yagha: I'd agree that his voice actor was arguably one of the best in the game, but I still hold the opinion that Henselt was an incredible prick.

I really REALLY liked him at first, and constantly wanted to curry favour with him with the swordfights, and saving him from the assassins. But the moment that he jeered about having raped Ves (It was definitely rape in HER opinion, which counts the most, as well as Roche's and Geralt's) and declared his intentions to kill Geralt, even though he'd saved his life and had never directly associated himself with Roche's conspiracy, I knew that he was an utter bastard. And that just made the game all the bleaker.

Kitako: I still think that Henselt is a great character, even after raping Ves. That fact isn't just for the sake of it, in chapter 1 is explained clearly that Henselt is disperately looking for an heir (Sila needed Kayran components for a "fertility potion", even if that wasn't the main reason for her to be in Flotsam).

Henselt is really what I imagine the real kings of middle ages to be. Also, "every woman dream is to be ploughed by a king"... what he did was not rape in his eyes, and probably in the eyes of a lot of people around him.

Germanicanus: I hope you are not rationalize such a horrendous act as violence against women and rape.

Kitako: Not me, but "my Geralt" tried to rationalize.
*I* really enjoyed seeing him killed by Roche, second only to see Demavend die.

yagha: But even when you rationalize and use cold logic, Henselt will only make things worse. He is willing to challenge Adda's claim to Temeria (If she lived through the first game) due to her previous affliction by the Striga curse, and he would thus come into direct conflict, and possibly all-out war, with Redania-Temeria, the only other kingdom(s) capable of standing up against Nilfgaard. I'm thinking that an interregnum is better than such a huge war. He'll also make searching for Yennefer, and life thereafter, harder by having a personal bounty on Geralt's head.

Also, he's far more violent against the non-humans than any of the other kings. It said so in one of the game's trailers.

Raye: Be nice to Iorveth, and NEVER betray his trust, even if you don't side with him, whenever the opportunity arises. He returns trust and respect shown to him to him with interest.

hvis: Could you post a screenshot from the beginning of Chapter 3 with both Roche and Iorveth present?
If this is true, I'm definitely doing another playthrough, but I haven't found any confirmation for this on the web so far.

Kitako: Yes, Henselt isn't the best choice for a king around. But, as Philippa said, his dead can only bring civil war to Kaedwen, and instability... all to advantage to Nilfgaarde.

Now, speaking from a out of game and all-knowing point of view, now that Nilfgaard is crossing the Yoruga who will lead the defense?

Saskia (if we let her alive, and maybe, uncrontrolled) would be the first choice, but she has no army. Defending Vergen with a volounteer army is not the same as defending the Northern Kingdom from the empire.

Temeria has a good general, able in war, but volatile power over an army with all the barons eating each other.

Radovid seems the only one with a good army and good control over it, but he's a selfish prick.

In this picture I still think that the stronger figure against the empire would be Henselt. He know war very well, has a good army at his command, and I think is not so stupid to attack Redania or Temeria while the empire is happy marching over them.

That's my logical reasoning why Henselt is better alive than dead for the political picture that you have at the end of the game.

Germanicanus: Henselt would be the worst choice as the leading commander. He betrayed his allies once in the very same situation (Nilfgaard was marching at them too) - what would stop him from seizing more power, now when Temeria is in crisis?

Germanicanus: Kitako and Mukhlisz, have you read my post? I clearly explained why Henselt would be the worst choice as the leading commander. He betrayed his allies once in the very same situation (Nilfgaard was marching at them too) - what would stop him from seizing more power, now when Temeria is in crisis?
Saskia or Jan Natalis. Seems like the Witcher world is in need for great commanders whose heads are not crowned. To me, that is more than perfect :)
I am sure that Kovir will play a role in next Witcher 3. Maybe it will help TNK again and saved them from being defeated and seized by Nilfgaard empire?