The perilous Zone in Stalker 2 presents countless moments where your choices shape the unfolding story. One of the standout decisions is whether to shoot or knock out Solder during the "Behind Seven Seals" quest. This choice affects the immediate storyline and sets the tone for a series of future quests, making it a pivotal moment in your journey.
Solder, a technician, has betrayed Skif and holds some secrets that can change the course of the story. You will be left to kill or leave him unconscious during the quest. While both paths will lead you to t, a few outcomes will be changed depending on your choice. Here’s a detailed look at what happens with each choice in Stalker 2.
What Happens If You Shoot Solder?
The outcome will be quick and straightforward if you decide to shoot Solder during the Behind Seven Seals quest. Solder is already in your grip, and Skif will deliver a fatal shot, ending his story.
After killing him, you can loot his body, where you will find a few basic items like a broken gun, a few ammo, and a PDA. The PDA will display a secret message addressed to Nestor that could indicate Solder is involved in some events in the Zone.
After killing Solder, you will face some challenges from NPCs. The guards that are stationed outside the Sphere will turn hostile against you. Try to sneak out of the Sphere with minimum engagement because fighting them would be hard.
What Happens If You Knock Out Solder?
click to enlargeIf you decide to leave Solder unconscious, the rest of the quest will progress the same. You might not be able to loot him at that point, but the long-term advantages are notable. When you leave Solder alive, the quest goes on smoothly, and Skif will continue to move on to the next chapter of the story without engaging in any fight.
Later in the game, Solder will reappear during the quest of The Hornet’s Nest. In this mission, he will assist you in disabling the psi-emitter, which causes your character to hallucinate. Without Solder’s help, this part of the quest will be far more exhausting, and the final fight will be much harder.
What Should You Do?
While the decision is all yours, the better choice is to knock out Solder and spare his life. From a strategic perspective, keeping him alive will eventually pay off during the Hornet’s Nest, where his help makes a difficult mission easier.
On the other hand, if you choose to kill him, you will only obtain a few items. These items hold little value, and you will face a tough battle against the psi-emitter. While the final decision is yours, sparing Solder's life ensures a smoother path through the challenges ahead.