Top 10 Scariest Witcher Monsters
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Alex Crilly-Mckean
Be sure to toss a coin to your Witcher for facing off against these horrifying monsters. For this list, we're looking at the most memorable creatures in The Witcher bestiary. We're looking at the worst and most fearsome monsters from the video games and the television series.
Script written by Alex Crilly-Mckean
Top 10 Monsters from The Witcher Franchise
Beware what goes bump in the night, because it could be one of these fellas. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Monsters from The Witcher franchise.
For this list, we’re looking at the most memorable creatures in Geralt’s bestiary. Keep in mind we’ll only be considering monstrous candidates from the video games and the television series. Sorry book lovers, maybe another time!
#10: Kikimora
Hope you’re quick on your feet, because to avoid the limbs of these cruel insectoids, you’ll need to be rather nimble. Whether you remember these monsters from your time hunting down their Queen in the first Witcher game, or encountering swarms of them in Touissant in the third installment’s Blood and Wine expansion, these giant arthropods are quite a handful. That might be why the Netflix series decided to include one alongside Geralt’s on-screen introduction . . . only there it was at least ten times more frightening. What was up with that face?!
#9: Dopplers
Surviving in a world like the Continent isn’t easy. Caught between human prejudice and the dangers of the wilds, these creatures had no choice but to blend into society. Also known as changelings and shape-shifters, Dopplers can take on other physical forms through close observation - a metamorphosis that also includes a victim’s thoughts and feelings. This allows them to hide under the radar from anyone, even witchers. While Geralt has encountered a mix of both decent and devious mimics in his time, non-gamer’s were only introduced to one in the show’s first season, and boy was he a bad egg!
#8: Vampires
You can always count on these bloodsuckers to show up anytime a dark fantasy series rolls up, and The Witcher is no exception. A key difference is that The Witcher’s vampires are born vampires, not made from humans. The series has also given these Draculas a detailed hierarchy, just so you know on what level you’re screwed. You’ve got the sensual yet sinister Bruxa, the insatiable Ekimmara, the calculating Katakan, and that’s all before we get into the Higher Vampires! Among them are Geralt’s long time, eloquent companion Regis; the tortured villain of Blood and Wine Dettlaff; and capping it all off, the nigh invincible Unseen Elder! What do they all have in common? They can cleave you into chunks with just one swipe!
#7: Gaunter O’Dimm
If the Continent has a Devil, then he probably has the same face as this wandering wish-maker. While his appearance and mannerisms paint him as just your average jokester, the painful truth of the matter is that Master Mirror might just be the most powerful creature Geralt has ever encountered. He can make any wish come true, including immortality, he can stop time with a clap of his hands, and he’ll collect your soul without hesitation when it comes time to pay up. Combine that with lethal cunning, and it’s no small miracle that Geralt was able to outwit him in the deadliest game of riddles ever seen in gaming!
#6: Nekkers
Slaying ONE of these little corpse-eaters is about as easy as it gets. Just a shame that they’re rarely ever alone. Attacking from the underground in swarms, their claws and teeth will rip through anything they can get catch. Experienced players will likely have fond memories of cleaving their way through them with minimal difficulty, all before dropping a bomb into their nests to finish the scavengers off. Henry Cavill’s Geralt had a much rougher time of it however. While he did slay a whole pack of them, one left him with a nasty bite, poisoning him in the process! Nasty little bastards.
#5: Leshen
Now we’re getting into the big players. Ancient in age, these towering forest guardians will rip apart anything that enters their woods. Physically, Leshen might not seem as imposing as other Relicts, such as Fiends. But with their more humanoid appearance, and ability to summon natural allies, they’re as unnerving as they are deadly. Unless you want to be pulled apart by tree roots or pecked to death by crows, you’d best keep your distance. Given the nature of his profession, Geralt has been forced to go toe to toe against these behemoths on numerous occasions, each encounter eerier than the last. Best be prepared to spam Igni like your life depends on it.
#4: Botchling
Now this is just depressing. A botchling is the reanimated corpse of a stillborn infant that was denied a proper burial - cursed to roam the night in search of pregnant women to feed on. Having encountered one such creature in Velen in “The Witcher 3”, we learned that there are two ways to end the agonising existence of this misshapen tragedy: a ritual that requires a great deal of patience and Axii; or a blow from a silver blade. Be warned, the latter does not end prettily, even if you were going for a mercy kill. Honestly, the things the Bloody Baron had us do!
#3: The Caretaker
Now THIS was a monster that stuck with gamers long after putting down the game. It’s memorable partly due to the mystery surrounding its origins, and partly to its horrifying appearance . . . or lack thereof. Introduced through the Hearts of Stone expansion, the Caretaker is a faceless entity that protects the grounds of the Von Everec Estate, one that Geralt finds himself facing sword to shovel! We’re still speculating why Olgierd, even at his most heartless, would ever summon a demon such as this to monitor his ancestral home and guard his wife. Either way, it’s not to be trifled with, especially since it can use the souls of the buried to heal itself!
#2: Striga
It may not be the destroyer of worlds, but the Striga holds a special place amongst the hearts of Witcher fans everywhere. It was the creature that the White Wolf fought in the first cutscene of the first game. And it was also arguably the highlight of the Netflix adaptation’s first season. Cursed from birth and mutated into a disgusting form that knows only hunger and rage, the striga took Geralt to task and nearly broke him. The only way to defeat her was to keep her out of her coffin until the third crowing of the rooster. Whether you prefer the bulky red head or the skeletal screamer, the punishment these tragic creatures can inflict is immense!
#1: The Crones
Call them the Ladies of the Wood. Call them Brewess, Weavess and Whispess. However you want to refer to them, just know the Crones of Crookback Bog are not to be trifled with. With their vindictive personalities, thirst for the Elder Blood, and array of dark magic, these three sisters have no shortage of ways to contort an innocent soul into nothingness. Oh, and make sure you don’t get distracted when they resort to their beautiful, and often naked, human forms - you’ll just end up as their dinner all the quicker. Thankfully, all their sorcery and cackles are no match for the blade of a vengeful Ciri.
Trivia
Which character gives Geralt the sword known as Iris?
The Lady of the Lake
The Crones
Olgierd (Correct)
Yennefer
Which of these Signs does Geralt use on the Striga in the TV series?
Igni
Quen
Aard (Correct)
Axii
The Unseen Elder is killed by Geralt.
False
Top 10 Monsters from The Witcher Franchise
Beware what goes bump in the night, because it could be one of these fellas. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Monsters from The Witcher franchise.
For this list, we’re looking at the most memorable creatures in Geralt’s bestiary. Keep in mind we’ll only be considering monstrous candidates from the video games and the television series. Sorry book lovers, maybe another time!
#10: Kikimora
Hope you’re quick on your feet, because to avoid the limbs of these cruel insectoids, you’ll need to be rather nimble. Whether you remember these monsters from your time hunting down their Queen in the first Witcher game, or encountering swarms of them in Touissant in the third installment’s Blood and Wine expansion, these giant arthropods are quite a handful. That might be why the Netflix series decided to include one alongside Geralt’s on-screen introduction . . . only there it was at least ten times more frightening. What was up with that face?!
#9: Dopplers
Surviving in a world like the Continent isn’t easy. Caught between human prejudice and the dangers of the wilds, these creatures had no choice but to blend into society. Also known as changelings and shape-shifters, Dopplers can take on other physical forms through close observation - a metamorphosis that also includes a victim’s thoughts and feelings. This allows them to hide under the radar from anyone, even witchers. While Geralt has encountered a mix of both decent and devious mimics in his time, non-gamer’s were only introduced to one in the show’s first season, and boy was he a bad egg!
#8: Vampires
You can always count on these bloodsuckers to show up anytime a dark fantasy series rolls up, and The Witcher is no exception. A key difference is that The Witcher’s vampires are born vampires, not made from humans. The series has also given these Draculas a detailed hierarchy, just so you know on what level you’re screwed. You’ve got the sensual yet sinister Bruxa, the insatiable Ekimmara, the calculating Katakan, and that’s all before we get into the Higher Vampires! Among them are Geralt’s long time, eloquent companion Regis; the tortured villain of Blood and Wine Dettlaff; and capping it all off, the nigh invincible Unseen Elder! What do they all have in common? They can cleave you into chunks with just one swipe!
#7: Gaunter O’Dimm
If the Continent has a Devil, then he probably has the same face as this wandering wish-maker. While his appearance and mannerisms paint him as just your average jokester, the painful truth of the matter is that Master Mirror might just be the most powerful creature Geralt has ever encountered. He can make any wish come true, including immortality, he can stop time with a clap of his hands, and he’ll collect your soul without hesitation when it comes time to pay up. Combine that with lethal cunning, and it’s no small miracle that Geralt was able to outwit him in the deadliest game of riddles ever seen in gaming!
#6: Nekkers
Slaying ONE of these little corpse-eaters is about as easy as it gets. Just a shame that they’re rarely ever alone. Attacking from the underground in swarms, their claws and teeth will rip through anything they can get catch. Experienced players will likely have fond memories of cleaving their way through them with minimal difficulty, all before dropping a bomb into their nests to finish the scavengers off. Henry Cavill’s Geralt had a much rougher time of it however. While he did slay a whole pack of them, one left him with a nasty bite, poisoning him in the process! Nasty little bastards.
#5: Leshen
Now we’re getting into the big players. Ancient in age, these towering forest guardians will rip apart anything that enters their woods. Physically, Leshen might not seem as imposing as other Relicts, such as Fiends. But with their more humanoid appearance, and ability to summon natural allies, they’re as unnerving as they are deadly. Unless you want to be pulled apart by tree roots or pecked to death by crows, you’d best keep your distance. Given the nature of his profession, Geralt has been forced to go toe to toe against these behemoths on numerous occasions, each encounter eerier than the last. Best be prepared to spam Igni like your life depends on it.
#4: Botchling
Now this is just depressing. A botchling is the reanimated corpse of a stillborn infant that was denied a proper burial - cursed to roam the night in search of pregnant women to feed on. Having encountered one such creature in Velen in “The Witcher 3”, we learned that there are two ways to end the agonising existence of this misshapen tragedy: a ritual that requires a great deal of patience and Axii; or a blow from a silver blade. Be warned, the latter does not end prettily, even if you were going for a mercy kill. Honestly, the things the Bloody Baron had us do!
#3: The Caretaker
Now THIS was a monster that stuck with gamers long after putting down the game. It’s memorable partly due to the mystery surrounding its origins, and partly to its horrifying appearance . . . or lack thereof. Introduced through the Hearts of Stone expansion, the Caretaker is a faceless entity that protects the grounds of the Von Everec Estate, one that Geralt finds himself facing sword to shovel! We’re still speculating why Olgierd, even at his most heartless, would ever summon a demon such as this to monitor his ancestral home and guard his wife. Either way, it’s not to be trifled with, especially since it can use the souls of the buried to heal itself!
#2: Striga
It may not be the destroyer of worlds, but the Striga holds a special place amongst the hearts of Witcher fans everywhere. It was the creature that the White Wolf fought in the first cutscene of the first game. And it was also arguably the highlight of the Netflix adaptation’s first season. Cursed from birth and mutated into a disgusting form that knows only hunger and rage, the striga took Geralt to task and nearly broke him. The only way to defeat her was to keep her out of her coffin until the third crowing of the rooster. Whether you prefer the bulky red head or the skeletal screamer, the punishment these tragic creatures can inflict is immense!
#1: The Crones
Call them the Ladies of the Wood. Call them Brewess, Weavess and Whispess. However you want to refer to them, just know the Crones of Crookback Bog are not to be trifled with. With their vindictive personalities, thirst for the Elder Blood, and array of dark magic, these three sisters have no shortage of ways to contort an innocent soul into nothingness. Oh, and make sure you don’t get distracted when they resort to their beautiful, and often naked, human forms - you’ll just end up as their dinner all the quicker. Thankfully, all their sorcery and cackles are no match for the blade of a vengeful Ciri.
Trivia
Which character gives Geralt the sword known as Iris?
The Lady of the Lake
The Crones
Olgierd (Correct)
Yennefer
Which of these Signs does Geralt use on the Striga in the TV series?
Igni
Quen
Aard (Correct)
Axii
The Unseen Elder is killed by Geralt.
False
