While Charmer the franchise is moving in a new direction The Witcher 4as it kicks off 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 a new gaming saga, Charmer 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 and ensure that Geralt's story will be lived again and again. In all of these projects, one thing is consistent about Geralt: he is extremely strong and could outlast many video game characters in combat.
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 character of similar stature. A fellow swordsman with access to some limited magical abilities, a mount, and an arsenal of gadgets like Geralt's bombs would be a perfect candidate. Sure enough, there is one figure that fits, and it's none other than The Legend of ZeldaUser link. However, when we really analyze who would win a battle between these two beloved characters, the answer is clear: in most cases, Geralt of Rivia would walk away victorious.
This article will compare BOTW and TOTK Link to Geralt because it seems like the fairest possible matchup.
Why is Geralt stronger than the modern link
- Geralt's first video game appearance — Charmer (2007)
- Link's first video game appearance — The Legend of Zelda (1986)
While Link debuted in the game just over two decades before Geralt, in most depictions he is usually somewhere between 16 and 18 years old. To be as skilled as he is despite his age is certainly impressive Breath of the Wild Having joined the honor guard as a teenager, Link suggests that he is not someone to be underestimated. However, even after his 100-hour coma in the last few games, he's still only a teenager, meaning he lacks the experience of someone like Geralt of Rivia. Geralt was born in 1211, and since the Blood and Wine expansion takes place in 1275, that means Geralt was last playable at the age of 64. With four times the life experience of Link, Geralt had much more time to hone his skills, learning more techniques from experts like Vesemir and fighting different types of fighters, ensuring he was more versatile 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 due to having passed the Grass Trial. This immediately puts Link at a disadvantage in direct combat, as Geralt's extra reach and strength could make it difficult for Link to land proper ground attacks. All of the following combat scenarios are battles that would favor the Butcher of Blaviken:
- Hand to hand combat: The Witcher 3The brawl sidequests proved that Geralt can win a fistfight against almost anyone, as he even managed to defeat a bear with his bare hands.
- Fencing: While Link is no slouch and the Master Sword is a very powerful tool, Geralt's experience 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 at normal speed if Geralt ate a Blizzard potion before the fight, nullifying Link's scariest melee maneuver.
- Brackets: While the endlessly bugged Roach was the source of memes in Wild HuntGeralt gets along well with any horse he bestows this name on, and has proven to be a skilled rider in all the races he's won. Link's Epona and Roach would only bring the two adventurers closer, and when they're within swinging distance, all of Geralt's usual perks come into play.
It's also important to consider that Geralt can basically buff potions, slow down the environment, speed up his healing, boost damage, and so on. While Geralt can quickly consume these pre-made concoctions before battle, Link would have to be blessed by characters like the Great Fairies to increase his own abilities, which would be out of the question if the fight started suddenly. Given all of this, it's reasonable to assume that if Geralt and Link accidentally came into contact during the journey The Legend of Zelda's Hyrule or CharmerOn the continent, the Butcher of Blaviken would prove victorious.
While Geralt is the clear winner, there are ways Link could pull off some winning underdogs
Although Geralt would really dominate in a fist fight or a sword fight, there are several scenarios where Link could win. To use the old “Batman with lead time” argument, Link could create some complex traps with Ultrahand if he knew a fight was coming, manipulating the environment to his advantage. Additionally, in a direct battle with gadgets, Link has an advantage. While Geralt's bombs and crossbows are quite rudimentary, with the former lacking in accuracy and primarily a tool for destroying monster nests, Link combines them to great effect with bomb arrows. When Geralt gets an explosive arrow stuck to him, it doesn't do much, so if Link has time to attack from a distance before Geralt can close the gap or parry shots, he could drop him with a few well-placed bomb arrows.
It's also worth noting that other versions of Link have more powerful tools available. Not only could he Ocarina of Time Link used the Ocarina itself to manipulate the weather to his advantage, but he could equip the Golden Gauntlets to give himself immense power. A link to the past is a similar story, with the Golden Sword providing ranged magical 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 access to the Loftwing mount Heavenly Sword to rain fire from above. However, this specific fight doesn't pit Geralt against the overpowered versions of Link from the older games, but instead looks at the latest version of the character. And with that in mind, Link is at a noticeable disadvantage.
Signs are a real difference maker for Geralt
While the magic used by Geralt may be basic compared to the Sorceresses of the Continent, it is still a very powerful tool that can give him an advantage in most battles, be they canon or hypothetical ones like this proposed one. BOTW Line combat. Just as Link could create some Ultrahand traps and tools to catch Geralt off guard, the lead time argument could favor Geralt as he could set Yrden traps that would kill Link if he ended up in them. Depending on how one aligns Quen when looking at this fight, the magic shield could have completely deflected the arrows and bomb arrows that could have been the reason for Link emerging victorious. Then there's Axii, which Geralt could use to stun Link if he was prone 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 rely on it in combat nearly as much as a member of the Wolf School. As such, those on Team Link would bet on him thinking quickly to adapt and fire back with tools he rarely relies on, while it's much easier to expect Geralt to work the sign into his attack combos. So while the latest iteration of Link has overcome some incredible forms of Ganondorf, it doesn't seem reasonable to expect him to topple Geralt. The titular Warlock has a melee blade, with and without blades, while Marks like Quen are cheats that nullify Link's ranged attacks. With all that in mind, Geralt is noticeably stronger than Hero of the Wild, and a battle between the two wouldn't be close at all.
