dandelion - or Jaskier - can be careless at times. So much so it puts him in danger. The most notable example is when he romances Duchess Anna Henrietta. They get together but Dandelion then cheats on the duchess with one of her ladies. Naturally, Anna Henrietta isn't happy about it and she sentences Dandelion to death. She changes her mind later and banishes him from Toussaint instead. But if Dandelion thought before he acted, he could have saved himself the trouble.
9 Correction: He's Much More Careful
The games made Dandelion a much more careful person. One could even call him cowardly at times. Dandelion doesn't like to put himself in danger. He avoids physical violence and confrontations with others. He does help Ciri when she's in trouble but even then, Dandelion is nervous about things going wrong. And for a good reason too - they capture him while he's helping Ciri and imprison him.
8 Flaw: He Was A Womanizer
Dandelion loves flirting with beautiful women and he often takes it one step further. Unfortunately, Dandelion didn't always care whether the woman was married or had the power to chop off his head if he disappointed her. As a result, Dandelion's amorous adventures in the books often put him in danger. Most notably when Anna Henrietta almost executed him.
7 Correction: He Finds A Long-Term Partner
Dandelion is the ultimate proof that people can change when it comes to romance. In The Witcher 3, Dandelion no longer spends every moment flirting with women. Instead, he enters into a steady relationship with Priscilla.
As a successful poet and a singer, Priscilla is a match for Dandelion in every way. They complement each other well and are still together even a few years after the events of the base game.
6 Flaw: He Doesn't Do Much Beside Singing
Dandelion is more than just a famous poet in The Witcher book series. He's a celebrity. People all over the world know him and admire his work. But he also has another line of work - he can sneak messages to people, spy on them, and then reports to the people who need the information. The books only really reflect this other side of Dandelion's life in one case. It feels like a missed opportunity since it makes Dandelion intriguing and would bring even more depth to his personality.
5 Correction: Dandelion Is A Criminal Mastermind (Sort Of)
Technically, Dandelion's brilliant plan to steal money from Dijkstra ends in shambles. But it's not entirely Dandelion's fault. His plan was well-thought and well-executed. Dandelion spent a lot of time going around Novigrad and learning necessary information. And he managed to mask it all like dates with his many girlfriends. Overall, Dandelion is much cleverer than people give him credit for. He did successfully steal the money. Unfortunately, he wasn't prepared for the mage hunters getting in his way.
4 Flaw: He's All Over The Place
In the books, Dandelion's traveling around a lot and he's all over the place. He usually gets into trouble by saying things he shouldn't or doing bad things. Let's not forget that the whole djinn debacle that brought Geralt and Yennefer together was Dandelion's fault.
By being a poet, Dandelion's running from the responsibilities he had as a nobleman. It's his version of a teenage rebellion phase except it lasts well past his teenage years.
3 Correction: He Finds A Steady Job
Dandelion might never quite lead a quiet life. After all, his artistic activity requires him to travel and sing for people. He also competes at poetry tournaments. But in The Witcher 3, Dandelion finally finds a steady source of income and more or less settles down. He inherits a brothel from one of his admirers, and he transforms it into a successful cabaret. Starting a successful business is no easy task yet Dandelion proves he has the smarts and organizational skills to pull it off.
2 Flaw: He Was Willing To Leave His Friends
One of Dandelion's weakest points in the novels happens when he decides to leave his friends. Dandelion, Geralt, the vampire Regis, and few others travel to Toussaint. Dandelion gets together with Duchess Anna Henrietta. And when the time comes to leave, Dandelion decides to abandon his friends and stay with Anna instead. Even though based on his past relationships, it's clear this romance won't last long.
1 Correction: He Risks His Life For His Friends
Dandelion turns things around in the games. He's much more devoted to his friends and he wouldn't abandon them. He even risks dying for them. Dandelion does his best to help Ciri even if it means putting himself in danger. And if Geralt ends up in prison in case Anna Henrietta's sister Syanna dies, Dandelion doesn't hesitate and travels to Toussaint to bust Geralt out. Even though he was banished from Toussaint and knows that if the duchess learns he's there, he'll be in big trouble.