You can choose to help Squint retrieve his artifact or kill him in Stalker 2’s ‘Needle in the Haystack’ quest.
Stalker 2’s ‘Needle in the Haystack’ mission gives you a deeper look into the workings and methods of the Ward, one of the more prominent factions that have an iron grip on the Zone. The Ward has taken over Zalissya and is hunting for Squint, a stalker who attacked members of the faction and stole their Ward sensor. Captain Zotov, a leader in the faction, wants you to retrieve the sensor and do with Squint as you see fit in return for some valuable intel. The captain has left Squint’s fate in your hands, and we are here to help you decide if you should help Squint or kill him in the ‘Needle in the Haystack’ quest in Stalker 2.
Where To Find Squint in Stalker 2?
Talk to Captain Zotov in Zalissya, and he will inform you that Squint is intimate with the Lesser Zone and was last seen at the warehouse with radiation hazard signs. The warehouse is roughly 300 meters northwest of Zalissya. Talk to the people in the warehouse, and you will learn that Squint is holed up at the mill in the Farmstead.
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The Farmstead is southeast of the warehouse. Head to the Farmstead and kill the enemies in the vicinity. The mill, called Old Mill, is at the center of the Farmstead. Head inside the mill, but be careful as the mill is booby-trapped all over with tripwires. Go up slowly, disarming the traps along the way. You will find Squint holed up on the upper floor of the mill.
How to Deal With Squint in Stalker 2?
Once you approach Squint on the upper floor of the mill, he pulls up a gun at you. Squint is looking to escape the Lesser Zone and needs an artifact from a nearby cave to enact his escape plan. Here, you have the choice to help Squint retrieve the artifact or kill him.
What Should You Choose?
You will obtain the Ward sensor regardless of how you choose to deal with Squint. Choosing to help Squint will unlock the ‘Piece of Cake’ side quest, where you head out to retrieve Squint’s artifact. After you complete the quest, he will hand over the Ward sensor back to you.
You could also choose to skip over the quest completely and kill Squint to retrieve the Ward sensor. Doing so, as expected, will lock you out of the ‘Piece of Cake’ side quest, which will reward you with the Mold Artifact.
We recommend helping Squint as it unlocks an entirely new quest. The quest is worthwhile as you get both the Mold Artifact and the Ward sensor as a reward upon completing it.
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