Triss Merigold is an excellent example of a character that got more love in the adaptations than in the books. Andrzej Sapkowski,The Witcherauthor, wrote Triss as a supporting character. She isn’t as significant for the story as Triss’s fans would like her to be. And when she does appear, she sometimes does more harm than good.
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The CD Projekt Red changed all that. Unlike Yennefer, Triss was the major love interest for Geralt in the first two games. She stood and fought by his side. And when she came back in the third game, she and Geralt could rekindle their romance. The games managed to correct multiple flaws Triss had in the book series.
10Flaw: She Has Low Self-Esteem
In the books, Triss isn’t that confident. She suffers from low-esteem, especially when it comes to her relationship with Geralt.Triss pursues Geralteven when he makes it clear he isn’t interested. And she chooses the worst of situations for her advances. For example, she tries to kiss Geralt while he’s taking care of her because she’s sick. She even propositions him in the stables shortly after coming to Kaer Morhen to help the witchers with Ciri even though she knows he’s still with Yennefer.
9Correction: Triss Can Live On Her Own
The games tell a different story. Triss does a much better job of taking care of herself. She can live on her own, even in a city where mage hunters are on every corner. She becomes a fearless leader who makes sure other mages get to safety. And if Geralt rejects her, she takes it in stride and goes on to become a king’s advisor. Not a bad life change for someone who used to be so dependent on others.
8Flaw: She’s Not That Powerful
Triss is the youngest member of the Lodge of Sorceresses. That might explain why she isn’t all that powerful in the books. Yes, she does her best to protect Yennefer when angry villagers threaten to swarm them. And she helps Geralt with Ciri. But her magic isn’t all that flashy, it’s more subtle. Triss eventually realizes she’s not powerful enough to handle Ciri’s magical talent. So she advises Geralt to ask a more experienced sorceress for help - that is, Yennefer.
Just like multiple characters, Triss also got a power boost in the games. She’s a capable but not exceptional sorceress in the books. The games tell a different story. Triss is a talented healer and she manages to sneak mages out of Novigrad.
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What’s even more impressive is the wayshe fights during the battle at Kaer Morhen. Triss manages to obliterate multiple warriors of the Wild Hunt. She clears the battlefield for Geralt and the other witchers.
6Flaw: She’s A Side Character
The fact is that importance-wise, Triss from the Netflix show is closer to the books than Triss from the games. Triss plays the biggest part in the first book of the pentalogy. She arrives at Kaer Morhen to help Geralt train Ciri and the trio later travels together. Unfortunately, Triss later exits the series and appears only sporadically afterward. And when she does, she doesn’t always stand on the same side as the heroes, Geralt, and Yennefer, even Ciri.
5Correction: She’s A Central Character In The Games
The games are a whole other story when it comes to Triss’s importance. She plays an even bigger part in them than Yennefer does. Triss sticks with Geralt for the majority of the first two games. She returns in the third game and once again stands by Geralt’s side. She’s instrumental in finding Ciri andfighting the Wild Hunt. Triss in the books was alright but it’s Triss from the games that many fans grew to love.
4Flaw: Triss Lets The Lodge Control Her
Triss in the books is much more scared of the Lodge of Sorceress. She lets more powerful members of the Lodge dictate her actions. Even when she doesn’t personally agree with them, she doesn’t say anything.
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She tries to help the main heroes several times but not enough. However, it’s not entirely Triss’s fault. She’s not as old or powerful as the other sorceresses so it’s hard for her to stand up to them.
3Correction: Triss Doesn’t Let Anyone Mess With Her
That all changed in the games.Triss no longer lets the Lodge of Sorceresses determine her actions. She stands by Geralt’s side instead and does what she wants. She helps Geralt even if it means she will lose her standing with the Lodge, especially the all-too powerfulPhilippa Eilhart. Triss is much braver in the games and she doesn’t let anyone mess with her.
2Flaw: Triss Is Obsessed With Geralt
Triss pursues Geralt relentlessly in the books and she can’t take no for an answer. Even when she humiliates herself by doing so, she keeps making advances on Geralt. That also puts a strain on the friendship between her and Yennefer. The two sorceresses even argue about it at one point and Yennefer calls Triss some ugly words. Triss’s obsession with Geralt makes her act downright selfish and silly in the books sometimes.
1Correction: She’s Willing To Let Geralt Go
Triss’s and Geralt’s relationship in the first two games is also complicated - and not so healthy.Many fans of the games hate Triss for taking advantage of Geralt’s amnesia. But by the time the third game rolls around, Triss became much more mature. She’s willing to let Geralt go, even if it means she’ll have to watch him be happy with Yennefer for the rest of their lives.
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