Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl – Should you help or kill Squint?

Key Takeaways

1. Major Decisions, Minor Impact: While helping or attacking Squint seems like a minor choice in Stalker 2, it sets the tone for Skif’s moral alignment and the game’s narrative progression.
2. Artifact or Sensors: Your decision hinges on whether you prioritize retrieving a valuable artifact for yourself or assisting Squint in his escape.
3. No Long-Term Consequences: Whichever path you choose, Squint’s fate doesn’t have a significant impact on the larger story of Stalker 2.

In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, every decision shapes your journey through the unforgiving Zone. One such pivotal choice occurs during the “Needle in a Haystack” mission, where Skif encounters Squint, a rogue Stalker accused of stealing the Ward Sensors. Do you help Squint escape, or do you attack him and retrieve the sensors by force?

This guide breaks down both options, offering insights into the gameplay, pros, cons, and what your decision means for the narrative.

Meeting Squint: The Context Behind the Choice

Squint is introduced during the Needle in a Haystack quest as a Stalker who has crossed the Ward by killing their men and stealing their sensors.

• Richter’s Plea: Richter, a neutral figure in the conflict, believes the Ward is overstepping its boundaries and asks Skif to return the sensors to him instead.
• Captain Zotov’s Demand: On the other hand, Zotov sees Squint’s death as justice for his actions and expects Skif to retrieve the sensors for the Ward.

To proceed, Skif must track Squint to an abandoned windmill, where he is hiding amidst traps and anomalies.

The Two Choices: What Can You Do?

Option 1: Help Squint Escape

If you choose to help Squint, he will request your aid in retrieving an artifact from a nearby cave to secure his safe passage. This triggers the side quest “Piece of Cake.”

How to Find the Artifact:

1. Locate the Cave Entrance: Exit the windmill and follow the objective marker to a farmhouse. Look for a house with a hole in the floor that leads into the cave.
2. Prepare for Combat: In the cave, a Bloodsucker mutant will attack. This creature is fast and can camouflage, making it a deadly foe. Engage carefully and aim to deal damage when it’s cloaked.
3. Navigate the Acid Field: Deeper in the cave, you’ll encounter pools of acid and an anomalous field. Use your Echo Detector to locate the artifact, which appears as a spiky, glowing green object.
4. Return to Squint: Exit via a ladder leading back to the surface and deliver the artifact to Squint.

Pros of Helping Squint:

• Moral Satisfaction: Helping Squint supports the independent Stalkers’ ideology of freedom from the Ward.
• Faction Relations: Richter and other neutral factions may view Skif more favorably.
• Avoids Conflict: This peaceful route spares Squint’s life and prevents unnecessary bloodshed.

Cons of Helping Squint:

• Minimal Rewards: Squint gives little acknowledgment or tangible rewards for your assistance.
• Resource Consumption: Battling the Bloodsucker and traversing the acid field can drain valuable supplies.

Option 2: Attack Squint and Retrieve the Ward Sensors

The more straightforward option is to confront Squint and take the sensors by force.

How to Defeat Squint:

• Combat Strategy: Inside the windmill, Squint uses a broken hunting rifle and has little room to maneuver. Quickly engage him and aim for a decisive takedown.
• Loot the Sensors: After killing Squint, retrieve the sensors from his body and return them to either Richter or Zotov.

Pros of Attacking Squint:

• Simplicity: This route avoids the hassle of retrieving the artifact and saves time.
• Keep the Artifact: Skif retains the artifact found in the cave for himself, potentially benefiting future missions.
• No Consequences: Killing Squint doesn’t affect relationships with the Ward or other factions significantly.

Cons of Attacking Squint:

• Missed Ideological Stand: Squint’s escape represents resistance to the Ward’s authoritarian control, which some players might value supporting.
• Potential Regret: While there’s no long-term impact, players might feel morally conflicted about killing a desperate Stalker.

The Bigger Picture: What Does This Choice Mean?

Regardless of your decision, Squint’s fate doesn’t significantly impact the overall story of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Here’s how it ties into the narrative:

1. Moral Ambiguity: Stalker 2 thrives on gray morality, forcing players to make choices without clear-cut right or wrong answers.
2. Faction Dynamics: This mission introduces the Ward’s growing influence and the resistance from independent Stalkers like Squint, setting the stage for larger political conflicts.
3. Skif’s Personal Goals: Ultimately, Skif’s priority is uncovering the whereabouts of Solder, a traitor from the prologue. Resolving Squint’s situation clears the way for this larger quest.

Which Option Is Best?

Helping Squint: The Right Thing to Do

• Supporting Squint aligns with a more empathetic playthrough, emphasizing freedom and resistance against oppressive forces.
• It also demonstrates Skif’s willingness to navigate the Zone diplomatically.

Attacking Squint: The Pragmatic Choice

• Players who prefer efficiency and resources may find attacking Squint more rewarding.
• Keeping the artifact ensures Skif is better equipped for future challenges.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on how you want to shape Skif’s journey and role within the Zone.

FAQs

Q: Does Squint appear later in the story if you help him escape?
A: No, Squint doesn’t seem to have any significant role in the later narrative of Stalker 2.

Q: Can you still keep the artifact if you help Squint?
A: No, handing the artifact to Squint is necessary if you choose to assist him.

Q: Does killing Squint affect relationships with Richter or Zotov?
A: No, neither faction seems to care much about Squint’s fate as long as the sensors are returned.