In Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl, player choices hold tremendous weight, and none more so than the "King of the Hill" quest. This quest, which you receive by speaking to Varan, tasks you with eliminating two significant figures in the game: Roosevelt and Shah. Depending on the decisions you make, the consequences can change the course of your journey, affect relationships, and lead to different rewards, challenges, and outcomes.
So, should you kill Roosevelt or Shah, or opt for a more peaceful resolution? Let's break down what happens when you make either of these choices and how each impacts your experience in Stalker 2.
The Quest – "King of the Hill"
The "King of the Hill" quest is one of the more complex assignments in Stalker 2, as it offers a tough moral choice with multiple layers. Varan, the NPC who gives you the mission, asks you to eliminate two important figures in the Zone—Roosevelt and Shah. However, you will learn there’s more to these choices than simply choosing who lives and who dies. There’s a potential for subversion, strategy, and even betrayal.
The quest ultimately gives you three main options:
- Kill Roosevelt
- Kill Shah
- Choose a third path
Let’s dive into each of these choices and their consequences.
Option 1: Should You Kill Roosevelt?
Killing Roosevelt opens up a series of events that take you deeper into the heart of the game’s intrigue.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Clue Gathering: The first task is to locate a clue to infiltrate Roosevelt's base. This is achieved by speaking with Borodulin, who provides you with the necessary information.
- Hunt and Survival: To gather this clue, you will need to participate in two hunts on Borodulin's behalf. During one of these hunts, Roosevelt will attempt to eliminate you, so be prepared for a confrontation. The key here is to find a safe place to hide—specifically, a concrete building with a roof you can climb to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
- Infiltration: After surviving the hunt, you can infiltrate Roosevelt's base. You now have the option to either kill Roosevelt outright or choose to spare him.
The Consequences of Killing Roosevelt:
- If you kill Roosevelt, you’ll be forced to deal with his soldiers in the base, which can lead to a tough firefight. However, you'll gain access to Roosevelt's PDA, which contains valuable information, including the location of his stash. But the fight won’t be easy, and you’ll have to fight off a lot of resistance.
The Consequences of Sparing Roosevelt:
- If you spare Roosevelt, you avoid a potentially deadly battle. In return, Roosevelt rewards you with 2,500 coupons, but this also means you must cross out Roosevelt's stash location. This can save you from conflict but at the cost of losing access to that loot.
Killing Roosevelt offers a high-risk, high-reward scenario. The decision to eliminate him means you gain his PDA and a lot of useful information, but it also leads to a difficult and intense combat scenario. Sparing him provides a peaceful resolution with a modest reward but denies you Roosevelt’s hidden stash.
Option 2: Should You Kill Shah?
Killing Shah is another viable option, and it presents a different set of challenges compared to Roosevelt. The key here is to locate Shah’s hideout, uncover clues, and decide how to approach him.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Clue Gathering: To start, you’ll need to speak with Huron, who will activate a separate quest leading you to the Teacher. The Teacher provides the location of Shah's hideout, and once there, you’ll find Shah’s weapon in a backpack.
- Presentation and Confrontation: After obtaining the weapon, you must present it to the guard at Shah's base. Once inside, a dialogue ensues with Shah, but the situation turns violent, and Shah attacks you.
- The Fight: After Shah's betrayal, you'll have to eliminate him and face his loyal guards in the base. Alternatively, you could bypass the hideout and go straight to Shah’s base to deal with him directly.
The Consequences of Killing Shah:
- If you choose to kill Shah, you will face another tough firefight against his soldiers. However, once you eliminate Shah, you’ll have the opportunity to retrieve his PDA, which contains valuable intel. Like Roosevelt, eliminating Shah leads to a challenging combat scenario but rewards you with useful information.
The Third Option: Dealing with Varan
This choice is somewhat unexpected, adding an additional layer of complexity to the story and making you question your previous actions.
Should You Kill Roosevelt or Shah?
Ultimately, the decision of who to kill depends on your playstyle and the type of experience you're looking for in Stalker 2:
If you prefer diplomacy and avoiding unnecessary conflict, sparing Roosevelt might be the more appealing choice, as it grants you a reward without the need for combat. However, you’ll lose out on his stash.
If you enjoy a challenge and want to maximize the rewards, then killing Roosevelt or Shah can give you powerful PDAs and loot, but it comes with the added cost of tough combat sequences. It’s a high-stakes option with high rewards, but also high risk.
If you're ready for a twist and enjoy unexpected drama, remember that Varan’s betrayal is an additional hurdle that might catch you off guard.
Whatever path you take in the "King of the Hill" quest, be prepared for consequences, as each choice shapes your journey in Stalker 2.
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