In Stalker 2, you get choices A and B a lot of times from the start that will impact the narrative down the line. However, in missions like King of the Hill, you are given four options, but all of them ultimately lead to a predictable outcome: betrayal. In this guide, we will break down the best possible outcome for this mission and help you decide whether to kill Shah or Roosevelt in King of the Hill in Stalker 2.
How to Get King of the Hill Mission in Stalker 2
You get main missions mostly by interacting with the Diode NPC in the Garbage section of Stalker 2. At some point, he will suggest you go and meet Varan in a plant south of Slag Heap and he may have some answers regarding Nestor’s absence and the missing artifact scanner device.
This conversation will trigger the King of the Hill main mission in Stalker 2. After that, you will see an in-game marker mentioning the location of Varan, one of the rival bandits of the Garbage section of the game.
Meeting Varan at the Plant
As you enter Varan’s territory, you will notice that he has a lot of bandits working for him and are posted at the Plant. None of the bandits will be hostile to you initially as you approach the Plant to talk to Varan.
Varan will be direct in his conversation and will explain how Shah and Roosevelt, two other rival groups, are a thorn in his side.
Related: How to Find Artifacts in Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl
Should You Kill Shah or Roosevelt in Stalker 2
When you approach Varan to inquire about Skif’s attack and the missing artifact scanner, the conversation will leave you with four choices:
- Pay 20,000 coupons right away
- Kill rival gang leader Shah
- Kill rival gang leader Roosevelt
- Attack and kill Varan
It’s worth noting that most players likely won’t have 20,000 Coupons at this stage of the game, as Garbage is only the second area you visit. It’s quite early to accumulate that kind of money. Even if you do have it, it’s better spent on upgrading weapons, gear, helmets, and attachments rather than handing it over to Varan in exchange for information.
NOTE: For the second and third options, Varan won’t simply take your word for killing Shah, Roosevelt, or both. He’ll demand proof in the form of their PDAs, which can only be obtained by looting their corpses.
If you choose to do Varan’s bidding and eliminate one or both rivals, Shah is the easier target. His location isn’t heavily guarded, and you won’t need much preparation to take him down. Killing Shah will also allow you to progress the King of the Hill mission faster.
On the other hand, taking out Roosevelt is a more challenging option. You’ll need to gear up with top-tier weapons, plenty of ammo, and prepare for a tougher fight. Additionally, you’ll need to gather information about Commissary, the POI where Roosevelt operates.
Finally, choosing the fourth option will immediately turn Varan and his guards hostile, forcing you into a fight with them on the spot.
Best Outcome
Before making your choice, it’s important to know that Varan will betray you in the end, ordering his men to kill you. Knowing this outcome, there’s no reason to waste 20,000 Coupons or go to great lengths to defeat Shah or Roosevelt on his behalf.
Instead, attacking Varan immediately—or waiting until you’ve returned to a safe spot to plan your move—might feel like the most logical course of action. If betrayal is inevitable, there’s little sense in playing along with someone like Varan.
Related: How to Repair Weapons in Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl
Getting the Metal Key from Varan
Regardless of which option you choose from the four presented during your conversation with him, your ultimate goal is to obtain the Metal Key. This key is necessary to access a room in the garage where you can confront someone who may have taken your scanner.
There are several ways to acquire the Metal Key. For example, giving Varan 20,000 Coupons will grant you the key outright. Alternatively, you can return with Shah’s PDA, Roosevelt’s PDA, or both to secure the key.
If you’d prefer to skip the scheming and turn the situation into a fight, you can kill Varan and his bandits, and then loot the key from his body.
Surviving Varan and His Bandits’ Betrayal in Stalker 2
Once you have the Metal Key, head to the room in the garage. There, you’ll find the body of Nestor, the kingpin of Slag Heap, along with The Last One—the prisoner Diode sent you to question about the scanner.
Loot The Last One’s body to obtain the Unusual PDA. Although broken, this item is crucial for quests that follow King of the Hill, so be sure to collect it.
Looting the PDA will mark the end of the King of the Hill mission and trigger the next quest, Deal with the Devil, with the objective of leaving the Plant area.
As you attempt to exit the room, Varan and his bodyguard Iron will appear above, speaking to you through a hole in the ceiling. Predictably, Varan orders his men to kill you.
To escape the Plant area alive, stay patient and take down enemies one at a time. If you have a scoped weapon, switch to single-fire mode and aim for headshots. This strategy not only conserves ammunition but also makes eliminating enemies more efficient.
And that about sums it all up.
Now that you’re clear on the King of the Hill mission and whether you should kill Shah or Roosevelt in Stalker 2, why not check out How to Increase Inventory Space, How to Turn On Your Flashlight, and How To Disable Mouse Smoothing in Stalker 2 and Complete Controls.
