Should You Help or Kill Squint in Stalker 2

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As a seasoned Stalker 2 adventurer with countless hours spent navigating the treacherous wastelands of the Exclusion Zone, I can confidently say that helping Squint in the A Needle in a Haystack quest is the way to go. The thrill of exploring hidden caves, battling bloodsuckers, and acquiring valuable artifacts is unmatched. Plus, who doesn’t love a good side mission?

In the desolate world of Stalker 2, numerous challenging choices await, each one shaping your adventure uniquely. One of the early instances where you’ll have to make such a decision occurs during the main mission titled “A Needle in a Haystack.” During this mission, you encounter Squint, who has taken refuge in a windmill.

“You have two choices: either aid him or take his life. Choosing the latter moves the story forward more swiftly, while choosing ‘Squint’ triggers a side quest offering some perks. This is a significant decision as it impacts your future encounters. This guide will break down the consequences of each choice and suggest a path for you.

What Happens When You Help Squint?

If you choose to aid Squint, pick the dialogue options: “What’s your strategy for escaping?” Following this, select the prompt: “I’ll help you with that, but in return, I need your artifact.” This initiates a side quest named “Piece of Cake.” In this quest, you will search for a unique artifact hidden within a nearby cave. Once the adventure begins, the cave’s location will be marked on your map.

The destination leads to a farm featuring a secret entrance to a cave within one of its structures. Be aware that you may encounter perils such as the lethal Bloodsucker creatures and corrosive anomalies there, so prepare accordingly. If you wish to evade the Bloodsuckers, sneak carefully; if you’d rather engage in combat, stock up on ammunition and healing supplies beforehand.

After you’ve made the area safe, employ your detector device to guide you through the corrosive peculiarities. Search for the Mold artifact by following the detector’s instructions. When you find it, head back to Squint at the windmill. You have two options: either hand over the artifact to him for the Ward Sensors or eliminate him to keep it yourself.

What Happens When You Kill Squint?

If you don’t fancy taking on this side mission, approach Squint and choose the ‘Attack’ conversation option instead. This action will initiate a brief skirmish. Given that he’s not armed with formidable weapons, you should be able to defeat him swiftly. Once he’s down, search his remains to collect the Ward Sensors.

Once you’ve defeated him, the Piece of Cake mission won’t be accessible for you anymore. However, feel free to move forward with your adventure and choose to deliver Ward Sensors to either Richter or Captain Zotov. Keep in mind that eliminating Squint will not hinder your progress, but completing an extra side quest enriches the storyline.

Which Choice Is Better?

Between the two options, aiding Squint seems more advantageous as it allows for acquiring Ward Sensors without causing harm and potentially fostering a positive relationship for potential future interactions.

Should you choose to hold onto the Mold artifact, it’s also an option to eliminate Squint following his mission to obtain the item. In the end, the choice is yours – it hinges on your playstyle and how compassionate you wish to be towards other characters during your adventure.

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2024-12-05 03:12