Taking a look at seven worst things done by Yennefer of Vengerberg of the Witcher universe…
Yennefer of Vengerberg is one of the most polarizing characters in the Witcher universe. She is loved for her intelligence, confidence, loyalty to those she chooses, and her refusal to bend to anyone. At the same time, she is disliked as well by many, due her arrogance, emotional coldness, and the ruthless way she treats people who stand in her way, sometimes even her allies. This duality is exactly why debates around her never end. Some see her as a misunderstood woman forced to survive in a brutal world. Others see her as someone who repeatedly crosses moral lines and justifies it by claiming she knows better.
What makes the discussion interesting is that Yennefer is not evil in a cartoonish way. She genuinely loves Geralt and Ciri. She often works toward outcomes that are arguably good. But when we examine the worst things done by Yennefer, a clear pattern emerges. She prioritizes results over consent, urgency over dignity, and her own judgment over everyone else’s autonomy. This article looks at some of her problematic actions directly, beyond Witcher 3, without excuses, and ranks them by moral weight.
7. Disrespecting Vesemir and his Authority at Kaer Morhen(Witcher 3)
Yennefer’s treatment of Vesemir at Kaer Morhen is another example of her dismissive attitude toward others. Vesemir is not just the most senior witcher. He is the moral anchor and caretaker of Kaer Morhen. Yennefer repeatedly pushes her plans without patience or respect for his experience or concerns. While this does not cause direct harm, and her intentions are noble, it also reflects her belief that emotional intelligence and wisdom are secondary to her own certainty. Among the Worst things done by Yennefer, this ranks low, but it reveals her mindset clearly. This is also one of the reasons why she can be considered among the most annoying characters in Witcher 3.
6. Stealing and Using the Mask of Uroboros (Witcher 3)
One of the lesser but still telling examples among the Worst things done by Yennefer is her theft and use of the Mask of Uroboros in Skellige. The mask belongs to Ermion and is a sacred druidic artifact. Yennefer takes it without consent and uses it despite explicit warnings that it could cause calamity. Even though the outcome does not spiral into pure disaster, the act itself shows her disregard for authority, tradition, and caution. It is true that this act was done to find Ciri, but still this was an extreme reckless behavior driven by confidence, not necessity.
5. Disrespectful Treatment of Skjall’s Revived Corpse (Witcher 3)
The Skjall incident should not be discussed only in terms of necromancy, since the real issue goes deeper. After reviving Skjall’s corpse, Yennefer treats him with cold urgency and zero dignity. He is confused, suffering, and might even be briefly conscious, yet she rushes him purely for information, while treating him like a monster. There is no acknowledgment of his sacrifice or the pain he is going through. Even Geralt can choose to object, which signals that the game itself frames this as morally uncomfortable. This moment earns its place among the Worst things done by Yennefer because it shows dehumanization, not just dark magic.
4. Impulsively Teleporting Geralt Out of Anger (Witcher 3)
Yennefer teleporting Geralt into a river after being annoyed about Triss is often seen with humor, but if you think about it, this act is far from harmless. Teleportation is unpredictable and dangerous , and she acts without considering consequences. Geralt survives only because the narrative of the game protects him. If he had landed on rocks, drowned, or was grabbed by a dangerous flying monster, the result would have been severe. This act reveals how quickly she uses immense power as an emotional response. Among the Worst things done by Yennefer, this one shows how impulsiveness becomes dangerous when paired with magic.
3. Mind-Controlling Geralt in Rinde (The Last Wish)
In the books, Yennefer magically manipulates Geralt during the Rinde incident, stripping him of consent entirely. He is forced to threaten and attack civilians on her behalf. This is not implied. It is explicit mind control. Geralt later realizes his rage was not his own. Turning a person into a weapon against their will is a severe moral violation. This moment stands out among the worst things done by Yennefer because it had removed the agency of the person completely- the very person she loves.
2. Risking an Entire Town in Rinde (The Last Wish)
In that same incident in Rinde, Yennefer’s attempt to bind the djinn escalates into town-wide chaos. Buildings are damaged, civilians are injured, and panic spreads. She continues anyway because the djinn might restore her fertility. This shows a lack of respect for innocent life while prioritizing personal desire. Innocent lives are treated as acceptable collateral. While the town survives, the intent matters. This action ranks extremely high among the Worst things done by Yennefer because of the scale of risk involved.
1. Destroying Freya’s Sacred Garden (Witcher 3)
At the top of the list of the Worst things done by Yennefer is the destruction of Freya’s Sacred Garden in Skellige. She drains the life force of an ancient holy site, worshipped for a very long time, to power her spell, fully aware of its cultural and religious importance. This act causes permanent environmental damage and spiritual harm to an entire community. Unlike temporary chaos, this destruction cannot be undone. It affects faith, land, and identity. In terms of long-term and collective harm, this is her most severe moral failure.
Final Thoughts
Yennefer is not hated because she is poorly written. She is hated because she is written honestly. The Worst things done by Yennefer reveal a character who believes that being right excuses everything else. She is capable of love, sacrifice, and loyalty, but she is equally capable of cruelty, arrogance, and emotional negligence. This is what makes her compelling, and at the same time, it is what makes her dangerous.
