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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl presents players with numerous tough decisions that influence their gaming experience. One of the most pivotal moments occurs during the main quest titled "Wishful Thinking".
While the quest itself isn’t overly complicated, you’ll face a significant choice that may leave you uncertain about the correct path to take. Here, we’ll break down the results and implications of both options, helping you choose the one that aligns with your play style.
Return to SIRCAA and Find D1 Hall
After finishing the "Forge of Progress" quest, make your way to SIRCAA by climbing the stairs ahead. From there, follow the coordinates to the D1 hall, where you’ll find Dr. Dalin in conversation with Col. Korshunov.
A cutscene will reveal Dalin proclaiming that SIRCAA holds the wish-granting Monolith. Dr. Dalin will ask Skif to test it, leading you to make a wish on the Monolith.
Note: Before heading to the Monolith, feel free to chat with Korshunov about the individuals responsible for his men’s deaths. Skif can share details about Faust and the Clear Sky, but this conversation is optional and skipping it won’t affect much.
Approach the Monolith’s coordinates. As you near it, the Monolith will communicate with you, and you’ll witness some holograms. Interacting with these will show you a vision of Strelok requesting his wish from the Monolith.
After engaging with all the holograms, a new one will appear, inviting further interaction. Skif will then make a wish, prompting a fierce attack from the Ward. Your mission at this point is to survive the onslaught.
Tip: The assault will consist of numerous soldiers, so it’s crucial to move around frequently. You don’t need to eliminate every enemy; your goal is simply to stay alive during the attack.
Once things settle down, return to Dr. Dalin and inquire about what just happened. He will inform you that the test run went well and indicate that it’s time for the actual experiment. Before that, you’ll need to have a conversation with Agatha.
Speak to Agatha in the Projection Room
Head to the indicated coordinates, and you’ll trigger a cutscene where Hermann is tied to a chair, and Agatha’s hologram emerges in the dimly lit room. Agatha will then present you with two choices: you can either kill Hermann or let him go.
If you choose to take his life, Skif will shoot Hermann, but this will be revealed as a test, marking a failure on your part. Conversely, sparing Hermann will earn Skif his gratitude, allowing him to exit the room.
Note: If you opt to let Hermann go and follow the path of the Ward, you will encounter him again later. He’ll clarify that Agatha’s choices were a test, which Skif successfully passed. It’s wiser to let Hermann go despite his past actions that caused Skif pain.
Soon after, you’ll have the option to inform Agatha about Strider’s plan or keep it to yourself. If you choose to share, she will simply ask you to convince him to surrender; if he refuses, you can eliminate him. If you hold back the information, Agatha will play a recording of Skif’s talk with Strider and prompt you to make the right decision. In both scenarios, the outcome remains the same.
Strider or The Ward – A Difficult Decision
The crucial moment arrives when you must decide whom to support. Aligning with either faction will influence the story, so take your time before making this choice. Start by finding Strider’s men based on the map coordinates and then approach Dubny, who will be targeting Strider’s crew.
Engagement with Dubny offers you two lines of dialogue: "I’m with you" or "I’m with the Ward." Choose wisely or continue reading for insight into the outcomes of each option.
Siding with Strider
Choosing to support Strider will unlock a door behind Dubny. Proceed through the door, where you’ll face off against several Ward soldiers. Once you dispatch them, you’ll encounter Strider, who will initiate explosions that lead you both towards the X11 site for the experiment.
Even though the game suggests you’re too late to halt the process, Strider will make a last-ditch effort to retrieve the artifact. However, it will be in vain, leading to an unexpected phenomenon involving the Monolith that puts everyone at risk.
In a surprising twist, Strider finds the courage to seize the Alpha Artifact, and once the cutscene concludes, you’ll need to escape the sewers, concluding the mission with a reward of several coupons.
Note: Completing this quest opens the door for another main quest, "To the Last Drop of Blood."
Siding with The Ward
Should you choose to betray Strider and ally with SIRCAA, all of Strider’s men will turn against you instantly. Thankfully, with the Ward’s support, this encounter will be manageable.
After defeating the opposition, proceed to the X11 lab, following the marked coordinates. Take the elevator, and a door will open behind you, initiating another cutscene.
In this scene, Skif will join Dr. Dalin for the experiment. A commotion will arise as Skif draws his weapon, which Dalin opposes. Strider arrives, apprehended by soldiers, causing further chaos due to the Monolith’s voice.
The moment creates an opening for Strider to attack the soldiers and grab the artifact, sparking widespread destruction. Following this, Skif will escort Dr. Dalin to safety. Post-cutscene, the "Wishful Thinking" quest wraps up, leading to a new task set by Dalin.
Note: If you side with the Ward, completing this quest will trigger another main quest, "Law and Order."
This chapter of the game is crucial, so consider your choices carefully as each leads down a distinct path.
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