Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl is the next in line in the Stalker series of games. It has been one of the most anticipated titles, and Stalker 2 brings back some of the classic horror elements of the game. While following the questline of the game, you might have to make some tough choices. Some of the choices will cause ripples through the storyline, while others will not change the outcome but will matter when it comes to the kind of rewards you get.
One such choice is whether you should shoot Solder or knock him out during the Behind Seven Seals main story mission. If you want to know which is the better outcome, this guide has all the details on this.
Should You Kill Or Knock Out Solder In Stalker 2?
Kill Solder
Killing Solder will end the quest, and you won’t encounter him for the rest of the game. If you loot his corpse, you won’t get anything substantial except for Solder’s PDA. You can learn a bit more about what transpired between Solder and Nestor, but this won’t affect the storyline in the least. Also, during your escape from the Sphere, avoid getting caught by the patrolmen, as they will turn hostile to you now.
Knock Out Solder
If you choose this option, then there is a chance to encounter Solder later in the game. During the quest The Hornet’s Nest, Solder will become an invaluable asset. With his help, you can face the challenges ahead, making things easier for you in the long run. This is the only time you will encounter him again, and he does not reappear anytime later during the game.
Which Option Should You Pick?
Keeping Solder alive is the best outcome in this scenario. Choosing to knock him out will be highly beneficial in the later quests of Stalker 2. If you have kept Solder alive for the sole purpose of faction reputation, your choice here will not affect your standing with the International Perimeter Security Force.
In case you have not reached this point yet, we have given the details below of when exactly will you be asked to make this decision.
How To Start Behind Seven Seals Quest In Stalker 2
The Behind Seven Seals quest is part of the main story, and you will find it in your quest log right after completing the There and Back Again main story quest. You will also get another main quest along with this one called A Tough Awakening, and you need to complete this first before you can pick up the Behind Seven Seals quest.
After you are done with the Tough Awakening quest, head over to Zalissya Bar and check out the cutscene where you are informed of tracking down Solder. You must also complete the Needle in the Haystack quest to receive the Ward Sensor. Here, you have to make a choice to either hand it over to Richter or Captain Zotov so one of them can help you get info about Solder’s hiding spot called The Sphere.
During your investigation of the Sphere, where Solder is supposedly hiding out, you do encounter him and there is a brief altercation. He will try to persuade you that he isn’t the bad guy, and this is where you need to make a choice.
While Solder can help you out during one of the quests, you still need some form of defense while exploring the mutant-infested lands of Chornobyl. If you are looking for a tough weapon like an SMG, then you can check out our Reimann SMG location guide in Stalker 2 to help you out.