Should Shani in Witcher 3 Hearts of Stone have been among the romance options in the game? Let’s explore in detail.
-Robin Bhuyan
Witcher 3 is loved not just for its monsters, combat and mind-blowing storyline, but also its romance options. When people talk about the romance options in Witcher 3, the conversation almost always ends up in a heated debate between Team Yennefer and Team Triss. CD Projekt Red made it clear that these two were the primary choices, both deeply tied to Geralt’s history and Ciri’s story.
Yet if you are someone who has played through the DLCs including Hearts of Stone, you probably can’t help but feel like a major piece was missing. Whether you accept her romantic advances or not, the romance with Shani doesn’t affect the main storyline in any way, and doesn’t affect your relationship with Yennefer or Triss, if you are romancing them in the game!
Shani in Witcher 3 should have been more than a minor role in Hearts of Stone. She had the charm, the heart, and the sincerity that neither Yennefer nor Triss could fully offer. Some fans therefore wonder if she should have been a serious romance option in Witcher 3, rather than just a bittersweet side story.
The Missed Potential of Shani
Shani first appeared in the original Witcher game, which released in 2007. Her reappearance in Hearts of Stone was a pleasant surprise. Unlike the sorceresses, she is a normal human, a healer who is compassionate, grounded, and warm. Unlike with Yennefer and Triss, are no games of manipulation, no lies, no sense of destiny pulling strings, only someone who genuinely cares for Geralt as a person.
The way she is portrayed in Hearts of Stone shows exactly why Shani in Witcher 3 could have been so much more. She offered a glimpse of what Geralt’s life might look like if he stepped away from the endless wars and politics. A peaceful existence with someone who treats him with respect rather than someone who lies to him and tries to use him as a pawn. Putting her among the romance options in Witcher 3 would have provided a refreshing third path, one that many players would loved to choose.
The Problem with Yennefer
Now, let us talk about the elephant in the room. The problem with Yennefer is that she is often written as if Geralt has no choice but to be with her. The game treats it as the canon option. She is portrayed as his destiny, his true love, the woman he can never escape. Yennefer frequently treats Geralt and others around her as if they are beneath her. She comes across as controlling, arrogant, and at times downright toxic. For many players, this feels suffocating rather than romantic. Or maybe it was meant to be this way.
Of course, her defenders argue that she truly loves Geralt and that her sharp personality comes from a place of survival. That may be true, but the problem with Yennefer is that she rarely shows vulnerability in a way that feels equal to Geralt’s sacrifices. For many fans, this imbalance makes her the frustrating one among the romance options in Witcher 3.
The Problem with Triss
On the other hand, we have Triss. Unlike Yennefer she is kind and understanding. The problem with Triss is tied to her actions in the earlier games. She knowingly took advantage of Geralt’s amnesia in the earlier games, pushing herself into his life despite knowing full well about his bond with Yennefer. Many players never forgave her for that, and it made her romance feel tainted from the very start.
Yes, Triss grows as a character and becomes more selfless in The Witcher 3, even risking her own life to help mages escape Novigrad. But the problem with Triss is that the shadow of her opportunism never really fades. Even when she redeems herself, there are players who cannot separate her from her past betrayal. For those who value loyalty and honesty, she is a flawed romance option in Witcher 3. True and genuine love cannot come from lies and manipulation.
Why Shani in Witcher 3 Should Have Been a Main Choice
This is where Shani shines. Compared to the endless drama of Yennefer and the moral stain on Triss, Shani in Witcher 3 feels like a breath of fresh air. She is genuine, she is relatable, and she offers something that neither of the sorceresses can: stability. Geralt’s entire life is chaos, filled with battles and schemes, and Shani represents a chance at peace.
Even Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt himself, has said he would have liked Shani to be a romance option in Witcher 3. That says a lot about how natural she feels as a partner for Geralt. Imagine an ending where Geralt retires from monster hunting and chooses a quieter life with Shani. It would not be about destiny or manipulation, just love and respect. Players who wanted Geralt to step away from the endless cycle of pain and politics would have finally had that choice.
The Future?
As we discussed, the problem with Yennefer is that she is often too toxic, while the problem with Triss is that her past actions undermine her sincerity. Shani could have been the third path, a romance option in Witcher 3 that represented simplicity, honesty, and genuine care.
At the end of the day, it feels like CDPR missed a huge opportunity. Shani in Witcher 3 could have been the perfect counterbalance to the heavy drama of Yennefer and Triss. While Ciri is the main lead in Witcher 4, if we get to play as Geralt for some time, we do hope Shani makes a comeback and maybe this time we get a choice for a permanent romance option with the character!
