With the highly anticipated announcement ofThe Witcher 4at this year’s Game Awards, the beloved franchise is once again set to dominate the gaming landscape. With the new installment now led by series mainstay Ciri, the epic tale of warring armies, powerful sorcerers, and terrifying monsters will continue for a whole new generation.

Ciri has been a central character throughout the series and is the natural successor to theWhite Wolf, Geralt. In her many travels through the games, numerous characters have come to know and love Ciri, with many trying to win her favor.The Witcher 4is sure to bring back many familiar faces from previous games, looking to either help or hinder Ciri on her brand-new path as a witcher.

8 Characters Who Should Return In The Witcher 4 Ciri and Geralt sit by a tree talking

8The Circus Troupe

Ciri’s Happy Place

The Circus Troupe featured inThe Witcher 3made a strong impact on Ciri and would make a welcome return inThe Witcher 4. While only featured in the previous game for one quest after Geralt and Ciri were reunited, the Circus Troupe was a fun side quest that sent Geralt on a mission to steal horses.

Adding this traveling band toThe Witcher 4would give Ciri some needed allies and be a good catalyst for some fun side quests. They could act as amuch-needed respitefrom the dangers Ciri is likely to face in the next installment of the series.

8 Characters Who Should Return In The Witcher 4 Cerys An Craite of Skellige

7Cerys An Craite/Hjalmer An Craite

Loyal Friends

Some of the best quests inThe Witcher 3take part in Skellige, the dangerous storm-beaten lands ofwarriors and legends. The children of the island’s most famous family, the An Craites, are proven friends of Ciri and will be powerful allies in her battles to come.

While both Cerys and Hjalmer have the potential to become the Skellige leader inThe Witcher 3, Cerys makes the most sense and is the likely canon choice. However, both siblings are strong characters and would be welcome additions to the game.

8 Characters Who Should Return In The Witcher 4 Dandelion standing in front of some trees

6Dandelion

The Best Friend

With Geralt enjoying his retirement with Yennifer, it will likely fall to Ciri to be Dandelion’s savior when he inevitably gets himself into trouble. Dandelion is a close ally of Ciri and someone who has appeared in all threeWitchergames.

While he is rarely central to the story, Dandelion is a dependable friend for Ciri to confide in and can be a source of some fun side quests. The womanizing Bard is also best friends with Ciri’s father figure, Geralt, and will be a likely source of information regarding the series' former protagonist.

8 Characters Who Should Return In The Witcher 4 Sorceress Phillipa wearing her eye mask

5Philippa Eilhart

Pulling the Strings

Philippa Eilhart is an influential sorceress who has long-held ambitions revolving around Ciri. InThe Witcher 3, she intended to reform the Lodge of Sorceresses, with Ciri as a major part of the group. While Ciri is now on the Witchers’ path, defeating monsters for coin, it is unlikely that Eilhart’s plans have completely gone away.

Bringing Philippa Eilhart toThe Witcher 4will continue many of the stories from previous games and will likely embroil Ciri in the complex political games of the land.

8 Characters Who Should Return In The Witcher 4 Triss stands with her arms crossed

4Triss Merigold

A Sister To Ciri

Triss Merigold is one of the most important figures in the game series and holds a lot of influence among the powerful elite of the world. Askilled sorceress, Triss was a love interest of Geralt and a sister to Ciri. Much likeThe Witcher 3, Triss would go to any lengths to help Ciri when in trouble.

Triss would be a welcome return inThe Witcher 4, giving Ciri a powerful ally who can help guide her through whatever trouble she finds herself in. Triss is also another connection to the Lodge of Sorceresses and would be a great way to continue their story in Ciri’s new saga.

8 Characters Who Should Return In The Witcher 4 Avallac’h sitting by a fire

3Avallac’h

The Mysterious Elven Sage

While Avallac’h has acted as a friend and mentor to Ciri, helping her control her incredible powers, his motivations have remained a mystery. InThe Witcher 3, Avallac’h isa major characterwho travels to many different dimensions with Ciri. He is also a sage of great power and political influence.

If he appeared inThe Witcher 4,he would once again attempt to take Ciri under his wing, taking her on a path of his choosing. His appearance would also connect to the story of the Aen Elle, whose world would be greatly changed after the death of Eredin in the previous game.

8 Characters Who Should Return In The Witcher 4 Ciri’s father emperor Emhyr

2Emhyr var Emreis

Ciri’s Powerful Father

While Geralt is Ciri’s mentor and adoptive father, her true biological parent is the ruthless, power-hungry Emperor of Nilfgaardian, Emhyr var Emreis. Emhyr has long been pulling the strings in Ciri’s life, manipulating events to bring her into the royal court as his successor.

While Ciri is finding her path as a witcher, Emhyr Var Emreis is unlikely to step away completely. With his Empire growing, Emhyr’s influence is spread far and wide. His appearance inThe Witcher 4would further Ciri’s personal story, bringing somestrong emotional conflictto the narrative.

8 Characters Who Should Return In The Witcher 4 Geralt swinging his sword in battle

1Geralt of Rivia

Ciri’s Mentor

While Geralt has taken a back seat as the series protagonist, it is still highly likely he will make a return to the game in some form. Even in retirement, Geralt would never leave Ciri if she needed help, and, together with Yennifer, would be The Lady of Space and Time’s fiercest allies.

While Geralt isn’t likely to bea main characterin the game, as it is now Ciri’s time in the spotlight, his return would be a memorable moment for fans to enjoy.