Revision 1

Overview

The chain weapon is Ciri's secondary weapon in The Witcher IV. It replaces the crossbow that Geralt carried in The Witcher 3, providing ranged and mid-range combat options alongside her two swords.

Uses in combat

• Grappling: Pull enemies closer for follow-up sword strikes

• Restraining: Wrap around targets to restrict their movement and set up attacks

• Igni infusion: Light the chain on fire using the Igni sign, adding burn damage on contact

• Ranged strikes: Hit enemies at mid-range when closing distance with swords is too risky

In the cinematic trailer

Ciri used the chain weapon during her fight against the Bauk in a cave beneath Stromford. She imbued it with Igni to create a flaming whip and used it to control the Bauk's movement within the confined space. The chain gave her a way to keep the multi-limbed creature at a manageable distance while she maneuvered for sword strikes.

Origins

The chain weapon appears to reference the opening cinematic of the original Witcher game from 2007, where Geralt used a length of chain in his fight against a striga. That sequence, produced by Platige Image, is one of the most recognized moments in the franchise. Giving Ciri a chain as a core weapon turns that one-off cinematic moment into a full gameplay mechanic.

Design differences from the crossbow

Geralt's crossbow in The Witcher 3 was a relatively simple tool. Its primary uses were underwater combat against drowners and knocking flying enemies like griffins out of the air. Most players found it underwhelming compared to sword combat and signs.

The chain weapon offers more mechanical depth. It has multiple interaction types (grapple, restrain, strike) and can be combined with sign magic. It also fits Ciri's combat identity better: a fast, agile fighter who controls space rather than a deliberate swordsman who occasionally shoots bolts.