The Witcher 4 could be set to shift focus from the School of the Wolf and could be CDPR's first game of many that develop other Witcher Schools and organizations. Witcher lore isn't as prevalent in The Witcher games, with most information in lore books or item descriptions. However, Witcher 4 could breach some complicated topics concerning Witcher education and preparation, especially with lesser-known characters. Furthermore, as The Witcher's protagonist, Geralt of Rivia's story often takes precedent over worldbuilding and lore, meaning players aren't as privy to details concerning Witcher society. However, many other Witcher Schools could make the perfect centerpiece of future titles, especially considering the horde of important events that occur before and after Geralt's adventures.
Judging from developer responses to the new Witcher saga confirmation image, the sequel plans to focus on The School of the Lynx. This organization is the newest school, established by Lambert and Keira, both characters who appeared in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Unfortunately, little else is known about the project, as its development is still in the early stages. While Witcher 4 could kickstart a new trilogy or introduce a new hero, taking the opportunity to explore the past and future of The Witcher universe could ensure CDPR's popular fantasy franchise has a life beyond Geralt's adventures and established characters.
Witchers are already an endangered species with a poor reputation in most towns and kingdoms at the start of Witcher 3. Despite their powerful abilities and penchant for confronting the Continent's most dangerous creatures, their mutant nature alienates them from monsters and humans alike. This stigma resulted in dozens of confrontations between humans and Witchers, including the Sacking of Kaer Morhen, the Witcher Tournament Massacre, and more. Thankfully, several Schools survived, with dozens of Witchers scattered throughout the wilderness. Since players only have experience with The School of the Wolf in the games themselves (with other schools being referenced through armor mostly) exploring how other Witchers function can unlock new gameplay mechanics, stories, characters, and important events throughout the in-game universe.
Witcher 5 Could Explore The School Of The Crane
There are many monsters in The Witcher 3 and the other games in the series but the original trilogy hasn't explored monsters beyond the land and sky. The School of the Crane can finally expand on the world's lore and introduce revolutionary game mechanics. Based on the Continent's Eastern Coast, the School of the Crane utilizes swords and early guns in its arsenal but isn't as well-known for its magical talents. Additionally, the School of the Crane has a fleet of boats used to battle sea monsters and travel. Crane Witchers use a tether contraption that attaches them to their ship while battling sea monsters underwater and above the waves. Their armor covered their whole body, except their hands, feet, and heads, ensuring their mobility and awareness in tense, aquatic battles.
Witcher 4's Sequel Could Feature The School Of The Griffin
The Witcher's School of the Griffin provides a more knightly order of Witchers that follow a more honorable code. Unlike other Schools, Griffins have no qualm about killing dragons and uphold the principles of the original Witcher Order. However, they maintained strict neutrality in all matters between kingdoms and earned a remarkable reputation among royal families. Upstanding Witchers from the School of the Griffin enjoyed royal audiences and acted as advisors to monarchs, lords, ladies, and other noble houses in monster matters. A game based around a more traditional Witcher School could provide a drastic contrast between the School of the Wolf and Geralt's adventures.
Unfortunately, a game centered around the Griffins would need to be a prequel since the illustrious organization suffered an attack that crippled its keep and decimated its hip. The Witcher's canon School of the Griffin once harbored several powerful magical texts, which its guarded against mages and druids alike. As human nobility and peasants alike turned against the Witchers, a group of mages launched an attack on the School of the Griffin. Their powers manifested an avalanche that destroyed Kaer Seren, leaving the Griffins to seek shelter in other Keeps, like Kaer Morhen. However, including this event could allow CDPR to utilize characters from the original Witcher trilogy and Witcher 4.
The School Of The Manticore Could Expand Witcher's Continent
The Witcher's combat mechanics remained largely unchanged from the original trilogy, but Witcher 4 could explore new gameplay mechanics. Since many details concerning the game are mainly unknown, its story, location, and characters are all fluid. However, assuming the School of the Lynx focuses on the known universe and map, creating a game based around a new Witcher game about the School of the Manticore could offer new avenues. While not much is known about the current organization of Manticore Witchers, they have a rich history with Witcher society and throughout the lesser-explored territories on the Continent.
When the School of the Bear experienced a division between its leadership, a sect of Witchers split off to form their own Order. After gathering other rebels from the School of the Viper, the group of Witchers ventured into the deserts for unclaimed land. They settled into a nomadic lifestyle, thriving as hunters and defenders against the local wildlife. However, when monsters began to terrorize the deserts once more, the Manticore Witchers made a deal with Zerrikanian nobility to construct two castles in the desert. Unfortunately, nearly all of the School of the Manticore and the Zerrikanian nobility was destroyed by a Fire Elemental, resulting in the organization's downfall. If a new Witcher game focused on the School of the Manticore, it could explore new royalty, a different terrain with unique monsters, and introduce a narrative to rebuild a unique Witcher School.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ended Geralt's story, providing players with a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy and creating an opportunity for CDPR to explore new stories. Departing from the books' original content may be a risk, but the storytelling possibilities within organizations like the Schools of the Manticore, Crane, and Griffin could redeem CDPR. The company's previous release - Cyberpunk 2077 - released to significant fan backlash with numerous game-breaking bugs, disappointing storylines, and broken developer promises. The Witcher is more successful than Cyberpunk 2077, with its third game redefining open-world fantasy projects. The next Witcher game is an ambitious project, and is seemingly set to shift focus from the School of the Wolf to the School of the Lynx. If CDPR intends to explore other Witcher organizations after The Witcher 4, the School of the Lynx is the perfect starting point.
