While The Witcher franchise is moving in a new direction with The Witcher 4, as it will kick off another trilogy centered around Geralt’s adopted daughter Ciri, the White Wolf remains relevant. Be it new novels from series creator Andrzej Sapkowski, Netflix projects, or a supporting role in the new game saga, Witcher fans will be seeing plenty more of Geralt in the years to come. Not to mention that classic games like Wild Hunt will remain evergreen, ensuring that Geralt’s story is relived time and time again. In all of these projects, one thing about Geralt is consistent: he’s extremely strong and could outlast many video game characters in a fight.
Though there are certainly some gaming icons that would have Geralt’s number due to superhuman traits, such as Kratos, it’s more interesting to compare him to a figure of similar status. A fellow swordsman with access to some limited magic abilities, a mount, and an arsenal of gadgets like Geralt’s bombs would be the perfect candidate. Sure enough, there’s one figure that fits the bill, and it’s none other than The Legend of Zelda’s Link. However, when actually analyzing who would win a battle between these two beloved figures, the answer is clear: on most occasions, Geralt of Rivia would walk away victorious.
This article will be comparing the 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 just over two decades before Geralt did, he’s usually somewhere between 16 and 18 years old in most depictions. Obviously, being as skilled as he is despite his age is impressive, as Breath of the Wild Link getting into the honor guard as a teenager indicates he isn’t someone to underestimate. However, even after his 100-hour coma in the most recent 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, it means that the last time Geralt was playable was at 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 kinds of combatants, ensuring he’s more well-rounded than his foe.
Outside of experience, Geralt of Rivia has other advantages to consider. He’s far 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 straightforward combat, as Geralt’s extra reach and power could make it hard for Link to land attacks properly. The following combat scenarios are all battles that would favor the Butcher of Blaviken:
- Hand-to-hand combat: The Witcher 3’s brawl side quests proved that Geralt can win a fist fight against just about anyone, as he even managed to take on a bear with his bare hands.
- Swordfighting: While Link is no slouch and the Master Sword is a very powerful tool, Geralt’s expertise with silver and steel is nearly unmatched. He moves fluidly with pirouettes, and this ballet-like movement can easily outmaneuver some of Link’s basic attacks. While Flurry Rush could be tough for Geralt to react to, it would be coming in at a normal speed if Geralt had consumed a Blizzard potion before the fight, nullifying Link’s scariest close-up maneuver.
- Mounts: While the endlessly buggy Roach was a source of memes in Wild Hunt, Geralt bonds well with each horse he bestows that name upon, and he’s proven to be an expert rider in the games with all the races he’s won. Link’s Epona and Roach would merely bring the two adventurers closer together, and when they’re in swinging distance, all of Geralt’s usual advantages come into play.
It’s also important to consider that Geralt can essentially buff himself with potions, slowing down the surrounding environment, speeding up his healing, boosting his damage, and so on. Whereas Geralt can quickly consume these pre-made concoctions before a battle, Link would need to go get blessed by figures like the Great Fairies to boost his own capabilities, which wouldn’t be an option if the fight began suddenly. With all this in mind, it’s reasonable to believe that if Geralt and Link randomly came into contact while journeying in The Legend of Zelda‘s Hyrule or The Witcher‘s Continent, the Butcher of Blaviken would prove victorious.
While Geralt is a Clear Winner, There Are Ways Link Could Pull Off Some Underdog Wins
Though Geralt would indeed dominate a straightforward fist fight or a swordfight, there are a few scenarios where Link could win. To use the old “Batman with prep time” argument, Link could create some complex traps with Ultrahand if he were to know the fight was coming, manipulating the environment to his favor. Additionally, in a straightforward gadget battle, Link has an edge. Whereas Geralt’s bombs and crossbow are fairly rudimentary, with the former lacking accuracy and primarily being a tool to demolish monster nests, Link combines the two to great effect with Bomb arrows. There’s little Geralt can do when an explosive arrow is stuck to him, so if Link has time to attack from a distance before Geralt can close the gap or deflect the 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 at their disposal. Not only could Ocarina of Time Link use the Ocarina itself to manipulate the weather to his favor, but he could equip Golden Gauntlets to give himself immense strength. A Link to the Past is a similar story, with the Golden Sword providing ranged magic blasts with each swing, Red Mail reducing damage, and the Magic Cape granting invisibility. Not to mention the benefits of Fairies in both games, or having access to a Loftwing mount in Skyward Sword to rain fire from above. However, this specific fight isn’t comparing Geralt to overpowered versions of Link from older games, as it’s looking at the most recent version of the character instead. And with that in mind, Link is at a noticeable disadvantage.
Signs Are The True Difference Maker for Geralt
While the magic used by Geralt 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 they be canon or hypothetical like this proposed BOTW Link fight. Just like Link could create some Ultrahand traps and tools to catch Geralt off guard, the prep-time argument could favor Geralt, as he could set Yrden traps that would doom Link if he ended up in them. Depending on how one balances Quen when looking at this fight, the magical shield could completely deflect the arrows and Bomb arrows that could have made a case for Link emerging as the victor. Then there’s Axii, which Geralt could use to stun Link if he’s susceptible to it, while Aard can push the Hylian into terrain and Igni can burn him.
While it’s true that Link has access to magic of his own, he doesn’t lean on it in combat nearly as much as the Wolf School member. As such, those on Team Link would be gambling on him thinking fast to adapt and return fire with tools he rarely relies on, whereas it’s much easier to expect Geralt to work signs into his attack combos. So while the most recent iteration of Link has bested some incredible forms of Ganondorf, it doesn’t seem reasonable to expect him to overthrow Geralt. The titular Witcher has the edge up close, with and without blades, whereas Signs like Quen are a cheat code to nullify 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.
