Why Did Raven Branwen Join Salem'S Forces In RWBY?

Raven’s switch to Salem’s camp always struck me as equal parts survival play and a personal manifesto. From the vibe of 'RWBY', she’s someone who doesn’t buy into lofty ideals if those ideals leave people weak or vulnerable. Salem offers power and a network that can actually change the balance of safety for those under Raven’s watch. If you’re running a tribe and you can pick a backer who expands your reach and keeps threats away, you’d consider it too—even if it means making morally compromised friends.

She’s also a person who prioritizes freedom and capability over attachment. Raven’s life choices show she’s willing to sacrifice closeness for independence; working with Salem lets her act without being tied down to expectations of forgiveness, redemption, or gallant heroism. There’s a kind of tragic authenticity to that: she didn’t sign up for a partner who’d ask her to soften, she signed up for power she could wield.

Narratively, it’s satisfying because it highlights a theme 'RWBY' toys with—survival versus ideals. Raven isn’t evil for choosing the former; she’s fiercely practical. I find her chilling and compelling at once, and her alliance with Salem makes perfect sense if you accept strength and autonomy as her north star.

I like to parse Raven's choice as a mix of survival instinct and cold calculus, and in 'RWBY' that combination makes her one of the more morally gray, interesting players. On one level, she’s a leader who answers to a tribe and to her own code; joining Salem’s side gives her access to power and resources that likely felt necessary to keep her people safe and independent. That’s not noble in the sentimental sense, but it’s pragmatic: in a world where kingdoms, Dust, and supernatural forces all threaten smaller groups, making a deal with someone who can reshape outcomes isn’t irrational.

There’s also a personal side that the show teases. Raven’s relationships have always been transactional and thorny—she values freedom and strength over domestic ties. Aligning with Salem fits a pattern where she chooses the path that grants autonomy and capability, even if it costs personal bonds. Salem represents ancient power and a willingness to break rules; Raven, who’s never been comfortable with neat moral codes, would be attracted to that kind of raw potential.

Finally, I think Raven’s decision is emotional beneath its surface pragmatism: resentment toward past leaders, fear of weakness, and a desire to be in control of fate. It’s less a blind allegiance and more a calculated marriage of convenience—she gains the means to keep her tribe viable and to act without being judged by someone else’s ethics. Watching her makes me respect the honesty of her priorities, even if I don’t like all of the choices she makes.

To me, Raven joining Salem feels like a grim but logical pivot. In the world of 'RWBY', alliances are currency, and Raven’s always been someone who trades in practicalities. She’s shown to value strength, tribal security, and personal freedom above sentimental loyalties, so working with Salem supplies what she needs: power, influence, and fewer strings attached.

There’s also the emotional texture—Raven has scars from choices and losses, and aligning with a force that bends rules and offers potency suits her philosophy. It’s less about devotion and more about fit: Salem’s methods and goals mesh with Raven’s willingness to prioritize outcomes over moral cleanliness. As a fan I wince at what that costs, but I get why she made the move, and it makes her one of the more believable, if unsettling, characters in the series.