Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl: Complete Guide to the Three Captains Quest
Key Takeaways:
- The “Three Captains” side quest offers players the choice to kill or spare two NPCs Sultan and Beard leading to different outcomes and rewards.
- Completing the quest unlocks unique weapons like the RPM-74 Machine Gun and opportunities for rare loot, depending on your decisions.
- Choosing to spare Sultan and Beard can earn you goodwill, achievements, and additional rewards, but it also alters the fate of quest-giver Sonya Kalyna.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has earned its place as a massive, immersive experience, blending intense survival gameplay with moral decision-making. One of the game’s standout side quests, the “Three Captains,” exemplifies this. It’s a high-stakes mission where every decision you make shapes the story, relationships, and rewards.
Whether you choose to take a stealthy sniper approach or negotiate your way to an alternative resolution, this guide will walk you through every step of the quest. Let’s dive deep into the “Three Captains” mission, including how to start it, complete it, and make the best choice for your playstyle.
How to Start the “Three Captains” Side Quest
To begin the “Three Captains” quest, you’ll need to meet Sonya Kalyna, an NPC bartender located in Sultansk, Zaton. To find her, travel east from the Zalissya Bar in the Lesser Zone and follow the southeast-curving path. Once inside the bar, speak with Sonya and ask her for work.
Initially, she’ll direct you to Sultan for small tasks. After completing two prerequisite missions The Mysterious Case and Bullseye Sonya will assign you the “Three Captains” quest. You’ll know the quest has started when she tells you, “That’s my kind of job.”
From this point, the mission marker will guide you to your destination, kicking off one of the game’s most morally ambiguous missions.
Mission Objective: Eliminate Sultan and Beard
Sonya’s job is simple or so it seems. She tasks you with assassinating two individuals: Sultan and Beard. According to her, they’re holding a private meeting in an abandoned building near the Port Cranes. How you approach this task is entirely up to you. You can either:
- Take them out as instructed.
- Spare their lives and face Sonya’s wrath.
Both options involve their own risks and rewards. Let’s break them down.
Option 1: Killing Sultan and Beard
If you decide to carry out Sonya’s orders and eliminate Sultan and Beard, here’s how to do it efficiently.
Step 1: Positioning Yourself for the Kill
Head to the giant crane near the meeting site. Once there, climb up the ladder to secure a vantage point. Be careful a hostile enemy is stationed here. Eliminate him quietly, then gather the weapons available in the area.
Inside this sniper perch, you’ll find two unique firearms:
- Mark I EMR Sniper Rifle (carried by the enemy you defeated).
- AR416 Sniper Rifle, leaning against a nearby wall.
Step 2: Eavesdropping
Before pulling the trigger, interact with the radio on the table in the sniper’s perch. Change the frequency to listen in on Sultan and Beard’s conversation. This might provide critical context about their intentions and allow you to make an informed decision.
Step 3: Taking the Shot
Once you’re ready, take aim at the duo through the sniper window. A single well-placed shot can eliminate both targets, but be prepared for a firefight if your shot misses or if reinforcements arrive. You can also choose to confront them directly inside the building, using close-quarters combat to finish the job.
Rewards for Killing Them
- RPM-74 Machine Gun from Sultan’s corpse.
- SPSA-14 Shotgun from Beard’s body.
- Return to Sonya Kalyna for your reward (varies based on difficulty).
- Significant loot from other enemies in the area.
While this choice fulfills Sonya’s request, it also removes Sultan and Beard from the game permanently, potentially closing off other opportunities tied to these characters.
Option 2: Sparing Sultan and Beard
Feeling merciful? Sparing Sultan and Beard is not only an option it’s arguably the more rewarding choice for players who value narrative depth and long-term benefits.
Step 1: Eavesdrop and Wait
Climb to the sniper’s perch, as in Option 1. Interact with the radio to listen to their conversation, but don’t pull the trigger. Sonya will urge you to complete the task, but you can choose to ignore her.
Step 2: Prepare for an Ambush
By sparing Sultan and Beard, you’ll trigger an ambush by mercenaries sent by Kalyna. These enemies will attack your position and attempt to finish the job for her.
- Eliminate the mercenaries near the crane.
- Loot their bodies for valuable resources.
Step 3: Locate Sultan and Beard
Once the area is clear, enter the building where Sultan and Beard were meeting. You’ll find them alive and grateful for your help. They’ll thank you for sparing them and reward you with:
- 4,000 Coupons.
- The Good Ol’ Days achievement.
- Access to further interactions with these characters in future quests.
The Fallout with Sonya Kalyna
If you spare Sultan and Beard, you’ll lose access to Sonya Kalyna as an NPC. Returning to her location will reveal that someone else has taken her place. Her fate is left ambiguous, but it’s implied she may have fled or met a darker end.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Killing Sultan and Beard
This path is ideal if:
- You want powerful weapons like the RPM-74 Machine Gun and SPSA-14 Shotgun.
- You prefer completing quests as assigned without deviation.
- You’re okay with removing Sultan and Beard from the game permanently.
Sparing Sultan and Beard
This option is better if:
- You value story-driven outcomes and additional achievements.
- You want to earn goodwill with Sultan and Beard for potential future interactions.
- You prefer a non-lethal resolution to morally ambiguous quests.
From a narrative standpoint, sparing them offers richer rewards and a more satisfying conclusion, as it leads to Sultansk being renamed Skadovsk, symbolizing a positive change in the Zone.
Additional Rewards and Secrets in the Three Captains Quest
No matter which option you choose, exploring the surrounding area can yield extra loot and weapons. Keep an eye out for hidden caches, especially near the Port Cranes, as they often contain valuable supplies.
Additionally, if you kill Sultan and Beard, inspecting other bodies in the area can provide extra ammunition and rare items, adding to your arsenal.
The “Three Captains” quest in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a shining example of the game’s emphasis on player choice. Whether you choose to carry out Sonya’s orders or defy her, your decision will have lasting consequences in the game world.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to your personal playstyle. Do you value power and weapons, or are you more invested in fostering relationships and shaping the Zone’s future? Either way, this quest is a memorable milestone in the game’s expansive narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I unlock the “Three Captains” quest?
You must first complete “The Mysterious Case” and “Bullseye” side quests given by Sonya Kalyna in Sultansk. Afterward, she will assign you this mission.
2. What happens if I spare Sultan and Beard?
Sparing them rewards you with 4,000 Coupons, the Good Ol’ Days achievement, and the chance to see Sultansk evolve into Skadovsk under their leadership. However, Sonya Kalyna will disappear from the game.
3. Can I loot unique weapons if I kill Sultan and Beard?
Yes, killing them yields the RPM-74 Machine Gun (from Sultan) and the SPSA-14 Shotgun (from Beard), along with other loot.
4. Does sparing Sultan and Beard affect the game’s ending?
While sparing them doesn’t directly change the game’s main ending, it impacts the storyline of the Zone and future interactions with these characters.
5. Is it possible to complete the quest without killing anyone?
Yes, sparing Sultan and Beard counts as an alternative resolution. However, you’ll need to fight off mercenaries sent by Sonya.
