In Stalker 2, you’ll frequently encounter tough decisions where lives are at stake. These choices often require you to align with one faction, risking conflict with another. The “Wishful Thinking” mission exemplifies this, placing you in a high-pressure situation that demands difficult choices.
This guide focuses on the importance of the pivotal choice you need to make between siding with the Noontide or the Ward faction during the “Wishful Thinking” main mission.
Stalker 2: The Noontide v/s The Ward
In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, one of the central conflicts revolves around the Ward’s ongoing power struggle with the independent Stalker factions scattered across the Zone.
Authoritarian and power-hungry, the Ward seeks to dominate small territories and settlements, aiming to uncover the Zone’s deepest secrets and exploit them for its dark purposes. The independent factions, each with their distinct territories and goals, stand united in their resistance against the Ward’s attempts at conquest.
Among these factions is Noontide, a group of former Monolith cultists who have broken free from its brainwashing and established their community. Simon Dubny, a prominent figure within Noontide, plays a key role in the mission “Wishful Thinking.”
After uncovering the fate of Professor Hermann, you will encounter Dubny, who will demand that you choose a side. Believing the Ward may have ties to the Monolith, Dubny is determined to stop them at any cost. Confronting you directly, he asks, “Are you with the Ward, or are you with us?”
Mission: Wishful Thinking
During this mission, you will face key decisions that shape your path forward. Here’s a breakdown of the events:
- Dalin’s Call: You’ll be outside the SIRCAA Main Building, where Dalin reaches out to you via radio, telling you to meet him at the D1 Hall.
- Cutscene with Dalin and Korshunov: They discuss about activating the Monolith.
- Monolith Interaction: Head to the lower level, interact with the blue kneeling figures, and prepare for a wave of Ward soldiers. Use nearby pillars for cover during the battle.
- Revelation: After the fight, Dalin and Korshunov reveal everything was a product of your imagination, manipulated by the Wish Granter.
- Agatha’s Call: Agatha will interrupt, leading you to the projection room for a meeting where you’ll decide Hermann’s fate and decide whether to expose Strider and Scar’s sabotage plan.
- Final Decision: In the Cryptobiology Lab, you’ll meet Dubny and choose whether to side with the Noonstriders or the Ward. You’ll be given two choices: “I’m with you” or “I am with the Ward.”
What Happens if You Side With the Noontide
If you choose “I’m with you,” a challenging task awaits. Dubny and his allies will open fire on the Ward soldiers in the room, urging you to move through the vault door. This choice pits you against the Ward and sets you on a mission with the Noonstriders and the Spark faction. It’s a tough fight (as most in Stalker 2 are), but victory is possible with the right resources and strategic use of the environment.
You’ll move through a long tunnel, eventually reaching Strider. He will place charges on a vault door leading to the X11 room. Once the door is blown open, Strider will rush inside, knock out Dr. Dalin, and try to seize the activated Alpha Artifact.
If you haven’t opposed the Noontide or have supported their objectives up to this point, siding with them may seem like the obvious choice. By choosing this option, you align with Dubny, the Noontide, and their vision of freedom and rebellion in the Zone. Choosing to side with the Noontide begins the main mission, “To the Last Drop of Blood.”
The Noontide: Important to Remember
By siding with the Noontide, you implicitly support Spark and the ideology of independent Stalkers throughout the Zone, including key figures like Richter, Strider, and Scar.
Over time, consistently opposing the Ward will influence the outcome of Stalker 2. While this choice alone doesn’t dictate the ending, if you have been a steadfast enemy of the Ward, siding with Dubny could become a significant obstacle, pushing you towards the Richter/Spark side of the conflict.
This decision is a point of no return in Stalker 2. Choosing either side will fail any unfinished Lesser Zone side quests, like “Nightingale’s Hunt” and “Lost Boys.”
It marks a key turning point in the conflict between the Ward and independent Stalkers, especially in Zalissya. Players should complete all Lesser Zone side quests before progressing to “Wishful Thinking.”
What Happens If You Side With the Ward
If you choose “I am with the Ward,” this choice will immediately make Dubny and the Noontide hostile, prompting them to attack you and the Ward faction soldiers in the room. The quest continues similarly, with you heading to floor X11 and entering the bunker to seize the Alpha Artifact inside. Your objectives here will shift to supporting the Ward in their effort to gain control. Siding with the Ward starts the “Law and Order” main mission in Stalker 2.
If you’ve remained loyal to the Ward faction—like handing over the Ward Sensors obtained from Squint earlier in Stalker 2—this choice aligns with their promises of security, food, shelter, and order. You support Dr. Dalin and Colonel Korshunov’s vision of stability and science by siding with the Ward.
The Ward: Important to Remember
Again, this choice doesn’t seem to affect quest rewards or mission progress in the short term. However, it marks a significant step towards aligning with the Ward in the conflict.
While it doesn’t determine the ending, it’s pivotal in deciding which side you’ll ultimately take. If you want the Ward to rule the Zone, this is the time to side with them. There will still be opportunities to align with other major factions later.
Note: Regardless, any unfinished side quests in the Lesser Zone will fail as the story progresses. Complete as many early-game side quests as possible before continuing with “Wishful Thinking.”
Stalker 2: Will Choosing Sides Affect the Rewards You Get?
The monetary rewards for the “Wishful Thinking” main mission will remain unchanged, as they are only influenced by the game’s difficulty level.
The choice between the Noontide and the Ward doesn’t impact the mission rewards. Regardless of your side, you’ll face numerous enemies, leaving plenty of bodies to loot after the attack. Expect to find various weapons, armor, consumables, and ammo.
Conclusion: Selecting between the Noonstriders and the Ward in Stalker 2 is one of the most important choices your character will have to make because it determines your experience in the game. What kind of ideologies do the sides have, and what are their goals? Considering these points, you will decide which turn the game will take. This is a critical point in the mission and the entire game, requiring you to make difficult choices throughout.
