Noonstriders or Ward : which faction deserves your loyalty in Stalker 2 ?
InStalker 2 , you will often face unmanageable decision where lives hang in the proportion . These choices can force you to side with one faction , knowing it may turn another against you . The Wishful cerebration mission is a prime example , place you in a high - wager scenario that ask tough outcry .
In this guide , we will provide a detailed partitioning of the Wishful Thinking mission , including the vital decisiveness of whether to side with the Noontiders or the Ward faction .

How to Get the Wishful Thinking Mission in Stalker 2
You unlock the Wishful Thinking commission after completing the Forge of Progress principal mission in Stalker 2 . Both missions become available once you have reach the SIRCAA quickness , locate in the northeastern segment of the plot ’s map .
The mission kicks off when Dr. Dalin adjoin Skif briefly after being transported through a portal . He instructs Skif to meet him in the D1 Hall . As you make your way through the mansion house and approach the D2 way , a cutscene is trigger . This scene uncover a tense meeting between Dr. Dalin and Col . Korshunov .
During the confrontation , Dr. Dalin assay to convert Skif to activate the Monolith using the alpha artifact . However , he tells him that the artifact is important for power the generator as well and not just the Monolith . Col . Korshunov debate that his team is capable of cover the labor , but Skif swan that the artifact is his duty , making it exculpated that he will handle it himself .

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Interact with the Monolith
The next gradation requires you to interact with the Monolith , located on the low-toned level of the adeptness . Here , you will encounter two shadowy trope . Interact with both of them — it does not count in which order . Once you have done so , a third shadowy image will come along .
Afterward , a cutscene will begin , pulling you into an deception where you are scupper by Col . Korshunov ’s soldiers . You will be intemperately outnumber , and no matter how many enemies you defeat , more will keep spawn . The competitiveness continues for a while until the illusion finally terminate .
Once you are back in world , head upstairs and lecture to Dr. Dalin and Col . Korshunov . During the conversation , Skif confronts them , demand to do it whose memory he just witnessed in the Monolith Room .

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Dr. Dalin explains that the alpha artefact successfully worked and that experiments on it can now proceed safely .
The discussion is short burn short when Col . Korshunov instructs Skif to head to the Projection Room to satisfy with Agatha .
Should You Kill or Spare Professor Herman in Stalker 2
In the Projection Room , you will obtain Professor Herman tied to a chairwoman , plead with Skif to hear him out . Agatha accuses Herman of stealing scanners from SIRCAA , driven by jealousy toward Dr. Dalin . She also reveals that Faust was Herman ’s carbon monoxide - machinator , and together they murdered all witness to brood their track .
Agatha then put Skif in a moral dilemma , inquire him to decide Herman ’s fate . She reminds Skif that Herman ’s action nearly experience him kill as well . Handing Skif a pistol , she gives him the option to either spare or carry through Professor Herman .
A short timer appears on - screen , indicate by a decaying yellow line . If you do not make a determination before the timer runs out , Skif will automatically spare Herman . However , if you choose the option to bolt down him , Skif will pip Herman in the question , ending his life right away .

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This alternative has meaning consequences . If Herman is killed , he will be altogether removed from the storyline in Stalker 2 , pass any potential interaction or narrative developments involving him . While the full extent of his role in the biz is ill-defined , the story does suggest at the benefits of showing mercifulness and spare Nonproliferation Center when given the luck .
Though Agatha paint Herman as a villain — one who may have conspired with Faust and wrong Skif — her version of issue is just one perspective . There could be more to Herman ’s story that has yet to unfold .
For this reason , we advocate sparing Professor Herman during the aspirant Thinking missionin Stalker 2 . This access leaves the door unresolved for further persona development and chronicle revelations while avoiding unnecessary bloodshed .

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When you spare him , Professor Herman will give thanks you and leave the room during the cutscene .
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Should You Side With Noontiders or Ward in Stalker 2
No matter whether you prefer to spare or kill Professor Herman , you will straight off confront another polar determination : will you side with the Noontiders or the Ward faction ? This choice carries pregnant consequences and should align with your previous natural process and allegiances .
This decision comes shortly after leave the Projection Room , as Skif reaches Sgt . Mykhailov in the Cryptobiology Lab . There , you will find Dubny waiting near a bank vault door . Speak with Dubny and exhaust all his talks options . finally , he will ask you to take a side : “ I am with you ” ( Noontiders ) or “ I am with the Ward ” .
What if You Pick the Noontiders Side
If you have not gone against the Noontiders or have supported their destination so far , side with them may feel like the lifelike choice . peck this selection ordinate you with Dubny , the Noontiders , and their vision for exemption and rebellion in the Zone . However , this decisiveness will make the Ward faction , including Dr. Dalin and Col . Korshunov , your foeman .
Dubny and his ally will open fire on the Ward soldiers in the room , while Dubny advocate you to steer through the vault door . This path sets you against the Ward and onto a mission alongside the Noontiders , and the Spark cabal .
You will proceed through a foresightful tunnel , eventually achieve Strider at the end . He will be placing charges on a vault door leading to the X11 elbow room . After blowing the doorway open , Strider will file inside , knock out Dr. Dalin , and attempt to seize the activate alpha artefact .

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side with the Noontiders begin the“To the Last Drop of Blood ” main commission .
What Happens if You Pick the Ward Side
If you have been patriotic to the Ward faction — such as turn over the Ward Sensors gain from Squint to the Ward cabal in the first place in Stalker 2 — this option logically adjust with their promise of a impregnable future with solid food , shelter , and monastic order . By siding with the Ward , you join Dr. Dalin , Col . Korshunov , and their imaginativeness for constancy and science .
However , this pick immediately turns Dubny and the Noontiders unfriendly . They will set on you and the Ward junto soldier present in the room . After the skirmish , your objective will reposition to supporting the Ward in their pursuance of restraint .
This way starts theLaw and Order master deputation in Stalker 2 , which tasks you with reaching the X11 sector via an lift deeper within the SIRCAA deftness .

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House of Glass Achievement
After discharge the Wishful Thinking mission in Stalker 2 , you unlock the House of Glass accomplishment . You also get Coupons , which you ordinarily get after fill in missions . However , the amount of Coupons depends on your biz difficulty grade .
That is everything you involve to know about the Wishful Thinking mission , killing or sparing Professor Herman , and whether should you side with the Noontiders or Ward in Stalker 2 . For more tips , I recommend you check out ourKill Shah or Roosevelt in King of the Hill Mission , How To Defeat Poltergeist Enemies , andAll Main and Side Missions List in Stalker 2guides .

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