WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher novels.
Summary
Vilgefortz, a character in The Witcher world as of season 3, is incredibly powerful and difficult to defeat. However, Geralt, who is not a mage, managed to defeat Vilgefortz in the books by utilizing a protective amulet.
Yennefer, renowned for her immense magical abilities, was a formidable match for Vilgefortz.
The third season of The Witcher unveiled Vilgefortz as the most perilous character, but there are eight characters from the show and books who possess the potential to rival this malevolent sorcerer. The Witcher has faced challenges in satisfying both devoted fans of Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher novels and casual viewers unfamiliar with the source material. However, the show has made strides in staying faithful to the books as it has progressed, evident in the exceptional fight scenes and dialogues of season 3, instilling optimism for the promising future of this expansive franchise.
A significant portion of the increased loyalty stems from Vilgefortz, who has now been unveiled as the main antagonist of the series. The Witcher has managed to showcase the true magnitude of Vilgefortz's power while exposing his malevolent nature. In the books, Vilgefortz possesses an astounding level of strength in chaos magic and unrivaled knowledge in the realm of sorcery. Overcoming the formidable challenge of defeating Vilgefortz will require immense effort, but these eight characters from The Witcher season 4 possess sufficient power or potential to stand against the moderately deranged sorcerer.
8 Geralt
7 Yennefer
Although Geralt lacks the powers of a mage, his impressive victory over Vilgefortz in the books establishes him as the most obvious contender on this list. In the literary world, Geralt receives a protective amulet that shields him from most magical assaults, granting him the ability to confront Vilgefortz head-on with his trusted sword, free from the apprehension of being instantly burnt to ashes by a mere flick of the mage's wrist. However, Geralt's encounter with Vilgefortz in The Witcher season 3 was a completely one-sided affair, leaving the witcher on the verge of death. Nevertheless, their next encounter is bound to be different, as fate will unfold a distinct outcome.
Yennefer, depicted by
, stands as one of the most formidable mages known, capable of matching Vilgefortz's magical prowess in a head-to-head duel. While her true strength may not have been fully showcased in The Witcher thus far, the books consistently highlight her as one of the most powerful characters. The divergence between the portrayal of Yennefer in the books and the show makes it doubtful that her magical abilities would be diminished. Given the show's emphasis on spectacle, it would be illogical to weaken one of its most dominant figures. Therefore, if an opportunity arises for Yennefer to confront Vilgefortz in combat, expect her to prove herself admirably in The Witcher series.
6 Ciri
Ciri, who will eventually be known as the Lady of Time and Space, possesses unparalleled raw potential in terms of power within The Witcher franchise. If Ciri is able to fully tap into her abilities, no one, not even Vilgefortz, will be able to stand in her way. However, the challenge lies in the fact that Ciri has no mentor to guide her in mastering her incredible power. Even the continent's other mages struggle to comprehend or elucidate the true extent of her capabilities. While she never attains complete mastery in the books, if she does so in the show, Vilgefortz should tread cautiously.
5 Regis
Regis, an upcoming character in The Witcher season 4, is a formidable higher vampire known for his immense power and near-immortality. These higher vampires possess extraordinary speed and strength, along with the ability to vanish from sight and transform into monstrous flying bats. Remarkably, they can even regenerate their severed body parts, as Regis himself claims to have experienced in the books, where he was dismembered and buried. With such incredible abilities, Regis proves to be a worthy adversary for Vilgefortz, despite eventually succumbing to defeat in their confrontation as depicted in the books.
4 Avallac'h
Avallac'h, an elven mage from The Witcher, makes his Netflix debut in the prequel series, The Witcher: Blood Origin. He also plays a crucial role in the renowned video game, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. Known for his extraordinary powers, Avallac'h is expected to return in The Witcher, posing as a formidable character who could potentially challenge Vilgefortz. As one of the most powerful elven mages, Avallac'h imparts his vast knowledge and understanding of magic to Ciri, thereby positioning himself as a worthy contender against Vilgefortz.
3 Eredin
In The Witcher: Blood Origin, Eredin is introduced as a prominent character. Known as the leader of the Wild Hunt, he possesses incredible power, making him one of the most formidable individuals in The Witcher's universe. Eredin, who serves as the primary antagonist in The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, becomes fixated on finding and controlling Ciri, putting him in potential conflict with Vilgefortz, who shares the same obsession. While Eredin's magical abilities are exceptional, it is his command over the Wild Hunt that truly sets him apart. If these two were ever to engage in battle, it would undoubtedly be an awe-inspiring clash, deviating from the events depicted in The Witcher books.
2 Phillipa
Phillipa is an equally formidable mage from The Witcher who, given the right circumstances, could potentially rival Vilgefortz. Similar to Yennefer, Phillipa possesses extensive knowledge of magic and its intricacies. While she would most likely be swiftly defeated in a direct confrontation with Vilgefortz, her shrewdness grants her a glimmer of hope. While Phillipa may be outmatched in terms of sheer strength, she has repeatedly showcased her ability to manipulate situations in her favor. If she manages to outsmart Vilgefortz in some manner, her chances of emerging victorious could become a reality.
1 Francesca
Francesca Findabair, known as The Daisy of the Valleys, is one of the most formidable mages in The Witcher universe. As one of the esteemed elven mages on the continent, she possesses the potential to rival Vilgefortz in combat. In The Witcher season 2, Francesca displays her true power as she fearlessly marches through the streets of Cintra, effortlessly eliminating every human infant in her path. While she may not possess the same level of raw power as Vilgefortz, her unwavering determination and sheer ferocity could grant her a fighting chance against him.