Stalker 2: Should you side with The Ninth or Dew in The Lost Boys quest?

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from the grandiose worlds of Azeroth to the post-apocalyptic wastelands of Fallout. But Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has managed to captivate me in a way few games have before. The Lost Boys side quest is just one example of how this game masterfully weaves player choice and consequence into its narrative.

In “Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl,” you’ll find numerous adventures that let you choose your response. Among these is the side quest titled “The Lost Boys.” To help you navigate through this mission and make informed choices, we’ve prepared a comprehensive walkthrough for you. Enjoy!

Game World’s developer, GSC, has placed great importance on giving players freedom of choice, with actions having significant consequences, and a world that evolves naturally and spontaneously. In this setting, factions operate autonomously, and the world undergoes transformations without any explicit manipulation.

In addition to being connected to the main plot, some side missions aren’t confined to it either. Many of these optional quests can influence events, either right away or in the future. The ‘Lost Boys’ is an early example of this phenomenon.

The Lost Boys quest walkthrough

Speak to Lens and find the group’s last known location

To embark on The Lost Boys’ mission, make your way to Zalissya and converse with Lens. He will share that a team of excavators vanished during an assignment, and he requests you to visit the place where they were last seen for investigation.

After your agreement, you’ll receive a guide to a hidden bunker. Descend to the lower level upon entering. In a chamber on the right side, you’ll come across a deceased individual with a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The PDA reveals that their demise was imminent due to an emission.

Make your way down the single accessible path until you spot an area with a sack and a shotgun on the floor. Grab all the items, but specifically search for the fuse. In the room opposite that sack, you’ll find a fusebox mounted on the wall where it can be inserted to reactivate power in this location.

Advance and clear any irregularities in your path using your tools, then continue moving forward until you encounter an injured digger named Max, who is lying on the ground on a Saturday. But beware of the major irregularity and rogue rats.

Employ a First Aid Kit to mend his wounds, and he’ll inform you that Mastiff, their head, has been abducted and transported to an alleged cursed apartment complex. This revelation will provide you with a fresh location marker to investigate.

Make your way to the building, but be aware that the main door is locked. Instead, go to the nearby outhouse. Inside the outhouse, grab the ammo and medical supplies from the shelf on the left side. Then, proceed through the tunnel located in the floor to reach the main building.

Upon your arrival, you’ll immediately notice a haunting prayer emanating from the loft above and an injured Mastiff lying in a bed below. You can proceed with safety to the attic where you’ll encounter The Ninth, a cryptic character hailing from the game’s peculiar cult – The Monolith.

From here, you’ll have a decision to make.

Speak to The Ninth first but don’t make a decision yet

Following your initial interaction with The Ninth, a chance arises for an immediate confrontation leading to his demise. However, I advise against such action. Instead, express your intention of assistance. Subsequently, engage in dialogue with Dew and his mercenaries who are stationed outside.

I’m here for Mastiff too, so let them know that I understand their objective is to eliminate The Ninth. However, I’ll make it clear that I’m on Mastiff’s side. Then, I can choose either to align myself with The Ninth, join forces with Dew, or keep a safe distance from the whole situation.

Ally with The Ninth

Should you decide to side with The Ninth, you’ll be expected to aid him in protecting the house against Dew and his hired warriors. It will be a challenging conflict, yet there are valuable rewards to be found among the fallen combatants following the fight.

Once the fight is over, I can chat with The Ninth once more to gain insights into him and The Monolith, the enigmatic group he represents. He’s also going to hand over the Rubber Layer blueprint, a valuable design that could significantly upgrade my gear by leveraging its unique properties.

Upon coming back to Lens, you’ll receive 500 Coupons as a welcome back gift, but be mindful that many within the Zone may not have favorable attitudes towards the Monolith.

Side with Dew and the mercenaries

Choosing Dew and his less-than-jolly followers means you’ll face The Ninth. He’s quite resilient and can withstand many attacks before being defeated, so brace yourself for the challenge.

If you’re not aiming to win favor with The Monolith, this choice seems to be the wiser financial move. Lens will increase your payment by twofold upon your completion, rewarding you with 1000 Coupons in return.

A non-violent resolution is not possible

Regrettably, even if I could persuade everyone to avoid conflict, this situation seems unavoidable. Misleading Dew by saying no one’s home would only lead our group to continue searching, ultimately discovering The Ninth and igniting a shootout.

If you attempt to persuade Dew that The Ninth is sincere and is working to protect Mastiff, he might label you as a traitor and respond with an attack instead.

Considering everything, it seems wiser to support Dew and choose the larger payoff from Lens upon your arrival back in Zalissya.

2024-11-26 21:19