The Witcher Trials — How to Become a Witcher

Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher, but what does it mean to be a Witcher, and how do you become one?

A Witcher is someone who has trained mentally and physically for years, learned alchemy, learned monster hunting, and finally mutated through a series of inhumane experiments that make them powerful magic users and assassins. And yet, this only scratches the surface.

Fans of The Witcher will be pleased to know that Sideshow is partnering with CD Projekt Red to develop new Witcher collectibles. You can read our CD Projekt Red Announcement for more details!

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The Choice

The Choice is the first and arguably most important step of becoming a Witcher. Apprentices learn how to wield swords and weapons properly. They learn how to fight a foe, be it man or beast. They learn the lifestyle and dietary differences that it takes to become a Witcher, and they learn alchemy to make poisons for beasts and healing potions for battles. Even a Witcher apprentice is a powerful warrior. They learn to use skill-augmenting potions and magical combat spells called signs. But that’s not enough.

An apprentice must choose to become a Witcher. And yes, while Geralt was raised by Witchers at Kaer Morhen, even he chose. One cannot progress to become a true Witcher unless they make The Choice to do so.

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The Trial of the Grasses

The Trial of the Grasses is an impossibly painful and dangerous alchemical experiment that breaks down the body. Whoever is subjected to The Trial of the Grasses is strapped to a table and forced to drink a series of dangerous chemicals. Once the chemicals break the body down, it can be mutated and built up stronger. With “mutagenic mushrooms, herbs, and plant stimulants, the bodies of young apprentices developed superhuman speed and endurance.” Their new body has immunity to most diseases, feline-like eyes, and heightened senses.

A Witcher-to-be must hunt down the ingredients necessary for the Trail of the Grasses. In the game, you must acquire the following ingredients: 1 forktail spinal fluid, 1 mantacore poison gland, 1 albino bruxa tongue, 1 bryonia, 1 ribleaf, and 1 mandrake root. None of these ingredients are easy to get, but if you are capable of acquiring them, you just might survive the Trial of the Grasses itself.

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The Trial of the Dreams

Little is known about the Trial of the Dreams, save for its effect. It continues to mutate the eyes, bone marrow, and hormones of The Witcher. It helps set Witchers apart from the rest of humanity, and pushes them past their breaking point. If The Trial of the Grasses heightens the senses, The Trial of the Dreams makes them soar. Since the Trial of the Grasses is purely chemical, it is likely that the mysterious Trial of Dreams is magical.

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The Trial of of the Mountains

The Trial of the Mountains is the final trial to test if one can survive as a Witcher — and it is as simple as it sounds. Survive. In the Mountains. The Mountains, of course, that surround Kaer Morhen, or whichever corner of the world that the Witchers have been banished to. It is dangerous, and no matter how heightened your senses, or potent your potions, the Mountains and the creatures that surround you can kill you. Survive, and you just might have a chance at being a true monster-hunting mutant, just like Geralt of Rivia and Ciri (depending on how you play the game).

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If you’re excited for more The Witcher collectibles, check out our CD Projekt Red Announcement for more information!